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221 T.nrp. A CSffiODS STBIEBT PABADZ. 221 that peculiar sensation ■which impela men to heroic deeds, and although the captain of Alonso's cavaliers kept admonishing his men to not blow their horses by keeping up too fast a pace, yet it seemed the feeling of the riders was contagious, for the horses seemed to become excited and worked up to a tension unusual for them. (But then these sagacious creatures usually understand, and more than they are given credit for, as was demonstrated at the late San Francisco earth- quake and fire by the horses in the stables making heart-rending cries of terror during the quake.) On, on, nearer, nearer came the combatants to- ward each other; but Alonzo is cool and confident, having in mind his motto not to be too fresh at first, but to reserve his latent powers for the final ordeal, so he took the first opponent reached, and so easy did he avoid his thrust and planted his staff right in the breast of the man, that he was pushed off his horse so forcibly that the ground was struck with a thud; but JaramiUo seemed to be desirous of getting at Alonso, for in the rush he was observed trying to spur his horse toward the lieutenant, but by reason of there being several between them it was impossible to do so, but they are passed each other and so the honor s are about equal, Maldonado being compelled to retire. But the other side still have their commander, as well as the redoubtable JaramiUo, who was an iron man; but Alonso is asked to take the place of the de- funct sergeant, so it now devolves upon our young hero to plan the next mode of attack, and having with himself seven to the others' six, yet he feels at a dis^ advantage, because of the experience of the two older