"Thanks!" said I, laughing; "I'll repeat that compliment to my comrades," and rode on.
Bolivar was standing, or to be correct, walking about, on the brow of the hill, looking anxiously toward the plain. Several messengers had brought him word of the varying fortunes of the fight, but none had arrived from Miller.
I passed close to the head of the Peruvian infantry, and the colonel shouted,—
"What news, Crawford!"
"Good!" I replied, hurrying along; and reaching Bolivar, I jumped to the ground and saluted.
"Where do you come from?" he cried.
"General Miller, sir. The Royalists are in full retreat—horse, foot, and artillery. The general wishes me to say that a vigorous pursuit would probably disperse them altogether."
"Too late," said he; "tell General Miller I have ordered the cavalry to retire on me.—Caza," to one of his officers, "lend—"
"Lieutenant Crawford, sir."
"Lend Lieutenant Crawford your horse; his is done up.—Now ride as fast as you can, and give General Miller my message."