484 SPANISH AMEKICA. 



last mountains, were to be seen little vil- 

 lages, with their corn-fields, potatoe-fields, 

 &c. ; — it was, in fact, to them an entrance 

 into an earthly paradise ; at every turn of 

 the road they were met by the inhabitants 

 bringing all sorts of clothing and provisions, 

 and that which they could afford, for the 

 use of their deliverers, as they called them. 

 With such a reception, and such assistance, 

 they were not long in recruiting both in 

 health and spirits. 



The first rencounter (in which the Eng- 

 lish had no part) of these two opposing 

 armies occurred at Gameza, but nothing 

 decisive took place ; as the patriots found 

 the enemy to be in too strong a position to 

 be forced. Now somewhat refreshed, the 

 English, amounting to only ninety, found 

 themselves, for the first time (in this coun- 

 try at least), on the 25th of July 1819, in 

 order of battle, before their long sought 

 enemy ; it was the day of the patron saint of 



