Bolivar found himself
for the first time behind his enemy and was ready to fight against his foes
in the position that his foes had held in the past. He obtained, besides,
great resources in cattle and horses, and it seemed possible that he might
obtain the cooeperation of the plainsmen of the Apure Valley, the old
followers of Boves, now followers of Jose Antonio Paez, a lover of personal
liberty and a sworn foe of the Spanish regime.
CHAPTER X
_Piar's Death. Victory of Calabozo. Second Defeat at La Puerta. Submission
of Paez_
(1817-1818)
Morillo, who had lost a great part of his army and his prestige trying to
conquer the Island of Margarita, was obliged to withdraw when he discovered
that Bolivar had become master of Guayana. The two leaders were soon again
confronting each other on the mainland.
Bolivar, who had always been conciliatory towards his personal enemies and
who had tried to make friends with all the chieftains, had been constantly
preaching union among all the elements fighting for independence. He had,
however, met with slight success, and a moment came when he realized that
he must use strong measures in order to have discipline in his army. Piar
tried to induce certain officers to establish a council for the purpose of
curtailing the authority of Bolivar. The Liberator tried persuasion, but
failed. Piar decided to leave the army. He pretended to be sick and,
offering to go to one of the islands of the Caribbean, requested leave of
absence, which was granted.
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