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diff --git a/44055-8.txt b/44055-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index df559c5..0000000 --- a/44055-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10701 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of With Wellington in Spain, by F. S. Brereton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: With Wellington in Spain - A Story of the Peninsula - -Author: F. S. Brereton - -Illustrator: W. Rainey - -Release Date: October 27, 2013 [EBook #44055] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH WELLINGTON IN SPAIN *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, JoAnn Greenwood, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -With Wellington in Spain - - - - -BY CAPTAIN BRERETON - - - =Kidnapped by Moors=: A Story of Morocco. 6_s._ - =The Hero of Panama=: A Tale of the Great Canal. 6_s._ - =The Great Aeroplane=: A Thrilling Tale of Adventure. 6_s._ - =A Hero of Sedan=: A Tale of the Franco-Prussian War. 6_s._ - =How Canada was Won=: A Tale of Wolfe and Quebec. 6_s._ - =With Wolseley to Kumasi=: The First Ashanti War. 6_s._ - =Roger the Bold=: A Tale of the Conquest of Mexico. 6_s._ - =A Boy of the Dominion=: A Tale of Canadian Immigration. 5_s._ - =Under the Chinese Dragon=: A Tale of Mongolia. 5_s._ - =Indian and Scout=: A Tale of the Gold Rush to California. 5_s._ - =John Bargreave's Gold=: Adventure in the Caribbean. 5_s._ - =Roughriders of the Pampas=: Ranch Life in South America. 5_s._ - =With Roberts to Candahar=: Third Afghan War. 5_s._ - =A Hero of Lucknow=: A Tale of the Indian Mutiny. 5_s._ - =A Soldier of Japan=: A Tale of the Russo-Japanese War. 5_s._ - =Tom Stapleton, the Boy Scout.= 3_s._ 6_d._ - =Jones of the 64th=: Battles of Assaye and Laswaree. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =With Shield and Assegai=: A Tale of the Zulu War. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =Under the Spangled Banner=: The Spanish-American War. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =With the Dyaks of Borneo=: A Tale of the Head Hunters. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =A Knight of St. John=: A Tale of the Siege of Malta. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =Foes of the Red Cockade=: The French Revolution. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =In the King's Service=: Cromwell's Invasion of Ireland. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =In the Grip of the Mullah=: Adventure in Somaliland. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =With Rifle and Bayonet=: A Story of the Boer War. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =One of the Fighting Scouts=: Guerrilla Warfare in South Africa. - 3_s._ 6_d._ - =The Dragon of Pekin=: A Story of the Boxer Revolt. 3_s._ 6_d._ - =A Gallant Grenadier=: A Story of the Crimean War. 3_s._ 6_d._ - - -LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, LTD., 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C. - - -[Illustration: TOM IS SUMMONED BY WELLINGTON] - - - - - With Wellington - in Spain - - A Story of the Peninsula - - - BY - CAPTAIN F. S. BRERETON - - Author of "The Great Airship," "Kidnapped by Moors," - "A Boy of the Dominion," "The Hero of Panama," &c. - - - _ILLUSTRATED BY W. RAINEY, R.I._ - - - BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED - LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY - 1914 - - - - -Contents - - - CHAP. Page - - I. SEPTIMUS JOHN CLIFFORD & SON 9 - - II. UNDERHAND CONDUCT 25 - - III. ABOARD A BRITISH FRIGATE 46 - - IV. A NAVAL ENCOUNTER 67 - - V. PRISONERS 87 - - VI. NAPOLEON THE AMBITIOUS 105 - - VII. A TIGHT CORNER 124 - - VIII. TOM CHANGES QUARTERS 143 - - IX. HARD PRESSED 162 - - X. THE GREAT GENERAL 185 - - XI. ON ACTIVE SERVICE 202 - - XII. GUARDING THE BY-WAYS 222 - - XIII. CIUDAD RODRIGO 240 - - XIV. ONE OF THE FORLORN HOPE 263 - - XV. ROUND ABOUT BADAJOZ 281 - - XVI. THE BATTLE OF SALAMANCA 302 - - XVII. A CLUE AT LAST 321 - - XVIII. THE CONSPIRATORS' DEN 337 - - XIX. TOM THINKS FURIOUSLY 354 - - XX. A BRILLIANT CAPTURE 371 - - - - -Illustrations - - - Page - - TOM IS SUMMONED BY WELLINGTON _Frontispiece_ 300 - - "CRASH! WENT THE BROADSIDE" 72 - - THE PEASANTS BREAK IN THE CHURCH DOORS 112 - - "GRIPPING ONE OF THE LADDERS DRAGGED IT ASIDE WITH - ALL HIS FORCE" 169 - - "TO HIS AMAZEMENT THE MAN CLUTCHED HIM BY THE HAND" 225 - - TOM ESCAPES FROM CIUDAD RODRIGO 258 - - A CLEVER DISGUISE 324 - - THE FAT MAN THREATENS TOM 345 - - - - -WITH WELLINGTON IN SPAIN - - - - -CHAPTER I - -Septimus John Clifford & Son - - -No cooler spot could be imagined on the hottest midsummer day than -the picturesque forecourt of the premises occupied by Septimus John -Clifford & Son, wine merchants, importers and exporters. - -Behind the forecourt, crowding the latter closely towards the edge of -the River Thames, some few hundred yards below the point where the -stream swept and swirled through the arches of the bridge, stretched -an irregular block of buildings, that portion farthest from the court -presenting a somewhat severe frontage to the river, its many floors, -its narrow windows, and its winches and hoists dangling outside -serving to show that it was there that Septimus John Clifford & Son -stored their goods from oversea. Huge doors leading by wide, shallow -steps to the basement hinted that it was through these easy portals -that the wines of France, of Spain, and of Portugal found access to -the vast vaults stretching away behind the muddy bank of the river. - -The forecourt and its immediate background bore a very different -appearance, for the garden, encompassed by moss-grown walls, was -ablaze with flowers, while one huge mulberry tree reared its foliage -before the main entrance of the building, its leaves rustling against -the curious old dormer windows and strangely shaped balconies -which adorned the front. Beneath the grateful shade cast by that -mulberry tree lay Septimus John Clifford himself, at full length -in a capacious basketwork chair, oblivious of his surroundings, -careless even of the persistent flies that hovered about the gaudy -silk handkerchief with which he had covered his head. Mr. Septimus -was asleep. Clerks in the busy office within the huge bay window, not -five yards from him, turned the leaves of musty ledgers with pathetic -care lest they should awake the ruler of this establishment. The -office boy, an urchin with round, rosy cheeks, swelled to the point -of bursting, gathered up his feet upon the staves of his chair when -the head clerk admonished him for shuffling them, and cast an anxious -eye out through the wide-open window. Marlow, the clerk nearest to -that sleeping form, almost held his breath; for he was apt to grunt -and expand his lungs with a hiss that was exasperating. - -"One hour, I think," observed Huggins, a white-haired clerk, who -seemed to be the head of the office, consulting a silver watch which -was as large as a good-sized turnip. "One hour precisely, I make it." - -"And four minutes," ventured his assistant, a thin, lanky man, -white-haired like his comrade. "It is time to wake him." - -"Yes, now; he would not forgive delay." - -Huggins rose silently from the high stool on which he was seated and -crossed to the door on tiptoe. He descended the picturesque steps -leading from the main entrance to the place with as much care as -he would have employed had he been stepping over hot bricks, and -advanced to the side of his master, as if determined to leave him -asleep till the very last possible moment. For that was the spirit -which pervaded the establishment of Septimus John Clifford & Son. A -good master was served by loyal and grateful clerks, of whom none -were more loyal and thoughtful than Huggins, the stout, clean-shaven, -white-haired man who had spent thirty years of his peaceful life in -the office. - -"Hem! Three o'clock," said Huggins, coming to a standstill and -casting his eyes first at the sleeping form of his master, then at -the waving foliage of the mulberry tree, and later out across the -river to the southern shore, then almost devoid of houses. For we -do not speak of London in this year of grace 1913, but of London in -1810, a city of huge proportions even then, but small and puny when -compared with the mass of buildings which now stretch far and wide. -Smoke stacks and chimneys belching forth huge billows of dark cloud -were not then such a feature of the giant capital. Green fields -and waving trees came close up to the opposite bank of the Thames, -while the few houses there were, the open country, and the stretch -of shimmering water, with its quaint river craft, made a picture -that was fascinating. From the shade and shelter of the forecourt -the view was perfectly enchanting, and for a little while held all -Huggins's attention, even though he looked out upon it every day of -his life. Then he hemmed again, and gently touched the sleeve of the -sleeper. Mr. Septimus stirred, then, hearing a cough beside him, sat -up briskly, drew the handkerchief from his head, and, folding it with -care, placed it in his pocket. - -"Three o'clock, sir," said Huggins. - -"No more?" asked Mr. Septimus. - -"Five minutes past." - -"Four," declared Mr. Septimus, consulting his own watch--one, too, of -vast proportions. "The post has come?" - -Huggins nodded. - -"From Spain?" - -"There are four letters." - -"And from Portugal?" asked Mr. Septimus eagerly. - -"One only." - -"Drat the war!" cried Mr. Septimus, sitting forward with energy. -"First this Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, disturbs all trade by -pouring his soldiers into the Peninsula, and then he keeps up the -disturbance by refusing to agree that he's beaten. He's beaten, ain't -he, Huggins?" - -"If not quite, then nearly, sir," came the respectful answer. "But -they say that Wellington has cleared Portugal of the French. Stocks -of wines are coming through more freely." - -The reminder seemed to hearten the master of this establishment; -his face assumed a cheerful expression. Not that it had appeared -seamed with care before, for Septimus was the personification of good -humour. He was a short, stout little man, bald headed and slightly -bandy legged. Round, inquisitive goggles sat on a broad nose that -spoke of good temper. A white muffler and stock, together with an -even whiter waistcoat, covered a frame which may be described as -decidedly ample, while shapely legs--shapely even though prone -to bandiness--were clad in snuff-coloured overalls, which fitted -like the proverbial glove, and set off a figure that was decidedly -attractive and gentlemanly. - -He stretched out a hand and took the letters which his clerk had -brought for him. Then, selecting the one from Portugal, he opened it -with the blade of his penknife. - -"From Dom Juan de Esteros," he said, extracting the sheet within the -envelope. "Ha! That is good news. The tide of war turns to Spain, and -wines are accumulating at Oporto. That is good, Huggins. Our clients -will be glad to hear that we can soon replenish their cellars. -Business will look up." - -Huggins nodded, while his sallow features reddened a trifle; for -what concerned the house of Septimus John Clifford & Son concerned -him, not from the pecuniary point of view, seeing that he was paid a -steady salary whether business were good or bad, but because of his -sympathetic interest in the firm. - -"We can do with it, sir," he said. "Things have been a little slow -in the office. There has been little work after three o'clock. The -clerks have been inclined to become sleepy." - -"And no wonder," responded Septimus, looking up with a laugh. "Like -master, like man, Huggins. Can't blame 'em for sleeping after dinner -if I do. It's a bad habit, Huggins, a bad habit. All the same, I -believe it helps one wonderfully. Couldn't get through these hot -days if it weren't for the forty winks I snatch. But let's see. -Dom Juan--ah! he thinks the time has come for us to have a direct -representative in Oporto. Talks of indifferent health caused by the -anxieties of the war. Asks us to send someone." - -"Ahem! Yes, sir," came from Huggins suggestively. - -"To send someone," repeated Septimus. "A representative, Huggins. Eh?" - -"Master Tom," came promptly from the clerk. "And son, sir--Clifford & -Son." - -He laid special emphasis on the last two words, causing Mr. Septimus -to look up at him and discover the old servant's face glowing. As for -the owner of this successful business of wine merchants, we can only -say that he, too, looked enthusiastic. - -"And son--yes, Huggins," he said. "How long is it since there was a -son?" - -"Seventeen years three months and two days, sir," was the answer. -"Master Tom's age exactly." - -"To the minute almost," laughed Septimus. "He's the one; he shall -represent the firm at Oporto." - -By the interest and attention these two gave to the affair one would -have imagined that it was an entirely novel subject of discussion, -whereas, to be precise, this quaint pair had long since settled -the matter. For the "& Son" had become a feature of the business. -Two centuries earlier Clifford & Son had first hung their trade -sign outside those same premises, only in those days the house was -exceedingly small and unpretentious. Still, there had been a son -in the business, and thereafter, as the years passed, a succession -of sons, while Septimus John had become, as it were, part of the -stock-in-trade of this old house which boasted of the "& Son" always -attached to it. However, in latter days, there had come a time when -that old boast had almost failed them, for Mr. Septimus had succeeded -his father at the age of thirty, exactly and precisely one day -after the birth of his own boy. It was this same infant, christened -Septimus John Esteros Thomas Clifford, who was now under discussion. - -"You'll send him, of course, sir," exclaimed Huggins. - -"Of course. He'd have gone two years ago if it hadn't been for the -war. Drat the war, Huggins!" cried Septimus peevishly. "It has upset -all my plans and ruined business. Here's Master Tom kicking his heels -about the place and attempting to learn Spanish and Portuguese, -when he should be in Oporto learning the languages simply because -he couldn't help doing so, and at the same time attending to the -business. I did that. I went out when I was sixteen, and came home -for good at thirty. The son in this firm has been wanting ever since, -for always the father has managed here in London, while the son has -worked the business in Oporto. Tom shall go, and quickly too; I'll -see him. What's that?" - -Both heads were raised promptly, while Mr. Septimus and his clerk -remained in their respective attitudes listening intently. From the -room behind the wide bay window where the office staff worked there -came not so much as a sound. Doubtless the white-haired junior clerk -and his helpers still pored over their ledgers, while the fat office -boy still sat with his legs curled around the supports of his stool. -But from a room overhead there came the sound of strife. A girl's -voice was heard, then came that of some young fellow, piercing and -high pitched and querulous. The noise of a blow followed, a dull, -heavy sound, which gave one the impression that a fist had descended -on someone's jaw. A thud telling of a tumble came to the ears of the -listeners almost immediately afterwards. - -Mr. Septimus rose to his feet with agility and gathered up his -letters. There was a severe look on his face as he made towards the -steps leading into the house. - -"Those two quarrelling," he said over his shoulder. - -"Then it isn't Master Tom's doing," declared Huggins, with decision. -"That Master José's always at him. He's sly, he is; he's jealous of -his cousin." - -"Then it'll be a good thing when they're separated. Ah! There again!" -cried Mr. Septimus, as the sound of other blows came to his ears, -as well as a scream of rage. "I'll go to them; this conduct is -disgraceful!" - -He bounded up the steps at a speed that would have surprised those -who did not know him; for, as we have explained, the head of the firm -of wine merchants was distinctly stout, and his appearance belied -all suggestion of activity. But Septimus could move quickly when he -liked, while his business hours were characterized by bustle. He -stepped hurriedly across the hall and went up the wide oak staircase -two steps at a time. He was panting just a little when he reached the -door of the apartment wherein the scuffle was taking place and threw -it wide open. And there he stood for a little time, breathing deeply, -regarding the people in the room with wide-open eyes, which seemed to -fill the whole area of his spectacles and take in everything. - -"Stop this instantly!" he commanded, seeing two lads struggling -together in the far corner. "I have never seen anything more -disgraceful." - -The scene before him might well have drawn such words from the lips -of the head of such a decorous firm as Septimus John Clifford & Son; -for the room was in confusion. A heavy desk, occupying the centre, -that would have been upset but for its weight, had been jerked out of -position and now stood at an angle. A chair lay on its back, while -an inkpot of large dimensions lay against the near wall with a wide -puddle of ink about it, and the panelled wall itself was splashed in -all directions with the same dark fluid. A young girl some sixteen -years of age gripped one side of the desk, and stood there watching -the contest with staring eyes that were decidedly frightened. Two -lads occupied the centre of the picture, and as Septimus entered -they were locked together in a firm embrace, each one endeavouring -to belabour the other. But at the voice of command they broke away, -one of them, a youth of medium height, promptly turning from his -antagonist toward the door. The movement was the signal for the other -to strike out swiftly, sending his fist crashing against the other's -head, and following the cowardly movement by a kick which cut the -feet of his opponent from beneath him, and brought the lad with a -thud to the floor. - -"That was a coward's blow!" declared Septimus hotly, advancing into -the room; "the kick was contemptible. Stand away in that corner, -José. I will thrash you severely if you attempt another movement." - -He closed the door quietly behind him, placed a seat at the desk so -that he could see all three within the room, then slowly wiped and -adjusted his glasses. - -"Please explain," he began icily, when finally his glasses were -adjusted. "I left you here at two o'clock. You had work sufficient to -last you till the evening. What is the meaning of this disgraceful -interruption? You, Tom, answer." - -He looked closely at each of the lads in turn, and then fixed his -eyes upon the one who had been struck in such a cowardly manner by -the other. In doing so Septimus Clifford looked upon the counterpart -of himself. For before him was the son who was of so much importance -to the house of Clifford, the son who was to represent the firm in -Oporto--the one, in fact, whom the reader will already have observed -was particularly favoured by Huggins. Tom was of middle height, as -we have remarked, well built and solidly put together. In spite of -his ruffled hair and his flushed face there was something undoubtedly -attractive about the young fellow, so much so that Septimus could not -fail but note it. - -"Looks me square in the face and eye," he muttered beneath his -breath. "That's the way with the Cliffords. Knows he's probably in -for a licking, and yet don't funk it. He's ready to receive what he's -earned, and ain't going to lie to lessen the punishment. Well?" he -asked severely, for Septimus was not the one to show favour. - -But Tom made no answer. He stood squarely facing his father, his -character clearly shown upon a face that was decidedly pleasing if -not exactly handsome. - -"Well?" demanded Septimus again, more curtly if anything. - -"Ask him, sir," came the reply, while Tom jerked his head at the lad -over in the far corner where Septimus had ordered him. - -"Then you," exclaimed the stout little man, turning to the second -youth, he who had delivered the cowardly blow and kick. "What have -you to answer?" - -"He started it," came abruptly from the one questioned. "Tom called -me names and struck me." - -"Ah!" exclaimed Septimus, regarding the youth coldly, till the latter -reddened beneath his scrutiny. "He started it, José, you say. Why?" - -The youth addressed reddened even more at the question, while his -eyes shifted from the face of his interrogator to Tom's, and then -across to the girl's. Contrasting the two young fellows, Tom and -José, one could not compliment the latter; for he seemed to be the -very opposite of Tom. A year his senior, perhaps, he was lanky and -lean, while his arms and legs and body seemed to writhe and twist as -his eyes shifted from corner to corner. The chin disclosed weakness -of character and want of firmness, to which thin lips and watery -eyes added nothing. In short, José was anything but attractive. - -"Why did Tom start this quarrel?" asked Septimus relentlessly, his -glasses turned on José all the while. - -"I don't know," came the surly answer. "He's always quarrelling." - -"Then you began the matter?" said Septimus, turning upon Tom the same -close scrutiny. "Why?" - -"He didn't!" came abruptly from the girl, who was standing a few -paces from him. "José is not telling the truth. Even though he is my -brother, I can't remain quiet and know that he is blaming Tom for -what is really his own fault." - -José's eyes gleamed as his sister spoke. His brows were knit together -and his thin lips pursed, as is the case with one in anger. At that -moment this unattractive youth looked as if he would willingly have -struck his own sister. - -"She favours him," he cried angrily. "She's always on his side." - -"Silence!" commanded Septimus sternly. "Now, Marguerite, tell me -about it." - -"He started to tease me," declared the girl, nodding towards her -brother. "He splashed the letter I was writing with ink, and then -threw some over my needlework. Tom asked him to stop, and then called -him a bully. José threw the inkpot at him promptly." - -"Ah!" came from the man seated in the centre. "And then?" - -"Tom knocked him down twice; then they began to struggle together." - -"It's a lie!" shouted José, beside himself with rage, his pale lips -trembling. - -"Eh?" asked Tom curtly, advancing a pace towards him, and looking -threatening. - -"Stop!" ordered Septimus, lifting a hand. "By rights I ought to leave -you two to settle the matter between you. I have no fears as to what -the result would be; for a man or youth who accuses his sister of -lying deserves a thrashing, while you, José, deserve it twice over. -You have lied yourself, and I myself saw you deliver a cowardly blow. -You will remain here and go on with your work; Tom will come below -with me. For the future try to be friendly to one another, at least -till you are parted." - -"Parted?" asked Tom curiously, while a scowl showed on José's face. - -"Yes, parted," repeated Septimus. "The time has come for you to go to -Oporto, Tom, there to act as representative of this business." - -José's face was a study as he listened to the words and saw the -pride and enthusiasm with which Tom was so obviously filled. Even -Marguerite was regarding her cousin as if he were a hero, and, -indeed, that was the light in which she was wont to look at him. For -ever since he was a little fellow Tom had been Marguerite's special -protector, and often and often had he saved her from her brother's -ill treatment. José was, in fact, a bully. Sneaking and mean by -nature, he was the very opposite of his sister, and ever since the -two had been brought to the house he had been jealous of his cousin -Tom. That was the secret of their ill feeling from the beginning. -Provided José treated Marguerite fairly, Tom was prepared to live -on good terms with him. But always José regarded Tom as a fortunate -rival, as his future master; for was not Tom the son attached to the -firm? And now to hear that he was to go to Oporto, there to rule -the roast, filled José with envy and hatred. He could see Tom his -own master, with clerks to do his bidding, while he, José, the less -fortunate, was slaving at a humble desk in England. It roused his ire -when he recollected that were there no Tom he himself would fill his -place, and would one day be the head of the firm of Septimus John -Clifford & Son. - -The scowl on José's face had deepened as Septimus spoke. Tom's happy -features incensed him to the point of bursting. A moment or so later, -when the door had closed between him and the other three, and while -their steps still resounded in the passage, José gave full vent to -his hatred and anger. He pranced up and down the room. He glared out -through the window as Tom appeared, and if looks could have killed, -that young fellow would have ceased to exist forthwith. Then José -flung himself petulantly on to a chair, buried his face in his hands, -and remained in that position for some few minutes, his restless -limbs writhing and twitching meanwhile. - -Suddenly, however, he sat up and stared hard at the wall opposite. - -"Why not?" he asked himself, as if apropos of nothing, while a -cunning leer bent his lips. "If there were no Tom, José would go to -Oporto. And who would carry out the work more fittingly? Tom shall -not go there. I swear that I will prevent him." - -He was poring over a book half an hour later when Septimus entered -the room again with the intention of having a serious conversation -with him, and to all appearances José was a different individual. He -was sorry for the anger he had shown, sorry that he had insulted his -sister, and eager to be friendly with everyone. But, then, José was a -crafty individual. That night as he lay in bed within ten feet of our -hero he was concocting plans whereby to defeat the aims of Septimus, -and bring about the downfall of Tom, his cousin. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -Underhand Conduct - - -Brisk action was a characteristic of Mr. Septimus Clifford, though -his portly frame gave one the impression that he might very well -be a sluggard. However, the bustle in those offices and warehouses -beside the river, the numerous clerks poring over ledgers and papers, -and the hands at work in the vaults amidst the huge butts of wine -told a tale there was no mistaking. Order and method pervaded the -establishment, and the master of the business was the creator of that -order and method. As we have said, too, he was a man of action. - -"I'll send Tom off this day two weeks," he told the respectful -Huggins on the evening of that very day on which our hero was -introduced. "That will put a stop to all fighting, and no doubt -separation will wipe out old enmities, and in time to come the two, -Tom and José, will be capital friends. There's a boat sailing on -Friday fortnight." - -"The _Mary Anne_," agreed Huggins. "Takes hardware from us, consigned -to the supply department of Wellington's army. There'll be no -difficulty in obtaining a passage." - -"Then make all arrangements, please," said Mr. Septimus briskly. -"I'll have a chat with the lad, and tell him what we expect of him. -Send him to me." - -The interview between father and son took place beneath the mulberry, -in the quaint and picturesque garden before the house in which the -firm transacted business, and there, seated in his basket chair, -Septimus discussed affairs with Tom. - -"You'll make every effort to improve and perfect your Portuguese and -Spanish," he said, "and your French will be of the utmost use; for -once the Peninsula War is ended, and the French are driven out, it -will be one of your duties to arrange for wines to come from their -country. Of course, at Oporto you will place yourself in the hands -of your uncle, Dom Juan de Esteros, and will learn the business from -him. Put your back into it, boy, for Dom Juan will, I fear, not be -long with us. His health, always indifferent, has been much broken -by the anxieties of the past few years. And now you'd best get your -things together. Take a good stock of clothing, and perhaps a good -pistol is advisable, seeing that the country of Portugal is still in -a condition of disorder." - -It may be imagined that the following two weeks were filled with -moments of interest for our hero. He was going abroad for the first -time in his life. He was about to make a start in the world, and that -world at this moment looked exceedingly rosy, so rosy that Tom's face -shone, his eyes flashed, he carried himself jauntily, and one and all -could see that he was full of good spirits to overflowing, and was -eagerly awaiting the voyage. - -"That Master José'd give his boots to be in his place," reflected -Huggins one afternoon, as Tom went racing across the flower-decked -courtyard, and Marguerite after him. "It was a bad day, Emmott, for -this house when Mr. Septimus took him in and gave him a home. Not -that I say that of the young lady. She's different; she's like Master -Tom. We all love her." - -"And dislike the brother--yes," agreed the junior clerk; "and I too -have a feeling that Master José bodes no good to his cousin. See his -face--he's watching the two going off down the river." - -José was, in fact, lounging in the forecourt, one hand resting on -the boundary wall, while his lean, lanky body and thin limbs twisted -and writhed, as if to keep still were with him an impossibility. But -it was not those twisting limbs that repelled the two old clerks -watching him from the window--it was José's face. The brows were -drawn close together, the lips were half-parted, while there was an -intense look in the eyes which there was no fathoming. - -"Bodes his cousin no good," Emmott ventured in low tones. "There's -no love lost between 'em. Not that Master Tom isn't ready to be -friendly. He is; for he's one of the easygoing sort. Still, he's a -stickler for what's proper, and he's stood by Miss Marguerite as if -he were her own brother. That José's scowling." - -The lanky youth was actually doing that. No one could doubt the fact; -but nevertheless it was impossible to read the thoughts passing -through his brain. Could they have done so, both Huggins and Emmott -would have found ample reason for their feelings of uneasiness. For -José was scheming. Jealous of his cousin, as we have said already, -he had been envious of Tom almost from the day when Mr. Septimus had -brought his orphaned nephew and niece to his house. The children of -Mr. Septimus's sister, José and Marguerite, had been born in Oporto, -and had had the misfortune to lose first their mother and then their -father, brother of Dom Juan de Esteros. Thereafter they had lived -with Mr. Septimus as if they were his own children. And here was -José scheming to wreck his cousin's chances in the world, whereas -gratitude towards his Uncle Septimus should have made of him a fast -friend, and one ready to help Tom to the utmost. - -"Going to Oporto, there to lord it over the office," he was muttering -between his teeth, as he watched Tom and Marguerite departing along -the river bank. "That leaves me here to slave over musty ledgers and -to learn the business from that old slowcoach Huggins. Suppose I'll -always be a clerk. One of these days Tom will come back as master, -and then he'll order me about." - -It was a petty, childish manner in which to look at the matter, and -showed the narrow-minded view which José took of life. Contrary from -his cradle almost, he was mean in thought and act, and here was one -of his mean thoughts muttered beneath his breath, while his scowling -eyes followed the retreating figure of his cousin. José writhed his -way back into the house, and appeared again with a cap. Huggins, -watching from the office, saw him go away along the bank of the river -after the retreating figures of the other two. - -"He's not up to any good, I'd lay," he told his fellow clerk, the -white-haired Emmott. "What's he following for, I'd like to know." - -"Then let me go after him?" asked the other. "There's a message to be -taken along to the people who should have delivered goods to us this -morning, and I may just as well take it as George, the office boy." - -The matter was arranged on the instant, and within five minutes -Emmott sauntered away in the wake of José. He followed him at a -discreet distance along the river bank, till José dived in amongst a -number of houses which clambered down to the water's edge. He caught -sight of him again beyond them, and half an hour later watched him in -converse with a ruffianly looking fellow whom he had accosted. - -"Don't know the man," Emmott told himself. "Never saw him in my life -before, so far as I am aware. José seems to know him. He's--he's -giving him money." - -Half-hidden behind the wall surrounding a warehouse, one of the -many erected there--for this was a busy part of the city, and huge -barges found deep water when the tide was up, and could load right -alongside the bank--Emmott watched as José passed something to the -hand of the man he was conversing with. The latter, a huge fellow, -dressed somewhat like a seaman, and bearded, might have been a sailor -from one of the many ships lying in the river, or he might have been -employed at one of the warehouses. He touched his forehead as José -put something into his hand, while the lad himself looked craftily -about him to make sure that no one was watching. - -"What's he paying him for, that's what I'd like to know," Emmott -asked himself. "He's up to no good; but how can one say that his talk -with that rascal and the giving of money has anything to do with -Master Tom? Mr. Septimus would laugh at the very idea, and tell us to -mind our own business; but I for one shall keep my eyes on this José." - -If the clerk imagined that he was thereby to catch José out in some -underhand act he was very much mistaken, for the young fellow was as -crafty as he was clever. More than that, though in his heart he hated -Tom, he was wise enough to know that scowls and bad temper would not -help him. From that very moment, indeed, he put on a smile whenever -Tom came near, was urbane and friendly with all, and appeared to be -genuinely sorry that his cousin was about to leave them. - -"How'd you like to be a soldier, Tom?" he asked his cousin two -evenings later, when our hero's preparations for departure were -almost complete. "They're embarking troops this afternoon down the -river, all bound for Wellington's army." - -It was information which was bound to tempt the light-hearted Tom. -For years, indeed, he had longed to be a soldier, and even now, when -his prospects with the firm of Septimus John Clifford & Son were so -apparently good, the old longing still assailed him. But if he could -not be a soldier in fact, Tom could vastly enjoy the sight of troops -embarking. He leaped at the opportunity, and that very afternoon saw -him making his way down the bank to the spot, some two miles distant, -where a sloop lay off in the river. Boats were passing to and from -her when Tom arrived upon the scene, and for two hours at least he -watched party on party of men embark, while his eyes feasted on -others drawn up in stiff lines on the bank. The bright uniforms, the -bustle, and the rattle of accoutrements and drums fascinated him. His -eyes were wide open with envy as he noticed that two at least of the -ensigns were no older than himself. - -"And no stronger either," he told himself. "I'm as tall as they are, -and though they repeat orders splendidly, and don't seem afraid to -make their voices heard, I reckon I could do the same. What luck if -the French drove the English back and got as far as Oporto. Then I'd -see some of the fun. There's been terrific fighting in the Peninsula, -and folks say that there will be a heap more. Ah, there goes the -colonel's horse aboard! I never saw a horse embarked in my life -before." - -Company after company of men descended to the boats and took their -places. Tom's eyes followed with almost childish eagerness the figure -of another youthful ensign. He was envious of his scarlet uniform, of -his belts and sword, and of the gaudy headdress he was wearing. - -"If only I were a soldier," he sighed. "I'd enjoy a few years' -marching and fighting, and then settle down to the business. Ugh! An -office stool hardly compares with the life those fellows are leading." - -He forgot the hardships inseparable from a soldier's life. Tom failed -to remember the reports he had read of the terrible plight of our men -and officers in the Peninsula. He knew nothing of wounds, terrible -wounds often enough, of disease which swept whole companies away, -or sent them back home helpless and useless for the reminder of -their lives. He saw only the glamour of a soldier's lot, the gallant -uniforms, the jolly comrades, the bustle and movement of the life. -So entranced was he, in fact, that he could have remained there -for hours an interested and envious spectator. But the evening was -drawing in, while only one company remained to be embarked. With a -sigh, therefore, Tom turned about and began to retrace his steps -along the bank in the direction of the premises of Septimus John -Clifford & Son. - -"I'm a fool to let the wish to be a soldier upset my keenness for -office work," he reflected after a while. "There are lots of chaps -who would give their eyes for the opportunities I have. Yes, I'm a -fool. I must settle to the thing I've got, and--all the same I hope -there'll be some fighting round about Oporto." - -"Hello, my sport!" he suddenly heard, as he was passing down a narrow -street between two of the many warehouses in that district. "Just -hold hard, and give us a pipe of 'bacca." - -A huge individual came rolling towards him out of the darkness of a -passage cutting into the street, and was followed by a second man, -smaller than the first, but, if anything, more forbidding. Not that -Tom could see them clearly, for it was very dark in that narrow -street, the walls and roofs of the warehouses shutting the place in -completely. - -"Hold hard, shipmate," the big man exclaimed again, rolling forward. -"A fill o' 'bacca ain't too much to ask from a man that follows the -sea." - -He was close beside Tom by then, while his shorter companion was -immediately behind him. Even in that dark place one could see enough -of the couple to feel sure that they were anything but desirable, and -for a moment Tom considered the advisability of taking to his heels. -But then, reflecting that here in the neighbourhood of the docks and -quays there must be many seamen ashore on leave, and all perhaps -hilarious, he turned to the strangers and answered them pleasantly: - -"Sorry I can't oblige," he said. "I haven't started smoking yet." - -"What, my lively! ain't started smokin' yet?" came from the bigger -man. "Strike me, Bob, but here's a lubber as don't even chew, let -alone take hold of a pipe!" - -There came a giggle from the smaller man, who sidled forward, and -coming from behind his companion, edged up to Tom's side. - -"Don't smoke nor chew," he giggled in a queerly deep, gruff voice. -"Most like he's a young gent that has got out o' nights without his -mother knowing." - -He dropped a parcel which he was carrying beneath one arm, and then -stooped at once to pick it up. A moment later he had sprung up behind -Tom, and with a quick movement had swung his parcel above our hero's -head. What followed took the young fellow so utterly by surprise that -he was completely dumbfounded; for a sack was drawn down over his -head and shoulders, and long before he could lift his arms the bigger -man had flung a coil of rope around him, pinning Tom's arms to his -side. But still he could fight, and, seized with desperation and with -anger, Tom lurched this way and that, kicking out in all directions, -hustling his captors from side to side till what appeared to them at -first a game began to annoy them. The bigger man clenched a huge fist -and drove hard at the centre of the sack with it. - -"That's silenced him and made him quit foolin'," he grunted brutally, -for Tom dropped instantly and lay inert on the ground. "Jest get a -lift on to his toes, Bob; I'll take his head. We'll have him in -chokey afore he's shook the stars out of his eyes." - -Without the smallest show of haste the two ruffians picked up -their burden and went off down the narrow alley leading from the -street. There was no need for them to fear interference, for police -hardly existed in those days, while respectable individuals did not -patronize the neighbourhood of the docks once night had fallen. -Business men, living as they did in the early years of the nineteenth -century above their premises, sat in the candlelight behind their -shutters once evening had come, and if they ventured forth at all, -took some sort of guard with them. It followed, therefore, that no -one even observed the two men strolling away with their burden. Even -had they been seen, the observer would in all likelihood have hurried -away in the opposite direction, for drunken sailors were inclined to -be more than rough. Robbery was not by any means unknown, while even -murder was now and again committed in the slums adjacent to the river. - -In less than ten minutes from the moment when Tom had been so hardly -treated the two men came to a halt at a low doorway, the bigger of -the two beating upon it heavily. - -"Open!" he shouted, as if there were no need for concealment, and he -had no reason to fear being overheard. "Open quick, or Sam here'll -want to know the reason why there's delay." - -"Comin'," ejaculated his small companion in that same strangely deep -and wheezing voice, a voice which by rights should have belonged to -a man of double his proportions. "I can hear the lass a-comin', Sam. -Here she is. This is one more to add to the boys we're collecting." - -At that moment, while the little man was in the act of stuffing some -hard black cuttings of tobacco into a short pipe, the door of the -house they had come to was opened noiselessly, and there appeared -a frowsy-headed woman bearing a smoking oil lamp. She stood aside -without a word and waited for the two men to carry in their burden. -The door closed, and the procession passed through a passage into -a large room, just within the doorway of which sat a man as big as -he who had been called Sam, armed with pistol and cutlass. Half a -dozen other men were in the place, breathing an atmosphere that was -almost stifling. A dangling lamp shed a feeble light on every hand, -while in one corner stood a bottle, in the neck of which was secured -a lighted candle, with the aid of which another armed individual was -laboriously spelling out the print on a piece of torn newspaper. - -"What ho!" he cried, looking up, and disclosing a countenance which -was distinctly brutal. A towsled head of hair, which would appear -to have been innocent of receiving any attention for a long while, -covered forehead and ears and neck, and was inseparably joined to a -pair of side whiskers that might have been combed a year before. One -cheek was deeply seamed by a long, straggling scar, while the eye -above was covered by a patch of black material. - -"What ho!" he cried again, leering at the newcomers, and drawing his -clay from between his teeth. "You've had luck to-night. I can see as -you've nobbled the one as you was after." - -"And gets double pay," growled the man who sat at the door with -cutlass and pistol in his lap. "Pay from them as has need for lads -aboard, and pay from t'others as wants to get rid of a friend. You've -bagged the sum from the covey, Sam?" - -Sam made no answer for the moment, but got rid of his burden by -the simple and easy method of dropping Tom's person heavily on the -floor. Standing over him, he proceeded to fill his pipe, and, having -completed the task to his liking, stretched across, snatched the -bottle in which the candle was fixed, and sucked the flame into the -bowl of his pipe. Then his eyes went slowly round the room, and, -passing the wretch at the door and the one against the far wall, he -let them fall upon the six individuals who also tenanted the room. He -counted them carefully, and then jerked his head in the direction of -our hero. - -"Pull the sack off, Bob," he said, "and jest you two keep yer tongues -close in between yer teeth--hear that, Jem, and you too, Sandy? Tight -in between yer teeth. This here business has to be conducted with -caution and discretion; and if we does trade with others besides the -folks that pays for the men, why there ain't no need to cry it out -for everyone to hear--eh?" - -The last exclamation was almost in the nature of a threat. Evidently -the individual with the patch over one eye, who boasted of the -towsled head of hair and the unkempt whiskers, was known as Sandy, -and Sam's words, and the scowl he directed at the man, had the -instant effect of causing him once more to busy himself with his -reading. The other, the man who sat fully armed at the door, and was -known as Jem, coloured under his tan, looked as fierce as Sam for a -moment, and then laughed uproariously. - -"You do work yourself up, Sam," he laughed. "Who's there here to let -on what business we do? These?" pointing at the six other inmates -of the room. "Not much, me hearty. They'll be aboard come midnight, -and to-morrow they'll be that sick they'll have forgotten you and me -and everything almost. But you've drawn the stuff; been paid by that -young spark as hired you to work it?" - -Sam answered him with a snort and with a violent shake of his head. - -"Presently," he said, meanwhile watching as the rascal Bob removed -the sack from Tom's head. "All in good time. The young nobleman's -coming here to make sure as there's no mistake, and once the lad -there's aboard, the rest of it'll be paid. But it won't end there." - -"Eh?" asked Jem quickly, while Sandy and Bob looked up keenly, -avarice and rascality written on their faces. "Don't end there," -said Jem; "how's that?" - -"Blood money ain't all we gets," lisped Sam, allowing a cruel smile -to cross his face. "I'll tell you why. I know the young spark as got -us to work this business. Well, when this lad's gone aboard, and is -away, I'll be axing for more of his gold. Supposing he can't pay, -then----" - -A hideous grin wrinkled Sandy's face, throwing into greater -prominence the scar that seamed it. Bob dragged the sack from -Tom's head and then turned to smile at his leader. Jem brought a -massive fist down with a bang on the table, and once more burst into -uproarious laughter. It was obvious, in fact, to each one of these -rascals that Sam had at hand a ready means with which to force more -money from the man who had bribed him to capture our hero. Let us put -the matter clearly. José had met the ruffian Sam some time before, -and had discovered him to be one of those infamous crimps who earned -a rich living by snatching men from their employment ashore and -passing them over to ships' captains. The impressment of men in those -days was not illegal, and since crews were often enough hard to come -by, and these rascally crimps were more or less a necessary evil, -they flourished unmolested, and many a poor lad was suddenly torn -from his home to be smuggled aboard ship, and never heard of again -by his own people. Also many a private grudge was wiped out in this -manner. Tom was not the first youth by a great many who had been -suddenly spirited away at the bidding of, and with the aid of gold -paid by, a relative. - -As for the others in the room, they were prisoners like Tom. Four -were young men of twenty-two or three, while the others were almost -middle-aged, and undoubtedly sailors. These two sat at the table, -smoking heavily and helping themselves to spirits contained in a -square jar set upon it. The other men sat despondently upon a form, -eyeing their captors resentfully, and yet in a manner which showed -clearly that all the fight was knocked out of them. Like the two at -the table they were becoming resigned to the position, and no doubt -would settle down in time and become good seamen. - -"Just throw a pail of water over his head," Sam ordered, pointing -the stem of his pipe at Tom, who lay senseless where they had -dropped him, his face pale in the feeble light of the lamp, his hair -dishevelled, while a thin trickle of blood oozed from the corner of -his mouth. "Then pull his duds off and let him have a suit that'll -do for him aboard. Ah! He's coming round. Trust Sam to strike a blow -that won't do no harm and spoil trade for him. Sit him up, Bob, and -when he's feeling more hisself, give him a go of spirits and a smoke." - -The whole affair was a horrible exhibition of the brutality and the -lawlessness of those times--times even now designated by some as -the good ones. The ruffians who plied this human traffic were as -utterly devoid of feeling as they well could be, and looked upon -each one of their captures, not as a fellow being, but as so much -value in gold, silver, and pence, so much profit in their business. -It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that Tom's forlorn appearance -had no effect upon them. The heartless and rascally Bob procured a -pail of water and tossed the contents over him, drenching the lad -from head to foot. He shook him violently, and when our hero feebly -opened his eyes, the wretch placed a pannikin of strong spirits to -his lips, dragged his head backwards--for he had placed his captive -in a sitting posture, his back resting against a form--and roughly -poured the contents into his mouth. The effect was magical. Tom sat -forward with a gasp, spluttering and choking. The colour rushed to -his cheeks, and in a twinkling he seemed to gather his wits and his -memory together. How he got into that room, who the people were, he -had no idea. But Bob's grinning face was within his reach, and he -was undoubtedly the rascal who had dealt with him so roughly but a -few seconds before. In any case Tom waited for no explanation. He -launched himself at Bob, struck him heavily with his fist, and then -closed with him. - -"The young tiger," growled Sam, stretching out a huge hand and -catching him firmly by the shoulder. "Blest if he isn't the boy to -fight them Frenchies. Avast there, me hearty! Bob ain't used to -violent assaults." - -Bob evidently was not accustomed to hard knocks himself, though he -might often enough have cause to give them to others while plying his -nauseous trade. In any case he was furious, and but for Sam, once the -latter had torn Tom away from him, the smaller man would have vented -his wrath by striking his almost fainting prisoner in the face. - -"Avast there!" shouted Sam, keeping him off. "Ain't I axed you to -bring him round quick, seeing as how the pressgang'll be along in a -winking? Ain't we got to change his duds, and you there trying to -make things wuss? Get off for the togs! Sandy, jest mix another go o' -grog. It'll pull him round lively. Jem, I leaves him in your charge -while I goes into the other room to do a little business." - -Let the reader imagine a pale-faced and frightened youth cringing in -the squalid den to which the rascal Sam made his way. There, beneath -the same smoky lamp which the woman had borne to the door, sat José, -writhing this way and that, his limbs never at rest for a moment, -his fingers twining, his eyes shifting to every quarter, his lips -twisting this way and that. José would have run from his own shadow -on that occasion. The enormity of the crime he was perpetrating -had frightened him intensely. Not that he thought of Tom; he was -considering himself entirely. What if the whole foul scheme were -discovered? What if Septimus were to learn of his action? - -"Ho!" shouted Sam, bursting in upon him. "Come to see as all's well?" - -José could not answer; his knees positively shook beneath him, while -his bloodless lips would not frame the words he wished to utter. He -lifted squirming, trembling fingers to his lips and mouthed at Sam. -And then, with a huge effort, he managed to blurt out a few words. - -"You--you've done it?" he asked. - -"In chokey nice enough, master. Jest come along and take a squint at -him. If he's the bird--and I don't doubt it--why, the trick's done, -the money's earned, or mighty near it." - -He led the trembling youth to the door of the other room, now closed -upon the poor fellows placed there, and sliding a shutter to one side -bade José look in. - -"Eh?" he growled in his ear. "The right bird? No mistake, my hearty?" - -Yes, there was Tom, pale and worn and sorrowful-looking, and more -than a little dazed if the truth be spoken. José recognized him at -once, and in place of feeling compassion for his cousin let all -the old feelings of envy and resentment have full sway. The eyes -looking through the shutter scowled at poor Tom. José's pallid cheeks -suddenly reddened at the thought of an approaching triumph. He backed -away, stepped into the smaller room again, and sat down with a -swagger. - -"He goes to-night?" he asked, with an attempt at firmness. - -"To-night! Almost this blessed minute." - -"And all his things are taken from him--clothes, letters, and -anything likely to let others identify him?" - -"Everything, on my davy!" came the answer. - -"Then here is the money--take it." - -José handed over twenty sovereigns, and as if the act had sealed his -guilt promptly began to tremble and writhe again. It was with a grin -of triumph that Sam saw him off the doorstep. - -"You'll take more golden coins from the same till as you took that -from," he gurgled, chinking the money in his pocket. "It ain't hard -to read that you stole it. Well, Sam'll have his eyes on you, and ef -you don't like to hand out the cash, why, he's always got a way by -which he'll make you." - -An hour later there was the tramp of many feet in the street outside, -and a hoarse command was given. By then Tom was feeling more himself, -and indeed was disposed to show fight at any moment. But he was one -against many, and in spite of protests had been compelled to change -his clothing. Now the door was thrown open, and a dozen seamen -marched in, each armed with a cutlass. The impressed men were placed -in the centre of their guard, and were marched off down the river. -A little later they embarked in a big cutter, a sail was hoisted, -and presently they were bowling down stream at a pace which soon -left the neighbourhood of London Bridge behind it, and with it the -good-hearted Septimus, together with the sneaking nephew who had this -very night done him such a mischief. - -In the early hours Tom was hustled up the high side of a huge vessel, -and was as promptly driven down a steep flight of steps into a dark -hole, almost as noisome and unpleasant as the one in which Sam and -his gang had first received him. The rattle of ropes and blocks upon -the deck reached his ears, and soon the vessel rolled and heaved -uneasily. They were off, leaving behind them some few distracted -people; for Tom's sudden disappearance caused a commotion. He had -disappeared as completely as if the earth had covered him. Nor was -that his father's only loss; the cash drawer in his private office -had been rifled, and some twenty-five pounds were missing. - -"Master Tom steal! Never!" exclaimed Huggins, when all the facts were -before him. - -Mr. Septimus, as may be imagined, was heartbroken. When days had gone -by, and more than a week had passed without even a word from our -hero, the head of the house of Septimus John Clifford & Son became -despondent. - -"Dead!" he almost blubbered, as Huggins stood before him in the -forecourt. - -"Not a bit, sir," came the brisk answer. "Alive and kicking. Emmott -and I have been looking into the matter. Master Tom's at sea; it -won't be long before we hear from him." - - - - -CHAPTER III - -Aboard a British Frigate - - -"Below there! You can come along up on deck, me hearties!" - -An age seemed to have passed since Tom and his six companions were -driven from the deck of the big ship to which they had been brought -by the pressgang, and though the former had slept for many hours--for -he had been exhausted after such a trying experience--yet the few -hours he had been awake had dragged on leaden wheels. Meanwhile -the rattle of blocks and ropes overhead had been replaced by the -gentle surge of water alongside, and by a thousand strange groanings -and squeakings common to all sailing vessels. Indeed, placed where -he was, with his head close to the foot of one of the masts, that -penetrated the deck of the ship and passed through the dark prison in -which he and his comrades were confined, Tom could by the vibrations -and the groanings of the latter tell exactly when the wind freshened -and the sails dragged more strongly. But now, when he had begun to -imagine that he would never again see the light of day, there was a -banging overhead, then a square of light appeared, with faces framed -in it, while a hoarse voice bellowed a command. Tom rose briskly to -his feet, and, seeing the ladder, ran up it. - -"Here!" he reported, standing erect and cheerful. For Tom was, in -his youthful way, quite a philosopher. "What can't be cured must -be endured," was one of his maxims. "I'm impressed, by some error -I suppose, and soon will be able to get the matter set right; but -for the moment it's just as well to appear pleasant. Here, sir!" he -reported to a short, stumpy individual with a decided flavour of the -sea about him, and with a nautical appearance that would have passed -him as a sailor in any port in the world. - -"And ready fer duty too, eh, me hearty?" asked this bluff fellow, -eyeing him critically, and taking Tom's measure very thoroughly. -Looking back at him our hero could not help but see that this sailor -had a grim expression. His face appeared to say: "Well, now, you -can work if you like. If you don't you'll be hammered." There was a -threat in his eyes, and a jaunty manner about him which told that he -was prepared for the most refractory conduct. - -"Ready fer duty, eh?" he repeated gruffly. - -"Yes, sir," responded Tom promptly. - -"Then jest you don't sir me, young feller-me-lad, else I'll think -you're saucing. But I like yer looks--get up on deck with you. Mr. -Riley, above there," he hailed, throwing his head back and staring -up through an open hatch, "here's a lubber as is willing and ready -fer duty!" - -Tom caught a glimpse of an individual dressed in white breeches and -stockings, and a blue tail coat with some gilt braid about it, and, -realizing that this must be an officer, promptly mounted the steps. -In a moment or two he was on deck, standing beneath an expanse of -white canvas, and upon boards which were as white as any tablecloth. -Bluejackets were moving barefoot about the deck, while right aft an -officer stood at the rail of the poop, a speaking-trumpet in one -hand, his eye fixed on a dozen active figures scrambling amongst the -rigging. Tom gave a gasp of pleasure as the sun's rays fell upon -him, braced himself erect, and then looked the officer in the face. -He was a young man of twenty-six, perhaps, with clean-shaven, keen -features, his skin tanned brown by exposure, and the corners of his -eyes wrinkled and puckered as is the case with many sailors. For the -rest, Mr. Riley was decidedly a pleasant, jovial-looking officer, and -won Tom's confidence at once. - -"Well, my lad?" he asked pleasantly. - -"Ready for duty, sir," reported Tom again, having nothing better to -say. "And hungry, sir," he added, feeling a decided sinking sensation. - -That brought a smile to the lips of the officer. He looked our hero -up and down, just as the man down below had done, and then smiled -again. - -"What trade before you joined?" he asked, referring to a notebook, -and producing a pencil with which to take notes. - -"None, sir; I am the son of Mr. Septimus John Clifford, of London -Bridge, wine merchant. My impressment must be a mistake." - -"All impressments are mistakes," came the curt answer. "You are ready -to serve His Majesty?" - -"Yes, sir," answered Tom. "Ready for the moment. Later on, when I -am able to prove that a mistake has been made, no doubt I shall be -released. I'm ready for any duty, only I'd like a feed first." - -"No trade; says he is the son of a wine merchant at London Bridge. -Obviously a gentleman," Mr. Riley entered in his notebook. "A likely -fellow, and cheerful. Will start duty at once, and willingly. Pass -the call there for the master messman." - -He stood before Tom, his neat figure swaying as the ship lurched here -and there, his eyes now fixed on the swelling canvas, now on the -officer at the rail, and often, when Tom's attention was attracted -elsewhere, at that young fellow himself. - -"Undoubtedly a gentleman," he told himself. "Of course in the case of -nearly every man who is impressed there is a complaint that the thing -is a mistake, that he ought never to have been impressed. In any case -the whole thing is disgraceful. Better pay and better conditions -would attract the right stamp of man to the navy. But we're here to -carry out regulations, not to frame them. I'll keep my eye on the -lad. Name again?" he asked, making Tom jump. - -"Tom Clifford." - -"That the full name?" asked the officer, beginning to make another -note. - -"Septimus John Esteros Thomas Clifford," responded our hero, with a -grimace. "Rather a lot of 'em, sir, I'm afraid." - -"Enough even for an admiral," laughed the officer. "Ah, here's the -messman! Waters, just take this young fellow with you and see that he -gets a good meal. Report here to me, Clifford, when you have eaten." - -He swung round to stare down into the depths of the ship, for sounds -were coming from the prison in which Tom and his companions had -been confined. There was the noise of a scuffle, while a glance -below showed the burly, stumpy salt who had hailed the impressed men -swarming down into the depths. Some of the men were, in fact, loath -to come up. Unlike Tom, they were disposed to be sulky, and, lest -trouble should follow, three sailors were swarming down after the old -salt, one bearing a lantern. - -"Below there!" called out Mr. Riley, anxious to avoid a struggle. -"You men must understand that you have been impressed into His -Majesty's Navy, and any disobedience of orders now, or violence, will -be treated as mutiny. Send them up, me lad!" - -The lamp shining upon the face of the old salt who had led the way -below, and the fierce expression he wore quelled any thought of -mutiny there may have been, and within five minutes the other six men -brought aboard with Tom were ranged on the deck, pale and dishevelled -for the most part, sulky and anything but cheerful in appearance. Mr. -Riley gave them the same searching examination that he had bestowed -on Tom, and then entered their names and notes concerning each one in -his book. - -"Take them down to the messman and see that they have a good meal," -he commanded, when he had finished. "They'll feel better when they've -had it; and, mind this, my lads, a sulky face'll do nothing for you -aboard this frigate. It'll bring kicks and cuffs and short rations; -so look at the matter from the right point of view and take to the -life cheerfully." - -He dispatched them with a pleasant smile, for this Mr. Riley was a -kind individual, and one well accustomed to dealing with men. He -had the wisdom to see that hunger may produce easily enough a fit -of sulkiness, and seeing that all the impressed men must be in want -of a meal, and were undoubtedly sulky, he sent them off for that -meal, hoping that with appetites satiated they would take to their -duties with the same readiness as our hero had shown. Nor was he -disappointed. When, half an hour later, the six men ascended to the -deck again, they looked far happier, and from that moment fell into -the ways of the ship with a cheerfulness that was commendable. As for -Tom, he was up before them, and scrambling over the deck as best he -could--for the breeze had freshened, and the big frigate was jumping -about in a lively manner--he drew himself up before the officer. - -"Ready, sir!" he said, repeating the old expression. - -"Feel seasick?" came the interrogation. - -"Not a bit, sir. I've been to sea a few times with my father. We used -to hire a sloop and cruise along the coast in summertime." - -"Then you're used to getting aloft?" - -"A little, sir, but only aboard a sloop. These masts are terrific." - -He cast his eyes aloft, and the officer likewise. There could be no -doubt that the masts did tower to a great height. But then this was -a large frigate, with seventy grinning guns behind her closed ports. -Tom knew that already, for the messman who had conducted him below, -and who was decidedly a pleasant, kindly individual, had given him -much information. The meal, too, had been partaken of on the lower -deck, where the space between it and that above was so cramped that -even Tom could not stand upright, while all along the sides, firmly -cabled to ring-bolts in the deck, were grinning cannon, sponge rods -and all the paraphernalia necessary for loading being hung on racks -close to them, and secured there firmly. - -"You'd go aloft without feeling squeamish then?" asked Mr. Riley, -feeling a strange interest in our hero. - -"I'd go, sir," came the ready answer. "Whether I'd exactly like it at -first is an altogether different matter." - -"Then you'll soon have the opportunity of making the test. You'll be -in my watch, Clifford. Now come along up on the poop. Don't forget to -touch your cap as you come up; ah, wait though! We'll put you into -proper sailor rig first; I'll send you down to be fitted." - -It was perhaps half an hour later when a smart-looking young sailor -obeyed the call of the boatswain and came aft to the poop. Dressed in -his new clothing, his hair brushed and his face and hands washed, Tom -looked a really smart young fellow, and Mr. Riley smiled his approval -when he saw him. - -"Pass him up, boatswain," he called, and at the order the burly -individual shouted at our hero. - -"Mind yer touch yer cap as you get above," he warned him, "just as -Mr. Riley had done." And, obedient to the order, Tom raised his hand -the moment his foot touched the poop or quarterdeck of the frigate. - -"Come with me, Clifford," said Mr. Riley, leading the way. "I'm -taking you to the commander. Fair-play is a thing a sailor prizes, -and, as you complain that there has been some mistake about your -impressment, I reported the same to the commander. He will question -you himself." - -They passed across a snow-white deck and entered a gallery, outside -which an armed sentry was stationed. The officer tapped at a door, -and passed in, followed by our hero. Tom found himself in a large -cabin, at the back of which two guns were situated, roped and -secured to deck rings as were those others he had seen in the 'tween -decks. An officer, dressed just like Mr. Riley, but evidently older, -sat at a table, with charts spread out before him. He looked up as -the two entered, and then went on writing. - -"One of the new men, sir; impressed two nights ago; reports that he -was taken in error. You have the notes of his case before you." - -Once more Tom found himself being inspected with that open gaze which -is the right of all officers. He returned the glance of his commander -respectfully and firmly. - -"Age?" asked the officer jerkily. - -"Nearly eighteen, sir. - -"Tell me all about yourself, lad," came from the commander, and with -such kindness that Tom promptly responded. He gave the history of -the family in a few words, and stated how he was about to sail for -Oporto, there to learn the business of the firm and take charge when -proficient. - -"Ah! Anyone with a grudge against you?" was asked quickly. - -Tom wondered and racked his brains. He could think of no one, unless -it could be the grocer's young man, who was wont to pass along the -river bank every morning. Exactly two months before he had had an -altercation with that young fellow, who stood a trifle higher than -he did, and was at least a year older. He had shown rudeness when -passing Marguerite, and Tom had resented the rudeness. The fight -that followed had been of the fiercest, and the grocer's apprentice -had been handsomely beaten. - -"No one, sir," he answered, "unless it could be the fellow I had a -row with some weeks ago," and then explained the occurrence. - -"Pooh! Impossible," declared the commander. "Lads who get fighting -don't bear ill will. The letting of a little blood cures a young chap -of that entirely. You shook hands?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Good. Then look elsewhere; someone perhaps was jealous of you, -thought you were a nuisance. Who were the other members of the firm -and the family?" - -Tom told him, wondering all the while whether there were one amongst -them capable of getting him impressed so as to remove him. "José?" he -asked himself. "Impossible! He'd never be guilty of such ingratitude -to father, though I suppose, if I were out of the way, he would -succeed to the business one of these fine days." - -Little by little the commander ferreted such thoughts out of our -hero, and ended by placing his finger on the name of José. - -"Your cousin, you said," he exclaimed. "You were always good friends?" - -Tom had to reply in the negative, and give the reasons. - -"And he was next in succession to yourself, I think?" - -"Yes, sir. But--but it's impossible! My father rescued him and his -sister from poverty." - -"Nothing is impossible, my lad. This matter must be looked into. -There seems no doubt that you have been impressed in the hope of -removing you altogether. Or the matter may have been a mistake, -helped by the fact that you were in those parts at a time when you -should have been safely at home. For the moment you are in the -service of His Majesty, and although I could order that you be given -no duty, I've an idea that that would hardly meet with your wishes?" - -"I'd rather work, sir," responded Tom eagerly. "I like ship life, -and the experience may be useful. If only you will give me the -opportunity of writing home, I will willingly act as one of the hands -aboard, and work in that way till I am released." - -"That's the spirit, my lad," exclaimed the commander. "He's in your -watch, Mr. Riley, and I know you'll look after him. As to writing, -you can do that; Mr. Riley shall see to it. I also will write to your -father and to the authorities. We shall fall in with a boat homeward -bound shortly, and in a week perhaps your people will know what has -become of you. There, my lad, I like your spirit." - -The commander shook hands with our hero, an uncommon honour, and then -sent him off with Mr. Riley. And that very night Tom sat down in the -latter's cabin to write his letter, telling his father exactly what -had happened. - -Next morning, early daylight, the first streak of dawn in fact, found -him on deck, his feet naked, a deck brush in his hand. He joined the -gang of men engaged in washing down, and, if the truth be known, -thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Meanwhile the fine frigate was -pressing along under easy sail, a fresh wind abeam, ploughing her way -through a sunlit sea that might have belonged to the Mediterranean. - -"We're jest cruising on and off watching for a Frenchie, me lad," -explained one of his messmates, a jovial old salt who had seen many -an action at sea. "There's never no saying when a Frenchie may turn -up, and then we're bound to be at 'em. But they ain't so frequent -nowadays as they was. Yer see, Spain and Portugal being joined to -France, the French has simply to slip over the mountains, and that's -how they're sendin' men in to fill the ranks of their armies. Queer -thing, ain't it, that Boney should want them countries for his own? -He's always a-grabbin'. The earth won't find lands enough for him -by the way he's going on. But he'll get beaten handsome some day. I -ain't so sure as we won't do it for him. Know all about this here -campaign in the Peninsula, as Spain and Portugal's called?" - -Tom modestly admitted that he knew something about the fighting. -"It's a long business," he said. "Boney put his own brother on the -throne of Spain, and of course the Spaniards wouldn't have him. At -the same time he had taken Portugal for himself. He's been the -terror of Europe these many years, and as he aims at subjugating -England also, why, we gladly agreed to go in and help the Portuguese -and Spaniards. As for the fighting, there's been such a heap of it -that it is quite bewildering." - -"Aye, and it's easy to see as you're a gent as has been used to -better things than the lower deck," said the salt. "What're you here -for? Grabbin' something that wasn't yourn?" - -He put out a hand to touch Tom's sleeve the instant after, for he saw -him flush with indignation. "I'm sorry, lad," he said. "It's plain as -it wasn't that." - -However, the lower deck in those days was not peopled entirely by -kindly disposed individuals. Bluff and hearty and plucky men there -were in abundance, if their language was not always refined or their -habits too particular. But then, as now perhaps, the coming of a -young fellow of Tom's stamp amidst a rather rough crowd was apt to -draw attention to him, attention not always of the most pleasing. And -it so happened that there was one in the mess to which Tom had been -posted who seemed to resent his coming. Higgins was a bull-necked, -squint-eyed young fellow of some twenty years, and had been sent from -a prison to the navy, as had many another. He was possessed of a -thin, mean face, over which dangled one long forelock. For the rest, -it may be stated that he was accustomed as a general rule to say very -little, having discovered himself unpopular amongst the men; though, -to be sure, whenever there did happen to arrive aboard the ship a -youngster smaller than himself, Higgins was the first to attempt to -bully him. For some reason he had taken a violent dislike to Tom. -Possibly he was jealous of the attention he had gained, or of the way -in which he came to good terms with the men. Whatever the cause, he -was determined to browbeat him, and took this, the first opportunity. - -"I dunno as you ain't right, Jim," he sang out coarsely, the instant -the other had spoken. "Why shouldn't he be here for grabbin'? There's -lots comes to the navy on that account, and why shouldn't he? I'll -lay he has, too." - -"Then you're mistaken," said Tom firmly. "I was impressed; every fool -knows that." - -"Oh, every fool knows it, do they?" was the sharp answer. "You ain't -calling me a fool?" - -"Jest you put a stopper on yer tongue and belay," sang out the salt, -seeing all the elements of a quarrel in this discussion, and noticing -Tom's flushed cheeks, and the rising anger of Higgins. "'Sides, I -ain't Jim to you, me lad, and don't you ferget it. I'll take a rope's -end to you afore you're a minute older if you ain't careful." - -But Higgins had allowed his temper to rise to the point where it was -uncontrollable. He had expected Tom to accept his remarks meekly, as -became a new hand, and, finding he had not done so, was determined -to pick a quarrel with him. There are always such cantankerous -individuals in the world, and it was Tom's fortune to hit up against -this one. He, too, was roused, for he resented the man's impertinence. - -"I'll back as he's a jail bird," declared Higgins, thinking that by -making a firm stand in this altercation he would stimulate his own -popularity amongst the men. "He's a gent that's took the money out of -the till and then been collared. The easiest way to cover the thing -was to hand him over to a crimp. That's how he's here--I know him." - -He had probably never set eyes on our hero before, and had he done so -would not have dared to address him in such a manner. But Tom was one -of the deck hands, one of themselves, and, moreover, a newly-joined -recruit, too often destined for a time to be the butt of his fellows. -Higgins counted on his giving way at once. Most recruits are -awe-stricken at first by the strangeness of their surroundings, and -perhaps by the roughness of their companions. Besides, bullying airs -and ways, backed most probably by other individuals, are apt to cause -a young fellow to choose the easier path and swallow his displeasure. -However, Tom was one of the obstinate sort. Fighting was nothing new -to him, and to show his readiness for a contest, and the fact that he -was by no means afraid of an encounter, he promptly began hostilities -by pitching the contents of a jug of water over Higgins. - -"I'll ask you to understand that when I say a thing I mean it, and -that I tell a lie for no one," he said, rising from his seat and -undoing the neckerchief which he, like the others, wore about him. -"I don't know what the rules are aboard a king's ship; but this I do -know, I allow no man to suggest that I am a thief or a liar. Take -back what you've said or I'll trounce you." - -There was a commotion in the 'tween decks by now. Men crowded about -the long narrow tables stretching from the side of the ship towards -the centre, and which was one of many. Like the rest, too, it was -constructed to lift up to the deck above and be attached there, -leaving the decks free for movement. Jim had meanwhile risen to his -feet, and now held his hand high for silence. - -"Mates," he said, "there's trouble brewin' here. This new mate of -ours is a good 'un, and I'll not allow him to be stamped on. Higgins -here has just now called him a thief and a liar, and the young spark -has drenched him with water. If Higgins don't come down handsome with -a 'pology there's only one thing left." - -"A set to, and right it'll be," burst in another of the men, one of -the seniors. "Fightin' don't do no great harm, and it's necessary -when one mate calls another names that tastes nasty. You, Higgins, -admit you called him a liar and a thief?" - -"Of course," came the coarse answer. "I'm goin' ter thrash him." - -"You are, are you?" came the grim reply from the old salt, while he -sized up the two young fellows swiftly, craning his head to one side -as if he were a bird. "I dunno so much; the new mate looks as if he -could use his hands lively. You ain't goin' to 'pologize?" - -"Not likely! I'll hammer him till he'll be glad to admit that what -I've said's as true as gospel." - -If he imagined that Tom would keep him waiting he was much mistaken, -for that young fellow had already rolled his sleeves to the elbow. -Indeed, as we have intimated, he was no novice. Not that he was by -nature quarrelsome; but those were rough days, and like many another -boy Tom had need now and again to defend his honour. He stood away -from the table, waiting while it and two or three next to it were -swung out of the way. Then, bending low so that his head would not -hit the deck above, he stepped to the centre of the circle which the -men immediately formed. - -"Any sort of rules?" he asked coolly. "Anyone keepin' time?" - -"Go as you please, mate," came Jim's answer. "A sailor don't ax fer -breathing time if he comes up alongside a Frenchie, and you don't -have no call for it either. It's the same fer both, and as fair and -square as may be. But it'll have to be straight work. We stops the -fight if there's foul hitting." - -A fight in the 'tween decks was no unusual occurrence in those -days, and was a source of some interest to the men of the navy. -Hard fellows without an exception, they had been brought up in a -stern school which taught that a man must look to himself alone for -protection. But they could recognize spirit, and Tom took their fancy -wonderfully. - -"He's game, he is," declared one of the men, as he doubled his arms -and pressed forward to watch the contest. "And he ain't no weakling. -You can see as he's not used to haulin' and suchlike, and ain't been -a tar over long. But I like his figure-head. It's clean and well-cut, -and he's a beam on him that carries weight, and'll lend strength to -a blow when he gets one home. He ain't no new 'un at the game, I'll -stake my Davy. That boy has been grappled on to a job like this many -a time." - -The ten minutes which followed proved that Tom was something also -of a scientist; for he played with his antagonist. It was clear, in -fact, after five minutes that he would be the victor, though at first -he had some ugly rushes to stop and some hard hitting to protect -himself from. But science and generally good condition told, and -while at the end of some ten minutes, during which the two broke away -now and again to pant and glare at one another, only to begin once -more at the shouts of the crew, Higgins was almost in a condition of -exhaustion, Tom was still comparatively fresh. He stopped a furious -and last attempt on the part of Higgins to rush him up against the -side of the ship, and then, darting forward, struck the man full in -the mouth, sending him sprawling. - -Higgins lay for a minute without movement, and then his hand went -back towards the knife which, sailor-like, he carried attached to his -belt and well behind him. - -"Drop that!" shouted Jim. "Now, Higgins, you as was a-goin' ter whack -this young shaver, say as you 'pologize for callin' him names." - -For a second there was defiance on what was still recognizable as -that young man's face. Then he nodded his head in assent. Tom at once -went towards him, his hand outstretched. - -"Shake hands, and let's be friends," he said. "I dare say you didn't -understand how I'd take what you said. But where I come from a man -fights and fights again when another calls him thief or liar. There, -shake hands and let's be friends in the future." - -There was a cheer at that, while the men gathered round our hero, -patting him on the back with such heartiness that his remaining -breath was almost driven from his body. Some of the more enthusiastic -even began to chair him, and had carried him as far as the deck -ladder, when the sudden shrill piping of whistles and the appearance -of an officer put a stop to the movement. It was Mr. Riley, a long -glass beneath one arm, his other hand on the rail of the ladder. - -"My lads," he began, about to give an order, and then, suddenly -catching sight of Tom, ceased abruptly. Casting his eye over the -heads of the men, he soon picked out the somewhat miserable figure of -Higgins. - -"Ah," he said, "a fight! My lads, strictly against orders. But I've -news for you--we've rounded up a Frenchman. Clear these decks." - -He was gone in a twinkling, his coat tails swinging behind him. But -as he turned he contrived to smile at our hero. - -"Licked that young man Higgins. That's good," he was saying as he -raced up the ladder. "Young Clifford has courage. Wonder how he'll -behave when shot and cannon balls come crashing amongst us; he's just -the boy for this service." - -When Tom had washed his face and had clambered to the deck he saw a -large vessel some four miles away, bearing up towards the frigate, -while a smaller one sailed behind her. - -"Ship o' the line, mate," said Jim, who was leader of the squad of -men of whom our hero was one, who had the working of one gun. "It'll -be tough business, and ef she wasn't so big I doubt as she'd sail up -so cocky towards us. But we'll give her what for; we're fair death on -Frenchies." - -A magnificent sight the Frenchman made as the distance between the -two vessels decreased. Tom peeped at her through the wide-open port -and admired the enormous spread of white above her, the seething foam -at her forefoot, and the gleam of her broad decks that came into view -now and again as the ship heaved to the swell of the ocean. Then -a spout of white smoke burst from her fo'castle; a flash severed -it in twain and was followed after a distinct interval by a dull -reverberating report. The shot reached its mark almost at the same -moment. There was a crash within ten feet of Tom. The side of the -vessel at that point burst inward in a hundred splinters, and the -iron messenger struck the very next gun to his, slithered and crashed -across the 'tween decks, and finally brought up short against the -opposite side. It roused a cheer of excitement from the crew. - -"That's shootin'!" cried Jim. "She's the sort for our money. In a -jiffy we'll be layin' into her. Just take a sight along the gun, Tom, -and larn now how to pitch a ball into a Frenchie." - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A Naval Encounter - - -In the ordinary way the immediate prospect of an encounter at sea -might be expected to rouse qualms in the breast of a novice, and we -cannot affirm that Tom would have been any exception to the rule -on this his first meeting aboard an English frigate with a French -man-of-war. But there was so much else to attract his attention. -Even in those days the wooden walls of our stout ships contained -sufficient to interest even a dullard, and to a lad of active brain, -as was our hero, there were things to watch and marvel at, while the -men themselves grouped in the 'tween decks were quite a study. They -stood about their guns stripped to the waist, joking and merry, the -master of each gun with his eye on the sights. Close at hand a lad -sat on a long narrow tub filled to the brim with powder. - -"Powder monkeys we call 'em," said Jim in a hoarse whisper. "The -young villains! They're always up to some sort o' mischief, and when -it comes to fighting, blest if they wouldn't take on the whole of -Boney's fleet alone. They ain't the lads to squeak. If we fetch up -alongside the Frenchman, and there's a call for boarding parties, -them imps is amongst the first to answer." - -"Stand ready!" the order came at this moment, and turning his head -Tom caught a glimpse of Mr. Riley, still with a long glass beneath -his arm, his sword belted to his side, and his shapely form bent so -as to allow him to peer through one of the ports. "Stand ready, men," -he shouted. "Gun layers train your sights on the enemy and aim low. -Between wind and water is the mark, lads!" - -The crew of the guns answered him with a cheer, and for a while gun -layers stretched over the weapons they commanded, sighting for the -enemy. Tom watched as Jim squinted along the sights, and then peered -out at the French ship of the line. She was bowling along before a -fresh breeze, heeling well over, so that half her deck showed. He -could see a mass of men on it, and others running to and fro, while -quite a number were clambering into the rigging. - -"Shows she means to come right up close," said Jim in his gruff -way. "That'll suit us nicely. Hammer and tongs is the best sort of -fighting for us boys, and we don't get it too often. She's going to -run right in and when there's a broadside it'll be a close one, and -thunder won't be in it." - -"Stand by to fire!" was heard through the 'tween decks, while an -instant later there came a roar from the deck above, a trembling -and shaking of the whole vessel which all could feel, and then the -rumble of wheels as the guns were run in, sponged out and reloaded. -By now the enemy had disappeared from sight behind a huge cloud of -smoke, which, however, was whisked away swiftly by the breeze. It -was a minute later, perhaps, when the French battleship was again -visible, that Mr. Riley gave the order to fire, and Tom was witness -of the result for the first time in his life. Jim touched the vent of -the gun with his portfire, and instantly a squirt of flame and smoke -shot upward. There was a huge commotion in the gun itself. Though -braced into position by numerous cables it started backward, drawing -them as tight as iron bars, while the wheels thudded heavily on their -runners. The commotion was accompanied by that of every other gun on -that deck in the broadside, while the ship herself shook from end -to end. The roar of the discharge was indescribable, and deafened -him, while the 'tween decks was instantly filled with volumes of -sulphurous smoke. - -"Slack off! Haul her back, boys!" came in stentorian notes from Jim. -"Run her in quick. Now with the sponge rods, and we'll have a second -charge into her before the smoke's cleared." - -Five minutes later Mr. Riley's voice was heard. "Stand by for another -broadside," he bellowed. "Double shot your guns next time--ah!" - -The frigate quivered from end to end; she seemed to have been struck -by a cyclone. An iron hail beat on her sides, bursting them in in -many directions, while splinters of iron and wood flew across the -'tween decks, striking men down in many directions. In one brief -second the orderliness of the place was transformed to the most utter -disorder, as the enemy had answered the frigate's broadside with one -of her own. Tom looked about him wonderingly, dazed by the commotion -and astounded at what he saw. For by now the wind blowing in at the -open ports had cleared all the smoke away, and he could see all that -was happening in the 'tween decks. There lay the gun on his right a -wreck, turned on its side, its muzzle crushed out of sight, two of -its wheels broken and half-buried in the deck. What had before been -a square porthole was now an irregular, torn opening, through which -a vast expanse of sea could be watched. But it was the poor wretches -who had manned the gun who claimed his greatest attention. Five of -them lay mangled upon the deck, with pools of blood accumulating -about them and draining off towards the scuppers in trickles and -streams. On the port side, opposite where the gun had stood, three -men had been struck by the missile, and lay silent and motionless. -Elsewhere there were rents in the side of the frigate, and men lay -about in all postures, some moaning, others silent, nursing a wounded -arm or leg. This was war; this was the treatment meted out by one -nation to another. - -But of loss of discipline there was none. If the 'tween decks was in -disorder there was order amongst the men, and no flinching. Already -the surgeon's mates and helpers were carrying the wounded away -towards the ladder leading to the cockpit, while at every gun stood -its crew, immovable and ready, waiting the word of the officer. As -for the enemy, the shapely lines of the French man-of-war had changed -wonderfully, for she was so near now that one could see distinctly. -The white deck, still careened towards the frigate, was seamed and -scarred and torn. One mast lay over her rail, the sails towing in -the water, and her sides were marked by shot holes, two of her ports -having been converted into one by an enormous rent that extended -between them. - -A dull cheer resounded through the frigate; the men in the 'tween -decks took it up lustily, and then came again that commotion above. -The vessel shivered, shot and flame and smoke belched from the ports -on the upper deck, the roar being followed once again by the rumble -of gun wheels on their metal runners. - -"Fire!" Mr. Riley stood halfway up the ladder leading to the upper -deck and waved his cocked hat at the crews under his own command. -Crash! went the broadside. Tom watched the powder at the vent squirt -upward in flame and smoke as on a previous occasion, and then sprang -to the cables as Jim's husky voice called to his own crew to draw the -gun in and reload. - -[Illustration: "CRASH! WENT THE BROADSIDE"] - -"Double shot; don't forget," bellowed Mr. Riley, and obedient to the -order the loaders thrust first one and then a second huge iron ball -into the gaping muzzles. In the middle of the operation there came -a resounding discharge from the enemy, while huge columns of smoke -hid her sides. But the shot failed to strike the frigate, for a few -seconds earlier the commander had put his helm up and had sheered -off towards the Frenchman. It was a clever manoeuvre, and made a -wonderful difference to the fight in progress. For the enemy had -received four successive broadsides now, and had returned only one -effective one, and that not so effective as it might have been had -the ships been nearer. Added to that, it was less than five minutes -later when the gunners on the port side got their sights aligned on -the enemy, and a simultaneous broadside was delivered by the guns of -the upper and 'tween decks. Then the commander swung his helm again -and made across the stern of the Frenchman. - -"Stand ready," sang out Mr. Riley again, his eyes glued upon the -man-of-war. "Layers concentrate on the stern. In one minute, men; in -one minute we shall be there. Now! Fire!" - -Running round in a circle after crossing in the wake of the -Frenchman, the frigate had gone about after emptying her complete -port broadside, and had then swept round in rear of the enemy. -It was a manoeuvre which, if not quickly carried out, might have -ended in disaster. But nothing occurred to disturb it, while the -Frenchman, impeded by his broken mast and the sail dragging in -the water--and slowed considerably thereby--was unable to counter -the movement by swinging also. It followed, therefore, that the -frigate had an enormous advantage, and, making the most of this, -crossed and recrossed the rear of the enemy, emptying first the -starboard broadside and then every gun on the port side. As for the -French battleship, her guns were useless. Not one of her broadsides -could be brought to bear, and though she sheered off to the south -a little, the commander was at once able to alter his own position -correspondingly. - -"It's a victory," said Jim, with elation. "The man that laid the -gun that brought down that mast deserves to be made an admiral this -minute. It's saved lives aboard this ship, boys. It's won the battle." - -"Shall we board her now?" asked Tom, who was densely ignorant of -naval matters. - -"Board her! Not us!" cried Jim. "Where's the use? She carries two or -three men to every man jack of us, and would have all the chances -if we boarded, not that I say as we wouldn't do the business. But -we've the best of it like this. She's cut that mast adrift, but -it'll be hours before she can refit, and meanwhile we've the legs of -her. We've only to keep here, astern, plugging shot into her all the -while, and she's bound to give in before long. Of course she can't do -that yet awhile. That wouldn't be fighting, and I'm bound to say that -the Frenchies are good at the game, almost as good as we are. She'll -hold on and endeavour to best us; but she'll have to haul down her -colours before very long. Ah! What'd I say? Look at 'em!" - -The flag of France flying aloft on the enemy was seen to flutter. It -dropped a foot or two and then came down with a run. Instantly a -hoarse bellow resounded through the frigate. Men gripped hands and -cheered, the shouts coming from every deck. Even the wounded, who had -not all been removed, sat up with an effort and cheered as best they -could. - -"Silence, men," came from Mr. Riley at this moment, and turning they -saw him standing halfway up the ladder, bent so that the men could -see his face. "Stand to your guns all the while; don't draw charges -till you get the order. Jim there, from No. 4 gun, send me four of -your men to join the boarding party." - -Tom noticed that the officer had been wounded, for he carried one arm -in a sling, and there were stains of blood on his breeches. He was -wondering how he had come by the wound, when Jim struck him heavily -on the back. - -"Avast dreamin' there, me hearty," he shouted hoarsely, still elated -at what had happened. "Get off to the officer and go aboard the ship. -You'll see something to interest you." - -Tom wanted no more coaxing; he dropped the cable on which he had been -hauling and went at a run towards the ladder, followed by the other -men. They kept close on the heels of Mr. Riley, and in a twinkling -were on the main deck. There the commander was now stationed, and -about him a group of officers and men. - -"Ah, there you are, Mr. Riley!" he exclaimed. "We'll go aboard in the -cutter, taking three men from each deck. Step in, my lads." - -Tom scrambled into the boat with the crew, and watched as it was -lowered away. He was filled with amazement, first that a boat of such -proportions as the cutter could support so many men when hung to her -davits, and then that she could be safely lowered with such a load to -the water. Meanwhile he noticed the high sides of the frigate, the -officer up on the quarterdeck, and the men of the watch away aloft in -the rigging. The frigate lay inert, her sails flapping, while, almost -a quarter of a mile away now, the French ship lay in the water, -slowly heaving up and down, with a peculiar and significant twist in -one of her masts. - -"Struck by our broadsides as we passed and repassed," Mr. Riley told -him as they were lowered away, for the officer happened to be close -to our hero. "She had bad luck. It's rare that one brings down a mast -at the first discharge, and that of course proved her undoing; the -loss of the second makes her useless for fighting purposes. This has -been a gallant action and will give us no end of credit. Ah, there -goes a recall gun!" - -A spout of flame and smoke belched from the frigate a little above -the heads of the men in the cutter, for the latter had now reached -the water, and turning his head Tom watched the ball discharged -strike the sea some two hundred yards ahead of the small sloop that -had been sailing in company of the battleship, and which had now -changed her course. - -"She'll not disobey the order," reflected Mr. Riley. "Once we are -aboard the enemy the frigate could sink that vessel within ten -minutes. There go her sails aback; she'll swing round and come in -like a docile dog. Now, lad, clamber aboard when we reach the ship; -you come as one of my escort." - -"You're wounded, sir," said Tom. "Let me fasten that sling for you -again; it's too long, and doesn't support the arm." - -He undid the knot with the help of fingers and teeth and then -rearranged the sling. By the time he had finished they were under the -counter of the French battleship, to which a man at the stern and -bows of the cutter clung with a boathook. At once a midshipman sprang -at a dangling rope ladder and went swarming up with the agility of a -monkey, two of the crew following. Tom picked up a coil of rope and -without a question made a noose fast round the waist of the officer -who had already befriended him. - -"I'll get aboard and help to haul you up, sir," he said. "You'd never -manage to clamber up that ladder with one arm wounded." - -He waited for no orders, but, springing at the ladder, went -scrambling up, the end of the rope secured between his teeth. A -minute later Mr. Riley was being hoisted to the deck of the French -battleship. Then the commander followed, and after him more of the -crew, with two officers. - -Tom found himself looking down upon a scene which was almost -indescribable; for the ship had been cruelly mauled by the broadsides -of the frigate. There were a dozen holes in her deck, where shot -had penetrated, while in many places the rails were driven in. A -dismounted gun lay in one of the scuppers, with part of her crew -crushed beneath it; and from end to end of the ship there were -signs of the awful havoc the iron tempest had created. Men lay in -all directions and in all postures. The damaged mast swung by the -starboard halyards and threatened to fall inboard at any moment, -while a huge stretch of crumpled and shot-holed canvas covered one -portion of the deck. To add to the scene of ruin, smoke and flames -were belching from a hatch towards the stern of the quarterdeck, and -some fifty sailors were endeavouring to quench the conflagration -with water cast from buckets. Almost opposite the spot where the -ladder dangled, and where the victors had come aboard, was a group of -officers, and in their centre one seated on a chair, pallid to the -lips and obviously wounded. The commander went towards him instantly -and took him by the hand. - -"You are hurt?" he asked. "You have fought your ship gallantly, but -fortune was against you. Go to your quarters, please. I will take no -sword from an officer of such courage." - -He put aside the sword that was offered him so feebly, and signed to -men of his crew to lift the injured officer. Then he shook hands with -the other Frenchmen present, many of whom shed tears as they replaced -their swords in their scabbards. - -"Ah, monsieur," said one, who seemed to be the second in command, "it -was the fortune of war, but bad fortune for us. With that mast shot -away we were helpless, and then your broadsides poured into our stern -tore the lengths of the decks, and did terrible damage. Our poor -fellows were shot down in heaps. War, monsieur, is a terror." - -None could fail to admit that who visited the French ship, for what -had been a well-found, trim vessel was now a shambles. It turned Tom -sick and faint when he looked about him, so that he was forced to -cling to the rail. But a moment later, when Mr. Riley called him, he -was able to pull himself together. - -"We're to go aboard the sloop and see what she is," he called. "Help -to lower me into the cutter." - -Half an hour later Tom clambered up the side of the smaller vessel, -and hauled his officer up after him. They found a French midshipman -in command of a crew of five, while beneath the hatches there were -three prisoners. - -"Release them," Mr. Riley ordered; and, taking a couple of the French -crew with him, Tom saw the hatch lifted, and called to the men below -to come up. The smart uniform of an officer showed through the square -hatch at once, and in a moment or two a youth stood on the deck -before him, whom one would have said was British to the backbone. - -"Ensign Jack Barwood, 60th Rifles, sir," he reported, drawing -himself up in front of Mr. Riley and saluting. "Going out to join my -regiment, this little sloop in which I had taken passage was held up -by a French man-of-war. Our men were taken off, that is, the crew. -I and two of my own men were left here as prisoners. We heard heavy -firing, and guessed there was an action. What has happened?" - -Mr. Riley turned and pointed at the French prize won by the frigate. -"We beat her," he said, with pride in his tones. "You've had luck to -escape so early from a French prison. Where were you bound for?" - -"In the first place, Oporto," came the answer. "Later, as a prisoner, -for Bayonne. Now, I suppose, we shall have to return to England?" - -As it turned out, however, it was to Oporto that the little sloop -made. - -"The frigate makes for home at once," Mr. Riley reported, when he had -rowed back to the ship, and had again come out to the sloop. "She -sails in company with her prize, and no doubt the homecoming will be -a fine triumph. I have orders to take this sloop to Oporto, there to -hand over this young fellow to the authorities." - -He pointed to Tom and smiled, while the ensign, turning upon -our hero, surveyed him with amazement, and with some amount of -superciliousness if the truth be told. - -"Pardon, sir," he said, "I don't understand." - -"Of course not," came the smiling answer; "nor does he. Come here, -Tom." - -Our hero, as may be imagined, was just as dumbfounded as the ensign; -for though Mr. Riley had been wonderfully kind to him from the -beginning, his manner had suddenly changed. He addressed him as if -he were an equal, not as if he were one of the crew. - -"I'll explain," he smiled, seeing the bewilderment expressed by both -young fellows. "While the action was passing between us and the -man-of-war our lookouts reported a sail in the offing. She has come -up to us since, and turns out to be a smaller frigate than ourselves. -But the point is this--she left the Thames after us, and has -carried a brisk breeze with her all the way. She asked at once for -information concerning a young fellow brought aboard just before we -weighed, who had been impressed by a gang having quarters near London -Bridge. That, sir, is the young fellow." - -He pointed at Tom, whom the ensign still regarded in amazement. - -"The whole thing has been cleared up, of course," said Mr. Riley. -"There is no longer any doubt that this gentleman is the son of Mr. -Septimus John Clifford, wine merchant, of London Bridge." - -"Eh?" suddenly interjected the ensign, staring hard at Tom. -"Clifford, of London Bridge. Well, I'm bothered! Why, Tom, don't you -know me?" - -It must be confessed that our hero was somewhat taken aback. In this -young officer so much above himself, clad in the handsome uniform -of the 60th Rifles, he had not recognized an old friend. Indeed his -attention had been centred on his own officer. But now, when Jack -Barwood lifted his cap, Tom recognized him at once, and gave vent to -a shout of delight. - -"Why, it's you!" he cried, gripping the hand extended. "Haven't seen -you since--now when did we meet last?" - -"Time you licked that cub of a grocer's boy," laughed Jack, who -seemed to be just such another as our hero, and who was evidently a -jovial fellow. "He passed when we were with your cousin, and grinned -and sauced you. You were at him in a jiffy." - -Mr. Riley laughed loudly when he heard what was passing. "Why, he's -been at one of our men aboard the frigate," he cried. "Hammered him -badly just before we fell in with the Frenchman. He's a tiger." - -"He's a demon to fight, is Tom, sir," laughed Jack. "Ask him how we -became acquainted." - -"Eh? How?" asked the officer curiously, and then pressed the question -when he saw that Tom had gone a crimson colour and was looking -sheepish. "Eh?" he repeated. - -"He's pretending to have forgotten," shouted Jack, enjoying the -situation. "I'll tell the tale. It was at school one day. Tom was -chewing toffee, mine had disappeared from a pocket. I tackled him -with the theft, and we went hammer and tongs for one another. It was -a busy time for us for some ten minutes." - -"Ah!" smiled Mr. Riley. "Who won?" - -"Drawn battle," exclaimed Tom, somewhat sulkily. - -"I had a licking," laughed Jack. "It was a certainty for him from the -beginning." - -"Not surprised," came from the officer. "And the toffee?" - -"Eh?" asked Jack. - -"The toffee you accused him of stealing?" asked Mr. Riley. "You found -it later?" - -"In another pocket--yes," admitted Jack, with a delightful grin. -"I deserved that hiding; it made us fast friends. So Tom's been -impressed." - -"By the machinations of his cousin." - -That caused Tom to lift his head and come nearer. He had wondered -time and again how that impressment had been brought about, whether -by accident or design, and had never been able to bring himself to -believe that José was responsible. Mr. Riley's words made him open -his ears. - -"You are sure, sir?" he asked. - -"The commander has letters from your father with positive proof. -However, things seemed to have happened fortunately. You are to be -taken to Oporto after all, and here you meet with an old friend. -Things couldn't have been better. Now I shall leave you both aboard -while I go to get together a crew. We'll set a course for Oporto when -I return, and ought to reach the place inside the week. Tom, you'll -no longer be a sailor before the mast. I have the commander's orders -to take you as a passenger, or, if you wish it, to appoint you an -officer for the time being. How's that?" - -It was all delightful hearing; and when at length the sloop turned -her bows for Oporto, leaving the frigate to sail away with her -prize, and incidentally to carry Tom's letter to his father in -England, the party aboard the little vessel could not have been -merrier. - -"You'll have to turn soldier yet," declared Jack to our hero, -standing so that the latter could inspect his uniform, and indeed the -young fellow cut such a neat figure that Tom was even more tempted -than formerly. For Jack was slimmer and shorter than he, while the -few months of training he had experienced had taught him to hold -himself erect. A jollier and more careless ensign never existed. It -can be said with truth that, had the fortunes of the troops in the -Peninsula depended on Jack's wisdom and military knowledge, disaster -would promptly have overtaken our arms. He was just one of those -jolly, inconsequential sort of fellows, always skylarking, always gay -and laughing, who go through the world as if serious subjects were -not in existence. - -"Hooray for the life of a soldier!" he shouted, knowing Tom's ardent -wishes that way, and anxious to fill him with envy. "Who'd ever sit -on a stool and sweat over books in an office?" - -"I'll lick you if you don't stop short," growled Tom sourly, and yet -laughing for all that; for who could take Jack seriously? "Who knows, -I may be a leader of troops before you have cut your wisdom teeth? -Who knows?" - -Who could guess the future indeed? Not Tom. Not the jovial, -thoughtless Jack. Not even the wise Mr. Riley, with all his -experience of the sea and of the men who go upon it. It seemed that -Oporto would receive them in the course of a few days, and that -Jack and Tom would there part. But within twenty-four hours of that -conversation the scene was changed. Two vessels raised their peaks -from the offing, and, sailing nearer, declared themselves as French. -They overhauled the little sloop, in spite of a spread of canvas that -threatened to press her beneath the water. And that evening Tom and -his companions were prisoners. - -"My uncle! What awful luck!" groaned Jack, in the depths of despair, -as is often the case with high-mettled people when reverses come -along. "No soldiering, Tom; no office for you. I'd prefer that to a -prison." - -"It's the fortune of war," exclaimed Mr. Riley with resignation. "For -me it makes no great difference. The wound I received aboard the -frigate has not improved, and, even if I become a prisoner, I shall -receive proper treatment, which is impossible aboard this sloop. I'm -sorry for you two young fellows." - -"Pooh, sir," smiled Tom, "we'll give 'em the slip! Seems to me I'm -not meant for Oporto yet awhile. We'll give 'em the slip, and then -I'll take on as a soldier." - -"Slip? How?" asked Jack, somewhat staggered, for the idea had not -occurred to him. - -"Depends; couldn't say now how we'll bring it about. But we'll manage -it some way. I speak Spanish and Portuguese and a little French. If -with those advantages we can't manage the business, well, we're only -fit for a prison." - -"Hooray!" shouted the excited Jack; whereat one of the French -officers accosted them angrily. But Tom quickly appeased him. - -"Where do we get landed, _Monsieur le Lieutenant_?" he asked politely. - -"Ah, you speak our tongue! That is good," came the more pleasant -answer. "But where you land I cannot say; you will be sent with -troops to the north of Spain, and so to a prison." - -It was not very cheering news, but Tom made the best of it. - -"I don't put my nose into a French prison if I can help it!" he -declared, in that particular tone of voice to which Jack had grown -accustomed when they were chums at school. - -"And he won't!" declared the latter. "I know Tom well--a pig-headed, -stubborn beggar from his cradle. Tom'll give 'em the slip, and we -with him. One thing seems all right in the meanwhile--there's grub -and drink in plenty. I never could stand starvation; I'd rather go to -prison." - -But whatever thoughts they may have had as regards escaping were set -aside when they landed. Putting in at an obscure port, Tom and his -friends found a squadron of horsemen waiting to receive them, for the -ship had flown signals. The three friends, together with the two men -belonging to Jack's regiment, were given horses, while a trooper -took their reins, two other men riding close to each one of them. And -then they set off across a barren country, which, however fair it may -have been in other days, was burned black, stripped of all eatables, -while those villages which had not been swallowed by the flames were -wrecked and useless. - -"You will be careful not to attempt an escape," said the officer -in command of the squadron, speaking to Tom, the only one of the -prisoners who could understand him. "I have given orders for the -troopers to shoot at the first attempt. We ride now to join our main -army, and through a country inhabited by people who would flay us -alive if they could catch us. Let that alone warn you not to attempt -escape. The Portuguese peasants are more dangerous than my soldiers." - -He shouted to the head of the column, set his own horse in motion, -and led the way at a pace that threatened to be trying. It was -obvious, in fact, that he was anxious to reach the summit of the -hills near at hand, and not to be found in the open when night fell. -As for Tom and his friends, the outlook seemed hopeless; an attempt -at escape meant a bullet from their guard. And, even were they -successful, they were in a country where bands of peasants scoured -the valleys murdering all who were too weak to oppose them. It looked -indeed as if a French prison would shortly shelter them, and as if -there Jack's military career would come to a halt before it had -actually begun, while Tom's ambitions in that direction would be cut -in twain and end only in bitter disappointment. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -Prisoners - - -If ever a band of prisoners could be described as jovial it was -the little band with whom Tom Clifford was travelling. For the -confinement at sea made a trip ashore most enchanting; then the quick -and unaccustomed movement, the efforts more than one of them were -forced to make continually to keep in their saddles, provoked an -amount of amusement which even infected their escort. - -"I was as near off as anything that time," shouted the irrepressible -Jack, when his horse had shied at a rock and nearly thrown him. "Wish -one of these fellows would rope me to the saddle instead of leading -me as if I were a child." - -"What does he say, monsieur?" asked the trooper riding near our hero, -and at once Tom explained. - -"That would not be good for him," laughed the man. "If we have to -gallop at any time, and the horse fell, he would be left to be -butchered. I tell you, monsieur, these peasants are terrible. I do -not say that they are not justified, for our men have behaved cruelly -to them. But the peasants care nothing whether it be horse soldiers -or foot. If a man of ours falls into their hands he is butchered; -that would be your fate also if you were to lag behind." - -Every now and again, as the small party made for the hills, groups of -men were seen hovering in the distance. And once, when the squadron -was riding through a narrow defile, rocks descended from above. - -"Gallop!" commanded the officer, and striking their heels into the -flanks of the horses the soldiers soon passed through. When the dusk -of evening began to fall, shots rang out in the distance, and one of -the troopers was wounded. - -"I see men gathering in front of us," suddenly exclaimed one of the -sergeants. "They fill the gap through which we must pass to gain the -road for the hill." - -"Halt!" came from the commander. "Place the prisoners in the centre. -We will ride forward steadily till within shot of them, and then -we will charge. There is nothing else to be done. To retreat would -be to have the whole population of the country about us to-morrow; -monsieur," he said, as if by an afterthought; "you and your comrades -realize the danger?" - -Tom nodded at once. "We see the position, _Monsieur le Capitaine_," -he said. "You are a detached party away from the army." - -"We are one of hundreds of squadrons told off to clear the country -during the retreat of our armies across the Tagus," came the answer. -"From to-day we march for Spain, and I hope we may never put foot in -Portugal again. It is not a pleasant duty, this burning of villages -and crops, but orders must be obeyed. We are detached, as you say, -and to join our friends we have to run the gauntlet. Monsieur and his -friends can have temporary liberty, and arms with which to fight, if -they will give their word of honour to respect me and my men, and -hand themselves over later on as captives to us." - -"I will speak with my friends," replied Tom at once, overjoyed at -the proposal; for he could see easily that there was a strenuous -time before the little party, and in the event of a reverse to the -troopers the position of himself and his friends might be very -serious. Armed and ready they would be in a different position. -Rapidly, therefore, he explained the position to Mr. Riley. - -"Agreed!" cried the latter eagerly. "Not that I'm much use either -way. It takes me all my time to stick to this animal, let alone use -a weapon; for I have only one useful arm. Tell him we agree. You -men,"--and he swung round on Andrews and Howeley, the two men of -the 60th accompanying them, "you men understand the position, no -doubt. We are fighting for the Portuguese, and against the French; -but here is a case where our friends will not know us. They will -kill us with the others before we can explain. It is a question of -self-preservation." - -"Right, sir," answered Andrews cheerily. "We're game, and though -it'll be hard luck to have to become prisoners again, we see the -reason. We give our word." - -"Good, then," exclaimed the officer of the party with relief, and at -once gave orders to his troopers to throw off the leading reins, and -to hand each of the prisoners a sabre. To Mr. Riley he presented a -pistol. - -"For you, monsieur," he bowed. "If there is need, you will know how -to use it. Now, men," he commanded, "we will ride forward in column -of files, and when I shout, spread out into line. A charge should -carry us through them. Gallop right through the village and up the -road. Forward!" - -Nowhere, perhaps, were there finer troopers to be found than those -in the French army invading the Peninsula. Napoleon had, in fact, -swamped the country with divisions of magnificent cavalry, with -numerous veterans in the ranks, and under leaders skilled in cavalry -work who had taken their squadrons into action many and many a -time, and had won victories. The preceding years of this eventful -campaign in the Peninsula had seen detached parties of French -horsemen penetrating far into country held by Wellington's troops, -or by Spanish or Portuguese irregulars; and while the former had -taught them many a lesson, and had, indeed, shown the French troops -that if they were brave, the lads from England were equal to them, -there is little doubt that, just as Wellington and our armies had -learned to despise the Portuguese irregulars, and those of Spain in -particular, the French held them even more in contempt. It was the -detached bands of guerrillas, however, that did them the greatest -injury. No wandering party of horsemen could bivouac without fear -of having sentries and outposts murdered in the night. Sudden and -ferocious attacks were frequent, and at this time, when the French -were retreating before our armies, and when without shadow of doubt -they had treated the Portuguese peasantry and townspeople with -horrible cruelty, a detached squadron such as the one Tom accompanied -was liable to annihilation unless handled with great skill. However, -this squadron in particular and its officer seemed to make light of -the difficulties before them. They were accustomed to the hatred of -the peasants, accustomed also to see them take to their heels when -they charged, and disappear in their mountains. It was, therefore, -with a cheer, in which Tom and his friends joined, that they jogged -forward in column of file, their sabres drawn and ready, their leader -a horse's length in advance of them. - -Tom rose in his stirrups and surveyed the enemy. Even through the -gloom he could see that there must be two hundred at least gathered -at the entrance of the village through which the squadron must pass -to reach the road to the heights. Shots came from the mass every now -and again, while there were red flashes from the buildings. Shrill -cries of rage and hate reached his ears, and amongst the voices he -could distinguish those of women. - -Phit! Phit! Bullets whizzed overhead, while the trooper next to him -suddenly gave vent to a growl of anger. - -"Struck me in the arm, monsieur," he said, after a few moments. "I -would rather far receive a wound in proper battle than from these -wolves. But you will see; they will scatter as we charge. We shall -cut down a few of the laggards, burn the village, and thus light our -way to the mountains. Poof! The Portuguese are brutes, the Spaniards -are gentlemen beside them." - -That was the way in which the French looked at the nations in the -Peninsula. Truth compels us to admit that they had reason for liking -the Spaniards; for not only were they able to play with them as if -they were children, utterly despising them as soldiers, but also they -obtained real help from them in their campaign, and though England -had sent troops to repel the invader, and to help the Spaniards -as well as the Portuguese to rid their country of oppression, yet -throughout the campaign the Spaniards in particular foiled the wishes -of Wellington and his generals in every direction. They withheld -supplies even from the wounded. They parted with nothing save at an -exorbitant price, and always there were traitors amongst them ready -to disclose our plans to the enemy. The Portuguese, too, were not -guiltless in this matter; but, on the whole, their irregulars did -some excellent work, and they at least made an attempt to help the -British to drive Napoleon and his armies out of the Peninsula. - -"Canter!" the command rang out loudly as a wide splash of flame -came from the peasants, while bullets clipped the air, sang shrilly -overhead, and sometimes hit horses or accoutrements. Tom heard a -sharp metallic sound, and lost a stirrup, shot away by one of these -bullets; but he managed to secure it again, though he was no great -horseman. - -"Form line on the left!" The command rang out, while answering howls -and shouts came from the village. "Charge!" - -Tom could see the commander standing in his stirrups, his sword -raised overhead, his face turned towards his men. And that -exhilarating shout, the excitement in the air, the bullets and the -cries, sent his blood surging through him. Let us remember that Tom -was young, and possessed of excellent health and spirits, also that -soldiering was no new ambition with him. Fear for the future he -had none, but all the while he was wondering how the matter would -progress, and what would happen supposing the villagers held their -ground and refused to be driven from the village. The hammer of the -horses' hoofs, the jingle of bits and stirrups, and the sharp reports -of muskets sent a thrill through his frame from head to foot, and in -a moment he was leaning forward like the troopers, his sabre down -over his knee, all eagerness to reach the enemy. Nor was it long -before the squadron got to striking distance. The peasants held their -ground till the horses were fifty paces away, and then raced into the -houses. A storm of bullets came from windows and doorways, and then, -of a sudden, there was a clatter in front, and the commander of the -squadron disappeared from view entirely. By then Tom was within ten -paces of him; for the formation had brought him to the very centre. - -"Halt!" he bellowed, seeing what had happened. "The road is blocked. -The peasants have dug a huge ditch, and the commander has gone into -it. Here--hold my horse!" - -He flung the reins to a trooper riding at his knee, and slid to -the ground. A moment later he was down in the rough and deep ditch -which the peasants had made ready, and leaning over the unfortunate -commander of the squadron found that he was dead. - -"_Il est mort!_" he shouted to the troopers, making his way back to -his horse at once. - -"Monsieur, this is terrible!" cried the trooper who had held the -reins. "We are being shot down rapidly, and nothing is being done -to help us. The captain is dead and his lieutenant; I think the -sergeants are also hurt." - -The engagement, so far as the squadron was concerned, had indeed come -to a curious and dangerous halt. The troopers sat bunched together, -some of the men reining their horses back as if about to flee. Yet -no order came. There was no one to give the word of command. It was -then that Tom showed the stuff of which he was made. It is true Mr. -Riley should perhaps have come to the fore, or Jack; but neither -could speak the language, while, in any case, it was the duty of one -of the troopers to conduct the action. However, when no one comes -forward, and men are being shot down rapidly, it is clear that he who -takes command on his shoulders, and acts wisely, is a blessing to his -comrades. Jack took the post without a thought. To sit still longer -was madness, and quite impossible. - -"Wheel about," he shouted in French. "Ah, they have closed in on us! -We are caught between two fires. Forward, men, charge!" - -He led them at the enemy at full gallop; but what could fifty men do -against some hundreds? It happened that this squadron of horse had -been watched by the peasants, and for two days past efforts had been -made to surround it. The wild inhabitants of this mountainous region, -burning with hatred of the invader, had been brought together, and -gradually, as the horsemen retreated from the coast and got into -difficult country, the net had been drawn about them. There were -perhaps five hundred peasants in rear of the party when Tom faced -them about and charged. A crashing discharge of musketry swept -the ranks of the troopers, dropping a dozen of the men from their -saddles, and then began a rush on the part of the enemy. It looked, -indeed, as if the remnant would be annihilated, and slashed to pieces -where they stood. Tom looked anxiously and swiftly about him, and -perceiving a building on the outskirts of the village, a little to -one side, he instantly decided to occupy it. - -"Right wheel!" he shouted. "Now gallop to that building. If the door -is big enough, and we can open it, ride right in. Forward! Clear the -rabble coming towards us." - -It happened that another section of the circle was approaching the -scene of the action from the direction of the building towards which -he and the troopers were now making, and these at once opened fire. -But Tom set heels to his horse, and in a minute he and the men -supporting him burst amongst the peasants, slashing at them to right -and left, riding them down, and scattering them in every direction. -It was exciting work while it lasted, and it had the effect of -allowing the party a little breathing time. They rode up to the door -of the building, to find it was a church, and in a twinkling the door -was open. Up the five steps leading to it rode Tom, and after him -came his comrades. - -"Dismount," he commanded. "Draw your carbines and scatter about the -place, to make sure that no windows or doors are open. Two of you -stand guard over the horses." - -It was pitch dark within the church; but a trooper quickly discovered -a torch, and then some candles stored away in a box. - -"It won't do to keep them burning," said Tom, thinking rapidly. "The -light would help the enemy to shoot us; but we must have something -with which to inspect the place. Ah, I know--Andrews!" - -"Yes, sir?" - -The big rifleman was standing stiffly at attention before Tom, his -arm at the salute. - -"Take the torch and this trooper with you. Go round; return when you -have inspected, and report." - -The soldier saluted again with as much briskness as he would have -displayed had Tom been a regular officer, and went away with one of -the troopers whom Tom called. - -"Howeley!" he shouted. - -"Sir?" - -Like Andrews, the man was drawn up with the rigidity of a bayonet. - -"Collect all ammunition, place it in a central position, and dish it -out ten rounds at a time. Report the total amount." - -"Yes, sir." - -The fine fellow went off like a rocket to perform the task, while Tom -called to the troopers. - -"My lads," he shouted, "let us be silent; I have sent a man to -inspect the place, and will post you all presently. Another will -collect the ammunition, and give it out ten rounds at a time. Don't -forget that we may be held up here for hours, and our lives will -depend on the amount of cartridges we have. Now, I want two of you -for another purpose." - -Two men at once came forward. "We are ready, monsieur," one of them -said. "For the moment we and our comrades look to you as the leader. -Indeed you are a leader; but for your quickness and decision we -should be back there at the entrance to the village shot down beside -our comrades." - -"Then collect all saddle bags," said Tom, "pile them in a corner, -and with them all water bottles. They are the most important. I'm -not afraid of starvation; for we have horses here, and one of them -slaughtered will provide us with ample food. It is the water that is -important; see to it, please." - -It was perhaps some ten minutes later that the defences of the church -were ready. Tom busied himself posting men at all vulnerable spots, -and then clambered into the tower with Andrews. It was quite a modest -erection, some fifty feet in height, but sufficient to give a view -over the village. Lights could be seen in many directions, while -shouts echoed through the air. There was the tramp of feet also, and -a dull mass over at the entrance to the village. - -"They're gloating over the poor chaps they shot and knocked out of -their saddles, sir," said Andrews. "It was sharp business; I was -never in a brisker, and I've done two years of the campaign already. -Came out in 1808, sir, and went home wounded. Beg pardon, sir, but -what might your corps be?" - -"Corps? Corps?" exclaimed Tom, mystified for the moment. "Oh, I -follow! I'm not in the army, Andrews. I was on my way out to Oporto, -or, more correctly, I was going to sail for that place when I was -impressed and sent aboard a British frigate. We had that action with -the French man-of-war, and you were released. News had come out to -the frigate, meanwhile, that I ought never to have been impressed, -and so the captain sent me on in the sloop to Oporto. By rights I -ought to be seated at a desk adding up long, dry columns." - -Andrews gave vent to a gruff expression. "Strike me!" he cried, as -if dumbfounded by the information; "and I and Howeley and all them -French boys took you for an orficer. Anyways, sir, beggin' your -pardon, you've done handsomely. It was a lucky thing for us that you -took the command, for Mr. Barwood ain't fit for it. He got knocked -out by the first bullet almost, and it was as much as he could do -to stick to his saddle till we reached here. Mr. Riley ain't no -better. If Howeley hadn't held him he'd have been left outside to be -murdered. This here's a tough little business." - -It proved, in fact, a fortunate thing for all concerned that Tom -had taken the command. There are some who might express the opinion -that he should not have done so, that it displayed an uppish spirit. -Granted all that; but uppishness is just what is required in moments -of stress and danger. The lad who is modest at all times, and yet who -can come to the fore when circumstances urgently call for a leader, -is a lad of the right sort, a benefactor to his comrades. In this -case Tom had undoubtedly done the right thing, and, moreover, had -done it well. - -"It was real smart," said Andrews respectfully. "Beggin' pardon -again, sir; there's many who would have been cornered. To go forward -was impossible, to retreat out of the question, seeing as there -were three hundred or more of the ruffians behind us. This was the -only course. It's queer to think that we, who are fighting for the -Portuguese against the French, should be boxed up here in danger of -having our throats slit by those who ought to be friends." - -"It's the fortune of war, Andrews," declared Tom. "I'm sorry for the -wretches outside. By all accounts the French hate them intensely, for -the Portuguese have shown more spirit than have the Spanish. They -have contested the rights of the invaders from the beginning, and -as a result the French have burned their villages and treated them -badly. Indeed I believe they have behaved with the grossest cruelty. -As a result there are reprisals, and we are swept up in one of these, -and are likely to have a warm time of it before we are free." - -"It's bound to be an ugly business," admitted Andrews. "I can hear -them coming now." - -"Then we'll go to the men," said Tom. "I'll give them orders not to -fire till I tell them. Of course I shall make an attempt to win over -the peasants." - -"Eh? How's that, sir?" asked Andrews. "What about their lingo?" - -"You forget I was meant for Oporto. I and my family have had -associations with Portugal and Spain for a long while, and my cousins -are Spanish. I speak both languages, but not well, I fear. I always -hated lessons, and now wish to goodness I had been a little more -diligent. However, I can make myself understood easily, and will try -to win the peasants over." - -They clambered down the long, rough ladder that led from the belfry, -and went amongst the men, Tom warning all of them to hold their fire -till he shouted. Meanwhile Howeley had reported to him that there -was ammunition sufficient to supply each man with forty-two rounds. -As for food and drink, to his dismay he was informed that there was -little of either; so that it looked as if the contest could not last -for long. - -"We've just twenty-two men all told, counting yourself and the other -officers," reported Andrews, some minutes later, saluting Tom as -if he had no doubt as to his position. "Every window and door is -guarded, and from what I can see of the troopers they are ready for -any fighting. It's queer to think that we who were prisoners are in -command, and no difficulty about it." - -There was little doubt that the situation was more or less unique, -and caused Mr. Riley the utmost amusement. He, poor fellow, had been -struck in the ribs somewhat heavily, and lay in a corner, with Jack -close beside him; but he smiled when our hero at length had time to -approach him. - -"My lad, you've done right well; you're a dead loss to the navy," he -smiled. "I'm not surprised; after what I saw aboard the frigate I -felt you would do something. Jack and I haven't worried you since we -got here, as we saw you wanted freedom to think and arrange matters; -but we're glad now that you're able to spare a few minutes. What will -happen?" - -Tom stayed with them for a quarter of an hour, and now that he felt -that he had done all that was possible in arranging the defence, he -employed his wits and energies in seeing to his comrades. In the -case of Mr. Riley, he, with the help of Andrews and Howeley, bound -his chest very firmly with a couple of girths taken from the horses, -first of all, however, placing a pad over the wound, which was little -more than a contusion. For Jack equally simple surgery sufficed, for -a bullet had penetrated his thigh, and, the bleeding having stopped, -all that was wanted was a dressing and a bandage, and fortunately -the troopers carried these with them. They had hardly made him -comfortable when the lookout man posted in the tower reported that a -mass of men were coming. - -"Remember--not a shot, my friends," Tom called out to the troops, -"and take care not to show a light. I will see to these people and -try to win them over." - -He scrambled up an ancient flight of stone steps and passed on to -a ledge over the doorway, which, no doubt, served the purpose of -a pulpit in fine weather. There was a dull roar of voices coming -towards him, while the space between himself and the village seemed -to be filled with figures. Ten minutes later a mob had drawn up in -front of the church. Tom stood to his full height and hailed them. - -"My friends," he shouted in Portuguese. "We are English!" - -A fearful yell answered him. Shrieks of anger floated up to his ears, -while a hurricane of shots swept in his direction. Amidst the dancing -torches that many of the people carried there flashed out splashes -of flame. The vibrating roar of voices which followed had in it an -awe-inspiring note. Tom might have been on the verge of a rocky coast -on which huge breakers were thundering in their fury. That note spoke -of hatred, of an approaching triumph, of a horrible gloating on the -part of the peasants. It told better than individual words could do -what were the intentions of the enemy, what would be the fate of the -besieged if they fell into their hands. Then, of a sudden, catching a -better view perhaps of the solitary figure above them, the mob became -silent. - -"My friends," called Tom, his tones clear, not a whimper in his -voice, "you have made an error. There are five Englishmen amongst -this party, five friends of the Portuguese. Let someone come forward -to identify us." - -There might have been a mob of wild beasts outside by the answer. The -crowd, thinking no doubt that one of the Frenchmen was attempting to -fool them, and rob them of a prey they now counted upon as their own, -shrieked aloud and came surging forward. More shots rang out, stones -were thrown; and then, with a loud crash, the leaders came against -the door of the church. Tom clambered down to his men, stern and -pale and determined. - -"Post three of them up on the ledge," he told Andrews, who was a -valuable help to him. "Let others fire through the windows when I -shout. Don't fire till then." - -He repeated the words in French, and then waited till there came a -stunning blow upon the door, a blow which shook it to the hinges and -threatened to throw it down. It was clear, in fact, that the mob -outside were longing to get at the troopers. Shouts and oaths could -be heard, while the clatter of firearms was incessant. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -Napoleon the Ambitious - - -Within the village church in which the French troopers and their -one-time English prisoners had taken refuge under Tom Clifford's -guidance there was a deathly silence while the mob outside shrieked -and shouted. Not one of the defenders but knew what fate awaited them -if once the enemy beat in the doors, and knowing that they listened -as blow after blow thundered upon the woodwork, shaking the doors -till they threatened to fall down. - -"Andrews," shouted Tom, who had been listening acutely like the -rest, and wondering what action he ought to take, "light up one of -the torches and take a couple of men with you. We want something to -place behind the doors, for in a little while they will be beaten in. -Meanwhile I will try again to pacify the peasants." - -It was a forlorn hope, and yet worth trying. Tom, therefore, -clambered up the steep flight of stone steps again, while Andrews -went off to do his bidding. Stepping past the three men who had -ascended to the ledge above the crowd our hero once more stood -to his full height and shouted to attract the attention of the -peasants. And once more his coming was the signal for an outburst of -shouts, shrieks, groans, and hisses which might well have appalled -a brave man. Muskets flashed in the semi-darkness, for night had -now come, while here and there torches flamed over the heads of the -people. Bullets spattered and broke against the stonework about -him, thudding heavily, even splashing him with portions of lead. -One enthusiast, in fact, as if driven frantic by the sight of his -person, made a vain attempt to clamber up the ledge, and, missing his -footing, fell back upon the crowd, his coming setting rise to oaths -and shouts of anger. Then there fell a sudden silence while a brawny -giant, a blacksmith no doubt, stepped from under the archway of the -door, a huge hammer over his shoulder, showing that it was he who had -been delivering those smashing blows on the door. - -"People of Portugal," Tom called out loudly, "I have come again to -speak to you. You fight with friends, not with enemies." - -The howl that followed would have scared even a veteran. - -"Friends! You say friends!" shouted the blacksmith, stepping still -farther out from the arch, while a couple of torches near him -illuminated his person. "Who are you that you should try to fool us? -We know our business well enough. For days we have watched this troop -of horse, and for days we have vowed to kill every man of them, to -kill them slowly if we may. Who are you, speaking our tongue, who -dare to say that you are friends?" - -Shouts of applause greeted the words. An excited individual near the -speaker levelled a pistol and fired point-blank at Tom, narrowly -missing his head. Then once more there was silence. The crowd, in -fact, seemed to have realized their own power now, and knew well that -the church was surrounded. Eager though they were to slaughter the -troopers, they did not grudge a few moments' delay. - -"Who are you?" they shouted hoarsely. - -"I am English," answered Tom at once, "and so are four others amongst -us. We were being carried as prisoners." - -"A lie!" came fiercely from someone in the crowd. "If he and the four -beside were prisoners, why then were they armed? Why did they fight -us at the entrance to the village?" - -The argument was greeted with roars of applause again, which silenced -all Tom's efforts. Then the blacksmith held his hammer aloft to -command silence, and, having obtained it, seized a torch and held it -high up toward our hero. - -"Listen, friends and brothers," he called in hoarse tones. "There is -one above who speaks our tongue and tells us that he and four others -are English and therefore friends. Good! Let us say that this is no -lie. There are four, while we are four hundred. Let these four, with -the one who speaks to us, come out from the church. If their tale -is true they shall live and we will feed and house them. If they -lie----" - -The sentence was broken by discordant shouts of glee at the -blacksmith's wit, shouts that boded ill for anyone foolhardy enough -to place himself in the hands of such people, so roused by events, -and mad for slaughter, that they were incapable of recognizing friend -from foe. - -"Let the five come out to us," shouted the blacksmith, "leaving the -others to be dealt with as we will." - -Tom waited for the noise which followed to die down, and then bent -over the crowd. "What you ask is impossible," he said firmly. "I and -my English friends will not desert the troopers. But we are ready -to hand ourselves over to a body of English troops when you bring -them to us. To you we will not trust ourselves, and I warn you that -efforts on your part will lead to the death of many. Now, be wise; -reflect on the consequences and leave us alone." - -Had he wished to stir the rage of the peasants Tom could not have -done it more effectually. Screams of rage filled the air, while a -torrent of bullets sped toward him. He stepped back from the ledge, -clambered down the stairs, and seized a carbine and ammunition. - -"My friends," he said in French, "those wolves outside ask for our -lives. We will sell them dearly. Let each man fire the moment the -attack begins, remembering to make each shot tell, for ammunition is -very scarce. Ah, is that you, Andrews?" - -"Yes, sir," came the answer, while the rifleman drew himself up -stiffly in front of our hero, a lighted torch still in one hand. -"There are pews, which we might break up," he reported; "but they're -light, too light to be of use in a doorway. But one of the horses is -dead, sir. If we were to pull him along here he'd make an obstacle -they'd have difficulty in moving." - -"A horse!" the novel idea startled Tom. And then, on consideration, -it appeared that nothing could be better. At once he sent Andrews off -with four of the men to drag the animal towards the door, while he -himself took the candle, and, striding over to the pews that filled -the floor of the church, closely inspected them. A scheme for saving -ammunition was growing in his brain; for it was clear that if the -enemy persisted in an attack the wherewithal to load the muskets -would soon be expended. - -"The doors will be broken down in no time," he told himself; "then we -shall be separated from the peasants merely by the barrier we happen -to place in position--a horse on this occasion. What we want is -something long with which to keep them at a distance." - -Calling two of the troopers, he urged them to break up half a dozen -of pews as swiftly as possible, keeping the long timbers intact. - -"Use your sabres," he said, "and when you have the timbers -separated, point them at one end. I want a couple of dozen spears -with which to fend off these peasants. Ah, there goes the hammer -again!" - -A terrific blow resounded upon the door, which was followed almost -immediately by a sharp report from the ledge above, and then by a -howl. The blacksmith had not lived to see the triumph that he had -anticipated. One of the French troopers had leaned over and shot -him with his carbine. But the shot made little difference. A dozen -infuriated peasants sprang forward to seize the hammer, while shots -came from all directions. Then, amidst the sounds, steps were heard -on the narrow staircase leading from the ledge. - -"Monsieur," said the man, running up to Tom, "there are men bringing -masses of straw to pile against the door. My comrades have discovered -a gallery leading from the ledge, with steps at the far end. There is -a large room also, and much building material there. It seems that at -one time the church was larger. Will monsieur sanction the tossing of -stones on the heads of the enemy?" - -Tom nodded promptly, his features lighting up. By the aid of the -flickering torch the trooper was able to see that the young fellow -who had so suddenly taken command of the party was actually smiling. - -"_Ma foi!_" he exclaimed _sotto voce_, "but the Englishman cares -nothing for this trouble! He is the one to lead." - -"I will come up as soon as I am able," said Tom. "Meanwhile, do as -best you can. Toss anything on their heads, but, above all, save -ammunition." - -The man was gone in a moment, while blows again sounded on the door, -one more violent than any which had preceded it shattering the upper -hinges. The shouts of triumph which burst from the peasants were -followed by a couple or more dull thuds, as if heavy bodies had -been dropped on the heads of the attackers, and then by a chorus -of shrieks denoting hatred and execration. Meanwhile a stir in the -church told of men struggling at some task, and presently Andrews -appeared with his helpers, and behind them the carcass of a horse. - -"He fell dead in a hollow leading to a doorway," explained Andrews in -short gasps, "and to bring him here we had to drag him up a couple -of high steps. Once on the main floor of the church the carcass slid -easily enough; but earlier--my word it was hard work! There! the -carcass fills the lower part of the doorway, and as the legs are in -this direction those brutes will have nothing to take a grip of. What -orders, sir?" - -"Pull the pews out of their places and pile them one on another round -the doorway," answered Tom, who had been sketching out his plans in -the meanwhile. "You and Howeley and two of the troopers will take -post on them a little to one side, and will fire into the crowd -once the doors give way. The other men will be below you, and I am -supplying them with spears made from the timbers of some of the -pews. You and they together should be able to keep the enemy off." - -It may be imagined that each man amongst the defenders appointed -to some task had laboured at it with all haste, and by now the men -Tom had instructed to break up pews had almost finished their work. -Indeed, within a few minutes, and just before the doors were burst -in and fell over the carcass of the horse with a clatter, they had -produced more than a dozen long pieces of strong timber, each one -roughly hacked to a point at one end; and being some fifteen feet in -length these improvised spears promised to be of great service. In a -few seconds, in fact, they were put to a useful if somewhat unkind -purpose; for the fall of the doors was the signal for a mad rush on -the part of the peasants. The three or four hundred or more outside, -howling about the entrance to the church, launched themselves -promptly at the black void, where but a few moments before the flames -from the torches had shown doors. A hundred struggled to lead the -attackers where there was room only for half a dozen, and as a result -they came surging on in a compact mass, which threatened to push -the carcass of the horse aside as if it were a mere nothing. Then -wiser counsels prevailed. Elbow room was given to those in advance, -and soon shots were whistling through the doorway, while men armed -with sabres, with pitchforks, with scythes and every class of weapon -dashed up the steps and hurled themselves at the opening. Thud! -thud! the stones came from the ledge above, striking the peasants -down. The muskets wielded by Andrews and his comrades swept away the -more dangerous of the enemy--those provided with firearms--while -the troopers handling the long spears fashioned from pew timbers -made effective use of their weird weapons. They thrust them at the -enemy, giving terrible wounds. They beat them over the head till many -dropped, and then advancing a pace or two, so that their weapons -projected through the doorway over the carcass of the horse, they -drove the peasants away from the entrance altogether. - -[Illustration: THE PEASANTS BREAK IN THE CHURCH DOORS] - -"Stop firing!" shouted Tom, seeing that the peasants were retreating. - -"We have taught them a sharp lesson, and that is enough for the -moment. We don't want to rouse their anger further, and will try to -show them that all we want is to be left alone, but that if they -attack us we are fully able to give hard knocks in return. Anyone -hurt?" - -He repeated the words in French, and was relieved to hear that not -one of the men had received so much as a scratch. - -"Then we are well out of the first attack. Now we'll eat," he said. -"We shall have to go on short rations without a doubt, and since that -can't be helped we must make the most of it." - -Leaving a man still in the belfry, and one of the troopers on the -ledge, he posted two others at the rear of the church. Then he -and Andrews, with the help of two of the troopers, collected all -the rations contained in the saddle bags, divided them into four -portions, and finally issued a share of one portion to each one of -the defenders. Thereafter they sat in the darkness eating the food, -while, there being no news of the enemy, who seemed to have retired -to the village, some of the men went to sleep, while others lit pipes -and smoked contentedly. Tom sat down beside Mr. Riley and Jack, and -devoured his own meal with an avidity which showed that excitement -rather increased his appetite than the reverse. - -"Splendidly managed, lad!" declared Mr. Riley, when he had finished -the meal. "Not the eating of your rations, but the defence. Dear, -dear, what a loss to the service!" - -"Which service, sir?" asked Jack swiftly, for though wounded, and -more or less incapable, the old spirit was still there. There was, -in fact, a cheeky grin of enquiry on his somewhat pallid features, -a pallor made even more evident by the flickering flame of a torch -burning near the trio. - -"Eh?" asked Mr. Riley, taken aback. "Which service? _The_ service, I -said." - -"Army?" grinned Jack exasperatingly. - -"I'll hammer you, my lad, when once you're fit," laughed the naval -officer. "As if anyone could misunderstand me! I say that _the_ -service has lost a budding Nelson--a Nelson, Jack; as good a man as -ever trod a deck. Tom's a loss to the service, now isn't he?" - -"Army; yes, sir," grinned Jack, rolling his eyes at the naval officer. - -"Joking apart, though," said Mr. Riley, ignoring the fun of the -ensign, "Tom'll be a loss in an office. Just imagine our friend -perched on a high stool battling with facts and figures, when -he's shown he's capable of battling with people. Tom, I call it -a downright sin. If you were my brother I'd say 'Go hang' to the -office." - -"Hear, hear!" cried Jack. "If Tom'd just give it up for a time and -come along with us, why, I'd----" - -"You?" interrupted Mr. Riley, with a smile of incredulity; for though -Jack was undoubtedly dashing and gallant enough, he lacked the -stamina and serious thought of one who leads. - -"I," repeated the incorrigible ensign, "_I_--with a capital to it, -please--I'd make the dear boy a general before he knew what was -happening." - -There was a roar of laughter at that, a roar which brought the -troopers to a sitting posture, their fingers on their carbines. And -then a smile was exchanged amongst them. - -"_Parbleu!_ but these English are proper fellows," said one to his -comrade. "They come to us as prisoners, and we see at once that they -are good comrades. They fall into the same trap with us too, and, -having received arms, act as if they were French and not English. -Now, one of them having saved the lives of all here, and having -brought us to a nest which may be described as that of a hornet, -they laugh and joke and make merry. _Ma foi!_ but these English are -too good to fight with. It is the rascals of Spaniards we should -engage with." - -"Hear 'em!" grunted the rifleman Howeley, stretched near his comrade -Andrews. "That 'ere Mr. Jack's a givin' lip to the naval orficer. Ten -ter one he's sayin' as how the British army's better nor the navy. -Equal, I says, all the time, though the army's my choice. Mate, who's -this Mr. Clifford? What's his corps? He's a smart 'un." - -His mouth went agape when the worthy Andrews informed him that Tom -was merely a civilian, a class upon which Howeley had, in his own -particular lordly way, been rather apt to look down. - -"Civilian!" he gasped. "Strike me! But----" - -"He's led us grandly. He's dropped into the post of commander as -if he had been trained for it, as if it were his by right. I know -all that," declared Andrews. "Tell you, my lad, he'd make a proper -soldier." - -Meanwhile Tom had faced the naval lieutenant eagerly. - -"You think I'd do as an officer, sir?" he asked. - -"Indeed I do," came the answer. "A regular could not have done better -than you have done. You'll be a loss----" - -"To the army," burst in the irrepressible Jack, grinning widely. - -"To either service," said Mr. Riley seriously. - -"Then, sir, I shall ask to join the army," declared our hero. "I seem -to have been meant for it. This is the second time that my efforts -to reach an office have been foiled. I shall attempt to obtain a -commission; then I'll see what can be done to help Jack to capture -Boney and turn the French out of the Peninsula." - -There was more laughter at that, laughter turned on the young ensign. -A little later Mr. Riley dragged a paper from his pocket and slowly -read a few lines to our hero. - -"You'll be interested to hear what is happening," he said. -"Bonaparte, otherwise known as Napoleon, sometimes also as the -'Little Corporal', or as the 'Little Corsican', Emperor of the -French, now proposes to leave the Peninsula and march from Paris -_en route_ for Russia, which kingdom he wishes to conquer and add -to his realms. Napoleon is not, in fact, satisfied with the whole -of France, Italy, and other kingdoms. He desires to place the whole -of Europe under one king, that king to be himself; to have but one -capital for all, and that Paris; one code of laws, one currency, one -language perhaps. It is Russia that now attracts him. To-morrow--who -knows?--it will be England." - -"But----" flashed out Jack, indignant at the very suggestion. - -"Quite so," admitted Mr. Riley, stopping him with a smile; "but, as -Jack was about to announce, there is always the service." - -"Eh?" asked the ensign, puzzled for the moment. - -"_The_ service stands in his way. Nelson defeated his navy in 1805, -and thereby made invasion of England impossible. _The_ service, -please, Mr. Jack." - -Jack was caught, and had the grace to admit it. "I grant you that -Trafalgar was a tremendous victory, sir," he said. "But there's the -army to be considered also." - -"Right, lad," came the emphatic reply. "And well they have done too. -See what wonders Wellington and his men have accomplished in the -Peninsula." - -"Tell us all about it, Mr. Riley," asked Tom. "I'm like hundreds of -others. I know that Napoleon desires to conquer all within his reach, -and is said to have designs on England. I know, too, that our troops -have been in this Peninsula since 1808, fighting the battles of the -Portuguese and Spanish, and with great success. But why should we not -have left them to it? I suppose we're afraid that Boney will become -altogether too strong unless we interfere. Isn't that it? I haven't -followed the various engagements, of which there have been numbers." - -"Then here's for a yarn," began the naval lieutenant. "Those -peasants, poor fools, have left us alone for the time being, and -as my wound is too painful to let me sleep, and this Jack seems -to be eager for information, why, I'll tell you the tale, and -mighty fine hearing it makes. To begin with, we hark back to the -'Little Corsican', the artillery officer--a commoner, you must -understand--who, by dint of sheer force of character and military -and diplomatic genius, became Emperor of the French after that -awful Revolution. Let us understand the position thoroughly. You -have on the throne of France a man born in a lowly station. There -is no long list of kingly ancestors behind him. Louis Capet, late -King of France, was beheaded. The kingdom had become a republic, -where equality and fraternity were supposed to flourish, and where -the people were still shivering after the awful ordeals through -which they had passed, scarcely able to believe that the days of -the guillotine had really gone--those terrible days when no man, or -woman either, knew whether the next day or so would or would not see -himself or herself sent to sudden doom. - -"At this moment Napoleon Bonaparte, a distinguished soldier, appeared -upon the scene, and we find him in the course of a little time -Emperor of the French, rich, all-powerful, and extremely ambitious. -That ambition which might, had he wished it, have turned towards -the path of peace, has been resolutely bent towards conquest. As I -have said, Napoleon seeks to subjugate Europe. He dreams of a world -power, with Paris as the centre and hub of that huge empire, and -himself ruler over millions of downtrodden people. Doubtless England -would have shared the same fate as other nations, and would have been -overrun by French troops and mercenaries, had it not been for our -navy. That is the arm, my lads, which has kept us free of invasion, -that still sweeps the seas, and keeps French transports from -venturing across to our tight little island." - -"Then, if that is so," ventured Tom, "why not confine our efforts to -the sea? At Trafalgar we beat the French and Spanish fleets combined. -Why then should we now take the side of the Spaniards?" - -"A fair question, and easily answered," smiled Mr. Riley. "Here is -the plain, unvarnished explanation. You may say, putting sentiment -and natural sympathy apart, that it is nothing to us that Napoleon -has thrust his brother on the Spanish throne, displacing the rightful -ruler; or if he subjugates Russia, putting a ruler of his own choice -on the throne there also. You may argue that that is no affair of -England's. But let us look at the certain results of such success -on his part. He conquers a kingdom, and straightway has all the -resources of that kingdom at his command. Its men are at his service, -its fleets also; his armies and his navy are greatly increased in -power thereby. Thus, first with one addition and then with another to -this world power he seeks, Napoleon arrives at a point where he can -destroy England in spite of her navy. There you find a reason for our -actions, and for the presence of our troops here in the Peninsula. We -fight to free the peoples here, thereby reducing Napoleon's power. We -seize this opportunity because the peoples of the Peninsula will have -none of Napoleon's ruling. The countries seethe with indignation, -there are riots everywhere. Let us but drive him and his troops out -of the Peninsula, and Napoleon himself meet with reverses elsewhere, -and all the downtrodden peoples he has already conquered will turn -upon him. There will be a great alliance against this despot, and -in the course of time, in spite of his gigantic armies and their -undoubtedly fine organization, we shall wrest his power from him, -perhaps even his kingdom." - -That was exactly what England was striving for in those days. It may -almost be said that a parallel situation had arisen to that which -beset the people of England in the days of Good Queen Bess. Then -Spain was a world power; that is to say, she owned amongst other -possessions those American colonies that brought her so much wealth. -The Gulf of Mexico saw many of her ships; her vessels, of enormous -tonnage when compared with those of England at that time, sailed from -the coast of Mexico laden with jewels and gold and wealth wrung from -the natives, those Astec people who displayed such gentleness of -character, such civilized habits, alongside of a barbarous custom of -human sacrifice to which the world has seen no equal, not even in the -days of King Coffee in Ashantee. Wealth can buy power; it purchases -ships, and if there be the men to man them, then a wealthy nation can -endow itself with a fleet which may be the terror of its neighbours. -That was the position between Spain and England in those days. That -Armada was preparing. It aimed at the subjugation of England, and the -story is well enough known how Drake and his admirals set forth in -their tiny ships, manned by men who may be said to have been born -aboard them, and in spite of the size of the galleons of the Armada, -in spite of paucity of numbers and shortness of ammunition, contrived -to break up the huge fleet when almost within sight of our shores. -That was nearly a parallel situation. Now, instead of Spain, France -aimed at our invasion, its Emperor Napoleon being ambitious to add -England to the other nations he was bringing beneath his sway. Who -knows what might have happened had there been no sea to contend with -and no fleet? But we may fairly surmise that this country would have -given a good account of herself, for already her armies in Portugal -and Spain had chastised the French. Whatever the result under such -circumstances, there was that sea to contend with, and Nelson and his -admirals had so carefully watched it, and had fought so strenuously, -that the fleet of France had been annihilated at Trafalgar. Thus -the fear of invasion was gone for the moment. We had the future to -consider, and, thoughtful of our own security and of the danger -which would surely arise again so soon as Napoleon had brought -Europe beneath his sway, we sent our troops to the Peninsula, there -to oppose the man whose restless ambition kept the west in a state -of turmoil, whose decree held thousands and thousands of men under -arms when they might have been engaged in some peaceful occupation, -and whose constant succession of skirmishes and battles filled the -hospitals of Europe, sent thousands of maimed wretches back to their -homes, and crowded the cemeteries. That was the direct result of -Napoleon's ambitious policy, of his aggression, and let those who -hold him up as a hero think of the unhappy wretches who suffered -pain, and whose cries of anguish are now forgotten. Let them remember -the huge number of young men in the first blush of life who found a -grave on the many battlefields of Europe. - -But that was the position before Napoleon set his eyes on the -Peninsula, determining to place his brother on the throne of Spain -and so bring the entire nation under his power. It was this latter -period which was of greatest interest to our hero, and he listened -eagerly while Mr. Riley told of the landing of our troops in -Portugal, of their hardships, and of the strenuous fighting they had -experienced. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -A Tight Corner - - -"Now for our troops and the Peninsula," said Mr. Riley, settling -himself in a corner of the old church and fixing his eyes for a few -moments on the flaming and smoking torch which illuminated that part. -"Those peasants seem to have decided to leave us alone for to-night, -so that we have the time between this and the morning to ourselves. I -imagine, too, that we may be congratulated; since it is easier for a -few to defend a given place when they have daylight to help them. Ah, -the sentry moves!" - -In the dim light cast by the torch they saw the trooper whom Tom had -stationed at the open doors of the place slowly rise to his feet and -peer out. A minute later they watched as he levelled his musket. Then -he seemed to change his mind, for of a sudden he dropped the weapon -softly to the ground and gripped his sabre. And there he remained, in -a posture that showed preparedness, for all the world like a tiger -ready to spring. Nor was it long before he suddenly awoke to action; -for there came a sound from outside the door, and a dull murmur -echoed from the distance. Creeping silently towards him, Tom peered -through the doorway over his shoulder, and for a time saw nothing. -Then, in the distance, he thought he could distinguish a dark mass -between himself and the village, while nearer at hand there were two -figures. - -"Going to try a surprise," he told himself. "They have sent two of -their most daring spirits ahead, and will follow immediately." - -Promptly he crept away to warn the men, who by now were asleep -for the most part; and very quietly they mustered about the door, -while those on guard at the various danger spots about the building -retained their positions. - -"Gather about the door and pick up your spears," he warned the men -in a whisper. "Leave the two who are creeping on to the sentry and -Andrews." - -The stalwart rifleman had already taken his post beside the sentry, -armed just as he was with a sabre, and there, like cats waiting to -pounce, they crouched. Peering out again over the carcass of the -horse, Tom saw two heads appear, and then three more immediately -behind them. One of the peasants almost instantly leaped on to the -carcass, and was joined there within a second by a comrade. There was -a loud shout from one, as if to signal to the mass behind, and then -he and his fellow leaped into the church, while others appeared just -behind the carcass of the horse. - -"On them!" shouted the gallant Andrews. "Cut them down! Back with -them!" - -He threw himself at the attackers, and the trooper with him. For a -minute perhaps there was a fierce scuffle, and then the two retired, -as their work was accomplished. Both the daring spirits who had -invaded the church had paid the penalty of their rashness and lay -dead upon the floor. But the others were by no means disheartened. It -appeared that a dozen or more had crept forward, and with loud shouts -they now rushed at the opening. - -"Keep them off with the spears. Don't fire unless you are compelled," -Tom ordered loudly. "We've shown them that we are ready for them, and -the less fuss we make about the matter the more they will fear us in -the future. Ah, here they come!" - -By now a surging crowd had arrived outside the church, and once more -the scene of a little time before was repeated. Muskets and ancient -firearms were discharged from every point, and in the most haphazard -fashion. Indeed it may be said that in this respect the attackers -were as dangerous to one another as to the defenders of the church. -A hundred frenzied creatures hurled themselves into the doorway, -and for a while it looked as if they would sweep all before them. -But those deadly spears, harmless though they looked on a casual -inspection, did the work expected of them. Men were tossed back with -jagged wounds in the chest. Others were felled with blows over the -head, while in many instances the attackers were pushed away by sheer -strength. Then, at a signal from Tom, four of the defenders joined -Andrews and the sentry, each armed with sabres, and fell furiously -upon the mob. Shrieks filled the air; the maddened peasants dropped -their weapons and endeavoured to grapple with the soldiers. They bit -at the men and fought like fiends. Then some turned, pressing away -from the door, but only to be thrust forward again by the weight -of those behind them. It was a startled cry from someone in the -background which at length caused the mob to retire; a sudden panic -seemed to seize them and in a little while they were racing pell mell -from the building. - -"Now go back to your corners and sleep," said Tom. "We have taught -them another lesson, and next time they will not be quite so bold. -Let us have a look at these fellows." - -He took the torch and leaned over the two men who had been cut down -by Andrews and the trooper. They were powerful fellows, armed with -billhooks and had their boots thickly wrapped with straw so as to -deaden the sound of their coming. - -"Put them outside," he ordered, "and to-morrow, at the first streak -of dawn, we will send out a party to remove the other bodies. We -may be cooped up here for a week, and things would then become -unpleasant. That reminds me; there's the question of food and water. -Well, that must settle itself; we'll wait for morning." - -There was nothing else to be done; therefore, having posted his -sentries, and cautioned them to be very watchful, Tom retired to the -corner in which he had left Mr. Riley and Jack. - -"A nice little skirmish, Tom," said the former. "By the time you -join the army you'll have become a veteran. These little conflicts -are all good practice, for if I am not mistaken the peasants will -make tremendous efforts when the day comes. But sit down. I'm eager -to tell my tale before another disturbance comes. Where was I? -Oh, I remember! We were talking of the troops in the Peninsula. -You understand that Napoleon's armies were massed at this time -in both Portugal and Spain. Well, Wellington--then Sir Arthur -Wellesley--sailed from Cork in July, 1808, with some ten thousand -men, and landed near Oporto. An experienced general such as he was, -one, too, fresh from conquests in India, was not likely to let the -grass grow beneath his feet, and almost at once he had a nice little -skirmish with the French at Brilos and at Rolica, causing Laborde, -their commander, to withdraw. - -"He would have pushed on at once without a doubt, but information -now reached him that General Anstruther had landed at Peniche, and, -it being important to join hands with him, he left Laborde for the -moment and marched to meet the new arrivals. Almost at once General -Sir Harry Burrard appeared upon the scene, with orders from the Home -authorities to take the chief command; for these authorities were -for ever changing their minds. You observe that they send Wellesley -to the Peninsula, a general with a great and recent reputation, -and replace him within a few days by a second general, who, however -skilled, had certainly not the experience of the brilliant officer -first selected. At this time the British force was encamped at -Vimeiro, and a fierce engagement followed, forced upon our troops -by the French, and arising at that point where Wellesley's own -particular command was located. He beat the French handsomely, after -a fierce engagement in which both sides fought most gallantly, -and having done so, and received the congratulations of Sir Harry -Burrard, Wellesley promptly found himself the third in command -instead of the second; for Sir Hugh Dalrymple now arrived to take -command of the invading force, thus displaying a further change of -policy on the part of the vacillating Ministry then in charge of our -affairs. - -"And now we must switch off from the forces engaged in and about -Oporto," said Mr. Riley, hitching himself a little higher in his -corner and crossing his legs for greater comfort. "We come to the -doings of Sir John Moore, a commander who won the esteem of Napoleon -himself, and whose memory will be ever honoured amongst the French. -And just let me digress for a moment. It is perhaps a most suitable -opportunity, too, for bringing the matter forward, seeing that we -are here prisoners in a sense of the French, and yet, if I make no -mistake, in command of them." - -He smiled quizzingly at Tom, and laughed aloud when the latter -coloured. - -"I--I couldn't well help it, sir," stuttered our hero, as if ashamed -of his action. "You see, there we were in a hole, and----" - -Mr. Riley's laughter cut short the speech. - -"I was only poking fun, lad," he smiled. "We all bless you for your -gallant intervention. But let me mention this matter. It is an -opportune moment, I say. I was speaking of Sir John Moore, and the -honour the French had for him. Look at the position throughout. Lads, -we are fighting gentlemen, that is the consensus of opinion amongst -officers and in the ranks. The French have fought us right gallantly. -They at least are open enemies, but the Spaniards, for whose help -we are here, disgust us. There are times, I hear, when our troops -wish matters were different, and the Spaniards the real enemies, and -sometimes the Portuguese also, for they pretend friendship, while -everywhere there are traitors, everywhere men in authority amongst -them--nobles and others who form the Juntas or Parliaments which -govern the countries now--who oppose the men who have come to free -their countries in every possible way, who are mean and contemptible -in their dealings with them, whose policy changes from day to day and -who appear at times to act as if they wished the French to remain -victorious. There! I have had my growl. Napoleon is a great man, no -doubt, with dangerous ambitions, dangerous, that is to say, to the -nations surrounding France. The French officers and men, I repeat, -are gentlemen, with whom it is an honour to cross swords. Now let -me get to the subject of Sir John Moore and his unlucky army of -penetration." - -"And the retreat, which has become famous," said Jack, becoming -serious for a moment. - -"Quite so, and very rightly too; for the retreat which followed the -forward march of Sir John Moore's army was conducted in a manner that -has won the praise of all. He marched for Madrid on 18 October, with -some 30,000 infantry and 5000 cavalry, all wearing the red cockade -of Spain in their caps. And perhaps it will be well to tell you at -this point that the efforts of our troops elsewhere in the command -of Wellesley, or of the other generals whom the changing policy of -our British Ministers had sent to conduct affairs, had resulted in an -agreement with the French, whereby Portugal was evacuated by their -forces and all strong places in that country given up to our men. - -"Having mentioned that, I can now explain that Sir John Moore's army -was to carry the war into Spain, and marching in the direction of -Madrid to combine with the Spaniards and attempt to oust the invading -armies of Napoleon. On 13 November we hear of him at Salamanca; and -now we have an illustration of the weak and vacillating action of -the Spanish Junta, combined with as equally blameworthy action on -the part of Mr. Frere, our ambassador in Spain. Where the greatest -pains should have been taken to supply Sir John Moore with accurate -information concerning the movements of the enemy, the utmost -carelessness seems to have been the order of the day. As a result, -Sir John was in the dangerous dilemma of not knowing whether the -circumstances warranted his pushing on towards Madrid, or whether he -ought at once to begin a retreat towards the coast or into Portugal. -It was not, in fact, till an evening in December, when already the -winter was upon him, that he had certain information that Napoleon -himself was massing all his troops, and that in cavalry alone he -outnumbered the British by 12,000. Such information set our troops -retreating rapidly by way of the Galician mountains, and hot in -pursuit marched 255,000 men, with 50,000 horses, while a force of -32,000 kept in rear and held the lines of communication. - -"To describe the many incidents of that memorable march would require -a length of time, and since we ought already to be asleep, preparing -ourselves for trouble to-morrow, I will merely sketch the events -which followed. For 250 miles our troops were harassed by the enemy's -cavalry, and daily there were severe skirmishes between our rearguard -and the French. Recollect that it was winter, and that the line of -retreat passed amongst the mountains, where our columns trudged -through valleys and over passes covered deep in snow. It is not -difficult to realize the terrible work this entailed, how the cold -and exposure and constant need for exertion told on men and beasts. -One can readily perceive that baggage animals broke down under the -strain, and that presently the army found itself compelled to carry -its own provisions. Add to the difficulties of the cold and snow -and the mountainous route the fact that a horde of non-combatants -accompanied the army, servants, grooms, wives and children of the -soldiers, and one sees the possibilities of added difficulty and -misery. Soon men and women began to fall by the way, as had the -horses and mules. They lagged behind, wearied and utterly careless in -their misery of the consequences. Frozen and starved they lay down -by the way, and soon the snow hid them. And always a cloud of French -horsemen followed, seeking every opportunity to charge, and dashing -in amongst the stragglers and helpless. No wonder that the army -dwindled. No wonder that its numbers fell away till but a portion -remained. But still the retreat proceeded, and ever the gallant -rearguard held the French at bay. - -"On the last day of 1808 Moore quitted Astorga in Léon. On the very -next, the first day of 1809, Napoleon entered the same place with -80,000 men, his advance guard of relentless cavalry being still in -touch with our men. There the great Bonaparte remained, leaving the -final work to the Duke of Dalmatia, and conceiving it certain that -the whole British army would be exterminated. Well they might have -been too, for here we have an example of what I have mentioned. -Along the line of retreat, when the Spanish authorities could have, -and should have, made full preparations to supply our troops and -followers with rations and all that they required, they did nothing -to help. Even food was not forthcoming, so that our desperate and -hungry men were forced to pillage the inhabitants. - -"It is a sad tale, lads," said Mr. Riley after a pause, "but a -gallant tale also, for Sir John and his fine fellows at length -reached Corunna, with but 14,000 all told, but with their cannon, -their colours, and their trophies intact. In fact they came to the -coast covered with honour and renown, but starved and frost-bitten, -and minus many and many a comrade. And there more fighting was -necessary, for our fleet was not in sight. The battle of Corunna -which followed ended in victory for us, but cost the lives of many -gallant fellows, and of that of Sir John Moore amongst them. Then -our troops embarked, the fleet having arrived meanwhile, and as -they sailed away, there, above the citadel where Sir John and many -a gallant comrade was buried, flew the flag of France, not at the -summit of the post, but half-masted, in respect for one who had -proved an able and a courageous leader. That, my lads, was another -proof of the feelings of the enemy for us. If fight we must, -Frenchmen at least have that generosity of feeling which allows them -to pay honour to a brave enemy." - -The naval lieutenant sat back once more in his corner, his eyes fixed -upon the flaming torch. Tom looked over at the sentry, standing alert -and without a movement just behind the carcass of the horse. And -straightway he wondered whether he would live to take part in such a -retreat as that of Sir John Moore, and whether, should he be involved -in such an affair, he would conduct himself as became a British -officer. Then Mr. Riley's voice once more broke the silence. - -"We have heard of the opening events of this Peninsula War," he -said. "Napoleon's invasion of Spain, and his placing of his brother -Joseph on the throne without the wish or consent of the people, had -resulted in some passages of arms between the French and English -which must have opened the eyes of Bonaparte. But it did not deter -him. Following the embarkation of Sir John Moore's army, he ordered -the invasion of Portugal again, and in a little while Soult, a famous -French marshal, held that country right down to the River Douro. - -"Once more I will sketch the events which followed. Wellesley, again -in chief command, marched against the enemy, forced the passage of -the Douro, in itself a most brilliant undertaking, and drove the -French back into Spain. Following Marshal Soult, Wellesley crossed -the frontier in June, 1809, with but 20,000 British troops, though he -had some 57,000 Spanish and Portuguese soldiers to aid him, the great -majority being merely irregulars. These latter were under various -commanders, of whom I can call to memory at the moment Cuesta, the -Spanish commander-in-chief, a useless person; Romana, Blake, and -Beresford. - -"At this moment the French were disposed as follows: Victor, with -some 20,000 men, was on the Tagus. Sebastiani was in La Mancha with -a force not quite so strong. Thousands were collected about Madrid, -in Galicia, Léon, and Old Castille also, while there was a division -of cavalry and 40,000 infantry stationed in Aragon and Catalonia. -Their very numbers give you an idea of the almost impossible task -imposed upon our forces. Wellesley, in fact, having entered Spain and -approached Talavera, found himself opposed to Marshal Victor, who had -King Joseph in rear, with Marshal Sebastiani's corps to aid him. - -"We now arrive at the first battle of importance in the Peninsula -campaign. Talavera is a name which will be borne upon the colours -of many a regiment with lasting honour, for the fight was a fierce -and desperate one, and our victory was won only after great losses. -The battle itself was preceded by two engagements at least of some -importance, in one of which 10,000 Spanish troops distinguished -themselves by fleeing before they had come to grips with the enemy. - -"Following Talavera, the smallness of our numbers and the utter -failure of the Spanish Junta to help with supplies and material -caused Sir Arthur Wellesley to retire over the Tagus into Portugal -once more, where he went into winter quarters. But the movement had -the consequences one would have anticipated. The French determined -upon another invasion of Portugal, when they hoped to drive the -British from the country, and in 1810 they came in three columns, -under the supreme command of Marshal Massena, with Junot, Ney, and -Regnier as column commanders. Lord Wellington--for he had now been -granted that title as a reward for his conspicuous services--retired -in good order to the heights of Busaco, where a terrific conflict -followed, the British troops successfully resisting the onslaught -of the French columns. Then, finding his flank turned, Wellington -retired to the lines of Torres Vedras, lines which he had been -secretly fortifying, where he might, should the French come down -upon him in overwhelming numbers, mass his men and still hold on to -a portion of Portugal. There, in fact, he remained defying the enemy -and covering Lisbon effectually. - -"Thus ended the year 1810, an eventful year in the history of this -Peninsula War, for it saw at its termination a thin line of British -red opposed to masses of French troops who now held, not Spain alone, -but even Portugal, right down to the heights of Torres Vedras, -behind which Wellington and his men remained defiant, clinging to -that promontory on which is situated Lisbon. In fact they were -clinging tenaciously to the country, their fortunes seemingly rather -worse than they had been, though a huge advantage had been gained, -inasmuch as Napoleon and his hosts had learned that a few British -troops skilfully handled were easily a match for them. Nor was it -likely that we would give up the conflict. The year 1811, the year in -which we now are, began brilliantly. You may say that you are in the -midst of renewed exertions on the part of that brilliant general who -leads us; while before us there is an immense work to be done. Lads, -we have to regain Portugal before we think of ousting the French -from Spain, which will be a gigantic undertaking, with fighting in -abundance." - -Jack and Tom pricked up their ears at the news. Indeed we may say -that the former had till now been filled with that vague fear which -comes to the heart of many and many a soldier who is sent to join his -regiment at war. He wonders whether his own arrival will coincide -with the defeat of the enemy, whether he will arrive too late to take -part in the stirring events to which he had looked forward. - -"Then there'll be a chance," blurted out Jack, sitting up, and giving -a sharp cry of pain, for in his eagerness he had forgotten his wound. - -"For you to teach Tom, and help him to become a general! Yes," -laughed the naval officer, "heaps!" - -"And you think, sir, that I shall be able to get a commission?" asked -our hero, with some amount of misgiving. - -"I believe that if you manage to bring us out of this hole, and -still evade a French prison, you will be offered one promptly," -came the gratifying reply. "But let me complete my task. We enter -upon this year of grace 1811. Let us look towards Badajoz, on the -River Guadiana, south of the Tagus. Soult advanced in this direction -to open up communications with Massena, who was massed with his -regiments on the Tagus. Wellington also advanced, and, leaving the -strong, fortified lines of Torres Vedras, crossed the Guadiana, -leaving Beresford with some 7000 British troops, and a large number -of Portuguese, to invest Badajoz. Crossing the Tagus, Wellington now -marched north towards Ciudad Rodrigo, whence Massena had taken his -troops, and established himself between the Rivers Agueda and Coa, -and within striking distance of Almeida, where was a force of the -enemy. Massena advanced against him, and our troops at once took -position on the heights of Fuentes d'Onoro, where a terrific battle -was fought, resulting in a victory for us. The French abandoned -Almeida, while Massena was recalled. - -"Now we turn south again to Badajoz, for the French had retired -to Salamanca, that is, the troops lately engaged with Wellington. -Soult had been reinforced, and was well on his way to relieve the -place invested by Beresford, and, as a consequence, the latter -was forced to raise the siege, and though he could have retired -he preferred to choose a ground for fighting and give battle. He -took post at Albuera, knowing that Wellington was hastening to his -help, his troops consisting of those 7000 British, and of Spaniards -and Portuguese, the former commanded by Blake, whose arrogance and -jealousy hindered the commander not a little. It disgusts one to -have to record that many of these allies proved worse than useless -when in face of the enemy, and that but for the sturdy backbone of -British the battle would have been lost. It was, I am told, a most -confused affair, made glorious by the tenacity and bull-dog courage -of our men in face of terrible odds, and with the knowledge that -those who should have aided them, and been in the forefront, were -often skulking in the rear. The losses on both sides were huge, but -the battle ended in Soult retiring, while Beresford gathered together -his almost shattered forces as best he could, Blake, who should have -helped, even refusing him bearers for his wounded. Thereafter the -siege of Badajoz was once more entered upon, while one must mention -a brilliant little land cutting-out expedition, where, at Arroyo de -Molinos, General Roland Hill broke up a force of the enemy under -Girard, capturing men, guns, and baggage. - -"Barossa, too, is worthy of more than passing mention, for the battle -was hardly fought by our men. You must understand that troops had -been dispatched to Cadiz, where the Spaniards grudgingly gave them -entry, and these sailed later on for Algeciras, where they effected -a landing. Then, with some 12,000 Spaniards, under La Pena, 4000 -of our men marched against Marshal Victor's forces. Here again we -have the same tale of Spanish treachery, jealousy, and cowardice. -That movement ended in the British troops being left almost entirely -alone to withstand the onslaught of the French legions. Yet, in -spite of that, Barossa, where our troops were, saw Victor's ranks -shattered, and added one more to the many victories gained by our -gallant fellows in the Peninsula. - -"And now I come to the end of my tale. Owing to the junction of the -enemy under Soult, and those divisions in the north, Wellington -abandoned the siege of Badajoz, and advanced to the Tagus. Thence he -crossed in the direction of Ciudad Rodrigo, and once more took up a -position between the Coa and the Agueda, discovering the countryside -utterly swept by the French. The latest dispatches from the Peninsula -have told of burned villages, of ruined homesteads, of starving and -infuriated peasants. Detached parties of horse have ridden through -the country, sweeping it clean as the French retired, and no doubt -these fine fellows with whom we occupy this church have formed one -of those parties. Bear in mind that they have merely obeyed orders. -Because their countrymen have dealt severely with the Portuguese they -may not have done so; and, in any case, recollect that war is a cruel -game, and brings greater misery, perhaps, on non-combatants than upon -those whose profession it is to fight. There! Out with the torch. -Let's go to sleep. Who knows? to-morrow will make a second Wellington -of our friend Tom, or will see us--er----" - -Jack put on a nervous grin. Tom's handsome face assumed a stern -expression. He felt that it was not the time for joking, and, what -was more, he felt that failure here would be a disgrace after the -many brilliant battles of which Mr. Riley had been telling. - -"We'll pull out in the end, sir," he said with assurance. "What we've -done already shall be done again. To-morrow--or is it to-day, for it -is past midnight?--shall see these Portuguese fellows scuttling." - -The day, when it came, might bring about such a happy result. But -then it might not. On the face of it, matters were desperate, for -here were a mere handful opposed to crowds--crowds, too, incensed and -filled with a dull and defiant hatred, which made success on their -part a certain death warrant for the defenders of the village church. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -Tom changes Quarters - - -Heavy drops of thunder rain, pattering upon the roof above and upon -the stone flags that surrounded the front of the church, awakened -Tom Clifford at early dawn on the morning after he had led the -French troopers to their defensive post. Not that the rumbling -thunder outside nor the patter of the raindrops awakened him to a -sense of his position. For our hero had been sunk in a deep sleep, -which nothing had disturbed up till this moment. Now, however, the -disturbance gave rise in his half-slumbering brain to a train of -thought which was half-delicious, half the reverse. For Tom was back -again in his home, beneath the shadow of that grand mulberry tree, -with Father Thames flowing past the forecourt silently, swiftly, -incessantly, as if ever engaged upon a purpose. Yes, he was beneath -the hospitable and safe roof of Septimus John Clifford & Son, Wine -Merchants, with Marguerite as his chum and close attendant, with -the ever-faithful Huggins, his father's senior clerk, to smile -indulgently upon him, and Septimus John Clifford himself to praise -his efforts to acquire Portuguese and Spanish and French. - -"Heigho!" he yawned loudly, stretching his arms wide apart. "Beastly -stuff this Portuguese and French and Spanish," he babbled, still -half-asleep. "Let's go out on the river, Marguerite." - -Then a shadow crossed the horizon of this pleasant half-waking dream. -A youth slipped into the arena at the far corner, a youth of olive -complexion, whose thin limbs writhed and twisted incongruously, -whose fingers twitched and plucked at moving lips, and whose very -appearance bespoke indecision, a wavering courage, meanness, and all -that that implies. It was José, Tom's cousin, and his image drew a -growl from our hero. - -"Always interfering and getting in the way," he grunted peevishly. "I -have to watch him like a cat for fear he will illtreat his sister. -Was there ever such a fellow?" - -The train of pleasant thought was switched off at once, and Tom -dreamed the scenes through which he had passed. His seizure by those -rascals, his impressment, and what had followed. Then a second figure -thrust itself into the arena, and swept across his sluggish brain. -It was that of a short man, of middle age, prone to stoutness; clean -shaven, with features which attracted because of the obvious power -they displayed, features set off by a pair of wonderfully steady -and penetrating eyes that spoke of firmness of purpose, of ambition -soaring to the heights, and--yes--of a relentless spirit which strove -at the attainment of any and every object at whatever cost. It was -Napoleon, Napoleon Bonaparte, the one-time Corporal, the Little -Corsican, he who had attained to the throne of France, and now, -spurred on by a restless ambition, sought to see himself emperor of -all countries, ruler of Spain through his brother, now known as King -Joseph, King of Portugal, and even the Lord of England. A crashing -detonation brought Tom to his feet with a start, wide-eyed, and very -much awake. - -"What's that?" he demanded, scarcely able to believe even now that he -had been dreaming. Still, the presence of the trooper standing sentry -at the door, and his obvious freedom from anxiety, reassured him. Ah, -there was another detonation, and then a long-drawn-out rumble! - -"A summer storm, monsieur," said the trooper. "It will be a fine day -yet, and the storm will clear the air. It gets light rapidly, and in -a little while we shall be able to see the pigs who have attacked us." - -But Tom was thinking of something else beside the Portuguese peasants -who sought to kill the little band of troopers, together with himself -and his English companions. His thoughts suddenly turned to the -urgent need of supplies. Water was wanted; it was running to waste -outside. - -"Andrews!" he shouted, and at the order the stalwart rifleman -stumbled forward, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Howeley being -close behind him. In the dim light of the coming day they drew -themselves erect as if by force of habit, and saluted, Howeley -taking time by his comrade. - -"Sir!" they answered in one voice. - -"We want water. Hunt round to find some roof gutter and a tub, if -there is such a thing. Get us a store somehow; it means life or death -to us. I'll see to other matters." - -He saw the two set off at once, and then clambered up the steep -flight of stone steps that led to the ledge above the broken door -of the church. Standing upright there, he looked out towards the -village, and found that he could already see the nearer houses. But -a mist was rising, which, together with the heavy rain that was -falling, made seeing rather difficult. Then, turning sharply to the -left, he entered the room which the trooper had reported on the -previous evening. The man lay at the entrance, with a comrade beside -him, both sunk in deep sleep. But at Tom's coming they rose swiftly. - -"It was too dark to explore last night," said one of them, "but -monsieur can see now that this is not only a church. There is a large -building attached to it, perhaps the house occupied by the pastor. -But it is empty, I think, for we have heard no sounds from it." - -"Then we will investigate," answered Tom. "Stay here, one of you, -while you," and he indicated the man who had spoken, "bring your -carbine and come with me. It is already light enough to see where we -are going." - -Crossing the floor of the room, Tom found it lumbered with masses of -stone and with builders' tools. It was clear, in fact, that some sort -of work was in progress. There was an arched doorway at the far end -that gave admission to a hall, or meeting place, from which steps led -to rooms above, all scantily furnished. - -"The pastor's house without a doubt," said Tom. "Next thing is to see -what's underneath. A larder crammed with food would be more to my -liking than any amount of furniture. Here's the stairway. It's dark; -mind how we go." - -Very carefully and silently they descended the stairs, and soon found -themselves in a flagged passage. Doors opened upon it, and, pushing -them wide in turn, Tom discovered living-rooms fully furnished, -though the articles within were covered with sheets. - -"A regular spring cleaning," he said to the trooper, with a grin that -set the Gallic warrior smiling widely. "It's clear that the pastor -has gone away while workmen have possession of the house. But--my -uncle!--that's a larder, and here's the kitchen." - -No one but those who have experienced it know the delight a soldier -on service finds in the discovery of dainties. Rations are apt to -pall after a while, and men long for the trifles which are commonly -to be found upon the tables of those who lead a more peaceful -existence. And here was a find. The careful housewife of the pastor, -his housekeeper, or whoever saw to his material wants, had set by a -store at the sight of which Tom's mouth watered. - -"My uncle!" he exclaimed again, running his eye along a row of -preserves neatly bottled, and surveying a dozen hams hanging to hooks -in a ceiling beam. "But--" and at the word his jovial face fell -and lengthened till it was like a fiddle. "But they ain't ours to -take--eh?" - -The trooper grinned widely. He was an old soldier, and though he may -have had his scruples, a limited diet for the past few weeks, and a -gnawing at his stomach now, swept all scruples aside. - -"Monsieur then prefers to starve with plenty beneath his nose?" he -asked politely, drawing himself up and shouldering his carbine, so -that the muzzle struck the low ceiling violently. "_Parbleu!_ There -is reason why we should eat these good things, monsieur. But for the -pigs who hem us in, and for their hatred of us, we could step outside -and buy what is required. That is so, monsieur?" - -"Exactly," came the crisp answer, while Tom still surveyed the good -things hungrily. - -"But we cannot set out for the market. These pigs send bullets at us -instead of food. That being so, _vraiment, monsieur_, surely here -comes in a law of nature. To live one must eat. Here, then, is the -wherewithal to obey that law." - -The rascal grounded his weapon with a resonant bang, and put his nose -within an inch of one of the hams. - -"Ready cooked--meant to be eaten," he gasped. "Monsieur will----" - -Tom's courage and scruples broke down under such subtle temptation. -Besides, here it was a case of necessity. He took the ham from its -hook, caught up a bag of dried biscuit, and then gave an inquisitive -kick to a huge barrel, getting back a dull, telling sound. - -"Full to the bung, _monsieur_--the wine of the country. Something -with which to slake our thirst, and so enable us to defeat the enemy." - -"Send for two of the troopers at once," said Tom. "Let them remove -the contents of the larder to the room above. But, wait. Let us -complete our investigations." - -When they had at length been over the whole of the premises they had -come to the conclusion that the house had at one time been a clergy -house, and had harboured many people; for at the far end of the -passage they found a door admitting to still more rooms, and then -to an enormous yard, about which was a high wall. A pair of huge -doors led from this beneath an archway, supporting a portion of what -proved to be stables, in which were a couple of nags, while the eager -trooper discovered stores of hay and corn in a loft adjoining. - -"And a water trough and pump in the yard," cried Tom, delighted at -such a find. "There you are, water in plenty," he added, working the -pump and sending a gushing torrent pouring from the ancient spout. - -The discovery they had made was, indeed, of the greatest moment; -but it brought this in its train: it compelled the leader of the -defenders to make up his mind whether to vacate quarters which had, -so far, proved an excellent refuge, or whether to hold to them, -trusting to procure provisions and water from the clergy house so -closely adjacent. It was characteristic of Tom, perhaps, that before -the trooper had time to ask the question, he had come to a decision. - -"Listen," he said peremptorily. "The windows of this place all face -into the yard. You saw no others?" - -"None: it is as monsieur describes." - -"And the wall outside the place, surrounding the yard, is so high -that a man must use a ladder to ascend and descend." - -"_Vraiment, monsieur_; otherwise he would be crushed as if he were an -egg." - -"Then we change quarters. Leave the ham and come along. Wait, -though--get the key of the doors leading into the yard. See if you -can open them." - -The trooper dashed away, and in a trice came back, widely grinning. - -"They were in the lock, monsieur," he reported. "All, in fact, was -in readiness for us. It is clear that the Portuguese expected our -coming, and prepared us a welcome!" - -"Stand by the doors: open when you hear our men coming." - -Tom went off at his fastest pace, and was soon scrambling down on -to the floor of the church. A glance outside told him that rain was -still falling, while an occasional clap of thunder warned him that -the storm was still at hand. But there were figures over by the -village; half a dozen men stood in a bunch, and the light was now so -strong that one could see that they were armed. - -"Fall in," shouted Tom; and at once the men came tumbling forward, -and lined up in front of him. Very rapidly, then, Tom told off half -their number to fetch the horses. The others he again divided, -posting three men above the doorway, four behind the carcass of the -horse, while the rest were told off to carry Mr. Riley and Jack. Very -rapidly he explained in French what he was about to do. - -"When we have the horses ready," he said, "pull this carcass aside, -and then let those in charge lead the beasts down the steps and -direct to the left. Turn sharp to the left again at the end of -a wall and you will come to a doorway; lead them in there. Now, -hasten. Those fellows beyond there are merely waiting for the rain to -cease. We shall be in clover, and eating a substantial breakfast, my -lads--yes, for I have discovered a store of provisions--before the -enemy guess what is happening." - -Soldiers are not the class of individuals to be upset by surprise. A -constantly changing life such as a campaign brings accustoms them to -quick and unexpected changes. Moreover, here they had confidence in -the young Englishman who had so suddenly taken command of the party. -There was, therefore, not so much as a question. In less than five -minutes all were ready, while Mr. Riley was by then halfway up the -steep flight of steps leading to the house. Andrews stood beside the -carcass of the horse, the perspiration streaming from him; for he had -raced round the church and inspected every corner. - -"Ready, sir?" he asked. - -Tom nodded. - -"Then heave," called Andrews, tugging at one of the legs of the dead -animal. The troopers threw themselves upon the carcass at once, and -in a trice it had been dragged aside. - -"Now out with them 'ere horses," commanded Andrews hoarsely. "Beg -pardon, sir, but I don't know what you're up to. This is certain -though: there's not a drop of water in the church." - -"There's heaps where we're going," answered Tom laconically. "Heaps." - -"And grub, beggin' pardon again, sir?" - -"Could you eat ham, well-cooked ham, Andrews?" asked Tom, without a -smile. - -"Ham! Bust me----!" began the rifleman. - -"And preserves. Perhaps the wine of Portugal wouldn't be good enough -for you, though. There's at least one barrel of it where we're going." - -Andrews' eyes shone with expectation. He moistened his lips with the -tip of his tongue. "Food and drink, sir," he gasped, as if the news -were too good. "Plenty of it, too. Why--bust me!----" - -He could get no further than that expression; it conveyed his whole -meaning. But the eyes which looked Tom Clifford up and down an -instant later had, if possible, just a little more respect in them. - -"If he don't walk right off with the palm," spluttered the rifleman. -"Here's he, a civilian--yes, a civilian--and he jest takes this -little lot by the hand as you might say, and shepherds them. When -there's trouble with the peasants, he sets about and gives 'em proper -snuff. And when things is getting queer, and grub's scare, and water -run clean out, why here he makes a man dance with news of hams--yes, -hams he did say--and wine--why, it's Wellington hisself couldn't have -done better!" - -Two by two the horses went clattering down the steps of the church -and out into the open. Shouts came from the direction of the village, -while other figures joined those bunched together in the rain. -Splashes of flame and loud reports showed that shots were being -fired; but still the procession of horses came from the church. When -all were out, there were, perhaps, fifty of the enemy watching and -firing, while others came rushing from the houses. It appeared, too, -as if they expected the troopers to mount at once and gallop away; -for horns sounded in the distance, while men went dashing in all -directions, as if to warn outlying parties to close in and surround -the troopers. Perched now on the ledge over the doorway, Tom watched -as the horses were led along beside the wall, and saw them swing -round the corner. He waited three minutes, when a trooper came -dashing to him through the room which was littered with masons' tools -and implements. - -"Monsieur, all the horses are in the yard; the doors are shut." - -"Then let two of you take charge of the forage, not forgetting that -it must last a week at least. Feed the horses and water them." - -"Mr. Riley's safe in bed in one o' the rooms yonder, as snug as ef -he was aboard his own ship, sir," reported Howeley, arriving on the -scene now, and grinning his delight. "Mr. Barwood's ditto, a cussin', -sir, 'cos he says as he's fit fer duty." - -"Feed them," answered Tom. "You'll find the larder below; take -charge of it, Howeley. I make you responsible for all it contains; -but carry something to the two officers promptly. Now, Andrews," he -said, as that worthy came towards him, "let's clear the church of all -our traps. There are saddle bags and other things to bring with us; -there's the ammunition also." - -"Cleared, sir," reported the rifleman, delight showing in every -feature. "I thought as you'd enough and too much to see to, and so I -give them Frenchies orders. They're quick to hop, are them froggies. -It's friends, not enemies, we ought to be. But the church is clear, -sir; there's a dead horse left, and a few of the peasants as was too -inquisitive." - -"Then we'll get to breakfast," said Tom heartily. "You've recalled -the man from the tower?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then post one of the troopers on this ledge, and come along. -Something to eat will put us all in a good temper and fit us for -the trouble that's brewing. Those peasants don't seem yet to have -gathered what we are up to. But, in a little while, when they have -guessed at our move, they'll be swarming this way. Here we are. -Across this hall and down the stairs. Ah, there's Howeley--well?" - -"Taking food to the orficers, sir," grinned the latter, appearing in -the doorway of the larder with some fine slices of ham and a jug of -wine, while a second plate was loaded with biscuit. "There's a store -here, sir, as would make the whiskers of a commissariat serjeant -curl, sir--so it would! There's ham, biscuit, jam, cheese, flour, and -what not. This here ruction's put us into clover." - -It took perhaps half an hour for Tom's party to settle down in their -new quarters; because, first of all, there were the wounded officers -and the horses to attend to. For the former Howeley had already done -service, so that when Tom, relieved of all immediate anxiety, went -upstairs to them, he found his two comrades stretched on a pair -of comfortable beds, the naval lieutenant brimming over with good -humour, and Jack just swallowing his anger at the sight of the food -which the rifleman had brought. - -"Of all the wretched bits of luck I ever struck this is the worst," -he declared, managing, however, to bury his teeth in a fine, thick -slice of ham. "Here am I, crocked up because of a bullet fired -by some peasant fool from a blunderbus, and you, Tom, having all -the fun. It's wretched luck; everything's wrong. Why, there's not -even----" - -What his next grumble would have been it is difficult to imagine, but -Mr. Riley cut him short with loud laughter. - -"Everything's wrong, Tom, my lad," he laughed heartily, holding up a -slice of ham as big as that held by Jack. "Here we are, stretched on -wretchedly comfortable beds, when we ought to be lying on stone flags -which are really helpful when a man wishes to sleep. And we've grub -too--grub, when we ought to be without rations. But the most serious -part of the whole affair is that while we've really quite decent -ham to eat, fair wine to drink, and hard biscuit to chew, we've no -mustard to go with the ham. I protest, sir! It's a real hardship." - -That set them all laughing, till the gallant lieutenant choked and -became crimson, and put his hand to his side with a cry of pain. -Jack sat up, his eyes shining, his teeth occupied with another bite. -Howeley, ever mindful of discipline, stood rigidly at attention, his -jaws moving from side to side as he strove to prevent himself from -joining in the merriment. - -"Well, I'm hanged!" was all that Jack could at length deliver himself -of. "This is clover! Have some, Tom?" - -They made a merry meal there, our hero seated on the edge of Jack's -bed; and much they enjoyed the fare which good fortune had provided. -Howeley, meanwhile, with Andrews and the rest of the men were -discussing an equally satisfying meal, the first-named having, at -Tom's wish, taken over the supply department. Horses had by then been -watered, and were now tied to rings ranged along the wall of the -yard, munching contentedly at heaps of hay placed at their heads for -them. - -"_Sapristi!_ But I never saw the like before," ventured one grizzled -trooper, taking to his pipe when he had finished his own meal, and -levelling his remarks at Andrews. "Never before!" - -"Right!" ejaculated Andrews. "_Très bien!_" for he had picked up an -odd word or two of the language. "Proper sort, ain't he?" - -"_Mais_, he is remarkable," went on the man in his own language, -since he knew no other. "See us yesterday. We are surrounded. We -are hemmed in by a thousand wild beasts; our captain is killed; our -serjeants are biting the dust. We ourselves are like lost sheep. -And he, this youth, he leads us to the church, where there is -nothing--nothing, mark you, comrade, but stone walls and floors. -Now look at us! We live in luxury. The horses are content. This -youth laughs with his comrades as if a Portuguese cut-throat did not -exist, and as if the British army was within hearing. He is a second -Bonaparte." - -It was praise of our hero, coming from the lips of a Frenchman, and -Andrews endorsed the remarks with vehemence. Not that he understood -what was said. He gathered merely that compliments were flying with -regard to our hero, and stanchly supported him. - -"He's a toff, he is," he answered, stretching himself at his ease, -and drawing at his pipe. "A chip of the old block. He's jest British -to the backbone, from the soles of his feet right up to the crown of -his head. I'll punch the face of any as dares to say that I'm a liar." - -The threat was accompanied by a gleam of the eye that had warned -enemies of the riflemen before then; and the Frenchman, with the -quickness and perception of his race, must have followed closely, for -he jerked himself nearer the rifleman in his enthusiasm, gripped him -by both hands, and would have embraced him, had not Andrews, with -true British dislike of a scene of such a description, put him firmly -aside. - -"None o' yer monkey tricks fer me," he called out. "But I'm with you -all the while. Here's my hand on it." - -At that moment a loud report aroused the garrison. Tom appeared at -the entrance to the courtyard, and at once, as if by agreement, the -troopers formed line, and drew themselves up as if for an inspection. -Tom emerged into the courtyard at once--for the rain had ceased now -for some while--and slowly inspected his men. - -"We've had a good breakfast," he said, with a smile which went far -to put heart into the troopers. "Now we've to work for the next -meal. The peasants are approaching. We must get to our stations; and -remember, please, fire as seldom as possible. This siege may last a -week yet, so ammunition is most important. An hour ago water and food -were most in request; you have both now. Then look carefully after -the only other commodity that matters." - -They broke their ranks at once, and went to their stations, for -each had been allotted one. Two men stood guard on the ledge above -the doorway of the church, crouching so that those below could not -see them. The room behind contained half a dozen more figures, with -Andrews to command them. Elsewhere, in the room over the doorway -leading into the courtyard were Howeley and three men, while the -remainder watched from the upper windows which faced the yard, ready -at a call to go in either direction. - -As for the enemy, they appeared in swarms, tramping from the -village, armed with every sort of weapon. Crouching on the ledge -above the church door Tom watched their approach with some amount of -curiosity, wondering what they would do, and whether they suspected -the change which had taken place so early in the morning. Then he -noticed a dozen men detach themselves from the mob, and move out -before them. They halted when some fifty paces from their friends and -laid down their weapons. Then they advanced again till within easy -speaking distance of the church door. Tom at once rose to his full -height, the sight of his figure drawing shouts from the mob in the -background. Then there was silence. - -"We come as a deputation," said one of the little band who had -advanced. "We come to speak to the Englishman." - -"I am here; what do you want?" answered our hero promptly. - -"We bear a message. The elders of the village and the leaders of the -peasants again make you an offer. You are free to leave the place -with your four English comrades. An escort will be allowed, and -you will be taken to the nearest camp. You may carry arms and your -personal possessions. Refuse, and you shall be slaughtered with the -hated Frenchmen whom we are sworn to kill." - -"Then take my answer," called Tom loudly. "Two of my comrades are -hurt, and cannot move, so that we could not accept your terms. Even -so, we would refuse. Now take warning from me again. We have shown -you that we can fight, and we are all the more ready for trouble now -that day has come and we have slept. Go to the nearest camp and send -troops to us. The Frenchmen shall then become prisoners. Those are -the only terms we will agree to." - -"Then you will not take freedom and safety for yourself?" asked the -spokesman. - -"I will not," came the short answer. - -"Then you shall live but a little while to regret such action. -To-night we will hoist the heads of every one of you to the tower of -the church. You are a bigger fool than I thought you." - -He turned about with his fellows and retreated. They picked up their -arms and joined their comrades, when a loud discussion followed. Then -once more the forward move was continued, Tom and his men watching as -a mob five hundred strong bore down upon the building. - -"I see ladders amongst them," said Andrews of a sudden, peering over -our hero's shoulder. "That looks as if they would attempt to climb -the wall of the yard. Then they guess where we've got to." - -The next few minutes showed that the enemy were fully alive to the -situation. They steered away from the door of the church, a few on -the flank alone advancing toward it. The remainder surrounded the -yard and the house, and, a shot having been fired by one as a signal, -all rushed in to the attack, the ladder bearers winning their way to -the wall without difficulty, while a chosen band made an onslaught -upon the doors which gave entrance. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -Hard Pressed - - -"Stand back so that they cannot see you," commanded Tom, as the -peasants rushed madly at the entrance of the church that the troopers -had defended so gallantly on the previous evening, and above which -they were now stationed. "There is no need for us to risk their -bullets yet. Let them climb, and then we will use our spears again -and teach them that, if anything, we are in a stronger position." - -The advice came in time to save many a wound without shadow of doubt; -for while two or three hundred of the maddened Portuguese had swarmed -along the walls of the house, and turning the corner abruptly had -then made a fierce onslaught on the gate leading into the yard, -or were endeavouring to clamber to the top of the wall, an almost -equal number had selected the church door for their own particular -effort. They came on at the double, brandishing an assortment of -strange weapons, weapons which, though they were not similar to those -carried by the troops, and had seen many and many a summer, and, in -fact, were wont to be used more often in the peaceful employment of -agriculture, were still capable of giving terrible wounds, wielded -as they were by men who seemed actually to be maddened by the sight -of the defenders. The affair in which Tom and his friends found -themselves so strangely and unexpectedly mixed was, indeed, one of -those sad exhibitions of savagery to be met with, alas! in time of -war, when such war is accompanied by atrocities. Knowing something -of the history of this Peninsula campaign, and guessing at the rest, -Tom could realize that the Portuguese peasant had suffered severely -at the hands of vindictive troops who had been given a more or less -free hand. The French bore an unenviable reputation for rapine, -and history tells clearly that while the Spaniards had no very -great cause of complaint, the Portuguese were often enough horribly -treated. And at this time, when the French were slowly being forced -in front of our armies towards the Portuguese frontier, driven in -spite of their numbers out of a country they had sworn to hold, the -atrocities committed were many. They did not stop at burning villages -and ruining crops. Defenceless people were killed and horribly -illtreated. Even the women and children were subjected to violence. -And here was a direct result. One could hardly blame the peasants. -Reprisals, terrible reprisals when the opportunity came, were but a -natural sequence to violence. - -"I have known these brutes waylay the rearguard of two battalions -marching north, and capture everyone," said a trooper who was close -to Tom, craning his head so as to see the mob from over the edge -of the parapet. "Yes, monsieur, I have known them to capture a -hundred men, and when the news reached us, and we, a full regiment -of cavalry, galloped to the spot, we found every one of our brothers -murdered, done to death by torture. _Vraiment!_ It made our blood -boil. It makes us fight now till there is not a breath left in us." - -Tom sighed. It was not often that he indulged in such a melancholy -act; but the thing saddened him. In the midst of an attack it is -true that he could forget the reasons for it, could almost forget -the nationality of the enemy, but in his more serene moments he -could not help but see the fact that these were but peasants, and -that their rage and hatred were natural. Nevertheless, to allow them -to chop himself and his little command to pieces because the French -had earned reprisals was a very different matter. Self-preservation -is one of the first laws ingrafted in us, and in Tom it was acutely -displayed. - -"Keep lower, my friend," he warned the trooper. "Ah! They have -rushed into the church, perhaps hoping that we have left a comrade -or two there. Soon they will try the steps, and then there will be a -hubbub. Stand back, you men with the spears; and recollect, no shots, -no wasting ammunition. Beat them back with the spears or with your -sabres. Now, I will go to see how the others fare." - -He left the faithful Andrews in charge of the party, and, passing -into the clergy house, popped his head into the room occupied a -little while before by Jack and Mr. Riley. They were gone; it was -evident that they had risen. Pushing on, he came to the windows -commanding the yard, and there discovered the truants. - -"What's this?" he demanded somewhat curtly. - -"Disobeying orders," smiled Mr. Riley, while Jack looked his friend -up and down for a few seconds, as if he resented interference, and -then grinned widely. - -"Never did see such a cormorant, sir," he said, addressing the naval -lieutenant. "Here he is; he gets up a row with these poor peasants, -bottles us in bed, and expects us to stay there. Not if I know it!" - -Jack hopped on one leg to the far window, steadied himself there, and -then slowly lifted a carbine which he had managed to secure. - -"You go along and see to the defence generally, lad," cried Mr. -Riley, slapping our hero on the back. "Jack and I couldn't be -expected to stay in that room when such an attack was being made. -You leave us in charge of this part of the defences, and even if we -can't do much, we can at least encourage the men and see that all -goes well. It will leave you free to arrange other matters. Ah! The -beggars have managed to get to the top of the wall; they've failed -once at the gate." - -The attack on the latter had, in fact, been easily driven off; for -the little room built over it projected a couple of feet beyond the -face of the wall, and was provided with a wide door and a trap, while -a wooden crane swung outside. It was, therefore, a matter of no -great difficulty to open the trap and fire directly down upon the -attackers, while Howeley, the energetic commander of the post, had -already contrived to gather a respectable number of paving stones -from the yard below, and with these had beaten down the attackers. - -"Made 'em hop mighty quick, sir," he said. "There must have been -twenty dozen of the beggars, all as mad as hatters. But even mad -people feel blows when landed on their heads. You can see what -happened." - -Tom peeped through the trap. Down at the foot of the gate were three -peasants prone and still, while two more were slowly crawling away. -At a distance of fifty feet there was a bunch of a hundred, eyeing -the gateway with savage looks, and discussing the situation hoarsely. -Then some went away at a run, returning in less than five minutes -with a long beam. - -"Going to try a battering ram," said Tom, rather scared at the sight. - -"We'll give 'em battering," came the reassuring words from the -rifleman. - -"I've two men posted down in the yard with their carbines, and we've -knocked a couple of holes in the gates. If we can't reach the enemy -from above here, the boys below can manage. They've filled up their -barrels with pebbles scraped up from between the paving stones. The -shots will scare the peasants same as if they was birds." - -A glance at the sturdy fellow showed that he had no fears with -regard to his own particular defences, and, staying there a moment, -Tom had full reason to trust him; for the mob outside were in such -temper that delay was out of the question. Some fifty of their number -began to fire at the gateway and at the trapdoor above, while their -comrades picked up the huge beam and advanced at a run, shouting -loudly to encourage one another. Crash! went the end of the beam -against the gates, shaking them severely. Then came the clatter -of stones. Standing well above the attackers, Howeley and his two -troopers advanced in turn, elevated a paving stone, took careful aim, -and then threw it downwards. With a shout of terror the attackers -promptly retired. A minute later, however, they came forward again -at a run, and on this occasion a dozen of their number bore muskets. -Stationing themselves in such position that they could fire through -the open trap, they sent their bullets thudding into the ceiling -of the room, making it impossible for Howeley and his men to take -effective aim. Meanwhile the others ran in, and, picking up their -beam, swung it backward in preparation for another blow. - -"Jest you keep on tossing them stones over," commanded Howeley, as if -the troopers could understand every word. "Savvy, me lads? Don't show -up, but jest lift a stone same as this, standing well back, and heave -it through. It'll hit something." - -It did. A howl from below, and a chorus of shouts and cries greeted -the stone, while one of the men holding the beam fell as if struck by -a poleaxe. - -"Savvy?" asked Howeley curtly. - -"_Bien!_" came the equally curt answer. - -"Then jest you look to it." - -Howeley went off as if he were provided with wings, and a moment or -two later Tom heard him shouting to the troopers down in the yard. - -"Jest give 'em mustard," he bellowed. "You've got that, me lads? -Mustard's the stuff they're wanting. Let in at 'em." - -A loud roar followed his words instantly, and then a second. Smoke -billowed up through the trap, while a torrent of yells and cries came -from the mob. Tom glanced over the edge, to find the beam lying on -the ground and the attackers in full flight, save for those struck -down by the slugs and bullets which had been discharged at them. - -However, the fury of a mob is a thing to tremble at. The poor -wretches outside came on again, bearing a ladder, and in a trice the -latter was safely wedged in the open trap. Desperate men swarmed on -to it, and it looked as if there would soon be a contest at the top. -But Howeley's paving stones were irresistible. They swept the rungs -of the ladder clean, and in less than a minute the ladder was tossed -down and the frantic enemy was in full retreat. - -"Well done!" cried Tom, delighted at the success gained in this -quarter, but sorry, nevertheless, for the peasants. "I can leave -you here knowing that all will be well. What's that?" - -He went racing back to the windows occupied by Jack and the naval -officer, to discover that a commotion had suddenly arisen in the yard -over by the far containing wall. The tops of a dozen ladders could be -seen against the skyline, perched against the outside of the wall, -while the broad summit of the latter was thickly covered with defiant -peasants. They clustered thickly along the top, some firing their -muskets at the figures in the window. Others had managed to drag up -two ladders, and having dropped these into the yard were now swarming -down. - -"Into the yard!" shouted Tom at once, leading the way downstairs at -a run, and dashing outside where the horses were quartered. He was -joined by a dozen troopers within a few seconds, who all raced across -the yard, their sabres swinging in their hands. One of their number, -a light horseman by the look of him, outdistanced his fellows, and -gripping one of the ladders dragged it aside with all his force, -and sent it thudding into the yard with a couple of the peasants -upon it. But a dozen and more of the latter had contrived to descend -the second ladder, and at once there began a desperate hand-to-hand -contest, pikes and scythes being opposed to sabres. - -[Illustration: "GRIPPING ONE OF THE LADDERS DRAGGED IT ASIDE WITH ALL -HIS FORCE"] - -"Hold them, lads!" came in stentorian tones from Mr. Riley, in spite -of his wound. "Hold them for a little, Tom. We'll have the other boys -along in a jiffy." - -Stamping with impatience because common sense and lack of strength -told him that he himself was unfit to join in the mêlée, and, in -fact, even to clamber down the steps, the naval lieutenant put to -good purpose a stentorian voice trained in a service where lung -power is required, and where the weakling is useless. In spite of -the roar of the mob Andrews and Howeley heard him, and, rallying -in his direction, went headlong down the stairs, with a number of -their fellows with them. They arrived just in time to stem the -tide of invasion. The ladder still remaining upright, and loaded -with peasants scrambling to the help of their comrades, was thrown -down by a couple of the troopers. And then, for the space of five -minutes perhaps, there was a fierce struggle in the yard. The -troopers at a shout from Tom separated themselves and formed a ring -round the invaders, while the latter, taken aback now that they -found themselves cut off from all help by their comrades, retired -towards the wall, their scythes held well in front of them, their -eyes furtively seeking for some hole or corner which would give them -security. - -"Hold!" cried Tom loudly, anxious to save unnecessary bloodshed. "You -men keep your formation. Now," he went on sternly, addressing the -Portuguese in their own tongue, "I give you a moment in which to lay -down your arms, promising on the word of an Englishman that you shall -not be injured. Answer." - -With a sullen clang the peasants tossed their arms to the pavement, -and stood glowering at the troopers, fearful yet whether they would -be murdered. - -"Form into line, two abreast," commanded Tom again. "Howeley, just -get to your post and tell us if the enemy are near. I'm going to -eject these fellows." - -He waited till there came a hail from the rifleman. - -"All clear, sir," he shouted. "Them fellers has had a stomachful and -has cleared." - -"Then get below and make ready to open one of the gates. My lads," -he said, addressing the troopers, who regarded their prisoners with -no very friendly looks, "these men have thrown down their arms on my -promise that they shall go unharmed. You will march beside them to -the gate and stand about in case of a rally. Pick up your wounded and -killed," he called to the peasants. "You will march straight across -to the gate, and will pass out without attempting violence. Any man -who disobeys will be killed instantly. Let this be a lesson to you. -Go to your comrades and tell them that we are well able to defend -ourselves, and that it would be better far for them and all if they -left us alone. Now, march." - -Looking forlorn and frightened, and regarding the troopers with eyes -which showed even now, though rather cowed, their hatred of them, -the peasants picked up their comrades, of whom a number had fallen, -and bore them to the gate. Two minutes later they were gone, wending -their way from the defences sadly, and in different spirit from that -which had filled them a little while before. Crash went the gate. -Howeley threw the bar into position and turned the key. - -"Well done!" came from the window above in loud tones. "Well done all -of you!" - -Glancing up, Tom saw the jovial naval lieutenant waving eagerly to -him, while close at hand was Jack's grinning and perspiring face. He -was actually shaking a fist at our hero. - -"Lucky brute!" he growled in a voice so quaint, and with such queer -grimaces, that even the French troopers could see the humour. - -"Lucky brute to be able to hop about and take part in all these -skirmishes. Wouldn't I give something to be in your shoes." - -"And right well ye'd do, sir, begging pardon," came from Andrews, -whom the contest had worked up to a degree of excitement. "But it's -well for us all that Mr. Clifford's here, begging pardon, sir." - -"Well said," shouted Mr. Riley. "Ah, I wish to goodness I could talk -French! I'd make a speech in Tom's favour. I'd call for cheers." - -"Then here's three cheers fer Mr. Tom," came from Andrews in -bellowing tones, cheers in which the troopers joined lustily, for -they fully understood the gist of what was passing. - -"And now?" asked Mr. Riley, wiping the perspiration from his face. -"Now, Tom, after that precious near squeak?" - -"Any damage done?" asked our hero at once. He ran his eyes over the -troopers, and soon discovered that four had been wounded, though, -fortunately, none of the wounds were severe. - -"Then pitch those ladders up against the wall again and look about -for a strong plank. We'll make a bit of a platform above, where we -can post a few men. They'll be able to keep others of the peasants -from trying the same game. How are things passing at the church door?" - -An inspection there proved that the enemy had retreated, though -doubtless some of them were within the church. However, for the -moment at least, the bulk of the mob had gone, and Tom took advantage -of the lull to make his preparations for feeding the defenders. The -kitchen fire was soon roaring up the chimney, while outside, in the -yard, there was another blaze. A trooper, booted and spurred, and -stripped to his shirt, bent over a huge basin perched on a low wooden -table, and sturdily pummelled a mass of dough. Near at hand stood -another, stripped like his fellow, thrusting his long moustaches -upward toward his eyes. - -"_Nom de nomme_, but this is soldiering!" he was saying to his -comrade, as he added handfuls of flour from an open sack. "This is -what a man can call campaigning." - -"Eh? Ah!" the other grunted. "_Mais pourquoi?_" - -"Hear him!" came the astonished answer, while the trooper held a -floury hand aloft as if to show his amazement. "He asks why, when the -reason is plain. _Dites donc, mon fou_; is it so often, then, that -we fight under the eye and command of an English _garçon_? Poof! That -is the charm of the thing. I tell you, yesterday I said to myself: -'Pierre, you will be chopped to pieces before the sun comes up -to-morrow. You and your comrades will be but mince meat.'" - -The man kneading the dough shivered and grunted his disapproval. -"Gently, comrade," he growled. "You will spoil the tart I am making. -What then?" - -"What then? He asks what then? See here, _mon brave_, we have -fighting, heaps of it, and it is the peasants--poor fools!--who are -chopped to pieces. We have excitement and work fit for a soldier, -I say, and, with it all, see also what we get. Ah! I smell meat -cooking, and here is something that we have not seen for many a long -day." - -He went clanking his spurs across to a corner where the watchful -Howeley had deposited a huge jar of jam, and came staggering back -with it. The two men took the pan from the low table, lifted the -dough from it, and, having thickly dusted the table top with flour, -laid their dough upon it. Then came the task of rolling. - -"Try that, mate," suggested Howeley, who was now watching the -proceedings with a grin of expectation. "Wasn't meant for the job; -but beggars can't be choosers." - -He offered the barrel of an old firelock, the butt and lock of which -had gone, and the trooper took it with a flourish. Dusting it well, -like the table, he rolled the dough with the hand of an expert, -and, having satisfied himself that his work was nearly finished, he -pinched a corner from the dough and handed it to the rifleman. - -"Try," he grunted. - -"Real fine!" answered the Cockney. "I'm waiting for this here pie to -get finished." - -"Then the jam, Pierre." - -The second trooper let it fall from the jar into the species of basin -which his comrade had now contrived within a shallow pan, and watched -as the latter smoothed it down with a wooden ladle. On went the -covering of dough, while the cook with skilled eye and hand marked -the edges of the pie, dividing it into as many sections as there were -defenders. - -"Now," he cried, "to the kitchen with it. If we are to be cut to -fragments this evening, at noon we will at least dine like gentlemen. -Take it, Pierre, and see that you do not get it burned. Then indeed -would your punishment be terrible." - -Such rejoicing as there was over that meal! Divided into three -separate messes, the defenders ate slices of frizzled ham in the -recesses of the room above the doorway of the church. Others again -washed down the food with liberal allowances of the wine of the -country, looking about them through the door opening above the -gateway of the yard, while Jack and Mr. Riley held a reception in -the corridor from which windows opened into the yard, and there -discussed the good things sent them with many a jest and laugh. Yes, -the spirits of the defenders were wonderfully buoyant. And why not? - -"Why be miserable while we're alive?" asked Jack, cramming a piece -of that wonderful tart into his mouth; for, even if he were wounded, -Jack could still show a remarkably undiminished appetite. - -"First there's ham, and then there's jam," he sang, till another -mouthful kept him silent. - -"Indeed, why not be jolly?" chimed in Mr. Riley. "Here we are all -tight and weatherproof, as you might say. What's there to grumble at? -But, seriously, how on earth is this matter to end? Those peasants -have drawn off for the moment; but will they retire from the contest -for good? Eh? Now, sir, what's the answer?" - -Tom flushed at being addressed in such a manner, and munched steadily -at his food. But his deep-set eyes wore a far-away look which showed -that he was thinking. - -"Eh?" asked Jack, prodding him with the prong of a broken fork -discovered in the kitchen. "Do we draw off as victors, receiving -well-deserved promotion for this--er--this--shall we say, gallant -action? or shall we, in fact----?" - -"Be paid the compliment of appearing in the _Gazette_ as 'missing'? -My word, that would be hard luck after such a business! Now, Tom?" - -"More pie," said the latter deliberately. "Whilst we live we'll eat. -But who can say what'll happen? We've given those poor fellows -a regular drubbing; but I don't believe they've done with us. I -don't like this drawing off, and the silence we now have; it means -mischief. I'd give a heap to know what they are up to." - -Once the meal was finished, and the horses' wants seen to, the -defenders of the place occupied themselves in a hundred different -ways. Some cleaned their carbines and burnished their scabbards; -others indulged in the luxury of a wash at the pump in the yard; -while Tom, on whom the responsibility of everything depended, walked -slowly from one end to the other of the defences. - -"I'd give a heap to be able to guess rightly what the enemy are up -to," he said, for perhaps the tenth time, to Andrews, who seemed to -haunt his side. "One sees little or nothing of them." - -"Next to nothing, sir," agreed the rifleman, with knitted brows. -"But they ain't up to no good, I'm sure of it. You can see 'em come -from the village at times and stare over here at us. Then they'll -disappear again, while boys and young men scuttle about, and carry -armfuls of something that I ain't sure of at this distance. There's -been knocking, too, in the church." - -"Hum!" Tom pondered over the information. He listened acutely, for he -was just at the edge of the platform above the church door. But from -that position, indeed from any position held by the defenders, it was -impossible to look into the place. Yes, there was knocking, coming -from the interior of the church, and---- - -"I heard a heavy fall, as if stones had been dislodged!" he -exclaimed. "Come down below with me, Andrews." - -They ran to the stairs, and scuttled down at their fastest pace. -Making their way along the corridor they were soon at the kitchen, -and then entered a storeroom beyond. It had been ransacked by Howeley -and his helpers, and had provided an ample supply of good things. But -it was not the contents of the room that interested Tom; it was the -wall, the party wall, on the far side of which was the church. - -"Listen," he said. "There!" - -A glance at the rifleman's face was sufficient to show that he, too, -had gathered the full meaning of those blows. - -"Can't get at us by fair means, as you might say, sir," he grunted, -"so they're agoing to break through the wall. It'll be a teaser to -hold 'em if they once get through." - -"Couldn't be done," agreed Tom. "There's not room enough here for -more than four men. We should be driven back into the yard, and, of -course, an attack would be made in other quarters. It is a teaser!" - -His face was drawn and stern as he retraced his footsteps, and -stopped to discuss the situation with Mr. Riley. - -"Of course we could pile all the bales and boxes we could find -against this side of the wall," he said. "But that would not help -us; the peasants would pull them into the church. There's no way of -blocking up the passage either, and the difficulty of the situation -seems to be this: we have now another place to defend, and no men to -spare for the work. I think we shall have to try a sortie." - -"Or retire up here and hold on to the last," said the naval -lieutenant, his face serious. "But they'd smoke us out, or burn the -whole place over our heads. I know well the temper of such men as -these. Harmless enough as a general rule, but demons now that they -are roused. They've suffered frightfully at the hands of the French, -and they have made up their minds to retaliate in the best way they -can. Well?" - -"I'll see," answered Tom shortly. Turning on his heel, he went off -with Andrews, and clattered down the stairs to the yard. Yes, there -was nothing for it but to defend the upper story of the house, or---- - -"Or make for the church again," suggested Andrews, for our hero had -spoken his thoughts aloud. "You could clear out those fellows who are -working there in a twinkling, carry all the grub and wine in--and -there you are, as good as ever you were, and better." - -"But with a wall still," said Tom dryly. "They could come in here -then, and knock the wall down just the same. We should have them -pouring in through the church door and through this other opening. -Still, there's a lot in the suggestion. Tell me, can you see anyone -elsewhere than in and around the village?" - -They had mounted to the top of the house, and could obtain a clear -view. Both stared out in all directions, and kept silent for a few -minutes. - -"Heaps at the village, sir," reported Andrews after a while. "A -few here and there, watching the surroundings. No big body of them -anywheres as I can see." - -"Nor I; let's get below." - -As if bent on a purpose, Tom led the way to the yard, and then dived -into the stable. There were the two nags they had seen when first -they established themselves in the place, contentedly munching at the -hay with which a thoughtful trooper had provided them. Tom pulled a -door open and entered the cart shed. - -"Good!" he exclaimed. "Two of them--light carts too. Call Howeley and -his men." - -The riflemen came plunging down at once, and stood at attention. - -"Get the carts out and the horses harnessed in," Tom ordered. "When -that's done, load one of the carts with food. We shan't want water or -wine, though you can take a small cask of the latter. Don't overload. -Now you, my friend," he went on, addressing one of the troopers, -"hurry to the rooms above, and bring down a mattress and some -blankets. Quick with it!" - -"You're going to--beg pardon, sir," began Andrews, using his -accustomed formula. "You ain't going to take French leave of them -beauties! Never!" - -His smile told of his delight, and of his agreement with the order. - -"Take my compliments to Mr. Riley and your own officer, and help them -both to descend," said Tom. "When they are safely in the cart on the -mattress I have ordered, and armed, Andrews----" - -"Yes, sir." - -"And armed with carbines, you get to the top of the building and look -about you carefully. If all's clear, let me know. Then slip down to -join us. Now, I'll collect the other men." - -Very silently and swiftly did the troopers obey his orders. At an -earlier date they might very well have demurred and hesitated, -delaying, perhaps, to discuss the matter; for why should they give -obedience to one who was, nominally at least, their prisoner? But Tom -had won their confidence, and that is a great thing where troops are -concerned. They merely looked their surprise when ordered to repair -to the yard and mount their horses, while the man posted over the -church door bared his sabre, as if determined that no fault of his -should allow a slinking peasant to mount secretly and discover the -movement of the garrison. - -"Wait till I call you," whispered Tom. "Then run down to the yard and -mount your horse. You understand?" - -The fellow grinned at him, a grin of interest and friendship. - -"_Parbleu!_ An enemy, he!" he grunted, spitting into the palm that -gripped his sabre. "By all the fiends, but I, Jacques, would welcome -the English as brothers." - -The clatter of hoofs told of moving horses, or preparations down -below. Not that it was likely to disturb the enemy, for the horses -moved often enough, particularly when being watered. Men slipped -silently from their defensive posts and crept into the yard, while a -couple of brawny troopers bore the injured Jack to the cart, smiling -serenely at his angry protestations. - -"Treat me as if I were a child," he growled, as Tom came into -hearing. "Who said I couldn't walk?" - -"I'll leave you behind if you're a trouble," came the answer. -"Fiddlesticks, Jack!" - -"Or cut his diet down," laughed Mr. Riley, who already lay on the -mattress placed on the cart. "That's it, my lad; cut his grub short. -That'll make our Jack less fiery. What's up?" - -"Going for an airing," came the answer. "Now, men," said our hero, -addressing the troopers, who were mounted by now. "You'll fall in on -either side of the carts, which will be driven by two selected by -yourselves. Spare horses will be led by others. If I have it reported -that the coast is clear, we will throw the gates open and ride out. -A sharp trot once we reach the road will take us away from the -village. After that----" - -"After that, monsieur?" asked one of the men eagerly. - -"We will see. You are prisoners at this moment just as much as we -are. If we get through, perhaps we'll call it quits. You'll ride for -the army of France, and we for our comrades." - -That brought a grin of pleasure to the bronzed faces of the men. They -would have cheered had not the need for silence been there. Instead, -they picked up their reins, and fell in on either side of the carts, -waiting for the signal to open the gates. Tom went back to the sentry -he had posted over the church doorway. - -"All clear," was the report. "There is still knocking." - -"Then get to your horse and mount. I am following." - -Tom clambered once more into the yard, and looked up at the window -which Andrews occupied. - -"All clear," came the gentle hail. - -"Then fall in--time we were moving." - -All were mounted within a minute, save Howeley, who stood at the -gates. "Open," called Tom. - -"Open it is, sir," said the rifleman, throwing the gates wide at once. - -"Forward!" - -Steadily, and without sign of undue haste, the cavalcade rode from -the yard into the open, leaving a place which, though it had -revictualled them and offered excellent cover, might, were they to -hold it longer, lead to disaster. They moved away into the open in -regular order, the carts in their midst bearing their wounded and -their supplies with them as became good soldiers. - -"Trot!" commanded Tom, and at the word the troop set their horses -into faster motion, Andrews at their head leading them off obliquely -towards a point where the road was accessible. - -"Hear 'em!" ejaculated Jack, by no means dismayed, as a torrent of -yells and cries came from the village and from a number of points -about them. "They don't seem overpleased at our leaving." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -The Great General - - -Marching from the building which had given them shelter, Tom and -his companions struck directly for the road that led away from the -hills, Andrews, in advance, standing in his stirrups so as to obtain -a better view of his surroundings. Jack watched operations from the -mattress placed in the cart, on which he had been placed, a most -unwilling prisoner, while the jovial naval lieutenant sat up, his -back propped against the side of the cart, and surveyed matters -generally from the standpoint of a man who is well satisfied with all -that is happening. - -"Couldn't be better, couldn't," he observed to the disconsolate Jack; -"and hark ye, me lad, for all your grousing I know that you feel the -same. Tom's done magnificently; few would have done as well." - -It was just what might have been expected of the amiable, if -hot-tempered, Jack that he should acquiesce warmly. - -"Grandly," he agreed. "Of course one wonders what one would have done -oneself under the circumstances, and it's wretchedly unlucky being -winged, and having to look on like a child." - -"Better than being chopped to pieces at any rate," came the swift -answer. "Besides, we're not out of the wood yet. We've to get away -from these mountains, and there's still that narrow valley through -which we galloped on our way to the place where the real attack was -made. I shall be surprised if we get through without meeting with -more of the peasants." - -There was always that hazard, and as Tom looked about him, riding at -the tail of the procession, he was bound to admit that matters still -looked gloomy. - -"There's no way out of the place but by the road," he said to -Howeley, who rode beside him. "Of course we could abandon the horses -and take to the hills, but then----" - -"Wounded and stores, sir," came the respectful interruption. -"Couldn't be done, sir." - -"Out of the question, I agree--so on we have to go. To turn the other -way would take us back to the village, and then there wouldn't be any -reaching the church or other fort as we have done. No, on we have to -go. Those peasants are following, and I see scattered groups about -us." - -The wretched Portuguese who had attacked the troop of horse had -indeed taken many precautions to prevent their prey escaping them. -Not that the idea had occurred to them that Tom and his men would -have the audacity to leave a place that provided a fairly safe haven, -and which in any case gave such shelter that more than once attack -on the part of the peasants had failed. But, for fear of one of -the troopers venturing to ride away for help, they had posted bands -of their comrades round about the church, placing a number on the -road, and causing others to march to that narrow part that shut in -the wider portion of the valley, and through which fugitives must -pass. For half an hour Andrews led the cavalcade forward at a smart -pace. He turned on reaching the road, and then pushed along it, the -troopers clattering behind him, and riding on either side of the -carts. Suddenly his hand went up, bringing the procession to a halt, -while Tom galloped up to join him. - -"A hundred of the enemy in front, sir," the rifleman reported. "They -seem to be blocking the road with a cart, and are stationed behind -it." - -"While men are racing after us from the village," observed our hero. -"Looks ugly, Andrews." - -"A hole, sir; but we've been in one as deep and deeper." - -"True," agreed Tom; "and we'll climb out of this. Let me have a look -at them for a while. We'll move along again at a trot till just out -of musket shot. By then I'll have made up my mind how to treat them." - -He rode on beside the rifleman, his eyes fixed upon the enemy in -front. Shouts came from the latter, while a number could be seen -standing behind a cart which had been upset across the narrow road. -At this precise point, in fact, the rugged hills on either side, -hills for which Portugal is notorious, converged abruptly, forming -as it were a doorway to that end of the valley. The rocky walls ran -along within thirty feet of one another for perhaps a hundred yards, -and then suddenly broke away again, making the entrance to another -valley. Not that one could see the latter, for there was a sharp bend -in the cleft between the hills. But Tom remembered the surroundings. - -"Ugly place," he told Andrews. "Looks as if the two hills were joined -at one time, and then were broken apart. Once through, we have a wide -valley to cross, and then another place such as this, but shorter -and wider. So if we manage this job we'll do the other. Now for -skirmishers." - -He swung round on the troop, and with a sign drew all the men toward -him. Then selecting eight men, whom he had noticed to be more active -than their fellows, he spoke quickly to them, so that they and their -comrades could hear. - -"Listen, friends," he said. "Behind us the villagers are coming -up as fast as their legs can carry them. In front there is this -obstruction. Do as I order, and you will see that we shall quickly -clear the peasants out. You eight men will divide, and four will go -to either side. We are hardly within musket shot yet, so that I shall -approach closer. When I signal, hand your reins to your comrades, -take your carbines, and make off on to the hill. Clamber up and along -till you outflank those fellows opposite; then shoot them down. We -will do the same from the front. Understand?" - -"_Oui, monsieur_," came in a chorus. - -"Then on we go." - -Tom led them forward at a foot pace, till bullets began to strike -the road at his feet, and the distance was so short between the -combatants that he could see the enemy easily. He came to a sudden -halt and waved his hand. Then, without waiting to watch the troopers -told off for special duty, he called to the man driving the store -cart to come forward. - -"Dismount," he ordered abruptly. "Now turn the cart and horse round. -Good! Back the cart steadily towards the enemy. My lads, half a dozen -of you will ride after the cart, shooting from behind its shelter. -Better still, let three dismount. There will still be enough men left -to lead the horses, or you can hitch the reins to the second cart. -Yes, that will be better. Let the whole six dismount; then, with the -cart to shelter you, you will be able to do something with these -people." - -A couple of minutes before, a casual glance at the troopers forming -the escort to the two carts would have shown doubt on many of the -sun-burnt faces; for the difficulty which confronted the fugitives -both before and behind was great. That in front seemed almost -insuperable, and, seeing it, more than one of the men wondered -whether, after all, this was to be the end of their adventure, if -here the peasants would hem them in and slaughter them. But Tom's -brisk orders and the novelty of his suggestions set them smiling. - -"_Peste!_ But this Englishman has brains," grunted one of them, -swinging himself swiftly out of his saddle. "These Portuguese -peasants are pudding-headed beside him. One moment ago and I thought -that the end was near, that I and Strasbourg would see one another no -more. Now the path is easier for us--you will see these demons run." - -But that had yet to be proved. Massed behind the upturned cart, and -already pouring shot at the troopers, the band of peasants hooted -and shouted in triumph. They hardly seemed to notice the eight -troopers who broke from the ranks of the little procession; for at -that moment the store cart was swung round, and the process of slowly -backing it towards the enemy began. That operation attracted their -whole attention, and soon bullets were thudding against the barrel -of wine, tearing a way into the midst of the hams loaded on the -cart, or smashing the jars of preserves which the excellent padre's -housekeeper had set aside for him. Some went to either side--for the -peasants were not first-class shots--while others pelted underneath, -passing between the legs of the horse, splashing against the road, -and sending little spurts of dust into the eyes of the troopers. The -latter made excellent use of the cover. Two were bent double beneath -the cart, and already their carbines were cracking sharply. A third -lay on the stores, his head shielded by a wooden box which was -filled with sugar, while the remainder walked on either side of the -horse, leaning outward and firing whenever an opportunity occurred. - -Tom called the remaining troopers about him, and bade them make ready -for a charge. - -"Once our fellows get on the hill above and outflank them we'll -gallop forward," he said. "Ride at the upturned cart. Swing when you -get near, and pass in behind. Once we have those rascals moving we'll -keep them on the run. So chase them right through to the valley, and -there halt till we come up. Ah! Our boys are getting to work. There -go their carbines." - -The attack was not one that could be made hurriedly, for a horse -cannot be backed at a fast pace, and then the ground to be covered by -the men sent to outflank the enemy was steep and difficult. Indeed, -had the peasants but posted a few of their own men on either hand -they could have at once put a stop to such a movement. But it had -never crossed their minds that Tom and his men would force this -natural gateway. They imagined that they would come to a halt, and -that presently, on the arrival of their comrades from the village, -the troopers and their English friends would be cut down to a man. -That, in fact, was what would have happened had they delayed. But -the flanking party scrambled rapidly into position, while the store -cart advanced steadily and persistently, the shots from the troopers -sheltering behind it causing havoc amongst the Portuguese. Tom -allowed five minutes to elapse, and then, waving a sabre overhead, -led Andrews and Howeley and the two or three troopers still remaining -against the barricade. Cramming his heels into the flanks of his -horse, he sent him down the road at breakneck speed. Swinging past -the cart where the troopers were sheltering, he dashed at the -obstruction behind which the peasants stood, and, swinging again, -burst in on the far side. Andrews and Howeley followed with great -dash, while the French troopers were not a yard behind them. And -then began a furious struggle. Men slashed desperately at them with -scythes, others attempted to unhorse the riders, while a few dived in -with the intention of killing the animals. But those swinging sabres -beat them off. Already the bullets of the attackers had had some -effect, particularly the galling shots of the flanking party. For a -moment the issue hung in the balance. Then the men who had fired from -behind the cart came up at a run, and instantly the peasants bolted, -the three troopers and Howeley galloping after them and keeping them -on the run. Perhaps two minutes later the blare of a trumpet was -heard in front, and then the clatter of drums. While Tom stared at -the retreating peasants, and at the forms of his own men, some twenty -or thirty gaily uniformed lancers rode into view, blocking the far -end of the pass. The long lances were lifted from their rests as Tom -looked. The pennons fluttered, and then down came the points. A -second later an officer rode to the front of these lancers. - -"Ah!" gasped Andrews, gaping at them. - -"_Ma foi!_" growled one of the Frenchmen at Tom's elbow. - -"English--hooray, they're our boys!" came in high-pitched tones from -the cart in which Jack and the naval officer were accommodated, and -which had been driven up to the scene of the conflict. Upright on -the mattress on which he should have been lying stood Jack, wobbling -badly, shrieking his delight at the top of his voice. As for Mr. -Riley, perspiration covered his forehead and streamed down his face. -He held out a hand as they came nearer, signalled to Tom, and gripped -his with a feeling there was no misunderstanding. - -"Gallantly done, lad!" he cried. "You've pulled us out of the wood. -The coming of the lancers has nothing to do with the matter, though -it'll help to make things comfortable. Boys, three cheers for Mr. -Clifford!" - -They gave them with a heartiness there was no denying. French and -English joined in the shouts till the rocky walls echoed back the -cheers a hundred times. And then all became of a sudden quiet and -sober. For those thirty lancers were followed by a hundred perhaps, -bringing the fleeing peasants to a sudden halt and causing some of -them to attempt the feat of clambering away on either hand. A minute -later the ranks of the lancers opened, and through the open files -came a number of horsemen. Tom found himself watching their approach -with something akin to fear, for mounted on a magnificent horse which -led the procession was a tall officer of high rank without doubt, -who rode through the muttering and beaten peasants as if they did -not exist. A stern, clean-shaven face was turned in Tom's direction, -while the pair of deep-set eyes that flanked a wonderfully hooked -nose peered out from beneath a cocked hat at the little band which -our hero had led so successfully. - -It was Wellington without a doubt, the general who had led our -troops so brilliantly in the Peninsula, who had seen fighting in -many a place, and had won in far-off India a reputation there was no -denying. It was the great Lord Wellington, and with him his chief of -the staff, aides-de-camp, and other officers, a glittering throng, -gold-braided and medalled, all silently observing Tom and his little -party. As for the latter, our hero was almost too astounded even to -think, while his followers, conscious of the rank of those who looked -at them, and indeed, of the presence of Wellington himself, fell in -just behind our hero, shouldered their weapons, and drew themselves -up as became good soldiers. Yes, British and French, at war with one -another in the Peninsula, but friends in this particular part of it, -drew themselves up proudly, as men who had no cause to feel ashamed. -Slowly a smile swept across the face of the general. - -"I see," he said, so that all could hear. "We have here a little -adventure worth hearing. Who is in command of this party?" - -Mr. Riley pushed his way to the front, having clambered from the cart -with difficulty. Saluting the general, he pointed to Tom. - -"That gentleman, sir, is in command," he said steadily. - -"And these?" asked the general instantly, indicating the French -troopers, with a smile. - -"We were their prisoners till a few moments ago. We were taken at -sea, landed in this neighbourhood, and taken off by a troop of -cavalry. The peasants attacked us suddenly, the officers were shot -down, and Mr. Clifford at once took command. I wish to report that -he has behaved splendidly. He and the riflemen have been the life -and soul of our party. But the troopers behaved most handsomely, and -obeyed orders as if they were our men. It is a good story, sir." - -"And one we will hear," came the instant answer. "Er, Lieutenant----" - -"Riley, sir." - -"Ah, Lieutenant, I'm pleased to meet you. We shall camp in this -valley, and you will give me the pleasure of dining with me to-night -and of bringing your comrades. Mr. Clifford, I think you said." - -The naval officer beckoned our hero forward and introduced him -formally. Then he took the general to Jack's side, making him known -also. As for Andrews and Howeley, they were beaming in a moment, for -Wellington did them the honour of shaking their hands, while smiles -broke across the countenances of the French troopers when he halted -before them. - -"You have an interpreter?" he asked Mr. Riley. - -"Mr. Clifford, sir." - -"Then repeat what I say, if you please, Mr. Clifford. Tell them I -am delighted to hear that they have fought side by side instead of -against us, and that they shall be well treated and their conduct -reported to their own commanders. Tell them that." - -Tom promptly interpreted the words, causing the Frenchmen to flush -with pride. - -"And now for these wretched peasants," began Wellington, turning -to the spot where some fifty of the latter cowered, wondering what -was to be done with them. "I presume it is much the same tale as we -have had before? Reprisals attempted because of the brutality of the -French. Hundreds of these poor fools against a handful of armed men. -A sudden attack and a narrow escape. Well, we'll sign to them to be -off. There's no interpreter with us just now." - -"Pardon, sir," burst in Mr. Riley. "Mr. Clifford speaks the language." - -"What? Let me hear him." - -Blunt and abrupt in speech, there was something kind nevertheless in -the tones of the general, and at once Tom went to the Portuguese and -told them they might depart. When he returned he found Wellington -looking at him with strange intensity. - -"You are a civilian, sir," he asked, "and speak French and -Portuguese?" - -"Badly, sir, I'm afraid," smiled our hero. "Also I can get along with -Spanish." - -"Ah! And make yourself as well understood as in the other two -languages?" - -"Better, perhaps, sir. My relatives are Spanish." - -"And you are a civilian and wish to remain one?" - -The eyes looking Tom up and down so closely gleamed. Did they twinkle -ever so little? Did this general, whose name was famous throughout -many countries, guess at the martial spirit that filled Tom's breast? -If he did, no one could do more than guess the fact, for the features -never altered. The eyes merely twinkled, and that ever so little. - -"A pity," said the general. "You would have made a----" - -Flesh and blood could not endure such temptation. Here was the -opportunity of his life, and Tom took it with open hands. - -"I'm meant for a stool in Oporto, sir," he said. "But I'd give a heap -to earn a commission." - -"Come to dinner to-night," was the answer he received, while -Wellington swung his horse round and rode on through the ranks -of the French troopers. But he did not forget our hero, for that -very evening, after dinner was over, and the remains of the -somewhat frugal meal in which he was wont to indulge had been -removed, Wellington called for candles with which to illuminate the -headquarters tent, and then bade Mr. Riley tell the story of the -adventure. Then he swung round on Tom and eyed him again in a manner -that made the young man's heart sink to the depths of his boots. -What wonder that the lad who had so bravely led the troopers should -tremble under the gaze of Wellington. For this famous general was -no ordinary man. The clean-shaven, sharply-cut features showed a -determination that was extraordinary and which of itself attracted -attention. His short, jerky sentences, however kindly meant, had a -way of alarming his juniors, while the severity of his features, -his exalted rank, the tremendous responsibilities resting on the -shoulders of this man, made him almost awe inspiring. Tom had nothing -to be ashamed of. Officers of senior rank out there in the Peninsula, -and elsewhere, both before and after this historic conflict, trembled -under the gaze of the brilliant tactician. Then why not Tom? But a -smile crossing the face of the general reassured him. - -"So you were meant for a stool in Oporto and found yourself a -prisoner," began the general, putting down the glass from which he -had just taken a sip of wine, "and seem to have fallen naturally into -the life of a soldier. Let me add, too, you have done wonderfully -well. That I can gather even without the tale which Lieutenant Riley -has given me. You have shown discretion and sharpness, sir. The -army needs officers with discretion, and, I am proud to say, has -them. She needs, too, officers who are linguists. More than all she -wants officers able to speak one or more of the languages essential -to this campaign, and who have in addition the capacity to command -men. Mr. Clifford, my greatest difficulty in this campaign is that of -obtaining reliable information. Will you help me?" - -Help a general! Help Wellington, the great duke who had defeated the -French now on so many occasions! The bare suggestion made Tom flush. -But the gallant officer addressing him was serious enough. - -"Come," he said. "I want an officer for special service. He shall -be posted to my staff, and his special work will be to gather an -escort of the natives of Portugal or of Spain about him. He will -seek for information as to the movements of the enemy. He will -make sudden raids where necessary, and if occasion suggests it he -shall even enter the camps of the French and gather full tidings. -It is a dangerous task. It may mean wounds or death. The danger of -imprisonment is very great. Also, if the duties be carried out with -discretion and boldness, it means honour and promotion. Mr. Clifford, -I am happy to offer you a commission as an ensign, unattached at -present, to date from the day when you were taken by the French. My -next dispatch home shall make mention of your name and of my wishes. -To-morrow evening general orders shall confirm this offer, while -the following evening shall see you promoted to lieutenant for this -recent action. Afterwards you will carry out the instructions which -shall be handed to you. Will you accept?" - -Would he accept! Would Tom take the very thing for which he had -longed, and become one of the king's officers! He jumped at the -offer. His delight robbed him of the power of speech, so that he -could only mumble his thanks. He retired, in fact, from the presence -of the famous general with his head and brain in a whirl. - -"Hearty congratulations," cried Lieutenant Riley, smacking him on the -back as soon as they reached their own quarters. "We'll tell Jack -now. Pity the pain in his leg sent him away from the general's before -this happened. Ha! we've news, Jack." - -The ensign had retired early from the dinner, the excitement and -movement of the last two days having set up inflammation in his -wound, though in the case of the naval officer it seemed to have -actually done his injury good. Jack lay on a camp bed provided by the -surgeon, blinking in the light of a candle. - -"Eh?" he asked, glancing sleepily at them. - -"Look out for squalls, my boy." - -"Why? Don't understand, sir." - -"You soon will," laughed Mr. Riley. "Tom's an awful martinet, and -he's your senior." - -It was all true enough, though our hero found difficulty in -understanding the matter. For the very next evening found an -announcement in General Orders. There was a short, flattering -reference to Lieutenant Riley and Jack. And then the following -words: "The commander-in-chief has pleasure in recommending that Mr. -Clifford be granted a commission in His Majesty's forces, for his -action when in temporary command of the French troopers attacked by -Portuguese peasants. Ensign Clifford is posted to the headquarters -staff." - -The following evening found a second announcement. "Ensign Clifford, -headquarters staff, is recommended for promotion for gallantry in a -recent action." - -"My uncle!" exclaimed Jack, when he read the orders, "you'll be a -full-blown general, Tom, before I'm a captain. Don't forget me, -that's all. I'd look awfully fine in the uniform of a staff officer." - -"A general? Why not?" Tom asked himself as he rolled himself in a -blanket. "I'm young, young for the rank of lieutenant. I'm in the -midst of a glorious campaign. And owing to the fact that I can speak -Portuguese, French, and Spanish I'm to be engaged on special service. -Why not a general one of these days?" - -He forgot to look on the other side. Forgot, with the usual -impetuosity and carelessness of youth, to reckon the risks to be run -in achieving such honours. But then Tom did not realize what was -before him. To begin with, he reckoned without José de Esteros, his -most unloving cousin, whom he imagined still in England. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -On Active Service - - -A crisp, cool breeze straight from the sea swept through the streets -of Oporto and fanned the brows of three horsemen who were riding in -from the country about ten in the morning some six weeks after the -events already narrated. A brilliant autumn sun shed its rays far and -wide, causing white walls and pavements to flash back shafts of light -which were almost blinding in their intensity, while the russet hues -of the foliage looked wonderfully bright and enchanting. - -"Oporto at last!" exclaimed one of the three horsemen, a youth -dressed in the uniform of a staff officer. "At last!" - -"And none too soon," came from his companion, riding at his knee. -"None too soon, Tom, my boy. Army rations are good enough when -there's nothing else to be had, but give me the sight of a town now -and again. There'll be dinners to be had, there'll be invitations -galore to the houses of the big people, dances, fêtes, everything you -can wish for or imagine." - -Jack laughed uproariously, the happy laugh of a youth who is bent -on pleasure, and who is ready to enjoy all that comes his way. For -this was Jack Barwood, Ensign, of the 60th Rifles, attached for -special service to Lieutenant Tom Clifford's command. And the youth -who looked so well in the uniform of a staff officer was none other -than our hero. Respectfully in rear of them, precisely three horses' -length behind, rode the rifleman Andrews, as erect as any cavalry -soldier trained, his eyes glistening at the prospect of a rest in -Oporto, a bed to sleep in, and all the entertainment a city promised. - -"And work," interjected Tom, when Jack had finished speaking. "All -play and no work makes Jack a bad soldier. Eh?" - -Jack made reply by snatching at his sword and half-drawing it, while -he glared at his comrade. However it was all fun, and only a symptom -of good spirits. Jack was now in clover; but for that chance meeting -with our hero and the adventure which had followed he would have been -along with his regiment, then scattered by companies, and his lot -would have been very different. Instead he was appointed for special -service, than which there is nothing more eagerly sought by an -officer. He was Tom's right-hand man, his adviser if you like--though -Lieutenant Riley smiled satirically when that was suggested--his -adjutant when engaged with irregulars. - -Jack had, in fact, in spite of his want of seriousness, been of great -service to our hero. For, with the help of Andrews, he had instructed -him in the customary duties of an officer and had taught him more -than a smattering of drill. - -"Just enough to let you manoeuvre the irregulars you are to command," -he had assured Tom, with a laugh. "You can't expect always to carry -out an adventure like that we passed through with nothing but cheek -to help you. Knowledge is wanted, my boy! I'll be the one to give it -to you." - -One could hardly have imagined a worse instructor; but when it came -to the point Jack had proved an excellent fellow, and very soon, -thanks to his tuition, Tom found himself able to drill a company with -ease, and to understand how a battalion could be manoeuvred. It took -but a short while for him to grip other points particular to an army: -how it was split up into divisions, consisting of so many brigades -in each case, and how those brigades were made up of battalions, -each, of course, boasting of a certain number of companies. As for a -command, Tom had not been long in finding one. - -"You will endeavour to enlist Portuguese and Spanish irregulars," -the chief of Wellington's staff had told him. "We leave it to you to -suggest a plan; but, of course, your main work will be to seek out -information concerning the enemy." - -"I'm wondering----" began Tom that very evening, when he and Jack lay -beneath the same tent. - -"Eh? Don't!" came the facetious and grinning answer. "Don't, my boy; -your brain'll not stand it." - -"Seriously, though," Tom went on, ignoring his friend's good-natured -raillery. - -"Of course; you're always serious. Well, you're wondering; and I'm -wondering why you're wondering instead of getting off to sleep. It's -a beast of a night, raining cats and dogs, and a chap needs to sleep -to escape the blues." - -"It would do you good to be out with our pickets then," cried Tom -warmly, irritated by his friend. "I've a good mind to send you off -with a message to----" - -That brought Jack sitting upright with a jerk. After all, Tom was his -senior, ridiculous though it did appear, and if he carried out such a -threat, why, Jack must perforce obey, though such a thing as an order -had never yet come from his friend. - -"You were wondering--yes," he jerked out hurriedly. - -"Whether I should ride back to that village where we had that fight -with the peasants. I'm ordered to enlist irregulars. I propose having -a band here in Portugal and one in Spain, close to the border. We all -know that the two peoples don't agree very well. There are continual -jealousies between them; but they would work together on occasions. -I propose going to that village to enlist the Portuguese part of my -command." - -The suggestion took Jack's breath away and filled him with horror. - -"What! They'd tear you to pieces," he exclaimed. "It's madness. -It's----" - -"I shall ride there to-morrow," said Tom, cutting him short. "You can -stay behind if you're nervous." - -And off they went, with Andrews their only escort. Riding into the -village over the heaped-up mound which marked the spot where the -peasants had dug a trench to arrest the French troopers, Tom and -Jack were greeted most respectfully. None recognized in the handsome -staff officer the leader of the troopers, nor in his smart brother -officer the young fellow who was with him, and who had barely even -now recovered from the wound inflicted. Tom rode direct to the house -of the mayor, and dropped from his saddle. And then had followed an -exciting incident. When he spoke, the people recognized him. Men -rushed to the spot howling threats. Weapons appeared as if by magic, -and for a while it looked as if, in spite of their being English, the -little party would be cut to pieces. But here again Tom showed his -mettle; not once did he betray concern. - -"I make no excuses," he said sternly. "What we did was forced on us; -but I have come back to bury old scores and to offer a favour to you." - -His unconcern alone won him friends at once, while the memory of how -he had treated those men who had descended to the courtyard and had -been hemmed in there told in his favour. Where a minute earlier men -had shrieked at him, they now smiled and lifted their caps--more -than that, many were eager to do service. Thus it came about that -within three days Tom had as many hundred _Cacadores_, or Portuguese -irregulars, drilling close to the British army, on ground specially -allotted to them, while within six weeks he had set off for Oporto -for the special purpose of arranging for a similar party of Spaniards. - -"It's work that you can look forward to, Jack," he repeated, as they -came to the outskirts of Oporto. "I haven't ridden in here for the -sole purpose of eating big dinners and dancing with all the fairest -girls in Oporto. I'm here on business, your business, the British -army's business, and don't you forget it!" - -Jack screwed his face up as if he were disgusted. - -"But," he began, "there'll----" - -"Be time for fun--perhaps," agreed Tom. "But business first. I shall -ride direct for the house of Juan de Esteros and Septimus John -Clifford & Son." - -"Of Oporto." - -"And of London--wine merchants. Don Juan's my uncle; I'm looking -forward to the meeting. Wonder if he'll have news of the folks at -home?" - -Men stepped aside to look at the two young officers, lifting -their caps; city people raised a cheer more than once as they -recognized the uniform of a staff officer; while often enough a -handkerchief fluttered from some window as Tom and Jack walked -their horses through the city. There was abundant evidence, in -fact, of the popularity of the British; and had our heroes cared -for entertainment, and possessed the time, they could have spent -a year passing from one hospitable house to another. Everyone was -glad to see them. Everyone!--no. There was one exception, though -he passed unnoticed amongst the crowds. A face peeped out from the -window of a hovel that was squeezed in at the corner of a square -which Tom and Jack were just entering, while the limbs of the owner -of that face writhed and twisted incessantly. A thin, weak hand -played with the corner of a weak mouth, while a scowl of hatred lined -a narrow forehead. The young man--for he was but little older than -Tom--stretched out a little farther, so as to obtain a better view of -the officers riding before him, and then ducked back out of sight. - -"Tom Clifford!" he hissed. "He in Oporto! Safe from the sea, and an -officer! Ah!" - -The scowl deepened, for the moment was a bitter one for José. Yes, -it was José de Esteros, whom we saw last in London, the scheming -vindictive nephew to whom John Clifford had given a home for many -a year, and who had rewarded his uncle after such a manner. It was -the sneaking youth who had procured Tom's impressment, and who had -schemed and schemed so that, one of these days, he might become the -head of the firm of Septimus John Clifford & Son. It was, in fact, -the ruffian who hoped to break through that old tradition of the firm -owned by his uncle, and deprive it of the son who, following unbroken -custom, should succeed. - -"Tom Clifford!" he gasped again. "An officer too! How? And in Oporto! -Why?" - -A guilty conscience supplied the answer promptly. It was for his -arrest that Tom had come without a doubt, and here again was added -injury. Let us realize the position of affairs exactly. Far from -being sorry for the rascally action he had undertaken, José vented -the whole of his own displeasure on Tom's unconscious head. He had -always been jealous of our hero. He hated him now because of the -failure of the wicked scheme which should have ruined him, and hated -him still more because retribution and discovery had come so soon. -Indeed, Tom had scarcely reached the ship after his impressment -when Huggins, John Clifford's faithful clerk, had unravelled the -conspiracy, and had compelled the ruffian who had captured him to -admit the fact. And José had had a near escape of being sent to -prison; for with the unravelling of the conspiracy came the knowledge -that he had robbed his uncle. But this wretched youth was as crafty -as he was sneaking. Swift to detect discovery, he had once more -robbed his uncle and had departed. A ship sailing that very evening -for Oporto took him aboard, and within a week José de Esteros had -presented himself at his uncle's, at Don Juan de Estero's house, -where the Portuguese branch of the famous firm of Septimus John -Clifford & Son was established. And there he had remained for two -months, giving it out that his cousin had run away from home, and -that he, José, had been sent to take his place. Cleverly intercepting -the frantic letters which John Clifford wrote, José kept up the -deception till, one fine morning, the faithful Huggins landed and -appeared at the office. Then José ran again and hid himself in the -hovels of the city. It was in one of these that he was located on the -morning of Tom's entry, engaged, one may be sure, in further rascally -schemes which the unexpected arrival of his cousin at once gave zest -to. - -"Tom Clifford here!" he again ejaculated, crouching behind the -window. "Then here's a chance to go on with the matter. Because I -failed once, it won't be for always; I've a splendid game before me." - -The shaking fingers went to his thin lips again, while his limbs -writhed and seemed to knot themselves together. - -"I'll kill him!" José hissed, as Tom began to pass out of his vision. -"Yes, and I'll make use of the information which Don Juan gave me. -Ha, ha! It makes me smile. He took me into his confidence. Told me -of his riches, of the wealth his son would have. He's my cousin too, -like Tom. Why shouldn't I have their share from both sides of the -family?" - -The pale features of this half-Spaniard wrinkled into a smile that -was more sardonic than anything. The thin, writhing fingers played -about the corners of his mouth, while the pair of bright and somewhat -protruding eyes which a second before had been fixed upon the -stalwart form of Andrews, then the only one of the three horsemen -remaining visible, lost themselves in a vacant gaze. In those few -following seconds José saw himself powerful and rich, head of a -prosperous old firm, a partner of the business in the place of his -cousin Tom, successor to his Uncle Juan's riches. - -Let us turn from the contemplation of a youth so devoid of all that -was pleasant and taking--José was born with a kink, a moral kink, if -you will--let us leave him with it and follow Tom and his comrade. -But in doing so let us remember that though José might be weak, he -was yet a force to be reckoned with, a force, had Tom but known it, -likely enough to come between him and those much-cherished ambitions. -José might easily intervene between the gallant and handsome staff -officer whom he called cousin and that post in the army to which -youthful good spirits and assurance caused him to aspire. - -"The way to the house of Septimus John Clifford & Son, _señor_," -answered a man of whom Tom made an enquiry. "There are few in this -city who do not know the name and the house. Pass directly on till -you enter another square, then turn to the left, descending toward -the water. The house is on the right, some little distance down." - -There it was at last. Jack pulled in his horse at the sight, while -his estimation of our hero went up a little. For to the high and -mighty Jack trade was trade, something at which he was rather wont -to turn up his nose. It was purely ignorance of the world that made -him do so; for to do him but justice the young ensign was no snob. -And here he found himself in front of an enormous range of buildings, -with warehouses and stores running right down to the water. Over the -main building flew the flag of England, with that of Portugal close -beside it, while a board of modest proportions announced the fact -that this was the home of Septimus John Clifford & Son. - -Tom slid from his saddle, handed his reins over to Andrews, and went -striding up the steps of the building, his sword and sabretache -swaying at his side. A very gallant figure he cut too as he entered -the office and enquired for Don Juan de Esteros. - -"What name?" he was asked. - -"Say a British officer," he responded, and presently was ushered -into a handsomely furnished office. A little man, bearing traces of -obvious ill health, rose from a chair, and at once advanced with hand -cordially outstretched. - -"This is an honour," he said in broken English, mingled with a word -of Portuguese. "To what do I owe the visit? What can I do for you, -sir? But surely----" - -As he gripped Tom's hand he peered through his spectacles into his -face, while a flush suddenly suffused his own olive complexion. - -"I am your nephew," said our hero abruptly, speaking Spanish and -smiling at his uncle. "Very much at your service." - -A shout escaped Don Juan. He went to a door leading from the back -of the room and called loudly. A minute later a familiar figure -burst into the room and rushed at Tom. It was Septimus John Clifford -himself, fatter than ever perhaps, rosy-faced, but active. The -meeting between father and son can be imagined. They gripped hands -and stood staring at one another for perhaps five seconds. - -"Well!" at last John gasped, standing away from his son. "A handsome -figure you cut, Tom. A soldier, eh?" - -"On General Lord Wellington's staff, sir." - -"And mighty well you'll do, sir," came the answer. "Mighty proud I -am of you. I've heard the tale. It's barely thirty hours since I set -foot in Portugal, and who should I meet but Lieutenant Riley, who was -just about to embark for England. We dined together. He talked, sir. -Yes, he made me feel proud. Tom, the business can still be carried on -with one of its partners in the army. I'm proud of you, lad." - -Septimus John Clifford had a long tale to tell his son, and it was -half an hour later before our hero recollected that he had left -Jack waiting outside. By then he had learned all that had happened -during his absence from England. How José's cruel conspiracy had -been discovered. How in course of time a report had come through the -Admiralty telling of Tom's impressment, of the action at sea, and of -his behaviour. And then had followed silence. The ship on which he -should have reached Oporto failed to put in an appearance. Reference -to the French failed to discover news, and John Clifford was reduced -again to the depths of despair, imagining that Tom had gone to the -bottom of the sea with his comrades. - -"Then there was the case of José, your cousin," he said severely. "He -acted like a hound all through, and but for Huggins would have done -us further injury. Imagine the duplicity and cunning of the rascal. -He presented himself to your uncle here as your successor. He wormed -himself artfully into his regard, intercepted all our letters, and -finally bolted, having once more stolen all that he could lay his -hands on. The news of his vileness brought me out here, and contrary -winds delayed me till the night before last. Then, and only then, did -I hear of you, my boy, and of all that you have been doing." - -He stood away from our hero again and inspected him with obvious -pride, while Don Juan peered through his spectacles at the young -staff officer whom he called nephew. - -"A fine soldier, John," he ventured. "A good leader, by all accounts." - -"And come here to let us see him. What brought you, sir?" asked John. - -"Business," said Tom crisply. "But let me call in my friend and -adjutant. We have business with Don Juan." - -The meeting with Jack was most cordial, and presently all four were -seated in the office. - -"Now," said Don Juan. - -"We came to ask for your help," began Tom. - -"If it's money you want, lad, as is only natural, why you shall have -plenty," burst in John. - -"It's men," answered our hero. "I want to raise a small force of -Spaniards, and I want also a leader to act under my orders, on whom I -can at once rely." - -It was wonderful with what enthusiasm the two older gentlemen -received this information. Don Juan pulled off his glasses and then -pushed them back again on to his nose. He got up from his seat and -paced backwards and forwards, and later suddenly faced the two -officers. - -"You want a command composed of Spaniards; I can lay my hand on -such a force," he said. "Alfonso, my son, is now in Spain, within -easy distance of Madrid, and, were I to command him, could raise a -force there. But the men of the towns are not to be relied on. For -guerrillas you could have none better than the mountaineers living on -the frontier between Spain and Portugal." - -"Just so," agreed Tom promptly. "Hardier and braver, sir." - -"Precisely," came the answer; "and with this, added to their natural -feelings of patriotism, they will be led by the son of the man on -whose estate they work, and will have in supreme command that son's -cousin, a British officer on the staff of no less a person than -General Lord Wellington himself." - -The little man skipped about the room in his enthusiasm, and forgot -for the moment the decorum usually expected of a sedate business man. -He snapped his fingers in his glee, and winked and blinked at Tom and -at the company generally through his glasses. - -"Alfonso shall call them up and command them," he cried; "Tom -Clifford, of the firm of Septimus John Clifford & Son, shall be in -supreme command. How's that for an arrangement? No trouble about pay -either, Tom. I'll see to that; I've abundance with which to pay every -one of the following." - -The suggestion almost took Septimus Clifford's breath away. The stout -little head of the old and extremely respectable business firm looked -across at the jubilant little man, who for many a year had conducted -the affairs of the firm in Portugal and Spain, as if he considered -him mad. He gasped for breath, polished his bald head with a huge -silk handkerchief of brilliant red colour, and blew heavily, puffing -out his cheeks. - -"What!" he exclaimed, pointing a fat finger at Don Juan. "You will -place a force at Tom's disposal. You will call up the men on your -estate, and will put your only son in command." - -"Why not, sir?" Don Juan flashed out the question, and then smiled at -his partner. "Why not? A pretty person you are, to be sure! You ask -in one breath whether I will do this thing, knowing that my country -is overrun by France, yet in the previous breath you sing praises -because your only son, the son who should represent the firm, is on -Lord Wellington's staff. Moreover, you gloated horribly over the -details of the fighting in which he took a prominent part, and which -were given you by that naval officer." - -A condemnatory finger was pointed at Septimus John Clifford. Don Juan -regarded him severely for some moments, and then smiled and snapped -his fingers. - -"Come," he said; "the affairs of our business lose significance when -compared with the dangers of this country and the efforts of your -soldiers. Tom asks for Spanish irregulars; he shall have them. He -asks for a commander; Alfonso is the lad. Eh? You don't dare deny it." - -Septimus did not. In his heart he was delighted, and, like the -sensible, long-headed man he was, he promptly sat down to discuss -ways and means. As for Tom and Jack, they spent three days in the -city, and then, accompanied by a guide, set off for the Spanish -frontier. - -"You will be met there by Alfonso," said Don Juan. "I have sent a man -across to him, and he will be at the estate as soon as you are. Here -is a letter for him, and you will find that he will give you every -assistance, and will fall into this scheme with eagerness." - -Some three days later found our two heroes at the estate belonging to -Don Juan, where they were joined a day later by Alfonso. He rode up -on a big mule, and dropped from his saddle at the porch of the house. -A fine, frank young fellow he proved to be. - -"Glad to meet you, señors," he cried. "Which is my cousin?" - -"You speak English?" asked Tom, when the greetings were over. - -"Not a word; but Portuguese, of course." - -"Then Jack must hurry up with his lessons," grinned Tom; for his -adjutant, with that perverseness common to many English lads, hated -languages. Too full, perhaps, of insular pride, he imagined that -his own tongue should carry him everywhere, and that foreigners -should promptly contrive to add English to theirs, rather than -that he should be bothered to master any language beyond his own. -A perverseness, one may call it, a perverseness that gives the -foreigner an enormous opportunity, and in these days of easy transit -and of broadened interests, is telling against the Englishman. The -polyglot Britisher of to-morrow will advance better and farther than -will the man of to-day who is ignorant of all other languages than -his own. However, Jack was not the one to be stupid, and, indeed, -for quite a while had been struggling with French, Portuguese, and -Spanish. - -The four weeks which followed were busy ones for the three young -fellows. First the men of the estate had to be called up, together -with others living in the neighbourhood. - -"We want three hundred, so as to match those in Portugal," said Tom. -"It will be as well also to have a reserve, who can go on training -in our absence. I shall do the same with the men we have raised in -Portugal, and, as it seems that the two forces are at this moment -separated by only some fifty miles, there will be no need to move -nearer. But we must enlist the help of men living between us. -It will not be difficult to devise signals, such as fires on the -hilltops, which will warn either party or will summon one to join the -other." - -The end of the month found Alfonso's particular command sufficiently -trained for active work. No large amount of drill was given them; -but they were able to perform simple movements, and, at Jack's -suggestion, worked at the call of a whistle. One long call would see -their bivouacs broken, their knapsacks swung over their shoulders, -and each man in his place in the ranks, his musket at his shoulder. -Consisting of three hundred men, they were divided into companies -a hundred strong, for each of which a reliable leader was found. -Moreover, Tom had no fault to find with the formation when those -companies were drawn up for inspection. - -"Smartness on parade is all very well, and good for discipline," -he said, whereat Jack grinned his approval, "but it won't win -engagements, and the engagements we are likely to be in don't require -rigid lines. Try 'em with two long whistles." - -Alfonso had barely given the signals when the companies broke up as -if by magic and re-formed at once into small squares, with some fifty -paces between them. - -"For cavalry," said Jack, approval in his voice. "If they've courage, -and will stand fast, cavalry will have little terror for them. If -they break----" - -"Every man would be cut to pieces, _señor_," said Alfonso. "That is -a thing they know. I trust soon that we may have an opportunity of -testing their courage." - -It happened that such an opportunity came almost instantly, on the -very morning when Tom and Jack were to return to Portugal. A couple -of French squadrons burst suddenly upon the little command when -engaged at drill, and galloped down upon them. For one moment there -was confusion in the ranks; then Tom's cheery voice was heard, while -Alfonso sounded his whistle. - -"Get to the farthest square," Tom shouted at Jack. "I'll take the -centre with Andrews, while Alfonso goes to the third. Our presence -will hearten the men." - -Clapping spurs to their horses' flanks they galloped to their posts, -and, dismounting within each square, turned to face the enemy. - -"Hold your fire till I shout," commanded Tom. "Let those who are -kneeling reserve their fire till the men standing above them have -opened upon the enemy. Have no fear, boys--double that strength of -the enemy could not harm you." - -But in spite of his assurance he had some qualms. Other guerrilla -forces composed of Spaniards had thought to do well, and had faced -French cavalry; but they had broken at the critical moment, and had -been sabred to a man. Would these fine fellows follow suit, or would -they stand firm? Ah! A man at one of the corners rose from his knees -and looked wildly at the enemy. He dropped his musket as if it had -stung him, and then, doubling up as if he were a hare, set off from -the face of the square. - -"Halt!" Tom bellowed. "You will be shot if you do not stop. Let the -three men at the corner aim at him and fire if he does not return -instantly." - -There came a growl from many of the men. Two or three looked as if -they might follow the bad example set them. Then there was a sharp -report, followed by the fall of the coward who had bolted from the -square, and who had been deaf to Tom's orders. - -"Form up there in the corner," he commanded, severely. "You see what -happens to a man who deserts his comrades. Let it be a lesson to all. -Make ready to fire; stand firm. We shall beat them." - -Let those who have not tested the experience imagine what nerve it -must require to stand shoulder to shoulder in the open and see a -horde of horse and men galloping down upon you. The animals take on -a stature wonderfully enlarged--they seem even more ferocious than -their riders--sabres whirl and appear to stretch far in advance, so -as to reach easily an enemy. The situation brings for the instant a -feeling of helplessness, one calculated to disturb the courage of the -boldest. Would Tom's little command and the men massed in the other -squares be proof against such an ordeal? - -"Charge!" The loud command from the leader of the French squadrons -sent a flood of men and horse madly down upon them. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -Guarding the By-ways - - -Grouped together in three separate squares, Tom's Spanish command -awaited the onset of the French horse, each man gripping the musket -supplied to him by his British allies, and, in the case of those -in our hero's own particular square, awaiting his orders before -discharging the weapon. Nor had the lesson of the shooting of the man -who had fled from the ranks been lost on his comrades. There may have -been others inclined to show cowardice; but such a salutary example -checked them. - -"Kneeling rank make ready!" shouted Tom, when the eyes of the -oncoming troopers were visible. "Fire!" - -A storm of bullets sped from the square, while the company nearest -opened on the enemy at the same moment. - -"Reload!" bellowed Tom, peering through the smoke. "Now those who are -standing take aim. Fire!" - -The volleys rang out in rather quick succession, and were followed at -once by the ring of ramrods. And all the while there came to the ear -the thunder of horses' hoofs and the shouts of excited men. Tom saw -through the billowing smoke a number of dark figures which flashed -past the square as if borne on a gale. A few of these same figures -seemed to struggle against the current that bore them, and then, as -the smoke blew aside, and one could see better, they appeared as -individual troopers or officers who had reined back their horses. -Then with loud and angry shouts they dug spurs deep into the flanks -of the gallant beasts they rode, and, swinging their sabres, dashed -madly at the nearest face of the square. - -"Ready!" shouted Tom. "Fire individually. Keep them at a distance." - -Once more there was a sharp fusillade; while, to the consternation -of more than one of the men, bullets from the adjacent square, aimed -no doubt at the enemy, swept overhead, narrowly missing friends. As -for the French, foiled in this their first attempt, they drew off and -re-formed at a distance. Tom at once climbed into his saddle and rode -out to Alfonso's square. - -"Bravely done, men!" he called out, reining in close at hand. "I see -you did some execution; but you must be careful next time with your -bullets. You sent a number just over our heads. Now, Alfonso, draw -off your men by squares till we reach that broken ground. If we march -as we are you will lead the way; Jack will come next, and my little -lot will act as rearguard." - -He rode across to Jack's company and congratulated them also. Then he -rejoined his own men, while Alfonso set the whole command in motion. -Taking care to keep the distances between the companies, the whole -force marched away from the French, till a shout and a shrill whistle -from the young Spaniard commanding the force caused all to halt. -Looking over his shoulder, Tom saw that the Frenchmen were advancing -again, and at once drew his own men compactly together. - -"Remember that you are acting as the rearguard, and bear yourselves -accordingly. Obey my orders and you will come out of the conflict -victoriously. Let each man wait till he gets the word to fire." - -It was as well, perhaps, that the men had had some previous -experience of fighting; and though this was actually the first day -on which they had come in conflict with the enemy, the recent charge -of the French, and the manner in which they had been driven away, -had heartened them wonderfully. Even so, this second occasion proved -a greater ordeal for Tom's own particular company; for the French -seemed to have decided to hurl all their weight on one square, with -the object of defeating the three companies in detail. Drawing in -their ranks now, they set their horses at Tom's square with an -impetuous dash that elsewhere had sent Spaniards fleeing. Once -more Tom saw the commander stand in his stirrups, fling his sabre -overhead, and yell the command to charge. Then the mass came forward -at speed, looking as if they would ride over the square and stamp -every living man there out of existence. Crisp and cool came Tom's -orders. - -"Kneelers, fire!" he bellowed. "Now, those standing--reload!" - -Very rapidly he had altered to a slight degree the formation of the -square, throwing the corner at which the French attack was aimed -farther outward, making the angle, in fact, much sharper, and so -enabling more men on either face to take effective aim. The flash -of the muskets was answered at once by shrieks and shouts, and by -the neighing of horses. Men fell from their saddles, maddened beasts -crashed to the ground, rolled over, and lay frantically plunging. -Then the bulk of the enemy, hit hard by the second volley, swept past -the square like a torrent, and galloped away to a distance. Tom at -once stepped outside the square, and, with the help of a couple of -the men, liberated a trooper who was pinned beneath his horse. - -"There, _mon brave_," he said, with a smile, "go to your commander -and tell him not to make the attempt again; these Spaniards are well -able to look after themselves." - -To his amazement the man clutched him by the hand and then grinned -widely. Looking closely into his face, beneath its thatch of ruffled -hair, Tom recognized one of the troopers who had helped to defend the -church, and promptly shook his hand eagerly. - -[Illustration: "TO HIS AMAZEMENT THE MAN CLUTCHED HIM BY THE HAND"] - -"_Ma foi!_ and so soon," gasped the fellow. "See, monsieur, a little -while ago, two months perhaps, you and I and the others do our best -to cut the throats of a common enemy. Now we would cut one another's. -Truly war is a farce, and here am I your prisoner, whereas you were -mine but a while ago." - -The absurdity of the change tickled the man, and, though shaken by -his fall, he laughed uproariously. Then, aided by Tom again, he -clambered into the saddle borne by another horse resting beside its -slain master, and rode away, thanking Tom profusely. Nor was that -the last seen of him, for almost before Alfonso had put the three -companies in motion again half a dozen Frenchmen were seen to be -spurring towards them. One detached himself then from the number, and -presently was seen to be the officer. Fearless, as were these French -cavalrymen, he rode right up to the squares, lifting his hat as he -came. - -"Monsieur," he began, addressing Alfonso, while the Spaniards in the -ranks gazed at him open-mouthed, "have I the honour of addressing -Monsieur Tom Clifford?" - -Alfonso at once pointed to our hero, for he understood the language. -Then once more, when the officer had arrived at the last of the -squares, he repeated his question. - -"At your service, Capitaine," replied Tom. - -"The Monsieur Tom Clifford who defended the church against those -_canaille_ of Portuguese, and commanded French troopers?" - -Tom bowed. "The same," he said. "Glad if I was of service." - -"Then permit me to apologize for this attack," came the answer, while -the French officer swept his hat from his head again and bent over -the pommel of his saddle. "The tale of that fighting of monsieur, -and of the command he took, has gone through the French army. -Napoleon himself, the Emperor, has heard and commended. Monsieur, -we fight with the British, and with these _canaille_ of Portuguese -and Spanish; but we do not fight with monsieur. I have the honour to -observe that, though I have strong reinforcements at hand, I shall -retire, trusting that you will do so also. To fight with such a -friend is not _comme il faut_." - -Off went the hat again. The officer saluted, while Tom returned the -compliment. And then the officer was gone. They watched him ride away -with his command, and saw some five hundred other troopers join him. -They never renewed the attack, but, clapping spurs to their horses, -rode away out of sight, magnanimously declining to fight against our -hero. - -"And a jolly lucky thing for all of us!" declared Jack, when the men -were back in their bivouacs, and had broken their ranks. "Our fellows -did grandly, and are wonderfully heartened at their success; but they -realize, just as we realize, that an attack by the whole force of -cavalry would have overwhelmed us. Wonder how our Portuguese fellows -would have behaved under similar circumstances. Wish we had had them -here and put them to the test." - -But Jack need have had no fears that the command generally would -not soon be engaged, for that very evening brought a galloper in -from headquarters. Tom tore open the official envelope, and read the -contents with gusto. - -"To Lieutenant T. Clifford," it went. "You will report at once at -headquarters, and will take steps to concentrate your command on the -frontier. This message is urgent." - -"Then off we go!" Tom cried eagerly. "Alfonso, you will march your -men to the frontier to-night, and will bivouac wherever suitable. -March at dawn again, till you have covered some thirty miles in all, -then halt and wait for our signals. Jack and I will be off at once." - -That was the best of youth and energy. It carried the two young -fellows away at once, with Andrews in attendance. Nor did they halt -till darkness compelled them to do so. Rapping at the door of an -isolated farm, they were welcomed at once, leaving after a refreshing -sleep at the first streak of dawn. The following evening found them -at headquarters, where Tom at once reported himself. - -"Ah, you have come quickly!" was his greeting from the chief of -staff. "Now, Mr. Clifford, I will see if his lordship can receive -you." - -In the course of a few moments our hero found himself once more in -the presence of the great general, who greeted him with a smile. - -"Been defending any more churches, or commanding other Frenchmen?" he -asked, with a quizzing smile that became downright laughter when he -saw how Tom was blushing. "Now, confess." - -Tom had already reported the raising of the Spanish force, and lamely -admitted that they had been engaged with the enemy. "We beat them off -twice, sir," he said. "Then they received reinforcements, and matters -would have been ugly." - -"Ah, would have been!" smiled the general. "How did they clear up, -then? You had an agreement with the enemy?" - -"I met a friend," admitted our hero, with rising colour; "one of -the troopers who helped to defend the church. Then the officer came -forward and told us to move off, and declined to fight further." - -"And a gallant fellow he was, too!" laughed Wellington. "However, you -cannot always hope for such fortune, though I congratulate you on -the behaviour of your Spaniards. How I wish all would act likewise, -instead of being for the most part wholly unreliable! But now for a -mission--it means danger." - -Tom drew himself up and saluted. "Quite so, sir," he said cheerfully. - -"It is a species of forlorn hope; discovery means death." - -"What are the orders, sir?" asked Tom respectfully, never flinching. - -"And success means much to me. I want reliable information as to the -defences of Ciudad Rodrigo. I rely absolutely on the discretion of -the officer I employ, for my intention of attacking that place must -never be guessed at. I want that information, and I want to learn how -it is that certain of our secrets have reached the enemy. There, Mr. -Clifford; I give no orders; volunteers alone undertake the forlorn -hope." - -"Then I volunteer now, sir," exclaimed Tom promptly. "Am I to make -what use I like of my men?" - -"You are to dispose them so as to prevent anyone entering or leaving -Ciudad Rodrigo without observation," came the sharp answer. "Good -evening, Mr. Clifford!" - -Our hero saluted with precision, turned about with the smartness that -became a soldier, and hurried away. - -"Well?" asked Jack, all eagerness. - -"Let the men make ready for an early start. Draw rations and -ammunition for a couple of weeks; I'll be back in an hour." - -Tom swung himself into his saddle and rode away to the outskirts of -the cantonments; for the troops were now in winter quarters, and -already the weather had been severe. - -"Now, how's it to be done?" he asked himself. "I've to get into -Ciudad Rodrigo, which I know swarms with French soldiers, and I am to -intercept messages that appear to be going to the enemy. How's it -all to be done?" - -Walking his horse well away from the vicinity of the troops, he -thought the matter out, and returned to his own command just as -darkness was falling. - -"Let the men eat," he said abruptly. "We will march when darkness -has fallen, and so attract no attention. There may be people about -watching our troops." - -It was two hours later when the men fell in at Jack's whistle. They -marched from the cantonments in absolute silence, each man bearing -rations and ammunition on his shoulders, while still more was carried -in a couple of carts. Taking a track that led to the mountains, and -being guided by one of the men who knew the ground intimately, the -little force marched steadily forward and upward till they were well -within a deep fold of the ground that entirely hid them from their -late comrades. Not that there was much chance of their being seen, -for it was now very dark. But their signals might have attracted -attention, and, if news were being taken to the enemy, Tom was wise -enough to know that those who sent it must be somewhere in the -vicinity of our camps. - -"We'll take every precaution to bamboozle 'em," he told Jack, with -whom he had discussed matters. "They're hardly likely to notice our -absence from the camp; for 4000 Portuguese irregulars were encamped -beside us, and drew rations with us. Then, if they haven't seen us -move off, and don't see our signals, we shall be in a position to -lay a snare to catch any who may be making for Ciudad Rodrigo. Now -for a couple of fires." - -Two flares were lighted almost at once, and, having been allowed to -blaze for a few minutes, were stamped out again. Almost immediately -an answering fire was seen right away above them. An hour or more -later Alfonso put in an appearance with his command. - -"We'll march directly up the valley, the Portuguese going first," -said Tom. "Then we'll camp for the night. To-morrow we can introduce -the men and make our plans for the future." - -"What's the work?" asked Jack, whose interest and curiosity were -keen. "Special orders?" - -"Yes, there's news getting into Ciudad Rodrigo." - -"Ah! Not surprised. We've heaps of loafers always round our camps, -and a sly fellow might easily pick up information and take it to the -enemy. You'll hunt round Ciudad Rodrigo, I suppose?" - -"No," declared Tom abruptly. "I shall watch the outskirts of our -camps. If a man leaves, he will be followed. If he comes in the -direction of Ciudad Rodrigo, the information will be signalled to -you. You will arrest and search him." - -"I? You mean that you will," exclaimed Jack, for he was ever ready to -concede the post of leader to his chum. - -"No; you." - -"But," began Jack, "why not you?" - -"Because I shall be in Ciudad Rodrigo." - -"In the town, behind the defences! That's risky, ain't it?" asked his -friend. - -"Orders," declared Tom light-heartedly. "I'm telling them to you -in confidence. See here, Jack. Wellington has given us a nice -little job, and we've to pull ourselves together and carry it out; -information of our troops' movements is leaking out, and Wellington -wishes to keep them very secret; for he intends to take Ciudad -Rodrigo by assault. We've to cloak his movements by capturing all -talebearers, and we've to get inside knowledge of the defences of -Ciudad. Got it?" - -Jack had. He pondered for a little while, and then approached the -subject again. "How'll you fix the men?" he asked. "It's cold; -there's been snow already." - -"Then we must find quarters for all. I shall divide the force up, -putting a hundred Portuguese in this neighbourhood, a hundred farther -on, and the remainder spread away on the mountains, so that every -pass is under observation. It will take a few days to fix matters, -and then we shall really begin our work." - -They lay down in their blankets that night, the two halves of the -force, Portuguese and Spanish, being divided. Early on the following -morning, when a meal had been cooked and eaten, the men were formed -up, the two separate bands facing one another. Tom harangued them, -telling the Portuguese how the Spanish half had conducted itself -under the fire of the enemy, and how they had resisted an attack -by cavalry. To the Spaniards he spoke of the hardihood of the -Portuguese, and their courage, though he omitted to mention the -circumstances of the attack they had made on the church. Then he -spoke of their mutual interests, and having called upon all to do -their best, he dismissed the men for half an hour. - -"Let them get together and compare notes," he said. - -"It will make fast friends of them," agreed Alfonso. "You must -remember that my men live right on the frontier, and yours also, -so that they all speak a patois which is understood by the people -in these parts. Let them talk. The fact that they have a British -staff officer in command, with another to help him, and two British -riflemen, will help not a little." - -When the force moved off again there was no doubt that the men had -fraternized wonderfully. To look at them there was very little -difference in their appearance. All were well-built, hardy fellows, -with fresh complexions, showing that they were accustomed to an -open-air life. Short for the most part, they displayed wonderful -activity, and were evidently at home in the mountains. It was three -hours later when Tom halted the force, and let the men fall out to -eat and rest. - -"Here's where we place the first lot of our outposts," he told Jack, -pointing to some cottages lying under the brow of a rise. "Those are -deserted, and will shelter our men well. Andrews will stay with -them; for he has learned a little of the language. We will give -them a share of the rations, and then push on. I have already given -Andrews his orders. He is to post his men, half at a time, on every -height commanding the roads from our camps, is to capture all who -come this way, and, if a number are seen, is to signal by lighting a -fire." - -"And what happens when he's captured a man?" asked Jack. - -"He sends him along to us." - -"But you said 'you' a little while ago," Jack reminded him, with a -grin. - -"Us at first, you afterwards," said Tom ambiguously. "I dare say that -puzzles you; wait till we catch a fellow and you'll see." - -Three days later saw the whole of the force disposed, and when Tom -and his two lieutenants reviewed the posts, they could not help but -agree that they controlled all the roads communicating with Ciudad -Rodrigo, and likely to be used by anyone leaving Wellington's camp. -It was a week later when news reached our hero that a capture had -been made. He was then within sight of Ciudad Rodrigo, hidden on a -height from which he could look down at the fortress and town. Some -six hours later Andrews arrived, having left his brother rifleman in -charge of the post. - -"Well?" asked Tom, as the man drew himself up and saluted. - -"Captured a ruffian coming through our way early this morning, sir." - -"And searched him?" - -"Found these papers on him, sir. He did his best to get away, and -when he saw we were bound to capture him, tried to destroy the -papers; but our lads were too quick for him." - -"Where is he?" asked Tom. "Bring him forward." - -A rough, broad-shouldered individual was ushered into his presence -between an escort of four of the Portuguese, and stood scowling at -Tom. - -"Portuguese?" asked our hero. - -"No." - -"Then Spanish?" - -"No," came again the curt answer. - -"Then what?" - -"Spanish father, Portuguese mother. By what right do your men -interfere with me?" - -Tom ignored the question, and carefully investigated the papers -Andrews had placed in his hands. There were a couple of rough maps, -showing the British cantonments occupied by Wellington's troops, and -a few lines of writing, drafted in a clear, good hand, and telling of -the suspicion of the writer that Wellington was preparing to attack -Ciudad Rodrigo. - -"You have been then to Ciudad before?" asked Tom severely. - -"That's my affair," came the rough answer. - -"And you call yourself a patriot? Who were these papers to be taken -to? There is no address on the envelope." - -A smile of triumph, and then a scowl, crossed the ill-favoured face -of the man. It was obvious that he meant to give no information. - -"Take him away," commanded Tom. "Mr. Barwood, put the prisoner up -against that rock, and shoot him five minutes from now. Choose four -of the men to carry out the sentence. There is not one who will not -willingly obey and help to shoot a traitor." - -He repeated the words in English to the astonished Jack, and then -turned away abruptly. But a moment later a cry brought him facing -round again, to discover the renegade on his knees, begging for his -life. - -"I will tell all," he wailed. - -"Then speak, and take care that it is the truth, for you will be kept -here for a while, and shot if we have doubts. Now, you have been to -Ciudad Rodrigo before?" - -The man shook his head emphatically. - -"For whom were the papers intended?" - -"For the general in command. But I was to deliver them to one who -lives at a cabaret in the street of St. Angelo, and who would answer -to the name of Francisco." - -"And then?" - -"I was to seek a lodging at the far end of the town, wait for a -letter, and then return." - -"To whom?" asked Tom curtly, while the men about strained their ears -to hear what was passing. - -"To my employer, _señor_." - -"And he is----?" - -"One whom I never met before. He lodges in a house in Oporto, and -there I met him. His name I never heard. He is young and thin and -dark. That is all I can tell you." - -Tom stood thinking for a while, and then walked to a distance with -Jack Barwood. - -"Well?" he asked. "What would you do?" - -"Send along to Oporto," declared his adjutant. "Get hold of this -employer." - -"And what about these papers?" asked Tom. - -"I'd dispatch them to headquarters." - -"Quite so; and then?" - -"Then?" asked Jack, a little troubled. "Then I'd set the watch again -and see if I could catch others." - -"Good!" agreed Tom. "We'll do all that. Alfonso shall take a party to -Oporto, carrying this fellow with him, with orders to scare him if he -shows signs of lying. You shall send the papers to Wellington, with -an explanation I shall write, and then I----" - -"Yes?" gasped Jack, conscious that his friend had all the while been -leading up to the declaration of some plan. - -"I shall borrow this fellow's clothing. I'll write up a yarn which -will do just as well as his papers, and then I'll seek out the -owner of the cabaret in the street of St. Angelo, the man known as -Francisco, and there discover all that there is to be learned with -regard to Ciudad Rodrigo." - -It was a daring scheme to attempt; but then Tom had his orders. -The following morning, in fact, found him stripped of his handsome -staff uniform, and dressed in the clothes of their captive. He bade -adieu to his comrades, went off down the height, and some two hours -later was seen accosting the outposts placed by the French about the -fortress. Jack and his friends, watching from above, saw their friend -and leader disappear within a wide gateway. Thereafter, though they -strained their eyes, there was not so much as a sign of him. He was -gone altogether, swallowed by the massive defences of Ciudad Rodrigo, -cut off from his friends, and surrounded by enemies who, if they -discovered his disguise, would treat him as a spy and promptly shoot -him. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -Ciudad Rodrigo - - -"Halt! Stand fast and give the countersign!" - -A huge French grenadier barred the road where it passed in beneath -the frowning doorway of the fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo, and with his -long bayonet dropped to the level of the chest of the intruder called -upon him brusquely and in no uncertain tones to halt. - -"The countersign," he demanded once more, peremptorily, the point -of his weapon actually entangled in the stranger's clothing, while -the look on the soldier's face seemed to say that he would willingly -make a little error and transfix him. As for the latter, he was a -well-grown, active, young fellow, with tousled hair dangling over his -eyes, a general appearance of untidiness, and a something about him -which denoted neither the genuine Spaniard nor the genuine Portuguese. - -"Son of a dog no doubt," growled the sentry. "Neither fish nor flesh, -nor yet good herring. A _peste_ on these loafers about this place. -Poof! If I were here I should be fighting, instead of swilling wine -and idling as do these men. Well?" he called loudly. "The word?" - -Tom looked up at the man from beneath the drawn-down brim of the -tattered hat he had borrowed from the news bearer his men had -captured. "Orleans," he murmured, putting into the word the queer -accent to be expected of a stranger. - -"Ha! Then enter; but whither? The dog may be a spy of the British," -the man growled, and at the recollection, and the sudden suspicion, -once more elevated the point of his weapon, and cleverly contrived to -catch it in the lapel of Tom's coat. - -"The street of St. Angelo," answered our hero under his breath, as -if he were imparting a secret. "To one Francisco, with news, you -understand?" - -Apparently the man had learned some Spanish since the invasion of the -Peninsula, and contrived to understand the words. - -"Then enter," he cried. "Enter." - -Down came the butt of his weapon with a clatter on the stones, while -Tom passed on meekly. Indeed he was anxious to give the impression -of one with little courage, merely a tale bearer. Also, he was in a -hurry to get away from the Frenchman. For always he was dogged with -the fear that he might by some evil chance come face to face with -one of the troopers with whom he had fought the Portuguese peasants. -However, the grenadier was not one of them. Tom left him standing at -ease, and at once clambered up the steep way leading to the town. As -for the grenadier, he watched the retreating figure of the stranger -reflectively. - -"A Spaniard? No," he told himself. "A Portuguese? _Parbleu!_ -Impossible! He has not the colouring. Then what? A mixture? No. -Then--English!" - -The very suspicion set him marching to and fro with energy. His -musket flew to his shoulder, and then came down again with a bump. -The grenadier was consumed with doubt for some few moments, and then -with suspicion that soon became certainty. He called loudly for the -serjeant of the guard, made his report, and was promptly relieved. -A few minutes later he was hurrying in the direction Tom had taken, -with three of his grenadier comrades to assist him. - -"A fairly tall, broad-shouldered ragamuffin," he explained. "One with -the appearance and manner of a coward at first sight, and with the -frame and body of an athlete, and the eyes of one who has courage in -abundance. Seek for him; if he fails to surrender on demand, shoot!" - -It was a very pleasant prospect for Tom, and no doubt, had he known -what was happening, he would have hastened his footsteps, and -would have promptly taken measures to ensure his escape. But Tom -had important work to do, work which required time and patience. -First, there was the envelope to deliver, with the fictitious -plans he had drawn, and the wording that told not of Wellington's -anticipated attempt of Ciudad Rodrigo, but of his retirement towards -Lisbon. In fact, Tom had fabricated a yarn which, if the governor -of this fortress believed it, would throw dust in his eyes and aid -Wellington's plans enormously. Then there was a tour to be made of -the defences, the guns to be located and counted, and any special -works recorded on the plan he must draw. Our hero was, indeed, -engaged on recognizance work of the utmost importance, work hardly -likely to be facilitated by the three grenadiers who were making so -hurriedly after him. - -"The street of St. Angelo," he repeated to himself; "one Francisco." - -Selecting a lad who was playing in the street, he enquired the way of -him. - -"Up there to the right, then to the left sharp. It's the last street -in that direction," he was told, the boy evidently seeing nothing -strange about him. Tom promptly took the direction indicated, and, -following the turnings in succession, came to the street he was -searching for. - -"Francisco lives at a cabaret at the corner," he reminded himself. -"There it is: 'Michael Francisco, dealer in wine.' And there's the -fellow himself." - -A beetle-browed, untidy individual was sitting just within the -entrance to the cabaret, warming his toes at a charcoal brazier. From -a room within came the sound of voices, the tinkle of a stringed -instrument, and the chink of glasses, while from a spot still farther -away, perhaps in the back regions of the dwelling, the voice of a -scolding woman could be heard, drowning the other sounds completely -for some few seconds. Tom looked cautiously about him, and then -sauntered up to the door. - -"One Francisco?" he asked. "Of the street of St. Angelo?" - -"The same," came the immediate answer, while the proprietor of the -place looked him over sharply. "And you?" - -"Someone with a message from Oporto for you to deal with. Here it is." - -An exclamation of delight broke from the man, who at once seized the -envelope. "You have orders to wait, then, my friend?" he asked. - -"I have; I shall seek a lodging down the street. To-night I will come -for the answer." - -"Then step inside now and take a glass," the man said promptly. -"To-night there shall be an answer. Come, a glass. Ho there, wine!" -he shouted. - -The scolding voice ceased of a sudden, while a woman appeared at the -door of a room located at the end of the passage. Some five minutes -later she brought a tray containing glasses, and poured wine into two -of them. - -"To our success!" cried Francisco, lifting his glass and speaking -significantly. - -"And may you get what every traitor deserves," thought Tom as he -lifted his own allowance. "To you!" he cried, tipping the glass -upward. - -It was just at that moment that, glancing through the bottom of his -upturned glass, and aslant through the open door of the cabaret, -which being set at the corner of the street commanded a long view -of it, our hero caught sight of four French grenadiers hastening -along it. At their head was one who was almost a giant! His flowing -moustaches and the breadth of his shoulders seemed strangely -familiar, while a second look convinced Tom that it was the very man -who had stood sentry at the gate and had admitted him. - -"Strange!" he thought. "They are the first soldiers I have seen in -this direction, though there are others, of course. There are two in -this cabaret at the moment, for I caught a glimpse of them. Ah, the -big man is pointing! They are all hurrying--this looks ugly." - -It was one of those situations where one engaged in dangerous work -such as our hero had undertaken might very well be captured before -he was more than aware of his danger. Hesitation might mean his -downfall. On the other hand, if he were mistaken in the designs -of the approaching grenadiers, and they had no concern with him, -then action at the moment might lead to suspicion on the part of -Francisco, which would be almost as bad. Tom screwed up his eyes and -looked closely at the oncomers; then, seeing them turn towards the -cabaret, he asked a question in the most unconcerned voice possible. - -"Tell me," he said, "I may rest in here, upstairs where there is less -noise? I have come fast from Oporto, and feel too tired even to seek -for a lodging." - -"Then pass up the stairs," came the answer, while the innkeeper -deposited his empty glass on the tray with a bang. "Pass upstairs, -friend, and rest in the room overhead. In an hour perhaps, when I am -free, I will go to the governor. There is no haste in these matters. -Go now. I will attend to the customers who are now coming." - -He turned to greet the grenadiers, now within ten yards of the door, -while Tom lounged to the stairs, and then darted up them. At the top -he stood and listened for a few moments. - -"Ha!" he heard the big grenadier exclaim. "This is Francisco. Now, my -friend, you have a caller. Where is he?" - -That was enough for Tom. It was clear that he was suspected, and -equally clear that if he did not hasten he would be captured within -a few minutes. But how was he to get away? He opened the nearest -door and thrust his head into the room to which it gave admittance. -It was empty; there was nothing there to help him. He went then to -the next, and peered into it noiselessly. There was nothing there -either----"Ah!" Tom gave vent to a startled exclamation, for a man -lay full length on a bed--a man who seemed to be sunk in the depths -of sleep. Who was he? - -He was across the room in an instant, bending over the man. Yes, he -was sunk in a profound slumber, and, if Tom could have guessed it, -Francisco's wine had something to say to the fellow's drowsiness. But -whatever the cause Tom's attention was instantly switched in another -direction, for it appeared that the fellow had dragged off his -clothing, and there, thrown carelessly on the floor, was the uniform -of a French soldier. - -"I think----" began our hero, cogitating deeply. "Ah! they're coming -upstairs, that innkeeper and the grenadiers. I must chance it." - -He stooped over the clothing, dragged the red breeches over his own, -pulled them tight at the waist, and threw on the long-tailed surcoat -so loved by the French. Round went the belt, hitching with a click, -while the hat followed in a twinkling. Then he sat down, dragged off -his boots, and was in the act of pulling on one belonging to the -sleeper, when he heard footsteps on the landing outside and gruff -voices. - -"They'll look in here, and see that fellow asleep," he told himself. -"No they won't, if I'm sharp. How's that?" - -Very swiftly he sprang towards the bed and dragged a curtain into -position, for the latter hung from a horizontal iron rod, and was -intended to shut off a cubicle containing the bed. He had hardly got -back to his seat, and was again pulling on a boot, when there came a -thump at the door and again loud voices. - -"I tell you that there is only a brother soldier of yours in here," -he heard the innkeeper exclaim testily. "He is asleep, or was a -little while ago. He has been here making merry with some friends, -and fell asleep down below. We carried him to bed and pulled off his -clothes." - -"Then if he is asleep, open and let us see him," he heard from the -grenadier in villainous Spanish. "Open, man, in the name of the -Emperor!" - -There was another bang at the door, which at once flew open. Tom, -with his back to the entrance, leaned over and pulled at the boot. - -"Ha!" he heard from behind him. "The rascal! He is awake. Well, -comrade?" - -"Well," answered our hero in a dull, thick voice. "Well." - -"That's you, eh?" - -"Me, right enough," Tom coughed sleepily. "What's the time?" - -"Time you were back in barracks," came the gruff answer. - -The door banged, and again voices were heard on the landing. - -"Not there," the grenadier told his friends. "The landlord is right. -There is merely a sleepy, half-tipsy comrade. No wonder, too; these -rascals of innkeepers sell the worst of wine at the highest figure. -But search the other rooms. You, Jacques, stand at the head of the -stairs; we will not have our bird bolting. Now, my man, lead on -again." - -Tom listened attentively, and wondered what his next move should be. - -"Walk out in this uniform, I suppose. But it'd be risky; I'd be -likely to be accosted by other soldiers. I might get an order from -an officer. Still, for the time being, it would do. But I must find -some other disguise, for the whole garrison will soon be on the -lookout for a young chap dressed like a civilian. I was suspicious of -that grenadier; I was afraid he had spotted me. Ah, there they go!" - -More voices reached his ear. The French grenadiers stopped at the -head of the stairs and discussed the matter. - -"Not here--flown through the far window," he heard one say. "Best be -after him." - -"See here, Jacques," came to his ear. "Go down to the main guard and -warn them to send round to all the gates. If we don't get the spy -here, we'll have him as he attempts to leave. Tell them to search -every civilian." - -There was a clatter outside the cabaret after that, and then silence. -Tom peeped out of the door and found the landing empty. He turned, -hearing a sound from the bed, to find the sleeper sitting up on one -arm, drowsily regarding him from the edge of the curtain which he had -drawn aside. - -"What cheer, comrade!" the fellow gurgled with an inane smile. "Time -for parade?" - -"Not a bit," answered our hero promptly. "Get to sleep again. It'll -clear your head. There; I'll draw the curtain." - -He swung the curtain right across the end of the bed and heard the -soldier flop down again on his pillows. Then, once more, he went -to the door. There was no one about, though on peering out of the -window he saw the landlord standing in the street outside with a -curious crowd about him. - -"Said a spy had been here," he was shouting angrily. "As if I, -Francisco, would harbour such an one. A spy indeed! What does an -innkeeper have to do with spying?" - -The crafty fellow did not tell the listeners that he was an agent -of the French, the go-between for information of the movements of -the British, the men who had come to the country to free himself -and his nation from the grip of France. And he scouted the idea -that his messenger could have been an Englishman, or the message he -brought written by other than the traitor who hid himself in Oporto -and hired rascals like himself in the neighbourhood of Wellington's -camp. To this Francisco it was out of the question that Tom could -be anything but what he represented himself to be. But that others -thought differently was certain; for there was a bustle all over -the defences. Tom could see squads of men marching swiftly. Mounted -messengers galloped here and there, while a double company was massed -at the gate by which he had entered. - -"They've made up their minds that they've a spy here, and that's -the end of it," he told himself. "Soon there'll be a call for all -the troops, and this fellow here will be bustled out to join 'em. -That'll be awkward. What can I do? Ah, let's see what the other rooms -contain!" - -He went scuttling across the landing and dived into a room almost -opposite. It belonged, probably, to the daughter of the house, for it -was neat and tidy, while a couple of dresses hung on the wall. Tom -pulled a cupboard open and peeped in. - -"Got it!" he cried. "Here's the very thing--a sort of mantilla. Now -for the dress and anything else likely to come handy." - -He swept up an armful and dived back to the room he had been -occupying. There he threw off the French uniform and dressed himself -in the new garments he had secured. - -"Not half bad," he grinned, as he stood before a cracked glass -perched on a rickety table. "My uncle, as Jack would say, but I'm -not half bad-looking when dressed as a girl! Am I right, though? -Wish I knew more about these things. If only there was another -glass I'd be able to see what my back looks like. Now, we practise -walking. Gently does it. Hang this skirt! Nearly took a header that -time, and--yes--I've torn the thing badly. Want a pin for that. Got -it--here it is, just handy." - -Afraid? Not a bit of it; Tom wasn't that. Merely hugely excited, for -the occasion was somewhat strenuous. The noise outside, the blare of -bugles, the rattle of drums and the clatter of moving troops told -him that plainly. Also he guessed, and guessed rightly, that he was -the cause of all the bustle. He swung the mantilla over his head, -half-swathed his face in it, took one last look at his reflection, -and then went to the door. No one was moving upstairs; the coast was -clear. - -"Straight bang for the window," he told himself. "Wonder what's -below? Wouldn't there be a howl if they saw a girl dropping from one. -Here we are. This'll do--out we go!" - -There was a sheer drop of ten or more feet into an enclosed yard at -the back of the house; but a door led from the yard into a lane, and -that promised to give access to one of the streets. Tom did not wait -a moment. Indeed, the sound of steps on the stairs hastened him, -while, as if everything must needs conspire to thwart his hopes, the -door he had so recently closed on the sleeping soldier opened, and -that individual staggered out on to the landing. By then Tom was half -through the window. He waited not an instant, but swung himself down -and dropped to the ground. Dashing across to the gate he was through -it in a few moments. - -"Steady does it," he murmured, finding it extremely difficult to obey -the order and to refrain from running. "There's that idiot grinning -at me from the window. Ah, that places me out of sight! Guess he's -considerably astonished." - -There was little doubt but that the soldier was flabbergasted. In his -sleepy, maudlin condition he found it very hard to understand the -meaning of the scene he had but just witnessed. He was filled with a -stupid admiration of the pluck of the damsel he had seen leap from -the window, but felt no further interest. His muddled mind asked for -no reason for such behaviour, while his ignorance of the commotion -then filling the place, and of the search that was being made for a -spy, left him merely admiring a feat which was to him extraordinary. - -As for Tom, he stepped down the lane and was soon in the main street, -that of St. Angelo. A crowd of excited individuals of all ages and -of both sexes was hastening down towards the main guard, and, since -he could do nothing better, he went with them, safer in their midst -than he could have been in any other position. Parties of soldiers -passed them constantly, while all down the street houses were being -searched, and every civilian of the male sex stopped and closely -questioned. As a result there was an extraordinary hubbub. Women -shrieked indignantly from their windows, resenting such intrusion, -while men stood sullenly at their doors, looking as if they would -have gladly murdered the Frenchmen. - -"Seems to me that I've dropped on the only real disguise," Tom -chuckled. "But there's one thing to be remembered: if the daughter of -Francisco goes to her room she will discover what has happened, then -there'll be another flare up. Time I looked into the business part of -this thing seriously." - -He had come carefully armed with a small notebook and pencil, and, -having in the past two months received some instruction in sketching, -he felt sure that he had only to use his eyes, and discover a retired -spot, when he would be able to gather a sufficiently correct plan -of the defences. Indeed he strolled about, first with one batch of -excited inhabitants and then with another, till he had made a round -of the place, retiring now and again to some quiet corner where he -jotted down his observations. Every gun he saw was marked, every -earthwork drawn in with precision. A few careful questions gave him -the position of stores and magazines, while a little smiling chat -with a French sentry, who seemed to admire this girl immensely, put -Tom in possession of the strength of the garrison, the name of the -general in command, and the fact that other troops were nowhere in -the vicinity. - -"Then it's time to think of departing. That'll be a conundrum," he -told himself. "Couldn't drop over the walls, that's certain. Halloo! -mounted men have been sent out to cut me off should I try to make a -dash from the place. This is getting particularly awkward." - -It was well past noon by now, and Tom was getting ravenously hungry. -He stood amongst a group of civilians on one of the walls of the -place looking out towards the part where Jack and his men were -secreted. Troopers could be seen cantering here and there, while -others were halted at regular intervals, and stood beside their -horses prepared to mount and ride at any moment. Strolling along -with his new acquaintances our hero was soon able to get a glimpse -of the other side of Ciudad Rodrigo and its surroundings there. But -there was not a break in the line of troopers circling the place. -It was evident, in fact, that no effort was to be spared to capture -the fellow whom the grenadier had first suspected. Nor was there -any doubt in the mind of the French general that his suspicion was -justified; for Francisco had now disgorged the papers Tom had handed -him, and these on inspection proved to be wanting in one particular. -The secret sign of the agent who was supposed to have sent them, -which was always attached to such papers, was lacking, proof positive -that the news was false and the bearer an enemy. - -It was, perhaps, two or three hours after noon when Tom mixed with -a crowd of curious citizens at the very gate which he had entered -that morning, and watched as soldiers came and went. Sometimes -a civilian would pass through also, though in every case he was -closely inspected. As for the women and children, as yet they had not -ventured out. But curiosity soon got the better of them. A laughing -dame thrust her way through, the guard passing her willingly. Then -the others pressed forward, and in a little while Tom was outside, -sauntering here and there, wistfully looking at those hills which he -had left in the morning. - -"And still as far away as ever," he told himself. "Wish I could get -hold of a horse--that would do it. What's the matter now? There's -another disturbance in the town; people are shouting. Here's a -trooper galloping out." - -By then he was some distance from the outer wall, but still within -the ring of dismounted troopers. And, as he had observed, there was -another commotion. In a few minutes, indeed, there was a movement -amongst the civilians. Those nearest the gate were hastening back, -while troopers galloped out to fetch in stragglers. One of these came -dashing up to the group Tom accompanied. - -"Get back through the gates," he commanded brusquely. - -"And why?" asked the same laughing dame who had led the movement from -the fortress. "Why, friend?" - -"Because there is a vixen amongst you who is not what she seems," the -man answered angrily. "There's information that this spy borrowed -women's clothing; you may be he. We'll have to look into the -matter--back you all go." - -He was a rough fellow, who held no love for these people, and riding -amongst them actually upset the woman who had spoken, causing her to -shriek aloud. - -"Coward!" she cried, picking herself up with difficulty and trembling -at his violence. - -"Eh!" exclaimed the brute, angered at the taunt. "Now bustle, and -keep a civil tongue between your teeth--bustle, I say." - -He edged his horse still closer, till the woman fell again, terrified -by the close approach of the animal the trooper rode. - -"Shame!" cried Tom, his gorge rising. "Do the French then fight with -women?" - -He had called out in the voice of a woman, and looked, in fact, -merely a young girl. But that made little difference to this brute -of a trooper. He set his horse in Tom's direction, and looked as -if he would actually ride over him. And then there was a sudden -and unexpected change; for the young girl displayed the most -extraordinary activity. She leaped aside, darted in, and sprang -up behind the trooper. For a moment there was a tussle; and then -the trooper was lifted from his saddle and tipped out on to the -ground. Before the astonished and frightened crowd of women could -realize what was happening, or the trooper gather a particle of his -scattered wits, the girl was firmly planted in his place, her feet -were jammed in the stirrups, and there was presented to all who -happened to be looking in that direction as strange a sight as could -be well imagined. Shrieks filled the air; men shouted hoarsely to one -another, while the troopers standing at their horses' heads leaped -into their saddles. - -"It is the spy! It is the English spy!" was shouted from the walls. -"The spy!" bellowed the bullying soldier whom Tom had unhorsed, -making a funnel of his hands and turning to the trooper who was -nearest. - -"Follow!" came in stentorian tones from the nearest officer. - -Then began a race the like of which had never been witnessed outside -Ciudad Rodrigo. Tom clapped the heels of his French boots to the -flanks of his borrowed horse, while the mantilla that had done him -such service, caught by the breeze, went blowing out behind him. -Bending low, he sent the animal galloping direct for the hills, -smiling grimly as the crack of carbines came from behind him. - -[Illustration: TOM ESCAPES FROM CIUDAD RODRIGO] - -"Jack'll be up there waiting," he thought as he glanced ahead. "He'll -soon send these fellows back once they get within shot. Pah! That was -a near one; the bullet struck my boot. Beg pardon, not my boot, but -that fellow's at the cabaret. Glad there's no horsemen in front of -me. So much the better; it's going to be a fine gallop." - -A fine gallop it proved, too. His mount was blown before the chase -was over, while had it lasted a little longer he would certainly -have been taken. But of a sudden heavy musketry fire broke out from -a point a little to one side. Dark figures, clad in the well-known -rough uniform of Tom's guerrillas, appeared on the hillside. And then -a shrill whistle sounded. It was perhaps a minute later that Tom -threw himself from his horse and stood amongst his comrades. And how -Jack roared with laughter, how the men grinned their delight, how -Andrews, who had but just reached the party spluttered and attempted -to behave as became a disciplined soldier! - -"Introduce me, do," gurgled Jack, seizing Alfonso by the arm and -doubling up with merriment. "Miss what's-her-name, eh?" - -"Clifford, at your service," grinned Tom, "and don't you forget it!" - -"Of all the boys!" spluttered Andrews, his face red with his efforts. -"I knew he had backbone, but this here's something different." - -"Allow me," said Jack in his most gallant manner, offering an arm. -"Excuse me if I appear a little forward." - -"Rats!" was Tom's somewhat abrupt answer. "Let the boys fall in. -We'll march at once; I've had a spree, I can tell you." - -It was with grins of delight and many an exclamation that his -comrades listened to the tale, a narrative soon passed on by Alfonso -to their following. Meanwhile Tom tore his borrowed clothing from -him, donned his handsome uniform, and made ready for more active -movement. - -"We've done a good part of our work," he said. "Now for that fellow -in Oporto. Let's ride back to the camp, leaving some of our men to -watch the roads near it. I'll hand my notes in to the chief of the -staff, and then look into the last part of this matter. Wonder who -the rogue is who's such a friend of Francisco, and sends news to the -men that are enemies of his country." - -They might all wonder, and the reader need not feel surprised if he -learns that this rascal was too clever for those who sought him. -The hovel to which the man whom Tom's guerrillas had captured led -them--and who had promised information in return for his life--was -empty. There was no particle of evidence to prove where the rascal -had flown; but careful search discovered a note hidden in a crevice -of the ceiling, and when that was opened the information contained -proved to be of little value. - -"Come to Badajoz," it said. "There ask for Juan de Milares, in the -street of St. Paulo. There is still work to be done and money to be -earned for the doing." - -"Same handwriting without a doubt," declared Jack emphatically. "The -bird's flown, and Badajoz is out of the question." - -As a general rule one would have agreed with him; for, like -Ciudad Rodrigo, that fortress was garrisoned by the French. But -circumstances alter cases, and Tom soon recognized this to be a fact, -since there was further information awaiting him in Oporto. A visit -to the house of Septimus John Clifford & Son discovered something -approaching a tragedy. For Juan de Esteros had disappeared that very -evening, and with him no less a person than Septimus John Clifford -himself. - -"But where?" demanded Tom, filled with apprehension. - -"Alas, there is nothing to tell us!" answered the chief clerk, as -faithful a fellow as the worthy Huggins. "They left without a word to -anyone, without so much as a sound. They dined together and sat on -the veranda reading. Later they retired to their rooms; after that we -know nothing." - -"But," exclaimed Tom, aghast at the mystery, "surely there's----" - -"There is merely this," came the answer, while a slip of paper was -thrust into his hands. "We found it resting on the table, weighted so -that it could not blow away. Read, _señor_." - -Tom scanned the lines for some few moments, while his smooth forehead -wrinkled deeply. "Thus is the house of Septimus John Clifford & Son -punished," he read, the Spanish letters being scrawled across the -paper. Yes scrawled. In a moment he recognized that writing. It was -put upon the paper by the selfsame man who had sent information to -the commandant at Ciudad Rodrigo, the traitor who was eager and -willing to supply news which would help the enemies of his country. - -"Well? What next?" asked Jack when the fact had been explained to him. - -"To Badajoz, that's all," came the short answer. "This villain's got -hold of my father and uncle for some reason or other. It's plainly my -duty to look into the matter; so I'll pay Badajoz a visit, just as I -went to Ciudad Rodrigo. Wonder who this chap is and what game he's up -to? But duty first, Jack; we'll make back to the camp and see what's -expected of us." - -If Tom had hoped to pursue a private matter just then he was to be -disappointed. For barely was Christmas past, and the new year entered -upon, when Wellington threw the whole force he commanded against -Ciudad Rodrigo. Pressing the siege with intense energy--for there -was always the fear that the French would concentrate on him from -all parts and raise the siege before it was successfully over--he -launched his attacking parties after remarkably short delay. The -fighting which resulted was of the severest description, and the -greatest gallantry and resolution was shown by either side. But -British pluck won. The defences were captured, and within a few hours -of the assault the place which Tom had visited was garrisoned by -British instead of by French soldiers. Then Wellington turned toward -Badajoz, outside which Tom and his men had for two weeks past thrown -out a circle of their men, thus cutting all communications. - -"It'll be a hard nut to crack," observed the merry Jack, casting his -eye up at the defences; "but I suppose we'll do it." - -"We must," declared Tom with emphasis. "Anyway, I've got to get -inside the place and unravel this mystery. There's father and Don -Juan to find and release, and then there's that rascal who took them." - -But would Tom, or indeed any of our men, ever get within this -terribly grim fortress? It seemed unlikely enough, viewing the -defences, and we may declare here and now that before our hero was to -set foot within the place he was to take part in fighting of the very -fiercest. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -One of the Forlorn Hope - - -"A terribly hard nut to crack," observed Jack, for perhaps the -twentieth time, as he and Tom sat their horses on a ridge above -Badajoz, and looked down upon the fortress. "It'll be interesting -to see how Wellington sets about the matter. Suppose there'll be a -tremendous cannonade, and then an assault. Wish we were going to be -in it." - -"I mean to, whatever happens," came from our hero, who was staring -down at the fortress, as if he wished to guess in which house his -father and Don Juan were imprisoned. "As to how it'll be done, -there's no saying; for I've never witnessed a siege before. But -apparently the sappers and miners dig their way toward the fortress, -erecting batteries as they go, till they are so close that our guns -can batter down the walls. Then comes the grand assault. I can -imagine that that is a terrific business. Well, let's ride round the -place and see what's happening. There's very little else for us to do -just now, and we can leave the men with Alfonso." - -For two weeks past the combined command of Portuguese and Spanish -guerrillas whom Tom had charge of had been operating about the -magnificent fortress which Wellington had determined to capture. -Throwing a circle completely about the place, they had cut the -garrison off entirely from the outside world, and thus had enabled -Wellington to concentrate his men without alarming the French. For -here again, as in the case of Ciudad Rodrigo, it was all-important -that the siege operations should not be disturbed by the arrival -of a large French force, against whom our troops would have to act -before taking the fortress. As in the case of Ciudad Rodrigo, had -information leaked out the enemy could easily have concentrated a -force in the neighbourhood, sufficient to delay and make impossible -all siege operations. But, thanks to secrecy in his preparations, -thanks, too, in no small measure to the work of such corps as Tom -commanded, the intentions of Wellington were quite unknown, till, -of a sudden, in the March following his capture of Ciudad Rodrigo, -he turned his divisions in the direction of Badajoz, a fortress -sometimes known as "the gate of Spain," and, crossing the River -Guadiana on the 16th, caused the place to be invested by the three -divisions commanded by Beresford and Picton. The remainder of his -troops, some 60,000 in all, counting Spanish and Portuguese allies, -covered the siege operations. - -Looking down from the point of vantage to which they had ridden, Tom -and his chum could obtain a bird's-eye view of the ancient fortress -of Badajoz, and could easily trace its outline. But the arrival -of a staff officer helped them wonderfully to understand what was -occurring before their eyes. Cantering up the hill at this moment, -and looking the smart fellow he was, this officer drew rein close to -the two young fellows, acknowledging their salutes with one as brisk, -and with a smile. - -"Taking the air?" he asked. "We shall have plenty of it before we've -done with the Frenchies. Ah! that's Clifford, I believe." - -Tom saluted again and flushed. - -"The officer the French refuse to fight, eh?" - -Our hero was compelled to agree, with heightened colour, whereat the -officer laughed loudly. - -"And his adjutant along with him, too," he remarked, looking the -unabashed Jack up and down, and reflecting that he seemed to be a -very smart and jovial fellow. "You chaps know how you're spoken of, -perhaps, eh?" he asked with another smile, causing both the lads to -shake their heads. - -"Then I'll tell you. Never is one seen but the other is at his heels. -So throughout the army you're known as the 'twins.' Good name, isn't -it?" - -Once more they heard his hearty laughter, which they shared with -him; for this was news to our two heroes. Not that they could help -admitting that there was reason for the name they had earned, since -Jack Barwood had become Tom's veritable shadow. They seemed to haunt -the same piece of ground always, and even when with their command -the jovial Jack was ever at the side of his superior. There was -a whisper also amongst the men, fostered not a little by voluble -sayings of Andrews and his brother rifleman, that these two young -officers, occupying such posts of responsibility, were nevertheless -not above a little skylarking. Indeed, if Tom and Jack had proved -that they were eager and ready to lead their men into action, they -had also more than once shown a disposition to lead them into -mischief. - -"Well, now, let's have a look at the place," said the officer, -producing a short spyglass. "You can see for yourselves how the -fortress is placed. It stands on an eminence at the junction of the -Rivers Guadiana and Rivillas, the former being crossed by a long -bridge, which you can see for yourself. There's the castle, perched a -hundred feet above the level of the rivers, and occupying almost the -apex of the point of confluence. The town spreads behind it fan-wise, -and is walled, presenting eight strong bastions, with curtains, -counterscarps, glacis, and covered ways, without doubt, all helping -to make the place extremely strong. There are five gates, though -you can't see them all from this point. There, take a look; you can -actually observe people moving in the streets." - -The view was, in fact, an enchanting one; for Badajoz at that time -was not an erection of a few years, but one of great antiquity. It -had withstood sieges against the Moors and Goths, and had been taken -and retaken many a time; and there it was fully prepared for another -siege, garrisoned by some 5000 of the enemy, and packed to repletion -with guns, ammunition, and food; in fact with all that makes defence -possible. - -"And how will the siege be conducted?" asked Tom, when he had taken a -long look at the place. "Shall we endeavour to make a breach at one -point or at many?" - -"Many," came the short answer. "No doubt Wellington will launch his -attacking parties in several directions. But first he must smash -up that work you see on the far side of the river, known as Fort -Picurina. Batteries will be placed elsewhere, and I believe the angle -nearest us has been selected, as well as that farthest away, close to -the Trinidad and St. Vincent bastions respectively. In a few hours -the guns will be thundering in a manner which will open your eyes." - -The bombardment that followed was, in fact, a revelation to our -hero; for, though Wellington might easily have been better equipped -for a siege, and have had a far superior battering train, the guns -he possessed were nevertheless of service. Nor must it be forgotten -that these same guns had been brought into position only after the -very greatest labour and secrecy; for they had been sent round by sea -from Lisbon, had then been transported up the River Setubal in small -boats, to Alcacer do Sal, and thence by land across the Alemtejo to -the River Guadiana. - -Think of the labour involved in such an operation, of the secrecy -necessary to keep the movement from the knowledge of the French. -Think also of the small army of helpers, all taking part in this war, -and yet working out of sound of gun shot, and far from the presence -of the enemy. That, perhaps is a question which escapes the notice -of many. The tale of some campaign brings to light narratives of -gallant deeds, of fierce attacks, of strenuous fighting; it leaves -too often to the imagination of one ignorant of the life of a -soldier, and of the needs of a campaign, all the numerous services -upon which success of an army in the field depends. For if there be -no one to supervise the stores, and to dispatch them to the seat -of war, how can troops operate in a country devoid almost of food, -where ammunition cannot be obtained, and where boots, clothing, and -a thousand other necessary trifles wear out, are lost, or destroyed -with alarming rapidity? Think, then, of the host labouring out of -sight of the enemy, but labouring nevertheless. Think also of the -other numerous band marching with troops as non-combatants, and yet -subject to as great dangers, the very same privations, and bearing -on their shoulders equal, if not greater, responsibilities; for with -the troops there must be men to see to the distribution of food, to -gather stores, and apply for all that is necessary. There must be -trained officers to look to the ailments of horses, and, above all, -perhaps, there must be an army of surgeons to care for the wounded -and the thousands more who go down under privation and exposure. - -Riding round the bivouacs of the besieging army after their chat with -the staff officer, Tom began to gather a better impression than he -had ever had before of the numerous duties attached to soldiering. - -In the background, well away from the investing regiments, were -many horse lines, where rows of animals were picketed, their riders -being encamped near at hand. Closer to the fortress lay the lines -of regiments engaged in the actual work of the siege, and here many -a camp fire blazed. Whole rows of camp kettles sat over the long -trenches dug in the muddy ground, while the flames from wood fires -swept beneath them and sent billows of odorous steam into the air. -Butchers were at work slaughtering beasts bought for the feeding of -the troops, while not far away a sentry stood guard over a spring -which was the drinking supply for that portion of the army. But -it was still nearer the fortress that the real interest lay; for -there hundreds of men were delving, cutting trenches, and steadily -advancing them toward the enemy. Indeed, that very day, they had need -of every bit of cover; for guns opened from Badajoz, and clouds of -grapeshot swept across the open. - -"Hot work, ain't it?" grinned Jack, who with Tom was making a tour -of inspection. "Put your head up, Tom, and take a squint at those -Frenchies." - -"And get it shot to pieces for my trouble. Thanks!" came the laughing -answer. "George! Listen to that." - -"My uncle!" came from the young adjutant. "A regular torrent. How -long and how often do they pepper you like that?" he asked of the -sapper ensign who had invited them to inspect the work. - -"How often? Couldn't say," was the laconic answer, as if the -thunderous discharge of the guns of the enemy, and the roar of clouds -of grape sweeping overhead were an everyday occurrence, and hardly -worth discussion. "Oh, pretty often, especially at night! But it'd be -all right if it weren't for this awful weather. You see, a chap has -to grovel when the guns open, and that's bad for uniforms." - -He was something of a dandy, this immaculate ensign of sappers, and -stepped daintily along the deep trenches already constructed by -the British working parties. Tom watched him with admiration as he -brushed some dirt from his laced sleeve with a silk handkerchief, and -then wondered satirically for one brief moment if this young officer -were merely a heap of affectation, useless for any real work, merely -an ornament to the profession to which he belonged. - -"Certainly not that," he told himself a few seconds later, after -seeing more of the ensign. "He's a born dandy, perhaps, but he's a -plucky beggar, and a fine example to his men." - -That, in fact, was precisely what this ensign was, as was the case -with many another officer in Wellington's army. Example is everything -when men are engaged in strenuous operations; and if those in command -show coolness, determination, sangfroid, and other virtues, their own -particular men are wonderfully heartened. And here was this ensign -coolly flicking dirt from his laced sleeve, while a foot overhead -grapeshot swept past in a torrent. There he was, joking and laughing -with the jovial Jack as if he had not so much as a serious thought -in his head, and as if this were merely a game. But a minute later -he was leading the way to an outwork, strolling negligently across a -portion necessarily exposed to the bullets of the enemy, and showing -not so much as a sign of haste. - -"Come along," he sang out to our hero. "It's a little warm crossing, -but it's generally all right. We had three caught by the enemy's -bullets yesterday, but that's because they would stop to star gaze. -Ah, very neat shooting, eh? I declare, the beggar has cut one of my -epaulettes off with his shot!" - -It was true enough. Tom had heard a shot fired from the fortress, for -the trench they had just left was within long range of an outwork -manned by the enemy. He had instantly seen the left epaulette of the -ensign rise in the air, spin round merrily, and then fall to the -ground. And the young officer only showed annoyance at such an injury -being done to his uniform! As for the men stationed in the trench -behind, and those in the earthwork for which they were making, they -watched the little scene with grins of amusement and delight. - -"Dicky Silvester, ensign. That's him," growled one of the sappers -hoarsely to his neighbours. "Joined us a year ago, or less, and looks -and acts as if he were a born soldier, and didn't care a fig for -bullets or anything else. Who are the other orficers? Ain't they cool -'uns too? My hat, Dicky ain't the only one as don't give a hang for -bullets!" - -The cool behaviour of the three even raised a cheer before they had -entered the earthwork, calling a sharp order from the ensign. - -"What's this?" he demanded, dropping slowly out of shot of the enemy, -a manoeuvre which Tom and Jack followed. "Laughing and cheering when -there's work to be done! Here----" - -Another patch of dirt on his uniform distracted his attention and -cut short the speech. As for the men, they dashed their picks again -into the ground and went on with their delving. Then whispers passed -amongst them. - -"Blessed ef I don't think as the toff of an orficer in staff uniform -ain't Mr. Tom Clifford, him as held up them Portuguese in a church, -commanding the Frenchies who'd taken him as prisoner," said one. -"Ain't that the one?" - -"And went right into Ciudad Rodrigo t' other day," agreed his -comrade, "and come galloping out dressed as a gal. He's the boy. Law! -He looks at Badajoz as if he was hungry to get inside, and had more -almost to do with this siege than we have." - -Tom might indeed have been accused of that, for those wretchedly wet -days in March, 1812, found him frequently in the trenches, watching -as parallels were dug, eagerly measuring the advance of the busy army -of sappers digging their way closer to the fortress. Or he would lie -behind one of the batteries by day and by night, and would listen -to the thunder of the guns, and would watch for the tell-tale spout -of dust which shot into the air as the huge iron ball struck the -bastion. Then would come the clatter of falling masonry, followed -perhaps by a cheer from the gunners. More often the shot would be -answered by a terrific hail of grape, which pattered overhead, swept -the entire face of the batteries--and but for the fascines erected -to give cover every one of the gunners would have been killed--then -whizzed across the open, splashing into the many pools of water which -had been left by the heavy and almost continuous rain. It seemed, -indeed, slow work this siege operation; slow and perhaps not too sure. - -"For even when the breaches are practicable there are the defenders -to be dealt with," thought Tom. "There will be mines to blow us up, -obstructions of every sort, and grape and shot showered down upon us. -But take the place we will; I mean to be one of the very first inside -the fortress." - -Any doubts Tom may have had as to the determination of Lord -Wellington were soon set at rest; for, the weather still continuing -atrocious, and the trenches being flooded and almost uninhabitable, -an assault of the Picurina was ordered, and the fort carried with -brilliant dash by 500 men of the 3rd Division. The storm of shot -and shell poured into the fort after we had gained possession of -it was such that one wondered how the new garrison could live, for -Phillipon, the commander of the French, did his utmost to drive us -out. But our men stuck grimly to the task, and again plying their -busy spades, soon had advanced to a point where batteries could be -erected. And then began a trial of skill and endurance between the -gunners of France and those of England. By day and by night the -neighbourhood echoed to the roar. A pall of smoke hung over fortress -and encampment, while in the depths of night guns flashed redly, and -spluttering portfires hovered here and there as the gunners stood to -their pieces. At length the work was done; the breaches were declared -practicable, though to view them and the grim lines hovering in -rear, prepared to defend every inch of the steeply-sloping rubbish, -would have caused any but brave men to shiver. But Wellington's men -were as determined as he; they had set their hearts on gaining the -fortress. The call for a forlorn hope, as ever, produced a swarm -of volunteers. That night of 6 April, a night the anniversary of -which is ever kept with loving memory by those who now serve in the -regiments then present at Badajoz, found 18,000 bold fellows craving -for the signal which should launch them to the attack, craving for -the signal which, alas! would launch many and many a gallant officer -and lad into eternity. Let us, too, remember those heroes with -honour, recollecting that by their gallantry and dash they helped in -the work in progress, and that every fortress won in this Peninsula -campaign was yet another step forward, a step that would add to the -difficulties of Bonaparte, and which, with those which followed, -ultimately brought about his downfall. Let us honour them as gallant -souls who cast off the yoke then weighing upon the peoples of Europe. - -"You'll go with the stormers?" asked Jack of Tom, almost beneath his -breath, as the two stood side by side in the trenches. - -"I've obtained permission, and go I shall," came the determined -answer. "Now recollect, Jack, what I've said. If Badajoz is taken, -the rascal who has captured my people will do his best to get out of -the place. See that our men are lively when the first streak of dawn -comes, and let them arrest any civilian." - -"Good luck! Take care," gasped Jack, loath to part with his old -friend. "I'll watch outside and see that all is done as you've -directed; but do take care. Recollect, the regiment can't do without -you." - -He was sent off with a merry laugh from Tom, and straightway -clambered up a rise from which he could view the proceedings. A -strange silence hung about the fortress. Within and without the -trenches, packed in the batteries, and in many another part lay the -stormers, waiting, waiting for that signal. Picton's division on the -right crouched over their scaling ladders, ready to rush to the walls -of the castle. On the left, Sir James Leith's division waited to make -a false attack on the Pardeleras, an outside work. But the Bastion de -San Vincente was the real point of attack, and Walker's brigade, part -of this division, was destined to assault it. The Light Division was -to dash for the Santa Maria quarter, while the 4th was to hurl itself -against the breach in the Trinidad quarter. The St. Roque bastion, -in between these two latter, was to be stormed by Major Wilson, who -was in command of the guards of the trenches. Finally, the Portuguese -were to see what could be done with the Tête de Pont, the outwork on -the far bank of the River Guadiana, commanding the head of the bridge. - -A dull hum above the trenches told of excitement. Flickering lights -and a subdued murmur above the fortress showed that the defenders -were prepared. Silently men gathered before the 4th and the Light -Division, men provided with ladders and axes, with but few rounds of -ammunition, and freed of their knapsacks. Each carried a sack filled -with hay, which, it was hoped, would give some cover. And before -those two parties waiting in front of the two divisions, and each -counting 500 men, there fell in yet again two parties of heroes, -the forlorn hopes, the officers and men who were sworn to enter the -fortress, to show the way in, or to die in the attempt, noble souls -who worked not for gold as a reward, but only for the honour and -glory of their country. - -Ah! a blaze of light from a carcass hurled from the wall showed one -of those advance parties. Shouts echoed from the fortress, then there -came the splash of flame from guns, the spurting tongues of fire -belched from muskets, and the thunder of the explosions. Cheers and -hurrahs broke from our men. What matter if the alarm had been sounded -half an hour before Wellington was to give the fatal signal? They -were ready--the boys of the Light Brigade, the heroes of the 4th -Division--the stormers all along the walls were ready. A mad babel -broke the former silence or semi-silence, portfires flashed in all -directions, while fireballs were hurled into the ditches, lighting -the way of the stormers. Pandemonium was let loose at Badajoz that -night. A cloudy, star-strewn sky looked down upon horrors which one -hopes may never be repeated. For on the side of the French was shown -great bravery and demoniacal cunning. Every artifice of the besieged -was employed, while on the side of the British soldiers a mad, a -frantic courage was displayed. What if mines did burst and blow -hundreds to pieces? Their comrades dashed down into the ditch without -hesitation, and cast themselves into the selfsame breach where the -tragedy had been perpetrated. What if the enemy did cast bags of -gunpowder into the confused ranks of the stormers? It was all the -more inducement to them to dash onward. - -To describe all that occurred would be beyond us. Let us follow our -hero, though, and see what happened in his direction. Tom was one of -the forlorn hope. Shouldering his hay pack, and gripping his sword, -he dashed at the breach before him when the alarm was given. The -stunning discharge of a cannon to his front almost swept him from his -feet, and cleared a lane through the comrades before him. A fireball -danced down the steep slope of the breach and blazed brightly, -showing the faces and figures of the enemy plainly, the muskets they -were levelling, and an appalling _chevaux de frise_ erected at the -top of the breach. Composed of naked sabre blades secured to logs of -wood, this obstacle awaited the stormers before they could come to -hand grips with the enemy. But that was not all. Tom stumbled over a -boulder, floundered on to his face, and was then lifted boldly and -flung aside by a mighty concussion. - -"A mine," he thought. "Am I alive or not? What's happened to the -others?" - -He might well ask that. The poor fellows were swept out of existence -almost to a man; but behind them were the noble five hundred, and in -rear again the gallant Light Division. Before them was the breach; -that terrible breach, with its defenders, its guns, its awful -obstacle, and the hundred-and-one means there for the destruction -of the stormers. Time and again did men dash at it. Gallant souls, -driven crazy by the hazard they endured, and filled with fearful -determination, clambered to that _chevaux de frise_ and were there -slaughtered. Officers stood in full sight of the enemy calling to -their men, leading them upward. And yet none could enter. - -Elsewhere the fighting had been equally strenuous. After many and -many an attempt the castle was at length won, and later Walker's -brigade tore its gallant way over the San Vincente Bastion, -victorious in spite of mines and guns fired at point-blank range. -It was from that quarter, in fact, that success at length came; -for the Light and the 4th Divisions had as yet failed to burst -their way through the breaches before them. But an advance from the -direction of San Vincente took the defenders in the rear, and just -as our men had retired at the orders of Wellington, preparatory to a -fresh attack, those breaches were taken. Men burst in now from all -directions; the enemy fled for the most part to Fort Christoval, -over the river, and Badajoz was ours. Cheers and counter cheers -were heard in all quarters. The wounded sat up as best they could -and joined in the jubilation, and then pandemonium again broke out -in every street of the city; for the victorious troops straightway -got out of hand. They poured in a torrent through the streets of -Badajoz, rifling the houses, and, breaking into the cabarets, helped -themselves to the wines of Spain. That early morning, in fact, -discovered a terrible situation in the fortress; for of order there -was none. Drunken soldiers staggered over the pavements committing -violence everywhere, while as many more were pillaging or doing -actual violence to the unfortunate inhabitants. And all that while -Tom Clifford lay on the slope of the breach which with many another -gallant soul he had endeavoured to storm. Regiments passed over -him. The surgeons and their bearers came and went in search of the -wounded, and passed him always. For Tom lay stark and still. With his -face half-buried in the torn tunic of a soldier who had died while -doing his duty, and his limbs curled up as if he were asleep, he lay -without a movement, appearing not even to breathe, lifeless to those -who cast a casual glance at him. - -"Dead!" groaned Jack and Andrews when at length they found him. -"Killed by the mine which wiped out every man of 'the forlorn hope.' -Poor Tom!" - -"Breathing!" shouted Alfonso, who also accompanied him. "I tell you -he is still alive." - -That brought them all about him, and within a few minutes our hero -was being carried from the breach. But was he living still? Was -Badajoz to see the end of a promising career, and put a stop to his -quest? Or would Tom Clifford appear upon the scenes again, and still -have something to say to the rascal who had abducted both father and -uncle? - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -Round about Badajoz - - -There was a business-like air about the jovial Jack Barwood on the -second morning after the fall of Badajoz, a seriousness about the -smart young adjutant to which his friends were unaccustomed, a -furrowing of his youthful brow, and an appearance of intentness and -determination which would have aroused the friendly satire of old -comrades. Dressed in the smart uniform of the gallant 60th Rifles, -he marched briskly along one of the quieter streets, passing as he -did so a half-company of infantry escorting a batch of semi-drunken -soldiers, the gallant souls amongst Wellington's army who, now that -the fighting was over, had lost all sense of discipline, and, aching -no doubt for the many good things to which they had been strangers -for so long, had burst their way into private dwellings and had -behaved like scoundrels instead of brave soldiers. - -Jack took the salute of a Portuguese guerrilla sentry marching -sedately to and fro before a huge door, and that too of a Spaniard, -one also of the band under Tom's command. - -"Well?" he questioned in Portuguese, his accent none of the best. -"Any news? Any more callers?" - -"None, _señor_." - -"And the news?" - -"Good, _señor_; he lives. He will get well and strong to command us." - -There was a gleam of pleasure in the eyes of the two sentries as Jack -spoke, while they watched him beat upon the door and enter. - -"A fine officer; one of the English!" exclaimed the Spaniard, who -seemed to be on the best of terms with the Portuguese guerrilla, a -strange occurrence in those days. "If the worst were to come to the -worst----" - -"Yes," responded the other, in a patois both could understand, "yes, -he would command. But it would not be the same; the _Señor_ Tom is -one man, the _Señor_ Jack another." - -Inside stood the faithful Andrews and Howeley, drawn stiffly to -attention, saluting their officer. Jack's serious face brightened. - -"Well?" he demanded again, as if he were short of words. - -"Better, sir, beggin' pardon," came from Andrews, with his accustomed -formula demanding pardon. "Surgeon's been and gone; says as Mr. -Clifford's as hard as rocks, and if he wasn't he'd have been trampled -and banged to pieces. Swears as he must have fust of all been blowed -skyhigh, and then charged over by a thousand of the stormers. -He's takin' notice of things, sir, is Mr. Clifford. Axing fer the -regiment, and you. He'd have been out of bed if I hadn't prevented -him--and, my word, he were a handful!" - -"Ah!" ejaculated Jack, a grin rising on his solemn features. "A -handful! Tom's that all the time. Wanted to get up, eh?" - -"Yes, sir," grunted the rifleman, still stiffly at attention. "'Not -you, sir,' I says; 'you're as weak as a kitten.' 'Rot!' he whispers, -'cos he can't speak no higher. 'I've got work, Andrews.' 'So has we -all,' I answers. 'Orders is orders, sir.' 'Eh?' he asks, sharp-like, -as you know, sir. 'Orders that you're to stay abed, sir,' I says, not -half-liking things. 'Orders be hanged,' he tries to shout, struggling -to get up, and then falling back on the pillow." - -"Like him," smiled Jack. "Anyway he's safe now, eh?" - -If it were a question of our hero's security from interference, -then there was little doubt; for beside those two sentries parading -outside the courtyard of the house in which he lay, there were a -dozen more at different points, with Andrews and Howeley to supervise -them. Nor were such precautions to be wondered at when the tale of -the last few hours was told. Tom had not only passed through the -dangers of a siege. True, he had escaped the ordeal at the breaches, -and had been borne still breathing into the town. But there another -danger had suddenly assailed him; for no sooner was he laid in bed, -and Jack had departed, than the watchful Andrews had discovered a -sneaking form clambering in by one of the windows. Had Andrews been -Septimus John Clifford's head clerk he would then and there have made -a discovery of vast importance, and one which we will at once hand on -to the reader. For this sneaking intruder, bearing a stiletto in one -hand, was none other than José de Esteros, Tom's cousin, now sunk to -the lowest depths of infamy, and forestalled just in the nick of time -in the endeavour to carry out further villainy. He had made good his -escape, and, as a result, Tom's little command now watched over their -damaged leader. - -The best of food, the most careful attention on the part of the army -surgeon, and the tenderest nursing at the hands of Andrews and others -were already having their effect, and so, for a while, we may leave -our hero, satisfied that he will bob up again in the future and -encounter more adventures in this memorable campaign. - -Let us then step outside the walls of Badajoz, walls conquered at -huge sacrifice by the British, and after the most gallant fighting. -For it will already have been gathered that this Peninsula campaign -was full of incidents, all of which the space at our disposal -prevents our mentioning. In the circumstances it will be readily -understood that with troops operating here and there over a wide -stretch of country there were numerous affairs, some mere skirmishes, -some approaching a big engagement, which, while they each and every -one undoubtedly helped on the end at which our leaders aimed, and -are with equal certainty recorded in official histories, yet for the -purposes of this narrative are of small account. - -Beginning in 1808, as already recorded, this memorable campaign had -at first seen a succession of commanders sent by the vacillating -Ministry in England, and of these the great Wellington alone -remained, having proved his right to lead our armies. Those momentous -months since the opening of the campaign had witnessed, as the reader -will remember, the dismissal of the French from Portugal and the -advance of our armies into Spain. The tragedy of Sir John Moore's -retreat over the border had followed; and we have seen Wellington -forced backward in Portugal itself, till the enemy held the country -right down to the formidable heights of Torres Vedras. And then had -come the turn of the tide. The vast masses of men controlled by -Napoleon had been sent to the rightabout, and here, in the eventful -year 1812, we find Portugal once more swept clean of the enemy, and -the important fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and of Badajoz in the -hands of the British. The tide had turned, we say, and, like the -energetic and astute leader he was, the great Wellington at once -proceeded to follow up these successes, and to push on into the heart -of Spain, with the one object of forcing the enemy finally to quit -the Peninsula. - -But no narrative of the events which had already happened would -be complete without mention of a force, subtle enough and slow to -be seen at first, which was now steadily aiding the efforts of our -soldiers. Despite the criminal neglect of our ambassador in Madrid, -despite, too, the wicked opposition and folly of the Spanish Junta -in particular, and in smaller measure of the Portuguese Junta, both -of which bodies had persistently opposed each and every aim of the -British, our armies had fought and won. Often enough the gallant, -thin red line had been basely left by the fleeing troops of Portugal -and Spain to face the onslaught of Napoleon's trained battalions. -And yet that thin red line of gallant souls had conquered. Their -persistence, their cheerful bravery in the face of enormous odds, and -their bull-dog, strenuous fighting had told its tale on the masses -of the enemy. Scepticism as to their worth as soldiers, a scepticism -natural, perhaps, to troops highly trained, and till then victorious -in all directions, had been changed to hearty respect, if not to -actual fear. That feeling of respect engendering fear and caution -alone was the subtle force now aiding our armies. Each man, whether -officer or private, had the utmost confidence in his leaders and -in his comrades; while the French, bearing the late prowess of the -British in mind, wondered whether success were now as certain as they -had imagined. Who knows? The persistent advance of our armies, the -skill of our leaders, and the bull-dog courage of our men may well -have had their effect upon the great Napoleon himself. Accustomed -to see his arms successful in every venture, he found in the British -a foe who knew no defeat, and who pressed him always. For the -Portuguese this restless Emperor may have had some respect; for the -Spanish he had only hatred, since their determination not to accept -his brother as their king, and their incessant rioting and attacks -upon his soldiers had caused him trouble and anxiety. Now there were -the British to deal with. British opposition had wrested Portugal -from the all-conquering Emperor of France. She was now thrusting -her way into the heart of Andalusia. That meant further strenuous -fighting, and if past records were to be repeated, it meant further -British victories, in spite of the mass of Napoleon's armies. Who -knows, then, we suggest, that this fear may have weighed with the -restless Emperor of the French, with the ambitious and avaricious -little corporal? To be balked in his wishes was with him ever, as -with all such men, galling in the extreme. Here, in the Peninsula, -our coming and our intervention had resulted in tremendous efforts -on the part of Napoleon, efforts set aside by Wellington's armies. -And now the tide had turned. What wonder if Napoleon, realizing -that here he was on the verge of a defeat, turned his eyes to other -conquests? Whatever the cause, Russia now attracted the attention -of the Emperor. He had ridden posthaste for Paris. France, groaning -already beneath the weight of taxation necessary to maintain such -huge armies in the field, was being bled still further, both in -money and men, to provide another army of conquest. Troops were -already massing on the borders of Russia, and soon was to arrive that -calamity which will always hold a prominent place in the histories -of the world. For Napoleon was marching to defeat. The plains of -Russia were to see his armies swept almost out of existence, while -the crops now ripening at the beginning of summer, a summer which -Wellington in Spain had determined to make the greatest use of, were -to flare up before Napoleon's troops could lay their hungry hands on -them. Moscow, the city of promise, the magnet drawing the ambitious -and reckless Emperor to destruction, was to burn before his eyes, -and thereafter snow and frost and desperate hunger were to fight his -armies silently, while Cossacks in their thousands hung like a swarm -of flies about the flanks, slaughtering the helpless. - -But we are forestalling events. Napoleon had left the Peninsula for -other and, as he imagined no doubt, easier conquests, leaving his -generals in Spain the difficult task of driving out a British army -which, with few exceptions, had proved itself absolutely invincible. - -Portugal was entirely in the hands of the British. Spain was -beckoning strongly. Wellington, gathering his faithful and war-worn -troops about him, was about to plunge into the heart of Andalusia, -and, quitting the siege of fortresses, was eager to try conclusions -with the enemy in the open. But he was ever a careful man, and as a -preliminary to invasion and attack upon the Duke of Ragusa he planned -the destruction of the bridge erected at Almarez, spanning the Tagus, -and protected by forts immensely strengthened by the French. Here -were known to be collected huge stores of ammunition, while the -bridge itself served as a means of communication between one French -army and another. With the crossing destroyed, Wellington might hope -to throw himself upon the enemy with good chance of success; for by -keeping the various forces of the enemy apart he might reasonably -expect to beat them in detail, victory against the vast masses of -French when combined being out of the question. Thus Almarez and the -bridge spanning the historic Tagus now attracted his attention, as -well as the formidable forts erected to protect the same. - -Let us describe in a few words the condition of the surrounding -country. From Almarez itself to the city of Toledo the left bank of -the River Tagus is hemmed in by a range of steep mountains. From -Almarez again to the Portuguese frontier, roads in those days were -almost non-existent, and the crossing in any case most difficult; -while farther east the bridges at Arzobispo and Talavera were covered -by the neighbouring high ground. - -The River Tagus itself separated the armies of Soult and of Marmont, -and, seeing that Soult's pontoon train had been captured in Badajoz, -there was left no other means of communication between the armies -than the bridge of boats at Almarez, which the critical eye of -Wellington had already selected for destruction. But, as we have -hinted, there were difficulties in the way; for in view of the -importance of the place, and of the mass of stores of one sort or -another concentrated there, the French had made every preparation -to protect the bridge. A fort had been erected on the north bank, -another at the opposite end of the bridge, while the heights -immediately adjacent on the latter side had been connected by a chain -of works which a casual inspection would have said defied assault. -Yet Wellington considered that Sir Rowland Hill, in command of a -force 6000 strong, would contrive to overcome all difficulties, and -that gallant officer promptly marched from the camp which the British -had now formed, for since the fall of Badajoz our forces had marched -north to the Tagus, and had crossed the river. A small expeditionary -arm was therefore within striking distance of the all-important -crossing at Almarez. Secrecy, as in the case of the descents on -Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, was essential in this adventure, and -Sir Rowland, therefore, marched at night-time, secreting his whole -force in the wood of Jarciejo during the day, this wood being in -the immediate neighbourhood of the enemy. Then his men were divided -into three columns, and in the early hours, while darkness yet hid -the land, they set out upon an expedition destined to prove amongst -the most brilliant of any recorded during this long campaign in the -Peninsula. For the plans of generals, like those of other more -humble individuals perhaps, are destined at times to be overthrown, -and here was an example. That secrecy at which Sir Rowland Hill -aimed was destroyed by a combination of circumstances, so that the -garrisons of the forts about to be attacked became aware of his -intentions. Yet the work was done, and done brilliantly, though only -at a heavy sacrifice. The forts were taken, the bridge secured, while -the losses of the enemy were very heavy. Then, expedition being an -essential point, mines were laid, and the works, or a portion of -them, destroyed. When Sir Rowland returned to Wellington's camp he -was able to report the success of the expedition, while Wellington -himself was now able seriously to consider the question of an attack -upon the enemy in the open; for the first step toward that effort -had been taken. Easy communication between the enemy was destroyed, -and now had come the opportunity to seek out and beat in detail the -armies of Napoleon. - -Forward, then, was the order, and 21st July, 1812, found Wellington -and his army north of the Tagus, close to Salamanca and to the -Rivers Tormes and Huebra, having meanwhile cleared the intervening -country and besieged the Salamanca forts. Marmont, with his French -battalions, now lay before him; for they had crossed the river -between Huerta and Tormes, and were endeavouring to secure the road -to Ciudad Rodrigo. However, if Wellington, as a clever tactician, as -he undoubtedly was, had as his object the division of the enemy's -forces, with a view of beating them in detail, Marmont also was not -unskilful. Remembering the comparative paucity of the British troops, -and the fact that they had, as it were, burned their boats behind -them, he hoped to throw his troops between our regiments and the -fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo, then garrisoned by British, thus not only -cutting communication between Wellington and the fortress, but also -drawing a line of fire and steel between the British and Portugal, to -which country they would naturally retreat in case of defeat or in -the event of huge odds being concentrated against them. - -Thus, having brought our gallant fellows face to face with an equally -gallant enemy in the open, and having reviewed the movements of -this difficult and complex campaign, we can leave the two rival -armies in position for battle, and can once more seek out Tom -Clifford, commander of the composite force of Portuguese and Spanish -guerrillas, which, amidst a host of irregular British allies--some -good, some indifferent, and some altogether useless and even -dangerous--had already earned a name for energy and a patriotic -spirit worthy of emulation amongst many chicken-hearted countrymen. -Back, then, to Badajoz, let us retrace our steps, and, accepting -the salutes of the Spanish and Portuguese sentries--smart fellows -both--hammer on the door of the courtyard and enter, there to be -greeted by the faithful Howeley and Andrews. - -Some weeks had passed since Tom had joined the forlorn hope, and had -been blown like a stone down the steep scarp of the breach effected -by our gunners. He sat in an armchair, his feet on a stool, Jack -Barwood discussing matters with him, and at the same time smoking a -pipe which he had secured in the dwelling. - -"Of course," Tom was saying in his business-like way, "orders are -orders. But----" - -"They're a beastly nuisance for all that. Granted," was Jack's -interruption. "Well?" - -"And, equally of course, must be obeyed. 'Pon my word, Jack, you -seem to be as keen as I am on this quest. What's it to do with you, -anyway?" - -"Nothing; everything." Jack took a heavy pull at his pipe, choked -suddenly, and then glared at the pipe as if it had done him a -mischief. - -"Awful country," he grumbled. "Decent food ungetable, decent beds -unknown. Tobacco--ugh! it'd sicken a Billingsgate porter! But this -business interests me. Why? you ask. Here's why. Fair play is a thing -I like; foul play gets up my dander. Of course I know the whole story -now. This cousin chap first took food and lodging from your father -and pretended gratitude; then he managed to work things so as to have -you impressed. There I owe him a grudge; for if he hadn't, where -should I be, eh?" - -"Eh?" repeated Tom, a little puzzled. - -"That's just it," went on the ensign in an aggrieved tone of voice. -"Who'd have had the command of those French troopers? Who'd have -brought them through that mess? Who'd now be promoted to the command -of a regiment of guerrillas?" - -He might have been the most injured of individuals, to look at him. -Jack rose to his feet and bashed the offending pipe heavily on a -table. And then he grinned at Tom. - -"My uncle!" he exclaimed; "you are a flat! Yes, even if you are my -superior, I can call you that. Took everything I said as if it were -meant seriously. Where should I have been, eh? Dead, Tom--dead as a -bullock. Shot outside that Portuguese church, and cut to mincemeat by -those rascals. But this business of yours interests me solely because -you happen to be a pal of mine, and in my opinion very much injured. -This José is a scoundrel. What's more, I believe him to be at the -bottom of all these troubles. He's that spy, sir, I declare! He's -the very same scoundrel who crept in here with the idea of doing you -a mortal mischief. There, think it out, and don't wonder if I am a -little interested in this curious and blackguardly mystery." - -Could this really be the case? Was José de Esteros not only the -rascal who had caused Tom's impressment, as we know, and Tom and his -friends now knew, to be the case; but also, was he the treacherous -ruffian who had been feeding the enemy with news of Wellington's -movements, whose messenger our hero had displaced outside Ciudad -Rodrigo? Could Tom's cousin be the selfsame villain who had abducted -his father and uncle, and who later on had endeavoured to creep into -this house in Badajoz and murder the gallant officer so nearly killed -in the storming? - -"Humbug!" Tom declared, nursing the arm which he had worn in a sling -since receiving his injuries. "I grant that José was the cause of my -impressment. There I owe him a grudge, Jack." - -"Eh?" asked the adjutant, stoking his pipe with a finger and pulling -at it vainly. "How?" - -"Been troubled with a certain Jack Barwood ever since," came the -serious answer. And then Tom went off into roars of laughter, while -Jack pretended indignation. - -"Granted that José was the cause of that portion," Tom continued. "We -know he came to Oporto; there we lose sight of him. The spy comes on -the scene. Granted here, again, that he it was who abducted my father -and uncle, for the note left was in the same handwriting as that -other we secured outside Ciudad Rodrigo; but that doesn't say that -José was the spy, even if you argue that he has reasons for wishing -to abduct my two relatives. Now, does it?" - -"But the handwriting? It's like his; you forget that." - -"I don't; I agree that, from what I can remember of it, there is a -similarity. But I'm not by any means sure; besides, José couldn't be -such a rascal." - -Jack's reply was as emphatic as many others. "Stuff and nonsense!" -he blurted out. "A man who tries to get rid of a cousin with whom he -has lived all his life, as this fellow did, will take on any piece of -rascality. Look at his actions on arrival at Oporto, and think of his -cunning. My boy, this José's at the bottom of the whole matter, so -keep your eye open." - -How Tom was to keep his eye open his adjutant failed to explain, nor -was there any further evidence to convict José of this added piece -of rascality. Tom was still in ignorance of the personality of the -spy whom he had traced to Oporto, and thence to Badajoz. He knew that -the man was responsible for the abduction of Septimus and Don Juan de -Esteros. But was José the spy? Was the spy the man who had crept into -these quarters in Badajoz with the obvious intention of slaying Tom, -and, if so, what was his object? - -"It's José all the time," declared Jack, cocksure of the fact. - -"Doubtful," repeated Tom, still refusing to believe his cousin -capable of such villainy. "But leave it at that. The fellow's gone, -and taken with him his two captives; the next thing to do is to -follow." - -"Wrong; the next move is to obey orders." - -Jack had become a very useful adjutant by now, and showed his -promptness by handing Tom the orders which lay upon the table. Our -hero almost ground his teeth as he read them; for there, in black -and white, were definite commands for the regiment to march for the -Tagus, and there join hands with Wellington's army. Never, in fact, -had orders been worse received. Hitherto Tom had been the first to -welcome them; now they came between him and private business. - -"But duty first," he told himself. "We'll march before the week's -out, for those are the instructions. Meanwhile we've at least heard -something. Read the report again," he said, signing to his friend. - -Jack picked up a paper, and promptly obliged him. "Here we are," -he said. "Alfonso reports that following orders he has continued -to patrol the surroundings of the fortress. A covered carriage was -driven out just before dusk last evening. It was stopped and found to -be empty. The driver stated he was going to a country place to fetch -in an invalid. Later, when the carriage was well beyond our circle, -it stopped beside a convoy of carts going from the fortress. Sharp -questioning of the man in charge brought the admission that men were -hidden among the contents of the carts, two of whom were bound and -gagged. They were placed in the carriage, which was instantly driven -away down the road, and when our men arrived was out of hearing. -Though they searched, it was in vain. The scoundrel had got away with -his captives." - -"And then?" asked Tom, listening without sign of emotion. - -"Close enquiries here discovered the fact that a carriage had been -hired to take a gentleman to Madrid. That's all." - -That indeed was all the information that our hero or his friends had -been able to come by. The strenuous efforts and the danger which Tom -had incurred in endeavouring to make an early entry into Badajoz had -resulted in nothing. The miscreant who gave information to the enemy -had slipped out with his captives, and there were our heroes none the -nearer to success. They were farther off, in fact, for there, on the -table, were orders taking them north to the Tagus, while it seemed -likely enough that Tom's father and uncle had been hurried east to -Madrid, where search for them, if ever the opportunity came, would be -long and difficult. - -"Can't be helped. When orders allow, we'll make a rush for the city," -said Tom. "Meanwhile, it's off to the Tagus!" - -"To join the army again--hooray!" shouted Jack. "That means a big -general engagement; it means fighting, my boy! Perhaps it'll give us -both promotion." - -Hard knocks, wounds, and exposure were more likely to be their -portion. But what did these two young officers care? What would other -officers of a similar age in these days care? Nothing. Rather they -were elated at the prospect of taking a share in a pitched battle, -and had not so much as a qualm when at length they reached the -neighbourhood of Salamanca. As for their men, confident now of their -ability to fight, proud of what they had already done, they marched -to their allotted quarters in the camp with a tramp and a swing that -commanded attention. - -"General Lord Wellington's compliments," began a staff officer, -galloping up just as Tom had inspected his men, and had called upon -Jack to dismiss the parade. "Are you Lieutenant Clifford?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then have the goodness to ride over to headquarters at once; his -lordship desires to see you." - -"Hooray!" cried Jack, careless of decorum, hurrying up at the moment. -"That'll mean business, my boy. The general's got a special job for -our guerrillas." - -And Wellington had. When Tom had been ushered into the tent which -housed the leader of the British army he found that painstaking -individual seated on a camp stool carefully measuring distances on a -map stretched on a table before him. Tom stood stiffly at attention, -and though the staff officer who ushered him twice called his name, -there was no answer. Then suddenly a point of the compasses was -struck into the map and an exclamation escaped the general. - -"If he moves there, we have him," he cried. "Then all depends on the -Spaniards. Ah!" He shut the map hurriedly, and looked at Tom as if -he thought him to be a suspicious person. Then, recognizing him, he -smiled. - -"The officer the French will not fight," he said cheerfully. "The -Englishman they did their best to destroy in the breaches at Badajoz. -You are recovered, sir?" - -"Perfectly," Tom hastened to assure him, fearful that a fancied -weakness might cause the general to choose another officer for any -special work he might have in prospect. - -"And will accept a special risk?" - -Tom drew himself up stiffly. With anyone else there would have been -a note of injury in the answer; for had he shirked special risk in -the past? Ciudad Rodrigo was a telling answer to such a question. And -Wellington realized the fact as soon as he had spoken. - -"I take it for granted that you are more than ready," he said. "Good! -Then the mission I have is somewhat similar to that other. You saw -me close this plan hurriedly? I did it unknowingly, impelled by the -fear that you might be a stranger; for here is my story. Maps and -plans jealously guarded by us have disappeared, my dispatch case -has been broken open. My officers have information that there is a -small gang of rascals who trade on our secrets. I want to bring that -gang to book, if it exists. Now, Mr. Clifford, once more I make no -suggestions, and give no orders. You will act as you think best. -After to-morrow you are free to carry out whatever seems best to you. -Remember, after to-morrow." - -That was all. Tom found himself outside the tent, still saluting. - -"A pretty job to unravel," he told himself. "And what's on to-morrow?" - -Yes, what was to happen when the day broke once more across the -smooth surface of the River Tormes? - -There was to be war, real war, war in the open, the like of which Tom -had never before witnessed. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -The Battle of Salamanca - - -The gentle tinkle of convent bells, the lowing of distant oxen, -and the cheery whistling and singing of the men of Wellington's -1st Division awakened Tom on the morrow of his arrival in the -neighbourhood of Salamanca. He shook off his blanket and rose, -stretching himself, then inhaled the balmy summer air, and enjoyed -the hazy view over the heights of the Arapiles, a precipitous part -adjacent to the city, and split into two portions, known as the -Sister Arapiles. - -A thousand bivouac fires were smoking, a thousand and more busy cooks -struggled to prepare the rations for the day, while soldiers came and -went carrying ammunition, food, fodder, and water, or leading long, -roped lines of horses up from the river. - -What a bustle there was about the camp, what order and method, and -what cheerfulness. A band was playing over by the headquarters tent, -above which flew General Lord Wellington's flag. A battery of guns -went trundling by, the men in their shirt sleeves, for they were -merely taking up another position, and the business of the day had -not begun. - -And yonder were the enemy, some 42,000 strong, with 74 guns, with -cavalry and every branch which goes to the completion of an army. -Already these thousands were astir; the French bivouac fires had -been stamped out, and the morning meal eaten. There came the blare -of trumpets across the breeze, drowning the peaceful tinkle of the -convent bells and the pleasant lowing of cattle. Drums rattled away -in the far distance, while dust began to rise over road and plain, -as the battalions of the enemy marched hither and thither to take -up their posts for the coming conflict. For a battle was imminent. -Wellington with much patience and forethought had prepared the way -for it. He had cleared Portugal of the foreign invader. He had -captured Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, but at what cost and suffering! -That last manoeuvre had wrecked the bridge at Almarez, and had -destroyed the huge stores collected there by the enemy. But now he -was face to face with one of their armies, Marmont's, the Duke of -Ragusa, and was eager to try his strength with them, while they, to -do them justice, were just as ready. - -"Mr. Clifford, commanding the composite regiment of Portuguese and -Spanish irregulars?" - -The staff officer reined in his mount at Tom's feet and saluted. - -"Here, sir." - -"You will see that your men draw rations, and take their water -bottles filled, also ammunition; then march for General Pack's -brigade and report to him. They are over there; you can see the dark -uniforms." - -He galloped away without waiting for Tom to reply, and they saw him -racing across to headquarters. Other aides-de-camp were cantering -from that same place, and in a little while bugles and drums were -sounding amidst the British lines, while men were falling in by -regiments. - -"Parade present and correct, sir," reported Jack, riding up as Tom -clambered into his saddle. - -"Keep them as they are then, Mr. Barwood," came Tom's most polite -answer; for on duty there was no joking between these two young -officers. "I'll say a few words to them first, before we move off. -We've to join General Pack's Portuguese brigade, so our fellows will -be fighting alongside their countrymen to-day." - -"Yes, sir; and they'll show 'em the way." - -"And cover themselves with credit. They look well," reflected Tom, -as the two rode on to the ground in front of their little corps, and -drew rein some few paces from them. "Smart; no doubt about it. Don't -see a sign of funking." - -"No, sir. Shall I call up the other officer and our non-coms?" - -"Please, and quickly with it." - -Alfonso halted before our hero, his face brimming over with -enthusiasm. He saluted, and waited. Then came Andrews and Howeley, -both old soldiers; for there was none of your short service then. -The men of the British army, whether recruits or old stagers, filled -their breeches and jackets, and gave good measure round calf and -thigh and chest. The two riflemen were fine specimens of the 60th, -and, being detached from their corps, seemed to hold themselves all -the better, as if to let all and sundry see what a rifle regiment -could do for its members. - -"We join Pack's brigade," explained Tom. "They're posted about the -centre and are likely to be in the thick of it. I want you all to -remember that this corps must set an example. We must hold the men -together. If others of the irregulars bolt before the enemy, we won't -have the same said of our fellows. Now, men," he called out. "A word -before we march. There's the enemy before you, yonder is General -Pack's brigade of Portuguese. We go to join them; let every man -remember how this corps has behaved in the past. Hold firmly together -and keep your wits about you. Your courage I know you will hold, for -that you have proved already. For the rest, keep your eyes on your -officers, and recollect that when the press comes, if come it does, -you are fighting for home and country." - -A British regiment would have cheered the strangely youthful-looking -staff officer. The mixed guerrillas from the hilltops of Spain and -Portugal stared at him hard. There was a set expression on every -bronzed face, a hard gripping of muskets, and a swinging of all eyes -over to the enemy. And then came the word to march. They stepped out -briskly. Heads erect, muskets at the trail, their commander leading -them, the little corps advanced to take its part for the first time -in a general action. Nor did its smartness pass unobserved. - -"What corps is that?" demanded the great Wellington, ever observant, -his eyes in all directions. "All dressed in blue, I think, and--yes, -some wearing the red cockade of Spain. What corps, please?" - -"Mr. Clifford's, sir; recruited on the borders, and composed of 300 -Portuguese and as many Spanish hillmen. The only corps where the two -nationalities have worked in friendship with one another. They were -in that Ciudad Rodrigo affair, sir; also down at Badajoz." - -The spyglass flew to the general's eye, and for a while he watched -the corps striding along. Then he eyed the young commander. - -"Good!" he exclaimed, thinking aloud. "They march like veterans. -Their officer conducts himself like a tried general. There's no hurry -about him, but slap-dash-up smartness. If they fight as they march -we've something to boast of. And with such an officer my little -mission is likely to receive attention." - -He shut the glass with a bang and went cantering off towards the -heights of the Sister Arapiles, a brilliant staff trailing out behind -him. As for Tom, he held on his way without swerving. Now passing -between halted regiments, now halting his own command to allow of -the passage of a battery or more of guns, which went by at a trot, -obliterating all about them in the clouds of dust tossed up by the -wheels and the hoofs of the horses. Meanwhile the sun flashed in the -distance from a forest of French bayonets, manoeuvring for position, -marching this way or that, while a little later a battery took post -away on the shoulder of one of the sister heights, smoke billowed -from unseen muzzles, while shot tore through the summer air, and came -bounding and ricochetting towards them. - -"Report, sir; General Wellington's orders," said Tom, halting his -little corps to the front of Pack's brigade and reporting to that -officer. - -"Ah! Reinforcements or reserve!" came the answer, while the gallant -general smiled a welcome. "Smart men yours, sir. Name, may I ask, -please?" - -"Clifford, sir, General Lord Wellington's staff, seconded for service -with irregulars." - -And then the smile on the general's face broadened. He gripped Tom's -hand warmly. "Ah! The twins, I know," he cried gaily. "The officer -the French refuse to fight, eh?" - -Tom, with heightened colour, was forced to confess that it was so. -Then he cast his eyes along the sitting lines of the Portuguese -brigade, garbed in its blue, and wondered how these rough levies -would conduct themselves. A moment later he was sitting erect to -receive his orders. - -"March your command to our left, and fall in rear, to act as a -reserve with the companies already detailed for that service. Smart -men, Mr. Clifford, a smart lot of fellows!" - -There were thousands of others in Pack's brigade who repeated that -opinion; for, seeing that Tom's men were standing while the remainder -of the brigade were sitting, they were the observed of all observers. - -"Halt! Dress on the right--smartly does it," came from Tom. - -"Smartly does it!" Jack roared in the stentorian voice becoming to -an adjutant, and--we must confess it--with an accent which brought a -whimsical smile to General Pack's face. - -"Lively with it, boys!" shouted Howeley and Andrews together, using a -language half English, a little Portuguese, and the rest nothing in -particular. "Lively does it! Dress up there on the left. 'Shun! Stand -at ease! Back there that swab away on the left." - -Rigidly erect, the toes of their English-made boots forming a line -which would have drawn a note of approval even from the lips of a -liverish martinet, Tom's men stood at attention, muskets at the -shoulder, bayonets already fixed. And then, with a clatter, they sat -down, having piled their weapons. - -"Two hours since we left camp; perhaps we'd better give 'em some -grub," suggested Jack, peeping into his own haversack. For whatever -may have been the duties of this ensign, he was still just the -overgrown boy, always hungry, always ready for a meal. - -"Always growing, that's the reason," he had often explained. "Must -have something at hand to build up an increasing framework." - -How those two hours had changed the July morning! The sun swam -redly overhead, approaching the vertical position; a few fine -clouds flecked the sky; while the heights, the distant cork forest -sheltering the French battalions, still looked peaceful enough. But -there was the roar of guns in many directions. Away behind Pack's -brigade, posted on an eminence, and sheltered by the straggling -buildings of a farm, was a British battery, busily pumping shot over -the heads of the sitting brigade at an enemy then invisible to Tom -and his comrades. The answering shot likewise shrieked above the -brigade, and more than once Jack pointed, while men scrambled to -their feet and looked about them as if terrified. - -"Don't look well for later on," he jerked out crisply. "But you never -know. Anyway, the bulk of them are taking matters coolly." - -No wonder the peace of the land about Salamanca was disturbed; for -to match the masses of the enemy Wellington had collected some -40,000 men, including 3500 cavalry and 54 guns. These he had on -this eventful day beneath his eye, cut up into divisions, and so -placed that he could move his forces rapidly. His right rested on -the foothills of the Sister Arapiles, as yet unoccupied by our men, -but at that moment being scaled by the French legions. His left -extended to the River Tormes, while he himself passed this way and -that, eagerly watching the movements of the enemy. Marmont was even -more busy than Wellington, and there is little doubt but that he -hoped by this general action to smash the power of the commander who -was now such a thorn in his side, and to cut him off from Portugal -completely. His right manoeuvred persistently for the road to Ciudad -Rodrigo, while his left marched on the Arapiles, and now occupied one -of the heights. For the rest, his centre was masked by a cork wood, -through the gaps in which came the reflections from the flashing -bayonets of his battalions. - -A burst of firing echoed across the plain from the village of -Arapiles, now occupied by our infantry. Flying figures were seen -struggling down the heights and forming up at their base. Shot -plunged over the heads of Pack's sitting brigade and smote those -descending ranks. And then came the rattle of drums, the cheers of -frantic men, a red flash as muskets were exploded, followed by the -pitter-pat of independent firing. Crash! Bang! Those guns behind the -farm pounded the advancing French, ploughing the ground about them. -The cheers broke out even louder, and were drowned by a torrent of -musketry which flashed round the post held by British infantry. - -The same scene, diversified a little, was happening away on our -left, where our battalions manoeuvred against Marmont's, holding -them back from that all-important road. Elsewhere, when not actively -engaged, or making some countering move, troops sat down in their -formation, men nibbled at their rations, while a squadron of horse -slowly cantered across a dusty part, into which the enemy's cannon -ball plumped in quick succession. Tom found himself actually feeling -drowsy, Jack Barwood looked as if he could willingly drop off to -sleep, while some of the regiment were stretched full length, their -eyes tight closed, not even bothering to open them when there came a -clatter near at hand and a ball trundled and roared past them. - -Down below those heights, to which we have referred so often, sat -Wellington, wearied with long watching and counter manoeuvring, -dismounted now, his spyglass in his pocket, and himself seated at a -midday meal, which he needed as much perhaps as any of his soldiers. -For the moment he could do no more. He was merely watching and -waiting. Thus he and his staff snatched a hasty meal, wondering what -the result of the day was to be for them. Then came electrifying -news--Marmont was extending his left. He was pushing his divisions -up into the Arapiles, leaving his centre denuded, while right and -left wings of his army were steadily getting farther and farther -from one another. It was the moment for which Wellington had been -waiting; it was the moment of all others in which to strike. That -critical stage in the coming contest had arrived where one leader, -in this case Marmont, attempts too great a task; while his opponent, -watching him like a cat, sees the error, realizes the opportunity, -and sends his men headlong to make the most of it. There, in fact, -as Wellington looked through his spyglass, were the divisions forming -the French left separated from their centre; while, in addition to -this attempted enveloping movement, Marmont was still manoeuvring -his right, so as to close the road to Ciudad Rodrigo. Here, in fact, -if we look closely into the circumstances, was an example of divided -force, that for which Wellington was ever seeking. His acuteness, -and the strenuous fighting of his men, had separated Marmont from -other French armies. Now Marmont's own dispositions had separated his -left wing from its centre and right, and at this precise moment the -opportunity had come to beat his army in detail. - -Pakenham's 3rd Division was seated about our general. He had been -lunching with its officers, Pakenham being his own brother-in-law. -Instantly he gave this gallant leader orders, and at once the men of -the 3rd Division were on their feet. Forward they charged against the -left wing on the slope of the Sister Arapiles. Batteries thundered -against them; muskets sent a stinging hail of bullets against the -face of the charging division; while cavalry emerged from a fold in -the ground and charged madly for the advancing British. But none -could stay that gallant division. The men swept cavalry aside. They -laughed at bullets and cannon shot. Leaving a thick trail of killed -and wounded, they pressed the charge home, came to handgrips with the -enemy, and then attacked them with the bayonet. - -"Let them loose!" cried Pakenham; and at the command the Connaught -Rangers, ever a fine fighting corps, was sent into the midst of the -thick masses of Marmont's left wing. - -"Magnificent but dreadful!" cried Tom, a witness from the plain -of the whole scene. "Look; our fellows are crumpling the enemy's -left wing up! Our colours are right alongside theirs, with the men -fighting all round. It's a grand movement!" - -"The Portuguese brigade will fall in!" - -The command rang out over that portion of the ground where Tom and -his men were stationed, and at once the men were on their feet. - -"Dress up there on the right. Back in the centre. Nicely does it, -men! Ready and correct, sir." - -Jack Barwood, a grin of excitement on his face, rode up to Tom and -reported the composite regiment to be ready. - -"March!" - -The brigade was in motion. Extending by battalions to left and right, -its face was soon far wider than it had been. Pack led them direct to -that Arapile height still held by Marmont, and known as Hermanito. -Guns blazed and thundered at the Portuguese. Shot plunged through the -ranks, sweeping men by half-dozens out of existence. Musket bullets -began to sizzle and whip about the ears of the brigade, and fell even -amongst the reserve marching some four hundred yards in rear. Tom's -men began to fall by the way. Was there a sign of flinching? - -"Good plucked 'uns, to the backbone," muttered Jack, at Tom's side -now, his face eager and tense. "Our boys will do well, sir. What are -the orders?" - -An aide-de-camp had just galloped round, and had shouted instructions -to our hero. - -"We're to charge up behind the men and support any part where the -enemy are pressing," he said shortly. "I'm going to move off to the -side a little; as we are we get all the shots and balls which miss -the brigade in advance, and that isn't business. To the left there -are folds in the ground which will give us shelter. Look away up -there at Pakenham's 3rd Division." - -The struggle was still progressing there, though the enemy's guns had -ceased to thunder. Our scarlet-clad men could be seen mustering here -and there, and, though Tom could not himself know what was happening, -that mustering told its own tale. For Marmont's left wing, so -recklessly moved away from the support of its centre and right, was -conquered. Three thousand of the enemy were already prisoners, with -two much-coveted eagles and eleven cannon. The rest were scattered, -some still contesting the ground, while the remainder had taken to -their heels. Indeed, all eyes were now on Pack's brigade. - -"Charge! Up the hill and at them!" - -The command rang out in Portuguese, and at once the irregulars -stormed the height, their muskets at the trail, their bayonets -already fixed. Ah, they were close to the summit! Breathless with -the climb, but eager for the conflict, they cheered as they gained -the height. Then there came the roar and crackle of musketry. Twelve -hundred French infantry emptied their muskets into the charging -host and came at them with fixed bayonets--fresh men against men -blown after a stiff climb. There was the crash and clank of crossing -weapons, and, later, cries of terror. Dismayed by the enemy's charge, -straggling as is the case with infantry after a stiff climb, the -Portuguese in engagement with Marmont's men turned tail and fled down -the hill, exposing the 4th Division on its flank to the attack of the -enemy. Instantly French regiments poured up, guns crashed out, while -a hail of musketry was sent against that division by the ranks of the -French. - -"Double!" commanded Tom, emerging with his men a few moments earlier -from a convenient and merciful fold in the ground, and realizing -instantly what had happened. "Double up there and cover the flank of -the 4th Division. Now, halt!" - -It took ten minutes perhaps to get into position, and all the while -the enemy were advancing at a run to take the 4th Division in flank. -But Tom's men were there before them, and, at his shrill whistles, at -once broke up into squares of double companies, one Portuguese and -one Spanish being now associated together in all manoeuvres. - -"Wait for the word to fire!" bellowed Tom, while Jack, and Alfonso, -and Andrews, and Howeley repeated the order in stentorian tones. -"Fire by squares! Be ready to charge!" - -Pandemonium reigned about them. A mass of cavalry swung of a sudden -round the shoulder of the hill, and, skirting the French battalions, -launched itself against Tom's devoted squares. Crash! Bang! A blaze -of flame swept in their faces. Horses reared and fell with their -riders. A thousand desperate troopers galloped at the squares, -slashing and cutting. Crash! Bang! The muskets flashed redly; the -bullets tore through the scattered ranks of the cavalry. - -"Load! Stand ready there. Ah! Reserves are coming up. That must be -the 5th Division. Men of the composite regiment, stand firm and you -will have saved the position here. Ready? Then forward." - -The three squares advanced steadily against the advancing French. -Men fell here and there, but their places were instantly filled. The -faces of the squares, presenting in this case but a narrowed angle -to the enemy, swirled with fire and flame. Smoke hid the men from -all observers, while a thunderous discharge came from their weapons. -Then there followed the clink of ramrods. Bullets were driven home -on powder and wads, primings were renewed, while flints were drawn -back. Then again was repeated the same thunder of muskets, the same -red flaming flash, the same vomiting of sulphurous vapour. A minute -later the 5th Division came panting up, and at once the enemy were -pressed back. Steadily the advance was maintained, and presently the -enemy were fleeing. - -"Form line!" bellowed Tom, standing in his stirrups and waving his -sword, all oblivious of the fact that a musket bullet had shattered -the blade, leaving him with but six inches of steel clinging to the -hilt. "Line up with the 4th Division. Forward!" - -"Forward!" shrieked Jack in his terrible Portuguese. - -"Now's the time, me boys!" shouted Andrews, ever encouraging the men. - -On went the scarlet lines of British, with the thin blue line of -Tom's irregulars wedged in between. Wellington himself came cantering -up, for now had come the very crisis of the battle. The 6th Division -doubled to the front with cheers of eagerness, while, away on the -left of our line, troops until then hardly under fire went to the -front. - -Slowly at first, and then more swiftly, the enemy's regiments -were crumpled up. Marmont had by now been severely wounded, while -successive generals had been placed _hors de combat_. Muddled by -counter orders, therefore, and no doubt scared by the dash of our -battalions, the enemy retired all along the line, and was soon in -retreat, protected by strong rearguards and followed persistently -over miles of country by our men. - -It would be impossible to detail every single combat which followed. -Gallant regiments on the side of the French stood fast, holding their -ground while their comrades retired to safety. But as night fell all -were in retirement, and here again were the plans of Lord Wellington -upset by the very people who should have done their utmost to support -him. For Marmont's army of the north was beaten. Capture of the -survivors of this day's memorable fight would mean a French disaster, -and to bring that about Wellington had long ago sent his Spanish -irregulars to guard the fords across the River Tormes. Can we wonder -that that at Alba was deserted by the cowardly Spanish as the French -came near? And thereby a decisive defeat was lessened. By the next -day, in fact, the French were across the river. - -But Salamanca was won. The northern frontier of Portugal was freed of -the enemy, and now, when we advanced into Spain still farther, we had -this to content us--there were none of the enemy in rear to cut our -communications or to stampede our rearguards. They were to our front, -and no Britisher fears an enemy whom he can see plainly. - -But there were still rascals and traitors to be dealt with, as -Tom was yet to learn. Not that he gave a thought to them. For on -the evening of the battle, receiving an order from a galloping -aide-de-camp, he halted his men and set them down for a breather. -Then the sound of clattering hoofs came to his ears, and there rode -out of the gathering gloom Lord Wellington himself, with a brilliant -staff about him. He drew rein within ten feet of the corps, now -dishevelled and lessened sadly in numbers, but erect as ever, and -dressed with that precision for which they had become notorious. - -"What corps?" asked Wellington, though he needed no information. - -"Lieutenant Clifford's, sir. Composite corps; half-Portuguese and -half-Spanish." - -Tom's heart thudded as the general set his horse three paces forward. - -"Ah," he heard him say, "I felt sure it was they! Mr. Clifford." - -"Sir," answered Tom, lowering the hilt of his broken sword. - -"Mr. Barwood and the other officers, commissioned and -non-commissioned," cried the general softly, causing all those -individuals to come to the front. - -"Gentlemen," said Wellington, his tones not raised in the slightest, -as if he were discussing a matter of little interest, and yet -conveying by a subtle inflection of his voice that it was no ordinary -matter, "from the plain below we saw Pack's Portuguese turn tail and -bolt. We saw the 4th Division heavily assailed. And then this corps -was thrust into the gap. It was a brilliantly-conceived movement, and -it helped to save a situation which was critical. The forming of the -corps into squares was beyond all criticism. Mr. Clifford, you will -be good enough to give my personal commendations to your men, whose -bravery is a pattern for all their fellows. Inform them that I hold -them in great respect, and that since the respect of a commander -is shown through his officers, who have done so well again, those -officers' names will be sent to England in my dispatches. March your -men back to their camp, please." - -Did the men of Tom's corps cheer? They shouted themselves hoarse -after our hero had spoken to them. They trudged across the field -strewn with killed and wounded with merry songs, and turned into -their blankets when all was over as proud as any in Spain or Portugal. - -As for Tom, he was too fatigued to even think. Once his wounded were -collected and his dead buried, a gruesome job for any commander, he -dropped dead asleep in his blanket. He recked not of the work before -him. His slumbering mind cared not a jot for the dangers of the task -which his commander had given him. If there had been fifty spies to -capture, if there had been fifty mysteries hanging about the persons -of the rascal José and Tom's two relatives abducted from Oporto, -that young fellow would still have slept. For he had fought his -first big engagement. He had done strenuous work, and nature called -aloud for repose for both body and brain before he took up other -responsibilities. Till the morrow, then, we leave him till the rising -sun awaked in his thoughts the memory of those urgent orders. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -A Clue at Last - - -Those 40,000 victorious men of Wellington's great army now had their -backs to the Portuguese frontier and were marching gaily on Madrid. -Away in front a half-battalion of infantry watched for the French -and found no trace of them. The guard in rear had an easy time of -it, for attack was not to be feared from that quarter; while the -cavalry patrols on either flank reported a country clear of all but -peasants. As for the road itself, it was littered with carts of -every description, not the motor lorries which to-day have achieved -a triumph, making light of the task of hauling the stores and -impedimenta of an army, but with mule carts in endless array, and -four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles with their teams of mules and -their gaudily-hatted drivers. - -"Of all the aggravating, lazy beggars these are the worst I ever set -eyes on," growled Jack Barwood, in command now of Tom's composite -corps of Portuguese and Spanish; for that young fellow himself, -together with Alfonso his cousin, had departed on special service. -And didn't the great Jack give himself airs! Riding at the head -of the corps he looked about him as does a conqueror. And these -muleteers came in for his displeasure. - -"Straggling all over the road as usual. How's one to pass here?" he -demanded of Andrews, who was marching beside him, and pointing to a -batch of vehicles wedged in a rocky part of the road where a detour -was almost impossible. - -"Move 'em, sir," came the answer, while the rifleman suppressed -a grin of amusement. Jack was a favourite with them all, but he -sometimes excited their ridicule. He was different from the steady -and yet dashing Tom. - -"Move 'em, sir, or interview one of these blackguards conducting -the caravan. Look at the beggar nearest; stares at us as if we -hadn't a right on the road, when we all know we're here to fight the -Spaniards' own battles. Precious fine help they give us too! The only -time they're out of the way is when fightin's wanted. Hi, you, you -son of a gun, move along with you!" - -The individual in question, a beetle-browed young fellow, whose -head was closely swathed in a brilliantly-red handkerchief, and who -dangled his sombrero from one hand, squatted on the shaft of the -nearest waiting cart, puffing a cigarette and staring with insolent -eyes at the commander of the irregulars. - -"Cheek!" exclaimed Jack. "The beggar looks at us as if we were -trespassers. Haul him up, Andrews; we'll give him trespassers." - -Jack sought in the back of his mind for all the Spanish he knew and -burst into an ungrammatical tirade when the muleteer was brought -forward by Andrews. - -"Hi, you!" said Jack haughtily; "hook it, double quick! You're -keeping the duke's own corps of irregulars. Sheer out with your -bothering carts or it'll be the worse for you." - -That was the substance of his speech, a speech that brought a -supercilious grin from the young man. - -"_Si, señor_," he said, "but there is time; there is always time." - -Jack gripped his meaning with difficulty, and then bubbled over with -wrath. Had he commanded cavalry he would have been tempted to ride -over the insolent fellow and his obstruction. As it was, he felt he -could thrash the man with his whip. But such action was out of the -question. Jack fumed and raged, while Andrews grinned secretly. As -for the Spaniard, he returned to his cart, finished his cigarette, -and then gave the order for the group of vehicles to move forward. -But as soon as the corps of irregulars had passed he sent a messenger -to call its commander. - -"Well?" demanded Jack haughtily, riding back, and meeting the man -alone and well away from all others. "What fool's errand have you -called me for?" - -"Gently does it, Jack. Gently! I'll be frightened," laughed the -muleteer, in the purest English. "How are things going?" - -The young leader of the composite corps nearly dropped from his -horse, and then, bending low, stared at this stranger. - -"I'm blistered!" he growled. "Am I standing on my head, or----" - -"Don't get frightened," came the grinning answer. "It's Tom, right -enough. I'm glad we've met, for it proves my disguise to be good. -Not one of the men recognized me, and I gave 'em every chance; even -Andrews was hoodwinked. How'll I do?" - -[Illustration: A CLEVER DISGUISE] - -Jack could still have been levelled flat with the proverbial feather, -for his chum had been absent from the camp exactly a week, and -Alfonso with him. It had been given out that they had ridden for -Oporto, and they had, in fact, taken the road for that place. But -some miles from the camp both had stripped off their uniforms and had -donned the dress worn by muleteers, of whom thousands were employed -with both British and French armies. Then they had been joined by -a faithful servant of Alfonso, one who accompanied him on this -campaign, who handed over to the two lads half a dozen native carts, -together with their teams of mules. - -"He'll stable our horses away on Father's estate," explained Alfonso. -"We can stow our uniforms in two of the carts, and then, if we want -to change back to ourselves at any time, we have the things near us. -Now?" - -"Back to the camp," said Tom, "There we pick up four of our -fellows who were on the sick list till last week. They've been -reported as fit only for light duty, and so, at my suggestion, are -to be allowed to continue with the army as drivers. They're trusty -fellows, and may be relied on not to give us away to friends or -enemies. Back we go, Alfonso." - -As bold as brass--for the handkerchief swathed round the brows and -the wide sombrero hat were disfiguring and an excellent disguise--the -two drove their teams into camp, and bivouacked close to Tom's own -regiment. And here they were, on the road, obstructing that same -corps, and causing the irate and lofty Jack to bubble over. - -"Of all the blessed cheek!" he began to gasp, faintly recognizing -Tom. "You gave me an awful start. To think of you being alongside -us, giving me lip too. That beats everything. But----what's up?" he -demanded in a hoarse whisper, leaning over from his saddle. "What's -this disguise for? And why march with the British army?" - -Tom waved him away. "Look out," he said hurriedly. "Those muleteers -are looking this way. Pretend to row me; threaten me with your whip. -I'll sneak away in the usual Spanish manner." - -Cunning eyes were, indeed, fixed upon them at that moment. A man -amongst a batch of drivers passing with his team just then recognized -Jack as the leader of irregulars, one with whom, had that young -officer been able to guess it, he had already had dealings. But the -scene immediately following disarmed all suspicion. Jack raged at -the man standing near him. His whip went up over his shoulder, and -he slashed out fiercely, cleverly missing his friend. As for Tom, -he scowled and muttered loudly, while his hand went to an imaginary -stiletto. - -"Draw your sword and skewer him if he shows fight," shouted a cavalry -officer, also a witness of the scene, galloping up now. "Get back to -your cart!" he commanded. - -Tom slank away, while Jack explained the insolence of the man, -getting advice born of long experience. - -"They're the biggest set of thieving, murdering rascals I ever set -eyes on," declared the officer, "and would knife one as soon as eat -a dinner. I never allow 'em to answer. I'm fair and square and kind -when things are right, but if there's disobedience, or treachery, or -insolence in the air, I go for 'em red-headed, red-headed me boy, -and knock the courage clean out of the rascals. I know; I've been on -transport duty in this country in the early days of the campaign, -and I've learned that firmness, and violence too, sometimes, are -necessary." - -There was a grin of amusement on Tom's face as he returned to the -carts, while the seemingly sleepy eyes of his fellow muleteers -twinkled. Whether our hero and his cousin had embarked upon a -fool's chase or not it was impossible to say; but this was certain, -occupying a false position as they did, where the piercing of their -disguise by comrade or enemy would be equally disastrous to their -scheme, they still had everything in their favour. Those men were -oysters; not one knew anything. They had taken service with the -chief muleteer, he with the bright handkerchief about his head, and -that was all. His name? No--that they had not heard. His age? They -shrugged their shoulders. What did age matter in a country where time -was of no consequence? Then he loved the English? Another shrug. -Perhaps; who could say? He had had a fierce altercation with one of -their officers that very day. - -"A lucky meeting it was, too," declared Tom to his cousin, when they -were tucked in their cart that night, secure from eavesdroppers. -"Every muleteer with our troops will hear the yarn before to-morrow's -finished, and that's just what we want." - -"Want?" ejaculated Alfonso, with a lift of the eyebrows. - -"Yes, want." - -"But--why?" - -"Because we've thrashed this matter out, haven't we?" - -Alfonso assented, shrugging in his blankets because the habit was too -strong for him. "But," he said. - -"I'll explain. There are spies about, stealing Wellington's papers -and plans." - -"Exactly." - -"And strangers with the troops are few and far between, and get -spotted precious quickly." - -"Granted--then?" - -"Then the spies are not strangers. They are to be found amongst men -accustomed to be with the troops, non-combatants of course; for -soldiers don't go in for such dirty business. So one looked round." - -"And pitched on the only possible people--muleteers, the scum of -the earth," declared Alfonso, with another shrug, which Tom found -strangely disconcerting. Who ever heard of a fellow who must needs -shrug his shoulders in bed and in the darkness? - -"Drop that shrugging," he growled. "Upsets me. Well, there we are. We -pitched on muleteers. To watch 'em properly we decided to join them -ourselves." - -"And here we are--not that I grumble," said Alfonso, beginning -another shrug and arresting it as Tom kicked savagely. "But rations -might be more plentiful. Still, as you say, here we are; and here we -stay, I suppose." - -"Till things turn up. I'm going to let it get about that we're -discontented beggars. If there's a gang about, we may be invited to -join. Who knows, through such a gang we might get hold of that fellow -who captured your father and mine?" - -"José, eh?" asked his cousin. - -"Perhaps." - -"In any case the rascal we were after in Oporto, whose spy we -captured going to Ciudad Rodrigo. That's the puzzle. We agree that it -was he who abducted our parents. But is he also José, and if so, or -the reverse, is he associated with the ruffians who have been robbing -the dispatch box of his lordship, the leader of this army?" - -There the puzzle was laid out in all its bareness and meagreness. -There were links missing in the chain of flimsy evidence; but this -was certain, both lads had lost a father while José was in the -country. - -"Heigho! We'll leave the matter and get to roost," sighed Tom, for -driving a team of fractious mules is no light task. "Things are going -well, that's all. Something'll turn up presently." - -He was a cheery, optimistic young fellow, and soon dropped asleep; -for worry was of no use to our hero. The following day found him just -as cheerfully helping the British army in his new and humbler way to -advance to conquest. For Madrid was the goal; those three victories -had, in fact, opened up the heart of Andalusia. Ciudad Rodrigo and -its capture against strenuous difficulties had shown the French that -we were out for business, and the fall of Badajoz had set a laurel -about the brows of the British regiments. None doubted now that even -when skill did not count, bull-dog courage was one of their cherished -possessions. Moreover, Salamanca had cast a shade over the French -invaders of the Peninsula. Almarez, and the destruction of those -forts, the bridge, and the vast stores of the enemy were but an -incident, if one of utmost importance, in this third victory; that -week of crafty manoeuvring near the road to Ciudad Rodrigo, with its -attendant little actions and skirmishes, but a forecast of what was -to follow. It was the stand-up fight in the open, when British troops -had been exposed to veterans of France, led by noted strategists, -when our brave fellows had smashed the power of Marmont--and by -manoeuvres vieing his in skill--that helped to send the enemy -rightabout, their faces set in the direction of France itself. The -great king of Spain fled his capital. This Joseph, brother of the -Great Napoleon, the "Little Corporal," so fond of placing members -of his own family on the thrones of Europe, had departed in haste -from Madrid, while Soult marched to join hands with Suchet. There -was evidence that the enemy were less assured than formerly. There -was a decided inclination for forces to co-operate; for the lesson -Salamanca had taught was salutary. The British troops were worthy of -a greater respect than had hitherto been accorded. - -And so for a while we may leave Wellington and his army, satisfied -that the conduct of affairs would be always careful. Our interest -turns naturally to Tom, sleeping then beside his cousin. - -For three days they continued to march with the troops, and each -succeeding one found them better acquainted with their fellow -muleteers, and already earning the reputation of being discontented -fellows. - -"Then you find fault with the work?" asked a bulky, stiff-necked -Spaniard, with pock-marked face, who had once before accosted Tom. -He it was, in fact, who had so cunningly watched the altercation -between our hero and Jack Barwood. - -"The work? That is good enough as work goes, friend," Tom answered -sulkily; "but had I my way I would be back there at home lolling away -my time. Who wants to work, and for these British? And then, think of -the pittance we earn." - -Tom was romancing with a vengeance, for if anyone liked work it was -he. To be idle with him, as with the majority of decent fellows, was -to be supremely miserable. As for the pay, a British army has the -reputation of being liberal, and Wellington's was no exception. - -"Ah!" exclaimed the bull-necked fellow, leering cunningly at Tom, and -expectorating to a distance. "The British! I hate them as I hate the -French. But as for pay, there are ways of getting rich even when one -is only a muleteer." - -Tom pricked up his ears instantly. He had taken note of this -thick-necked, stumpy fellow before, he with the pock-mark face, a -face which even if it had not been marred by disease would still have -been the reverse of attractive. - -"Getting rich? How?" he asked. - -"Ah! That's telling. But there are ways, easy ways, ways unknown to -the others." - -"And there is good money in it, my friend?" - -"Doubloons in plenty, I tell you," came the slow answer, while the -man looked about him craftily. - -"Come to my wagon," said Tom, at once, anxious to allay any -suspicions, and prepared to lead the man on. For here might be -something in the nature of a clue. "I have a friend there who also -would make money, if it is to be made readily. There is danger?" - -"Poof! Who thinks of danger when there is gold?" exclaimed the -man loftily, though the flicker about his eyes belied his vaunted -courage. "I will come gladly. You have a bottle of wine, perhaps. -That would be interesting." - -Tom had a bottle of excellent stuff, as a matter of fact, and had -obtained it with a view to a possible meeting of this sort. And, -after all, the offer of a good glass of wine on a campaign such as -that of the Peninsula was often more binding than a greater service. -It followed that, within ten minutes, the three, this muleteer, Tom, -and his cousin, were as bosom comrades, while before the fellow left -he had made a cunning appointment. - -"Listen," he said, staring about him. "To-morrow we come to the city -of Madrid. There I have friends, and you will meet them. I will give -you the time and place of meeting. There you shall learn how money -can be earned, and with such a spice of adventure about it that you -will be charmed. Look for me to-morrow, then." - -"On the track at last," murmured Alfonso breathlessly when the man -was gone. "You think he is one of the gang, Tom?" - -"Certain. Can't say, of course, that he has had anything to do with -Wellington's papers; but I guess that's the case. However, we shall -soon know that. Still, this is equally certain: whatever this work -may be, and spying has something to do with it, it's the merest -toss-up that it can have any connection with our governors. Oporto's -a long cry from Madrid; Badajoz ain't much nearer." - -Late on the following evening the troops reached the outskirts of -Madrid, where Tom and his cousin parked their carts and secured their -mules in the mule lines. - -"You will look after things while we are gone," said Tom, addressing -one of the men with them. "We have information which takes us into -the city to-night perhaps. That information might possibly keep us -absent from the camp for some days, so do not be alarmed if we do not -return. Carry on as if we were still present." - -An hour later the rascally-looking muleteer put in an appearance, and -promptly cast his eyes upon the bottle of wine nestling in a corner -of Tom's cart. - -"A fine evening, one on which you will pave the way to a fortune," he -leered. "But hot, infamously hot; these August days are always sultry -in this country." - -Tom poured him out a glass, and watched with feelings of loathing as -the fellow gulped down the fluid. He was a scoundrel, of that he was -sure, a thick-headed scoundrel to be so easily duped. For here he was -about to introduce two comrades, of whom he had but little knowledge, -to a group of conspirators perhaps, and in any case to someone able -and willing to pay for work not as a rule performed by muleteers. -What was that work? - -"Spying--dirty work anyway," our hero growled to himself, for the -thing was as foreign to his open-air, straightforward character as it -could be. "But for the time being, at least, I'm prepared to be as -great a spy and conspirator as any." - -"You are free to come?" leered the fellow, looking askance again at -the bottle. Tom took the hint and refilled the glass. - -"Yes," he said coarsely, handing the wine over. - -"To the city?" - -"Anywhere where gold is promised." - -"And the danger?" - -"Pooh! Are we not under fire often?" - -"Then come." - -"But where? The city is a big place." - -"It is; but there are cribs where a man may hide. There we shall find -our chief. Young like you, yes, young; but cunning, clever as they -make them; keen, yes, sharp as any needle. Where? Ah, that wants -telling! You wish for fortune. Then wait for it till the time comes. -I am here as a benefactor." - -Was he foxing? Was this crafty fellow luring them on? No--a thousand -times no. The whole transaction had been so spontaneous. - -Tom looked across at Alfonso and found no warning glance in his eyes. -His Spanish cousin was as eager as he; he had no fears of a plot -against them. - -"Ready then," said Tom, as he felt the dagger beneath his waistcoat -and the pistol thrust into the leg of his boot, for he was seated on -the shaft of the cart. "We put ourselves in your hands." - -"Then come." - -Watched by the eyes of the other men who had accompanied them, Tom -and his cousin went off with their companion and were soon within -the city, for the place had opened on the arrival of the British. -Plunging into a side street, they wended their way towards the -lower quarters of the city and were soon threading narrow alleys -with noisome slums on either hand. Then their guide turned into a -doorway and tapped three times sharply. Once more he gave his signal. -Scurrying feet were heard. Stairs groaned and squeaked beneath a -descending weight. The door was dragged open on rusty hinges. - -"Enter--how many?" - -"Three." - -"Then enter." - -Led by the one who had opened the door, and next by the rascally -muleteer with whom they had scraped an acquaintance, Tom and his -cousin entered the narrow, dark passage. They climbed the same -groaning, squeaking flight of stairs, and then plunged into a room -but dimly lighted. Ten men were present, a full ten, seated about a -rickety table. - -Who were they? Conspirators? Yes, without doubt. Was José there? -Impossible to say. Then any other they could recognize? No--yes. - -Tom's eyes pierced the flimsy disguise of one of the men present. It -was the selfsame rascal captured outside Ciudad Rodrigo, whom he had -impersonated, a spy then, and one now, one, moreover, whose sharp -eyes might easily penetrate his own disguise and bring a hornet's -nest about him. - -"But it's duty," he murmured softly to himself, as he took a seat. -"Wellington's orders must be obeyed. I'm here to unravel a plot and -make an end of a set of ruffians who are a nuisance and a danger to -my countrymen." - -Yes, it was duty. But the risk! Tom and his cousin had still to -fathom its depth, had still to face the consequences of this rash -visit. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -The Conspirators' Den - - -Imagine a low-ceilinged room, the whitening long since gone a -dull smoke colour, cobwebs in the corner, dust on every angle and -ridge, and a floor innocent of scrubbing-brush for many a long day. -Imagine an atmosphere charged with pungent smoke from the pipes and -cigarettes of ten conspirators, smoke generated by tobacco of the -coarsest and foulest. Add to that the nauseating fumes of an oil -lamp, trimmed perhaps a month before, flickering, red, and smoky. -Then picture the forms and faces of those ten conspirators gathered -about a huge, rickety table, forms of small proportion for the -most part, slim and lithe as becomes the young man of Spain, but -alternated in the case of two at least by the grossest stoutness. -Double chins were owned by that more aged couple. Their faces were -masked by bushy eyebrow, and fierce moustaches, that curled upwards, -while their chins were clad and obscured by black beards of a week's -growth. For the rest, they were mostly clean-shaven, hawk-eyed, keen, -blinking at the newcomers through the smoke which filled the chamber. - -"Welcome!" A solitary voice broke the silence when at length Tom and -his companions were seated. But whence it came, from whom, he had -no notion. The tones were deep, almost guttural. They might have -emanated from the floor or from the smoke-blacked ceiling. - -"Welcome! You come in time to do good work. Declare your names, your -age, and your parentage. Let one of you stand out before us and -speak." - -The time had come to brave the whole matter, to risk discovery. Tom -rose to his feet from the rickety chair to which he had been invited -and stood before the company. He stared across the table, through the -gloom, and sought the one who had spoken. But not one of the ten had -moved. Not one seemed to have opened his lips. Ah! in the background, -sheltered in the angle of the room, was yet another figure. The face -leered out at him, one writhing hand concealing the features. Did Tom -recognize this fellow even then? - -"No," he told himself. "The cunning beggar keeps a hand across his -face. But--but I'll swear the voice is familiar, though masked now. -Present!" he cried boldly. "We have come for information. We are -ready to do good work and to earn a reward better than that paid to -humble muleteers." - -The figure moved from the angled recess in which it had been hiding. -The man or youth--Tom could not guess which--writhed his way across -the unwashed floor and halted at the table. One thin, shivering hand -was stretched forward as if to gather warmth from the lamp, which was -suddenly dashed to one side and the room plunged into darkness. At -that instant vice-like fingers seized our hero by the neck, his legs -were cut away from beneath him, while someone, evidently prepared -for the occasion, tossed a coil of rope about him and drew it tight. -There was the sound of a desperate struggle near at hand. Once Tom -was violently kicked, evidently by accident. And then there was -stillness; the lamp was set flaring again; the same masked, guttural -voice once more was heard. - -"Take them away; deal with them according to instructions. See that -they are securely bound; let them understand that the end is near. -Go." - -Tom could still see, though his arms were trussed to his side, while -he was otherwise helpless. He fixed his eyes upon that central figure -and tried to pierce the disguise, for disguised this leader of the -conspirators was. But was it José? He scoffed at the idea. José -ringleader of such a group! He had not the pluck for such a venture. -Then who? He knew the voice, masked though it was. It had been -familiar at some occasion. Where, then? When? - -"Go; take them away. To-morrow deal with them as you have been -ordered." - -Men lit their cigarettes again. The band gathered once more about -the table. There was an air of triumph about them all, something -which seemed to say that they had brought about a _coup_ and had -been wonderfully clever; as, indeed, they had been. Tom in his young, -ambitious heart had fondly imagined that all had been taken in by -the disguise which he had affected. But the rascals of whom Lord -Wellington had to complain were no ordinary individuals, though, as -a rule, they were dressed as muleteers and followed that vocation. -There was a clever, subtle brain behind them, and that brain had -contrived to discover the plan so carefully formulated by Tom and his -cousin. The rascally, leering driver of mules who had brought them to -this rendezvous was but a decoy, fooled just as cleverly as they had -been. Their coming was expected. Preparations for their capture were -completed even before they left the safety of their camp. And now, -what was before them? - -"Murder, I suppose," thought Tom, repressing a shiver. "That's the -sort of thing these fellows go in for. What's the move now? They're -bundling us out of the room, but where to is more than I can guess. -Keep your pecker up, Alfonso," he called, when the door was shut on -them, and they stood in a passage. "It'll all come out right in the -end." - -"Silence! Pass in here," commanded one of the two ruffians who -escorted them. "Not both, but you." - -A door was wrenched open, and Tom was flung in, receiving a savage -kick from the second of their escort. The door banged, the lock -creaked and grated before he picked himself up from the floor. Then -there was more tramping, the wrenching open of a second door, and -another crash and bang. The heavy steps of two men came and passed -his door. The room beyond, which they had so lately left, was opened. -There came to his ears the buzz of many voices. Even the pungent reek -of tobacco and lamp smoke smote upon his nostrils, and then there was -comparative silence, save for a dull murmur. - -"Muzzled! Fooled! Caught finely! In chokey!" groaned Tom, full of -bitterness. "And just when we thought things were going so nicely. -But let's look round. I'm tied fast by the elbows and thumbs; I can't -move my arms, while my legs are free. So much then to the good; it -might have been worse." - -That was Tom all over--an optimist from the very depths of him. -Always ready to look on the bright side of things. A grouser? Never! -Life held too many rosy spots for our hero, as it does for all who -care to look just an inch below the surface for them. Things could -not always run smoothly, that he knew. They never do for anyone. -Even kings have their trials and troubles, and why not humble -individuals like our hero? It is the man who looks upon the bright -side of matters who lives long and enjoys happiness. Unconsciously, -perhaps--perhaps also because he was the son of his father, the -jovial, stout, and rollicking Septimus, himself an optimist--Tom, -too, looked ever upon the rosy side. He was in trouble; why then make -the very worst of that fact? Why not try to improve matters? And, -being the practical fellow he was, Tom began to look about him. The -gloom gave way after a while. Light from a street lamp, or perhaps -it came from a house opposite, flickered into the room, and now that -his eyes were accustomed to it he could see his surroundings. There -was a window, yes. It was twenty feet from the ground. An easy jump -if his limbs were free, a dangerous attempt with his arms fettered. -There was a dirty floor and a smoke-blacked ceiling. Not a stick of -furniture was present. Yes there was, if blinds are furniture; for -there was a blind to the window. It was let down to its full length, -and there was the cord. It passed beneath a catch, and---- - -"My uncle!" gasped Tom, following Jack's pet expression. "There's a -serrated surface there, a regular saw, if only I could approach the -edge. How's that? Bad. Try again. How's that? Worse. Never say die -then. What's the report on this occasion?" - -It was good, or fair, or middling, as he changed his position ever -so little. Sometimes the edges of the toothed band controlling the -length or position of the pulley over which the blind cord ran -gripped the strands of rope about his thumbs. Sometimes the latter -slid over them as if they were not in existence. Then they gripped -again, feebly perhaps, then with a vim there was no denying. Tom -grew hot with the effort. Perspiration poured from his forehead. He -pressed with even greater fierceness against the toothed edge he had -found. - -"Through! Thumbs free," he was able to assure himself after a while. -"Those chaps are still at it, gassing and smoking. Now for my elbows. -That's a different matter altogether. It's mighty hard to get them -down into position, and one isn't sure when they're rubbing." - -But it could be done. If he had been successful so far, surely this -additional difficulty was not going to discourage him. Tom clenched -his teeth and stooped, managing by a gymnastic evolution to bring his -fettered elbows against the serrated edge of the blind-cord catch. -But the task was irritatingly slow and laborious. He rubbed with all -his might, and still the cord held his arms pinioned closely together -behind him. However, perseverance was a virtue of which he had quite -his fair share, and Tom hated being beaten. Yes, whether in a matter -of life and death, as this was, or in the ordinary affairs of life, -Tom was a demon for work--a stickler, a fellow who liked to see a -thing through and watch it to success. A strand of the cord gave with -a little pop. Beads of perspiration burst from pores in his forehead -until then untapped, and, welling up, joined the stream already -flowing towards the corners of his eyes. Then there came a sound of -loud and exultant laughter from the smoke-grimed room occupied by the -conspirators. The door burst open, while heavy feet resounded in the -passage outside. - -"Free! Pulled the cords open. If they try any games with me I'm -ready." - -He gathered up the fallen strands like lightning, threw himself into -the darkest corner, with his arms held behind his back as if they -were still pinioned, while in one hand he gripped his pistol, his -stiletto in the other. Nor was he any too soon. A key grated in the -lock; the bolt slid back with a rusty creaking. The door itself came -open with a bang, admitting half a dozen ruffians, who staggered in -one after the other. - -One was fat and jowly and unwieldy of body. He brought a rickety -chair with him and a lamp, and having thumped the former down in -a central position proceeded to mop his reddened face. The others -leaned against the dirty walls, surveying their prisoner with -satisfied grimaces, while cigarettes protruded from their lips. - -"_Señor Inglise_," began one--when the fat man interrupted him. - -"_Señor_ indeed! Prisoner. Dog of an Englishman!" - -"As you will," shrugged the other. "Dog of an Englishman! Here is a -test, and our fat friend will carry it out. You are on the staff of -Lord Wellington. You know all things; then tell your tale. There is -life and liberty for the telling." - -"As there was for me outside the walls of Rodrigo," shouted another -of the rascals, whom Tom instantly recognized as the spy his men had -captured, and whom he had impersonated. "Life and liberty. I took -both. Here now is your chance. The tale, and then the open door." - -[Illustration: THE FAT MAN THREATENS TOM] - -"Or a grave," added the fat man, thrusting his handkerchief away and -slowly drawing a pistol. "Mark you, Englishman, we wish you no harm. -We ask for very little. What now are the plans of the English lord?" - -Tom laughed at them. He rocked from side to side at their questions, -but as he did so he wondered whether he ought straightway to shoot -the rascal into whose pistol muzzle he looked. It would be so easy. -As for the others, pooh! he did not fear them. A blow here, a thrust -with his stiletto there, and he would be out of the room. But there -was Alfonso. No--the time had not yet come for shooting. - -"_Señors_, you choose to joke," he said pleasantly. "What next?" - -"For you, nothing after my bullet. For us, the easy task of -extracting information from your comrade." - -"Ah! There they thought to succeed--never!" Tom told himself, for -Alfonso was a strict patriot. "Why ask for this information?" he -demanded. "Of what use is it to you?" - -Quick as a flash he saw the importance of here and now discovering -whether or no this was a gang of conspirators or spies dealing in -official secrets, the pests who had already purloined maps and plans -from Lord Wellington's dispatch case, rascals, in fact, who traded -on the news they were able to sell to the enemy. He noticed glances -passing between the men present. The sunken orbits of the fat man -turned from one to another, his jowly cheeks flapping. And then he -swung round on Tom. - -"You may as well know as not," he said, with an air of impertinent -assurance, "for if you speak, and tell this tale, you are one of us. -If you decline----" - -He levelled his pistol with precision, squinted along the sights -till our hero, staring at the rogue, could see his fat cheek at the -far end bulging over the butt. And then a podgy finger went to the -trigger. It was a nasty feeling, that, distinctly nasty. Tom found -himself clinging very hard to his pistol butt. He barely withstood -the strong temptation to start to his feet and attack the odious -ruffian. Then a smile broke across his face, a smile that seemed to -reassure the fat man, while the others, villains undoubtedly, sighed -as they were relieved of a strain which even they felt. - -"But of course you will speak, and therefore I may tell you who we -are," the man in the centre said, leaning forward so that the chair -squeaked, while he slowly lowered his weapon. "Know then, Englishman, -that we have business with all such matters. To the British we carry -plans made by the French. From the British we take similar plans, and -pass them to the enemy. Simple, is it not? Unpatriotic! Poof! We must -live, and such business is paying. I will tell you. From this Lord -Wellington our friend yonder took many documents but a month ago. -They now rest in the case of Monsieur the French commander, while we -live here in luxury. That is so, comrade?" - -The rascal alluded to, none less than the very one whom Tom -impersonated at Ciudad Rodrigo, wagged his head knowingly and smiled -a smile of triumph. - -"It is so; we have papers here to prove it." - -"Then it's the gang, and a pretty set of scoundrels they are, to be -sure," thought Tom, turning the matter over swiftly. But he wanted to -know more, he wanted additional time in which to complete a plan then -forming in his head. "But----" he began. - -"There is not such a thing as but in our business. We succeed always. -Here, supposing we fail with you, and I have the unpleasant task of -shooting you, we succeed without a doubt with your comrade. Ah, that -stirs you!" gurgled the fat ruffian, hugely enjoying his fancied -position of bully. - -"That is understood," came Tom's answer, given with easy assurance, -though the poor fellow was feeling far from happy. "But I was about -to ask, seeing that I am invited to join you, surely you have a -leader? Then who is he?" - -"The tale, and then you shall see; for of a surety we have a leader. -Now, friend Englishman, you have put your own head into this noose, -take therefore my advice and escape in the only way possible. Believe -me, the part of spy, conspirator, what you like to term it, is easy -enough." - -"And supposing I know nothing?" It was, after all, only a reasonable -suggestion, for the officer in command of a British army, or any -other army for the matter of that, is not in the habit of spreading -his plans broadcast, nor is every staff officer of sufficient -importance to warrant such confidence. No; such matters are buried -secrets, discussed only amongst the highest, often enough known only -to those immediately helping the commander. To speak the truth, Tom -had his own ideas of the future movements of this Peninsula campaign; -but they were his ideas only, discussed with comrades over a camp -fire. They were very likely not Wellington's. Once before, too, he -had had ideas, ideas imagined for a purpose. He remembered of a -sudden how he had rewritten the spy's message to the commander at -Ciudad Rodrigo, giving supposed plans of his commanding officer which -were likely enough, no doubt, but happened to be merely the result of -guesswork. And why not buy freedom here for a while? Why not purchase -respite even for a few hours? Yes, even for only a few hours, for in -that space of time he could do much. - -"I'll speak," he said abruptly, causing the fat man almost to -overbalance. "But the tale is a long one. A map will be necessary. I -must sketch the plans and write against them." - -"Ah! Did I not say that he, a staff officer, must know all?" gurgled -the stout wretch. "Did I not prophesy that he would speak? While our -leader swore the opposite. Declared he would never open his mouth, -even with a pistol grinning at him. Poof! I knew I should succeed. I -have that reputation." - -He mopped the perspiration from his face, rolled a cigarette, and -lit it with the help of a comrade. "But why not speak now?" he asked -suspiciously. "Now, while we are here to listen." - -Tom paused a little before answering. It would not do, he guessed, -to be too emphatic. "Yes," he began, wrinkling his brows, "I could -try, of course. But the thing must be written and sketched some time -if it is to be any use to you, so that I should have to tell it all -over again. Why not let me do it all at the same time, and add the -sketches? Then you will have such complete information that you will -be able to command a high price for it." - -"Bravo!" called one of the men. "He speaks the truth. Why not as he -suggests? We have him securely here. Then give him time. Cut him free -now, and leave him to it." - -How strange to feel in his heart almost terror at that suggestion, -a suggestion which he would have welcomed but ten minutes before. -Tom went furiously hot from head to foot, and then felt like an -icicle. For to cut him free meant a discovery. That discovery of his -severed bonds would rouse suspicion, and even he could hardly hope to -persuade these folks to trust him again. "Wait," he called. "Leave me -as I am to think. Bring pens and ink and paper when you have them." - -"And food in the first place. See you there," cried the fat man, -pointing to the fellow Tom had already met, "go for food. Then pass -outside the house and get the writing things. We will go back to a -meal; you can join us later. - -"After the meal I have a friend to see outside. I will get these -things, and then join you as the night gets older." - -There was a knowing smile on more than one of the ruffianly faces. -The fat man grinned and chortled. "A friend! Hola!" he cried. "And -one whose company is better and more entertaining than that of these -comrades. Well, well! We have all had friends. When the war is ended, -and we have done more business, you will marry the wench, and small -blame to you." - -They went away at once, banging the door and leaving their prisoner. - -The sigh which Tom sighed was of the number one order. It was -immense. It heaved his shoulders upward and his ribs outward till he -looked like a trussed pigeon. And the perspiration trickling from his -forehead showed under what tension he had laboured. For he had passed -through a terrible ordeal, one which might easily have overmastered -his courage. That grinning pistol was not the worst part of it all, -though it was bad enough. There were a hundred fears lurking in his -heart. Supposing, for instance, it came to the point where he drew -up this sketch, information and plans purely imaginary, conjured up -in a somewhat inventive brain, and those plans proved in the end -to be actually in a manner similar to those projected by the great -Wellington! Then his name would go down for ever and ever as a -traitor, as a coward, as a spy. The word was loathsome to him. Better -to be butchered than suffer such a chance. - -Then the old optimistic spirit triumphed. "Chance! There wasn't such -a thing, for he hadn't yet set his hand to paper, and wouldn't if he -could help it. The job's got to be tackled right at once," he told -himself; "there's no time for delaying. But one thing's certain: this -is the very gang Lord Wellington wishes to discover. For haven't I -had proof positive? Then how to haul the whole lot by the heels? Ah, -that's a conundrum! Precious queer for a fellow to be sitting in a -hole like this, a prisoner, and to wonder how he's going to capture -the fellows who have bagged him! Queer, I do think!" - -He actually smiled. Tom began to grin at the recollection of his good -fortune, for he had had undoubtedly the best of the recent interview. -He had, for the time being at any rate, hoodwinked a portion of the -gang, and, seeing that the noise in the adjacent room, deafening -after the entry of his late visitors, had now subsided into a -gentle murmur, why, if noise was any criterion of his fortunes, the -conspirators were easy in their minds. - -Seated in his corner, Tom began to pass each one of the individuals -who composed the gang in review before him. Not that he could -remember in detail all those ruffianly countenances; but there were -some whose features had left an impression. The two fat men, for -instance, rascals if ever there were any; then half a dozen of the -others; and lastly, and to the exclusion of the remainder, the one he -had taken for leader, the shadowy individual, obviously disguised, -with the writhing hand across his mouth and the assumed voice. - -"Could that be José? No. The fellow was too short. But--but, awfully -like him, that writhing hand. And the voice too?" - -Tom scratched his head, a luxury denied him a little earlier. "Bother -the chap!" he cried. "Anyway, I hope it won't prove to be that -precious cousin. All the better for him and for us when I come to -round up this crowd!" - -How Jack Barwood would have roared with laughter at him! But let us -tell the whole truth. Down in the depths of his own jovial heart of -hearts Jack would have been, secretly, just a wee little bit jealous. -For what thundering optimism was here! - -"The cheek of him!" he would decidedly have exclaimed. "Here's Tom -foxing in a corner, with his hands freed when they're supposed to -be lashed together. That's, so far as I can see, his only point of -advantage. Against that single item he's a prisoner, locked in a -room, with a band of cut-throat villains eating their supper beside -him. And here he has the amazing cheek to think, and think seriously -too, of the time when he'll have captured the lot, to even sympathize -with a cousin who may possibly be the leader. Hoo!" - -Indignation, amusement, concern for the evident idiocy of his chum -would be expressed in his retort had he been there to make one. But -he wasn't, more's the pity. And to our hero the amusing, idiotic -side of his thoughts, if so you care to term it, was a source of no -more than passing interest. He began to check certain matters over -on the tips of his fingers. He nodded his head knowingly, and then, -of a sudden, he looked up. For the door yonder had opened. Now it -banged to with a crash. A step was coming along the passage. A key -was thrust into the lock, and presently the man who was to supply him -with food, and, later, with writing implements and paper, was pushing -his way into his prison. In a moment he would stoop to cut those -lashings which now were not in existence. In a moment, in fact, the -cat would be out of the bag. Tom braced his muscles for a struggle. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -Tom Thinks Furiously - - -The man who had entered Tom's prison, the one whom his irregulars had -captured outside Ciudad Rodrigo, and in whose clothes our hero had -made his venture into the fortress, pushed the door to with his toe, -and, stooping, deposited a wooden tray in the centre of the room, on -the identical spot so lately occupied by the rickety and creaking -chair of the fat rascal who had been so free with his promises and -his pistol. - -"Food and drink," he said, as he stood upright. "Ah, I had forgotten -the comrade! He, too, perhaps, would care for something. Then I must -get the key. Eduardo has it. Yes, that is what I shall do. Then there -is the pen and ink and paper, and later----" - -"The friend," smiled Tom, watching the fellow like a cat. "The little -friend, comrade, whom you will marry when you have made this fortune." - -The fellow grinned; he liked the wit of the English staff officer. It -flattered his vanity to be chaffed about this little matter of which -he was inordinately proud. Yes, it pleased him distinctly--this -prisoner was quite an amiable fellow. - -"Ho, ho!" he laughed. "Wait till you are one of us. But, remember, -fine feathers make fine birds. You will have no gaudy uniforms. In -matters such as this with us it is a case of the man alone. It is -personality that tells." - -Tom would have laughed at his stupid vanity at another time. But -there he was, all strung up for the struggle which he knew to be -inevitable, waiting and waiting. And how can a man, or a youth for -the matter of that, conjure up an easy smile under such circumstances? - -"Yes, it is always the man himself who makes the running," said this -fellow. "But I will take food to your comrade, and then for the rest." - -He was wool-gathering, this spy. Even spies, we suppose, have their -amorous moments and their gentler passions. This man was so taken up -with the thought of the outing he was to have that he was actually -pulling the door open and leaving without a thought as to the -condition of his prisoner. Of what use food and drink when a man's -hands were supposed to be fast bound behind him? - -The reader can imagine the temptation Tom felt to let him go without -a murmur; for then the struggle, inevitable no doubt, would be -deferred for a while. He would have a longer breathing space; he -would, perhaps, be better prepared in the course of a few minutes. - -"Funking, eh?" he asked himself severely. "Wanting to put it off, -you brute. Hi!" he called. "Thanks for the food and all that is to -follow, but permit me to point out that I am unable to touch it. -After all, even were I a four-footed animal, I could hardly manage -the task with two of my limbs tied. No doubt the thought of this -friend drives such trivial matters out of your head." - -A roar escaped the jailer. This was quite the best joke he had come -across in many a long day's march. How his comrades would cackle when -he told them; for of course he would do that. It would add zest to -their chaffing. - -"Indeed it is a pretty compliment I am paying a certain person, -and so I shall tell her," he giggled. "To think that I who am so -careful should go about with my wits so flying. She will smile and be -pleased. Hola! Then this is a true sign of my feelings for the minx." - -"Quite a decent fellow in some ways, though a traitor," thought Tom, -eyeing the fellow narrowly. "Makes one feel rather a sneak to upset -this meeting. But then, business comes first, eh? Yes, I'm sorry for -him, but it can't be helped." - -He staggered to his feet as the man came towards him, still with -his hands behind his back. And then he lunged swiftly, catching the -jailer neatly between the eyes with a fist the knuckles of which were -now hard after months of strenuous campaigning. The man rose bodily -from the floor, his feet kicked spasmodically forward, and in a -moment the Spanish hero, the spy and traitor who with his comrades -made a living by selling the stolen secrets of those who had come to -deliver their country, was crashing upon the floor. - -Tom bent over him, a stern look on his face. He was ready for more -violence if need be, though not eager. "Stunned, knocked him out -with the sort of blow a pugilist would give. That's satisfactory for -the moment. Now for the future. Sorry about that girl though. Must -tell Jack Barwood and see if he cannot console. Now for Alfonso; but -there's a bothering key wanted. Perhaps this one'll fit. Supposing it -don't?" - -Up went his hand again. The dashing young staff officer, of whom Lord -Wellington already had such a high opinion, looked for the moment -just like a Spanish churl. For, recollect, he was still dressed as -muleteer, and muleteers wear clothing which compares but badly with -the smart uniform of an officer of the staff. Besides, he had been -somewhat tumbled about of late. But what did it matter? Even had -there been anyone to look on, it was too dark to discover details. -Not that Tom could not see. Those ruffians who had interviewed him -had taken a lamp to the room, and the man who lay sprawling now had -brought a candle, only it had gone sprawling too, and lay guttering -and almost out at that moment. Tom picked it up and looked about him. - -"No use waiting; time's precious," he told himself. "I'll see what -can be done with Alfonso's door. Then we'll set things humming." - -He took the key from the door of his own prison, and, snatching up -the candle, stealthily slipped along the passage. There was a door -ten feet down it, and the key slid into the lock. But it refused to -turn, causing Tom to groan with vexation. He closely inspected the -lock then, and stood considering matters. A roar of laughing and -loud voices from the farther room, in which the spies were supping, -distracted his attention, and in a moment he was back at his own -door. Ah! A streak of light burst its way into the passage. The door -was opening. Tom instantly slid into his own room, closed the door -gently, and locked it from within. Then, putting the candle in the -far corner, on the same wall as the door, he waited events. They -followed swiftly; for a minute later there came a thunderous blow -upon the door, and then a burst of laughter. - -"Ho, there, within! We come to join a comrade at supper, and to bring -him better fare than he has been given--open." - -It was the voice of the fat man, breathless as if after much effort, -a little incoherent, if the truth be told. The laughter was that of -men easily roused to merriment, who enjoy a feeble joke, or a saying -wanting in wit and point, more thoroughly and longer than it merits. -They had been supping, that was the explanation, and conspirators -such as these might well be expected to sup wisely, but too freely -perhaps. And here seemed to be an example. - -"Open!" bellowed the fat man, shaking the door violently. - -"Open!" roared his comrades, lurching against it. "Open and sup with -new comrades." - -"And the key? Does a prisoner, even if he be about to become a new -comrade--does he have the key of his prison given into his care?" - -The note of amusement which Tom managed to fling into his voice -caught the fancy of these ruffians. They laughed uproariously, so -that for a while not one could make his voice heard. And then one -suggested that they should beat the door in. - -"Aye, beat it in!" gurgled the fat man. "See, I will throw myself -against it, and, pish! the thing will fall to the ground." - -That put a summary end to the matter, for the fat individual was -unable to control his muscles with sufficient precision and dexterity -to bring about the attempted movement. He launched his ponderous -weight at the door, it is true, but his dive fell short by two feet -at least, and, stumbling, he rolled amongst his comrades, bringing -about a scene of confusion. - -The place rocked with the laughter of men. More than one leaned -against the door, shaking it badly. Then there were groans, fat -groans, almost in a stifled voice, and coming from the one who seemed -to be the ringleader in this piece of mischief. There was more -movement and more groaning, then heavy steps, as if of men carrying -a burden. In fact the fat man had been placed _hors de combat_. His -own indiscretion and dash had brought about his downfall. A damaged -leg caused his overexcited spirits to evaporate into the smoky air of -the foul dwelling in which his comrades were supping, while the pain -drew a succession of the dreariest of groans from him. - -"Done with their invitation for the time being," hoped Tom. "Ah, -there goes the door to with a bang! I'll have a look outside and see -what has happened." - -Gently turning the key, he pulled the door ajar and listened. Not a -sound came from the passage, and when his head was thrust out there -was not even a glimmer of light to be seen in the direction of the -supper room. But there was noise enough. Laughter rose and fell, -and was punctuated frequently by the dismal groanings of the man -who had been hurt. In fact, it looked as if the gang had settled -down for a time, and as if our hero might prosecute his own affairs -without interference. He tiptoed along to Alfonso's room and shook -the door heavily. But there was no answer from within, not even when -he called in as loud a voice as he dared risk. Had he but known it, -his cousin lay on the floor over by the far window, still pinioned, -as obstinate as any mule, determined to hold no converse with the -rascals who had captured him. He was not wanting in spirit, this -Spanish cousin of Tom's. As a matter of plain fact, he too had made -many and many an effort to free his limbs. But he had not observed -a similar catch existing on his own window, and with which our hero -had managed to saw through his own bonds. That was, perhaps, an -excellent illustration of the difference existing between the two -young fellows. Alfonso was a gallant officer, and had proved himself -possessed of ample courage on many an occasion. He was not brilliant, -however, and wanted some of the dash displayed by his English cousin. -Perhaps that was the result of his nationality, of his upbringing, -of his general life and surroundings until the outbreak of this -Peninsula War. But then, had Tom's life and conditions been much -different? He had lived his seventeen years in that quaint old house -down by the Thames, with its fine mulberry tree spreading wide, leafy -branches in front. The peeping into a big office provides no great -excitement, nor the seeing there of certain grey-headed clerks who, -as was the case at the establishment of Septimus John Clifford & Son, -carried out their allotted tasks daily without a hair's variation. -There was his school, to be sure; contact there with many a comrade; -friendships made and lost and regained; struggles for supremacy in -such games as then were practised; and, on occasion, somewhat too -frequently as his masters stated flatly, there were contests outside, -such as that between Tom and the grocer's lad. That had been our -hero's life, quiet and regular enough, as one must admit. But the -result was that Tom had a dash and swiftness about him Alfonso would -never possess, while here was an illustration which pointed to his -quickness. Alfonso still lay bound by the thumbs and elbows: Tom was -free, in the enjoyment of active movement. - -"Perhaps he's asleep," he thought, shaking the door again and calling -without receiving an answer. "Anyway, I daren't make more noise, and -there is nothing about with which I could hope to force the lock. It -begins to look as if I'll have to go to those rascals and hold the -lot of them up till they produce the key. How'd it do?" - -His finger went pensively to his forehead, while he stood in the -passage thinking deeply. At the far end the noise in the supper -chamber had become even greater. There were shouts as well as -laughter now, and once a sudden stamping, as if one of the gang had -risen to his feet and was indulging in a _pas seul_, with which to -enliven his comrades. - -"Let's get along to the farther end and see what's there. Ah, another -room! Locked? No, open. No key, though, and the place as dirty as the -others." - -He lifted the guttering candle overhead and inspected his -surroundings. The room was empty, completely stripped of furniture. -As a matter of fact the house itself was an empty one which this -rascally gang had appropriated, taking full advantage of the times. A -raid on neighbouring houses at the moment of the French retreat and -the coming of the British had stocked certain of the rooms, while the -owner must have been absent, else there would have been enquiries. -Then, too, by staring out of the window, Tom made the discovery that -the dwelling was situated at the end of a narrow yard, there being -stabling on either hand. It blocked this far end, while opposite -there was a low, arched exit leading into one of the minor streets of -Madrid. - -"Just the sort of crib for such fellows. No one likely to come into -the yard unless they had actual business here; and since these -troubles started I expect few have been able to keep horses. The -French cavalry, of whom there have been thousands swarming through -the city, will have snapped up every atom of forage, and made -horsekeeping an expensive and impossible thing for most inhabitants. -So it's the place of all others for such a gang. Perhaps it'll suit -me just as well too. Now I wonder." - -Stretching his head out of the narrow window he looked thoughtfully -about him, and, gazing upward, took stock of the stars, for the -clear night sky was thickly sown with them. One of the advantages of -campaigning, and commanding an irregular corps undertaking frequent -detached duties, was that he had learned to read his direction by the -stars, and now a little careful study told him that he was facing -south, that the street into which the house looked and the yard -actually emptied ran east and west. - -"While the bulk of the city's to the north," he told himself. -"That'll help once we get out of this hole." - -It is to be remarked that he had already decided that escape was -not only possible but certain. And he had used the word "we". Tom, -in fact, never even dreamed of leaving Alfonso. Had he done so, he -could have dropped from that window and gone clear away. It would be -a squeeze to push his somewhat bulky figure through the frame; but it -could be done, and below, outside, lay freedom; within lay death. For -this gang of spies was not likely to spare a young fellow possessed -of some of their secrets, and able to bring soldiers to arrest them. -The fact that they had spoken so plainly was proof positive that they -considered the two prisoners had no chance of escape, while so little -were they in sympathy with the feelings of an Englishman that they, -for the most part, had taken it for granted that both Tom and Alfonso -would willingly sell any knowledge they happened to have for the sake -of security. And the very act of doing so would, of course, make them -part and parcel of the gang; for to return to the troops would be -impossible. - -"No use thinking at all," he grumbled, satisfied with his look out of -the window. "Let's get to work. This room's empty, so I'll leave it. -Now for the passage again. Ah! Stairs leading downward; others going -up. Try those descending first of all." - -There was a door at the bottom of the steps leading directly into -the big yard. The huge paving stones, littered with unswept rubbish, -seemed to call loudly to him, to invite him to come out; for across -their surfaces he could step to freedom. Behind, upstairs, lay -danger; but a friend, a cousin, lay there also. Clambering up again, -Tom was about to ascend to the floor above his prison, when shouts -came from the supper room and sent him darting back to his own. The -door hiding those villains swung back with a crash and revealed -a scene which, when he came to look more closely at it--for he -was now only venturing to peep through the partly opened door of -his prison--caused him to stare at the members of the gang, whose -acquaintance he had so recently made, with eyes which were distinctly -startled. What else could one expect with such people, the lowest of -the low, traitors to their country, men who made profit out of the -misfortunes of the nation, and who stooped even to do a mischief to -the very people who had come at such risk, and at such cost in blood -and money, to help the Spanish against the French? These ruffians had -been making merry without a doubt. Secure in their retreat--for the -house was so isolated and shut in that even their shouts and ribald -laughter were hardly likely to attract attention from outsiders--they -had been supping liberally, and the red wine of Spain had been -flowing. The view through the open door discovered three of the -wretches dancing hilariously with unsteady feet, while beyond them, -separated by the table, on which stood a smoky lamp, was the fat -individual who had been so free with his pistol. His ungainly cheeks -hung flabbily. His pig-like eyes were hardly visible, while his lips -were blown outward at every expiration. Nor had he ceased groaning. -Evidently he found the chair in which he had been placed little to -his liking, or he may have been more severely injured than Tom -thought. In any case his wrinkled forehead, his sallow cheeks, and -his anxious eyes showed that he was suffering. - -But what cared the others? Not a jot. Those three danced right -merrily, more than once being on the eve of upsetting the injured -man. Comrades sprawled across the table, their heads buried in their -hands, evidently sunk in sleep, while the picture was completed in so -far as the contents of the room went, or so much of them as Tom could -see, by a couple of the fellows sprawled motionless on the floor. -Obviously it was not any of these who had caused the commotion. The -centre of the scene, in fact, was occupied by two men half in and -half out of the door, past whose figures Tom squinted to see the -interior. One still clung to the latch, reeling unsteadily, while the -other leaned against the post. It was clear that there had been an -altercation between them, and as a matter of fact they had risen to -go outside and fight the matter out. But Spanish tempers are quick -and fiery. Shouts of anger came from both, while the man clinging to -the door already had his stiletto drawn. Indeed Tom had hardly taken -in all these particulars when the two threw themselves at one another -like tigers, and, gripping wherever they could, fell to the ground, -and there rolled from side to side as they struggled. Gasps and cries -of hatred escaped them both, and then a shriek silenced every other -sound within the building. It even stirred Alfonso to movement. He -came to his door and beat his shoulders against it, for that shriek -sent a horrible chill through him. - -"It may be Tom they're murdering," he told himself, with a gasp. - -But Tom was merely an onlooker, a horrified one, to be sure. That -shriek told a tale there was no mistaking. Suddenly one of the men -seemed to become flabby. The hand which had gripped his opponent's -neck fell to the floor with a hollow bump. Then his head sank -backward. The victor rose with difficulty, stood looking down at -his victim, and, having wiped his stiletto on the tail of his coat, -staggered back into the supper room and banged the door behind him. -There was a hush about the building after that. Maybe those of the -conspirators still able to understand were as disturbed as Tom at the -occurrence. But we hardly think so. Quarrels were frequent enough; -bloodletting was a common occupation. - -"Well, they're brutes, the whole lot of 'em, that's true," Tom -told himself; "and it seems to me that the majority are in such a -condition that they are hardly likely to discover what's happening. -I'll wait a little, and then just go tooth and nail for that door. -It would take any one of them five minutes to stir his drunken wits, -and by then the thing'll be open and Alfonso out. But that's not all -that I want. My orders were to discover the gang and apprehend them. -That's clear; so the job's not finished with Alfonso's release." - -He went out into the passage boldly and slid along to the door of -the supper room. A feeble groan came to his ears. That was the fat -man--snores caused the air to vibrate. No doubt the rascals sprawling -on the table and beneath it were responsible. But of talking there -was none. As for the man on the floor, he was dead. Tom leaned over -him and listened; there was not so much as the whisper of a breath. -He ran his hands over the man's face, down his clothing, to his belt. -The sheath of his drawn stiletto was there, and a pistol also. There -was nothing more, nothing. Yes, there was something: Tom gripped it. -It was a key thrust into the belt. He tore it out as if his life -depended on his haste, and went racing down the passage. It fitted. -The lock of Alfonso's room turned. The door swung open widely. - -"Come swiftly," whispered Tom, darting in and proceeding at once to -cut Alfonso's bonds with the blade of a knife he always carried. - -"But--how have you done it? How long have you been free? Who helped -you?" gasped his cousin, firing off a string of questions in a deep -whisper. "Those brutes, where are they? I heard them fighting or -drinking." - -"Hush! We'll talk the thing over later. Come to the window and look -out. Now, there is the courtyard at the bottom of which this house is -situated. When you reach the street, turn sharp left and run to the -camp. Bring men back with you. Bring any soldiers you can come upon. -It is hardly nine yet, and there will be plenty about. Also there is -a bright, harvest moon, and that makes matters easier. Surround this -house. Guard every outlet, and then we shall have the lot of these -fellows. Alfonso, this is the very gang we are after." - -He took the still astonished Alfonso by the shoulders and pushed him -out of the room and down the stairs into the yard. - -"But you, you, Tom? What happens? You stay? Why?" - -"Go quickly; this is a great chance. Go at once." - -Tom turned abruptly and entered the house again, while his cousin, -knowing him by this time, and having already learned in the course of -service under his command that this young English cousin of his had -a way, when thwarted, of giving the curtest orders, darted out into -the yard and went racing through it. The one remaining, the young man -upon whom the great Lord Wellington had already turned his attention, -crept up the stairs again to the passage. He stole softly to the door -of the supper room and then back to those stairs leading upward. -Ascending them, he reached another landing with a couple of doors -leading from it. The flickering candle he bore in his hand showed -the dirt and squalor of the place, and showed, moreover, something -strange about one of the doors. It was heavily barred outside, while -a padlock passed though an eyelet in the bar and made all secure. -There were voices coming from the inside. Did our hero recognize -those voices after listening for a while? Then why such extraordinary -excitement, the like of which he had not shown before, even in the -midst of strenuous adventure? He went red-hot from head to foot and -gazed desperately about him. What could have caused this sudden -nervousness? Could it be that one of the speakers must be José, the -rascally cousin who had already done him such an injury, or could it -be possible----? - -Frantic with eagerness he backed against the wall of the passage and -then rushed at the door, putting all his strength and weight into -the blow. He kicked it desperately. Careless of the commotion he -raised, he kicked and kicked and kicked again, till, of a sudden, -the door flew open. That moment, too, was the signal for loud shouts -from the supper room. A swarm of rascals, roused from their stupor by -the noise, came swarming out, and, running down the passage, found -two empty prisons to greet them. The sound of breaking timber above -reached their ears, and at once they turned to the stairs and raced -up them. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -A Brilliant Capture - - -While Tom Clifford, commander of the composite force of Spanish and -Portuguese irregulars, staff officer, and as smart a young fellow as -served under Wellington's command, listens to the approach of those -ruffians who had been such a scourge to our army, and who had traded -upon the military plans and secrets of those who had come to aid -their country, let us for a few moments anticipate events and narrate -what followed the eventful conflict at Salamanca. - -Portugal was long ago cleared of the invading French. Now the -enemy were sent flying into the heart of Spain, while Wellington -could cheerfully cut himself clear of Portugal, feeling sure that -the troops in rear would be sufficient to keep open his lines of -communication, always an important matter with a general invading a -country swarming with enemies. For then, if the worst came to the -worst, the retreat lay open. - -We find him, then, promptly marching on Madrid, and have told how the -troops, with Tom Clifford's command, reached that city. The immediate -results of Salamanca and this march were far-reaching. King Joseph, -the usurper thrust upon the Spanish throne by Napoleon, fled the -city, ordering Soult and Suchet to come to his help. The former, then -at Cadiz, where Sir Rowland Hill opposed him, destroyed his heavy -cannon and marched to join Joseph, while Sir Rowland Hill at once -proceeded to attach his force to that of Wellington. The latter then -set out for Burgos, a most antique city, situated on the highroad to -Bayonne, the French retreating steadily before him, looting churches -and houses as they went. This movement of the invader towards his -own frontier did not declare that he had given up the contest. On -the contrary, General Souham, who had now taken over the command -of the French in Spain, or did so on 3 October, was making every -effort to collect a huge force to oppose us, and, although no serious -opposition was offered to our march to Burgos, the clouds were -gathering daily, and Wellington had reason to fear that, if he failed -to capture this stronghold, he would be left to face overwhelming -French odds or to retreat once more on his own base. And, as we -have taken the liberty of anticipating events, let us say that, in -spite of the utmost gallantry and the most dashing assaults, Burgos -resisted, and Wellington who was unprepared for assault, since he -had no adequate siege train with him, had to attack the defences. -After no fewer than five assaults, a number of sallies by the gallant -garrison, and thirty-three days investment, the siege was abandoned, -some 2000 of our men having fallen, while the French had also lost -heavily. Nor must we omit to mention the skill and undoubted valour -of Colonel du Breton and his men, who here opposed us. - -Souham had now collected some 70,000 of all arms, and, therefore, -retreat was urgent. That retreat became, indeed, almost a facsimile -of the famous retreat of Sir John Moore, though it did not continue -so long; for, in spite of every precaution, in spite of wrapping -cannon wheels with straw to deaden the sound, the garrison of Burgos -got wind of the beginning of the movement. Almost at once French -columns were in pursuit, and from that day there were constant -conflicts between our rearguard and the enemy. Passing by way of the -River Tormes, on his route for the frontier of Portugal, Wellington -crossed that river, leaving a thin brigade to hold the bridge at -Alba--and a gallant brigade it proved. Pelted with cannon shot, -unable to reply save with musketry, this brigade clung to the spot, -arresting the pursuit of the enemy till their position was turned by -French cavalry crossing the river elsewhere. Then came the passage -of the Huebra, accompanied by constant fighting. But the skilful -Wellington drew off his troops, though many a poor fellow was left -dead or wounded, until at length the frontier of Portugal was -reached, and with it winter quarters. Some 9000 men had been lost on -the way, while baggage had for the most part fallen into the hands of -the enemy. - -But let us realize that this was no defeat. There were some 90,000 -Frenchmen now swarming about our retreating column, for every -available soldier had been brought up by Souham, who determined once -and for all to check the designs of the British. And yet he failed. -Wellington had reached security with the bulk of his forces. Thus -ended the campaign for the year 1812, only to be resumed again in the -spring of 1813, when our armies, still beneath the same conquering -hand, were to advance north again, right up to the French frontier, -and finally to enter France. Let us also contrast at this point the -movements of Wellington's troops with those of Napoleon's men in -other fields of conquest. Wellington began that memorable retreat -from Burgos on the night of 21 October, 1812, and saw its completion -within a few days of the crossing of the Huebra on 18 November. At -the very same time Napoleon was also in retreat, that famous and -fearful retrograde movement which laid the foundation of his final -downfall. Reaching Moscow with his hosts on 14 September, he found -the city deserted by its 250,000 inhabitants. His triumphal entry was -disturbed by the outbreak of fire, and finally he was driven forth -to face an Arctic Russian winter by the destruction of the city. He -set his face homeward on 19 October. And later we find him hastening -from a field that no longer attracted his attention, just as he had -hastened out of Spain soon after the coming of the British. Entering -Russia full of confidence, and with nearly a half-million of men, he -bade farewell to those of his generals who still lived on 5 December, -leaving behind him a shattered remnant, devoid of discipline, -half-frozen and more than half-starved, a rabble still to suffer -frightfully at the hands of the dashing Cossacks. Think of the untold -misery. Think of the very many thousands of men, all in the flower of -manhood, who perished in this Russian campaign. Then recollect that -the overpowering ambition of this "Little Corporal," this commoner, -this distinguished artillery officer, was chiefly responsible. France -needed no larger territory. Honour and glory could have been won for -her emperor and her people by this lost energy, this sad loss of -young vigour, applied to her own internal affairs, to commerce and -other matters. Instead, France wept at the loss of its young manhood -and groaned beneath the burden of excessive war taxation, while the -years which followed were to see the downfall of the empire which -was then being created, the loss of all these provinces won by the -sword at the price of the misery and death of thousands and thousands -of innocent and would-be peaceful people. Napoleon may have been -great--he was, admittedly, a military genius and a man of unsurpassed -courage and ambition--but the thousands who went to their doom at his -bidding, or who sent thousands of their fellows to their end because -of his actions, bear a terrible testimony against him. His deathbed -amidst those peaceful surroundings at St. Helena, high up over the -smiling sea, was a glaring contrast to the deathbed of many and many -a poor fellow who followed or opposed his fortunes. - -But let us turn from a subject such as this to the fortunes of as -bright a lad as ever set foot on the Peninsula. We left Tom acting -in a manner almost inexplicable. See him now, then, with that door -shattered and burst wide open, and himself returned to the head of -the stairs up which the rascals from below were rushing. And look at -the two who were with him. One, a stout jovial man of medium height, -and possessed of ruddy features which showed resolution and energy, -stood at his side armed with a length of splintered woodwork. A -second, taller perhaps, thin and cadaverous, and of sallow Spanish -complexion, stood in rear gripping our hero's stiletto. Both were -more or less in rags, and grimed with long confinement in a noisome -prison. But in each case fearless eyes looked out through flashing -glasses. And down below, coming upward helter-skelter, were a dozen -rascals, one bearing a lantern, elbowing one another, firing their -weapons haphazard, shouting at the three above them. - -"Silence!" Tom commanded at the pitch of his voice. "Silence for a -moment. Now, lay down your arms and go back to your room. You are -surrounded. You are prisoners. The man who dares to fire another -weapon will be taken outside and shot instantly." - -Gaping faces looked up at him, and then into the eyes of their -fellows. Two men at the bottom of the stairs turned to run. And then -one of the leaders called upon them not to be cowards. - -"Surrounded!" he laughed. "He is fooling the lot of us. Hear him call -upon us to surrender when we are on the point of chopping him to -pieces. Up we go. In a trice we will have the lot of them strung by -the necks from the windows." - -His pistol belched a charge of flame and shot in Tom's direction, -and, missing our hero's head by a narrow margin, swept above the -spectacles of his gallant father--for it was Septimus whom he had -unearthed from the room behind him, and his uncle Juan also--causing -that sedate, business gentleman to duck most violently. It completed -its work by crashing into the ceiling and bringing down a yard of -material which almost blinded Don Juan as it smashed into pieces. -As for Tom, he leaned forward, took steady aim, and sent the rascal -tumbling backward with a bullet through his body. He was after him, -too, in an instant, beating at those below with the butt of his -pistol, while Septimus ably backed up the attack, laying about him -vigorously with his piece of splintered boarding. Men dived for their -legs, hoping to bring them down in that way, but were met with blows -which sent them heeling downward. Shots were fired by the ruffians, -and were answered by the howls of the wretches hit by accident. Then -a shout of consternation set the whole lot retreating. - -What was that? Tom stretched his ears to their longest and listened. -Septimus produced a very red and somewhat soiled silk handkerchief -and slowly mopped his streaming forehead. Juan took off his glasses, -wiped them thoughtfully, and then gave vent to the expression: "Well, -I never!" - -"Soldiers! British!" shouted Septimus, beginning to dance from one -toe to the other, and presenting a somewhat ludicrous appearance. -"Tom, I tell you those are British soldiers!" - -"No--Portuguese and Spanish. Listen, that's my adjutant, Ensign John -Barwood." - -Up through the windows of the house came the curt commands of -an officer, commands issued in a language neither Spanish nor -Portuguese, but a species of patois made more hideous by the obvious -English accent of the officer. - -"Recover arms! Ground arms! Split up by sections. Shoot any man who -comes from the house and refuses to surrender. Andrews and Howeley -take charge each of a section. Ensign Alfonso is at the rear and -guards the place in that quarter." - -"Hooray!" bellowed Tom, racing down the stairs and to the window of -his late prison. "Jack, ahoy! Pass a few files into the house for our -protection. I've got the two we've been searching for. Pass the news -to Alfonso. His father's here, safe and sound. And mind you, don't -let one of those beggars escape. Seize or shoot them all. Search -their clothing and send a couple of men at once to help me to search -for papers." - -The minutes which passed after that were somewhat strenuous. Every -exit from the house was guarded, and when a man dropped from one of -the windows, and refused to halt at the command of one of Jack's -parties, there came the snap of a musket, followed by a fusillade, -for the first shot had missed the mark. A piercing shriek echoed -through the yard, and when Tom craned his neck out of the window -there was one of the rascals stretched still and stark on his face. - -By now the irregulars were pouring into the house, their bayonets -fixed in readiness for trouble. They found the bulk of the -conspirators crouching in their supper room amid the litter of -bottles and glasses, while in their centre, looking still more woeful -and downcast, was the fat man who had been injured. He was carried -below after being searched, while the rest were mustered together, -thoroughly searched, and then marched into the yard, where they were -put under a guard. Then began a complete and thorough investigation -of the premises. Documents and papers were dragged from hiding -places, and as the night wore on towards early morning Tom was able, -with the help of his friends, to unravel the whole mystery. - -"The same handwriting," he repeated on many an occasion, turning over -some new document. "Plans of Badajoz as regarrisoned and defended by -the British. Ditto of Ciudad Rodrigo, showing that these men have had -agents in both places. Details here of Wellington's forces, with the -exact number of guns, their calibre, &c." - -"And here the same of the French," sang out Alfonso, now an -interested spectator. "Double-dealing individuals, evidently." - -"I'll eat my hat if that writing isn't the same as that found in the -house where your father and uncle were living," suddenly interrupted -Jack. - -"Right--I've seen that all along. It goes to prove that the -ringleader all through who managed this gang also abducted those two. -Who was he?" - -"That is a question beyond me," declared Septimus, leaning over his -son's shoulder. "We never saw a leader. He was never referred to in -our presence. We were suddenly set upon and bound and gagged. That -same night we began the journey to Badajoz. Then came the siege, the -assault, and our flight; that is to say, we were hustled away from -the fortress. And here you are, Tom. 'Pon my word, how you do turn -up!" - -"Like the usual bad penny," grinned Jack, whereat Tom made a slash at -him with his own sword, which the young adjutant had placed upon the -rickety table. - -"But," he said, "how does it happen that you fellows yourselves -turned up just in the nick of time? Things were getting decidedly -warm for us at the top of those stairs." - -"Warm!--Boiling!" gasped Septimus, mopping his forehead at the -thought, while Don Juan took off his spectacles and rubbed them. - -"Beg pardon, sir, but there's officers ridden into the square," -reported Andrews in his stentorian tones, thrusting a head into the -room. "They've called for the officer commanding." - -"That's you," declared Tom, pointing at Jack. "I'm still a muleteer; -haven't rejoined yet." - -But the generous Jack wouldn't have that at all. He insisted on Tom's -obeying the order. - -"This special job's ended," he said, "You've bagged that crowd, and -mighty pleased Wellington'll be at the news. As for our arrival, why, -your men acting as muleteers got to hear something after you had gone -and sent along to me. I brought half a company into the city at once. -Alfonso tumbled upon us almost as we were passing the yard, and--here -we are, all aliv--o." - -It was a strange coincidence that Wellington should be the one on -this occasion to turn up unexpectedly also, but at a moment which -could only be called opportune. He and his staff had attended a ball -given in honour of the arrival of the British, and there he was in -the yard when Tom and his friends descended, tall and austere, his -slim figure standing out in the moonlight. - -"You command this party!" he exclaimed in amazement, as a seeming -muleteer drew himself to attention a few paces away and saluted. -"You!" - -"Yes, sir." - -Ah! There was something familiar about the face and the figure. The -voice reminded the general of a young officer he had often had in -his thoughts. - -"Name?" he asked curtly. - -"Lieutenant Tom Clifford, sir, in disguise. I have to report that the -mission on which you sent me has been successfully carried out. With -the help of my comrades I have captured or killed every member of a -gang dealing in military secrets. There is abundance of documentary -evidence to convict them." - -"Ah, that is news! And their leader?" - -"Over there, sir," explained Jack, who stood at attention beside our -hero. - -The whole party crossed the yard to the far corner, where lay the -body of the man who had attempted to escape, and who had been shot -down in the act. A torch was produced, and the light enabled them to -see the features. - -"The prisoners have admitted that he was their leader," said Jack. - -It was José. Tom turned away with a feeling of sickness. After all, -it was not pleasant to think that a cousin could have been such a -rascal. There, in fact, was the end of all his scheming, all his -meanness and jealousy. - -"You will report to-morrow at headquarters, Mr. Clifford. I offer you -and your officers and men the heartiest thanks--good morning!" - -Wellington was gone. Tom watched the gilt of his epaulettes shining -as he went through the archway; then he turned. Jack was standing -stiffly at attention behind him. Septimus was rushing forward with -outstretched hand. - -"Congratulations, sir," gasped the ensign. - -"To both of you," cried Septimus. "The chief of the staff gave me the -news. Tom, you've been gazetted captain for that work at Salamanca, -while Jack also gets a step, and Alfonso a mention. Now let's get to -supper, or breakfast--which is it?" - -There is little more to tell of our friends. In the year which -followed, that of 1813, they took the field again with Wellington, -having meanwhile passed safely through the retreat from Burgos. -Their corps saw service in the complicated battle of Vittoria, where -the British were successful. Thence they helped at the capture of -San Sebastian, while in October they actually marched into France, -having driven the French from Spain altogether. The battle of Nivelle -was then fought, Tom's men taking their part. The Nive was crossed -after desperate skirmishing, and so the advance of the British force -continued. Meanwhile, Napoleon's Russian disaster had set upon him a -flood of enemies, all pressing for vengeance. To describe all that -happened would need many a chapter; but in the end the power of -Napoleon was shattered. He himself abdicated the throne of France, -and was exiled to the island of Elba. Thence he escaped, and gathered -the flower and manhood of France once more about him. But it was -his fate to meet Wellington yet again. On the field of Waterloo -that great general, with the help of the Germans, broke his army -to pieces. A fugitive, Napoleon handed himself into the care of the -British, and thenceforward was exiled in St. Helena, where, amid the -cacti and the ferns, he died peacefully in the truckle bed which had -followed him on his campaigns. - -For Jack and Tom we have something more to say. The former was -a captain at the end of the Peninsula War; Tom a colonel, the -youngest in the army. Minus one arm, he looked, if anything, rather -more fetching in his uniform than formerly, for he served on the -commander-in-chief's staff at home till he retired. Then Jack went -also. Cast your eyes back at the house of Septimus John Clifford & -Son. It's not so very long ago that the old head of the firm could -be seen asleep beneath the shade of that mulberry tree. He was full -of years and kindness. A white-haired clerk sat often beside him, -a relic of the faithful lot who were there when Tom was a boy. And -there were children about, Tom's, for he had left the service and -married. Jack Barwood had married Marguerite, and he and his old -friend met daily at the office, for they were partners, while Alfonso -managed in Oporto. - -Thus our tale comes to an end. We take off our hats to Tom and his -fellows. They helped to break down the menace which threatened -England. - - -PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN - -_At the Villafield Press, Glasgow, Scotland_ - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Notes: - -Obvious typographical errors were repaired, but stylistic and valid -archaic spellings were retained. - -All illustrations, except for frontispiece, were relocated to the -text describing their action. - -Format coding includes =bold= and _italic_. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's With Wellington in Spain, by F. S. 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