e means of
curing Don Cassiodoro de Corran of a dangerous disease. Though a
Spaniard, he was very liberal, and, being respected by all parties, he
ventured to remain, and the Patriots had not molested him. The young
ladies of the family were playing on their guitars, and two or three
other people having come in, we were proposing a dance, when we were
startled by the sound of musketry. Presently we heard shouts and cries,
and the trampling of horses coming down the principal street leading
from the northern gate.

"The Godos! the Godos! the hated Spaniards! The enemy is upon us!"
shouted the people, as they rushed across the square.

Unfortunately, the principal officers of the troops were in different
parts of the town, paying visits or amusing themselves. The soldiers,
without proper leaders, seized their arms and turned out, some coming
without ammunition, others leaving their bayonets or swords behind them.
They then attempted to form under their sergeants and such officers as
remained, but, being ill-disciplined, all was done in a hurry and
without order; and many, seized by a panic, made their escape.

Antonio, who, I should have said, had accompanied me, rushed into the
house and begged me to fly. My father, however, insisted that I should
remain.

"You can do nothing, and will certainly lose your life," he said.

Antonio, who was a brave fellow, hastened out again to join his
comrades. I could not, however, resist going to the window to see what
was taking place. Presently a large body of Spanish cavalry rode into
the square, putting to flight the soldiers they first encountered, who,
scattering in every direction, attempted to seek safety in the houses.
Among others I caught sight of Antonio, who was making towards the house
he had so lately left, hotly pursued by a Spanish colonel. I
determined, if possible, to save Antonio, and asked Don Cassiodoro to
speak to the colonel. He was about to do so, when Antonio stopped and
cried out--

"I will surrender, senor colonel, if you will spare my life."

"Well, well! trust to me," was the answer.

But as the Spaniard spoke he drew a pistol from his holster; on which
Antonio, expecting the next moment to be a dead man, made a lunge at him
with his long lance, the point wounding the colonel, who the next moment
rolled from his horse. Our hero, as may be supposed, did not stop to
help him up, but leaping on his steed, galloped off, master of a good
ho