Page:The founding of South Australia.djvu/34

 which we readied at 7 o'clock on Monday morning, after having been engaged in uninterrupted walking and fighting since 2 o'clock the preceding morning.

"We were not allowed to rest long. At noon the same day the enemy, reinforced by large bodies of Royalist volunteers, made their appearance on the heights above the village to the number of about 2,000 men, while our force, from the desertion of some Frenchmen, from killed, and from others unable to march from fatigue, did not now exceed 250 men. These excessive odds did not, however, prevent General Valdes attacking them. He ordered about 50 men to advance en guerilla between the two bodies which were descending upon us, with orders, when attacked, to retire gradually to the village; while he, with the rest of the troops, endeavoured to turn the right wing, consisting of about 600 men. In this movement he was completely successful. Unaccustomed to the bayonet in the hands of persons who knew they could expect no mercy if taken, the volunteers of Juannito made no stand against our decisive attack. The first division, thrown into confusion, retreated upon the second, who, panic struck by the rapid flight of their comrades, without even waiting for our near approach, joined the first division in their retreat. For five miles they were chased without having time to rally, and the approach of night only put an end to the pursuit.

"In this action we lost but few men, while on the part of the Royalists much blood was shed. To prevent surprise, and for the sake of giving the troops an uninterrupted night's repose, we encamped that night in France.

"October 19th.—At daybreak of to-day we returned to Spain and in a short time were at Zugarramurdi. General Valdes then created two ensigns, and, as he was pleased to think that my conduct had been useful to the cause, he thanked me for my zeal, and conferred