There is no city, no village, hardly a habitation upon this half-desert coast. The aspect is an interminable waste of sandy hills, rendered hirsute1 and picturesque2 by the plumed3 frondage4 of the palm-tree.
We dared not go ashore5, although the smooth white beach tempted6 us strongly. A large body of the enemy was encamped behind the adjacent ridges8, and patrols could be seen at intervals9 galloping10 along the beach.
I could not help fancying what must have been the feeling of the inhabitants in regard to our ships—a strange sight upon this desert coast, and not a pleasing one to them, knowing that within those dark hulls11 were concealed12 the hosts of their armed invaders13. Laocoon looked not with more dread14 upon the huge ribs15 of the Danaic horse than did the simple peasant of Anahuac upon this fleet of “oak leviathans” that lay within so short a distance of his shores.
To us the scene possessed16 an interest of a far different character. We looked proudly upon these magnificent models of naval17 architecture—upon their size, their number, and their admirable adaptation. We viewed with a changing cheek and kindling18 eye this noble exhibition of a free people’s strength; and as the broad banner of our country swung out upon the breeze of the tropics, we could not help exulting19 in the glory of that great nation whose uniform we wore around our bodies.
It was no dream. We saw the burnished20 cannon21 and the bright epaulette, the gleaming button and the glancing bayonet. We heard the startling trumpet22, the stirring drum, and the shrill23 and thrilling fife; and our souls drank in all those glorious sights and sounds that form at once the spirit and the witchery of war.
The landing was to take place on the 9th, and the point of debarkation24 fixed25 upon was the beach opposite the island of Sacrificios, just out of range of the guns of Vera Cruz.
The 9th of March rose like a dream, bright, balmy, and beautiful. The sea was scarcely stirred by the gentlest breeze of the tropics; but this breeze, light as it was, blew directly in our favour.
At an early hour I observed a strange movement among the ships composing the fleet. Signals were changing in quick succession, and boats gliding26 rapidly to and fro.
Before daybreak the huge surf-boats had been drawn27 down from their moorings, and with long hempen28 hawsers29 attached to the ships and steamers.
The descent was about to be made. The ominous30 cloud which had hung dark and threatening over the shores of Mexico was about to burst upon that devoted31 land. But where? The enemy could not tell, and were preparing to receive us on the adjacent shore.
The black cylinder32 began to smoke, and the murky33 cloud rolled down upon the water, half obscuring the fleet. Here and there a broad sail, freshly unfurled, hung stiffly from the yard; the canvas, escaping from its gasket fastenings, had not yet been braced34 round to the breeze.
Soldiers were seen standing35 along the decks; some in full equipments, clutching the bright barrels of their muskets36, while others were buckling37 on their white belts, or cramming38 their cartouche-boxes.
Officers, in sash and sword, paced the polished quarter-decks, or talked earnestly in groups, or watched with eager eyes the motions of the various ships.
Unusual sounds were heard on all sides. The deep-toned chorus of the sailor, the creaking of the capstan, and the clanking of the iron cogs; the “heave-ho!” at the windlass, and the grating of the huge anchor-chain, as link after link rasped through the rusty39 ring—sounds that warned us to make ready for a change.
In the midst of these came the brisk rolling of a drum. It was answered by another, and another, and still another, until all voices were drowned by the deafening40 noise. Then followed the mingling41 shouts of command, a rushing over the decks, and streams of blue-clad men poured down the dark sides, and seated themselves in the surf-boats. These were filled in a twinkling, and all was silent as before. Every voice was hushed in expectation, and every eye bent42 upon the little black steamer which carried the commander-in-chief.
Suddenly a cloud of smoke rose up from her quarter; a sheet of flame shot out horizontally; and the report of a heavy gun shook the atmosphere like an earthquake. Before its echoes had subsided43, a deafening cheer ran simultaneously44 through the fleet; and the ships, all together, as if impelled45 by some hidden and supernatural power, broke from their moorings, and dashed through the water with the velocity46 of the wind. Away to the north-west, in an exciting race; away for the island of Sacrificios!
On struggled the ships, bending to the breeze and cleaving47 the crystal water with their bold bows; on the steamers, beating the blue waves into a milky48 way, and dragging the laden49 boats in their foamy50 track. On followed the boats through the hissing51 and frothy caldron. Loud rolled the drum, loud brayed52 the bugle53, and loud huzzas echoed from the adjacent shores.
Already the foe54 was alarmed and alert. Light horsemen with streaming haste galloped55 up the coast. Lancers, with gay trappings and long pennons, appeared through the openings of the hills. Foaming56, prancing57 steeds flew with light artillery58 over the naked ridges, dashing madly down deep defiles59, and crushing the cactus60 with their whirling wheels. “Andela! Andela!” was their cry. In vain they urged their horses, in vain they drove the spur deep and bloody61 into their smoking sides. The elements were against them, and in favour of their foes62.
The earth and the water were their impediments, while the air and the water were the allies of their enemies. They clung and sweltered through the hot and yielding sand or sank in the marshy63 borders of the Mandinga and the Medellin, while steam and the wind drove the ships of their adversaries64 like arrows through the water.
The alarm spread up the coast. Bugles65 were sounding, and horsemen galloped through the streets of Vera Cruz. The alarm-drum beat in the plaza66, and the long roll echoed in every cuartel.
Signal rockets shot up from San Juan, and were answered by others from Santiago and Concepcion.
Thousands of dark forms clustered upon the roofs of the city and the ramparts of the castle; and thousands of pale lips whispered in accents of terror, “They come! they come!”
As yet they knew not how the attack was to be made, or where to look for our descent.
They imagined that we were about to bombard their proud fortress67 of San Juan, and expected soon to see the ships of these rash invaders shattered and sunk before its walls.
The fleet was almost within long range, the black buoyant hulls bounded fearlessly over the water. The eager crowd thickened upon the walls. The artillerists of Santiago had gathered around their guns, silent and waiting orders. Already the burning fuse was sending forth68 its sulphurous smell, and the dry powder lay temptingly on the touch, when a quick, sharp cry was heard along the walls and battlements, a cry of mingled69 rage, disappointment, and dismay.
The foremost ship had swerved70 suddenly from the track; and bearing sharply to the left, under the manège of a skilful71 helmsman, was running down under the shelter of Sacrificios.
The next ship followed her guide, and the next, and the next; and, before the astonished multitude recovered from their surprise, the whole fleet had come to within pistol-shot of the island!
The enemy now, for the first time, perceived the ruse72, and began to calculate its results. Those giant ships, that but a moment ago seemed rushing to destruction, had rounded to at a safe distance, and were preparing, with the speed and skilfulness73 of a perfect discipline, to pour a hostile host upon the defenceless shores. In vain the cavalry74 bugle called their horsemen to the saddle; in vain the artillery car rattled75 along the streets; both would be too late!
Meanwhile, the ships let fall their anchors, with a plunge77, and a rasping, and a rattle76. The sails came down upon the yards; and sailors swung themselves into the great surf-boats, and mixed with the soldiers, and seized the oars78.
Then the blades were suddenly and simultaneously dropped on the surface of the wave, a naval officer in each boat directing the movements of the oarsmen.
And the boats pulled out nearer, and by an echelon79 movement took their places in line.
Light ships of war were thrown upon our flanks, to cover the descent by a cross fire. No enemy had yet appeared, and all eyes were turned landward with fiery80 expectation. Bounding hearts waited impatiently for the signal.
The report of a single gun was at length heard from the ship of the commander-in-chief; and, as if by one impulse, a thousand oars struck the water, and flung up the spray upon their broad blades. A hundred boats leaped forward simultaneously. The powerful stroke was repeated, and propelled them with lightning speed. Now was the exciting race, the regatta of war! The Dardan rowers would have been distanced here.
On! on! with the velocity of the wind, over the blue waves, through the snowy surf—on!
And now we neared the shore, and officers sprang to their feet, and stood with their swords drawn; and soldiers half sat, half crouched81, clutching their muskets. And the keels gritted82 upon the gravelly bed; and, at the signal, a thousand men, in one plunge, flung themselves into the water, and dashed madly through the surf. Thousands followed, holding their cartridge-boxes breast-high; and blades were glancing, and bayonets gleaming, and banners waving; and under glancing blades, and gleaming bayonets, and waving banners, the dark mass rushed high upon the beach.
Then came a cheer, loud, long, and exulting. It pealed83 along the whole line, uttered from five thousand throats, and answered by twice that number from the anchored ships. It echoed along the shores, and back from the distant battlements.
A colour-sergeant, springing forward, rushed up the steep sides of a sand-hill, and planted his flag upon its snowy ridge7.
As the well-known banner swung out upon the breeze, another cheer, wild and thrilling, ran along the line; a hundred answering flags were hauled up through the fleet; the ships of war saluted84 with full broadsides; and the guns of San Juan, now for the first time waking from their lethargic85 silence, poured forth their loudest thunder.
The sun was just setting as our column commenced its advance inward. After winding86 for a short distance through the defiles of the sand-hills, we halted for the night, our left wing resting upon the beach.
The soldiers bivouacked without tents—sleeping upon their arms, with the soft sand for their couch and the cartridge-box for their pillow.
Note. Cuartel is the quarter of the city.
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1
hirsute
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| adj.多毛的 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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plumed
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| 饰有羽毛的 | |
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frondage
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| n.叶，茂盛的叶；叶丛；叶簇 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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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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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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hulls
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| 船体( hull的名词复数 )； 船身； 外壳； 豆荚 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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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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15
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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16
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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18
kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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19
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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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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trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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debarkation
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| n.下车，下船，登陆 | |
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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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26
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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27
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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hempen
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| adj. 大麻制的, 大麻的 | |
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29
hawsers
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| n.（供系船或下锚用的）缆索，锚链( hawser的名词复数 ) | |
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30
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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33
murky
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| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
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34
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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35
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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muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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37
buckling
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| 扣住 | |
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38
cramming
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| n.塞满，填鸭式的用功v.塞入( cram的现在分词 )；填塞；塞满；（为考试而）死记硬背功课 | |
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39
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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40
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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41
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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42
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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43
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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44
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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45
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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47
cleaving
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| v.劈开，剁开，割开( cleave的现在分词 ) | |
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48
milky
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| adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的 | |
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49
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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50
foamy
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| adj.全是泡沫的，泡沫的，起泡沫的 | |
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51
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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52
brayed
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| v.发出驴叫似的声音( bray的过去式和过去分词 )；发嘟嘟声；粗声粗气地讲话（或大笑）；猛击 | |
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53
bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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54
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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55
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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56
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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57
prancing
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
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58
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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59
defiles
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| v.玷污( defile的第三人称单数 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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60
cactus
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| n.仙人掌 | |
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61
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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62
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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63
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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65
bugles
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| 妙脆角，一种类似薯片但做成尖角或喇叭状的零食； 号角( bugle的名词复数 )； 喇叭； 匍匐筋骨草； （装饰女服用的）柱状玻璃（或塑料）小珠 | |
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66
plaza
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| n.广场，市场 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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69
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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70
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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72
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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73
skilfulness
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| 巧妙 | |
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74
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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75
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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76
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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77
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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78
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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79
echelon
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| n.梯队；组织系统中的等级；v.排成梯队 | |
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80
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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81
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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82
gritted
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| v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的过去式和过去分词 )；咬紧牙关 | |
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83
pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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85
lethargic
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| adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的 | |
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86
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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