MARQUINEZ AND LA COLLEGIALA. 161 



of cavalry which followed separated into small parties, 

 and dispersed in various directions. More infantry 

 arrived, and proceeded by detachments to occupy the 

 stables and houses in which the troops were quartered, 

 and from which they ejected the original occupants. 

 On the first arrival of the new-comers, the guerillas, 

 who were lying sleeping about the streets, had started 

 up in alarm ; but on recognising the grey uniforms 

 and painted shakoes of the regiment of Arlanza, and 

 the blue pelisses of the hussars, under the orders of 

 the Ciira Merino, they for the most part resumed their 

 recumbent position, with all the nonchalance of those 

 Neapolitan lazzaroni for whom the dolce far niente is 

 the sum and substance of human happiness. The 

 less indolent remained staring at the troops as they 

 marched by ; and even when they saw them entering 

 the stables and barracks they manifested no surprise, 

 unsuspicious of any hostile intention on the part of 

 men fighting for the same cause as themselves, and 

 with whom they were accustomed to fraternise. Those 

 who were sleeping in the houses and stables, were 

 scarcely well awaked before they were thrust into the 

 street. The whole proceeding was so rapid on the 

 part of the Cura's soldiers, and so unlocked for by 

 those quartered in the town, that in less than ten 

 minutes fifteen hundred men found themselves un- 

 armed and defenceless, whilst their horses, weapons, 

 and accoutrements were in possession of Merino's fol- 

 lowers. So complete was the surprise, and so trifling 



VOL. III. L 



