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Updated: June 25, 2025
"When I give the word you may start," said Griscelli, "and forty minutes afterward the hounds will be laid on Now!" "This way! Toward the hills!" said Carmen. "Are you in good condition?" "Never better." "We must make all the haste we can, before the hounds are laid on. If we can keep this up we shall reach the hills in forty minutes perhaps less." "And then?
You surely don't mean to say that the Spaniards use blood-hounds?" "I mean nothing else. General Griscelli, who holds the chief command in the district of San Felipe, keeps a pack of blood-hounds, which he got from Cuba. But, though a Spanish general, Griscelli is not a Spaniard born. He is either a Corsican or an Italian.
Well, seven years later he repeated the attempt at Naples, waylaid me at night and attacked me with a dagger, but I also happened to be armed, and Guiseppi Griscelli died. At Paris, too indeed, while the empire lasted I found it expedient to shun France altogether.
"You took it from me eleven years ago, when I fell into your hands at San Felipe, and you hunted my friend Carmen and myself with bloodhounds." "What folly is this? Hunted you with bloodhounds, forsooth! "You lie, Griscelli; and you are not a liar merely, but a murderer and a coward." "Por Dios, you shall pay for this insult with your heart's blood!" he shouted, furiously, half drawing his sword.
We were surprised and taken prisoners. Señor Fortescue was a prisoner on parole when the general saw him. I believe Griscelli obtained his parole and took him to the quebrada for no other purpose than to compromise him with the patriots. And that I, who have killed more than a hundred Spaniards with my own hand, should be suspected of deserting to the enemy is too monstrous for belief."
"Griscelli, I suppose, and Carmen. But why is the general bringing so many people with him, I wonder? And don't I see dogs?" "Rather! A pack of hounds, I should say." "You are right; they are Griscelli's blood-hounds. Is it possible that a prisoner or a slave has escaped, and Griscelli will ask us to join in the hunt?" "Join in the hunt! You surely don't mean that you hunt men in this country?"
This was the turning-point of the battle, and had the rebel infantry shown as much courage as their cavalry the Spaniards would have been utterly beaten; but their only idea was to get away; they bolted as fast as their legs could carry them, an example which was promptly imitated by the Spanish cavalry, who instead of charging the rebel horse in flank as they emerged from the valley, galloped off toward San Felipe, followed nolens volens by Griscelli and his staff.
One of them, a tall, rather stout man, with grizzled hair, a pair of big epaulettes, and a coat covered with gold lace, had his back toward me, and as my eye fell on his sword-hilt it struck me that I had seen something like it before. I was trying to think where, when the owner of it turned suddenly round, and I found myself face to face with GRISCELLI!!
Gahra's news was disquieting, and we had no time to lose; for, in order to reach the llanos without the almost certainty of falling into the hands of our friend Griscelli, we should have to pass within a mile of the patriot camp, and if an alarm were given, our retreat might be cut off.
On the other hand, the Spanish position was very strong, Griscelli massed his infantry in the throat of the quebrada, the thickets on either side of it being occupied in force. The reserve consisted exclusively of horse, an arm in which he was by no means strong.
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