hen he shouted something
in Spanish, whereat, gathering up the reins in my left hand, I spurred
my horse, to keep company with the rest.

"A firm seat, Jack; keep a firm seat!" cried a familiar voice in my
ear; and there was Jose, riding as coolly as if taking a canter over
the grounds of our park at home!

We were riding at no great pace, but all well together, when again the
colonel's voice rang out, and we broke instantly into a gallop. Then
in a flash I saw a body of Spanish cavalry drawn up to receive us,
while from our left came a stinging hail of bullets.

A man close to me dropped his sword with a cry of pain, and the next
moment his horse, taking the bit between its teeth, rushed madly to the
front. I watched its progress with queer fascination. On it went,
right through the Spaniards, who edged aside to let it pass, straight
to the brink of the precipice, over which it fell, still carrying its
hapless rider. It seemed to me that I heard his shriek, though that
must have been fancy, as it could not have risen above the tumult of
the fight.

"Forward!" roared the colonel, waving his sword, and the next instant
we were in the midst of the throng. The young doctor was just in front
of me, Jose on my right hand, and the men pressing close behind. I saw
nothing of the fight save that part only which concerned myself. Again
and again the shining steel was within a hair's-breadth of me--now at
my head, now at my heart--while I was almost suffocated in the press.

Inch by inch, by sheer force of steel, we threaded our way through,
re-formed on the further side, and, still headed by the colonel, dashed
once more into the fray. This time the resistance was less obstinate.
The Spaniards began to weary--to fall back, as if unable to hold their
ground.

"Hurrah!" cried the young doctor, "hurrah! they're done for!"

I shall not easily forget the picture he made. His handsome face was
flushed with excitement, his beautiful eyes were ablaze with light; he
sat his horse erect as a young sapling. A handsomer or finer man could
not have been.

I saw the tragedy from beginning to end, but could do nothing to
prevent it. It was over quick as a flash of summer lightning. Before
us rode a Spanish officer, calling fiercely on his men to come back.
At the sound of the doctor's triumphant note he turned, and I saw his
face black with anger.

"Ah, Englishman!" he cried savagely; and even as he spoke his left arm
r