ef command to Bolivar, why, I shall
fight under him, just as I have done under San Martin. That's one good
thing about soldiering--you always know where you are."

"Humph!" said Jose, on hearing the remark, "I'm not so sure that the
colonel's right. In my opinion there's more than one soldier just at
present wondering if he hadn't better join the other party again.
Another affair like the one at Ica would send them flying to Canterac
in scores. The great thing with some of them is to be on the winning
side."

As soon as San Martin had left Peru, Bolivar sent a message, offering
the aid of his troops; but the government declined all assistance. A
new spirit seemed to enter into the nation: the people declared the
country would fight its own battles, and preparations to meet the
Spaniards were eagerly pushed on.

What came of them we shall shortly see.

CHAPTER XVIII.

DARK DAYS.

"I have decided to leave you in Lima, Crawford, to help Videla with the
second battalion. I have good reasons for doing so," continued the
colonel, observing my disappointed look; "and, anyhow, you are well out
of this expedition. I don't expect much from it."

The expedition of which Colonel Miller spoke had been planned on a
large scale for the purpose of crushing the enemy in the south, and the
first battalion of the Peruvian Legion formed part of it. Naturally I
had quite looked forward to sailing with it, and was not at all
pleased, therefore, to be left behind. I had many friends, some of
them not much older than myself, among the officers of the first
battalion, and on the morning of the embarkation I went over to Callao
to see them off. They were delighted at the thought of active service,
and of course chaffed me unmercifully.

"Take care of the town, Juan," said one; "we shall want it when we come
back."

"Some day, when you are a man, we will take you with us," laughed
Ensign Alzura, a merry, round-faced youngster of sixteen; "but we must
have seasoned men for this trip, dear boy."

"Should the Spaniards arrive while we're away, ask them to wait till
our return," remarked another.

"I don't wonder you are so excited," said I coolly; "I felt the same
before I knew what a battle is really like."

"Bravo, Crawford!" cried the colonel, who had joined us unperceived;
"that's a round shot for them. They haven't heard the whistle of the
bullets yet, eh? Well, good-bye; it's time you were getting ashore.
You'