Scarcely yet persuaded that Captain Lopez was acting treacherously, as Captain Laffan supposed, I half expected to see him return. "If he does, it will be with a party of the enemy," said my companion, "and we shall be made prisoners, unless we get due notice and can gallop off." This idea made us more wakeful than we should otherwise have been, for Lion doing duty as sentry was sufficient protection. The morning, however, came, and no enemy appeared. I shared my portion of the remaining stock of food with Lion, who had been for some time on short commons, as vegetable diet did not suit his constitution. We had gone some distance when, as we were stopping to water our horses at a stream, my ear caught the tramp of feet. "There is a large body of infantry coming along the road," I exclaimed; "I trust that they may be friends, or we shall have to cut across the country to avoid them." Captain Laffan listened, and was satisfied that I was right. "We must approach cautiously," he said, "and be prepared to turn to the right-about if they should prove to be enemies." We instantly mounted and rode on, and before long came in sight of the troops. "They are Patriots, I am sure, from their dress, and the flags they carry," said Captain Laffan. He was right. As we got nearer a mounted officer rode forward. To my infinite satisfaction I saw that he was Uncle Richard; while Antonio came close behind him, dressed as an officer. "Hurrah! rejoiced to see you, Duncan; and you too, Captain Laffan," exclaimed Uncle Richard as he recognised us. "Where do you come from? Tell me all about it as we ride along; you will accompany me, for we shall soon halt to let the men dine, and you can then get what food you require." We briefly told him the object of our journey. "I knew that Don Juan was ordered to hold the fort, but I little supposed that he was so hard pressed. However, I hope we shall be in time to relieve him. You see these fine fellows?" and he pointed to the men. "I have been busy for some months, while you were away, raising and drilling them; and though I cannot say much for the uniformity of their appearance, I am pretty sure that, if well led--as I flatter myself they will be--they will do good service when we meet the enemy. I have had some difficulty in getting efficient officers, but I chose the best men I could find, independent of all other considerations. I have a Black, and two pure-blooded Indians, while the rest are Creoles. I found your former servant Antonio so intelligent and brave a fellow, that I gave him a company." "I am delighted to hear it," I answered. "In a noble cause like ours there should be but one consideration,--to find the best men for every post; and if they have once been slaves, they are more likely to fight for freedom."