time it almost appeared certain that the Christino forces were
unable to stem the rising tide which bade fair to spread over all
Spain--so unfortunate were their generals, so futile the best
endeavours of the bravest and most patient soldiers. General
Vincente was not alone in his conviction that had the gallant
Carlist leader Zumalacarreguy lived he might have carried all before
him. But this great leader at the height of his fame--beloved of
all his soldiers, worshipped by his subordinate officers--died
suddenly, by poison, as it was whispered, the victim of jealousy and
ambition. Almost at once there arose in the East of Spain one,
obscure in birth and unknown to fame, who flashed suddenly to the
zenith of military glory--the ruthless, the wonderful Cabrera. The
name is to this day a household word in Catalonia, while the eyes of
a few old men still living, who fought with or against him, flash in
the light of other days at the mere mention of it.

Among the many leaders who had attempted in vain to overcome by
skill and patriotism the thousand difficulties placed in their way
by successive unstable, insincere Ministers of War, General Vincente
occupied an honoured place. This mild-mannered tactician enjoyed
the enviable reputation of being alike unconquerable and
incorruptible. His smiling presence on the battlefield was in
itself worth half a dozen battalions, while at Madrid the dishonest
politicians, who through those years of Spain's great trial
systematically bartered their honour for immediate gain, dreaded and
respected him.

During the days that followed his arrival at Ronda and release from
the prison there, Frederick Conyngham learnt much from his host and
little of the man himself, for General Vincente had that in him with