"Dios!" exclaimed Don Sebastian, grimly, "reinforcements certainly can come that way, but they will be forced to make a wide detour in order to keep out of range of the fort-guns. By the time they come up we may be inside the walls."
"I fervently trust so, Señor," replied Duval, who, though no coward, did not relish the idea of engaging two hundred infantry with double the number of cavalry.
The city was enclosed by walls of a considerable height, was shaped in a triangular fashion, the base being towards the ocean, and the land-gate at the acute angle inland. They had now walked some distance past the gate on the other side of the river, and a wide sheet of water rolled between them and their enemies. On all sides spread the sandy plain, and the walls of the city rose suddenly from the flat surface in a most unexpected fashion. On the left bank halted the cavalry of the enemy, prepared to dispute their crossing, and Don Sebastian was sorely puzzled as to what was the best course to pursue.
"It is madness to cross in the face of that, Don Juan."
"Well, if we don't cross at once they will be reinforced from the other side, and then it will be worse."
"Look, Jack, look!" cried Peter at this moment, "the gates are open!"
Just as he spoke a body of cavalry debouched from the city, and came rapidly towards the rebels. They at once turned to meet this new danger, and thus their attention was drawn off the infantry, upon seeing which Don Sebastian waited a few minutes until the opposing forces clashed together, and then gave the order to cross the river.
"Must we strip?" asked Peter, ruefully, looking at the three hundred yards of water before him.
"Strip! no, man!" said Jack, laughing, "unless you want to enter Janjalla naked. You can swim. At least you could at Bedford."
"Of course I can swim," said Peter, testily; "but I hate getting my clothes wet."