The French cavalry, unable to charge up the heights, had fallen back.

A column of French, some fifteen hundred strong, were marching in that direction.
As he had expected, the skirmishers in front of him were making but little way; evidently halting for the arrival of the reinforcement, which was still more than half a mile distant.

The French gunners had been withdrawn from the bank of the river, and were taking up positions to cover the advance of their infantry; and their shot presently came singing overhead--doing no harm, however, to the Portuguese, who were lying down on the crest of the swell, and keeping up a steady fire on the French skirmishers.
Ten minutes later the column was within a short distance of the line of defenders.

Terence gave the word, and his men retired up another and steeper slope behind; while the guerillas were ordered to remain to keep up a brisk fire, until the French were within thirty yards of the crest, and were then to run back at full speed, and join him above.
The Portuguese had scarcely taken up their position when a tremendous fire broke out below.

A minute later the guerillas were seen rushing up the hill, and close behind them came the French line, cheering loudly.