Page:Into Mexico with General Scott (1920).djvu/238

 clothes and knapsacks, their muskets and mud-laden shoes.

They grunted and panted and wheezed and stumbled. The firing had increased under the smoke cloud. It continued furiously for about a quarter of an hour, while the First Brigade toiled at its best and the officers urged. Then the battle tumult died almost as quickly as it had been born; and there were cheers, instead, not the shrill "Vivas" of the Mexicans, but the hearty "Huzzahs" from American throats.

"Hurrah, boys! The works are taken. Hear that? It's victory!"

"Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah!"

The column actually quickened pace over the wet brush and lava rocks, with faces flushed by excitement. The sun beams touched the tips of the lava cones—and see! Away off there, where the smoke cloud swirled in the morning breeze, the Stars and Stripes gleamed from the top of a hill. The firing still persisted, lessened by distance, as if the Mexicans were being pursued northward.

Here came General Worth, splashing recklessly down the rough trail, his horse lathered with sweat, his dark, handsome face shining as he waved his hat.

"Contreras is taken. Halt your column, colonel." Then his face stiffened. "What's this, sir? The orders were to leave the knapsacks on a forced march. Now instead of being fresh for a hard day's fight my men are broken down already! This is no way to bring soldiers upon the field. Counter-march, sir, as soon as possible, to our old position, and await further orders to advance on the