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where I had formed acquaintances on my former march from Humaguaca to Oran; and at length arrived at Jujuy. My attendant with the mule had not yet arrived; and as he often travelled slower than myself, I knew not how far behind he might be; so I gave my horse in charge, and with a friend started as far as the market-place, in which direction I knew my servant would pass. Here I waited, expecting every moment to hear the "tinkle" of his bell.

It is proper here to remind the reader that I was in what is very significantly termed a Catholic country; or, to be more explanatory, a country governed by the Catholic religion for although the civil authority of the country is stern, and the military sway almost boundless, the ecclesiastical is supreme; and wo to the luckless wight who falls into its grasp. All must own submission and pay obeisance to the church; and the governor, the general, or the judge, whatever may be his own private tenets, must hail the passing host with bended knee, or suffer the severest punishment of an offended priesthood for his temerity. The holy host, as it is termed, is borne by a procession of friars, headed with one bearing an image of the Saviour. At his side is another, carrying a small bell, which, by a continual tinkle, gives notice of their approach. These are preceded, at a distance of forty or fifty yards, by priests, with soldiers on either side, ready to strike down all who are not kneeling at their approach.

I was at the market-place, as before stated, in conversation with my friend, awaiting the arrival of my servant, and expecting every moment to hear the tinkle of the bell attached to his mule. The sound of a bell at length reached my ear, but I was in earnest conversation and gave it no heed, when suddenly I received a blow from behind, which threw me a little forward, and knocked my garro into the dirt. I turned to resent the insult, and met the frown of an exasperated friar. He was preceding the host, accompanied by his guard; from

the musket of one of whom, I had received the blow.

But,

as I always scrupulously conformed, outwardly at least, to the customs of the country, I instantly fell upon my knees, by the side of my friend, who had discovered the cause of our interruption in time to escape the holy displeasure of the advanced guard of the host.

The procession passed on. I felt that I had committed a crime sufficient to draw a watchful eye towards me, yet trusted that no further note would be taken of the circumstance. It was a vain trust, however; for, in the space of eight hours, I was arrested for contumely towards the holy church, and, without trial or examination of any kind, cast into a loathsome cell. The Donna Cacinta had no sooner learned of my arrival and imprisonment, than she wrote to Gov. Civilia, urging him to demand my release; but that officer, after various vain attempts, was forced to declare, in a letter, (which was clandestinely conveyed to me,) that his intercessions were totally disregarded, and that it was impossible to effect my liberation. He also deplored my detention from the regiment; and stated that nearly all the provinces were in seditious commotion. Nothing, therefore, remained to me, but to submit to my miserable imprisonment, and abide the result. My offence had, of course, been magnified a thousand fold. The friar who caused my imprisonment, very naturally, in making his complaint, made it strong enough to accomplish his object; and from that grew a mountain of offence in the public mind. The friend who was near me at the time of the occurrence, very wisely remained silent; well knowing, as I did, that to attempt to excuse an offender against the church, was but to become an abettor and share his imprisonment.

For three months I had been in this horrible confinement which had almost deprived me of reason, when one night I was awakened from a feverish slumber, by the drawing of bolts at my prison door. Lifting my head, I saw, indistinct

ly, the form of a friar, with his cowl closely drawn, and holding in his hand a lamp, whose flickering flame served only to make more dreary the desolation of my prison. As he entered, the door was closed and bolted behind him. Resting on my elbow, I looked upon him from the dark corner where I lay, without speaking a word; but, as I gazed, the thought, "Is this an angel of light, or an angel of darkness ?" crossed my mind. Throwing back his cowl, and shading with his hand the light from his eyes, he looked for a moment, with a straining effort, into the dark recess; then, without moving further, pronounced my name. I at once recognised the man whom I had encountered at the market-place, and on whose complaint I had been thrown into this gloomy dungeon; and I replied, in a bitter tone

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Well, holy father, what would you have of me now?"

My son," said he, "this is no hour for irreverent blasphemy; but I forgive you. The punishment of your crime has already exceeded my intent; yet I fear the worst has not arrived."

"Well, I can bear it all, be it what it may. My life and these walls have become wedded: if I should part with them at the same time, it would not go hard with me."

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My son !" said he, in an exclamation of reproof.

"Look at me,". I continued, "and answer to my bones, which speak to you through the parched skin, whether it is possible for you to make a punishment of death. The poor machinery of my body, worn as it is by sickness and distress, hangs together but by a single thread, which barely keeps the soul within its tenement. "Twould not cause one

pang to sever it."

"Still I would save you, though I fear it is too late. The people are greatly excited towards you, and whether you shall die or suffer banishment to Casas Matar, is not yet determined." "If I die on this issue, you may account yourself my mur. derer," I replied, in a calm but decided tone.

"I can prevent such a catastrophe,” said he, dition, which is in your power to meet.”

"And what is that condition, holy father?"

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"Remember, my son, that life is sweet, and dear to those who love you in a distant land. Think of them, my son, and for their sake strive to preserve it.”

"But the condition, holy father; what is the condition?" "That you become a Catholic."

"Friar, you do not know me.

the holding at any price; surely, I

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My life is scarce worth

will not buy it so dearly

Will nothing but apostacy serve me in my ex

Nothing but that can save you."

"Then let me die !"

"At least you will say you are a Catholic, that I may tell it to the holy fathers, and thus subdue your enemies; say that, and your prison doors are open."

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Father, I will not even lie to save a wretched life. While I have sojourned in your country I have observed all the requirements of your public customs and ceremonies. I have fought for your country, I have bled for it, I have suffered for it, and now I am ready to die, if it please ye; but, if it must be so, I will die as I have lived-a man of honor!" "You will not say it?"

"No!"

Crossing himself devoutly, he said—

"Then I will;" and with these words he left the cell. What course he pursued, I know not; but for seventeen days longer I remained in all the horrors of suspense, when at length a person, whom I had not seen before, entered the prison, bearing in his hand an open letter, which he handed to me. On looking at the letter, I found it to be an order for my release, with directions to leave the town in twenty-four hours; upon which I was immediately conducted to the street and set at liberty.

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I proceeded directly to the house where I had left the little all that I possessed, in hopes of obtaining a change of apparel, and a little money to assist me on my return to Oran, but I found nothing. My valises, with their contents, horse, mule, every thing had been swept away by the confiscating power of the church—and I stood once more penniless.

I determined to hasten direct to Oran, weak and emaciated as I was, in hopes of there finding leisure and means for the restoration of my health, before taking command of my regi

ment.

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