By this time a thunder of hoofs could be heard, and soon the cavalry appeared, at least two hundred strong. They were the finest body of men I had seen in the island, and looked as if they had just come over from Spain, their uniforms and weapons were so clean and new. They were riding at a brisk pace, and hardly had we caught a good look at them than they were gone, leaving a cloud of dust behind them.
Captain Guerez was the first to speak, when they were well out of hearing.
“It’s a good thing we did not run into them,” he remarked grimly. "Our little detachment would have stood small chances with such a body of well-armed men."
“They form a great contrast to the rebels,” I could not help but murmur.
“They do indeed, Mark. But why not? The rebels, especially in this district, were never soldiers. When the war broke out they were without uniforms or weapons; and what was and is worse, many of them knew nothing about the use of a firearm. You will find the men in the western provinces, where the whites predominate, both better trained and clothed—although, let me add, their hearts are no more sturdy or loyal than you will find here in the East.”
Thus talking, we went on and on, until Alano, who had gone ahead this time, came back with the information that Cubineta was in sight.
“And the village seems to be under guard of the Spanish soldiery,” he added, words which caused me, at least, considerable dismay.