LIFB OP GA.B.IBA.LDI,
They were compelled to start afresh and select a spot where the enemy
could not follow without great hazard.
In spite of the difficulties presented by a march across the most scarped
mountains and by the roughest paths, the legion had always managed to
carry with them the light gun Garibaldi had thought might be useful in
action. "\Vhen there were no hones to drag it, oxen were employed.
Owing to t he indefatigable activity of the artillerymen, this piece sur
mounted such obstacles that even the witnesses could scarcely credit it.
But such toil was destined to be fruitless. The Garibaldians had arrived
almost at the frontier of San Marino, and entered a hollow among the
precipices, when suddenly a violent shock, produced by the irregularity of
the ground, broke .the axle of the limber, and the gun all but rolled to the
bottom of the precipice. This unforeseen accident checked the legions
exactly at the moment when the vanguard had just reached the opposite
side of the basin, and the last soldiers were beginning their descent into
it. All were, therefore, collected in the basin, and, instead of hastening to
quit it, and abandoning the gun, they were so imprudent, owing to their
extreme we,ariness, as to lie down to sleep.
The general was not present. Wishful to assnre himself how he and
his followers would be received at San Marino, fearing lest the presence
of the Austrians in the neighbourhood, and the fear of an 'lngagement on
neutral ground might cause an asylum to be refused, he had gone on in
front to COJ[lfer with some members of the government and learn their
intentions. The momentary absence of the general could not expose t.he
legions to mwy danger, for the enemy could not possibly catch them up
ere they rellched the frontiers of the Republic. But the delay of at least
two hours, made without the knowledge of the chief, and under pretext of
repairing the gun carriage, allowed the rear guard to come up with the
main body. Hence the troops were left to themselves, and in the mani
fest risk of being the victims of a surprise.
A body of the enemy, sent from the Romagna against the Garibaldians,
having beeiJl informed by spies of the new direction 'taken, had marched
the whole night to reach the frontier before them. This corps arrived
there on th11 morning of the 30th, and the Garibaldians were just about
quitting the basin, when the enemy suddenly appeared on the heighta
it, and prepared to attack the legion from two sides simulta
neously. The absence of the chief, and the fear of being cut to pieces in
this trap, would have produced the most fatal consequences had not the
advice of th<e officers been listened to. Enconraged and excited by them,
the soldiers prepared on all aides to quit the basin and gain the heighta,
" 1zedbyGooglc