How many a cheek will then grow pale, That never felt a tear! And many a stalwart heart will quail, That never quailed in fear! And the breast that like some mighty rock Amidst the foaming sea Bore high against the battle’s shock Now heaves like infancy. And those who knew each other not Their hands together steal, Each thinks of some long hallowed spot, And all like brothers feel: Such holy thoughts to all are given; The lowliest has his part; The love of home, like love of heaven, Is woven in our heart. There was a pause as he concluded, each sank in his own reflections. How long we should have thus remained, I know not; but we were speedily aroused from our reveries by the tramp of horses near us. We listened, and could plainly detect in their rude voices and coarse laughter the approach of a body of Guerillas. We looked from one to the other in silence and in fear. Nothing could be more unfortunate should we be discovered. Upon this point we were left little time to deliberate; for with a loud cheer, four Spanish horsemen galloped up to the spot, their carbines in the rest. The Frenchmen sprang to their feet, and seized their sabres, bent upon making a resolute resistance. As for me, my determination was at once taken. Remaining quietly seated upon the grass, I stirred not for a moment, but addressing him who appeared to be the chief of the Guerillas, said, in Spanish:-- “These are my prisoners; I am a British officer of dragoons, and my party is yonder.” This evidently unexpected declaration seemed to surprise them, and they conferred for a few moments together. Meanwhile they were joined by two others, in one of whom we could recognize, by his costume, the real leader of the party. “I am captain in the light dragoons,” said I, repeating my declaration. “_Morte de Dios!_” replied he; “it is false; you are a spy!” The word was repeated from lip to lip by his party, and I saw, in their lowering looks and darkened features, that the moment was a critical one for me. “Down with your arms!” cried he, turning to the Frenchmen. “Surrender yourselves our prisoners; I’ll not bid ye twice!” The Frenchmen turned upon me an inquiring look, as though to say that upon me now their hopes entirely reposed. “Do as he bids you,” said I; while at the same moment I sprang to my legs, and gave a loud, shrill whistle, the last echo of which had not died away in the distance ere it was replied to. [Illustration: THE TABLES TURNED.] “Make no resistance now,” said I to the Frenchmen; “our safety depends on this.” While this was passing two of the Spaniards had dismounted, and detaching a coil of rope which hung from their saddle-peak, were proceeding to tie the prisoners wrist to wrist; the others, with their carbines to the shoulder, covered us man by man, the chief of the party having singled out me as his peculiar prey.