As much of the detail of these arrangements had been left (out of compliment) to me, I had no difficulty in selecting the three men who were to take charge of the horses of the dismounted party. As to myself, to avoid suspicion, I volunteered joining the lieutenant’s division, which was likely to have the warmest work.
Every thing happened as I expected, if not altogether as I could have wished; for the treasure was too well guarded to give us any chance of attacking the escort with success. The enemy also advanced with great caution; halted at the entrance of the pass, sent forward a cavalry piquet to reconnoitre the road in advance, and detached infantry en eclaireurs up both banks of the hollow way. Having taken these precautions, and closed up the train, they renewed their march.
Our scout gave timely notice of what was passing. We unmuzzled our steeds, whose impatient neighing gave the enemy the first notice of our vicinity, and that we had thrown ourselves between their main body and somewhat compromised advanced guard. Our charge was like the swoop of an eagle upon his prey, whilst the enemy’s hurried notes of recall resounded through the forest like the screams of a flight of terrified plover. But the order for their return arrived too late. We fell upon them ere they had time to make any disposition to receive our unlooked for rear-attack, and sabred them to a man.
Whilst this was going forward, some slight confusion manifested itself in the enemy’s main body, but the commandant quickly restored order. Sending forward all his horsemen to secure the head of the ravine, and rally, as he hoped, his advanced guard, he reinforced his rear guard with infantry, and then, recalling his tirailleurs to the edge of the defilé, pushed on as quickly as possible to get through the pass, and gain a field where discipline would resume its advantage over numbers.
The party with which I served was again drawn up, anxiously waiting for the signal to renew the attack. We watched in vain, however, for the rising of the bird of Jove. We heard a few scattered shots, which our lieutenant very justly observed augured no good, and saw a formidable body of cavalry deploying rapidly at the issue of the ravine, and preparing to charge us. It was evident, therefore, that Esteban deemed it hopeless to attack, and that it was high time for us to be off. Indeed, had we been briskly attacked, the half of our party would most certainly have been captured, but the good face we put upon it probably led the enemy to suppose we were well supported, and they contented themselves with firing a volley, as, putting spurs to our horses, we dispersed in all directions.
On reassembling at the appointed rendezvous, the only person missing was Esteban. As soon as prudence admitted, we returned to the late scene of action to make search for our absent chieftain, and found his body lying in the hollow way, but so hacked and disfigured as to render it impossible to tell what had been the manner of his death. It was the general opinion, therefore, since the shots we had heard could in no other way be accounted for, that the enemy’s tirailleurs must have discovered him in the tree, and that the Frenchmen, enraged at their severe loss, had thus cruelly mutilated him.
I did not attempt to combat this opinion, and the three men who had charge of the horses were quite silent in the matter, though they could, perhaps, have told a different tale.
I see, Caballeros, that you are shocked at the little hesitation I showed in taking this caitiff’s life; but I can assure you no scruples of conscience troubled me in the matter, for I had previously learnt that the cowardly rascal had engaged the very men to shoot me, whom I employed to perform that kind action towards him.
Esteban’s death being thus placed beyond a doubt, it became necessary to elect a new leader. Rodriguez (the lieutenant) and myself were the only two competitors. I had, as I have already stated, many supporters in the band; and some money which, no matter how, came at this time into my possession, was liberally distributed to increase the number; but, nevertheless, the Catalans and Biscayans, of whom the quadrilla principally consisted, could not be brought over to my side, and Rodriguez was preferred by a majority of votes. A separation was loudly advocated by my friends; but to this, with affected humility, I refused to listen. “No,” said I, “we are all one family; let us not weaken our strength by dissension. For my own part, I have no wish to command, and will willingly yield obedience to Rodriguez.”
The bait took; my friends stood out for a separation; and the supporters of my competitor, charmed by my moderation, proposed (as a division would probably lead to the destruction of both parties) that Rodriguez and I should command alternately. This proposal was adopted with general acclamation, for, whilst the Catalans acknowledged my superior talents for command in the field, they thought the counsel of a Nestor like Rodriguez would temper with prudence my somewhat venturesome projects; besides which, he was better acquainted with the country where they wished to act.