But success does not always crown the most daring bravery, and twice
were Lorenzo Bezan and his followers worsted, though in no way
discouraged. But at last, after many weeks of toil and hardship, he
was again victorious, again routed twice his own number, again
captured a stand of colors, and again despatched his trophies to the
feet of his queen. The civil war then became general, and for nearly
a year Lorenzo Bezan and his followers were in the battle field.
Victory seemed to have marked him for a favorite, and his sword
seemed invincible; wherever he led, he infused his own daring and
impetuous spirit into the hearts of his followers, and where his
plume waved in the fight, there the enemy faltered.
A second and third victory crowned him within another promotion, and
a colonel's commission was sent to the adventurous soldier after the
hard fought battles he had won for the queen. Once more he paused,
and whispered to himself:
"Another round in the ladder is gained! have patience, Lorenzo
Bezan; fame may yet be thine; she is thy only bride now; alas, alas,
that it should be so! that there cannot be one-one dearer than all
the world beside-to share with thee this renown and honor, this fame
won by the sword on the field of battle; one whose gentleness and
love should be the pillow on which to rest thy head and heart after
the turmoil and whirlwind of war has subsided!"
Scarcely a year had transpired since the condemned soldier had been
banished from Cuba, and now from a captaincy he had risen to wear
the star of a colonel.
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