uld not rally. Here
and there small groups stood at bay, fighting desperately but vainly to
stem the onset of their pursuers. All they could do was to die
fighting, in the hope that the sacrifice might save their comrades.
Even those who reached the heights were not out of danger. Whiz, whiz
sped the bullets; and numbers of the fugitives rolled down the mountain
side till their bodies were caught by crag or brushwood.

So greatly was our attention absorbed by the scene that we had scarcely
noticed what was happening on our left. Suddenly, however, a heavy
fire broke out, followed by the quick reports of hundreds of muskets.
Our colonel glanced in the direction uneasily. His orders were strict.
He was on no account to move his regiment, and yet--

"Crawford," said he, looking round, "see what that firing means."

I sprang to the saddle and galloped off. But for our success on the
right, I should have felt inclined to take a gloomy view of things: our
left had given way.

Two Royalist battalions were advancing in pursuit, while still further
on the left a cavalry regiment was swooping down on one of our reserve
battalions sent in support. The crafty enemy had crossed a deep
ravine, on the farther side of which a whole division was stationed.

A mounted officer, with cap gone and cloak flying in the wind, pulled
up on seeing me, and said rapidly, "Where is your regiment? Take me to
your colonel quickly. We want cavalry; we must have cavalry, or our
whole left will be rolled up!"

"This way," I replied, and together we galloped towards the Hussars of
Junin, reaching the colonel just as General Miller dashed up from the
right.

"What is it?" he asked hastily.

"We are overpowered, sir. The enemy have four field-guns across a
ravine; our division has suffered terribly, and the troops are giving
way. The general requires a regiment of cavalry immediately."

"Tell him it's coming," replied Miller.--"Now, colonel, here's a chance
for your men to show their mettle. We've smashed the enemy on the
right; let the 'Hussars of Junin' do the same on the left."

How we did cheer as our colonel led us out! General Miller's face wore
an anxious expression as he glanced over the field. Everywhere the
victorious Spaniards were driving back our left wing; we should only be
just in time to repair the mischief.

"Push those two infantry battalions across the ravine while I rally the
fugitives," said Miller. But he h