away to the north parallel to the middle reaches of that stream.  Higher up its course, the Zadora describes a sharp curve that protects the ridge on its northern flank; and if a daring foe drove the defenders away from these heights, they could still fall back on two lower ridges nearer Vittoria.  But these natural advantages were not utilized to the full.  The bridges opposite the French front were not broken, and the defenders were far too widely spread out.  Their right wing, consisting of the “Army of Portugal” under General Reille, guarded the bridge north of Vittoria, and was thus quite out of touch with the main force that held the hills five miles away to the west.

The dawn broke heavily; the air was thick with rain and driving mists, under cover of which Hill’s command moved up against the steeps of Puebla.  A Spanish brigade, under General Morillo, nimbly scaled those slopes on the south-west, gained a footing near the summit, and, when reinforced, firmly held their ground.  Meanwhile the rest of Hill’s troops threaded their way beneath through the pass of Puebla, and, after a tough fight, wrested the village of Subijana from the foe.  In vain did Joseph and Jourdan bring up troops from the centre; the British and Spaniards were not to be driven either from the village or from the heights.  Wellington’s main array was also advancing to attack the French centre occupying the ridge behind the Zadora; and Graham, after making a long detour to the north through very broken country, sought to surprise Reille and drive him from the bridge north of Vittoria.  In this advance the guidance of the Spanish irregulars, under Colonel Longa, was of priceless value.  So well was Graham covered by their bands, that, up to the moment of attack, Reille knew not that a British division was also at hand.  At the centre, too, a Spanish peasant informed Wellington that the chief bridge of Tres Puentes was unguarded, and guided Kempt’s brigade through rocky ground to within easy charging distance.

 [Illustration:  BATTLE OF VITTORIA]

The bridge was seized, Joseph’s outposts were completely turned, and time was given for the muster of Picton’s men.  Stoutly they breasted the slopes, and unsteadied the weakened French centre, which was also assailed on its northern flank.  At the same time Joseph’s left wing began to waver under Hill’s repeated onslaughts; and, distracted by the distant cannonade, which told of a stubborn fight between Graham and Reille, the King now began to draw in his lines towards Vittoria.  For a time the French firmly held the village of Arinez, but Picton’s men were not to be denied.  They burst through the rearguard, and the battle now became a running fight, extending over some five miles of broken country.  At the last slopes, close to Vittoria, the defenders made a last heroic stand, and their artillery dealt havoc among the assailants; but our fourth division, rushing forward into the smoke, carried a hill that commanded their left, and the day was won.  Nothing now remained for the French but a speedy retreat, while the gallant Reille could still hold Graham’s superior force at bay.