He chose from among them one hundred and fifty picked
horsemen, and this band, under the title of "Guides of the Apure," soon
made itself the terror of the Spaniards.
The following story well shows his intrepid character. After the death of
his mother young Paez inherited her property in Barinas, and divided it
with his sisters who were living in that town. The Spanish forces, which
had been driven out of it, occupied it again in 1811, and proclaimed a
general amnesty for the inhabitants, inviting all property-holders to
return and promising to reinstate them in their fortunes. Paez, hearing of
this, rode boldly into Barinas and presented himself before the Spanish
commandant, saying that he had come to avail himself of the amnesty and
take possession of his property.
He was soon recognized by the inhabitants, who gathered in hundreds to
welcome and shake hands with him, and the news quickly spread among the
Spanish soldiers that this was the famous Captain Paez, who had done them
so much mischief. Seizing their arms, they called loudly on their
commander to arrest and shoot the insolent newcomer as a rebel and
traitor.
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