He was sent on a mission to England. In London he met Miranda, the Flaming Son of Liberty, whose burning, persuasive words blew into a flame, the sparks of Liberty which Rodriguez had kindled in Bolivar’s bosom. Bolivar joined Miranda’s secret society. He urged Miranda to return at once to Venezuela and strengthen the Patriot cause. And thus it came about that the Flaming Son of Liberty went back to his native land, and was made Commander-in-Chief of the Venezuelan forces. Then it was, that the struggle for Venezuela’s Independence began to make Spain tremble for the most precious jewel in her Crown. How the fiery young Bolivar betrayed General Miranda, has already been told in _The End of the Romance_, on page 344. After which Bolivar fled into exile; and Spain confiscated his estates. But Bolivar never gave up his determination to free Venezuela. And when opportunity offered, he returned and became the head of the Patriot Army. It is not possible here to tell of all which he and his valiant troops accomplished. They fought against the Spanish forces, they suffered defeats, and they won victories. English, Irish, Scotch, and American men, were volunteers in Bolivar’s Army, and many of them fighting bravely, shed their blood for Venezuela’s Freedom. It was a terrific war! Nowhere else in all Spanish America was there waged a more ferocious campaign. The wake of the Spanish Generals, Monteverde and Boves, was strewn with the corpses of innocent non-combatants and with the ruins of pillaged towns and burned villages. “It is war to the death!” exclaimed Bolivar fiercely, in answer to these atrocities. And war to the death it was, on both sides--a war of ruthless retaliation on prisoners and neutrals. So the struggle went on. All the sufferings that accompany warfare were the portion of the miserable people, ruined homes, weeping wives and mothers, sick and dying children, crippled men, starvation, disease, and sorrow-stricken hearts. SEEING BOLIVAR High adventure and spicy dangers were awaiting the first corps of hot-headed young Englishmen who volunteered to fight for Venezuela. They shipped from England. And after thrilling escapes on the coast of Spanish Florida and among the West Indies, after many feasts of venison, wild turkey, turtle, parrots, “tree-oysters,” and lizard, they reached Venezuela. There, higher adventures and spicier dangers were waiting. They were convoyed by brig and launches up the swift river Orinoco. They were marched through tropic forest and across _llanos_ or plains, to join Bolivar. As their boats were rowed through the deep water or poled through the shallows of the Orinoco, they saw most wonderful sights.