Worn out and sorry as was the appearance of the horses, ragged and dirty that of their riders, the latter were in high spirits.

The contagion of the extraordinary energy and audacity of their chief had spread among them; they had an absolute confidence in his genius, and they entered upon the romantic enterprise with the ardor of schoolboys.
Not less was the spirit of the two young aides de camp.

Before starting the earl had offered them the option of marching away with the infantry.
"It is not that I doubt your courage, lads, for I marked you both under fire at Montjuich, but the fatigues will be terrible.

You have already supported, in a manner which has surprised me, the work which you have undergone.

You have already borne far more than your full share of the hardships of the campaign, and I have, in my dispatches, expressed a very strong opinion to the government as to the value of the services you have rendered.