upon the ear were scarcely less so. The neighing of the
picketed horses, the songs of the soldiery, the bugle-calls and signals
of the outposts, occasionally a few dropping shots exchanged between
patroles, and from time to time some favourite national melody, clanged
forth by a regimental band--all combined to render the scene one of the
most inspiriting and lively that could be imagined.

Beside a watch-fire whose smoke, curling and wavering upwards, seemed to
cling about the foliage of the large old tree near which it was lighted,
Luis Herrera had spread his cloak, and now reclined, his head supported
on his arm, gazing into the flaming pile. Several officers belonging to
the squadron he commanded were also grouped round the fire, and some of
them, less watchful or more fatigued than their leader, had rolled
themselves in their mantles, turned their feet to the flame, and with
their heads supported on saddles and valises, were already asleep. Two
or three subalterns came and went, as the exigencies of the service
required, inspecting the arrangements of the men, ascertaining that the
horses were properly cared for, giving orders to sergeants, or bringing
reports to the captains of their troops. Herrera as yet felt no
disposition to sleep. The stir and excitement of the scene around him
had not failed of their effect on his martial nature, and he felt
cheered and exhilarated by the prospect of action. It was only in
moments like these, during the fight itself, or the hours immediately
preceding it, that his character seemed to lose the gloomy tinge
imparted to it by the misfortunes which, so early in life, had darkened
his path, and to recover something of the buoyancy natural to his age.

Whilst busied with anticipations of the next day's battle, Herrera's
attention was suddenly attracted by hearing his name pronounced at a
neighbouring fire, round which a number of his troopers had established
themselves.

"Captain Herrera?" said a soldier, apparently replying to a question;
"he is not far off--what do you want?"

"To see him instantly," answered a voice not unfamiliar to the ear of
Luis. "I bring important intelligence."

"Come this way," was the reply; and then a non-commissioned officer
approached Herrera, and respectfully saluting, informed him that a
_paisano_, or civilian, wished to speak with him. Before Luis could
order the person in question to be conducted to him, a man mounted on a
rough but active