"We must avenge them," he said; "such treachery deserves the most complete punishment. Now go, young senor, and get your wound looked to," he added. As I rode off, he summoned several of his staff, and issued orders to prepare for an attack. I was carried to Captain Brown's tent. "I must look after you," said Captain Brown; "for had you not gone, I should most certainly have been murdered with the rest of the poor fellows." The news I brought naturally excited the greatest indignation, especially amongst the officers and men of the regiment of the Cauca. All hoped that the Pastucians would attack us that night. The troops were got under arms, and every preparation was made for the battle, though the tents were allowed to stand, in order to deceive the enemy's scouts. Juan, hearing that I was wounded, came to see me, and expressed his sorrow. "I thought I should have had you by my side in to-morrow's fight," he said; "for, from what I can hear, if the Pastucians do not attack us we shall attack them, and I hope to punish them severely for their treachery. It is in keeping with their character, and our poor fellows should not have trusted them." Neither Juan nor Mr Laffan could stay with me long, as they had to attend to their men, and every officer was needed. Captain Brown and Antonio looked after me, however; and the doctor assured me that, if I remained quiet, I might be able to sit my saddle again in a few weeks. "A few weeks!" I exclaimed; "I thought a few days would put me to rights, doctor." "For the sake of getting another bullet through you," he observed. "Well, I will patch you up as far as I can; you must do as you think fit." I lay awake, expecting every instant to hear the rattle of musketry and the booming sound of our field-pieces, but the night seemed to be passing away quietly. At last I dropped off to sleep. "If the enemy intended a night attack, they had thought better of it when they found that you had escaped and given us warning," said Captain Brown, when he awoke me in the morning and gave me the breakfast that Antonio had brought. "When they do come, I must go out with my regiment, whether ill or well; but you, Sinclair, must remain in camp-- you will be unable to sit a horse for many days." From the excessive weakness I felt, I feared that he was right, but I was much disappointed at the thought of being unable to take part in the expected battle.