rushed upon the guns. At the same moment Hector gave the word to
charge, and with levelled spears the horsemen rode down into the
midst of the crowd. Appalled by this sudden attack, which was wholly
unexpected, the resistance was but slight. Many of the peasants
at once threw away their arms and fled. Those who resisted were
speared or overthrown by the horses. As the valley widened the four
troops separated a little, each cutting a way for itself through
the peasants. It was no longer a fight; and a wild panic seized
upon the whole of the insurgents. Some rushed straight down the
valley, others ran up the opposite hillside; but the slope here
was gradual, and the horsemen were able to pursue.

"Paolo, take your troop up the hill. Let the others keep straight
down the valley." And, heading these, Hector galloped on, shouting
to MacIntosh to harness what teams there were to some of the guns
and take them up to the top of the road, and then bring the horses
back for some more.

For two hours the pursuit continued. Occasionally a group of
peasants gathered together and tried to stem the tide, but these
were speedily overcome, the long spears bearing them down without
their being able to strike a blow at the riders, and at the end
of that time the insurgents were scattered over a wide extent of
country, all flying for their lives. Hector now ordered trumpets to
sound; he was soon joined by the other troops, and at a leisurely
pace they rode back to their starting point. Not more than half
the guns had as yet been taken up, for MacIntosh had found it
necessary to put double teams to them in order to drag them up the
steep road. The mounted men had all brought ropes with them, and,
dismounting, eight yoked their horses to each gun, and in an hour