When the wounded prisoners were examined, it was ascertained that Guardiola had marched from Rivas the afternoon of the 2d, with about six hundred chosen troops of the Legitimist army. He had camped over night at Jocote, a farm-house, distant about half a league from the Half-way house. His plan was to attack the Americans soon after daylight, at San Juan del Sur, expecting to find them there. But on arriving at the Half-way house he found, probably from the servants of the establishment, as well as by the signs on the road, that Walker had just passed toward Virgin Bay. Immediately facing about, he followed the Democratic force—probably not more than four or five miles in their rear. He had with him a six-pounder, with which he expected to drive the Democrats from the houses; but on arriving at Virgin Bay, he was unable to use the piece, through some defect in the carriage. Finding he could not use his gun, he decided to attack at once with the bayonet. Rations of aguardiente were distributed to the troops, and the order was given to charge. But either the quantity of liquor was insufficient, or it may have been too great, or it began to die out before the soldiers got close to their adversaries. The empty demijohns which were picked up on the road after the action looked like huge cannon-balls that had missed their mark. The people of the village were quite relieved when they saw Guardiola driven back to Rivas. When the firing commenced the women and children had sought refuge in the Company’s house; and the agent, Mr. Cortlandt Cushing, had so arranged the trunks and boxes stored in the building as to protect the inmates from the fire of the enemy. Although very much frightened, the women and even the children maintained a silence which might be the result of revolutionary training. After the danger had passed, however, their tongues were unloosed, and the squalling of babies, mixed up with the shrill tones of the mothers, soon brought even the smooth-tempered agent into the open air. Fortunately, none of the poor people were hurt; and after it became very certain the enemy did not intend to return, they withdrew to their several houses, engaging with as much calmness as if no war existed, in the daily round of their domestic joys and domestic cares.