rate at which we had come, were somewhat fatigued. We had only
stopped once, to allow them to drink at a fountain.

"We must gallop for it," said Mr Laffan, "or we shall chance to be shot
or made prisoners by the Spaniards. Keep a firm hand on your rein, and
do not spare either whip or spur. On we go." And digging spurs into
our horses' flanks, we galloped forward in the direction of the town,
with the Spaniards in full pursuit.

There were a dozen or more of them, but they were too far off to fire
with any chance of hitting us. We had a fair start, too, but our horses
might come down, or we might encounter another party in front; still,
neither of us were inclined to yield until every hope of escape was
gone.

"On, on!" cried the dominie, feeling for the pistols in his holsters, so
that they might be ready at any moment. "I intend to shoot one or two
fellows if they come near us,--and you must do the same, Duncan; but it
will be better to keep well ahead of them."

But the Spaniards' horses were fresh, and, led by a well-mounted
officer, they were gaining on us. At last they got near enough to fire,
and several bullets whistled through the air; but we were still too far
ahead to run much risk of being hit. The sound had the effect of
reanimating our horses, however, and they redoubled their efforts, their
nostrils snorting, their mouths and bodies covered with foam. At length
the towers and steeples of the city appeared in sight. If we could lead
the Spaniards up to the walls, they might, we hoped, be cut off. We
shouted, therefore, in order to attract the attention of the sentinels.
Fortunately we had been observed, and so were the enemy, for as we got
in sight of the gate it opened, and out dashed a body of horse, led by
Juan. It was now the turn of our pursuers to fly, and as we looked over
our shoulders we saw them wheeling round. At length pulling rein, we
stood on one side, while Juan and his troop dashed by. I should have
liked to have accompanied him, but our steeds, having once stopped,
could only just stagger on into the city.

In a short time Juan returned, having cut down eight or ten of the
Spaniards, when he had to gallop back on finding himself in the presence
of a vastly superior force.

The troops in the city, flushed with their success, were eager to be led
out against the enemy; but as they were chiefly raw recruits, the
general firmly refused to comply with their wishes. The sco