The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-19

interruption OF the army's march that he
could scarcely control himself His rough
cavalry had never yet known defeat and
a check Ike this made the Old veteran
rude and churlish. But one night he
brought matters 10 a crisis. Appearing
before Bolivar one day he unfOided 70
him a plan OF action that met with the
hearty response OF the commander.
Early that night when darkness wrap
ped everything on the river in deep gloom
Gen PACE rode down TO the shore COM
pletely armed and equipped FOR battle.
Behind him came his officers and aids,
and then a long troop OF cavalry. Every
thing was quiet and the mufied tramp OF
the animals scarcely disturbed the peace
fulness OF the camp.
Out Ia the middle OF the river the dark
outlines OF the gunbOats could be family
seem The shores Of the river were %
overgrown with trees and Wild reeds that
the Spaniards could not see the move
ment OF those on shore. Three thousand
cowboy cavalrymen were concealed from
View behind the fringe OF trees, all wait
Ing Tor the word OF their commander.
Every rider knew the desperate piece OF
business that lay before him. and every
one felt a suppressed excitement
The word was passed along the line In
low voice:
"All ready?"
IAN ready. sir" was the low response.
Then follow me-"
Gen. Paez spurred his horse forward and
rode into the water. and the whole 1900
COW boys followed. The river soon slOped
down to a great depth, and the horses had
10 swim. But this was nothing new to
/ them. They had been taught to swim
with riders upon their backs as well as
| lily.
| Now the plunglng Of 5000 horses into
/ the water cannot be made without at
| tracing the attention OF a Waterman half
NJ le away, and In spite OF all the efforts
/ At concealment the movements OF the cav
AIRY We're instantly discovered by the men
on the gunboats.
/ The alarm was instantly given on all
/ the gunboats that the army was trying
/ 70 cross the river under the darkness OF
/ night The cavalrymen heard the hoarse
| calls 10 arms, and tho loud clanklng OF
/ chains and heavy guns. They knew what
| was coming, but they urged their horses
| onward more rapidly.
/ 1t took some time for the gunners to
| get their artillery ready, and then when
/ they aimed at the swimmers they found
that their guns pointed too high. loud
/ crash, "a flash OF light, and the heavy
/ charges whstled harmlessly over the
| heads OF the swimmers. Had they been a
/ longer distance off the shots would have
| killed hundreds OF them.
The river was wide at this pofnt ana
/ the gunners probably thought that thew
/ would have plenty Of time in which 10
XIII the men when they got abreast OF
| them. But in this they were nnistal<en
| The swimmers. instead OF heading across
stream, aimed direct for the gunboats.
/ They were close to the boats before
the Spahlhrus realized what was coming.
/ A Few abortlVe shots had been fired az
/ them, and several riderless horses swan
| along with the others: but the rest OF
| the small army were undisturbed. They
| are going to board u.s." some one shout
ed. hoarsely. from the nearest gunboat.
| and then a scene OF decentralization fol-
! lowed. The unexpected danger complete-
| ~ bewildered the seamen and the COM
| manders had difficulty in obtaining discl-
/ pline Their sharp orders rang out clear
/ ly upon the night air.
But at this moment a wild yell from
/ 5000 Threats counteracted any disciplinari-
an effects that the cool commands OF the
| Spanish officers may have given Tho
first horse had reached the side OF the
nearest gunboat, and his rider was grasp
/ ing me anchor chain.
up and KILL Let your horses so; no
retreatF'
These orders were understood before
| Paez and his officers The cavalry sepa-
rated Into companies, each one going for
| the gunboat pointed out from the shore.
| The Llaneros lambered from their sad
| dies to the decks of the vessels like DEM
/ ons. The horses were loosened then and
! every one turned and swan back to tho
shore. The cowboys saw retreat cut of,
| and, like Pizarro's men when the ships
were burnt behind them. they turned des-
perately upon the enemy. Every man
realized that 1T was question Of win or
| die
They swarmed over the sides OF the
! gunboats, fully armed, and with the de-
termination to win in their heads They
\ were led by brave officers, who did not
I finch In the fierce encounter. Inch by
/ inch they fought their way against the
| heavily armed Spanlards, and In less than
an hour every gunboat was captured.
The loss on both sides was heavy but
the victory was a great one, and the can
/ ture Of the Spanish gunboats was an
important factor in deciding the war;
| Bolivar not only passed the Orinoco, as
he wished but he had the satisfaction OF
transporting his troops in the enemy'a
/ boats.