The advice and assistance of a soldier who has seen so much of war as you have will be very valuable and highly esteemed." I reminded the chief that, in the British army, I had held no higher rank than that of lieutenant.
"What matters that?
I have made myself a general, and I make you a colonel.

Who is there to say me nay ?" he demanded, proudly.
Though much amused by this summary fashion of conferring military rank, I kept a serious countenance, and, after congratulating General Mejia on his promotion and thanking him for mine, I said that I should do my best to justify his confidence.
We bivouacked on the banks of a stream some ten miles from the scene of our encounter with the loyalists.

On our way thither, Mejia told us that he had taken and destroyed Tres Cruces, and was now contemplating an attack on General Griscelli at San Felipe, as to which he asked my opinion.
I answered that, as I knew nothing either of the defense of San Felipe or of the strength and character of the force commanded by General Griscelli, I could give none.

On this, Mejia informed me that the place was a large village and military post, defended by earthworks and block-houses, and that the force commanded by Griscelli consisted of about twenty-five hundred men, of whom about half were regulars, half native auxiliaries.
"Has he any artillery ?" I asked.
"About ten pieces of position, but no field-guns." "And you ?" "I have none whatever." "Nor any infantry ?" "Not here.

But my colleague, General Estero, is at present organizing a force which I dare say will exceed two thousand men, and he promises to join me in the course of a week or two." "That is better, certainly.