He had done much in gaining a good foothold; the rest must be left to time and chance.
A few indecisive but sanguinary engagements were fought in the neighborhood of Pesqueira, a town in the hills about one hundred miles from the seaboard.

These proved that General Russo was a valiant fighter but a poor tactician--and that was all.

He was opposed by a commander of little courage but singular skill in strategy.

To restore the balance, Dom Corria took the field in person, and Dom Miguel Barraca hastened from Rio de Janeiro to witness the crushing of his arch-enemy.
The position was complicated by the arrival at Pernambuco of a German squadron bearing a telegraphic cartel from the Emperor.

A German ship had been seized on the high seas.