At length the firing ceased, and we saw the enemy retiring--a round shot or two sent after them by Mr Laffan expediting their movements. The victory was decidedly on our side; but we knew full well that we might again be attacked by a superior force, and perhaps that very night. Therefore, as before, a vigilant watch was kept, so that, should they attempt a surprise, we might be ready to receive them. CHAPTER FIFTEEN. CAPTAIN LAFFAN AND I GO OUT TO RECONNOITRE--A PRISONER--GAINING INFORMATION--THE SPANIARDS TWICE ASSAULT THE FORT, AND ARE REPULSED WITH SLAUGHTER--WE LOSE A NUMBER OF MEN--A COUNCIL OF WAR--SCARCITY OF AMMUNITION AND PROVISIONS--DON JUAN INVITES TWO OF US TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE--LAFFAN AND I UNDERTAKE THE DUTY--WE SET OUT--NARROWLY ESCAPE THE SPANIARDS--ENTER A TOWN LATELY SACKED BY THEM--OBTAIN REFRESHMENT-- DIRECTED ON OUR COURSE--A BIVOUAC FOR THE NIGHT--WE PROCEED NEXT MORNING--LAFFAN'S HORSE BITTEN BY A SNAKE--MY COMPANION TRUDGES FORWARD ON FOOT--WE REACH A FARM--OBTAIN SHELTER AND FOOD, A HORSE AND A GUIDE, AND CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY. Juan and most of our little garrison exulted in the idea that, after the defeat we had inflicted on the Spaniards, they would abandon the attempt to take the fort, and retire from the neighbourhood. "Do not be too sure of that," said Captain Laffan; "they will watch their opportunity, and attempt to surprise us if we are off our guard. They know the value of the pass too well to leave us in quiet possession. They may be looking all this time for a path over the mountains, to try and take us in the rear; though they would find that a hard matter, to be sure." Juan, however, still persisted in his belief that the Spaniards had retired, and turned their attention to some other enterprise. Fearing that this opinion would make him and his followers less vigilant, I volunteered to go out and reconnoitre. "You shall not go alone," said Mr Laffan. "No," I answered; "I intend to take Lion with me." "I intend to go also," he replied. "I have done a little skirmishing in my day, and three pairs of eyes will take in more than two. Indeed, I do not think you should count much on the services Lion may render." "He will, at all events, give us timely notice should we get near a sentinel, or should one of the enemy approach us," I remarked. "You are right," answered Mr Laffan. "We will go together; and I am pretty strongly of opinion that we shall bring Don Juan word that the enemy are not far off." "But shall we go by night or day?" I asked. "At night we should have the advantage of being able to get up to the enemy without being seen," said Mr Laffan; "but we should be quite as likely to find ourselves in their midst before we had discovered where they were. Whereas in daylight, though we may find more difficulty in approaching them, we shall be able to see any of their men moving about at a distance. During the day, too, they will be less likely to be on the watch for scouts."