At the centre, too, a Spanish peasant informed Wellington that the chief bridge of Tres Puentes was unguarded, and guided Kempt's brigade through rocky ground to within easy charging distance.
[Illustration: BATTLE OF VITTORIA] The bridge was seized, Joseph's outposts were completely turned, and time was given for the muster of Picton's men.

Stoutly they breasted the slopes, and unsteadied the weakened French centre, which was also assailed on its northern flank.

At the same time Joseph's left wing began to waver under Hill's repeated onslaughts; and, distracted by the distant cannonade, which told of a stubborn fight between Graham and Reille, the King now began to draw in his lines towards Vittoria.
For a time the French firmly held the village of Arinez, but Picton's men were not to be denied.

They burst through the rearguard, and the battle now became a running fight, extending over some five miles of broken country.

At the last slopes, close to Vittoria, the defenders made a last heroic stand, and their artillery dealt havoc among the assailants; but our fourth division, rushing forward into the smoke, carried a hill that commanded their left, and the day was won.