ices. The pass was so
narrow that we had to march in single file, each horseman on foot and
leading his animal. Had the Spaniards caught us there, not a man would
have escaped.

Slowly and carefully we descended in one long line, until at midnight
we reached the rugged bank of the river which rushes through the Mirabe
valley. In a hollow on the opposite side lay the village, and behind
the mud walls surrounding the cultivated grounds were the Spaniards,
little dreaming of our proximity.

"Now," exclaimed the colonel softly, "we have them in our power. We
have but to cross the river and fall upon their camp."

He had already begun to give his orders, when the report of a
pistol--fired, whether by accident or design, by one of our men--rang
out, and all chance of a surprise vanished. The Spaniards, in alarm,
began firing rapidly, though they could not see us, a thick wood
stretching between them and the river.

"I'd hang that fellow," growled Jose. "He's either a fool or a rogue,
and has completely spoiled the colonel's plans."

"Never mind," said the colonel cheerfully; "we must make new ones," and
he immediately dispatched two rocket parties--one to the right, the
other to the left--in order to engage the enemy's attention.

Meanwhile each mounted man, taking up a foot-soldier behind him,
crossed the river, and then returned for another, until in a short time
all had safely effected a passage. Then, unable to do more in the
darkness, we lay down to wait for the coming of dawn.

Many of the men fell fast asleep in spite of the random firing, but my
mind was busy with thoughts of the approaching fight.

About two o'clock, Dr. Welsh, who had been assisting the regular army
surgeons, came and lay down beside me.

"Well, Crawford," said he, finding I was awake, "how do you like the
music? Rather alarming at first, eh? But you'll get used to it.
After hearing the bullets swish round your ears a time or two you'll
think nothing of it."

"That may be," I replied, "but it is distinctly unpleasant just now."

He laughed, saying the fight would be only a skirmish at the most, and
not worth considering.

"Are you going to stay with us?" I asked.

"Oh no," said he; "this is only a run ashore, just to stretch my legs a
bit, you know. They get cramped on board ship. By George, those
fellows intend serenading us till daybreak. Who's that on the other
side of you--Craig?"

"Yes--sound asleep and snoring. I