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officers, and again hurried to prison. What charges were brought 

 against me I could learn only by report ; they were vague and inde- 

 finite, and no opportunity of answering them was allowed me. After 

 a close confinement of six weeks, during which period my case was 

 laid before the Viceroy of Buenos Ayres, I was again suffered to be 

 at large on payment of a fee of three hundred dollars. It was to the 

 humane exertions of my advocate, seconded by those of the Lime- 

 nian and the lady before-mentioned, that I owed this mitigation of 

 my captivity, and I gratefully acknowledge that they made every 

 provision in their power to render my situation comfortable. 



During my stay at Monte Video another adventure befel me, which 

 had well nigh cost me my life ; I am induced to relate it, by reason 

 of the insight it gives into the character of a certain class of the 

 people. I had gone on a shooting excursion to the promontory 

 opposite Monte Video, with my much-valued friend Captain Collet, 

 owner of two or three large American ships, and M. Godefroy, a 

 merchant, resident in the town. After some hours sport we met 

 a party of four Spaniards, among whom were Mr. Ortiga, the 

 consignee of Captain Collet, and a person called Manuel d'lago. 

 Our friend M. Godefroy had some conversation with them at a short 

 distance from us, and on his return gave us to understand that 

 D'lago had said it would not cost him above five hundred dollars to 

 send a pair of bullets through me, and that had I been alone he 

 would not have scrupled to do it. For this blood-thirsty insinuation 

 I was at a loss to conjecture any motive, nor knew I the man, ex- 

 cept by report, which designated him as a captain of militia, 

 extremely rigorous in his treatment of the unfortunate English, when- 

 ever his turn to mount guard at the prison subjected them to his 

 authority. 



We pursued our diversion; he and his party meanwhile arrived at 

 the Signal-house, about three miles above us, where they took re- 

 freshment. Some space of time afterward we observed a horse- 

 soldier ride down towards us, who on approaching eyed us with a 



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