go
anywhere with him. Come along; it's nearly time for us to move, and
Bolivar doesn't like to be kept waiting."

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE HUSSARS OF JUNIN.

Contrary to custom, we moved off the ground slowly, marching along with
swarms of Indians on our flanks and in front. For once in a way
Bolivar had adopted caution instead of the fiery recklessness he
usually displayed, and seemed resolved on running no unnecessary risks.
Our course lay southward, over very rough, broken ground, and a staff
officer informed Plaza we were making for the plains of Junin, to the
south of Lake Reyes.

"We shall catch Canterac there," said he, "or Canterac will catch us; I
hardly know which at present."

Our bivouac that night was cheerless and uncomfortable. The position
was a very strong one, but Bolivar was evidently determined to leave
nothing to chance. The sentries were doubled and in some places
trebled, so that most of us were unable to snatch more than a few
hours' sleep. Early in the morning the journey was resumed, and after
a tedious march of fifteen miles through mountainous country we
suddenly beheld the Royalist army crossing the plains at our feet. The
men, breaking into a thundering "Viva," waved their caps or swung their
lances in the air, and the cavalry were ordered to shift their saddles
from the mules to the led horses.

"'Twill be a cavalry action," said Plaza, vaulting into his saddle.
"Here comes an 'aid' with orders."

"There goes Miller with a squadron," cried Alzura. "We shall be out of
it. The Colombian Horse are moving too. We shall be left behind with
the infantry."

"Not so fast," said Plaza, laughing, as Bolivar's messenger dashed up
to Colonel Suares, who was in charge of our squadron. "Now for it!"

"You won't be quite so eager presently," growled the tough old major.
"Look at the ground; see the defile between the swamp and the hills.
Canterac can cut us to pieces there, and he's soldier enough to know
it."

"No, no, major; his cavalry aren't a patch on ours. We've never had a
chance to show our mettle before."

"Well, we shall have one now," said the major, as we began to descend
to the plain.

Two Colombian squadrons were in front of us, while Miller was still
further ahead and bearing to the left. On the other side of the defile
we caught a glimpse now and then of the Royalist cavalry forming up.
The ground was so broken that we could only go at a foot-pace, and I
bega