e two preceding ones; and a voice from the
guerilleros was heard exclaiming:

"_Yankees bobos! mas adelante_!" (A little farther, you Yankee fools!)

Another shot from the six-pounder cracked through the planks, knocking
his piece from the hands of a soldier, and shivering the dry stock-wood
into fifty fragments.

"Sergeant, give me the rifle," said I. "They must be a thousand yards
off; but, as they are as troublesome with that carronade as if they were
only ten, I shall try one more shot."

I fired, but the ball sank at least fifty paces in front of the enemy.

"We expect too much. It is not a twenty-four pounder. Major, I _envy_
you two things--your rifle and your horse."

"Hercules?"

"Of course."

"Lord, Captain! you may do what you will with the rifle; and if ever we
get out of the reach of these infernal devils, Hercules shall be--."

At this moment a cheer came from the guerilleros, and a voice was heard
shouting above the din:

"_La metralla! la metralla_!" (The howitzer!)

I leaped upon the roof, and looked out upon the plain. It was true. A
howitzer-carriage, drawn by mules, was debouching from the woods, the
animals dragging it along at a gallop.

It was evidently a piece of some size, large enough to tear the light
picketing that screened us to atoms.

I turned towards my men with a look of despair. My eye at this moment
rested on the drove of mules that stood crowded together in a corner of
the pen. A sudden thought struck me. Might we not mount them and
escape? There were more than enough to carry us all, and the rancho was
filled with bridles and ropes. I instantly leaped from the roof, and
gave orders to the men.

"Speedily, but without noise!" cried I, as the soldiers proceeded to
fling bridles upon the necks of the animals.

In five minutes each man, with his rifle slung, stood by a mule, some of
them having buckled on _tapadas_, to prevent the animals from kicking.

The major stood ready by his horse.

"Now, my brave fellows," shouted I in a loud voice, "we must take it
cavalry fashion--Mexican cavalry, I mean." The men laughed. "Once in
the woods, we shall retreat no farther. At the words `_Mount and
follow_', spring to your seats and follow Mr Clayley. I shall look to
your rear--don't stop to fire--hold on well. If anyone fall, let his
nearest comrade take him up. Ha! anyone hurt there?" A shot had
whistled through the ranks. "Only a scratch," was the reply.