LII'.B OJ' CU.BIULDI.
with its course he suddenly found himself' aground on a aand bank, and
aimultaneow1ly in the presence of' the Brazilian fleet of' six ships.
Powerful minds reveal themselves in moments of great danger. Far
from being rendered desponding by his terrible position, Garibaldi kept
the enemy at bay for three whole daya. At last, when ammunition failed
him, he cnt up all his chain cables ·and iron instnunents, and employed
them as proj<ectiles. When these new resources were exhausted nothing
was left him ; hllnce he ordered his men to take to the boats, and, re
maining the last on had recourse to his favourite system of blowing
up. He gained the shore in safety, after which he drew up his men in
line, charged the troops sent to out off his retreat, and succeeded in
accomplishing his retreat.
Despite the ill fortune of his expedition, the intrepid Guerillero was
anxiously eXJ[>ected at Monte Video. He reached that town by a round
about route and was heartily welcomed. The town at that moment was
threatened lli.th a siege by the terrible Oribe, and the consternation was
excessive, for the French legion, though so brave, coald not be every
where at once. Garibaldi was ordered by the government to equip some
vessels to re11air the late losses, while the Italian residents appointed him
commandant of a corps of 800 volunteers they had raised among them
selves. Th1111 was the Italian legion created, and from this moment
Uruguay ha<L two legioDR of brave men to oppose to the devastators of'
the country. The naval operations which followed the formation of the
Italian legion, ol!i.ng to the want of' sufficient resources, were necessarily
limited to wa.tching the movements of the blockading squadron, facilitat
ing the entrance of vessels bringing np provisions, and the occasional
capture of merchantmen laden with stores for Oribe's army. Still, so
great was Garibaldi's impatience to deal some decisive blow, that one day
he boldly advanced to the entrance of the port with his insignificant
flotilla, which only mounted eight guns, and offered battle to Rosas'
vessels , mow1ting forty-four. The roofoJ and verandahs of Monte Video
were crowded with spectators, the masts and yards of the neutral vessels
anchored in the port were thronged with English, American, and French
sailors, all w1Liting pantingly for the result of this audacious challenge.
But the Buenos Ayrians, probably aware that Garibaldi built his hopes
OIIL grappling and boarding, judged it prudent to decline the
fight.
Let us no·w pass to the legion so promptly organized by Garibaldi.
The Italians have just cause to feel proud of it, for with the aid of the
French legion, it ensured the salvation of the Oriental Republic. A