If they do, the cavalry will be down upon us in a minute." The cavalry, however, were equally conscious of the importance of checking the Portuguese, and again and again dashed down upon them, with reckless bravery; suffering heavily whenever they did so, but causing some delay each time they charged.
"I shall go back to the rear, Bull.

Mind, my orders are precise that, whatever happens behind to us, you are to push forward until you begin to climb the hills." Then, without waiting for an answer, he galloped back.
Although the column pressed on steadily at the double, the delay caused by the cavalry, and the fact that the French infantry were broken up--and able, therefore, to run more quickly--was bringing the enemy up fast.

Herrara was riding at the head of the second battalion, and to him Terence repeated the instructions he had given Bull.
"What are you going to do, Colonel ?" the latter asked.
"There is some very broken ground, a quarter of a mile ahead," he replied.

"I intend to hold that spot with the rear company.

It will be some little time before the French infantry will be able to form and attack us; and the ground looks, to me, too broken for their cavalry to act.