RECRUITS. 489 



were worth their weight in gold. It must 

 be confessed, in justice to the general, that 

 he was a brave man, and ever after con- 

 ducted himself with kindness towards the 

 British. 



The patriots returned to their former en- 

 campment, and the enemy took up a still 

 more formidable position on the main road, 

 covering Santa F6 de Bogota, but still in 

 sight of his opponent. The time between 

 the 25th of July and 7th of August was oc- 

 cupied by Bolivar in training a new levy of 

 about five hundred men, which he had col- 

 lected by the singular determination (as it 

 was hazarding his popularity) of proclaim- 

 ing martial law, — ordering every male ca- 

 pable of bearing arms to present himself 

 and serve for thirty days. These were 

 armed with lances, sticks, and old musquets, 

 totally out of repair : they were found very 

 active after the turn of the day in taking 

 prisoners and collecting firelocks, &c. &c. 



