the enemy, who
immediately turned about and threatened to overwhelm us by a sudden
attack.

Under some leaders we should most certainly have come to grief; but the
colonel's cheery, smiling face kept the men at their posts. Drawing
them up in a strong position, he awaited the attack calmly.

"If you try to run away, my lads," he said pleasantly, "the Spaniards
will make mincemeat of you; so it is wisest to stand firm."

We watched three battalions come down from the height and halt just
beyond musket-range.

"I don't believe they're going to attack, after all!" exclaimed O'Brien
excitedly.

"Not until we move," answered the colonel, "and then they'll fall on us
tooth and nail. I expect they are just gaining time while the main
body gets away. It's aggravating, too, because they have the whip hand
of us. We aren't strong enough to turn them out."

O'Brien shook his head, saying, "If the provisions would last, we might
stand here staring at each other till doomsday."

Darkness found the position unchanged, while numerous watch-fires
gleamed fitfully through the gloom.

"I wonder," said the colonel thoughtfully, "if Canterac intends keeping
his men there all night? Those fires may be just a blind; he's quite
equal to a dodge of that sort."

"Let me find out," said O'Brien.--"Crawford, do you feel in trim for a
stroll?"

"Oh, thanks! it's very kind of you to think of me."

"Don't mention it, my dear fellow! It's a weakness of mine to remember
my friends.--We'll be back in an hour, colonel.--Take off your sword,
Crawford; we must trust to our pistols. Are you ready? Come along,
then."

Passing our outposts, we began to climb warily, keeping a keen lookout,
and taking care to make no unnecessary noise. It was possible--indeed
I thought probable--that we should meet the enemy stealing down to
surprise our camp by a night attack. However, we kept steadily on our
way, and had nearly reached the outer ring of fires, when, clutching
O'Brien by the arm, I dragged him bodily to the ground.

"What's the matter?" he asked quietly.

"A sentry! Listen! He's talking to some one."

We lay quite still, trying to hear what was said; but in this we were
disappointed, and presently the two men separated, each walking slowly
in opposite directions.

"Now's our chance!" whispered O'Brien; and crawling on hands and knees,
we passed quietly between the two. Several yards away was a big fire,
and a number of men