Page:The History of San Martin (1893).djvu/413

Rh 200 killed and wounded, among the latter being La Torre himself.

Bolívar was forced to recross the Orinoco and return to Angostura. Then with some reinforcements he again ascended the river to join Paez, who, on the advance of Morillo and La Torre had prudently retired to Calabozo. The two commanders having united their forces marched with 2,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry on San Fernando. On reaching the river Apure, Bolívar looked in vain for the boats which Paez had promised to provide, while on the opposite side were a number of canoes under guard of a Royalist gunboat and three armed fLecheras. Bolívar was dressed in a green spencer with red facings and three rows of buttons; on his head was a dragoon's helmet, which had been sent him as a sample; he wore Llanero gaiters, and carried in his hand a short lance with a black pennon adorned with a skull and cross bones, under which might be read the inscription "Liberty or Death."

"Where are your boats?" asked Bolívar of Paez.

"There they are," said Paez, pointing to the enemy's boats.

"How shall we take them?"

"With cavalry," answered Paez.

"And where are these horse marines?" asked Bolívar.

Paez turned to his guard of honour, and picking out fifty men under Colonel Aramendi, he put himself at their head, shouting:—

"Into the water, boys! Follow your Uncle!"

Then putting spurs to his horse he plunged into the river, followed by his men lance in hand, and yelling to frighten off the alligators which swarmed around them.

The armed boats opened fire upon them, but without effect; the terrified crews jumped overboard, and fourteen boats were captured.

"If I had not seen it, I never would have believed it possible!" said Bolívar.

Bolívar simply established a blockade of San Fernando, and marched without loss of time against Morillo, who