When the Spanish saw the dreaded cowboys approaching, who never gave quarter, they fired hurriedly and missed. Then seized with panic, some cast themselves into the water, and others escaped in canoes. Only one prisoner was taken, a woman who fired the last gun at the cowboys, but who could not stop them from boarding the gunboats. Thus Bolivar gained possession of the region on both sides of the Apure. Paez is sometimes called the “Lion of the Apure.” ANGOSTURA _February 15, 1819_ Down the upper Orinoco River, Bolivar’s canoe was slipping quietly past wide savannahs, palm-tufted isles, and overhanging trees. While reclining in the boat, he dictated to his secretary. During the heat of the day they both landed, and Bolivar, lolling in a hammock under the shadow of the giant trees, one hand playing with the lapel of his coat and a forefinger on his upper lip, kept on dictating as the mood seized him. He was composing a new Constitution for the Republic of Venezuela, which was to be presented at the Congress meeting in the city of Angostura on the Orinoco. And it was the adoption of this Constitution, that made Angostura famous. To-day the town is called the City of Bolivar. And while the Congress was meeting, Bolivar and his chief officers held a council of war, sitting on bleached skulls of cattle slaughtered for army food. They discussed the dangerous plan of crossing the Andes into New Granada, and of helping the Patriots there to drive out the Spanish Army. They decided to attempt the crossing. And what that terrible march was like, one of the young Englishmen who went with Bolivar, will tell in our next story. THE CROSSING This crossing of the Andes was terrible. The hardships which Bolivar’s troops endured are indescribable. At that time of year, the plains were flooded. The infantry were obliged to march for hours together up to their middle in water. Sometimes the men fell into holes, or stuck fast in the marshes. Many of the soldiers were bitten in their legs and thighs by little goldfish, brilliant orange in colour and exceedingly voracious. Whole swarms of these little fish came rushing through the water, with their mouths open, showing their broad, sharp teeth like sharks’ teeth. Wherever they bit, they tore away a piece of flesh. They attacked the poor men most savagely. As the troops approached the mountains, the cold winds began to be felt blowing down from the snowy ridges of the Cordilleras. Soon, violent mountain torrents swept across the Army’s path; and the men on horseback were forced to carry across stream all the arms and baggage of the foot-soldiers. Even Bolivar himself rode again and again through the rushing current, carrying over sick and weak soldiers and even women who had followed their husbands. As the trail began to ascend, the horses used to the level plain, could scarcely keep their footing on the rocky way, and began to flag and fall lame.