we stood
there, crouching against the rocks and holding on to the animals. We
could neither eat nor sleep. The wind flung the snow at us in masses,
and we were frozen to the marrow. Some pretty things were said about
Cordova before the morning, I can assure you."

"To hear them talk, one would think they were made of sugar!" grunted
Cordova.

"It took us four hours the next day to get out of the mess," laughed
Plaza, "and then we had to catch up with our division. Altogether, it
was a very pleasant incident, though the major here and a few others
failed to see the fun."

"But how came Canterac to let you through the passes without a fight?"
I asked.

"A case of pride going before a fall, I expect. He thinks to serve us
as he did at Torata.--By the way, Crawford, you gave Miller his wrong
rank this morning. He's a general now, and chief of all the Peruvian
cavalry."

"Bravo, that's grand news! There isn't a better soldier in the army."

"Only he's so fearfully energetic. He'll keep one on the move for
sixteen hours, and then suggest a little scouting as a titbit to wind
up with," said Cordova.

"You've had a good rest now, anyway."

"We shall pay for it, though."

And Cordova was not far wrong. We had barely fallen asleep when the
bugles sounded. The troops rose, and mounted officers dashed about,
carrying orders to different squadrons and battalions.

"Breakfast at once; ready to march in an hour," were the commands, and
we wondered what information Bolivar had obtained.

Some said one thing, some another, and very soon a fine crop of rumours
sprang up. Canterac was advancing with twenty thousand men; his troops
had mutinied, and declared for the Patriots; he was retreating hot-foot
for Cuzco; he was a prisoner in the hands of the mountain tribes.
Every man suggested the event he fancied most, and seemed quite annoyed
if one expressed any doubt of its accuracy.

"Just our luck," grumbled Alzura. "I did think we should have had a
little rest."

"It's just because you're here that we're moving," laughed Plaza.
"Directly Bolivar caught sight of you and Crawford yesterday morning,
he determined to march. 'Canterac won't stand against those fellows,'
he said."

"Bolivar is a capable fellow and a good judge," said Alzura. "I wonder
where General Miller is."

"Went off in the night, reconnoitring with a party of mountaineers.
It's wonderful how those wild fellows have taken to him. They'll