Several days had thus passed, when Gov. Arouz sent an invitation to Calderon and myself to see him in private, at his residence. We went, accordingly, and the governor informed us that Ouemez had been so foolish as to suppose that he could at a single blow crush the government of Tucuman; also, that he was at that moment approaching, with a strong force, and a determination to sack the city; that in view of this determination he had not only promised full license to his soldiery, but so sure was he of success, that he had induced hundreds of the citizens of Salta to follow his army, prepared with carros, (carts,) trunks, and boxes, to carry away the property that should fall into their hands.

“These are horrible facts,” he continued; "but you will readily suppose, gentlemen, that the governor and the people of Tucuman are not prepared to give up their city without making an effort to defend it. I feel that we shall have a bloody time of it, and as you cannot take part with us without compromising your neutrality, and perhaps bringing down upon the country for which you are engaged the enmity of Ouemez and his government, it is well that you should leave. You are of the advance-guard of Humaguaca, (the last village of the Argentine,) and you may escape our slaughter by a passage through the monte de nogals. I will furnish you with passports and horses."

Finding that Calderon made no reply, I said

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Governor, I cannot desert your city under such circumstances; and if I cannot unite with your army in its defence, I may perhaps serve you in a different manner."

"Do you wish to see us pillaged, and our people given to the sword ?" said he.

"No, Señor; but if my efforts can be of any avail, to prevent so fearful a calamity, they shall not be wanting."

Calderon determined to remain, and we set to work assisting in the additional preparations necessary to save the city from pillage. The citadel, which lay outside the town, was al

ready strongly garrisoned, and every preparation had been made for an ordinary defence, but something more was now wanting to protect the women, children, and property of the citizens, from the horrors of a saqueo. Every man and every boy that could hold a firelock was forthwith armed; each house became a fortress; and even upon the tops of houses, preparations were made by which the women could hurl stones and other heavy missiles upon the heads of the enemy. On the next day the enemy approached. The doors of the houses were barricaded, the windows closed, and a fearful silence, broken only by the occasional passing of small bodies of troops, pervaded the whole city. The stillness was awful, boding terror; every thing that could be done for safety had been done, and the people now only awaited the bursting of the impending storm. I had taken my post at the house of the governor, who was now with his troops; determined to defend that at least, to the last extremity, and in the event of the dreaded pillage, to protect his family. With a number of his family, I had ascended to the house-top; and from that spot we witnessed the approach of Ouemez, with his army, followed by a train of some three hundred carros, provided for the conveyance of booty. His first assault was upon the citadel, which lay in full view before us; but after a short attack he entered the city, driving the garrison like sheep before him.

I had hoped to see a more resolute defence of the citadel, sufficient at least to have weakened the force of their assailants before reaching the town; but when the garrison gave way, with scarce an effort at defence, I felt as though the wretch would surely accomplish his purpose.

I had seen war in its most sanguine forms—had been through battle after battle, literally wading in blood-yet never till now had my nerves trembled, or my heart quailed, at the thought of danger. I saw Ouemez' strength-I saw his hellish preparation-and, as he approached, my frame.

shivered with fear for the helpless and the young; yet I strove, with the best effort in my power, to sooth the terrible apprehensions of the females, who were clinging around

me.

As the enemy entered the town, he was met by fresh troops and militia, who disputed their ground, inch by inch, for a long time, but at last gave way. Carnage followed upon every side; Ouemez' troops separated, carrying death and havoc through the various streets; and, above the uproar of the battle, as they were met by small bands of troops and citizens fighting for their firesides, arose the shrieks of woman, and the groaning prayers, of the aged. The work of pillage had commenced, houses had been forced, and their owners murdered upon their own sills, when Gov. Arouz, by a vigorous effort, rallied his scattered soldiery; and, falling in desperation upon the main body of Ouemez' army, drove them from their position. New life was given to every heart, and new vigor to every arm, by this success; and the brave fellows, cheered by the shouts of their friends, and by the women, who, with streaming eyes, waved their handkerchiefs from the housetops and the windows, never lost their advantage, until the enemy was forced from the town, and the remnant of his army pursued to his own province.

The battle over, our company descended from the housetop; and I went into the street to assist in removing the wounded and dead. The scenes that presented themselves in all directions were such as are calculated to wring the heart, and cause it to mourn over its utter helplessness to give tangible relief. The legitimate field of battle, after a contest, is horrible enough with only its pictures of death and bodily suffering; but here we saw all of that, with the addition of mental agony, presented in every form, and in the utmost depth of excess. Wives, seeking their husbands, and flying from street to street with heads uncovered, and their loose hair floating on the wind; or, having found the

cold remnant of the object of their search, shrieking in despair, or bending in silent agony over the dead body. Mothers, pale and haggard with dread, inquiring for their sons; sisters frantically calling on the names of their brothers, and children seeking their fathers, were incidents attending the close of this battle, which the soldier is, fortunately, not often called upon to witness. On the one hand, I saw a husband and wife bearing their wounded son to his home. They had placed him in a chair, and were thus conveying him along the street, but before they reached their house, he had breathed his last. On the other hand, I saw a lovely girl, upon her knees in the street, by the side of her dead brother, and the piercing tones of her voice, as she exclaimed, My God! my brother! my God! my brother!" thrilled on the inmost fibres of the heart. Scenes like these were constantly passing before me; and in all directions the sombre padre might be seen kneeling to receive the last confession of some dying man.

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CHAPTER V.

Journey through Salta to Humaguaca-Detention by Gov. OuemezThe great Cavrado de Humaguaca-The outpost on the border of Peru-Expedition into Alto Peru, under Col. Buteres-Oran-Gov. Civilia-March to the province of Tarija.

WHILE waiting the return of Gov. Arouz, we passed most of our time in visiting the hospitals, which were crowded in every ward with the wounded and dying, rendering such assistance as lay in our power, and soothing the lacerated feelings of the anxious or bereaved relatives and friends. At the end of eight days the governor returned, and told us of his

success.

"I could have laid waste his province," said the governor, "so complete was the déroute; but when I had driven the tiger to his lair my object was accomplished, for I scorned to visit upon his people the horrors that he would have inflicted upon mine. You may now, I think, proceed in safety on your journey."

It may be well to state that the forbearance and generosity of this man towards a brutal foe, were equalled only by his bravery. He was a man of the most unflinching and deliberate courage; and indeed no qualities short of these could have saved his city. We congratulated him upon the result of the assault, and the preservation of his city from the worst horrors of pillage and assassination, and with an expression of wishes for his future tranquillity, withdrew to prepare for our departure.

The next day the governor gave us passports recommending us as officers of the advance-guard, and, as we must pass