It would be prudent to get them behind us; but we were not again molested on our way to the boats.
From the beginning of the fighting our wounded had been carried to the houses at the rear, near the place of debarkation.

I now set the troops to bringing their wounded to the boats.

After this had gone on for some little time I rode down the road, without even a staff officer, to visit the guard I had stationed over the approach to our transports.

I knew the enemy had crossed over from Columbus in considerable numbers and might be expected to attack us as we were embarking.

This guard would be encountered first and, as they were in a natural intrenchment, would be able to hold the enemy for a considerable time.