y to form up as they crossed.
Several had been shot, and had fallen over into the torrent, which was
already dyed with blood.

The order was now given to charge. The Spaniards, in their eagerness to
reach the bridge, had been thrown into disorder as they descended the
hill. Our left wheeled, turned their flank, and drove them down towards
the river; while our right stood its ground. The contest was short, but
sharp. In the course of a few minutes, it seemed, the larger number of
the Spaniards were hurled over the cliffs; while the rest, in utter
confusion, attempted to retreat up the hill, but were followed by our
nimble-footed men, and cut down or bayoneted.

No victory could have been more complete. Not a Spaniard who was taken
was allowed to live. Of the whole force, numbering some five or six
hundred men, those only escaped who contrived to hide themselves in
ditches or behind bushes or rocks, or whose activity enabled them to
keep ahead of their pursuers. Our chief casualties had occurred while
our men were crossing the bridge, but, in all, we had lost comparatively
few.

The summit of the hill gained, we halted to reform our troops, and then
once more advanced. Whether or not the Spaniards we had defeated were
those who had attacked the fort, we could not tell, as not a prisoner
had been saved. In vain did Uncle Richard call to his followers to
spare the lives of those who yielded; his orders were not listened to.
The men only followed the custom of that savage warfare, and the example
of the Spaniards, upon whom they thus fearfully retaliated.

Once more we advanced. Another day passed; and it was late on the next
before we reached the neighbourhood of the fort. I looked out eagerly
to ascertain whether the besiegers were still before it, but as yet not
a sign could I discover of the enemy. The hamlet occupied by the
Spaniards appeared to be deserted. I now felt convinced that the body
we had defeated was part of the force which had been besieging the fort,
while the remainder had probably marched in an opposite direction. We
had seen nothing of Captain Lopez, however, and he certainly was not
with those Spaniards whom we had encountered.

Now came the question, What was the fate of the garrison? Had they been
able to hold out until the Spaniards, growing weary of the attempt, had
given it up? or had the fort been successfully assaulted, and its
defenders cut to pieces? If so, the Spaniards m