Long before morning dawned we were well among the mountains. Antonio had thoughtfully filled his knapsack with provisions, which, in addition to those I had brought from Don Jose's, would serve us for several days. The corporal had also furnished himself with a remarkably good rifle, and a quantity of ammunition. Our intention was to make our way to some place occupied by a Patriot force, of which we hoped to gain intelligence from the peasantry, either Creoles or Indians, the greater portion of whom were likely to prove friendly. It was most important, however, to put as great a distance as possible between the city and ourselves, for as soon as our flight was discovered parties would certainly be sent out to scour the country in search of us. We rested for a couple of hours under an overhanging rock--to take some food and regain our strength--just before daybreak, and then once more pushed on. None of us, unfortunately, had any exact knowledge of the country. We had therefore to steer by the sun, and to follow the tracks which appeared to lead in the direction we wished to go. Occasionally, when we reached a height from which a view eastward could be obtained, we looked back to ascertain if any one was following. A party on horseback, by galloping over the more level ground, instead of climbing the mountains on foot, might even now overtake us. The sun was still shining over the hills to the westward, but would shortly disappear behind them, when we saw before us a rapid river rushing between lofty and precipitous cliffs. How to cross it, was the question. We could see no bridge or canoe, and it ran too furiously for us to breast its foaming billows; while it would be dangerous to cross on a raft, even if we could find materials for forming one. We made our way over the rough ground down the stream. "I should think we must be safe from pursuit here; but I will just take a look-out from yonder height," observed Uncle Richard. He had scarcely got to the summit of the hill when he shouted out, "Here come some suspicious-looking fellows; but they are a good way astern at present, so that we must somehow or other leave them on this side of the river." After taking another look, to assure himself that he was not mistaken, he rejoined us, and we hurried along the bank. We had not gone far when Antonio exclaimed, "I see a tarabita! It will serve our purpose; and we must take care that it does not help our enemies across."