me come, at first, but he thought, as I had
escaped the round and grape shot of the enemy which came rattling on
board, that I should not get into much harm on shore, and I was very
anxious to see the fun."

While the boats were disembarking the men destined for the attack, the
ships kept up a hot fire over their heads, to prevent the enemy from
rushing down to interrupt them.

"I suppose the ships will cease firing when we storm the hill, or they
may chance to knock our heads off instead of the enemy," said Desmond.

"No fear about that," answered Tom. "See, they have knocked off
already. The commodore will give us the signal to advance before long,
depend on that."

On the crest of the hill a strong force was drawn up to oppose them.
Without waiting for the French the word to advance was given, and
uttering three hearty British cheers, the marines with fixed bayonets
charged up the hill, the bluejackets on their flank.

They were received with a hot fire of musketry, but the gauchos, brave
as they were, could not stand the bayonets of the marines. As they saw
them coming they took to flight. On one side was a wood in which a body
of the enemy were posted. This was at once attacked by a light company
of seamen, and in a few minutes it was carried; the French landing,
rushed up to the attack of the forts, while the bluejackets pursued the
flying enemy, who now and then, when they found themselves in sufficient
force to make a stand, turned round and fired at their pursuers. Bodies
also of gauchos, who had been hovering in the rear during the action,
came sweeping down, endeavouring to cut off any of their assailants whom
they might find unprepared to receive them.

Terence, accompanied by the two midshipmen and a small party of seamen,
carried away by their ardour, after having assisted to clear the wood,
were considerably in advance of the main body. The marines were at the
same time in the act of charging a large body of the enemy, who were
again attempting to stand their ground.

"Halloa! who are these fellows?" cried Tom, pointing in the direction in
which he had seen a large body of the gauchos flourishing their long
lances, as they galloped fiercely forward.

"They intend to try and cut us down, and so they will if we don't drive
them back with a warm volley," cried Terence. "Prepare to receive
cavalry!" The seamen had been drilled to act as light infantry, and
being armed with muskets and bayone