The only hope for Mejia was that, alarmed by our disappearance, he had stationed outposts on the heights and a line of vedettes on the San Felipe road, and fortified the entrance to the _quebrada_.

In that case the attack might be repulsed, despite the superiority of the Spanish infantry and the disadvantages of Mejia's position.

But the probabilities were against his having taken any of these precautions; the last thing he thought of was being attacked, and I could hardly doubt that he would be fatally entangled in the toils which were being laid for him.
While these thoughts were passing through my mind we were marching rapidly and silently toward our destination, lighted only by the stars.

The force consisted of two brigades, the second of which, commanded by General Estero, had gone on half an hour previously.

I was with the first and rode with Griscelli's staff.