They will probably content themselves with driving Mackenzie in." Terence went at once up the hill, to a point whence he could look well over the round hills on the other side of the valley, and make out the British and Spanish lines, stretching to Talavera.

The troops were already formed up, in readiness for action.

Away to his left came the roll of heavy firing from the cork woods near the Alberche and, just as his three officers joined him, the British troops issued pell mell from the woods.

They had, in fact, been taken entirely by surprise; and had been attacked so suddenly and vigorously that, for a time, the young soldiers of some of the regiments fell into confusion; and Sir Arthur himself, who was at a large house named the Casa, narrowly escaped capture.

The 45th, however, a regiment that had seen much service, and some companies of the 60th Rifles presented a stout front to the enemy.
Sir Arthur speedily restored order among the rest of the troops, and the enemy's advance was checked.