Having given to my readers some slight sketches2 of the rise and progress of this war previous to the time when I first became an active participator in its scenes, I shall now continue it, with the history of my own adventures.
In looking back through the long series of years that have elapsed since those eventful days, there are few scenes that I can recall more vividly3 than that which occurred on the morning I left Gibraltar. It was my first experience of the kind, and, therefore, made a deeper impression than many after scenes, which might have been far more worthy4 of record than this. It was a beautiful morning, and everywhere the troops were in motion. Horses were brought out, our baggage prepared and sent on; the light jest and laugh and joke went freely round, serving, in many instances, to conceal5 the thoughts that longed for utterance6. Farewells were exchanged, last words spoken; and, finally, all were prepared, the word given, and our gallant7 little army marched[124] out of Gibraltar. It was truly a brilliant sight; and the lively strains of our music contributed its share to make us forget that we were marching into a country at all times perilous8, and now doubly so, to meet certain dangers, and, many of us, certain death. Yet these were in the future, and lost beneath the crowd of bright and joyous10 anticipations11 that kindled12 in our hearts as the last loud cheering of our comrades died away, and the walls of the far-famed city receded13 in the distance behind our onward15 march. Our course was directed to Tarifa; here we had orders to wait until the forces from Cadiz should come up. An expedition had been sent out from this city, consisting of ten thousand men, three thousand of whom were British, whose object was to drive the French general out of his lines. Victor, having heard of this project, enlarged and strengthened his own forces, which now amounted to about twenty thousand men, in Andalusia.
The allied16 army sailed from Cadiz on the 20th of February, for Tarifa; but, a storm arising soon after they left, they were driven past this port, and disembarked at Algesiras. They marched to Tarifa on the 23d, under the command of General Thomas Graham. Here we met; and, as we were more recently from home than these troops, we had many questions to answer, and much information both to give and receive. Before night, however, we had all our places assigned to us, and were now ready for our march. But the Spanish General La Pena had not[125] yet arrived; and so we remained encamped here until the 27th, when he came up, with his forces; and to him General Graham, for the sake of unanimity17, ceded14 the chief command. All day we were busy in preparations for our morrow’s march, expecting at its close to come within a short distance of the enemy’s outposts. Early the next morning, our whole army was in motion. We moved forward about twelve miles, over the mountain ridges19 that descend21 from Ronda to the sea; and then, having learned that the enemy were only four leagues distance, we halted, for the purpose of reorganizing the army. The command of the vanguard was given to Lardizabal, that of the centre to the Prince of Anglona, while General Graham had charge of the reserve, consisting of two Spanish regiments22 and the British troops. The cavalry23 of both nations, formed in one body, was commanded by Colonel Whittingham. The French army were encamped near Chiclana, narrowly observing the movements of the allied armies, and determined24, at all events, to hold complete possession of the country.
The next day, March 2d, the vanguard of our army stormed Casa Viejas. Having gained this small place, and stationed here a regiment, we continued our march on the 3d and 4th.
THE ALLIED ARMY.
Early in the morning of the 5th, as the advanced guards of our cavalry had proceeded a short distance from the main army, they suddenly came upon a squadron of French troops. Unfortunately for them,[126] several stone fences and enclosures prevented an immediate25 attack, so that the French had time to form into a square, and received their charge with great coolness and intrepidity26. Their square was unbroken, although numbers had fallen on both sides. A second charge was equally unsuccessful, and the colonel of our cavalry was mortally wounded. Our men then judged it most prudent27 to fall back upon the main army, and no attempt was made to follow them by the enemy. An anxious look-out was instituted, but the foe28 did not again make his appearance, and at nine o’clock the same morning our commander took up his position on the heights of Barossa.
The hill of Barossa is a low ridge20, creeping in from the coast about a mile and a half, and overlooking a high broken plain. On one side of this plain rise the huge coast cliffs, while the other is skirted by the deep forest of Chiclana. Directly in front, there lies a light pine wood, beyond which rises a long narrow height, called the Bermeja. There were two ways by which this might be reached; the first was through the woods, while the second was a narrow road directly under the coast cliffs.
I have already alluded29 to the fact, that, although the English and Spanish were fighting under the same banner, there was a great want of unanimity of feeling and opinion as to the course which ought to be pursued in ridding their country of their common foe. Nowhere, in the history of the war, was this more apparent than at the battle whose history I am[127] about to relate. The deep-seated pride of the Spanish made them unwilling30 to acknowledge or yield to the superiority of the British, or hardly to allow that they were at all indebted to them. A modern traveller tells us that, in a recent history of this war, which was, not long since, published in Spain, the British are not even mentioned, nor the fact of their assistance at all alluded to. It was impossible for two nations so unlike in their customs and manners, so different in language, religion, and education, to be so closely associated together as they were obliged to be, without occasions of dispute constantly occurring, which would, probably, have terminated in open rupture31, had not the discipline of war prevented.
DISSENSIONS.
The fact that our gallant general had ceded the chief command to the weak and imperious Spanish commander had occasioned no little dissatisfaction among our men; while, from the conditions required of him by Graham, we may judge that that general himself did not pursue this course because he judged La Pena his superior in military tactics. These conditions were, that his army should make short marches; that they should be kept fresh for battle, and that they should never approach the enemy except in concentrated masses. Although the Spanish general had pledged his word of honor that these conditions should be fulfilled, how much attention he paid to them may be judged from the fact, that, on the day but one preceding this, we had marched fifteen hours, through bad roads; and, after[128] a short rest, had occupied the whole night in our march to Barossa. Before the troops had all arrived, or had any time for rest or refreshment32, La Pena commanded the vanguard to march against San Petri, which lay about four miles distant. A detachment of the Spanish army, under Zayas, had, only two days before, commenced an intrenchment at this point; but had been surprised by the French, and driven back, so that the enemy now held possession of all the outposts down to the sea. But a short time had elapsed, after the departure of the vanguard, when we were startled by the roar of the artillery33, whose rapid discharge, together with the quick volleys of musketry, showed us that a sharp engagement had already taken place. Lardizabal,—far more worthy of command than his superior,—notwithstanding the unfavorable situation in which he found himself placed, succeeded in forcing his way through the enemy’s troops, leaving three hundred men dead on the field of battle, and in effecting a junction36 with Zayas. Graham now endeavored to persuade La Pena to occupy the heights of Barossa, as a superior position to the Bermeja. The Spanish general not only refused to listen to his representations, but sent an immediate order to General Graham to march through the wood to Bermeja with all the British troops. This order he obeyed, although it was in opposition37 to his own better judgment38, leaving only two detachments at Barossa, under Major Brown, to guard the baggage. He would have left a stronger[129] force, had he not supposed that La Pena would remain in his present position, with his own troops, and would thus assist those detachments, in case of an attack. But scarcely had the British entered the wood, when La Pena, without the least notice to his colleague, with his whole army, took the sea road under the cliffs, and marched to San Petri, leaving Barossa crowded with baggage, within sight of the enemy, and guarded only by four guns and five battalions39.
[130]
SURPRISE OF THE ENGLISH UNDER GEN. GRAHAM, ON THE HEIGHTS OF BAROSSA.
[131]
VICTOR’S ATTACK.
No sooner did Victor, the French general, observe its defenceless state, than he advanced with a rapid pace, and, ascending41 behind the hill, drove off the guard, and took possession of the whole stores and provisions of our army. Major Brown, finding his force wholly inadequate42 to face the enemy, slowly withdrew, having immediately despatched an aid-de-camp to inform General Graham of the attack. Our army had then nearly reached the Bermeja; but, as soon as the messenger arrived with the news, our general saw at once the necessity of taking the direction of affairs himself. Orders were immediately given to retrace43 our steps as rapidly as possible, that we might assist the Spanish army in its defence. Judge, then, of the astonishment44 of our general, on reaching the plain, at the view that presented itself! One side of the heights was occupied by the French, while the Spanish rear-guard was flying, with their baggage, in great confusion, on the other. On one side of us lay the cavalry of the French, and, on the[132] other marching to the attack was a large body of troops, under Laval. “Where is La Pena?” was the first exclamation45 of our commander, as, casting his eye rapidly around, he could nowhere see the least trace of him. It was impossible that he could have been defeated. The cannonade would have been heard, or at least some fugitives47 have taken the direction of our army. Slowly the conviction forced itself upon his mind that he had been deserted48. A general burst of indignation ran along our lines; but short time was allowed for feelings like these. Only one alternative existed,—a hasty retreat, or an immediate attack. It need hardly be said that Graham chose the latter.
Ten guns immediately opened their fire upon Laval’s troops, and were promptly49 answered back by the artillery of the French. No time was given to the British to form with any attention to regiments; but, hastily dividing themselves into two masses, they rushed to the attack. The charge on the left was, indeed, a furious one, for we felt that conquest or death was the alternative. It was bravely met, however, on the part of the French. After the first discharge of artillery, the soldiers pressed rapidly onward, and were soon mingled50 with the foe in fierce and deadly conflict. The front ranks of the French were pressed back upon the second line, which, unable to withstand the shock, was broken in the same manner, and scattered51 in much confusion, only the chosen battalion40 remaining to cover the retreat.
[133]
BATTLE OF BAROSSA.
Ruffin, who commanded the enemy on the right, had stationed his troops just within the wood, where they awaited, in perfect order, the division under Brown, who rushed with headlong haste to the contest. When they had nearly reached the wood, they discharged their musketry. Nearly half of Brown’s detachment fell at the first fire; yet, nothing daunted52, the remainder maintained their ground, until another detachment came to their aid. Then, mingling53 close in the dreadful combat, they pressed together to the brow of the hill, without either party gaining a decided55 advantage. Here the contest continued, with more bravery than before. The issue still remained quite doubtful, when the British, retiring a short distance, again rushed to the attack. Ruffin and Rousseau, the French leaders, both fell, mortally wounded, and the French were obliged to retire, leaving three of their guns in possession of their enemies. Discomfited56 but not disheartened, they withdrew again, re-formed, and rushed to the attack. But they found no slumbering57 foe. Our guns were well manned. Their fire was reserved until the enemy were close at hand, and then they were allowed to tell upon that living mass. The execution was terrible. Closely and rapidly, discharge followed discharge. Again and again were they summoned to the attack; but the lines had hardly closed over their dying comrades, when another volley would again send confusion and death among the advancing ranks. Victor saw it was useless to[134] struggle longer. The trumpet58 sounded, the contest stopped, and in less than an hour the English were again undisputed masters of Barossa.
And where, during this conflict, were the Spanish troops, in whose cause the British were so freely lavishing59, not only treasure, but their own lives? Scarcely three miles away, the report of every round of musketry reached La Pena’s ears. He knew that his ally was placed under great disadvantages; yet he could look idly on, not knowing, scarcely caring, apparently60, how the contest should be decided. In vain did many of his brave troops mount their chargers, and wait only for the word of command to rush upon the enemy. He listened neither to the voice of honor nor to the entreaties61 of his officers, nor to the ill-repressed murmurings of the soldiery. No stroke in aid of the British was struck by a Spanish sabre that day; although one or two regiments, unable longer to contain their indignation, left without orders, and came up in season to witness the defeat of the French. And thus terminated the attack on Barossa. Scarcely two hours had passed from the first alarm before the French were retreating beyond our reach, for our troops were too much exhausted62 by their twenty-two hours’ march, and their still longer fast, to think of pursuing. Yet, short as the conflict was, the terrible evidences of its fatality63 lay all around us. Fifty officers, sixty sergeants64, and more than eleven hundred British soldiers, had fallen, while two thousand of the enemy[135] were either killed or wounded. Six guns, an eagle, two generals mortally wounded, and four hundred prisoners, fell into the power of the English. La Pena’s conduct during this battle was complained of by our commander, and the Spanish cortes went through the forms of arresting him; but he was soon after released, without investigation65, and published what he called his justification66, in which he blamed Graham severely67 for his disobedience of orders.
THE FIELD OF VICTORY.
When the last of the enemy had disappeared in the distance, the troops were all summoned to the field of battle. We collected there, and gazed around with saddened hearts. Four hours ago, and there was not one, of all that now lay lifeless on that bloody69 field, whose heart did not beat as high as our own, whose hopes were not as brilliant; and yet, their sun had now set forever! I know of no sadder scene than a field of battle presents soon after the conflict, even though the glorious result may have filled our hearts with joy. When the roll is called, and name after name uttered without response, it cannot but awaken70 the deepest sensibility in the heart of the survivors71. And then the hasty burial of the dead, and the hurried sending off the wounded, the surgeon’s necessary operations, and the groans72 of the sufferers, all make us feel that these are the horrors of war. Before the battle is the rapid marching and counter-marching, and the enlivening strains of martial73 music, the encouraging words of the officers,—more than all, the excitement[136] which must exist in such a scene,—and all these serve to elevate and sustain the spirits. During the contest the excitement increases, until all sense of fear and danger is lost. But one thing is seen—the foe;—but one object exists—to conquer. When all these have passed away, and there is no longer aught to excite, then the eye opens on stern and dread54 reality, and we realize what we have escaped, and the pain and suffering ever attendant on such scenes. There is something awfully74 trying to the soul, when the last sad rites75 are being performed for those so lately buoyant in life and health,—especially when we meet with the corpses77 of those we have known and loved. I have seen many affecting instances of such recognitions. Among others that I might name, is that of a French captain of dragoons, who came over after the battle with a trumpet, and requested permission to search among the dead for his colonel. His regiment was a fine one, with bright brass79 helmets and black horse-hair, bearing a strong resemblance to the costume of the ancient Romans. Many of our own soldiers accompanied him in his melancholy80 search. It was long before we found the French colonel, for he was lying on his face, his naked body weltering in blood. As soon as he was turned over, the captain recognized him. He uttered a sort of agonizing81 scream, sprang off his horse, dashed his helmet on the ground, knelt by the body, and, taking the bloody hand in his own, kissed it many times, in an agony of grief. He seemed[137] entirely82 to forget, in his sorrow, that any one was present. We afterwards learned that the colonel had, in his youth, done him a great service, by releasing him from the police when evil company had led him to the commission of some crime. It was his first act of the kind; and gratitude84 to the colonel led to an immediate enlistment85 in his corps76. From that hour he had been to the captain as a father, and it was through his influence that he had attained86 his present rank in the army. The scene was truly an affecting one; and it was with feelings of deep sympathy that we assisted him in committing the body to the earth.
REJOICINGS OVER THE VICTORY.
Our gallant commander remained on the field of battle all that day; and when all the last sad duties were performed, and as many of the commissariat mules87 as could be found were gathered in, we marched from the scene of our late victory, and took up our position behind the Isla. The news of our victory was received in England with much joy, and our own regiment, the 28th, was spoken of with peculiar88 honor. These contests in Spain called forth89 much newspaper praise, and awakened90 the lyre of many a poet in the halls of old England. Perhaps the following lines from Southey, written on this battle, may be acceptable to the reader:
“Though the four quarters of the world have seen
The British valor91 proved triumphantly92
Upon the French, in many a field far famed,
Yet may the noble island in her rolls
Of glory write Barossa’s name. For there
[138]
Not by the issue of deliberate plans,
Consulted well, was the fierce conflict won,—
Nor by the leader’s eye intuitive,
Nor force of either arm of war, nor art
Of skilled artillerist93, nor the discipline
Of troops to absolute obedience68 trained,—
But by the spring and impulse of the heart,
Brought fairly to the trial, when all else
Seemed like a wrestler’s garment thrown aside,
By individual courage, and the sense
Of honor, their old country’s and their own,
There to be forfeited94, or there upheld,—
This warmed the soldier’s soul, and gave his hand
The strength that carries with it victory.
More to enhance their praise, the day was fought
Against all circumstance; a painful march
Through twenty hours of night and day prolonged
Forespent the British troops, and hope delayed
Had left their spirits palled95. But when the word
Was given to turn, and charge, and win the heights,
The welcome order came to them like rain
Upon a traveller in the thirsty sands.
Rejoicing, up the ascent96, and in the front
Of danger, they with steady step advanced,
And with the insupportable bayonet
Drove down the foe. The vanquished97 victor saw,
And thought of Talavera, and deplored98
His eagle lost. But England saw, well pleased,
Her old ascendency that day sustained;
And Scotland, shouting over all her hills,
Among her worthies99 ranked another Graham.”
GREAT PRIVATION.
The brilliant success gained on the heights of Barossa was but the prelude100 of other victories. The star of Napoleon, so long in the ascendant, had begun to decline in the horizon. Obliged to draw off many of his troops, those that remained felt the want of his guiding hand. Division reigned101 in the councils of his generals; and the British leader, ever ready to take advantage, and ever on the watch for opportunity,[139] saw his favorable moment, and followed it up. The French had retreated from Portugal, followed at every step by the army of the English. After the battle of Barossa, Graham had withdrawn102 from the command of our army, and joined that of Wellington, while Sir Thomas Picton took his place. We remained for a number of days near our position, while these changes were taking place, and then orders arrived that we should proceed at once to the mountains of the Sierra Morena, to assist in harassing103 the retreat of the French. We had scarcely commenced our march when our provisions began to fail, owing to the conduct of the Portuguese104 government, who would not supply their troops with provisions; and so they were unable to continue the pursuit, while numbers were perishing for want of food. Our generals could not see their allies suffering thus, and our own supplies were shared with them, and we were all put upon short allowance. Half a pound of bread, and half a pound of salt pork, was all that we received for a day’s provision. And we were ascending mountains covered with woods and deep forests, infested105 by guerillas, who often fell upon and murdered our men, if they strayed away from the ranks. To prevent this was impossible; for, if there were provisions in the country, men in our starving condition would not fail to obtain them; but scarcely anything could be found, at this season. The French army were also suffering for want of food, and, as they preceded us in their retreat, they either devoured106 or[140] destroyed everything that could sustain life. The poor peasants on their route fled from their homes, and shrunk equally from French and English, for they well knew that either would equally deprive them of the little they possessed107. The sufferings of the peasantry were truly terrible. In the third day of our march, a scene occurred which I shall never forget. We were slowly toiling108 up a huge mountain, so exhausted, from fatigue109 and want, that we could hardly proceed. When about half-way to the summit, we perceived before us a large house. Some of our men hastened to it at once, hoping to procure110 some provision. The slight fastenings of the door soon yielded to their eager haste, and they were about to rush in, when their steps were arrested by the misery111 the scene presented. The floor was covered with persons in a state of actual starvation. Thirty women and children had already expired; and, scattered around among the corpses, lay fifteen or sixteen more wretched beings, still breathing, but unable to speak. Hungry as we were, the hearts of the soldiers were moved at the scene, and our next day’s provision was cheerfully contributed to rescue them from death. But this kindness could only delay their fate. They were too weak to seek for more food; they had scarcely strength to eat the little we could offer them; and it is more than probable that every one perished.
The next day my comrade, who had been fast failing, declared himself unable to proceed. He was a[141] fine fellow,—one that I had known in Ireland, and to whom I was much attached. Feeble as we were, we could not leave him behind, and we carried him a short distance; but he soon died. Permission was given us to carry him a little way from the camp to bury him. We hollowed out a shallow grave, wrapped him in his blanket, and left him to his fate. Near the spot where we interred113 him was a small house, which we entered, and were fortunate enough to obtain a little wine. While in the house, we heard a scream, as of fear. We hastened out, and saw several of our soldiers running swiftly towards the camp, from the place where we had interred our comrade. They had dug him up, for the purpose of robbing him of his blanket. As they were ripping it open, the knife entered the flesh, and he began to struggle. It was this that had so frightened them. We went to the poor fellow, finished removing his blanket, and found that he was still alive. Want and fatigue had produced a state of insensibility resembling death, from which he had been aroused by the pain of his wound. We shared with him the little wine we had obtained, which so revived him that he was able to accompany us back from his own funeral. He soon after recovered, and returned home to Ireland.
SINGULAR INCIDENT.
EFFORTS TO OBTAIN FOOD.
A day or two after this occurrence, I left the company, with one of my companions, and went higher up the mountain, in search of wild pigs, which are sometimes found there. This was absolutely[142] against our orders; but, as we were literally114 starving to death, the consequences of disobedience, and the dangers of our journey, weighed but little in the balance. I agreed to search one side of the mountain, while he ascended115 the other, and we were to meet at the top. When about half-way up the mountain, I was stopped by a ball whizzing close past my ear. Thinking that it might be my comrade, who did not see me, I turned, and, looking around, soon saw the green feather of my assailant, projecting over a rock. At this I was somewhat alarmed; for he was so completely hid behind the rock that I could not fire at him, and I knew that he was reloading his musket34. In a moment more he fired again, but, fortunately for me, his musket flashed in the pan. There was still only his feather in sight; at this I fired, and struck it. I then reloaded as hastily as possible, and advanced cautiously up the mountain, hoping to get sight of him. As I was coming round the point of the rock, he sprang forward, laid down his gun, spread out his arms, and exposed himself to my shot. I knew, by his motions, that he had no ammunition116, and as I had no desire to kill him, I fixed117 my bayonet on my gun, as if I would make a charge, and then advanced towards him, in a friendly manner. But, when I was within twice the length of my gun from him, he picked up his musket and attacked me. Darting118 back to avoid his bayonet, I fired my own gun, and he fell to the ground. I examined his knapsack, and found that it bore the mark of the 95th[143] rifle brigade of our own division. He was a guerilla, and had doubtless killed the man whose knapsack he bore. I examined his canteen, and found, to my great surprise, a pint119 of Jamaica brandy. In my exhausted state, this was a discovery which gave me the greatest pleasure. I took some of it, and, feeling quite refreshed, pursued my search for game. I had not gone far before I discovered a small pig, which I succeeded in shooting. This I carried with me to the top of the mountain, where I found my comrade awaiting me. He had been less successful than myself, having found nothing. He asked me how I had fared. I told him that I had shot an old hog120 and a little pig, at which he expressed great pleasure. I then showed him the contents of the canteen, which he joyfully121 shared with me; and, having related my adventure, we retraced123 our steps to the camp. We concealed124 our treasure as well as we were able; but, notwithstanding all our care, the first person we saw, on our return, was the adjutant. He came up to us, and demanded where we had been. Upon the mountain, in search of food, was my reply. He told me, if he should report us, as he was required to do, we should be shot for disobeying orders. I answered, that it made little difference with us; it would only hasten affairs, as it was impossible to survive much longer without food. “Did you find any?” he asked. We showed him our prize. He would gladly have purchased it of us; but food, in our condition, was far more precious than money,[144] and we refused his offer of a doubloon, with the assurance that five would be no temptation to part with it. But, on arrival at our quarters, as we were cutting up the pig, gratitude for his kindness, in not reporting us, so far overcame our selfishness, that we sent him a quarter of it. The remainder made our mess a fine meal; and we certainly were never in a better condition to estimate the value of food than when we devoured the little pig of the Morena.
GUERILLAS.
I have alluded to the annoyance125 by guerillas, or, as they were sometimes called, Partidas. These were principally, at first, Spanish peasants, who, unable to present any efficient force against the French, and unwilling to submit to them, threw themselves into the mountains, and, being well acquainted with all the passes and hiding-places, did the French much damage, by cutting off their communications, robbing their stores, and murdering every one who dared to stray from the main army. As the war proceeded, their numbers were enlarged by all those who were weary of the restraints of law;—every robber that feared a jail, or could break from one; every smuggler126 whose trade had been interrupted,—and there were thousands of these, as there still are, in Spain; every one who was weary of the restraints of his life, and sought for excitement; and all idlers who preferred the wild and reckless daring of these troops to the drill and watch of the army, were found either as associate or chief in these bands. They soon became regularly organized, chose their chiefs,[145] and had watchwords, by which they could obtain a safe pass all over the country. They were professedly our allies, but they were almost as much a terror to us as to our foes127. They proved, however, invaluable128 to our army, as a means of communication with each other, and as spies on the movements of our enemies. It was impossible for the French to communicate with each other at all, except by sending strong escorts, and these were often cut off; while, on our side, news could be sent with almost the rapidity of telegraph, and this undoubtedly129 was a great advantage to us. The chiefs of these bands were often obliged to procure subsistence and treasure for themselves, by robbing their own countrymen; and, indeed, one of the principal causes of the sudden growth of these bands was the hope of intercepting130 the public and private plate, which was being carried from all parts of Spain to be coined into money. Yet, though most of the bands were worthless characters, there were some among them of more noble spirit. Some were actuated by revenge—some by a gallant, enterprising spirit—and a few by an honest ambition to serve their country.
Our troops often met with many adventures with these foes; and many were the weary hours, in our toilsome marches, that were beguiled131 by the recital132 of their hair-breadth escapes, or their own wonderful adventures. Some of these were of so much interest[146] that I cannot refrain from a desire to recount a few to my readers.
A GUERILLA’S VENGEANCE133.
Don Julian Sanchez was the son of a farmer, on the banks of the Guebra. The little cottage where he resided, with his parents and one sister, was the abode134 of happiness and plenty. In an evil hour, the French army passed that way. Their cattle were driven away and slaughtered135, and their little harvest, just reaped, became the prey136 of the plunderers. Terrified and despairing, Julian fled, with his parents and sister, to the woods. But his parents were old, and, before they could reach the shelter of the wood, they were overtaken, carried back to the cottage, and murdered, in cold blood, on their own hearthstone. Julian and his sister concealed themselves in a cave; but the next day he left her there, and went to see if he could obtain any trace of his parents. Directing his course to their little cottage, he found their murdered corpses. Revenge and anger, in a spirit like Julian’s, was deep, not loud. He shed no tear, uttered no complaint,—but calmly proceeded to inter112 the bodies of his parents in a humble138 grave. Then, kneeling on the sod, he swore revenge on their murderers,—a revenge which should be followed till his latest breath. He returned to his sister; but, as he approached the cave where he had left her, what a sight met his view! A party of the hated army were just issuing from its precincts. The body of his beautiful sister lay on the ground naked,—dishonored,—the victim of a vile139 outrage140. Julian[147] gazed for a moment on the scene. He had no time for tears, and he had sworn to live for revenge,—a vow141 which now burned itself in deeper characters upon his soul. He turned away. A huge rock overhung the cave. He ascended it, and, secreting142 himself in a little fissure143 where he could be heard, not seen, he gazed for a few moments on the chief of the band, till every line of his countenance144 was impressed on his soul. Then, calling to him from the rock, he said, “You hear me, but you see me not. I am a Spaniard, the son of those parents you murdered yesterday—the brother of her whose corpse78 lies before you. You are their murderer; and I swear, by the Holy Virgin145, that I will never lose sight for one day of your path, until my hands are imbrued in your heart’s best blood! You may think to escape me; but remember, you shall die by my hand!”
In a moment, the troops of the French were on the rock. They searched everywhere for the speaker, but no trace of him could be found, until, just as they had relinquished146 their search, one of the number fell dead by the blow of an unseen assassin. He was the first of the band that fell. Months passed away. Julian had never since met his foe; but the frequent death of his followers147, and the daring exploits of robbery that were constantly performing in his camp, often called to mind the voice he had heard. A few months after, in battle, this officer was attacked, and would have been killed, had not a Spaniard saved his life, at the risk of his own. He turned to thank his[148] unknown deliverer, but was met with so fierce a look of hate, that he involuntarily shrunk from it. “I desire no thanks,” said the Spaniard; “your life is mine, and none but me shall take it.” The voice was recognized, but its owner had glided148 away in the confusion. A year had elapsed, when this officer was again sent to the banks of the Guebra, and took up his quarters in the very house Julian’s father formerly149 occupied. The first night of his stop there was enlivened by the arrival of four of the same party who had met with him the year before. In joyous mood, they had seated themselves around the table, and were discussing the events of the campaign. Suddenly they were startled by a deep voice, which the officer had cause to remember, and Julian, with four of his associates, glided into the room. So sudden, so unexpected, was the attack, that they had not time to grasp their swords, ere they were pinioned150 and led away. Julian and the chief alone remained. “Look at me,” said Julian; “do you know me? In this very room, a year ago, my parents fell by your murderous hand. The stain of their blood still remains151 to witness against you. In that wood lies the corpse of my idolized and only sister. You were her assassin. You heard my vow. Not for one day have I left your steps. Twice have I warded153 death from your head; but when I saw you desecrate154 again this hearthstone by your accursed presence, I knew that your time had come. Frenchman, prepare to die!”
[149]After the death of this man, Julian succeeded in organizing a regular band. At the head of these, he would again and again assault the enemy, even though they outnumbered his own band many times. Another instance of his daring intrepidity, at a time when we were suffering for want of provisions, and of the patience with which he followed up his designs, deserves to be recorded. It was the custom of the French garrison155 to send out their cattle beyond the walls every morning, for the purpose of grazing, under the protection of a guard, which at once kept them from wandering too far, and also watched the movements of the Spanish army. Don Julian determined, if possible, to surprise the herd156. For this purpose, he concealed himself, with his band, day after day, among the broken ground, near the river. But the guard was still too powerful and vigilant157 to allow him to make the attempt. At length, as if to reward him for his patience, fortune threw in his way, not only the object for which he sought, but one of far more importance to him. On a certain day, the governor of the place where the garrison was stationed came out, accompanied by a very slender escort, and ventured imprudently to cross the river, at the self-same spot where Julian lay concealed. He was instantly surrounded, and made prisoner. Almost at the same moment, the cattle, frightened by the explosion of a shell which fell among them, ran towards the river. The guard followed, but overtook them at such a distance from the[150] city, that Julian thought himself justified158 in making the attack. It was attended with perfect success, and governor and cattle were conveyed in triumph to the British headquarters.
Another of these chiefs was named Juan Martin Diaz, or the “Empecinado.” When the news of the detention159 of Ferdinand at Bayonne first reached Spain, he was engaged as a farmer. Young, ardent160, and daring, he threw aside his plough, and persuaded a neighboring youth, only sixteen, to join him. Their first object was to procure horses and arms. They took post upon the high road from France to Madrid, for the purpose of intercepting the French couriers. An occasion soon occurred. A party of six men were riding past a narrow defile161. An old woman went out and arrested the progress of the last two, by offering them some fruit for sale. She detained them until the others were in advance some distance; then the two youths fired from their covert162, and their victims fell. Long before the others returned for their comrades, their horses and arms were far away. These boys were soon joined by others, of which Juan was the chief; and, as he grew older and had more experience, his band increased, until it numbered one thousand five hundred men. With these he performed the most daring exploits, cutting off supplies, and intercepting convoys164. By his intelligence, activity, and bravery, he was enabled to do the enemy much mischief165. In vain were armies sent to surround his band. They concealed themselves in[151] their fastnesses, and baffled them all, until his very name became a terror to the French armies. He gave no quarter to the conquered; and such was his discipline of his followers, and his generosity166 in the division of the spoils, that he became the idol152 of his band, and they were willing to undertake any exploit at his bidding.
DARING EXPLOIT OF JUAN MARTIN DIAZ.
A convoy163 was conveying, in a carriage, a lady, a relative of Marshal Moncey. The coach was escorted by twelve soldiers, in the centre of two columns of six thousand each, about a mile asunder167. The Empecinado, with only eight of his followers, was concealed close to the town of Caraveas. He allowed the leading column to pass, then boldly rushed upon the convoy, put to death the whole of the escort, seized and carried off the carriage; and, when the alarm was given, Martin and his prize were in safety in the mountains, where he effectually eluded168 the search made after him. He saved the life of the lady, who was sent to his own house, and had every attention paid her. This convoy was a very rich prize of money and jewels. This he divided among his men, reserving only a small share for himself. He often met with very narrow escapes. On one occasion, he was unhorsed and disarmed169, and the sword of his opponent passed through his arm, and entered his side. His wound seemed to give him new courage. He suddenly sprang at his foe, and, seizing him by the neck, dragged him to the ground. He fell with him, however, but continued to keep[152] uppermost. The other refusing to surrender, the Empecinado held him fast with one hand, while with the other he snatched up a stone, and beat him to death. On another occasion, he was nearly made prisoner by some Spanish troops in the pay of the French; and, finding every other hope of escape impossible, he threw himself down an immense precipice170, rather than fall into their hands. His fall was broken by the projecting limbs of trees, covered with very thick foliage171. He was discovered here by one of his followers, and taken home. He recovered finally, after suffering a severe illness, which for some time prevented his taking the field.
EXPLOITS OF XAVIER MINA.
The most distinguished172 of these courageous173 leaders was Xavier Mina. He was a student at Pamplona when the revolution broke out. His father was a considerable land-owner, and deputy for one of the valleys of Navarre. Some act of injustice174, practised towards his father, had driven young Xavier to desperation. His resolution was taken. He threw aside his studies, went to his native village, and, summoning around him the young men of his acquaintance, related his wrongs, and urged them to join him in his career of revenge. Moved by his enthusiastic address, twelve of his companions volunteered to join him. Arming themselves with muskets175 and ammunition, they sought the mountain passes, and maintained themselves, while awaiting opportunities of action, by subsisting176 on the sheep belonging to Mina’s father. His first adventure was[153] to surprise a party of seven artillery-men, who were carrying two pieces of cannon46 and a quantity of ammunition from Saragossa to Pamplona. When the news of this success reached his village, others were encouraged to volunteer. His next exploit was, with his band of twenty, to attack a general officer, who was escorted by twenty-four foot and twelve horsemen. Stationing his men in a narrow defile, he gave orders to fire as they were descending177, each one having selected his man. Twenty of the escort were thus levelled to the earth, before they had any intimation of their danger. The general was one of the number. The rest of the escort were made prisoners, and a large sum of money fell into Mina’s hands. This he distributed among his men, advising them to send part to their families, and retain no more than would suffice for the expenses of their own interment, exposed as they now continually were to death. The men were thus raised in their own estimation, and in that of their countrymen, wherever this was told; and volunteers soon presented themselves in abundance, attracted by a success which was reported everywhere with the usual exaggerations. He received, however, only such persons as he regarded as a valuable acquisition to his band. These wore a red ribbon in their hats, and a red collar to their jackets. In Arragon, a band of fifty robbers were adding to the miseries178 of that unhappy country. Having heard of their atrocities179, Mina turned his course thither180. He succeeded in surprising[154] them. The greater part were killed on the spot, and the remainder sent as prisoners to Tarragona. Rations18 were voluntarily raised for his people, wherever they were expected, and given as freely at one time as they were paid for at another by the spoils of the enemy. It was in vain that the French made repeated efforts to crush this enterprising enemy. If his band were dispersed182, it was only to unite, and, by striking a blow in some weak point, render themselves more formidable than before.
A large number of prisoners, and an amount of treasure, were to be sent from Vittoria to France. Twelve hundred men accompanied it as an escort. At the Puerto de Arlaban, they were attacked by the seemingly omnipresent Mina, of whose absence, in another part of the country, they thought themselves assured. They were entirely routed; but, unfortunately, two hundred of the prisoners were slain183 in the contest. Information of the journey of this escort had been procured184 from a new recruit in Mina’s band, who had his own object to accomplish by it. He was a gentleman of some standing35, who was engaged to a beautiful Spanish lady. Her affections had been stolen from him by a wounded French officer, quartered in her father’s house. He had recovered, and was now taking his bride home to France. The former lover had sworn a deep revenge, and, unable himself to accomplish this object, had enlisted185 the powerful Mina on his side. When the band returned to their haunts, they carried with them[155] six ladies, who were guilty of the same crime, viz., having accepted, as husbands, French officers. Their fate was, indeed, a sad one. The contest for them had been fierce in the extreme. They had seen their protectors, one by one, fall around them, fighting until the last breath in their defence; and now they were left helpless to the mercy of their conquerors186. A mock trial was instituted. They were found guilty of aiding the enemies of their country, and all of them executed.
But Mina was not always successful. Not long after this, he had attacked and overcome a party of French. As he was conveying his prisoners to Robres, he was betrayed by one of his own men, and was attacked as suddenly as he had fallen upon others. His band were scattered, many of them slain, and he escaped, with great difficulty, with his own life. One week afterward83, he appeared in the Rioja, with five thousand men, and attacked a Polish regiment, which was retiring to France. They were entirely routed. Mina enlarged his band by an accession of every one of the Spanish prisoners whom he had liberated187, and filled his coffers with the booty. One million of francs fell into his hands, besides the equipages, arms and stores of all kinds, and a quantity of church plate. Two weeks after, he captured another convoy, going from Valencia to France. General Abbé now bent188 his whole force to disperse181 his troops. For three days in succession he followed Mina’s troops to their haunts, and each day[156] defeated them; so that, on the last day, Mina was obliged again to flee alone for his life. Yet, not discouraged, he struggled on with various success, until at length he fell into the hands of the French, who sent him a prisoner to France. Great rejoicings were made when the capture of this formidable enemy was reported; but they soon found that they had little reason for joy, for his place at the head of the band was taken by his uncle, Francisco, who proved himself, if possible, even more formidable than his nephew. His various adventures would well fill a volume, and it is easy to see the interest they must have possessed when related around the bivouac fire on those mountains, where no one knew but that any moment might bring his army around them.
But to return to my own history. We were still pursuing our weary course, sometimes coming within sight of our enemies, and sometimes marching and counter-marching, when our leaders thought best to avoid a battle. We were still suffering the pangs189 of hunger, our principal food being a supply of ground bark. The soldiers continued to wander away, and often escaped, with their lives, from imminent190 peril9. One of our men observed, at a little distance from the camp, a commotion191 in the bushes, which he thought was occasioned by some wild animal; and he hastened out to secure it. Creeping cautiously along under the bushes, his course was suddenly arrested by a bullet flying over him. Having passed around a rock which concealed him from the camp, he hastily[157] jumped up, and looked round. He soon spied a woman sitting near a small spring, with a child in her arms, as he thought; but, concluding that it was best to be on his guard, he crept cautiously near her, and soon saw that she was thoroughly192 armed, and what seemed to be a child was something which certainly did not possess life. The shot had evidently been fired by her, and she was watching for his re?ppearance. He fired, and killed her. On taking her arms, he discovered that it was one of the guerillas, dressed in female apparel, and evidently intended for a decoy. Judging from articles found around him, all our troops had not been so successful as was our soldier in discovering the disguise.
ADVENTURES IN SEARCH OF FOOD.
There are not many villages on these mountains, and but few scattered habitations. The next day after the adventure I have just related, a small party of us again left in search of food. We soon found, in a beautiful valley, a small house. We knocked for admission. There was no answer; so, without further ceremony, the door was broken down, and we entered. A fire was found burning on the hearth137, showing, however desolate193 the hut might now be, it had not long wanted inhabitants. We found, however, no food, and were turning away, quite disappointed, when one of our number spied an open hole in the garden. We found there, to our great delight, two pigs of wine, which our near approach had probably disturbed its owners in their attempts to conceal. These pig-skins were to us quite a curiosity.[158] The skin is taken as entire as possible from the animal, and turned so that the hair will be inside, and then preserved in such a way as to make it capable of holding wine. These are the common wine-casks of the country. I have often seen loads of them; and so perfectly194 do they retain their resemblance; that any one unaccustomed to the sight would say, at once, that they were loads of dead porkers. We took our wine, and returned as rapidly as possible to the lines, to share our good fortune with our comrades.
DEPARTURE FOR BADAJOS.
A day or two after this, as we were encamped on one of the hills which overlooked the country to a great distance, a movement on the plains below attracted the attention of our officers. Scouts195 were instantly sent out, to learn the nature of it. Animation196 again appeared in the faces of our men; for, even if it were the enemy, we all felt it would be far better to win an honorable death in an open battle, than to perish daily, as we were doing, by hunger and murder. It was not long before our messengers returned, spurring their horses, and joy in every feature of their countenances197. As soon as they came within hearing, they flung up their caps in the air, shouting, “Relief, relief! our commissariat is coming! It will soon be here!” The excitement among our men was intense. They could hardly be restrained from rushing down immediately to break upon the long-expected, long-delayed supplies. When, at length, they came near, and we[159] saw the baggage-wagons, accompanied by a strong escort, the ill-repressed enthusiasm of the men burst forth in one long, deafening198 shout, that reverberated199 from the tops of those mountains for miles around. The scene then presented by our camp was, indeed, an exciting one. Officers were engaged on all sides in distributing provisions to the starving troops, and these in administering cordials and refreshments200 to their sick comrades. Many of the sick, who were apparently near their end, revived and soon recovered. The same escort brought information that the destination of Wellington’s army was now to be changed, and our division of it was directed to proceed immediately to Badajos. This, too, was joyful122 news; and, with the morrow’s dawn, everything was ready for motion. Tents were struck, our baggage stored, and order everywhere restored. Once more we had an aim, an object; and, with this, it was easy to become again docile201 and obedient. I shall never forget the sensation of pleasure that throbbed202 in our hearts, as our last column defiled203 down the mountain, and we bade farewell to those haunts, which had been so nearly fatal to us all. Our course was immediately directed to Badajos, and, on the 3d of May, we sat down three leagues from its walls.
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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13
receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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ceded
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| v.让给，割让，放弃( cede的过去式 ) | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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unanimity
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| n.全体一致，一致同意 | |
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rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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intrepidity
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| n.大胆，刚勇；大胆的行为 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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rupture
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| n.破裂；(关系的)决裂；v.(使)破裂 | |
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refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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retrace
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| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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55
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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56
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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57
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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58
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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59
lavishing
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的现在分词 ) | |
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60
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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61
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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62
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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63
fatality
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| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
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64
sergeants
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| 警官( sergeant的名词复数 )； （美国警察）警佐； （英国警察）巡佐； 陆军（或空军）中士 | |
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65
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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66
justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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67
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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68
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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69
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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70
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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71
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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72
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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73
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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74
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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75
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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76
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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77
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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78
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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79
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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80
melancholy
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|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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81
agonizing
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| adj.痛苦难忍的；使人苦恼的v.使极度痛苦；折磨(agonize的ing形式) | |
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82
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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83
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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84
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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85
enlistment
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| n.应征入伍，获得，取得 | |
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86
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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87
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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88
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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89
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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90
awakened
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|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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91
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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92
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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93
artillerist
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| 炮手，炮兵，炮术家 | |
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94
forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
palled
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| v.（因过多或过久而）生厌，感到乏味，厌烦( pall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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97
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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98
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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99
worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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100
prelude
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| n.序言，前兆，序曲 | |
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101
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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102
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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103
harassing
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| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
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104
Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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105
infested
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|
| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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106
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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107
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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108
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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109
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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110
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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111
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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112
inter
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| v.埋葬 | |
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113
interred
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| v.埋，葬( inter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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114
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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115
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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117
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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118
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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119
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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120
hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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121
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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122
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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123
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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124
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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125
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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126
smuggler
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| n.走私者 | |
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127
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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128
invaluable
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|
| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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129
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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130
intercepting
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| 截取（技术），截接 | |
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131
beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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132
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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133
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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134
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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135
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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137
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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138
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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139
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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140
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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141
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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142
secreting
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| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的现在分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
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143
fissure
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| n.裂缝；裂伤 | |
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144
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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145
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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146
relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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147
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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148
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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149
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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150
pinioned
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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151
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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152
idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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153
warded
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| 有锁孔的，有钥匙榫槽的 | |
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154
desecrate
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| v.供俗用，亵渎，污辱 | |
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155
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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156
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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157
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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158
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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159
detention
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| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
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160
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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161
defile
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| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
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162
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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163
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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164
convoys
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| n.（有护航的）船队( convoy的名词复数 )；车队；护航（队）；护送队 | |
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165
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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166
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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167
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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168
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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169
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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170
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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171
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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172
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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173
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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174
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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175
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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176
subsisting
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
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177
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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178
miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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179
atrocities
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| n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪 | |
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180
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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181
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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182
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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183
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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184
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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185
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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186
conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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187
liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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188
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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189
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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190
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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191
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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192
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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193
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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194
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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195
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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196
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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197
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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198
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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199
reverberated
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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200
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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201
docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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202
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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203
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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