TO SANTA CRUZ. 
403 
in pathos the spontaneous burst of feeling exhibited 
by the mother and daughter on this occasion. Thanks 
to the Almighty rose above all other sounds, while 
they remained clasped in each other’s arms, for the 
deliverance from captivity, and the restoration of the 
beloved daughter to her home and friends. Although 
a joyful scene, it was a painfully affecting one to the 
spectators, not one of whom, could restrain his tears. 
After several minutes of silence, the fond parent em- 
braced me, and the other gentlemen of the party, in 
succession, as we were pointed out by her daughter ; 
a ceremony which was followed by her uncle, and the 
others, who had by this time joined us. We then re- 
mounted our animals and proceeded towards the town 
in silence ; and it was long before either party could 
compose themselves sufficiently to speak. 
As we journeyed on, we met other villagers coming 
out to meet us, and amoug them two little boys from 
eight to twelve years of age. They were the brothers 
of Inez ; and when they saw their sister, they sprung 
upon the saddle with her, clasping their little arms 
around her, and like their mother, bursting into tears. 
Eeleasing their embrace, Inez pointed to us, when the 
little fellows ran up to our horses and eagerly grasped 
our hands, trotting along by our sides, while the tears 
rolled down their cheeks. A little further, we were 
met by another lad about twelve years of age. He too, 
embraced the returning captive, and like the others, 
burst into tears. But those tears were excited by feel- 
ings very different from those awakened in the other 
boys, the brothers of Inez. They were tears of des- 
