far away
from the shore, and still tossing seaward on the crests of the foaming
waves! Retreat was no longer possible. The people of the expedition
must either conquer or succumb.

"Now, Captain Lantejas," said the Marshal, addressing Don Cornelio, "you
had better go and get some sleep. You have need of rest, after what you
have passed through. I shall cause you to be awakened in good time.
Meanwhile Costal will make a reconnaissance, to discover, if possible,
the whereabouts of our enemy. By daybreak both the fort and schooner
must be ours."

With this finish to the conversation, Don Hermenegildo folded his cloak
around him and walked away. Costal and the captain returned to the
temporary encampment among the trees. There the Indian, without
communicating his thoughts to his companion, silently divested himself
of the little remnant of clothing that remained to him, and glided off
among the bushes--like a jaguar advancing through the underwood to
surprise the gaunt alligator on the bank of some solitary lagoon.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

THE CAPTURE OF LA ROQUETA.

It was in vain that Don Cornelio attempted to sleep. Although more than
a year of campaigning and the experience of many sanguinary engagements
had inured him to danger, there was something in the peril to which he
was now exposed that was altogether novel and unpleasant.

Their leader had provided against retreat, and to conquer or die had
become a positive obligation of the expeditionary force. This was
sufficient to keep the involuntary soldier awake for the remainder of
the night.

He passed the time in reflecting upon the singular _contretemps_ that
had so interfered with his plans of life, and changed, as it were, his
very destiny. He could now only entertain but one hope and wish, and
that was that the fortress of Acapulco should be taken as soon as
possible: since upon that event being completed, Morelos had promised to
grant him leave of absence from the army.

In about an hour afterwards, Costal returned from his scout, and
reported to him the result of his explorations, which he had already
detailed to the Marshal.

According to the information collected by the Indian, the Spanish
garrison consisted of about two hundred men; who were entrenched in a
small earthwork on the southern side of the isle, and not more than
cannon-shot distance from the Mexican encampment. Two field pieces, set
in battery, defended the work; and t