476 SPANISH AMERICA. 



that they would be allowed to seek repose 

 in some of the small villages of the plains 

 during the wet season ; but not so, — its 

 skilful commander had lulled, if not to sleep, 

 at least into inactivity, his gigantic oppo- 

 nent, and it was now time to take advan- 

 tage of this circumstance ; and well know- 

 ing that an army neither paid, clothed, nor 

 fed, and already dispirited, could not be held 

 together should it remain inactive during the 

 wet season, he wisely thought that this was 

 the moment to carry into effect that which 

 he had so long contemplated. He boldly 

 resolved to make a desperate dash at the 

 kingdom of New Grenada, and by that 

 means place himself in the centre of those 

 resources of which he found himself so en- 

 tirely destitute. 



To effect this, it was first necessary to 

 form a junction with the corps of General 

 Santander, who had been sent into the 

 plains of Casanare to keep in check the 



