Part 55 (1/2)
”So we did,” chuckled Plaza; ”and we can say it without a word of boasting. I don't care about praising my own men.” But the rest was drowned in good-humoured laughter, as every one knew that the finest troop in South America--and the world, too, for that matter--was Plaza's.
However, it appeared that we really had done a smart thing: for the next morning Bolivar held a grand parade, and in presence of the whole army ordered that henceforth the regiment of which we formed part should be known as the ”Hussars of Junin;” and General Miller publicly said that we deserved the honour.
After the parade we marched into the town of Reyes, which had been sacked by the Royalists. Bolivar occupied the only hut that had a roof, the rest consisting of nothing but bare walls. The inhabitants had fled into the surrounding country, but now they returned, and did all they could to a.s.sist us, lighting fires, cooking our scanty rations, and erecting sheds to shelter us from the cold.
”I suppose it's all right,” said Alzura; ”but I can't help thinking Bolivar has made a big blunder. While we hang about here, Canterac is pulling himself together, and we shall have all the work to do over again. If I were the general--”
”I should join the other side immediately,” laughed Plaza.
”Please don't interrupt,” said Cordova. ”It amuses me to hear these youngsters talk. I'll wager Alzura would have finished the war two years ago, only the end might not have been as we antic.i.p.ate.” At which there was a general laugh.
”What I don't like about Bolivar is his play-acting,” I said. ”Have you seen his hut? Have a look at it in the morning. The doorway is hung with silver ornaments in place of laurel wreaths, which the Indians were unable to get.”
”But he can't help the Indians idolizing him!”
”Nonsense! Did you ever hear of such rubbish with San Martin? And the Indians wors.h.i.+pped him!”
”Ah!” exclaimed Plaza, ”you're a San Martin man, and jealous of the new sun!”
”A new comet,” said I, a bit testily perhaps, because Plaza had happened on an explanation very near the truth.
”At any rate,” observed Cordova, ”it's better to be here at our ease than tramping fruitlessly about the mountains. I'm fairly tired of that fun. I want a day or two at Lima.”
None of us guessed how much weary marching lay before us ere we returned to the capital. However, for the time we were in comparatively good quarters, and though grumbling occasionally because Bolivar had not followed up the victory at Junin, were quite prepared to make the best of things.
CHAPTER XXVII.
A DISASTROUS RETREAT.
When General Canterac retreated from Junin, he fled from his own shadow. Instead of pursuing him closely, we advanced in a leisurely way to Guamanga, and stayed there a month doing nothing. Then we marched to Challuanca, where Bolivar, being needed at the capital, left us under the command of General Sucre, who had shown himself a very skilful soldier. It seems we were not strong enough to proceed, and as the rainy season was at hand, no one thought the Royalists would return to the attack.
The Patriot army was spread across the country for many miles, our post being on a high tableland four leagues from Challuanca. The weather was abominable. Frequent storms swept through the district, the rain fell in torrents, the thunder pealed in reverberating claps among the mountains, and many animals and some men were killed by the lightning.
It was bitterly cold, too, and our only shelter was a cl.u.s.ter of miserable Indian huts, where we pa.s.sed all our time when not on duty.
Often I returned to my cheerless quarters cold, s.h.i.+vering, and drenched, yet with no change of clothing.
To add to our misfortunes, it was rumoured that the various Royalist armies, having united, were marching to attack us; so for days together we were kept on the alert, riding for hours over the desolate country and returning thoroughly exhausted.
One evening early in November I got back after a twenty miles' ride with a small patrol, and found the camp in a state of confusion.
”What is it, Alzura? what's all the fuss about?” I asked, wearily getting off my mule--for we rode horses only when absolutely necessary.
”Oh, my dear Juan, you will be delighted,” he replied, his face br.i.m.m.i.n.g with fun. ”We are just going back to Challuanca. The viceroy is somewhere in our rear with all his army, and we have to run for it.”
”My animal is dead-beat,” said I gloomily.
”You must walk, and lead both animals. Never mind, dear boy; the excitement will keep you going,” he answered, laughing.
”Hullo! is it you, Crawford? In luck's way again! And I've been worrying about your being left behind,” said Plaza, coming up.