y body was a prominent target for dozens
of muskets.

"Warm work, Crawford!" exclaimed O'Brien. "I think the colonel is
right. We've caught a tartar this time, and no mistake.--Steady, my
lads! we'll make them fight for every yard."

I stayed with the detachment, helping to carry a wounded man. The
cheering Spaniards pressed us closely; if they could break through our
cordon, Miller's men were doomed. But we returned shot for shot, and
stopped their occasional rushes by steel. Every moment of delay gave
our brave fellows further down the pass a better chance of escape.

"Well done, O'Brien!" cried the colonel, as we joined him where he
stood with a few horsemen.--"Steady, my lads! Captain Prieto holds the
pass. Don't lose your heads, and we shall come out all right."

At the ravine the horsemen halted, while the infantry continued the
retreat; first O'Brien's men, and afterwards those who had held the
pass under Captain Prieto. This was the fiercest part of the struggle.
The fighting was at hand-grips now, and I wondered we were not swept
away headlong.

"Stand firm, my lads, stand firm; it's your only chance!" sang out
Miller cheerfully, and his eyes brightened with the passing minutes, as
he knew that the bulk of his command was rapidly getting out of danger.

For half an hour we held the narrow way with sword and pistol, and then
a body of Spaniards, who unseen by us had worked round to the right,
appeared lower down the pass.

"We must cut our way through, and at once!" cried our leader. "About
face, lads, and into them. Ride hard, and strike hard."

We were in a trap now, and the only way to get out was by smashing the
door. The colonel led, the troopers followed as best they could, while
O'Brien and I remained in the rear to help to check the rush of the
enemy's main body. There was a flash of swords, the sound of
pistol-shots, an outburst of mocking laughter from the enemy, a "Viva!"
from our own men, a vigorous "Hurrah!" from the colonel, and then we
were through!

"Go on, my lads!" cried the colonel, dropping to the rear. "Your
comrades are at the foot of the mountain.--A narrow shave, O'Brien!"

"Yes! and we aren't clear yet," replied the Irishman, turning in his
saddle to glance behind. "There would be more chance for us if we
could bring down that tall fellow who is leading."

Whiz! whiz! The bullets were buzzing about our ears now, too close to
be comfortable, and but for our hor