But our turn will come, and--_por Dios!_--then--" The fierce light in Carera's eyes, the gesture by which his words were emphasized, boded no good for the Royalists if the patriots should get the upper hand.

No wonder that a war in which men like him were engaged on the one side, and men like el Commandant Castro on the other, should be savage, merciless, and "to the death." As I had decided to quit Caracas so soon, it did not seem worth while presenting the letter to one of his brother officers which I had received from Commandant Castro.

I thought, too, that in existing circumstances the less I had to do with officers the better.

But I did not like the idea of going away without fulfilling my promise to call on Zamorra's old friend, Don Senor Ulloa.
So when I returned to the _posada_ I asked the _posadero_ (innkeeper), a tall Biscayan, with an immensely long nose, a cringing manner, and an insincere smile, if he would kindly direct me to Senor Ulloa's house.
"_Si, senor_," said the _posadero_, giving me a queer look, and exchanging significant glances with two or three of his guests who were within earshot.

"_Si, senor_, I can direct you to the house of Senor Ulloa.