474 



SPANISH AMERICA. 



been obliged to adopt, and fearing their de- 

 sertion, as they were composed of the na- 

 tives of these very plains, he determined on 

 seizing the first opportunity of calling them 

 into action, which soon happened. 



Morillo being encamped in the skirts of a 

 wood, on a small plain on one side of the 

 river Arauca, the patriots on a large one on 

 the other, Paez, selecting one hundred and 

 fifty men who were expert swimmers, crossed 

 the river at their head, making the enemy 

 turn out, and form his whole force in order 

 of battle, about a mile from the bank of the 

 river. Paez advanced slowly towards them 

 as if he had not perceived them, until he 

 came within range of the musquet-shot which 

 they fired at him, when he went about with 

 his little band as if panic-struck, and made 

 for the river, — a considerable body of the 

 enemy's cavalry following him. Having 

 drawn them well away from the reach of the 

 fire of the infantry, and nearing the river. 



