"You cannot let me play a girl's part and stay at home!" I exclaimed.
"Do let me go."
"I am afraid I should not be right in hindering you. May Heaven protect
you!" answered my father.
"Thank you, thank you," I replied, as if the greatest possible favour
had been granted me; and I set off with Mr Laffan.
Mounting our horses, we rode to the lines, near which we found Juan's
troops.
"I hope we shall have an opportunity of making a sortie," exclaimed the
dominie; "we will put the Spaniards to the right-about if we get the
chance of taking them in flank."
While our servants held the horses, we went into the nearest battery,
from whence we could see the Spaniards advancing to the attack. By the
way in which they came on, it was clear that they expected to enter an
unwalled town; and our batteries were so concealed that the enemy did
not discover their existence until close up to them, when we opened upon
them with every gun at once. Their artillery replied, but their shot
struck our embankments; while ours flew into the midst of their ranks,
creating confusion and dismay. Their infantry, however, advanced,
firing rapidly, and several of the defenders were hit; but this only
increased the ardour of the rest. The whole south side of the city was
a blaze of fire, both parties rapidly exchanging shots. The enemy,
however, soon saw that this general style of assault would not succeed,
and concentrated their efforts on the batteries defending the chief
entrance; but again and again were they driven back.
I had gone with Mr Laffan towards the eastern side, when, by means of
our glasses, we saw a large body of men, accompanied by artillery and
cavalry, making their way round, intending apparently to attack the city
on the other side. On my conveying the information to our general, Don
Juan offered to lead out his men, and proceed by some by-paths through a
wood, so as to fall suddenly on the flank of the force--hoping to
capture the guns and put the enemy to flight. This offer was accepted.
"You will accompany me?" said Juan to the dominie and me.
"With all the pleasure in the world," was the answer; and in another
moment we were riding out to the southward of the city--the part Juan
had selected for the ambush. We were followed by a body of infantry,
who were to support us, for without them we could not secure the fruits
of our hoped-for victory.
The dominie was in the highest spirits, and could scarcely restrain
himself from shouting out in his glee. Every now and then he gave a
flourish with his sword, as if well acquainted with its use.
On we dashed, over all impediments--our light-footed infantry not far
behind. We had just time to reach the wood where we were to remain
concealed, and to give our horses breathing time, when we heard the
approach of the Spaniards. We waited in perfect silence until their
cavalry had passed, when, Juan giving the signal, we dashed out from our
cover, taking them completely by surprise. The gunners were cut down,
almost before they had time to draw their swords; after which we
immediately charged upon the infantry, who, though they received us with
an ill-directed fire, were at once thrown into confusion. Meantime the
enemy's cavalry had wheeled about as fast as the narrowness of the road
would permit them, and came charging down upon us to attempt to
recapture the guns; but our infantry, who had now come up, poured in a
hot fire, by which a third of their saddles was emptied. Unable to
ascertain our numbers, they must have imagined that they were being
attacked by a large force, and a panic seizing them, the survivors
galloped off to the south, leaving their guns in our hands, while the
infantry, whom we pursued, fled in disorder towards the main body. We
followed, sabring all we overtook; when Mr Laffan advised Juan to
return, lest an attempt might be made to retake the guns, the most
important fruit of our victory. Our foot-soldiers, however, had in the
meantime harnessed to them some of the slain troopers' horses, and when
we got back we found they were already half-way to the city. In half an
hour we were triumphantly entering it; and dragging the guns up to the
batteries, we made use of them against their late owners.
In less than an hour after this the Spaniards were in full retreat.
Patriotic shouts rose on all sides, and the bells rang forth joyous
peals, while every man congratulated his neighbour on the victory
gained.
Don Juan did not fail to receive a reward for his gallantry in the
approving smiles of Dona Dolores. It was his first battle, and he had
given proof that he was a brave and intelligent leader. Congratulations
were offered him on every side, and all predicted that he would ere long
become one of the chiefs of the Republic.