A SKETCH IN THE TROPICS. 173 



ance of any disposition to profit by it. The patriots 

 seemed quite contented with what had been done ; 

 most of the officers left the batteries, and the thing 

 was evidently over for the day. I knew little of 

 Spanish Americans then, or I should have felt less 

 surprised than I did at their not following up their 

 advantage. It was not from want of courage ; for it 

 was impossible to have exhibited more than they had 

 done that morning. But they had had their moment 

 of fury, of wild energy and exertion, and the other 

 side of the national character indolence now showed 

 itself. After fighting like devils, at the very moment 

 when activity was of most importance they lay down 

 and took the siesta. 



We were about leaving the battery, with the inten- 

 tion of visiting some of the others, when our orderly 

 came up in all haste with orders to conduct us to the 

 general's quarters. We followed him, and soon reached 

 a noble villa, at the door of which a guard was sta- 

 tioned. Here we were given over to a sort of major- 

 domo, who led us through a crowd of aides-de-camp, 

 staff-officers, and orderlies, to a chamber whither our 

 valises had preceded us. We were desired to make 

 haste with our toilet, as dinner would be served so 

 soon as his Excellency returned from the batteries ; 

 and, indeed, we had scarcely changed our dress and 

 washed the blood and smoke from our persons, 

 when the major-domo reappeared and announced the 

 general's return. 



