heir bayonets were all they had to depend on. Had they been
British troops, the case would have been different; but as they saw the
bristling line of spears come down like lightning upon them, the front
rank sprang up from their knees, and, seized with a panic, turned to
fly. It would have been better to die like men, with their faces to the
foe. Piercing them through and through, we drove them before us; and
they, pressing on the rear-ranks, carried confusion into their midst.
Still, the officers did their utmost to induce them to stand, and I saw
them cut down several of the fugitives; but it was in vain. Our party,
too, was every instant increased by fresh bands of llaneros as they
crossed the bridge; while the confusion among the enemy became rapidly
greater. No lives were spared. Bermudez appeared to be everywhere; now
in the centre of his men, now on one flank, now on the other. The
unevenness of the ground did not stop us; on we went, our lances dealing
death around.

I take no delight in describing horrors, or I might vividly paint this,
my first battle-field. The lance of General Bermudez pierced the
Spanish commander. Not an officer escaped. A few of the men managed to
scramble up some almost inaccessible heights, but of the rest every man
was killed; no quarter was asked, and none was given.

I had kept close to the side of the general, and on several occasions
had used my pistols when he had been almost overmatched. Having seen
the last of the fugitives disappear, he turned round to me, and putting
out his hand, exclaimed in a hearty voice,--"You have done good service,
my friend. I remember you well; you are welcome--very welcome. We have
met at length, and, I hope, not to part for many a day."

He then, as I rode alongside of him, told me that he appointed me
lieutenant in his band, and that I must accept the horse I had ridden,
and the lance which I had wielded so well.

I, of course, felt highly flattered at the encomiums passed on me, and
told him how glad I should be to accompany him for the future, but that
I could not leave my parents without their permission.

"Go and get it at once, then," said the general; "had I known where to
find you, I should have sent for you before. You have shown that you
are well able to take a part in our glorious struggle."

The llaneros having picketed their horses in a meadow close to the bank
of the river, had begun to cook their provisions in the r