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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/7318-0.txt b/7318-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8189a75 --- /dev/null +++ b/7318-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9276 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bravest of the Brave, by G. A. Henty + +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: The Bravest of the Brave + or, with Peterborough in Spain + +Author: G. A. Henty + +Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7318] +Posting Date: July 30, 2009 +Last Updated: March 11, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb + + + + + + + + +THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE + +OR, WITH PETERBOROUGH IN SPAIN + + +By G. A. Henty. + + + + +PREFACE + + +My Dear Lads: + +There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completely +fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. His career as +a general was a brief one, extending only over little more than a year, +and yet in that time he showed a genius for warfare which has never been +surpassed, and performed feats of daring worthy of taking their place +among those of the leaders of chivalry. + +The fact that they have made so slight a mark upon history is due to +several reasons. In the first place, they were overshadowed by the glory +and successes of Marlborough; they were performed in a cause which could +scarcely be said to be that of England, and in which the public had a +comparatively feeble interest; the object, too, for which he fought was +frustrated, and the war was an unsuccessful one, although from no fault +on his part. + +But most of all, Lord Peterborough failed to attain that place in the +list of British worthies to which his genius and his bravery should +have raised him, because that genius was directed by no steady aim +or purpose. Lord Peterborough is, indeed, one of the most striking +instances in history of genius and talent wasted, and a life thrown away +by want of fixed principle and by an inability or unwillingness to work +with other men. He quarreled in turn with every party and with almost +every individual with whom he came in contact; and while he himself +was constantly changing his opinions, he was intolerant of all opinions +differing from those which he at the moment held, and was always ready +to express in the most open and offensive manner his contempt and +dislike for those who differed from him. His eccentricities were great; +he was haughty and arrogant, hasty and passionate; he denied his God, +quarreled with his king, and rendered himself utterly obnoxious to every +party in the state. + +And yet there was a vast amount of good in this strange man. He was +generous and warm hearted to a fault, kind to those in station beneath +him, thoughtful and considerate for his troops, who adored him, cool +in danger, sagacious in difficulties, and capable at need of evincing +a patience and calmness wholly at variance with his ordinary impetuous +character. Although he did not scruple to carry deception, in order to +mislead an enemy, to a point vastly beyond what is generally considered +admissible in war, he was true to his word and punctiliously honorable +in the ordinary affairs of life. + +For the historical events I have described, and for the details of +Peterborough's conduct and character, I have relied chiefly upon the +memoir of the earl written by Mr. C. Warburton, and published some +thirty years ago. + + + +CHAPTER I: THE WAR OF THE SUCCESSION + + +“He is an idle vagabond!” the mayor of the good town of Southampton +said, in high wrath--“a ne'er do well, and an insolent puppy; and as to +you, Mistress Alice, if I catch you exchanging words with him again, ay, +or nodding to him, or looking as if in any way you were conscious of his +presence, I will put you on bread and water, and will send you away for +six months to the care of my sister Deborah, who will, I warrant me, +bring you to your senses.” + +The Mayor of Southampton must have been very angry indeed when he spoke +in this way to his daughter Alice, who in most matters had her own +way. Especially did it show that he was angry, since he so spoke in the +presence of Mistress Anthony, his wife, who was accustomed to have a by +no means unimportant share in any decision arrived at respecting family +matters. + +She was too wise a woman, however, to attempt to arrest the torrent +in full flood, especially as it was a matter on which her husband had +already shown a very unusual determination to have his own way. She +therefore continued to work in silence, and paid no attention to the +appealing glance which her daughter, a girl of fourteen, cast toward +her. But although she said nothing, her husband understood in her +silence an unuttered protest. + +“It is no use your taking that scamp's part, Mary, in this matter. I am +determined to have my own way, and the townspeople know well that when +Richard Anthony makes up his mind, nothing will move him.” + +“I have had no opportunity to take his part, Richard,” his wife said +quietly; “you have been storming without interruption since you came in +five minutes ago, and I have not uttered a single word.” + +“But you agree with me, Mary--you cannot but agree with me--that it is +nothing short of a scandal for the daughter of the Mayor of Southampton +to be talking to a penniless young rogue like that at the garden gate.” + +“Alice should not have met him there,” Mistress Anthony said; “but +seeing that she is only fourteen years old, and the boy only sixteen, +and he her second cousin, I do not see that the matter is so very +shocking.” + +“In four more years, Mistress Anthony,” the mayor said profoundly, “he +will be twenty, and she will be eighteen.” + +“So I suppose, Richard; I am no great head at a figures, but even I can +reckon that. But as at present they are only fourteen and sixteen, I +repeat that I do not see that it matters--at least not so very much. +Alice, do you go to your room, and remain there till I send for you.” + +The girl without a word rose and retired. In the reign of King William +the Third implicit obedience was expected of children. + +“I think, Richard,” Mrs. Anthony went on when the door closed behind her +daughter, “you are not acting quite with your usual wisdom in treating +this matter in so serious a light, and in putting ideas into the girl's +head which would probably never have entered there otherwise. Of course +Alice is fond of Jack. It is only natural that she should be, seeing +that he is her second cousin, and that for two years they have lived +together under this roof.” + +“I was a fool, Mistress Anthony,” the mayor said angrily, “ever to yield +to your persuasions in that matter. It was unfortunate, of course, that +the boy's father, the husband of your Cousin Margaret, should have been +turned out of his living by the Sectarians, as befell thousands of other +clergymen besides him. It was still more unfortunate that when King +Charles returned he did not get reinstated; but, after all, that was +Margaret's business and not mine; and if she was fool enough to marry a +pauper, and he well nigh old enough to be her father--well, as I say, it +was no business of mine.” + +“He was not a pauper, Richard, and you know it; and he made enough by +teaching to keep him and Margaret comfortably till he broke down and +died three years ago, and poor Margaret followed him to the grave a year +later. He was a good man--in every way a good man.” + +“Tut, tut! I am not saying he wasn't a good man. I am only saying that, +good or bad, it was no business of mine; and then nothing will do but +I must send for the boy and put him in my business. And a nice mess +he made of it--an idler, more careless apprentice, no cloth merchant, +especially one who stood well with his fellow citizens, and who was +on the highway to becoming mayor of his native city, was ever crossed +with.” + +“I think he was hardly as bad as that, Richard. I don't think you were +ever quite fair to the boy.” + +“Not fair, Mary! I am surprised at you. In what way was I not quite +fair?” + +“I don't think you meant to be unfair, Richard; but you see you were a +little--just a little--prejudiced against him from the first; because, +instead of jumping at your offer to apprentice him to your trade, he +said he should like to be a sailor.” + +“Quite enough to prejudice me, too, madam. Why, there are scores of sons +of respectable burgesses of this town who would jump at such an offer; +and here this penniless boy turns up his nose at it.” + +“It was foolish, no doubt, Richard; but you see the boy had been +reading the lives of admirals and navigators--he was full of life and +spirit--and I believe his father had consented to his going to sea.” + +“Full of life and spirit, madam!” the mayor repeated more angrily than +before; “let me tell you it is these fellows who are full of life and +adventure who come to the gallows. Naturally I was offended; but as I +had given you my word I kept to it. Every man in Southampton knows +that the word of Richard Anthony is as good as his bond. I bound him +apprentice, and what comes of it? My foreman, Andrew Carson, is knocked +flat on his back in the middle of the shop.” + +Mrs. Anthony bit her lips to prevent herself from smiling. + +“We will not speak any more about that, Richard,” she said; “because, if +we did, we should begin to argue. You know it is my opinion, and always +has been, that Carson deliberately set you against the boy; that he was +always telling you tales to his disadvantage; and although I admit that +the lad was very wrong to knock him down when he struck him, I think, my +dear, I should have done the same had I been in his place.” + +“Then, madam,” Mr. Anthony said solemnly, “you would have deserved +what happened to him--that you should be turned neck and crop into the +street.” + +Mrs. Anthony gave a determined nod of her head--a nod which signified +that she should have a voice on that point. However, seeing that in her +husband's present mood it was better to say no more, she resumed her +work. + +While this conversation had been proceeding, Jack Stilwell, who had fled +hastily when surprised by the mayor as he was talking to his daughter at +the back gate of the garden, had made his way down to the wharves, and +there, seating himself upon a pile of wood, had stared moodily at the +tract of mud extending from his feet to the strip of water far away. +His position was indeed an unenviable one. As Mrs. Anthony had said, +his father was a clergyman of the Church of England, the vicar of a +snug living in Lincolnshire, but he had been cast out when the +Parliamentarians gained the upper hand, and his living was handed over +to a Sectarian preacher. When, after years of poverty, King Charles came +to the throne, the dispossessed minister thought that as a matter of +course he should be restored to his living; but it was not so. As in +hundreds of other cases the new occupant conformed at once to the new +laws, and the Rev. Thomas Stilwell, having no friends or interest, was, +like many another clergyman, left out in the cold. + +But by this time he had settled at Oxford--at which university he +had been educated--and was gaining a not uncomfortable livelihood +by teaching the sons of citizens. Late in life he married Margaret +Ullathorpe, who, still a young woman, had, during a visit to some +friends at Oxford, made his acquaintance. In spite of the disparity of +years the union was a happy one. One son was born to them, and all had +gone well until a sudden chill had been the cause of Mr. Stilwell's +death, his wife surviving him only one year. Her death took place at +Southampton, where she had moved after the loss of her husband, having +no further tie at Oxford, and a week later Jack Stilwell found himself +domiciled at the house of Mr. Anthony. + +It was in vain that he represented to the cloth merchant that his wishes +lay toward a seafaring life, and that although his father had wished him +to go into the ministry, he had given way to his entreaties. Mr. Anthony +sharply pooh poohed the idea, and insisted that it was nothing short +of madness to dream of such a thing when so excellent an opportunity of +learning a respectable business was open to him. + +At any other time Jack would have resisted stoutly, and would have run +away and taken his chance rather than agree to the proposition; but he +was broken down by grief at his mother's death. Incapable of making a +struggle against the obstinacy of Mr. Anthony, and scarce caring what +became of himself, he signed the deed of apprenticeship which made him +for five years the slave of the cloth merchant. Not that the latter +intended to be anything but kind, and he sincerely believed that he was +acting for the good of the boy in taking him as his apprentice; but as +Jack recovered his spirits and energy, he absolutely loathed the trade +to which he was bound. Had it not been for Mistress Anthony and Alice +he would have braved the heavy pains and penalties which in those days +befell disobedient apprentices, and would have run away to sea; but +their constant kindness, and the fact that his mother with her dying +breath had charged him to regard her cousin as standing in her place, +prevented him from carrying the idea which he often formed into effect. + +In the shop his life was wretched. He was not stupid, as his master +asserted; for indeed in other matters he was bright and clever, and his +father had been well pleased with the progress he made with his studies; +but, in the first place; he hated his work, and, in the second, every +shortcoming and mistake was magnified and made the most of by the +foreman, Andrew Carson. This man had long looked to be taken into +partnership, and finally to succeed his master, seeing that the latter +had no sons, and he conceived a violent jealousy of Jack Stilwell, +in whose presence, as a prime favorite of Mistress Anthony and of her +daughter, he thought he foresaw an overthrow of his plans. + +He was not long in effecting a breach between the boy and his +master--for Jack's carelessness and inattention gave him plenty of +opportunities--and Mr. Anthony ere long viewed the boy's errors as acts +of willful disobedience. This state of things lasted for two years until +the climax came, when, as Mr. Anthony had said to his wife, Jack, upon +the foreman attempting to strike him, had knocked the latter down in the +shop. + +Mr. Anthony's first impulse was to take his apprentice before the +justices and to demand condign punishment for such an act of flagrant +rebellion; but a moment's reflection told him that Jack, at the end of +his punishment, would return to his house, where his wife would take +his part as usual, and the quarrels which had frequently arisen on his +account would be more bitter than before. + +It was far better to get rid of him at once, and he accordingly ordered +him from the shop, tore up his indenture before his eyes, and bade +him never let him see his face again. For the first few hours Jack was +delighted at his freedom. He spent the day down on the wharves talking +to the fishermen and sailors. There were no foreign bound ships in +the port, and he had no wish to ship on board a coaster; he therefore +resolved to wait until a vessel sailing for foreign ports should leave. + +He had no money; but a few hours after he left the shop Mrs. Anthony's +maid found him on the wharf, and gave him a letter from her mistress. In +this was inclosed a sum of money sufficient to last him for some time, +and an assurance that she did not share her husband's anger against him. + +“I have no doubt, my dear Jack,” she said, “that in time I could heal +the breach and could arrange for you to come back again, but I think +perhaps it is better as it is. You would never make a clothier, and I +don't think you would ever become Mayor of Southampton. I know what your +wishes are, and I think that you had better follow them out. Alice is +heartbroken over the affair, but I assure her that it will all turn out +for the best. I cannot ask you to come up to the house; but whenever you +have settled on anything leave a note with Dorothy for me, and I will +come down with Alice to see you and say goodby to you. I will see that +you do not go without a proper outfit.” + +It was to deliver this letter that Jack had gone up to the back +gate; and seeing Alice in the garden they had naturally fallen into +conversation at the gate, when the mayor, looking out from the window of +his warehouse, happened to see them, and went out in the greatest wrath +to put a stop to the conversation. + +Jack had indeed found a ship; she had come in from Holland with cloth +and other merchandise, and was after she was discharged to sail for +the colonies with English goods. She would not leave the port for some +weeks; but he had seen the captain, who had agreed to take him as ship's +boy. Had the mayor been aware that his late apprentice was on the point +of leaving he would not have interfered with his intention; but as he +had peremptorily ordered that his name was not to be mentioned before +him, and as Mrs. Anthony had no motive in approaching the forbidden +subject, the mayor remained in ignorance that Jack was about to depart +on a distant voyage. + +One day, on going down to the town hail, he found an official letter +waiting him; it was an order from government empowering justices of the +peace to impress such men as they thought fit, with the only restriction +that men entitled to vote for members of parliament were exempted. This +tremendous power had just been legalized by an act of parliament. A more +iniquitous act never disgraced our statutes, for it enabled justices of +the peace to spite any of their poorer neighbors against whom they had a +grudge, and to ship them off to share in the hardships of Marlborough's +campaign in Germany and the Low Countries, or in the expedition now +preparing for Spain. + +At that time the army was held in the greatest dislike by the English +people. The nation had always been opposed to a standing force, and +it was only now that the necessities of the country induced them to +tolerate it. It was, however, recruited almost entirely from reckless +and desperate men. Criminals were allowed to commute sentences of +imprisonment for service in the army, and the gates of the prisons +were also opened to insolvent debtors consenting to enlist. But all the +efforts of the recruiting sergeants, aided by such measures as these, +proved insufficient to attract a sufficient number of men to keep up the +armies at the required strength. + +Pressing had always existed to a certain extent; but it had been carried +on secretly, and was regarded as illegal. Therefore, as men must be had, +the law giving justices the authority and power to impress any men +they might select, with the exception of those who possessed a vote for +members of parliament, was passed with the approval of parties on both +sides of the House of Commons. + +There was indeed great need for men. England had allied herself with +Austria and Holland in opposition to France, the subject of dispute +being the succession to the crown of Spain, England's feelings in the +matter being further imbittered by the recognition by Louis XIV of the +Pretender as King of England. Therefore, although her interests were not +so deeply engaged in the question as to the succession to the throne of +Spain as were those of the continental powers, she threw herself into +the struggle with ardor. + +The two claimants to the throne of Spain were the Archduke Charles, +second son of Leopold, Emperor of Austria, and Philip, Duke of Anjou, a +younger grandson of Louis. On the marriage of the French king with Maria +Theresa, the sister of Charles II of Spain, she had formally renounced +all claims to the succession, but the French king had nevertheless +continued from time to time to bring them forward. Had these rights +not been renounced Philip would have had the best claim to the Spanish +throne, the next of kin after him being Charles of Austria. + +During the later days of the King of Spain all Europe had looked on with +the most intense interest at the efforts which the respective parties +made for their candidates. Whichever might succeed to the throne the +balance of power would be destroyed; for either Austria and Spain +united, or France and Spain united, would be sufficient to overawe the +rest of the Continent. Louis XIV lulled the fears of the Austrian party +by suggesting a treaty of partition to the Dutch states and William the +Third of England. + +By this treaty it was agreed that the Archduke Charles was to be +acknowledged successor to the crowns of Spain, the Indies, and the +Netherlands; while the dauphin, as the eldest son of Maria Theresa, +should receive the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, with the Spanish +province of Guipuscoa and the duchy of Milan, in compensation of his +abandonment of other claims. When the conditions of this treaty became +known they inspired natural indignation in the minds of the people of +the country which had thus been arbitrarily allotted, and the dying +Charles of Spain was infuriated by this conspiracy to break up and +divide his dominion. His jealousy of France would have led him to select +the Austrian claimant; but the emperor's undisguised greed for a portion +of the Spanish empire, and the overbearing and unpleasant manner of the +Austrian ambassador in the Spanish court, drove him to listen to the +overtures of Louis, who had a powerful ally in Cardinal Portocarrero, +Archbishop of Toledo, whose influence was all powerful with the king. +The cardinal argued that the grandson of Maria Theresa could not be +bound by her renunciation, and also that it had only been made with a +view to keep separate the French and Spanish monarchies, and that if a +descendant of hers, other than the heir to the throne of France, were +chosen, this condition would be carried out. + +Finally, he persuaded Charles, a month before his death, to sign a will +declaring Philip, Duke of Anjou, grandson of his brother in law Louis +XIV, sole heir of the Spanish empire. The will was kept secret till the +death of the king, and was then publicly proclaimed. Louis accepted the +bequest in favor of his grandson, and Philip was declared king in Spain +and her dependencies. + +The greatest indignation was caused in England, Holland, and the empire +at this breach by the King of France of the treaty of partition, +of which he himself had been the author. England and Holland were +unprepared for war, and therefore bided their time, but Austria at once +commenced hostilities by directing large bodies of troops, under Prince +Eugene, into the duchy of Milan, and by inciting the Neapolitans to +revolt. The young king was at first popular in Spain, but Cardinal +Portocarrero, who exercised the real power of the state, by his +overbearing temper, his avarice, and his shameless corruption, speedily +alienated the people from their monarch. Above all, the cardinal was +supposed to be the tool of the French king, and to represent the policy +which had for its object the dismemberment of the Spanish monarchy and +the aggrandizement of France. + +That Louis had such designs was undoubted, and, if properly managed and +bribed, Portocarrero would have been a pliant instrument in his hands; +but the cardinal was soon estranged by the constant interference by the +French agents in his own measures of government, and therefore turned +against France that power of intrigue which he had recently used in her +favor. He pretended to be devoted to France, and referred even the most +minute details of government to Paris for approbation, with the double +view of disgusting Louis with the government of Spain and of enraging +the Spanish people at the constant interference of Louis. + +Philip, however, found a new and powerful ally in the hearts of the +people by his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the Duke of +Savoy--a beautiful girl of fourteen years old, who rapidly developed +into a graceful and gifted woman, and became the darling of the +Spanish people, and whose intellect, firmness, and courage guided and +strengthened her weak but amiable husband. For a time the power of Spain +and France united overshadowed Europe, the trading interests of England +and Holland were assailed, and a French army assembled close to the +Flemish frontier. + +The indignation of the Dutch overcame their fears, and they yielded +to the quiet efforts which King William was making, and combined with +England and Austria in a grand alliance against France, the object of +the combination being to exclude Louis from the Netherlands and West +Indies, and to prevent the union of the crowns of France and Spain upon +the same head. King William might not have obtained from the English +parliament a ratification of the alliance had not Louis just at this +moment acknowledged the son of the ex-king James as king of England. +This insult roused the spirit of the English people, the House of +Commons approved the triple alliance, and voted large supplies. King +William died just after seeing his favorite project successful, and was +succeeded by Queen Anne, who continued his policy. The Austrian Archduke +Charles was recognized by the allies as King of Spain, and preparation +made for war. + +An English army was landed near Cadiz; but the Spaniards showed no signs +of rising in favor of Charles, and, after bringing great discredit +on themselves and exciting the animosity of the Spaniards by gross +misconduct, the English army embarked again. Some treasure ships were +captured, and others sunk in the harbor of Vigo, but the fleet was no +more effective than the army. Admiral Sir John Munden was cashiered +for treachery or cowardice on the coast of Spain, and four captains of +vessels in the gallant Benbow's West India fleet were either dismissed +or shot for refusing to meet the enemy and for abandoning their chief. + +In 1703 little was done in the way of fighting, but the allies received +an important addition of strength by the accession of Portugal to their +ranks. In 1704 the allies made an attempt upon the important city of +Barcelona. It was believed that the Catalans would have declared for +Charles; but the plot by which the town was to be given up to him was +discovered on the eve of execution, and the English force re-embarked on +their ships. Their success was still less on the side of Portugal, where +the Duke of Berwick, who was in command of the forces of King Philip, +defeated the English and Dutch under the Duke of Schomberg and captured +many towns. + +The Portuguese rendered the allies but slight assistance. These reverses +were, however, balanced by the capture of Gibraltar on the 21st of June +by the fleet under Sir George Rooke, and a small land force under +Prince George of Hesse. Schomberg was recalled and Lord Galway took the +command; but he succeeded no better than his predecessor, and affairs +looked but badly for the allies, when the Duke of Marlborough, with the +English and allied troops in Germany, inflicted the first great check +upon the power and ambition of Louis XIV by the splendid victory of +Blenheim. + +This defeat of the French had a disastrous effect upon the fortunes of +Philip. He could no longer hope for help from his grandfather, for Louis +was now called upon to muster his whole strength on his eastern frontier +for the defense of his own dominion, and Philip was forced to depend +upon his partisans in Spain only. The partisans of Charles at once took +heart. The Catalans had never been warm in the cause of Philip; the +crowns of Castile, Arragon, and Catalonia had only recently been united, +and dangerous jealousy existed between these provinces. The Castilians +were devoted adherents of Philip, and this in itself was sufficient to +set Catalonia and Arragon against him. + +The English government had been informed of this growing discontent in +the north of Spain, and sent out an emissary to inquire into the truth +of the statement. As his report confirmed all that they had heard, it +was decided in the spring of 1705 to send out an expedition which was to +effect a landing in Catalonia, and would, it was hoped, be joined by all +the people of that province and Arragon. By the efforts and patronage +of the Duchess of Marlborough, who was all powerful with Queen Anne, the +Earl of Peterborough was named to the command of the expedition. + +The choice certainly appeared a singular one, for hitherto the earl had +done nothing which would entitle him to so distinguished a position. +Charles Mordaunt was the eldest son of John Lord Mordaunt, Viscount +Avalon, a brave and daring cavalier, who had fought heart and soul +for Charles, and had been tried by Cromwell for treason, and narrowly +escaped execution. On the restoration, as a reward for his risk of +life and fortune, and for his loyalty and ability, he was raised to the +peerage. + +His son Charles inherited none of his father's steadfastness. Brought +up in the profligate court of Charles the Second he became an atheist, +a scoffer at morality, and a republican. At the same time he had many +redeeming points. He was brilliant, witty, energetic, and brave. He +was generous and strictly honorable to his word. He was filled with a +burning desire for adventure, and, at the close of 1674, when in +his seventeenth year, he embarked in Admiral Torrington's ship, and +proceeded to join as a volunteer Sir John Narborough's fleet in the +Mediterranean, in order to take part in the expedition to restrain and +revenge the piratical depredations of the barbarous states of Tripoli +and Algiers. + +He distinguished himself on the 14th of January, 1675, in an attack by +the boats of the fleet upon four corsair men o' war moored under +the very guns of the castle and fort of Tripoli. The exploit was a +successful one, the ships were all burned, and most of their crews +slain. Another encounter with the fleet of Tripoli took place in +February, when the pirates were again defeated, and the bey forced to +grant all the English demands. + +In 1677 the fleet returned to England, and with it Mordaunt, who had +during his absence succeeded to his father's title and estates, John +Lord Mordaunt having died on the 5th of June, 1675. Shortly after his +return to England Lord Mordaunt, though still but twenty years +old, married a daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser. But his spirit was +altogether unsuited to the quiet enjoyment of domestic life, and at the +end of September, 1678, he went out as a volunteer in his majesty's ship +Bristol, which was on the point of sailing for the Mediterranean to +take part in an expedition fitting out for the relief of Tangier, then +besieged by the Moors. Nothing, however, came of the expedition, and +Mordaunt returned to England in the autumn of 1679. + +In June, 1680, he again sailed for Tangier with a small expedition +commanded by the Earl of Plymouth. The expedition succeeded in throwing +themselves into the besieged town, and continued the defense with vigor, +and Mordaunt again distinguished himself; but he soon wearied of +the monotony of a long siege, and before the end of the year found +opportunity to return to England, where he plunged into politics and +became one of the leaders of the party formed to exclude the Duke of +York from the throne. + +Although a close friend of Lord Russell and Algernon Sidney he had +fortunately for himself not been admitted to the fatal privilege of +their private councils, and therefore escaped the fate which befell +them. He continued his friendship with them to the last, and accompanied +Algernon Sidney to the scaffold. But even while throwing himself heart +and soul into politics he was continually indulging in wild freaks which +rendered him the talk of the town. + +On the accession of King James he made his first speech in the House of +Peers against a standing army, and distinguished himself alike by the +eloquence and violence of his language. He was now under the displeasure +of the court, and his profuse generosity had brought him into pecuniary +trouble. In 1686, therefore, he quitted England with the professed +intention of accepting a command in the Dutch fleet then about to sail +for the West Indies, When he arrived in Holland, however, he presented +himself immediately to the Prince of Orange, and first among the British +nobility boldly proposed to William an immediate invasion of England. +He pushed his arguments with fiery zeal, urged the disaffection of all +classes, the hatred of the Commons, the defection of the Lords, the +alarm of the Church, and the wavering loyalty of the army. + +William, however, was already informed of these facts, and was not to be +hurried. Mordaunt remained with him till, on the 20th of October, 1688, +he sailed for England. The first commission that King William signed in +England was the appointment of Lord Mordaunt as lieutenant colonel of +horse, and raising a regiment he rendered good service at Exeter. As +soon as the revolution was completed, and William and Mary ascended the +throne, Mordaunt was made a privy councilor and one of the lords of the +bedchamber, and in April, 1689, he was made first commissioner of the +treasury, and advanced to the dignity of Earl of Monmouth. In addition +to the other offices to which he was appointed he was given the +colonelcy of the regiment of horse guards. + +His conduct in office showed in brilliant contrast to that of the men +with whom he was placed. He alone was free from the slightest suspicion +of corruption and venality, and he speedily made enemies among his +colleagues by the open contempt which he manifested for their gross +corruption. + +Although he had taken so prominent a part in bringing King William to +England, Monmouth soon became mixed up in all sorts of intrigues and +plots. He was already tired of the reign of the Dutch king, and longed +for a commonwealth. He was constantly quarreling with his colleagues, +and whenever there was a debate in the House of Lords Monmouth took a +prominent part on the side of the minority. In 1692 he went out with his +regiment of horse guards to Holland, and fought bravely at the battle +of Steenkirk. The campaign was a failure, and in October he returned to +England with the king. + +For two years after this he lived quietly, devoting his principal +attention to his garden and the society of wits and men of letters. Then +he again appeared in parliament, and took a leading part in the movement +in opposition to the crown, and inveighed in bitter terms against the +bribery of persons in power by the East India Company, and the venality +of many members of parliament and even the ministry. His relations +with the king were now of the coldest kind, and he became mixed up in +a Jacobite plot. How far he was guilty in the matter was never proved. +Public opinion certainly condemned him, and by a vote of the peers he +was deprived of all his employments and sent to the Tower. The king, +however, stood his friend, and released him at the end of the session. + +In 1697, by the death of his uncle, Charles became Earl of Peterborough, +and passed the next four years in private life, emerging only +occasionally to go down to the House of Peers and make fiery onslaughts +upon abuses and corruption. In the course of these years, both in +parliament and at court, he had been sometimes the friend, sometimes the +opponent of Marlborough; but he had the good fortune to be a favorite of +the duchess, and when the time came that a leader was required for the +proposed expedition to Spain, she exerted herself so effectually that +she procured his nomination. + +Hitherto his life had been a strange one. Indolent and energetic by +turns, restless and intriguing, quarreling with all with whom he came +in contact, burning with righteous indignation against corruption and +misdoing, generous to a point which crippled his finances seriously, he +was a puzzle to all who knew him, and had he died at this time he +would only have left behind him the reputation of being one of the most +brilliant, gifted, and honest, but at the same time one of the most +unstable, eccentric, and ill regulated spirits of his time. + + + +CHAPTER II: IMPRESSED + + +When the Mayor of Southampton opened the official document empowering +and requesting him to obtain recruits for the queen's service he was not +greatly pleased. This sort of thing would give a good deal of trouble, +and would assuredly not add to his popularity. He saw at once that he +would be able to oblige many of his friends by getting rid of people +troublesome to them, but with this exception where was he to find the +recruits the queen required? There were, of course, a few never do wells +in the town who could be packed off, to the general satisfaction of +the inhabitants, but beyond this every one taken would have friends and +relations who would cry out and protest. + +It was likely to be a troublesome business, and the mayor threw down the +paper on the table before him. Then suddenly his expression changed. +He had been thinking of obliging his friends by sending off persons +troublesome to them, but he had not thought of his own case. Here was +the very thing; he would send off this troublesome lad to fight for the +queen; and whether he went to the Low Countries under Marlborough, or +to Spain with this new expedition which was being prepared, it was very +unlikely that he would ever return to trouble him. + +He was only sixteen, indeed, but he was strong and well grown, and much +fitter for service than many of those who would be sent. If the +young fellow stopped here he would always be a trouble, and a bone of +contention between himself and his wife. Besides, for Alice's sake, +it was clearly his duty to get the fellow out of the way. Girls, Mr. +Anthony considered, were always falling in love with the very last +people in the world with whom they should do so, and out of sheer +contrariety it was more than possible that Alice might take a fancy for +this penniless vagabond, and if she did Mrs. Anthony was fool enough to +support her in her folly. + +Of course there would be trouble with his wife when she found what had +happened to the lad--for the mayor did not deceive himself for a moment +by the thought that he would be able to conceal from his wife the cause +of Jack's absence; he was too well aware of Mrs. Anthony's power of +investigation. Still, after it was done it could not be undone, and +it was better to have one domestic storm than a continuation of foul +weather. + +Calling in his clerk the mayor read over to him the order he had +received, and bade him turn to the court book and make out a list of the +names of forty young men who had been charged before him with offenses +of drunkenness, assault, battery and rioting. + +“When you have made up the list, Johnson, you will go round to the +aldermen and inform them of the order that I have received from the +government, and you can tell them that if there are any persons they +know of whom they consider that Southampton would be well rid, if they +will send the names to me I will add them to the list. Bid them not to +choose married men, if it can be avoided, for the town would be burdened +with the support of their wives and families. Another ten names will do. +The letter which accompanies the order says that from my well known zeal +and loyalty it is doubted not that Southampton will furnish a hundred +men, but if I begin with fifty that will be well enough, and we can pick +out the others at our leisure.” + +By the afternoon the list was filled up. One of the aldermen had +inserted the name of a troublesome nephew, another that of a foreman +with whom he had had a dispute about wages, and who had threatened to +proceed against him in the court. Some of the names were inserted from +mere petty spite; but with scarce an exception the aldermen responded to +the invitation of the mayor, and placed on the list the name of some one +whom they, or Southampton, would be the better without. + +When the list was completed the mayor struck out one of the first names +inserted by his clerk and inserted that of John Stilwell in its place. +His instructions were that he was to notify to an officer, who would +arrive with a company of soldiers on the following day, the names of +those whom he deemed suitable for the queen's service. The officer after +taking them was to embark them on board one of the queen's cutters, +which would come round from Portsmouth for the purpose, and would convey +them to Dover, where a camp was being formed and the troops assembling. + +Upon the following day the company marched into the town, and the +officer in command, having seen his men billeted among the citizens, +called upon the mayor. + +“Well, Mr. Mayor,” he said, “I hope you have a good list of recruits +for me. I don't want to be waiting here, for I have to go on a similar +errand to other towns. It is not a job I like, I can tell you, but it is +not for me to question orders.” + +“I have a list of fifty men, all active and hearty fellows, who will +make good soldiers,” the mayor said. + +“And of whom, no doubt, Southampton will be well rid,” the officer said +with a laugh. “Truly, I pity the Earl of Peterborough, for he will +have as rough a body of soldiers as ever marched to war. However, it is +usually the case that the sort of men who give trouble at home are just +those who, when the time comes, make the best fighters. I would rather +have half a dozen of your reckless blades, when the pinch comes, than a +score of honest plowboys. How do you propose that I shall take them?” + +“That I will leave entirely to you,” the mayor said; “here is a list +of the houses where they lodge. I will place the town watch at your +disposal to show you the way and to point out the men to you.” + +“That will be all I shall require,” the officer said; “but you can give +me a list of those who are most likely to give trouble. These I will +pounce upon and get on board ship first of all. When they are secured +I will tell my men off in parties, each with one of your constables to +point out the men, and we will pick them up so many every evening. It +is better not to break into houses and seize them; for, although we +are acting legally and under the authority of act of parliament, it is +always as well to avoid giving cause of complaint, which might tend to +excite a feeling against the war and make the government unpopular, and +which, moreover, might do you harm with the good citizens, and do me +harm with those above me. I am sure you agree with me.” + +“Quite so, quite so,” the mayor said hastily; “you speak very prudently +and well, sir. I hope you will honor me by taking up your abode in my +house during your stay here; but may I ask you not to allow my wife, +who is inquisitive by nature, to see the list with which I furnish you? +Women are ever meddling in matters which concern them not.” + +“I understand,” the officer said with a wink, “there are names on the +list of which your wife would not approve. I have known the same thing +happen before. But never fear, the list shall be kept safe; and, indeed, +it were better that nothing were said of my business in the town, for if +this get abroad, some of those whose conscience may tell them that they +will be likely to be chosen for service might very well slip off and be +out of the way until they hear that I and my men have left.” + +Two days later, when, as the evening was falling, Jack Stilwell was +walking up from the wharf, where he had been watching the unlading of +the vessel in which he was to sail, he came upon a group of four or five +soldiers standing at a corner. Then a voice, which he recognized as that +of the foreman, Richard Carson, said: + +“That is your man, officer;” and the soldiers made a sudden rush upon +him. + +Taken by surprise he nevertheless struggled desperately, but a heavy +blow with a staff fell on the back of his head, and for a time he knew +nothing more. When he recovered his consciousness he was lying almost in +complete darkness, but by the faint gleam of the lantern he discovered +that he was in the hold of a ship. Several other men were sitting or +laying near him. Some of them were cursing and swearing, others were +stanching the blood which flowed from various cuts and gashes. + +“What does all this mean?” he asked as he somewhat recovered himself. + +“It means,” said one, “that we are pressed to serve as soldiers. I made +a fight for it, and just as they had got the handcuffs on some citizens +came up and asked what was doing, and the sergeant said, 'It is quite +legal. We hold the mayor's warrant to impress this man for service in +the army; there is a constable here who will tell you we are acting on +authority, and if any interfere it will be worse for them.'” + +Jack heard the news in silence. So, he had been pressed by a warrant of +the mayor, he was the victim of the spite of his late employer. But his +thoughts soon turned from this by the consciousness that his shirt and +clothes were soaked with blood, and putting his hand to the back of +his head he found a great lump from which the blood was still slowly +flowing. Taking off his neck handkerchief he bound it round his head +and then lay down again. He tried to think, but his brain was weak and +confused, and he presently fell into a sound sleep, from which he was +not aroused by the arrival of another batch of prisoners. + +It was morning when he awoke, and he found that he had now nearly +twenty companions in captivity. Some were walking up and down like caged +animals, others were loudly bewailing their fate, some sat moody and +silent, while some bawled out threats of vengeance against those they +considered responsible for their captivity. A sentry with a shouldered +musket was standing at the foot of the steps, and from time to time some +sailors passed up and down. Jack went up to one of these. + +“Mate,” he said, “could you let us have a few buckets of water down +here? In the first place we are parched with thirst, and in the second +we may as well try to get off some of the blood which, from a good many +of us, has been let out pretty freely.” + +“Well, you seem a reasonable sort of chap,” the sailor said, “and to +take things coolly. That's the way, my lad; when the king, or the queen +now--it's all the same thing--has once got his hand on you it's of no +use kicking against it. I have been pressed twice myself, so I know how +you feel. Here, mates,” he said to two of the other sailors, “lend a +hand and get a bucket of fresh water and a pannikin, and half a dozen +buckets of salt water, and let these lads have a drink and a wash.” + +It was soon done. The prisoners were all glad of the drink, but few +cared to trouble about washing. Jack, however, took possession of a +bucket, stripped to the waist, and had a good wash. The salt water made +his wound smart, but he continued for half an hour bathing it, and at +the end of that time felt vastly fresher and better. Then he soaked his +shirt in the water, and as far as possible removed the broad stains of +blood which stiffened it. Then he wrung it out and hung it up to dry, +and, putting on his coat, sat down and thought matters over. + +He had never had the idea of entering the army, for the measures taken +to fill the ranks rendered the military service distasteful in the +extreme to the English people. Since the days of Agincourt the English +army had never gained any brilliant successes abroad, and there was +consequently none of that national pride which now exists in its bravery +and glorious history. + +Still, Jack reflected, it did not make much difference to him whether he +became a soldier or a sailor. He had longed to see the world, to +share in deeds of adventure, and, above all, to escape from the dreary +drudgery of the clothier's shop. These objects would be attained as well +in the army as in the navy; and, indeed, now that he thought of it, he +preferred the active service which he would see under Marlborough or +Peterborough to the monotony of a long sea voyage. At any rate, it was +clear that remonstrance or resistance were vain. He as well as others +were aware of the law which had just been passed, giving magistrates the +power of impressing soldiers for the service, and he felt, therefore, +that although his impressment had no doubt been dictated by the private +desire of the mayor to get him out of the way, it was yet strictly +legal, and that it would be useless his making any protest against it. +He resolved, therefore, to make the best of things, and to endeavor to +win the goodwill of his officers by prompt and cheerful acquiescence in +the inevitable. + +Presently some sailors brought down a tray with a number of hunks of +black bread, a large pot filled with a sort of broth, and a score of +earthenware mugs. Jack at once dipped one of the mugs into the pot, and, +taking a hunk of bread, sat down to his breakfast. A few others followed +his example, but most of them were too angry or too dispirited to care +about eating; and, indeed, it seemed to them that their refusal to +partake of the meal was a sort of protest against their captivity. + +Half an hour afterward the sailors removed the food; and many of those +who had refused to touch it soon regretted bitterly that they had not +done so, for as the time went on hunger began to make itself felt. It +was evening before the next meal, consisting of black bread and a +great piece of salt beef, was brought down. This time there were no +abstentions. As the evening wore on fresh batches of prisoners were +brought in, until, by midnight, the number was raised to fifty. Many of +them had been seriously knocked about in their capture, and Jack, who +had persuaded his friend the sailor to bring down three or four more +buckets of salt water, did his best, by bathing and bandaging their +wounds, to put them at their ease. + +In the morning he could see who were his companions in misfortune. Many +of them he knew by sight as loafers on the wharves and as troublesome or +riotous characters. Three or four were men of different type. There were +two or three respectable mechanics--men who had had, at various times, +drawn upon them the dislikes of the great men of the town by insisting +on their rights; and there were two idle young fellows of a higher +class, who had vexed their friends beyond endurance. + +Presently the officer in charge of the recruiting party, who had now +come on board, came down into the hold. He was at once assailed with a +storm of curses and angry remonstrances. + +“Look here, my lads,” he said, raising his hand for silence, “it is of +no use your going on like this, and I warn you that the sooner you make +up your minds that you have got to serve her majesty the better for +you, because that you have got to do it is certain. You have all been +impressed according to act of parliament, and there is no getting out +of it. It's your own fault that you got those hard knocks that I see the +marks of, and you will get more if you give any more trouble. Now, those +who choose to agree at once to serve her majesty can come on deck.” + +Jack at once stepped forward. + +“I am ready to serve, sir,” he said. + +“That's right,” the officer replied heartily; “you are a lad of spirit, +I can see, and will make a good soldier. You look young yet, but that's +all in your favor; you will be a sergeant at an age when others are +learning their recruit drill. Now, who's the next?” + +Some half dozen of the others followed Jack's example, but the rest were +still too sore and angry to be willing to do anything voluntarily. + +Jack leaped lightly up on deck and looked round; the cutter was already +under weigh, and with a gentle breeze was running along the smooth +surface of Southampton waters; the ivy covered ruins of Netley Abbey +were abreast of them, and behind was the shipping of the port. + +“Well, young un,” an old sergeant said, “so I suppose you have agreed to +serve the queen?” + +“As her majesty was so pressing,” Jack replied with a smile, “you see I +had no choice in the matter.” + +“That's right,” the sergeant said kindly; “always keep up your spirits, +lad. Care killed a cat, you know. You are one of the right sort, I can +see, but you are young to be pressed. How old are you?” + +“Sixteen,” Jack replied. + +“Then they had no right to take you,” the sergeant said; “seventeen's +the earliest age, and as a rule soldiers ain't much good till they are +past twenty. You would have a right to get off if you could prove your +age; but of course you could not do that without witnesses or papers, +and it's an old game for recruits who look young to try to pass as under +age.” + +“I shan't try,” Jack answered; “I have made up my mind to it now, and +there's an end to it. But why ain't soldiers any good till they are past +twenty, sergeant? As far as I can see, boys are just as brave as men.” + +“Just as brave, my lad, and when it comes to fighting the young soldier +is very often every bit as good as the old one; but they can't stand +fatigue and hardship like old soldiers. A boy will start out on as long +a walk as a man can take, but he can't keep it up day after day. When it +comes to long marches, to sleeping on the ground in the wet, bad food, +and fever from the marshes, the young soldier breaks down, the hospital +gets full of boys, and they just die off like flies, while the older men +pull through.” + +“You are a Job's comforter, I must say,” Jack said with a laugh; “but +I must hope that I shan't have long marches, and bad food, and damp +weather, and marsh fever till I get a bit older.” + +“I don't want to discourage you,” the sergeant remarked, “and you know +there are young soldiers and young soldiers. There are the weedy, narrow +chested chaps as seems to be made special for filling a grave; and there +is the sturdy, hardy young chap, whose good health and good spirits +carries him through. That's your sort, I reckon. Good spirits is the +best medicine in the world; it's worth all the doctors and apothecaries +in the army. But how did you come to be pressed? it's generally the +ne'er do well and idle who get picked out as food for powder. That +doesn't look your sort, or I'm mistaken.” + +“I hope not,” Jack said. “I am here because I am a sort of cousin of the +Mayor of Southampton. He wanted me to serve in his shop. I stood it for +a time, but I hated it, and at last I had a row with his foreman and +knocked him down, so I was kicked out into the streets; and I suppose +he didn't like seeing me about, and so took this means of getting rid +of me. He needn't have been in such a hurry, for if he had waited a few +days I should have gone, for I had shipped as a boy on board of a ship +about to sail for the colonies.” + +“In that case, my lad, you have no reason for ill will against this +precious relation of yours, for he has done you a good turn while +meaning to do you a bad un. The life of a boy on board a ship isn't one +to be envied, I can tell you; he is at every one's beck and call, and +gets more kicks than halfpence. Besides, what comes of it? You get to be +a sailor, and, as far as I can see, the life of a sailor is the life +of a dog. Look at the place where he sleeps--why, it ain't as good as +a decent kennel. Look at his food--salt meat as hard as a stone, and +rotten biscuit that a decent dog would turn up his nose at; his time +is never his own--wet or dry, storm or calm, he's got to work when he's +told. And what's he got to look forward to? A spree on shore when his +voyage is done, and then to work again. Why, my lad, a soldier's life is +a gentleman's life in comparison. Once you have learned your drill and +know your duty you have an easy time of it. Most of your time's your +own. When you are on a campaign you eat, drink, and are jolly at other +folks' expense; and if you do get wet when you are on duty, you can +generally manage to turn in dry when you are relieved. It's not a bad +life, my boy, I can tell you; and if you do your duty well, and you +are steady, and civil, and smart, you are sure to get your stripes, +especially if you can read and write, as I suppose you can.” + +Jack nodded with a half smile. + +“In that case,” the sergeant said, “you may even in time get to be an +officer. I can't read nor write--not one in twenty can--but those as +can, of course, has a better chance of promotion if they distinguish +themselves. I should have got it last year in the Low Country, and +Marlborough himself said, 'Well done!' when I, with ten rank and file, +held a bridge across a canal for half an hour against a company of +French. He sent for me after it was over, but when he found I couldn't +read or write he couldn't promote me; but he gave me a purse of twenty +guineas, and I don't know but what that suited me better, for I am +a deal more comfortable as a sergeant than I should have been as an +officer; but you see, if you had been in my place up you would have +gone.” + +The wind fell in the afternoon, and the cutter dropped her anchor as the +tide was running against her. At night Jack Stilwell and the others +who had accepted their fate slept with the troops on board instead of +returning to rejoin their companions in the hold. Jack was extremely +glad of the change, as there was air and ventilation, whereas in the +hold the atmosphere had been close and oppressive. He was the more glad +next morning when he found that the wind, which had sprung up soon after +midnight, was freshening fast, and was, as one of the sailors said, +likely to blow hard before long. The cutter was already beginning to +feel the effect of the rising sea, and toward the afternoon was pitching +in a lively way and taking the sea over her bows. + +“You seem to enjoy it, young un,” the sergeant said as Jack, holding +on by a shroud, was facing the wind regardless of the showers of spray +which flew over him. “Half our company are down with seasickness, and as +for those chaps down in the fore hold they must be having a bad time of +it, for I can hear them groaning and cursing through the bulkhead. The +hatchway has been battened down for the last three hours.” + +“I enjoy it,” Jack said; “whenever I got a holiday at Southampton I used +to go out sailing. I knew most of the fishermen there; they were always +ready to take me with them as an extra hand. When do you think we shall +get to Dover?” + +“She is walking along fast,” the sergeant said; “we shall be there +tomorrow morning. We might be there before, but the sailors say that the +skipper is not likely to run in before daylight, and before it gets dark +he will shorten sail so as not to get there before.” + +The wind increased until it was blowing a gale; but the cutter was a +good sea boat, and being in light trim made good weather of it. However, +even Jack was pleased when he felt a sudden change in the motion of the +vessel, and knew that she was running into Dover harbor. + +Morning was just breaking, and the hatchways being removed the sergeant +shouted down to the pressed men that they could come on deck. It was a +miserable body of men who crawled up in answer to the summons, utterly +worn out and exhausted with the seasickness, the closeness of the air, +and the tossing and buffeting of the last eighteen hours; many had +scarce strength to climb the ladder. + +All the spirit and indignation had been knocked out of them--they were +too miserable and dejected to utter a complaint. The sergeant ordered +his men to draw up some buckets of water, and told the recruits to wash +themselves and make themselves as decent as they could, and the order +was sharply enforced by the captain when he came on deck. + +“I would not march through the streets of Dover with such a filthy, hang +dog crew,” he said; “why, the very boys would throw mud at you. Come, do +what you can to make yourselves clean, or I will have buckets of water +thrown over you. I would rather take you on shore drenched to the skin +than in that state. You have brought it entirely on yourselves by your +obstinacy. Had you enlisted at once without further trouble you would +not have suffered as you have.” + +The fresh air and cold water soon revived even the most exhausted of +the new recruits, and as soon as all had been made as presentable as +circumstances would admit of, the order was given to land. The party +were formed on the quay, four abreast, the soldiers forming the outside +line, and so they marched through Dover, where but yet a few people +were up and stirring, to the camp formed just outside the walls of the +castle. The colonel of the regiment met them as they marched in. + +“Well, Captain Lowther, you have had a rough time of it, I reckon. I +thought the whole camp was going to be blown away last night. These are +the recruits from Southampton, I suppose?” + +“Yes, colonel, what there is left of them; they certainly had a baddish +twelve hours of it.” + +“Form them in line,” the colonel said, “and let me have a look at them. +They are all ready and willing to serve her majesty, I hope,” he added +with a grim smile. + +“They are all ready, no doubt,” Captain Lowther replied; “as to their +willingness I can't say so much. Some half dozen or so agreed at once to +join without giving any trouble, foremost among them that lad at the end +of the line, who, Sergeant Edwards tells me, is a fine young fellow and +likely to do credit to the regiment; the rest chose to be sulky, and +have suffered for it by being kept below during the voyage. However, I +think all their nonsense is knocked out of them now.” + +The colonel walked along the line and examined the men. + +“A sturdy set of fellows,” he said to the captain, “when they have got +over their buffeting. Now, my lads,” he went on, addressing the men, +“you have all been pressed to serve her majesty in accordance with act +of parliament, and though some of you may not like it just at present, +you will soon get over that and take to it kindly enough. I warn you +that the discipline will be strict. In a newly raised regiment like this +it is necessary to keep a tight hand, but if you behave yourselves and +do your duty you will not find the life a hard one. + +“Remember, it's no use any of you thinking of deserting; we have got +your names and addresses, so you couldn't go home if you did; and you +would soon be brought back wherever you went, and you know pretty well +what's the punishment for desertion without my telling you. That will +do.” + +No one raised a voice in reply--each man felt that his position was +hopeless, for, as the colonel said, they had been legally impressed. +They were first taken before the adjutant, who rapidly swore them in, +and they were then set to work, assisted by some more soldiers, in +pitching tents. Clothes were soon served out to them and the work of +drill commenced at once. + +Each day brought fresh additions to the force, and in a fortnight its +strength was complete. Jack did not object to the hard drill which they +had to go through, and which occupied them from morning till night, for +the colonel knew that on any day the regiment might receive orders to +embark, and he wanted to get it in something like shape before setting +sail. Jack did, however, shrink from the company in which he found +himself. With a few exceptions the regiment was made up of wild and +worthless fellows, of whom the various magistrates had been only too +glad to clear their towns, and mingled with these were the sweepings of +the jails, rogues and ruffians of every description. The regiment +might eventually be welded into a body of good soldiers, but at present +discipline had not done its work, and it was simply a collection of +reckless men, thieves, and vagabonds. + + + +CHAPTER III: A DOMESTIC STORM + + +Great was the surprise of Dame Anthony when, on sending down her servant +with a letter to Jack Stilwell, the woman returned, saying that he had +left his lodging two days before and had not returned. All his things +had been left behind, and it was evident that when he went out he had no +intention of leaving. The woman of the house said that Master Stilwell +was a steady and regular lodger, and that she could not but think +something had happened to him. Of course she didn't know, but all the +town were talking of the men who had been taken away by the press gang, +and she thought they must have clapped hands on her lodger. + +Dame Anthony at once jumped at that conclusion. The pressing of fifty +men had indeed made a great stir in the town during the last two days. +The mayor's office had been thronged by angry women complaining of their +husbands or sons being dragged away; and the mayor had been the object +of many threats and much indignation, and had the evening before +returned home bespattered with mud, having been pelted on his way from +the town hall by the women, and having only been saved from more serious +assaults by the exertions of the constables. + +Dame Anthony had been surprised that her husband had taken these things +so quietly. Some of the women had indeed been seized and set in the +stocks, but the mayor had made light of the affair, and had altogether +seemed in an unusually good state of temper. Dame Anthony at once +connected this with Jack's disappearance. She knew that the list had +been made out by the mayor, and the idea that her husband had taken this +means of getting rid of Jack, and that he was exulting over the success +of his scheme, flashed across her. As the mayor was away at the town +hall she was forced to wait till his return to dinner; but no sooner +had the meal been concluded and Andrew Carson and the two assistants had +left the table than she began: + +“Richard, I want to look at the list of the men who were pressed.” + +The request scarcely came as a surprise upon the clothier. He had made +up his mind that his wife would be sure sooner or later to discover +that Jack was missing, and would connect his disappearance with the +operations of the press gang. + +“What do you want to see that for?” he asked shortly. + +“I want to see who have been taken,” his wife said. “There is no secret +about it, I suppose?” + +“No, there is no secret,” the mayor replied. “According to the act of +parliament and the request of her majesty's minister I drew up a list +of fifty of the most useless and disreputable of the inhabitants of +this town, and I rejoice to say that the place is rid of them all. The +respectable citizens are all grateful to me for the manner in which +I have fulfilled the task laid upon me, and as to the clamor of a few +angry women, it causes me not a moment's annoyance.” + +“I don't know why you are telling me all this, Richard,” his wife said +calmly. “I did not cast any reflections as to the manner in which you +made your choice. I only said I wished to see the list.” + +“I do not see that the list concerns you,” the mayor said. “Why do you +wish to see it?” + +“I wish to see it, Richard, because I suspect that the name of my Cousin +Jack Stilwell is upon it.” + +“Oh, mother!” cried Alice, who had been listening in surprise to the +conversation, suddenly starting to her feet; “you don't mean that they +have pressed Jack to be a soldier.” + +“Leave the room, Alice,” her father said angrily. “This is no concern of +a child like you.” When the door closed behind the girl he said to his +wife: + +“Naturally his name is in the list. I selected fifty of the most +worthless fellows in Southampton, and his name was the first which +occurred to me. What then?” + +“Then I tell you, Richard,” Dame Anthony said, rising, “that you are a +wretch, a mean, cowardly, cruel wretch. You have vented your spite upon +Jack, whom I love as if he were my own son, because he would not put +up with the tyranny of your foreman and yourself. You may be Mayor of +Southampton, you may be a great man in your own way, but I call you a +mean, pitiful fellow. I won't stay in the house with you an hour longer. +The wagon for Basingstoke comes past at three o'clock, and I shall go +and stay with my father and mother there, and take Alice with me.” + +“I forbid you to do anything of the sort,” the mayor said pompously. + +“You forbid!” Dame Anthony cried. “What do I care for your forbidding? +If you say a word I will go down the town and join those who pelted you +with mud last night. A nice spectacle it would be for the worthy Mayor +of Southampton to be pelted in the street by a lot of women led by his +own wife. You know me, Richard. You know when I say I will do a thing I +will do it.” + +“I will lock you up in your own room, woman.” + +“You won't,” Dame Anthony said scornfully. “I would scream out of the +window till I brought the whole town round. No, Mr. Mayor. You have had +your own way, and I am going to have mine. Go and tell the town if you +like that your wife has left you because you kidnapped her cousin, the +boy she loved. You tell your story and I will tell mine. Why, the women +in the town would hoot you, and you wouldn't dare show your face in the +streets. You insist, indeed! Why, you miserable little man, my fingers +are tingling now. Say another word to me and I will box your ears till +you won't know whether you are standing on your head or your heels.” + +The mayor was a small man, while Dame Anthony, although not above the +usual height, was plump and strong; and her crestfallen spouse felt +that she was capable of carrying her threat into execution. He therefore +thought it prudent to make no reply, and his angry wife swept from the +room. + +It was some time before the mayor descended to his shop. In the interval +he had thought the matter over, and had concluded that it would be best +for him to let his wife have her way. Indeed, he did not see how he +could do otherwise. + +He had expected a storm, but not such a storm as this. Never before +in his fifteen years of married life had he seen his wife in such a +passion, and there was no saying whether she would not carry all her +threats into execution if he interfered with her now. No. It would be +better to let her go. The storm would blow over in time. It was natural +enough for her to go over and stay a few weeks with her people, and in +time, of course, she would come back again. After all, he had got rid of +Jack, and this being so, he could afford for awhile to put up with the +absence of his wife. It was unpleasant, of course, very unpleasant, to +be called such names, but as no one had heard them but himself it did +not so much matter. Perhaps, after all, it was the best thing that could +happen that she should take it into her head to go away for a time. In +her present mood she would not make things comfortable at home, and, of +course, his daughter would side with her mother. + +Accordingly, when the carrier's wagon stopped at the door the mayor +went out with a pleasant countenance, and saw that the boxes were safely +placed in it, and that his wife was comfortably seated on some shawls +spread over a heap of straw. His attention, however, received neither +thanks nor recognition from Dame Anthony, while Alice, whose face was +swollen with crying, did not speak a word. However, they were seated +well under the cover of the wagon, and could not be seen by the few +people standing near; and as the mayor continued till the wagon started +speaking cheerfully, and giving them all sorts of injunctions as to +taking care of themselves on the way, he flattered himself that no one +would have an idea that the departure was anything but an amicable one. + +A week later a letter arrived for Dame Anthony and the mayor at once +recognized the handwriting of Jack Stilwell. He took it up to his room, +and had a considerable debate with himself as to whether he would open +it or not. The question was, What did the boy say? If he wrote full of +bitter complaints as to his treatment, the receipt of the letter by his +wife would only make matters worse, and in that case it would be better +to destroy the letter as well as any others which might follow it, and +so put an end to all communication, for it was unlikely that the boy +would ever return to England. + +Accordingly he opened the letter, and after reading it through, laid +it down with a feeling of something like relief. It was written in a +cheerful spirit. Jack began by saying that he feared Dame Anthony and +Alice would have been anxious when they heard that he was missing from +his lodgings. + +“I have no doubt, my dear cousin, you will have guessed what has +befallen me, seeing that so many have been taken away in the same way. I +don't think that my late master acted handsomely in thus getting rid of +me; for, as the list was made up by him, it was of course his doing. But +you will please tell him from me that I feel no grudge against him. In +the first place, he did not know I was going away to sea, and it must +naturally have angered him to see one known to be connected with him +hanging about Southampton doing nothing. Besides, I know that he always +meant kindly by me. He took me in when I had nowhere to go, he gave +me my apprenticeship without fee, and, had it not been that my roving +spirit rendered me disinclined for so quiet a life, he would doubtless +have done much for me hereafter. Thus thinking it over, it seems to me +but reasonable that he should have been angered at my rejection of the +benefits he intended for me. + +“In the next place, it may be that his action in shipping me off as a +soldier may in the end prove to be for my welfare. Had I carried out my +intention and gone as a sailor, a sailor I might have remained all my +life. It seems to me that as a soldier my chances are larger. Not only +shall I see plenty of fighting and adventure, which accords well with +my spirit, but it seems to me--and a sergeant who has shown me much +kindness says that it is so--that there are fair chances of advancement. +The soldiers are for the great part disorderly and ignorant men; and, +as I mean to be steady and obedient so as to gain the goodwill of the +officers, and as I have received a good education from my dear father, +I hope in time to come to be regarded as one somewhat different from the +common herd; and if I get an opportunity of distinguishing myself, and +do not get killed by a Spanish bullet or pike thrust, or by the fevers +which they say are not uncommon, then it is possible I may come back at +the end of the war with some honor and credit, and, the sergeant said, +may even obtain advancement to the rank of an officer. Therefore my late +master, having done me many good turns, may perhaps find that this last +one--even though he intended it not--is the best of all. Will you make +my respects to him, dear cousin, and tell him that I feel no grudge or +ill will against him? Will you give my love to my Cousin Alice? Tell her +that I will bring her home some rare keepsakes from Spain should they +fall in my way; and you know I will do the same for yourself, who have +always been so good and kind to me.” + +“The boy is not a bad boy,” the mayor said, well pleased as he laid down +the letter. “It may be that I have judged him too harshly, seeing that +he set himself against what was best for his welfare. Still, one cannot +expect men's heads on boys' shoulders, and he writes dutifully and +properly. I believe it is the fault of Andrew Carson, who was forever +edging me on by reports of the boy's laziness and carelessness. He +certainly has a grudge against him, and he assuredly exceeded his place +and authority when he lifted his hand against my wife's cousin. It seems +to me truly that I have acted somewhat hastily and wrong headedly in the +matter. I shall give Master Carson notice that at the end of a month +I shall require his services no longer--the fellow puts himself too +forward. That will please Mary; she never liked him, and women in these +matters of likes and dislikes are shrewder than we are. Perhaps when she +hears that he is going, and reads this letter, which I will forward +to her by the carrier, she may come back to me. I certainly miss her +sorely, and the household matters go all wrong now that she is away. She +ought not to have said things to me; but no wise man thinks anything of +what a woman says when she's angry; and now that I think things over, it +certainly seems to me that she had some sort of warrant for her words. +Yes, I certainly don't know what can have come over me, unless it was +that fellow, Andrew Carson. Richard Anthony has not been considered a +bad fellow else he would never have become the Mayor of Southampton; and +for fifteen years Mary and I have got on very well together, save +for the little disputes which have arisen from her over masterful +disposition. But she is a good wife--none could wish for better--though +she is given to flame out at what she considers unrighteous dealings; +but every woman has her faults, and every man too as far as that goes, +and upon the whole few of them have less than Mary. I will write to her +at once.” + +The mayor was not a man to delay when his mind was once made up, and +sitting down at a writing desk he wrote as follows: + +“DEAR WIFE: I inclose a letter which has come for you from your Cousin +Jack. I opened it, and you will think poorly of me when I tell you that +had it been filled with complaints of me, as I expected, it would not +have come to your hands; for your anger against me is fierce enough +without the adding of fresh fuel thereto. But the lad, as you will see, +writes in quite another strain, and remembers former kindnesses rather +than late injuries. His letter has put it into my head to think matters +over, and in a different spirit from that in which I had previously +regarded it, and I have come to the conclusion that I have acted +wrongly; first, that I did not make allowances enough for the boy; +second, that I insisted on keeping him to a trade he disliked; third, +that I have given too willing an ear to what Andrew Carson has said +against the boy; lastly, that I took such means of freeing myself from +him. I today give Andrew Carson notice to quit my service--a matter in +which I have hitherto withstood you. I am willing to forget the words +which you spoke to me in anger, seeing that there was some foundation +for them, and that when a woman is in a passion her tongue goes further +than she means. + +“Now, as I am ready to put this on one side, I trust that you also will +put aside your anger at my having obtained the pressing for a soldier +of your cousin. You can see for yourself by his writing that he does not +desire that any enmity shall arise out of the manner of his going. For +fifteen years we have lived in amity, and I see not why, after this +cloud passes away, we should not do so again. + +“I miss you sorely. Things go badly with us since you have gone. The +food is badly cooked, and the serving indifferent. If you will write +to tell me that you are willing to come back, and to be a loving +and dutiful wife again, I will make me a holiday and come over to +Basingstoke to fetch you and Alice home again. I am writing to Jack +and sending him five guineas, for which he will no doubt find a use in +getting things suitable for the adventure upon which he is embarked, +for the payment of her majesty to her soldiers does not permit of the +purchase of many luxuries. On second thoughts I have resolved to pay +Andrew Carson his month's wages, and to let him go at once. So that if +you return you will not find one here against whom you have always been +set, and who is indeed in no small way the author of the matters which +have come between us, save only as touching the impressment, of which +I own that I must take the blame solely upon myself. Give my love to +Alice, and say that she must keep up her spirits, and look forward to +the time when her Cousin Jack shall come back to her after the killing +of many Spaniards.” + +Having signed and carefully sealed this letter, with that from Jack +inclosed within it, the mayor then proceeded to write the following to +the young soldier: + +“MY DEAR COUSIN JACK: I have read the letter which you sent to my wife, +and it is written in a very proper and dutiful strain. Your departure +has caused trouble between my wife and me; but this I hope will pass +away after she has read and considered your letter. She carried matters +so far that she is at present with your Cousin Alice at the house of +her parents at Basingstoke. Having read your letter, I write to tell +you that I feel that I am not without blame toward you. I did not see +it myself until the manner of your letter opened my eyes to the fact. +I have misunderstood you, and, being bent on carrying out my own +inclinations, made not enough allowance for yours. Were you here now I +doubt not that in future we should get on better together; but as that +cannot be, I can only say that I recognize the kind spirit in which +you wrote, and that I trust that in future we shall be good friends. I +inclose you an order for five guineas on a tradesman in Dover with whom +I have dealings. There are many little things that you may want to buy +for your voyage to supplement the pay which you receive. Andrew Carson +is leaving my service. I think that it is he greatly who came between +us, and has brought things to the pass which I cannot but regret.” + +A week later the cloth merchant's shop in the High Street was shut up, +and the mayor, having appointed a deputy for the week he purposed to +be absent, took his place in the stage for Basingstoke, when a complete +reconciliation was effected between him and his wife. + +The starting of the expedition was delayed beyond the intended time, for +the government either could not or would not furnish the required funds, +and the Earl of Peterborough was obliged to borrow considerable sums +of money, and to involve himself in serious pecuniary embarrassments to +remedy the defects, and to supply as far as possible the munition and +stores necessary for the efficiency of the little force he had been +appointed to command. It consisted of some three thousand English +troops, who were nearly all raw and undisciplined, and a brigade, two +thousand strong, of Dutch soldiers. + +Early in May the regiment to which Jack Stilwell belonged marched +for Portsmouth, where the rest of the expedition were assembled, and +embarked on board the transports lying at Spithead, and on the 22d +of the month set sail for St. Helens, where they were joined on the +following day by their general, who embarked with his suit on board the +admiral's ship. On the 24th the fleet sailed for Lisbon. + +Fond as Jack was of the sea, he did not find the change an agreeable +one. On shore the constant drill and steady work had fully occupied +the men, and had left them but little time for grumbling. On board ship +things were different. In those days there was but little of the strict +discipline which is now maintained on board a troop ship. It was true +that the vessels in which the expedition was being carried belonged to +the royal navy; but even here the discipline was but lax. There were +many good sailors on board; but the bulk of the crew had been pressed +into the service as harshly and tyrannically as were the soldiers +themselves, and the grumblers of one class found ready sympathizers +among the others. + +The captain was a young man of good family who had obtained his +appointment solely by interest, and who, although he would have fought +his ship bravely in an action with the enemy, took but little interest +in the regular work, leaving such matters entirely in the hands of his +first lieutenant. The military officers were all new to their work. +On shore they had had the support which the presence of a considerable +number of veteran troops in garrison in the castle gave them; but they +now ceased to struggle against the difficulty of keeping up discipline +among a large number of raw and insubordinate recruits, relying upon +bringing them into order and discipline when they got them ashore in a +foreign country. Beyond, therefore, a daily parade, and half an hour's +drill in the handling of their firelocks, they interfered but little +with the men. + +Sergeant Edwards with twenty of his men had at the last minute, +to Jack's great satisfaction, been drafted into the regiment, and +accompanied them on their voyage. + +“Ay, they are a rough lot,” the sergeant said in answer to an +observation of Jack as to the grumbling of the men after they had been +at sea a few days; “but what can you expect when you take men from their +homes against their will, pick out the worst characters in each town, +make up their number with jail birds, and then pack them off to sea +before they have got into shape? There's nothing tries men more than a +sea voyage. Here they are packed up as close as herrings, with scarcely +room to move about, with nothing to do, and with food which a dog +would turn up his nose to eat. Naturally they get talking together, and +grumbling over their wrongs till they work themselves up. + +“I wish the voyage was over. It wouldn't matter if we had a good steady +old crew, but more than half of them have been pressed; many of them are +landsmen who have been carried off just as you were. No doubt they would +all fight toughly enough if a Frenchman hove in view, but the captain +couldn't rely on them in a row on board. As long as the fleet keeps +together it's all right enough. Here are nine vessels, and no one on +board one knows what's going on in the others, but if the captain of +any one of them were to hoist a signal that a mutiny had broken out on +board, the others would be round her with their portholes opened ready +to give her a dose of round shot in no time.” + +“But you don't think that it is really likely that we shall have any +trouble, sergeant?” + +“There won't be any trouble if, as I am telling you, the weather holds +fine and the fleet keeps together; but if there's a gale and the ships +get scattered, no one can't say what might come of it.” + +“I can't think how they could be so mad as to get up a mutiny,” Jack +said; “why, even supposing they did take the ship, what would they do +with it?” + +“Them's questions as has been asked before, my lad, and there's sense +and reason in them, but you knows as well as I that there's many a craft +sailing the seas under the black flag. There isn't a ship as puts to sea +but what has half a dozen hands on board who have been in slavers, and +who are full of tales of islands where everything grows without the +trouble of putting a spade in the ground, where all sorts of strange +fruit can be had for the picking, and where the natives are glad enough +to be servants or wives, as the case may be, to whites. It's just such +tales as these as leads men away, and I will warrant there's a score at +least among the crew of the Caesar who are telling such tales to any who +will listen to them. Well, you see, it's a tempting story enough to one +as knows no better. On the one side there is a hard life, with bad food +and the chance of being shot at, and the sartainty of being ordered +about and not being able to call your life your own. On the other side +is a life of idleness and pleasure, of being your own master, and, if +you want something which the islands can't afford you, why, there's +just a short cruise and then back you come with your ship filled up with +plunder. I don't say as it's not tempting; but there's one thing agin +it, and the chaps as tells these yarns don't say much about that.” + +“What is it, sergeant?” + +“It's just the certainty of a halter or a bloody grave sooner or later. +The thing goes on for some time, and then, when merchant ship after +merchant ship is missing, there are complaints at home, and out comes +a ship or two with the queen's pennant at the head, and then either the +pirate ship gets caught at sea and sunk or captured, or there's a visit +to the little island, and a short shrift for those found there. + +“No, I don't think it can pay, my lad, even at its best. It's jolly +enough for awhile, maybe, for those whose hearts are so hard that they +think nothing of scuttling a ship with all on board, or of making the +crew and passengers walk the plank in cold blood. Still even they must +know that it can't last, and that there's a gallows somewhere waiting +for them. Still, you see, they don't think of all that when a chap is +atelling them of these islands, and how pleasant the life is there, and +how easy it would be to do for the officers, and take the command of +the ship and sail away. Two or three chaps as makes up their mind for it +will poison a whole crew in no time.” + +“You speak as if you knew all about it.” + +“I know a good deal about it,” the sergeant replied gravely. “It's a +tale as there ain't many as knows; but you are a sort of lad as one can +trust, and so I don't mind if I tell it you. Though you wouldn't think +it, I have sailed under the black flag myself.” + +“You, sergeant!” Jack exclaimed incredulously; “do you mean to say you +have been a pirate?” + +“Just that, my boy. I don't look like it, do I? There ain't nothing +buccaneering about my cut. I looks just what I am, a tough old sergeant +in a queen's regiment; but for all that I have been a pirate. The yarn +is a long one, and I can't tell it you now, because just at present, you +see, I have got to go below to look after the dinners of the company, +but the first time as we can get an opportunity for a quiet talk I will +tell it you. But don't you go away and think till then as I was a pirate +from choice. I shouldn't like you to think that of me; there ain't never +no saying at sea what may happen. I might tumble overboard tonight and +get drowned, or one of the convoy might run foul of us and sink us, and +tomorrow you might be alive and I might be dead, and I shouldn't like +you to go on thinking all your life as that Sergeant Edwards had been +a bloody pirate of his own free will. So you just bear in mind, till I +tells you the whole story, as how it was forced upon me. Mind, I don't +say as how I hadn't the choice of death or that, and maybe had you been +in my place you would have chosen death; but, you see, I had never been +brought up as you were. I had had no chances to speak of, and being only +just about your age, I didn't like the thought of dying, so you see I +took to it, making up my mind secret at the same time that the first +chance I had I would slip away from them. I won't tell you more now, +I hain't time; but just you bear that in mind, in case of anything +happening, that if Sergeant Edwards once sailed under the black flag, he +didn't do it willing.” + +The sergeant now hurried below, leaving Jack wondering over what he +had heard. Some days elapsed before the story was told, for a few hours +later the sky clouded over and the wind rose, and before next morning +the vessel was laboring heavily under double reefed topsails. The +soldiers were all kept below, and there was no possibility of anything +like a quiet talk. The weather had hitherto been so fine and the wind +so light that the vessels had glided over the sea almost without motion, +and very few indeed of those on board had experienced anything of the +usual seasickness; but now, in the stifling atmosphere between decks, +with the vessel rolling and plunging heavily, the greater part were soon +prostrate with seasickness, and even Jack, accustomed to the sea as he +was, succumbed to the unpleasantness of the surroundings. + +On the second day of the storm Sergeant Edwards, who had been on deck to +make a report to the captain of the company, was eagerly questioned on +his return below on the condition of the weather. + +“It's blowing about as hard as it can be,” he said, “and she rolls fit +to take the masts out of her. There don't seem no chance of the gale +breaking, and none of the other ships of the fleet are in sight. That's +about all I have to tell you, except that I told the captain that if +he didn't get the hatches lifted a little we should be all stifled down +here. He says if there's a bit of a lull he will ask them to give us +a little fresh air, and in the mean time he says that any who are good +sailors may go up on deck, but it will be at their own risk, for some of +the seas go pretty nearly clean over her.” + + + +CHAPTER IV: THE SERGEANT'S YARN + + +Jack Stilwell and a few of the other men availed themselves of the +permission to escape for a time from the stifling atmosphere below, and +made their way on deck. For a time the rush of the wind and the wild +confusion of the sea almost bewildered them. Masses of water were +rushing along the deck, and each time she rolled the waves seemed as +if they would topple over the bulwarks. Several of the party turned +and went below again at once, but Jack, with a few others, waited their +opportunity and, making a rush across the deck, grasped the shrouds and +there hung on. Jack soon recovered from his first confusion and was able +to enjoy the grandeur of the scene. + +Small as was the canvas she was showing, the vessel was traveling fast +through the waves, sometimes completely burying her head under a sea; +then as she rose again the water rushed aft knee deep, and Jack had +as much as he could do to prevent himself being carried off his feet. +Fortunately all loose articles had long since been swept overboard, +otherwise the risk of a broken limb from their contact would have been +serious. + +In a quarter of an hour even Jack had had enough of it and went below, +and, having changed his drenched clothes, slung his hammock and turned +in. The next day the gale began to abate, and by evening the wind had +nearly died away, although the vessel was rolling as heavily as before +among the great masses of water which rolled in from the Atlantic. + +The hatchways, however, were now removed, and all below ordered on deck, +and after awhile a party was told off to sluice down their quarters +below. The men were all weakened by their confinement, but their spirits +soon rose, and there was ere long plenty of laughter at the misfortunes +which befell those who tried to cross the deck, for the ship was rolling +so heavily that it was impossible for a landsman to keep his feet +without holding on. + +The next morning, although a heavy swell was still rolling, the ship +assumed her normal aspect. The sailors had removed all trace of disorder +above, clothes were hung out to dry, and, as the ship was still far too +unsteady to allow of walking exercise, the soldiers sat in groups on +the deck, laughing and chatting and enjoying the warm sun whose rays +streamed down upon them. Seeing Sergeant Edwards standing alone looking +over the bulwark, Jack made his way up to him. + +“It has been a sharp blow,” the sergeant said, “and I am glad it's over; +the last four days have been enough to sicken one of the sea for life. I +suppose you think this is a good opportunity for my yarn.” + +“That is just what I was thinking, sergeant.” + +“Very well, then, my lad, here goes. I was born at Poole. My people were +all in the seafaring line, and it was only natural that, as soon as I +got old enough to stand kicking, I was put on board a coaster plying +between Poole and London. It was pretty rough, but the skipper wasn't a +bad kind of fellow when he was sober. I stuck to that for three years, +and then the old craft was wrecked on Shoreham beach. Fortunately she +was driven up so far that we were able to drop over the bowsprit pretty +well beyond the reach of the waves, but there was no getting the Eliza +off. It was no great loss, for she would have had to be broken up +as firewood in another year or two. About six hours out of every +twenty-four I was taking my turn at spells at the pump. + +“Now the Eliza was cast away, I had to look out for another ship. I +had had enough of coasters, so instead of going home I tramped it up to +London. Having got a berth on board a foreign bound vessel I made two +voyages out to Brazil and back. A fine country is the Brazils, but the +Portuguese ain't the fellows to make much out of it. Little undersized +chaps, they are all chatter and jabber, and when they used to come +alongside to unload, it were jest for all the world like so many +boatfuls of monkeys. + +“Well, I starts for my third voyage, being by this time about sixteen +or seventeen. We got out to Rio right enough; but we couldn't get a full +cargo back, and the captain determined to cruise among the West Indy +Islands and fill up his ship. We were pretty nigh full when one morning +the lookout hailed that there were two vessels just coming out of an +inlet in an island we were passing some three miles on the weather bow. + +“The captain was soon on deck with his glass, and no sooner did he make +them out than he gave orders to clap every sail on her. We hadn't a very +smart crew, but there are not many British ships ever made sail faster +than we did then. The men just flew about, for it needed no glass to +show that the two vessels which came creeping out from among trees +weren't customers as one wanted to talk to on the high seas. The one +was a brig, the other a schooner. They carried lofty spars ever so much +higher than an honest trader could want; and quick as we had got up our +sails, they had got their canvas spread as soon as we had. + +“The ship was a fast sailer, but it didn't need half an hour to show +that they had the legs of us. So the skipper called the crew aft. 'Now, +my lads,' he said, 'you see those two vessels astern. I don't think it +needs any telling from me as to what they are. They might be Spaniards +or they might be French, or they might be native traders, but we are +pretty well sure they ain't anything of the kind. They are pirates--I +guess the same two vessels I heard them talking about down at Rio. They +have been doing no end of damage there. There were pretty nigh a dozen +ships missing, and they put them all down to them. However, a couple of +English frigates had come into Rio, and hearing what had happened had +gone out to chase them. They hadn't caught them, and the Brazilians +thought that they had shifted their quarters and gone for a cruise in +other latitudes. + +“'The description they gave of them answered to these two--a brig and a +schooner, with low hulls and tall spars. One of them carries ten guns, +the other two on each side, and a heavy piece mounted on a swivel +amidship. It was said that before they went down to Brazil they had been +carrying on their games among the West India Islands, and had made it so +hot for themselves that they had been obliged to move off from there. +It was like enough that, now the hue and cry after them had abated, they +would return to their old quarters. + +“'Well, my lads, I needn't tell you what we have to expect if they take +us. Every man Jack will either get his throat cut or be forced to walk +the plank. So we will fight her to the last; for if the worst comes +to the worst, it's better to be killed fighting like men than to be +murdered in cold blood. However, I hope it won't come to that. We carry +twelve guns, and they are heavier metal than most merchantmen have on +board. We are more than a match for either of them alone; and if we can +manage to cripple one, we can beat the other off. + +“'At any rate we will try our best. Thank God we have no women on board, +and only ourselves to think of! Now, my lads, cast the guns loose and +get the ammunition on deck; run two of the guns aft and train them over +the stern. As soon as they come within range we will try and knock some +spars out of them. Now, boys, give three cheers for the old flag, and we +will swear together it shall never come down while there's one of us to +fight the ship.' + +“The men gave three cheers and then went off to their quarters at the +guns. They were quiet and grave, and it was easy enough to see that they +did not like the prospect. An Englishman always goes into action, as +far as I have seen, with a light heart and a joke on his lips when he's +fighting against Frenchmen or Spaniards or any other foe, but it's a +different thing when it's a pirate he has to deal with. Every man knows +then that it's a case of life or death, and that he's got to win or die. +The enemy made no secret of what they were, for when they got within a +mile of us two black flags ran up to their mastheads. + +“The captain he trained one of the stern chasers hisself, and the first +mate took the other. They fired at the same moment, both aiming at the +schooner, which was getting the nearest to us. They were good shots both +of them. The mate's ball struck the water some twenty yards in front +of her forefoot, and smashed her bow planking some three feet above the +waterline; while the captain's struck her bulwark, tore along her deck, +and went out astern, doing some damage by the way, I reckon. + +“We could see there was some confusion on board. They hadn't reckoned +that we carried such heavy metal, and our luck in getting both shots on +board must have surprised them. Then her bow paid off, there was a puff +of smoke amidship, and a ball from the long swivel gun buzzed overhead, +passing through our mainsail without touching mast or stay. + +“So far we had the best of it, and the men looked more cheerful than +they had done from the first moment when the pirates showed from among +the trees. After that we kept up a fire from the stern guns as fast as +we could load. I could not see myself what damage we were doing, for I +was kept hard at work carrying ammunition. Presently the broadside guns +began to fire too, and taking the chance for a look round I saw that the +pirates had separated, and were coming up one on each side of us. + +“So far they had not fired a shot after the first. I suppose they didn't +want to lose ground by yawing, but as they came abreast of us they both +opened fire. Our chaps fought their guns well, and I expect the pirates +found they were not getting much the best of it; for one of them made a +signal, and they both closed in to board. We hadn't had much luck after +our first shot. We had hulled them over and over again and spotted their +sails with shot. Many of their ropes were hanging loose, but we hadn't +succeeded in crippling them, although almost every shot had been aimed +at the masts; for every man knew that our only chance was to bring them +down. + +“As they came up close to us they poured in a volley of grape, and a +minute later they grated alongside and a crowd of men swarmed on board +over the bulwarks. Our fellows fought to the last, but the odds were +five to one against them. The skipper had been killed by a grapeshot, +but the mate he led the men; and if fighting could have saved us the +ship would not have been captured. But it was no use. In two minutes +every man had been cut down or disarmed. I had laid about me with +a cutlass till I got a lick over my head with a boarding pike which +knocked my senses out of me. + +“When I opened my eyes I was hauled up to my feet and put alongside the +mate and six others, all of whom was bleeding more or less. The rest had +all been chucked overboard at once. In a minute or two the captain of +one of the pirates, a little dapper Frenchman, came up to us. 'You have +fought your ship well,' he said to the mate, 'and have killed several of +my officers and men; but I bear you no malice, and if you are ready +to ship with me I will spare your life.' 'I would rather die a hundred +times!' the mate said. The pirate said nothing, but just nodded, and +four of his men seized the mate and flung him over the bulwarks. The +same question was asked of each of the men; but each in turn refused, +and an end was made of them. I was the last. + +“'Now, my boy,' the captain said, 'I hope you won't be stupid like those +pig headed fellows. What do you say--good treatment and a free life on +the sea, or the sharks?' + +“Well, lad, if my turn hadn't been last I would have said 'no' like +the others. I wouldn't have shown the white feather before any of my +shipmates; but they had gone--there wasn't one to cast a reproachful +look at me or to taunt me with cowardice. I just stood alone; there +weren't no one to back me up in choosing to die rather than to serve, +and so I says, 'I will join you, captain.' I don't say I was right, lad; +I don't say I didn't act as a coward; but I think most young chaps with +my bringing up, and placed as I was, would have done the same. There's +many as would have said 'no' if they had had comrades and friends +looking on, but I don't think there's many as would have said 'no' if +they had stood all alone as I did. + +“I can't say as I blame myself much about that business, though I have +thought it over many a score of times; but anyhow, from the first I made +up my mind that at the very first chance I would get away from them. I +knew the chance wasn't likely to come for some time--still there it was; +and during all the black scenes I took part in on board that ship I was +always telling myself that I was there against my will. + +“It was the brig as I was to go in. And as soon as that little matter of +the crew was settled all hands set to work to shift the cargo from the +ship aboard the pirates. Wonderful quick they did it too; and when I +thought how long that cargo had taken to get on board, it was wonderful +how soon they whipped it out of her. When they had stripped her of all +they thought worth taking, they ran one of the cannon to the open hatch, +loaded it and crammed it full of balls to the muzzle; then they pointed +it down the hold and fired it, and were soon on board their own craft. + +“The charge must have torn a great hole in the ship's bottom, for I +could see she was settling down in the water before we had left her five +minutes, and in a quarter of an hour she gave a sudden lurch and sank. +As I was in for it now, I knew the best thing was to put a good face +on it, so I lent a hand at shifting the cargo and did my best to seem +contented. We sailed off in company, and in the morning when I came on +deck I found the two craft riding side by side in a land locked harbor. + +“A few minutes later the boats were lowered and the work of getting the +cargo on shore began. It was clear enough that this was the pirates' +headquarters; for there were lots of huts built on the sloping sides of +the inlet, and a number of men and women stood gathered on the shore to +receive us as we landed. The women were of all countries, English and +French, Dutch, Spaniards, and Portuguese, with a good sprinkling of dark +skinned natives. All the white women had been taken prisoners at some +time or other from vessels which had fallen into the pirates' hands, +and though most of them must have been miserable enough at heart, poor +creatures, they all made a show of being glad to see the men back again. +It was but a week, I learned, since the pirates had sailed, and it was +considered a great stroke of luck that they should so soon have effected +a capture. + +“No one attended to me, but I worked hard all day with the others rowing +backward and forward between the shore and the ship. When it became dusk +they knocked off work, and the men went off to their huts, for it seemed +that each of them had a wife, brown skinned or white. Seeing that nobody +paid any attention to me, I went off to the little captain, who was +making his way up to a hut of a better class than the others. + +“'What is to become of me, captain?' I asked. 'Ah! I had not thought of +you,' he said; 'well, you can go up with me and get some supper, and +you can have a blanket and sleep on my veranda for tonight; we will see +where you can be lodged in the morning.' I followed him into his house, +and was astonished as I entered at the luxury of the apartment, which +far exceeded anything I had ever seen before. The plank walls were +concealed by hangings of light green silk, a rich carpet covered the +floor, the furniture was most handsome and massive, and had no doubt +been intended for the palace of the Spanish governor of some of the +islands. A pair of candelabra of solid silver stood on the table, and +the white candles in them, which had just been lighted, threw a soft +glow of light over the room and lighted up the table, on which was a +service, also of solid silver, with vases and, lovely flowers. A young +woman rose from a couch as he entered: 'I have been expecting you for +the last half hour, Eugene. You have worked longer than usual this +evening; if the fish are spoiled you must not blame Zoe.' + +“The speaker was a tall and very handsome woman, and I now understood +how it was that my captor spoke such excellent English. There was a deep +expression of melancholy on her face, but she smiled when speaking to +the pirate, and her tone was one of affection. + +“'I have brought home a countryman of yours, Ellen. I forgot to allot +him quarters until it was too late, so please give him over to the care +of Zoe and ask her to give him some supper and a blanket; he will sleep +in the veranda.' + +“The first look which the woman gave me as the captain spoke made me +wish that instead of speaking to the captain I had lain down fasting +under a tree, there was so much contempt and horror in it; then, as I +suppose she saw I was but a boy, it changed, and it seemed to me that +she pitied me from her heart; however, she clapped her hands and a +negress entered. She said something to her in Spanish, and the old woman +beckoned me to follow her, and I was soon sitting in front of a better +meal than I had tasted for many a month, perhaps the best meal I had +tasted in my life. + +“As she couldn't speak English there was no talking with the old woman. +She gave me a tumbler of stiff rum and water to drink with my supper, +and after I had done she handed me a blanket, took me out into the +veranda, pointed to the side where I should get the sea breeze, and left +me. I smoked a pipe or two and then went to sleep. I was awakened in the +morning by some one coming along the veranda, and, sitting up, saw the +lady I had seen the night before. 'So you are English?' she said. 'Yes, +ma'am,' says I, touching my hat sailor fashion. 'Are you lately from +home?' she asked. 'Not very late, ma'am,' says I; 'we went to Rio first, +and not filling up there were cruising about picking up a cargo when--' +and I stopped, not knowing, you see, how I should put it. 'Are there +any more of you?' she asked after awhile in a low sort of voice. 'No, +ma'am,' says I; 'I am the only one.' 'I did not ask,' she said almost +in a whisper, and I could see her face was 'most as white as a sheet, 'I +never ask. And so you have joined them?' 'Yes,' says I, 'I couldn't help +it, ma'am. I was the last, you see; if there had been any one else to +have encouraged me I should have said no, but being alone--' 'Don't +excuse yourself, poor boy,' she said; 'don't think I blame you. Who am +I that I should blame any one? It is little I can do for you, but if +you should want anything I will do my best to befriend you.' I heard the +captain's voice calling. Suddenly she put her finger to her lips, as a +hint to me to hold my tongue, and off she went. + +“I don't know whether the captain's wife spoke to him about me or not, +but at any rate he didn't tell me off to any of the huts, but kept me +at the house. I used to go down in the day to work with the other men +unloading the ship and stowing away the stores, but they only worked for +a few hours morning and evening, lying in hammocks slung under the trees +during the heat of the day. I made myself useful about the house, helped +the old woman to chop wood, drew water for her, attended to the plants +in the little garden round the house, trained the creepers up the +veranda, and lent a hand at all sorts of odd jobs, just as a sailor will +do. + +“When, ten days after we arrived, the ships got ready for another +cruise, I was afraid they would take me with them, and I lay awake at +nights sweating as I thought over the fearful deeds I should have to +take part in; but the captain gave me no orders, and to my delight the +men embarked and the ships sailed away without me. I found there were +some forty men left behind, whose duty it was to keep a sharp lookout +and man the batteries they had got at the entrance to the cove in case +any of our cruisers came in sight. + +“The man who was in command was a Spaniard, a sulky, cruel looking +scoundrel. However, he didn't have much to do with me; I took my turn at +the lookout with the rest of them, and besides that there was nothing +to do. The men on shore had all been in one or other of the ships when I +was taken; for I found there were about a hundred and sixty of them, and +a quarter stayed at home by turns, changing after each cruise, whether +it was a long or short one. + +“The captain's wife often spoke to me now; she would come out and sit in +the veranda while I was at work. She asked me what part I came from, and +where I had sailed, and what friends I had at home. But she never said +a word to me about the capture of the ship. She always looked sad now, +while she had been cheerful and bright while the captain was on shore. +In time she got quite friendly with me, and one day she said, 'Peter, +you will have to go to sea next time, what will you do?' + +“'I must do as the others do, God forgive me,' says I; 'but don't think, +ma'am, as ever I shall do it willing. It may be years before I gets a +chance, but if ever I does I shall make a run for it, whatever the risk +may be. I speaks free to you, ma'am, for I feel sure as you won't say +a word to no man, for it would cost me my life if they thought that I +wasn't with them willing.' + +“'I will not tell any one, Peter, you may be sure,' she said; 'but I do +not think you will ever have a chance of getting away--no one ever does +who once comes here.' + +“Well, in time, lad, she lets out bit by bit a little about herself. She +had been on her way out to join her father, who was an officer of the +East Indy Company, when the ship was taken by the pirates. The men was +all killed, but she and some other women was taken on board the pirate +and at last brought there. The French captain took a fancy to her from +the first, and after she had been there a year brought a Spanish priest +they captured on board a ship and he married them. The pirates seemed to +think it was a joke, and lots of them followed the captain's example and +got married to the women there. What they did with the priest afterward, +whether they cut his throat or landed him in some place thousands of +miles away, or entered him on board ship, is more nor I know. + +“There's no doubt the captain's wife was fond of her husband; pirate as +he was, he had not behaved so bad to her--but except when he was with +her she was always sad. + +“She had an awful horror of the life he led, and with this was a terror +lest he should fall into the hands of a cruiser, for she knew that if +he hadn't the good luck to be killed in the fight, he would be tried and +hung at the nearest port. It was a kind of mixed feeling, you see; she +would have given everything to be free from the life she was leading, +and yet even had she had the chance she would not have left her husband. +I believe he had promised her to give it up, but she must have knowed +that he never would do it; besides, if he had slipped away from the ship +at any place where they touched he could not have got her away, and her +life would have paid for his desertion. + +“But I don't think he would have gone if he could, for, quiet and nice +as he was when at home, he was a demon at sea. Ruffians and scoundrels +as were his crew, the boldest of them were afraid of him. It was not a +word and a blow, but a word and a pistol shot with him; and if it +hadn't been that he was a first rate seaman, that he fought his ships +splendidly, and that there was no one who could have kept any show of +order or discipline had he not been there, I don't believe they would +have put up with him for a day. + +“Well, lad, I sailed with them for three voyages. I won't tell you what +I saw and heard, but it was years before I could sleep 'well at night, +but would start up in a cold sweat with those scenes before my eyes and +those screams ringing in my ears. I can say that I never took the life +of a man or woman. Of course I had to help to load the cannon, and when +the time for boarding came would wave my cutlass and fire my pistols +with the best of them; but I took good care never to be in the front +line, and the others were too busy with their bloody doings to notice +what share I took in them. + +“We had been out about a fortnight on my third voyage, and the schooner +and brig were lying in a little bay when we saw what we took to be a +large merchant ship coming along. She was all painted black, her rigging +was badly set up, her sails were dirty and some of them patched, she +was steering east, and seemed as if she was homeward bound after a long +voyage. Off we went in pursuit, thinking we had got a prize. She clapped +on more sail, but we came up to her hand over hand. She opened fire with +two eight pounders over her stern. We didn't waste a shot in reply, but +ranged up alongside, one on each beam. Then suddenly her sides seemed to +open, fifteen ports on each side went up, and her deck swarmed with men. + +“A yell of dismay went up from the schooner which I was on. In a moment +a flash of fire ran along the frigate's broadside; there was a crash of +timber, and the schooner shook as if she had struck on a rock. There was +a cry, 'We are sinking!' Some made a wild rush for the boats, others in +their despair jumped overboard, some cursed and swore like madmen +and shook their fists at the frigate. It seemed no time when another +broadside came. + +“Down came the foremast, crushing half a dozen men as she fell. Her deck +was nearly level with the water now. I climbed over the wreck of the +foremast, and run out along the bowsprit. I looked round just as I +leaped. The pirate captain was standing at the wheel. He had a pistol +to his head, and I saw the flash, and he fell. Then I dived off and swam +under water as hard as I could to get away from the sinking ship. When I +came up I looked round. I just saw the flutter of a black flag above the +water and she was gone. I was a good swimmer, and got rid of my shoes +and jacket, and made up my mind for a long swim, for the frigate was too +busy with the brig for any one to pay attention to us, but it did not +take long to finish it. + +“In five minutes it was over. The brig lay dismasted, and scarce a dozen +men out of the forty she carried were alive to throw down their arms +on deck and cry that they surrendered. Then the frigate's boats were +lowered; two rowed in our direction, while two put off to the brig. +There were only nine of us picked up, for from the first broadside till +we sank a heavy musketry fire had been poured down upon the deck, and +as we were not more than fifty yards away from the frigate, the men had +been just mowed down. We were all ironed as soon as we were brought on +board. After that we were brought up one by one and questioned. + +“'You are young to be engaged in such work as this,' the captain said +when my turn came. + +“'I was forced into it against my will, sir,' I said. + +“'Yes,' the captain said, 'I suppose so; that's the story each of the +prisoners tells. How long have you been with them?' + +“'Less than six months, sir.' + +“'How old are you?' + +“'I am not seventeen yet. I was boy on board the Jane and William. We +were taken by the pirates on our way back from Rio, and all except me +killed or thrown overboard.' + +“'And you bought your life by agreeing to sail with them, I suppose?' +the captain said contemptuously. + +“'I did, sir,' I said; 'but I was the last they asked; all the others +had gone, and there warn't no one to back me up.' + +“'Well, boy, you know what your fate will be,' the captain said; +'there's no mercy for pirates.' + +“The next day the captain sent for me again, and I took heart a little, +for I thought if they had made up their minds to hang me they wouldn't +have questioned me. + +“'Look here, lad,' the captain said; 'you are the youngest of the +prisoners, and less steeped in crime than any here, therefore I will +at once make you an offer. If you will direct us to the lair of the +pirates, I promise your life shall be spared.' + +“'I don't know the latitude and longitudes sir,' I said, 'and I doubt if +any besides the captain and one or two others do, but I know pretty well +whereabout it is. We always set sail at night and came in at night, and +none was allowed on deck except the helmsman and two or three old hands +till morning; but when I was ashore and on duty at the lookout I noticed +three trees growing together just at the edge of the cliff at the point +where it was highest, two miles away from the entrance to the cove. They +were a big un and two little uns, and I feel sure if I were to see them +again I should know them.' + +“'Very well,' the captain said, 'I shall make for port at once, and hand +over the prisoners to the Spanish authorities, then I will start on a +cruise with you, and see if we can find your trees.' + +“From the description I could give him of the islands we passed after we +had been at sea a few hours, and the time it took us to sail from them +to some known points, the captain was able to form a sort of idea as to +which group of islands it belonged to, and when he had reached port and +got rid of his prisoners, all of whom were garroted--that's a sort of +strangling, you know--by the Spaniards, a week afterward, we set out +again on our search for the island.” + + + +CHAPTER V: THE PIRATE HOLD + + +“The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed +within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put +the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns +enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the +water. As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was +only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter +in. I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched +time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to +me. + +“For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, +but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees. + +“'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, +and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was +to go to the captain. + +“You are sure those are the trees?' + +“'Quite sure, sir.' + +“'They answer to your description certainly,' the captain said. 'Keep +her away, master, I don't want them to think we are steering for the +island.' + +“The ship's course was altered, and she sailed along parallel with the +coast. + +“'I beg your pardon, sir,' I said, touching my hat, 'but they have got +some wonderful good glasses up at the lookout, and if I might make so +bold I should say that they will make out that we have got a lot more +men on deck than a merchant ship would carry.' + +“'You are right, lad,' the captain said, and he at once gave orders that +all hands with the exception of half a dozen should sit down under the +bulwarks or go below. The captain and first lieutenant kept a sharp +lookout through their glasses until we had passed the end of the island. +I pointed out to them the exact position of the cove, but it was so shut +in that even when I showed where it was, it was as much as they could do +to make it out. + +“'Now, lad, do you know of any other landing places on the other side of +the island?' + +“'No, sir, and I don't believe there is any,' says I. I know the captain +said to me the first day I was on shore, 'It's no use your thinking of +making a bolt, for there ain't no other place but this where you could +get to sea--not though you had twenty boats waiting to take you off.' I +expect that's why they chose it. Anyhow, there never was any watch kept +up on shore, though. I have no doubt there was many a one who had been +pressed into pirating just as I was, to save their lives, would have +made off had they seen ever such a little chance of getting away. + +“'Just come into the cabin with me,' says he; 'I want you to show me +exactly where are these batteries, and the position of the village on +shore.' + +“The first lieutenant came too, and I drew them out a chart as well as +I could, showing them the position of things, and told them that every +evening a boom was floated across the entrance. + +“'What sentries are there on at night?' + +“'Four, sir; two close down to the water, one each side of the cove, and +two in the batteries at the top. That's the watch, but besides there +are six men sleep in each of the other batteries, and six in each of the +batteries inside.' + +“'Tell me more about the place and the life you led there,' the captain +said, 'and then I shall understand the position of things better.' + +“So I spun him a regular yarn about the place and the people. I told him +about the captain's wife, and she being an English woman, and how she +was taken, which indeed was the way of most of the women there. + +“'I suppose that a good many of the men were pressed too,' the captain +said. + +“'I expects so, sir; but when we were together on guard or on board a +ship I noticed we never talked of such things. It seemed to me as if +every one was trying to forget the past, and I think that made them more +brutal and bloody minded than they would have been. Every one was afraid +of every one else guessing as he wasn't contented, and was wanting to +get away, and so each carried on as bad as he could.' + +“'I dare say you are right, lad; it must be a terrible position for a +man to be in; but you see the law can make no distinctions. If it +wasn't thoroughly understood that if a man took up the life of a pirate, +whether willingly or unwillingly, he would assuredly be executed if he +was caught, we should have the sea swarming with pirates. Now, lad, you +know how this boom was fastened; can you suggest any way that we could +get over it or loosen it without giving the alarm?' + +“'There is no way, sir. One end is fastened by a big chain which is +fixed to a great shackle which is let into a hole in the rock and +fastened in there with lead; that's the fixed end of the boom. The other +end, which is swung backward and forward when the ships go in port, has +got a big chain too. It goes under an iron bar which is bent, and the +two ends fastened in a rock. When they want to fix the boom the end +of the chain is passed under this iron loop and then fastened to some +blocks and ropes worked from the battery above, and the end of the chain +is drawn up tight there, so that there is no loosing the chain till that +battery is taken.' + +“'And you say the guns of the lower batteries at the inner point sweep +the entrance?' + +“'They do, sir. There are ten of them on each side, twelve pounder +carronades, which are always charged, and crammed up to the muzzle with +bullets and nails and bits of iron. The batteries on the top of the +cliff at the entrance are the heaviest metal. They have got twenty guns +in each of them. They are loaded with round shot to keep a vessel from +approaching, though of course they could fire grape into any boats they +saw coming in.' + +“'This does not seem an easy business by any means, Mr. Earnshaw,' the +captain said. + +“'It does not, sir,' the lieutenant agreed in a dubisome sort of way; +'but no doubt it can be done, sir--no doubt it can be done.' + +“'Yes, but how?' the captain asked. 'You will be in command of the +boats, Mr. Earnshaw, and it will never do to attack such a place as that +without some sort of plan.' + +“'What is the boom like, my lad?' the lieutenant asked; 'is it lashed +together?' + +“'No, it is a solid spar,' I said. 'The entrance is not more than forty +feet wide, and the boom is part of the mainmast of a big ship.' + +“'It seems to me,' said the lieutenant, 'that the only way to get at it +would be to go straight at the boom, the two lightest boats to go first. +The men must get on the spar and pull the boats over, and then make a +dash for the batteries; the heavy boats can follow them.' + +“'It would never do, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'You forget there +are twelve guns loaded to the muzzle with grape and musketballs all +trained upon a point only forty feet across. Would it be possible to +land just outside the boom, lad, on one or both sides, and to keep along +the edge, or wade in the water to the batteries?' + +“'No, sir, the rock goes straight up from the water both sides.' + +“'Well, the two sentries, how do they get down to the water's edge?' + +“'They are let down by rope from above, sir, and the rope is hauled up +as soon as they are down.' + +“'This is a deuce of a place, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'We must +do nothing hastily in this matter, or we shall only be throwing away +the lives of a lot of men, and failing in our object. I was intending to +sail on and not return for a week, for no doubt they will be specially +vigilant for a time after seeing a large ship pass them. As it is, I +will return tonight to the back of the island, and will there leave the +cutter and my gig. You will be in charge of the cutter, and Mr. Escombe +will take the gig. I shall then sail away again before daylight; for +although from what the lad said there is no watch kept on that side of +the island, it cannot be more than three miles across, and any of the +men or women might stroll across or might from any high point in the +island obtain a view that way. You will make a thorough survey of all +that side. The cliffs certainly seem, so far as we could see them as we +left the island, as perpendicular as they are on the side we passed; +but there may be some place easier than another--some place where, by +setting our wits to work, we may make a shift to climb up. Get into the +island I will, if I have to blast a flight of steps up the cliff.' + +“'I will do my best to find a place, sir,' the lieutenant said; 'and, if +there isn't one, I will make one.' + +“The lieutenant told me that I was to accompany him in the cutter, and +all was got ready for the trip. Water and a week's rations of food were +placed on board the boats; for in that climate there was no saying when +a gale might spring up, or how long the vessel might be before she got +back to pick up the boats. + +“When we were fairly out of sight of the island we lay to till it got +dusk, and then her head was pointed back again. There was scarce a +breath of wind stirring, and the vessel went through the water so +slowly that a couple of hours later the captain ordered the boats to be +lowered, for he saw that if the wind didn't freshen the ship could not +get to the island, much less get away again, before daylight. The oars +were got out and off we started, and after four hours' steady rowing, +the lieutenant, who was steering by compass, made out the land looming +high above us. Another quarter of an hour's row and we dropped our +grapnels close to the foot of the cliffs, and the men were told to get a +sleep as well as they could till morning. + +“As soon as it was daylight we were off again and rowed to the end of +the island; for, as Mr. Earnshaw said to the third lieutenant, we had +best begin at the end and do the work thoroughly. When we got to the +point we turned and rowed back, keeping about two hundred yards from +the cliff, so that we could see well up. They were about a hundred feet +high--sometimes a little less, sometimes a good bit more, and they went +as straight up from the water's edge as the cliffs at Dover, only there +weren't no beach. It was deep water right up to the foot. + +“We went along very slowly, the men only just dipping their oars into +the water, and all of us watching every foot of the cliffs. Sometimes we +would stop altogether while the officers talked over the possibility of +any one climbing up at some place where the water trickling down from +the top had eaten away the face a little; but not a goat in the world +could have climbed up them, not to say men. So we kept on till we got to +the other end of the island, which must have been five miles long. Not a +place could we see. + +“'Unless we are going to do as the captain said--blast steps up the face +of that rock--I don't believe it's to be done,' Lieutenant Earnshaw said +to Mr. Escombe. 'Well, there's nothing to do, lads, but to row in +and drop your grapnels again and wait till we see the ship's lights +tonight.' + +“Although we rowed in to within an oar's length of the cliff, there was +eight fathoms of water when we dropped the grapnels. We had been lying +there an hour when the third lieutenant said: + +“'I should think, Mr. Earnshaw, that if we were to bring the pinnace +with that four pounder gun in the bow and up end it, and with a small +charge fire a ball with a rope fastened to it up into that clump of +trees we saw just about the middle of the island, it might get caught.' + +“'So it might, Escombe, and the idea is a good one; but I doubt whether +there's a man on board ship could climb a rope swinging like that +against the face of those cliffs.' + +“'He might if we used a knotted rope,' Mr. Escombe said. + +“'I wouldn't mind making a try, yer honor,' one of the sailors said, and +half a dozen others volunteered their readiness to make the attempt. + +“'I will put it to the captain,' Mr. Earnshaw said; 'if he agrees, as +you were the first to volunteer, Jones, you shall have the chance.' + +“The day was dead calm, so was the night that followed it; and although +we rowed back to the end of the island from which we had come, no lights +were to be seen that night. + +“The next day passed slowly. The sun was hot; but toward evening the +lieutenant gave permission for the men to bathe; but warned us that no +man must go far from the boats, because there might be sharks about. +However, we didn't see none, and we enjoyed the dip, and were in better +humor still when we found that a light breeze was springing up. It +might have been about midnight when the men on watch made out a light to +seaward, and we weren't long in getting up our grapnels and sitting our +oars. In half an hour we were on board, and were soon sailing away from +the island again. + +“The next night in we came again, and I saw that the third lieutenant's +plan was going to be adopted; in fact, I guessed so before; for the sail +makers had been at work with two light ropes making a rope ladder, and +the ship's smith had got some empty shells on deck, and had made a shift +to screw some iron eyes into them for fixing ropes to. The gun was taken +out of the pinnace and a little mortar fixed in her, and half a dozen +ropes, each a hundred fathoms long, had knots put in them every two +feet. + +“The launch and the two cutters were lowered as well as the pinnace this +time, and the crews were armed with cutlass and pistol. I went with them +as before, as I should be wanted to guide them when they got near the +village. It was a bright starlight night without haze, so that when we +got close we could make out the outline of the cliffs, and could see the +thick wood growing on the top. When we got within about a hundred yards +of the cliffs the boat stopped rowing. + +“'Don't use more powder than you can help, gunner,' Mr. Earnshaw said. +'In the first place, we don't want to do more than carry out the rope +to its full length; in the next place, we don't want to make more noise +than we can help. What wind there is is fortunately blowing seaward, +and being so close under the cliff the sound will be echoed back. At the +same time the less noise the better.' + +“'I will begin with very little, sir. If the ball don't go to the top of +the cliff I shall put a trifle more into the gun next time; it's better +to make a mistake on the right side.' + +“A small quantity of powder was put in the mortar, which was only a four +inch one. Then a wad was put in, and a shell with one of the knotted +ropes fastened to it dropped in the top. The rope had been coiled in a +tub so as to run out easily. The gunner applied the match. There was a +dull report, and every man held his breath to listen. There was a thud +high up on the cliff and then a splash. + +“'A few feet short of the top, I should say, gunner. You must put in +more next time, for the shell must go well up over the trees and drop +among them; otherwise it won't catch.' + +“The gunner by the light of the lantern measured out half as much powder +again as he had used before, and then fired. This time we heard no sound +till there was a faint splash in the water. + +“'The rope's gone, sir,' the gunner said, looking into the tub. 'There +was a little too much this time.' + +“'I don't think so,' Mr. Escombe said. 'I think that splash was the end +of the rope touching the water. In that case it will be just right, a +hundred feet up the cliffs, and five hundred feet among the trees. No +fear of the rope coming back to us.' + +“It took us a quarter of an hour's search in the dark to find the rope; +but at last we came upon it, and sure enough there was only four or five +fathoms in the water. + +“'Now, Jones,' Mr. Earnshaw said, 'it's your turn. Put that light line +over your shoulders, and when you get to the top haul on it till you +get up the rope ladder, and fasten that to a stout trunk and give a low +hail. We will hold the rope as steady as we can below while you mount.' + +“'Ay, ay, sir,' said the man, who was an active young chap; 'I will be +up there in a jiffy.' + +“We fastened the lower end round one of the thwarts of the boat, and +then he began to climb. It was near five minutes before he got to the +top, for there were some nasty places where the cliff jutted out, and +the rope was hard against it; but presently the shaking ceased, and a +minute later the light line was hauled tight. There was a low cheer in +the boats, and then up went the rope ladder. A minute or two later there +was a hail from the top. + +“'All taut, sir.' + +“'I will go first,' Mr. Earnshaw said. + +“Accordingly up he went, and one by one we followed, each waiting for +the signal that the one before him had got up, till all had gone except +the two told off as boat watch. Then the men of the launch and cutters +followed, and in about two hours they were all at the top, and a lantern +was shown to tell the ship we were there. + +“We started at once across the island, Mr. Earnshaw keeping the line by +a pocket compass. It was rough work, though, and at last the lieutenant +said: + +“'We make such a noise going through the bushes that we had better wait +till daylight, so just halt where you are, lads.' + +“As soon as the first ray of light showed we were off again, and an hour +later reached the edge of the slope down to the cove. + +“'Now, remember,' the lieutenant said, 'that no woman is to be hurt. +All the men who resist are to be shot or cut down; but you are to take +prisoners all who throw down their arms. Some of them may be able to +prove themselves less guilty than the rest. At any rate, there is no +fear of the Spanish authorities being too merciful. These pirates have +been the scourge of these seas for the last six years.' + +“Well, lad, there ain't much more to tell you. We took them completely +by surprise, and the men in the village were all knocked down and bound, +without firing a shot. The men in the batteries tried to slew their guns +round, but we didn't give 'em time. They fought desperately, for they +knew what their doom was, and there weren't any prisoners taken there. +As soon as the village was taken I went straight with Mr. Escombe to +the captain's house. His wife was standing at the door, and she gave +a little cry as she saw the British uniforms, and ran a step or two to +meet us, then she stopped, and her arms dropped by her side. + +“'What! you, Peter!' she said as we came up. 'Is it you who led them +here?' + +“'Yes, ma'am, it was me,' says I, 'and the best thing I could do for +you, for you could not wish to stay here all your life with just the +people that are here.' + +“'But what has happened?' she said. 'How is it you are here? What has +become of the schooner?' + +“'The schooner is sunk, ma'am, and the brig is captured.' + +“'And my husband?' + +“'Well, ma'am, don't you take on, but your husband went down with the +schooner.' + +“She tottered, and I thought she would have fallen, but Mr. Escombe put +his arm round her and led her to the house and left her there, putting +two sailors on guard to see as she wasn't disturbed. An hour or two +later the frigate was off the cove, and the captain landed. We stopped +a week there, and carried off all there was worth taking; and I tell +you there was enough to give every man Jack on board a handsome share of +prize money when the things came to be sold afterward. + +“Money, there was lots of it, all stored away in what they called the +treasure house, for money was no good there. Jewels and ornaments, +watches, and the things which they uses in them Catholic churches, and +all kinds of valuable things, and stores of silks and velvets and all +kinds of materials; and as to wine and such like, there was enough +to have lasted them for years, for from first to last it was shown +afterward that those fellows must have captured more nor fifty vessels. +Why they shouldn't have stopped ashore and enjoyed what they got was a +mystery to me. But I suppose they couldn't do without excitement, and +though every man talked of the time when the treasure would be divided +and they were to scatter, I don't suppose as one ever expected as the +time would really come. + +“Well, arter everything was on board, and the women and children, the +place was burned, and we sailed for the nearest Spanish port. We had +had a sort of court martial on board the frigate, and two or three young +chaps like myself, and two men as was proved to have been captured in +the pirates' last cruise, and who hadn't been to sea with them or taken +part in any of their bloody doings, was kept on board ship, and the rest +was handed over to the Spanish authorities. Most of them was garroted, +and a few was condemned to work on the roads for life. I and the others +was taken back to England in the frigate, whose foreign time was up, +and when we got to Portsmouth we was drafted into a regiment there, and +lucky we thought ourselves to get off so easy. The captain's wife and +some of the other white women came home to England on board the frigate. +She was very low at first, but she brightened up a good deal toward +the end of the voyage, which lasted two months. She grieved over her +husband, you see, but she couldn't but have felt that it was all for the +best. I heard afterward as how two years after she married Mr. Earnshaw, +who by that time had got to be a captain. So that, you see, my lad, is +how I came to fight under the black flag first and then to be a soldier +of the queen. I didn't mean it to be sich a long yarn, but when I once +began it all came back to me, and you see, I haven't spoken of it for +years. You don't think altogether as I was very wrong, I hope.” + +“I thank you very much for your story, sergeant,” Jack replied. “I only +wish it had been longer; and although it's very easy to say that a man +ought to die rather than consent to be a pirate, I don't think there are +many lads who would choose death if they were placed as you were.” + +“I am glad you think that, young un; it's always been a sore point with +me, I have done my duty since, and no one can say as he's ever seen +Sergeant Edwards show the white feather. But the thought that that once +I did not act as a brave man would have done has always troubled me.” + +The next day, as the sea went down, and the recruits recovered from the +effects of the confinement and sickness, they again began to talk among +themselves. The fact that all the other vessels of the fleet were out of +sight naturally encouraged them. Jack observed, however, that the call +to parade on deck was answered with more quickness than before, and the +exercises were gone through with a painstaking steadiness greater than +had been shown since the embarkation. When the men were dismissed from +parade Jack remarked this to the sergeant. + +“Ay, ay, lad, I noticed it too,” the sergeant said, shaking his head, +“and in my opinion it's a bad sign. They want to throw the officers +off their guard. It's a pity you have been seen talking so much to me, +because, of course, they won't say anything when you are listening; but +one or two of the men who came into the regiment with me have dropped +a word as they happened to pass this morning that they wanted to have +a word if they could get one without being noticed, so I hope to hear a +little more tonight.” + +That evening, before going below, Jack had an hour's talk with Sergeant +Edwards. + +“It's just as I thought,” the latter said, “they've got an idea of +seizing the ship. The men I spoke of managed to get a few words with me +this evening. They don't know anything about piracy. All they have heard +is that there is a proposal to seize the ship and to carry her into +one of the northern ports of Spain, where the men will land and give up +their arms to the Spanish authorities, and then either disperse and make +their way home by twos and threes as best they can, or they will take +service with the King of Spain, who, they think, will pay them a deal +better than the English government. + +“A part of the crew are in the scheme. These, the men tell me, do not +intend to land, but only tell the others that they shall sail away. +That's about what I thought would be. The greater part of these fellows +only wants to get quickly home again, while the sailors, who may want to +go abuccaneering, would not care about having the soldiers with them. +I shall give a hint to the captain of my company tonight as to what +is going on, but I don't much expect he will pay any attention to it. +Officers never believe these things till it is too late, and you see +I can't give them any names yet or prove what I say; besides, likely +enough, any inquiry set on foot would only bring the matter to a head. +We must wait till we know something sure. + +“You keep your ears open, my boy, and your eyes too, and I will do the +same. If it comes, and you see a chance of warning the captain of the +ship or the first lieutenant in time, you do it; but don't you do it if +you don't think there's time enough, or if you can't do it without being +seen. If it's too late, and you are found out, they would just chuck you +overboard or knock you on the head, and you will have done no good +after all, and perhaps only caused bloodshed. Like enough, if matters +go quietly, there won't be no bloodshed, and the officers and those who +stick to them will just be turned adrift in the boats, or maybe handed +over to the Spanish at the port they go into as prisoners.” + +Jack promised to follow the sergeant's instructions, and went below. He +thought that the men were unusually quiet, and taking his blanket--for +although some of the soldiers slept in hammocks, the majority lay on the +deck wrapped in their blankets--he lay down by the side of a gun whose +port had been opened to admit air between decks. After thinking the +matter over for some time, and wondering what would be the end of it, he +dropped off into a light sleep. + +Presently he was aroused by a confused sound. Looking round cautiously, +he saw by the dim light of the lantern that most of the men were on +their feet. Some of them were taking down their firearms from the arm +racks; small groups were stooping over some of the sleeping figures; and +to the mast, close to which one of the lanterns hung, two or three +men were bound, and two soldiers with pikes were standing by them. The +crisis, then, had come, and Jack at once proceeded to carry out the plan +he had thought out after he lay down. + +Very quietly he crawled out through the porthole, and then raised +himself and stood on the muzzle of the gun. There he could reach the +foot of the shrouds of the foremast, which happened to be immediately +above the port. He swung himself up, and, placing his hands on the edge +of the bulwark, cautiously looked over. + +At present all was quiet there; the signal from below had not been +given, and the troops on deck--for, owing to the numbers on board, +one fourth were always on deck in fine weather--were standing about or +sitting in groups. Keeping his feet on the ledge which ran round level +with the deck, and his fingers on the top of the bulwark, Jack managed +to edge his way aft until he reached the line of the quarterdeck. Here +the line of the bulwark ceased, the cabins of the officers rising, as +was usual in those days, in a double tier high about the waist. + +The nearest porthole, which was open, was but three feet long, and Jack, +reaching forward, put one hand in it and continued his way. The porthole +was but just large enough for him to squeeze through. Looking in before +he attempted it he saw an officer asleep immediately below him. It was +the ensign of his own company. Leaning in he touched him gently. After +one or two attempts, the young officer opened his eyes, saying, “What is +it? It's not morning yet.” + +“Hush, sir,” Jack said earnestly; “I am Jack Stilwell of your company. +There is a mutiny, sir, forward. Please help me in, I want to warn the +captain of the ship, and he will know what to do.” + +The young officer leaped from his bunk and assisted Jack to enter. + +“I will come with you,” he said, hastily dragging on his trousers and +coat. “Are you sure of what you say?” + +“Quite sure, sir; the noncommissioned officers are bound; it may begin +at any moment.” + +The ensign led the way to the captain's cabin, which he opened and +entered without ceremony. + +“What is it?” the captain exclaimed. The ensign said who he was, and +Jack repeated his story. + +“The dogs!” the captain said, “we will teach them a lesson. Let me see, +the second lieutenant is on duty; rouse all the other officers;” and he +himself assisted them to do so. In a minute or two they were gathered +hastily attired, with sword and pistol, in the captain's cabin. + +“Do you, Mr. Hartwell,” the captain said, addressing the first +lieutenant, “go below and rouse the boatswain and petty officers, +and bid them get together all the men they can depend upon, arm them +quietly, and be ready to rush on deck the instant a stir is heard +forward among the soldiers. Any man who disobeys orders, shoot him +instantly. Do you, sir,” he said to the second officer, “go to the +magazine with four of the midshipmen, open it and bring up charges of +grape for the guns on the quarterdeck. Be as quick as you can. Now, +gentlemen, the rest of us will make our way up quietly, one by one, +to the quarterdeck. Go well aft, so that the men in the waist will not +notice you. Directly the cartridges come up we will load the guns, and +be in readiness to slew them across the deck; and in the mean time, if +they should attack before we are ready, we must hold the ladders to the +last.” + +One by one the officers stole out from the cabin with bare feet, and +made their way up to the quarterdeck, until some thirty of them were +gathered there, being all the officers of the regiment, the naval +officers, and midshipmen. The night was a dark one, and this was +accomplished without the movement being noticed by any of those in the +waist of the ship. + + + +CHAPTER VI: A COMMISSION + + +The moments passed slowly and anxiously, for if the mutineers were to +pour up from below before the cartridges arrived and the lieutenant had +got the petty officers and men on whom they could rely ready for action, +it was improbable that the officers would be able successfully to oppose +the rush of the men, armed as these would be with matchlock and pike. + +The mutineers, however, believing that there was no occasion to hurry, +were quietly carrying out their intentions. The noncommissioned officers +had all been seized, tied, and placed under sentries, whose orders were +to pike them if they uttered a word. A strong guard had been placed at +the foot of the gangway to prevent any of the soldiers who were not in +the plan from going on deck and giving the alarm. The muskets were not +loaded, as on embarkation all ball cartridges had, as usual, been stowed +away in the magazine; but they reckoned upon obtaining possession of +this at the first rush. The ringleaders proceeded to form the men in +fours, so that they could pour on to the deck in military order. The men +of each company were told off to separate work. Two companies were to +clear the decks, where, on their appearance, they would be joined by +their comrades there, and to overpower any sailors who might offer +resistance. + +Another company was to run down and secure the magazine, and, breaking +it open, to serve out cartridges to all. Two other companies were to +rush aft and overpower the officers; the sixth and seventh were to form +round the head of the hatchway leading to the decks where the sailors +slept, and to allow only those to come on deck who had entered into the +plot. The other three companies were already on deck. The arrangements +were excellent, but the care taken in preparing for them, and the +necessity for doing this in silence lest the stir should be heard and an +alarm be given on deck, occupied time which the officers were turning to +advantage. + +As soon as the captain and naval men had gained the quarterdeck they +threw off the lashings of the guns, and had all in readiness for running +them in and taking them aft to the edge of the quarterdeck. There was +a deep sensation of relief as one after another the midshipmen joined +them, each carrying three cartridges of grape, and followed by the +gunner with four more. The lieutenant was to stay below to lead the +sailors on to the deck. + +The gunner brought a message saying that all was well. Many of +the sailors were found to have turned into their hammocks without +undressing, and to have hand pikes or cutlasses concealed beneath +the clothes. These, however, had been surprised and taken without the +slightest noise; as, on finding a lantern on one side of their heads +and a pistol on the other, each had submitted without the slightest +resistance. All these had been sent down to the hold below, and a guard +placed over them. The guns were loaded and the whole of the officers +divided among them in readiness to run them forward. Four or five +minutes passed, then a shout was heard forward and a low rush of many +feet. + +In an instant the four guns on the quarterdeck were run across. While +this was being done there was a clashing of swords, shouts, and a noise +of conflict heard forward, and at the same time a loud cheer arose, +while from the after hatchway a dark body of men rushed up on to the +deck and formed across it. Some midshipmen, who had been told off for +the duty, ran up from the officers' cabin with lighted lanterns, which +were ranged along at the edge of the quarterdeck. + +There was a rush aft of the mutineers, but these recoiled astonished at +the sight of the pikes which confronted them, and the line of sailors +four deep across the deck, while at the same moment the light of the +lanterns showed them the officers on the quarterdeck, and the four +guns pointed threateningly toward them. For a moment a silence of +astonishment and dismay succeeded the uproar which had preceded it, then +the captain's voice was heard: + +“Down with your arms, you mutinous dogs, or I will blow you into the +air. It is useless to resist. We are prepared for you, and you are +without ammunition. Throw down the arms on the decks, every man of you, +before I count three, or I fire. One--two--” + +There was a loud clattering of arms, mingled with shouts of--“We +surrender; don't fire, sir, don't fire.” + +“It's all over,” the captain said grimly. “Mr. Hartwell, march your men +forward, shoot any scoundrel instantly whom you find with arms in his +hands, collect all the weapons and bring them aft. + +“Now, Colonel Clifford,” he said, turning to the officer in command of +the regiment, “if you go below with the officers, you can unloose the +noncommissioned officers; they will be able to point out to you the +ringleaders in this business. They had better be ironed at once and put +into the hold. You will have no more trouble now, I fancy.” + +In ten minutes the whole of the arms had been collected and stored +up, the noncommissioned officers had pointed out some twenty of the +ringleaders, and these were safely in irons below, while a strong guard +of armed sailors was placed between decks to see that there was no +renewal of insubordinate conduct. There was, however, no fear of this; +the men were thoroughly cowed and humiliated by the failure of their +plan, and each was occupied only in hoping that he had not been +sufficiently conspicuous to be handed over in the morning to join the +prisoners below. + +There was no more sleep that night on board the ship. After breakfast +two courts martial were held, the one by the naval, the other by the +military officers. The latter sentenced two men, who were convicted +on the testimony of the noncommissioned officers as having been the +leaders, to be hung, and the sentence was at once carried out. The +regiment was formed in close order on deck unarmed and witnessed the +execution of their comrades, who were hung up to the extremities of +the main yard. The other prisoners were sentenced to two hundred lashes +apiece--a punishment which was, according to the ideas of the time, +very lenient, such a punishment being frequently administered for +comparatively trifling offenses, and the prisoners considered themselves +fortunate in escaping hanging, for which, indeed, they had prepared +themselves. + +Previous to the administration of their punishment the colonel addressed +the men, and told them that all the ringleaders had been found guilty +and sentenced to death, but that the members of the court martial had +agreed with him that, considering the youth and inexperience of the +offenders and the whole circumstances of the case, it would be possible +to remit the death sentence, confident that the prisoners and the whole +of the regiment would recognize the leniency with which they had +been treated, and would return to their duty with a firm and hearty +determination to do all in their power to atone for their misconduct, +and to show themselves true and worthy soldiers of the queen. If this +was the case, no further notice would be taken of the error; but at the +same time he warned them that he had by him a long list of men who had +taken a prominent part in the affair, and that the first time any of +these misconducted themselves they might be well assured that no mercy +would be shown to them. + +The naval court martial showed no greater severity than that +administered by the military officers. The vessel was short handed, and +moreover the officers did not wish the stigma to attach to the ship of +a serious mutiny among the crew. Had any of these been hung, the matter +must have been reported; but as none of the crew had absolutely taken +part in the rising, however evident it was that they intended to do +so, no sentences of death were passed. But a number of the men were +sentenced to be flogged more or less severely, those who had but lately +been pressed getting off with comparatively light punishments, while +the heaviest sentences were passed on the older hands concerned in the +affair. + +The arms of the troops continued to be kept under a strong guard until, +ten days later, the rest of the fleet were seen, just as the northern +point of Portugal was made out. A few hours later the fleet was united; +and the next day, the wind dying entirely away, Colonel Clifford +proceeded in a boat to the flagship to report to the Earl of +Peterborough the mutiny which had taken place in his regiment, and its +successful suppression. + +Immediately the mutiny had been put down Jack Stilwell had stolen away +and rejoined the soldiers forward; and although there was much wonder +among the men as to how the affair had been discovered, none suspected +him of having betrayed them, and believed that the officers must have +been warned by some word incautiously let drop in their hearing. Only to +Sergeant Edwards did Jack reveal what had taken place. + +“Do you know, lad, I guessed as you had had a hand in the business +somehow. When I was standing tied up against the mast I had to keep my +mouth shut; but I had the use of my eyes, and I could not make you out +among them. I might have missed you, of course; but your company was +formed up close to where I was standing, and I thought I should have +seen you if you had been there. I could not think what had become of +you; but when the men came pouring down again without their arms, and I +heard them cursing and swearing because the sailors and the officers and +all was found in readiness to receive them, it somehow came to my mind +as that you was at the bottom of it--though how, I could not for the +life of me make out, for I knew you had gone below when I did.” + +“I wish, sergeant, that when you are examined, as you will be about this +affair, you will ask Captain Curtis to ask the colonel not to let it +be known publicly that it was I who warned him, for my life would +be unbearable among the men if they knew it. And if it didn't happen +before, it would be certain that the first time we went into action I +should get a bullet in my back.” + +“You are right there, my lad. I will tell the captain. You may be sure +your conduct won't be overlooked; but at present, as you say, the less +said about it the better.” + +An hour after Colonel Clifford had gone on board the flagship the boat +returned with orders that Private Stilwell, of D Company, was to go back +with them. The order was given to Captain Curtis, who sent first for +Sergeant Edwards. + +“Go forward, sergeant, and tell Stilwell that he is to go on board the +flagship. No doubt the colonel has spoken to the general. Tell the lad +apart, and let him make his way aft here to the gangway quietly, so that +he won't be noticed. If any of the men happen to see him going off in +the boat, they may suppose that the colonel has only sent for some man +who can write; and naturally if the captain had ordered me to choose a +man, I should have picked him out.” + +On reaching the deck of the flagship Jack was conducted to the admiral's +cabin. At the head of the table was seated a man whom Jack recognized +at once, from the description he had heard of him, as the Earl of +Peterborough. He was small and very spare in person, his features were +pleasant, his nose somewhat prominent, his eye lively and penetrating. +He had laid aside the immense wig which, in accordance with the custom, +he wore when abroad or at court in England; and Jack saw his hair, which +was light brown and somewhat scanty. The admiral of the fleet sat next +to him; for although Peterborough had the command of the expedition +both at land and sea, an admiral was in command of the fleet under him. +Colonel Clifford was seated on the earl's left, and several other naval +and military officers were at the table. + +“Well, young man,” Peterborough said, “Colonel Clifford has been telling +us that it is due to you that I have not a regiment the less under my +orders, and that her majesty has not lost a ship from the list of her +navy. He says that the whole thing was so quickly done that he has +not been able to learn the full particulars from you, and that he has +abstained from questioning you because you did not wish any suspicion +to be excited among the men of the part you played in it. Now, please to +tell me the whole history of the affair.” + +Jack thereupon related how his suspicions had been aroused by Sergeant +Edwards, who was only waiting for sufficient opportunity and a certainty +of information to divulge the plot to the officers. He then related +his awaking as the mutiny began, and the steps he had taken to warn the +officers. When he had done, the earl said: + +“You have acted smartly and well, young man; you have shown promptness, +courage, and fidelity. You speak above your rank. What is your +parentage?” + +“My father was a clergyman, sir,” Jack said, “but being dispossessed of +his living in the troubles, could not make his case known on the return +of King Charles; but he supported himself by teaching, and gave me such +education as he could, in hope that I too should enter the ministry. +But my thoughts did not incline that way; and when he died, and also my +mother, I thought of going to sea, when it happened that I was pressed +for a soldier. And seeing that it was so, I made up my mind to make the +best of things.” + +“And you have done so, young man; and right glad am I that your +education and parentage are such that I can reward you as I should wish. +I give you a discharge now from your regiment and appoint you ensign. +You will at present form one of my staff; and glad am I to have so +dashing and able a young officer ready to hand for any perilous service +I may require.” + +On the 20th of June the fleet sailed up the Tagus. + +Jack had not returned on board his ship. + +“Better stop here,” the earl said. “If you went back, and they heard you +were promoted, likely enough some of them might toss you overboard on +a dark night. We will set the tailors at once to work to rig you up an +undress uniform. You can get a full dress made at Lisbon. Not that you +will be wanting to wear that much, for we have come out for rough work; +still, when we ride triumphantly into any town we have taken, it is as +well to make a good impression upon the Spanish donnas. And, say what +they will, fine feathers go a long way toward making fine birds. Do you +write a good hand?” + +“I think I write a pretty fair one, sir.” + +“That is good. I write a crabbed stick myself, and there's nothing I +hate more than writing; and as for these young gentlemen, I don't think +they will be of much use for that sort of thing. However, I shan't have +a great deal of it. But you shall act as my secretary when necessary.” + +The earl's orders to the tailors were peremptory to lose no time in +fitting Jack with an undress suit, and in twenty-four hours he was able +to join the mess of the young officers and volunteers who accompanied +the general. These were all young men of good family; and having heard +how Jack had saved the ship from mutiny, they received him among them +with great heartiness, which was increased when they found that he was +well educated and the son of a gentleman. + +It was a great satisfaction to Jack, that owing to the kindness and +generosity of the earl, he was able to pay his expenses at mess and to +live on equal terms with them; for the general had dropped a purse with +a hundred guineas into his hand, saying: + +“This will be useful to you, lad, for you must live like the other +officers. I owe it to you many times over for having saved me that +regiment, upon whose equipment and fitting out I had spent well nigh a +hundred times that sum.” + +Some of the officers were but little older than Jack, and by the time +the ship dropped anchor in the Tagus he was quite at home with them. + +“What a lovely city!” he said as he leaned over the bulwark and looked +at the town standing on the steep hills sloping down to the river. + +“Yes, indeed,” Graham, one of the young officers, agreed. “But I fancy +the Portuguese are but poor creatures. The Earl of Galway writes in his +dispatches that they are great at promises, but he finds he can expect +little assistance from them.” + +“Have you any idea whether we are going to land here?” + +“No; wherever we land, you may be sure it won't be here. The Earl of +Galway has been here two or three months, and he has some good regiments +with him. Our chief would be losing his position did we land here, as +he has a separate command, and would of course be under Galway if the +forces were joined. The Dutch fleet is to be here in a day or two, and +the Archduke Charles sailed a fortnight before we did; and as we have +made a very slow voyage of it, he ought to have been here long ago. What +a talk there will be! What with the archduke, and the Portuguese, and +the Dutch, and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and the Earls of Galway +and Peterborough, and probably every one of them with his own ideas and +opinions, it will be hard to come to any arrangement. Besides there will +be dispatches from the British court, and the court of the Netherlands, +and the Austrian emperor, all of whom will probably differ as to what +is the best thing to be done. There will be a nice to do altogether. +There's one thing to be said, our chief can out talk them all; and he +can say such disagreeable things when he likes that he will be likely +to get his own way, if it's only to get rid of him. There goes his boat +into the water. What an impatient fellow he is, to be sure.” + +No sooner had Peterborough landed than he turned all his energies to +obtain the supplies which had been denied to him at home, and after much +difficulty he succeeded in borrowing a hundred thousand pounds from +a Jew named Curtisos on treasury bills on Lord Godolphin, with the +condition that the lender should be given the contract for the supply of +provisions and other requisites for the army. The day that the earl had +carried out this arrangement he returned on board radiant. Hitherto +he had been terribly out of temper, and Jack, who had become his +amanuensis, had written at his dictation many very sharp notes to every +one with whom he had come in contact. As soon as he came on board he +sent for Jack to his cabin. + +“Sit down, Mr. Stilwell. I have a dispatch for you to write to the lord +treasurer. I have got my money, so that difficulty is at an end. It is +glorious! I couldn't get a penny out of them before I sailed, now I have +got as much as I want. I would give a thousand guineas out of my own +pocket to see Godolphin's face when he reads my dispatch, and finds that +he's got to honor bills for a hundred thousand pounds; it will be better +than any comedy that ever was acted. How the pompous old owl will fret +and fume! But he will have to find the money for all that. He can't +begin the campaign by dishonoring bills of her majesty's general, or no +one would trust us hereafter. You haven't seen my lord treasurer, Mr. +Stilwell?” + +“No, sir, I have not been at court at all.” + +“That's a pity,” the earl said; “for you lose the cream of the joke. +Now, I shall go on shore tomorrow and get everything that is wanted, and +then the sooner we are off the better; we have been here a fortnight, +and I am sick of the place.” + +Jack was by no means sick of Lisbon, for he enjoyed himself vastly. The +town was full of troops--English, Dutch, and Portuguese. Of an evening +there were fetes and galas of all kinds, and as the earl always attended +these, Jack and the other young officers were permitted to go ashore +either in full uniform to take part in the fetes, or to enjoy themselves +according to their fancies. + +As Graham had predicted, it was some time before any conclusion was +arrived at as to the destination of the fleet. Several councils were +held, but no decision was come to. Peterborough's orders were so vague +that he could use his own discretion. He had, indeed, been recommended +to prevail upon the Archduke Charles to accompany him and to proceed +to Italy, where he was to form a junction with Victor Amadeus, Duke of +Savoy, who was sorely pressed by the armies of France. + +A messenger, however, arrived by sea with an order from the queen that +the fleet should proceed to the coast of Catalonia, in consequence of +information which had been sent to the British court of the favorable +disposition of the Catalans toward the Archduke Charles. This was in +accordance with the counsel which the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had been +strenuously urging, and his recent success in the capture and +subsequent defense of Gibraltar gave weight to his words and effaced the +recollection of his failure before Barcelona in the previous year. + +The final decision rested in a great measure with the Archduke Charles, +who at last decided to proceed with Lord Peterborough and land upon the +coast of Spain and test the disposition of his Valencian and Catalan +subjects. The reasons for Peterborough's falling in with the decision to +move on Barcelona are explained in a dispatch which he dictated to Sir +George Rooke on the 20th of July. + +“Upon the letter of my Lord Godolphin and the secretary of state, +the King of Spain, his ministers, and my Lord Galway and myself have +concluded there was no other attempt to be made but upon Catalonia, +where all advices agree that six thousand men and twelve hundred horse +are ready expecting our arrival with a general goodwill of all the +people. The Portuguese have entirely refused to join in any design +against Cadiz, and by a copy of my Lord Galway's letter you will find he +is in an utter despair of their attempting anything this year, and that +by our instructions it will appear that there is no other enterprise +left for our choice.” + +Peterborough's military force was, however, wholly insufficient for such +an enterprise. He prevailed upon Lord Galway to give him a part of Lord +Raby's and General Cunningham's regiments of English dragoons, although +the Portuguese strenuously opposed this being done. Their conduct, +indeed, at this time was very similar to that which they adopted a +hundred years later toward the Duke of Wellington, throwing every +conceivable obstacle in the English commander's way, and opposing every +plan of action which he suggested. Many of the dragoons were without +horses, but Lord Peterborough mounted them on animals which he bought +with some of the money he had procured from Curtisos. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt went on ahead to Gibraltar to arrange for +a portion of the garrison to accompany the expedition. On the 28th of +July the Archduke Charles embarked with Lord Peterborough on board the +Ranelagh, and an hour later the fleet put to sea. Off Tangiers they were +joined by the squadron under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and a few days later +they reached the Bay of Gibraltar. + +Here they found that the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had arranged that +the battalion of the guards, with three other veteran regiments that had +borne part in the gallant defense of the fortress, were to be embarked, +and two of the newly raised corps Lord Peterborough had brought out from +England were to take their place in the garrison. The regiment to which +Jack had belonged was one of these. As soon as he heard the news he took +the first opportunity of speaking to the earl. + +“I have a favor to ask, sir.” + +“What is that, lad?” + +“It is, sir, that Sergeant Edwards, who, if you remember, advised me +about warning the officers of the mutiny, should be transferred to one +of the regiments coming on board.” + +“Certainly, my lad; I had not forgotten him. I truly wish that he had +sufficient education to give him a commission. I sent to inquire of his +colonel, but finding that he could not read or write, and that he would +be out of place among the officers, I could not do it; but I will gladly +take him with us on active service. It would be hard on a good soldier +to be left behind with that mutinous set of rascals.” + +Jack had already heard from Sergeant Edwards, whom he had met several +times on shore at Lisbon, and who had rejoiced most heartily at his +promotion, that Lord Peterborough had sent him, through the colonel, a +purse of fifty guineas as a reward for his conduct. + +Jack immediately proceeded in a boat to his old vessel, with an order +from the earl that the sergeant should be at once transferred into one +of the regiments coming on board. The sergeant was delighted, for orders +had already been received for the regiment to disembark and form part of +the garrison. + +An hour later the Archduke Charles landed, amid the thunder of the +guns of the fleet and fortress, for here for the first time he was +acknowledged as and received the honor due to the King of Spain. There +was but little delay--Lord Peterborough's energy hurried every one else +forward, and on the 5th of August the fleet again put to sea, the king +and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt accompanying it. + +The winds were contrary, and it was not till the 11th that they anchored +in Altea Bay, at the mouth of the Guadalaviar, on the Valencian coast. +On the other side of the roadstead stood the castle and village of +Denia. The expedition was received with good will by the people, who +hated the ascendency of France at Madrid and were bitterly jealous of +Castile. + +As soon as the fleet anchored Peterborough caused a manifesto to be +distributed among the people disclaiming any idea of aggrandizement on +the part of Great Britain or her allies, or any intention of injuring +the persons or property of Spaniards who were the lawful subjects of +King Charles III. + +“We come,” said he, “to free you from the insupportable yoke of the +government of foreigners, and from the slavery to which you have been +reduced and sold to France by ill designing persons.” + +Several of the Spanish followers of the king landed to encourage the +people, among them General Basset y Ramos, an active officer who was a +Valencian by birth. The people rapidly assembled from the surrounding +country and lined the shore shouting “Long live King Charles III!” + +Abundant supplies of provisions were sent off to the fleet, for which, +however, Peterborough insisted upon liberal payment being made. + +A detachment of British infantry was landed to cover the operation of +watering the fleet. The insurrection spread rapidly, and a thousand of +the peasants seized the town of Denia for the king. A frigate and two +bomb vessels crossed the bay and threatened the castle. This, although a +magnificent pile of building, was but weakly fortified, and after a few +shots had been fired it surrendered, and General Ramos with four hundred +regular troops from the fleet landed and took possession, and amid +the enthusiasm of the population Charles III was for the first time on +Spanish ground proclaimed King of Spain and of the Indies. + +The Earl of Peterborough now proposed a plan of the most brilliant and +daring kind, and had his advice been taken the war would probably have +terminated in a very short time, by securely seating Charles III upon +the Spanish throne. Madrid was distant but fifty leagues from Altea +Bay. Requena was the only town of strength that lay in the way; the rich +country would have afforded ample provision and means of transport, +and these the friendly portion of the people would have placed at the +disposal of the army. + +In the whole of Central Spain there was no force which could oppose +him. All the troops of Philip were either on the frontier of Portugal or +occupying the disaffected cities of the north. At Madrid there were but +a few troops of horse; in a week then, and possibly without shedding a +drop of blood, Charles might have been proclaimed king in the capital of +Spain. The plan was, of course, not without danger. Marshal Tesse, with +an overwhelming force, would threaten the left of the advancing army, +and the garrisons of the northern cities, if united, could march with +equal superiority of force upon its right; but Tesse would be followed +by Lord Galway and the allied and Portuguese army, while Barcelona and +the other strongholds of Catalonia would rise if their garrisons were +withdrawn. + +Even in the case of failure Peterborough could have retired safely +through Valencia and have re-embarked on board the fleet, or could have +marched to Gibraltar. The scheme was at once daring and judicious, +but the Archduke Charles was slow and timid, and was controlled by the +advice of his even slower and more cautious German advisers, and neither +argument nor entreaty on the part of Peterborough could suffice to move +him. The earl was in despair at so brilliant an opportunity being thrown +away, and expressed himself with the greatest of bitterness in his +letters home as to the impossibility of carrying out movements when +embarrassed by the presence of the king and by the incapacity of the +king's advisers. + +However, finding that nothing could be done he re-embarked his troops, +and the fleet sailed for Barcelona. It was not however, thought probable +that a successful attempt could be made upon so strongly fortified +a city, and it was determined that if upon inspection the chances of +success should appear slight, the fleet and army should at once proceed, +as originally intended, to the assistance of the Duke of Savoy. + + + +CHAPTER VII: BARCELONA + + +The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, +is not naturally a place of great strength. It is situated on a plain +close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very +formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train. To hold +them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the +defense. The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force +of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against +an army vastly exceeding their own numbers. Ten bastions and some old +towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city +and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered +way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of +Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city. + +From the center of the sea face a mole projected into the water, +guarding a small harbor. The country round the town was fertile and +beautiful, carefully cultivated and watered by streams flowing from the +neighboring mountains. At the distance of about a league from the shore +the land rises into an amphitheater of hills thickly dotted with small +towns, villages, and country seats. + +As soon as the allied fleet had anchored the garrison commenced a +cannonade from the mole and from a battery close to the sea upon some +of the transports nearest to the shore; but their shot did not reach the +vessels, and the fire soon ceased. The east wind, however, proved more +troublesome than the enemy's fire, and the ships rolled heavily from the +sea which came in from the east. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt with two frigates put into the harbor of +Mataro for the purpose of obtaining intelligence. He found that in the +neighboring town of Vich the people had risen for King Charles, and +putting himself in communication with their leaders he advised them to +march upon the coast and cooperate with the forces about to land. On his +way to rejoin the fleet the prince chased two Neapolitan galleys, which +managed to get safely into Barcelona. + +They had on board the Duke and Duchess of Popoli, M. d'Abary, a French +officer of distinction, and forty other young gentlemen, partisans of +the Duke d'Anjou, and destined for employment in different parts of +Spain. They were now, however, detained in the city by the governor to +assist in its defense. + +The first glance into the state of affairs gave the Earl of Peterborough +such an unfavorable impression that he at once objected to the proposed +attack. + +The governor, Don Francisco Velasco, was a brave and distinguished +officer, the garrison equaled his own force in numbers, the town was +well supplied with provisions and stores, and, in order to add to the +difficulties of the besiegers, orders had been given to destroy all the +forage in the surrounding country which could not be conveyed within +the walls. Any Austrian sympathies the inhabitants might possess were +effectually suppressed by the power and vigilance of the governor. +The besieging army was far too small to attempt a blockade, while the +chances of an assault upon an equal force behind well armed defenses +seemed almost desperate. + +The engineers declared that the difficulties of a regular siege were +enormous, if not insurmountable, and that the only vulnerable point +was covered by a bog, where the transport of cannon or the formation +of works would be impossible. Above all, the principal hope of the +expedition had failed. The adherents of Charles had assured him that the +whole country would rise in his favor on the arrival of the fleet, and +that the town itself would probably open its gates to receive him. These +promises had, like all others he had received from his Spanish friends, +proved delusive. Few of the peasantry appeared to receive them on the +coast, and these were unarmed and without officers. + +The earl's instructions, although generally quite indefinite, were +stringent upon one point. He was on no account to make the slightest +alteration in the plans of the expedition, or to take any decisive step +for their accomplishment, without the advice of the council of war. This +would have been in any case embarrassing for a general; in the present +instance it was calculated altogether to cripple him. There was but +little harmony among the chief officers. The English military officers +were by no means on good terms with each other, while the naval officers +regarded almost as an insult Lord Peterborough's being placed in command +of them. The English hated the German officers and despised the Dutch. +Lord Peterborough himself disliked almost all his associates, and +entertained a profound contempt for any one whose opinion might differ +from that which he at the moment might happen to hold. + +It was impossible that good could come from a council of war composed +of such jarring elements as these. However, Lord Peterborough's +instructions were positive, and on the 16th of August, 1705, he convened +a council of war on board the Britannia, consisting of nine generals and +a brigadier, with two colonels on the staff. The king and the Prince +of Hesse Darmstadt were present, but took no part in the deliberations. +Singularly enough the council proved unanimous in their opinion that +Barcelona should not be attacked. The reasons for the decision were +drawn up and put on record. The council pointed out all the difficulties +which existed, and declared the strength of the allied army to be only +nineteen battalions of foot and two cavalry regiments, of whom no more +than seven thousand men were fit for action, and only one hundred and +twenty dragoon horses had survived the voyage in serviceable condition. + +The decision of the council was most opposed to the hopes and wishes of +Charles and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and they addressed letters +of strong remonstrance to Lord Peterborough, urging that to abandon the +expedition at this juncture would be alike fatal to the common cause and +discreditable to the British arms. + +Meanwhile, however, the greater part of the troops had landed without +opposition; but the sea broke with such force on the beach that much +difficulty had been experienced in getting ashore. The landing place had +been well chosen by Lord Peterborough and Sir Cloudesley Shovel. It +was about two miles east of the city, near a place called Badalona, and +close to the mouth of the little river Basoz. The transports were +moored in as close as possible, and the boats of the fleet carried three +thousand men ashore each trip. + +In five hours fifteen battalions were landed without the loss of a man. +A strong natural position about a mile from the city was chosen for the +encampment; its left rested on the sea, its right was covered by several +abrupt hills and defiles through which the river Basoz flowed. The front +was, however, much extended, but this mattered the less, as the people +from the neighboring villages began to assemble when the landing took +place, and welcomed the allies of King Charles with joy. A number of +these were employed by Lord Peterborough in guarding the advanced posts +and covering the numerous roads leading from the city toward the camp. + +On the 22d another council of war was held at the Dutch General +Schratenbach's quarters in the camp to consider two letters of the +king, in which he again urged the allied generals to attack the city. +He proposed that a battery of fifty guns should be erected to breach +the wall between two of the bastions, and that the whole strength of the +army should be thrown upon an assault. He acknowledged the force of the +several objections to the attack, but urged that in such a case vigorous +action was the safest. He dwelt upon the ruin that must fall upon such +of his subjects as had declared for him if abandoned to their fate, and +concluded by declaring that he at least would not desert them. + +The appeal failed to move any of the council with the exception of +Peterborough himself, and he alone voted, although in opposition to his +own judgment, in compliance with the king's plan. Notwithstanding the +adverse decision of the council the horses and dragoons were landed on +the 24th. + +On the 25th, the 26th, and the 28th the council again assembled to +deliberate upon an earnest request of the king that they should attempt +the siege for a period of eighteen days. The first decision was adverse, +two only voting with Lord Peterborough for the siege. At the second +council, his influence succeeded in obtaining a majority; but at the +third, they agreed to abandon the attempt, even the commander in chief +concurring. + +The cause of this sudden reversal of their opinion was that none of the +workmen whom they had demanded from the leaders of the Catalan peasantry +had appeared, and they felt it impossible to carry on the works and +erect the siege batteries without such assistance. Nevertheless +the peasantry gave effectual aid in landing the artillery, tents, +ammunition, and stores. On the 28th the king landed amid a great +concourse of people, who received him with every demonstration of +enthusiasm, and he could with difficulty make his way through them to +the camp prepared for him near San Martino. + +The presence of the king on shore added to the difficulties of the +situation. He and his following of German courtiers complained bitterly +of the disinclination of the allies to undertake the siege, while +the allies were incensed against those who reproached them for not +undertaking impossibilities. Dissension spread between the allies +themselves, and the Dutch general declared that he would disobey the +orders of the commander in chief rather than vainly sacrifice his men. + +Peterborough was driven nearly out of his mind by the reproaches and +recrimination to which he was exposed, and the quarrels which took place +around him. He was most anxious to carry out his instructions, and as +far as possible to defer to the opinion of Charles, but he was also +bound by the decisions of the councils of war, which were exactly +opposite to the wishes of the king. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt enraged him by insisting that fifteen +hundred disorderly peasants whom he had raised were an army, and should +be paid as regular soldiers from the military chest, while they would +submit to no discipline and refused to labor in the trenches, and an +open rupture took place, when the prince, in his vexation at the results +of the councils of war, even went so far as to accuse the earl of having +used secret influence to thwart the enterprise. + +To add to the difficulties of the commander in chief the English +troops were loud in their complaints against him for having landed +and committed them to this apparently hopeless enterprise; but they +nevertheless clamored to be led against the town, that they might not be +said to have “come like fools and gone like cowards.” + +Lord Peterborough confided his trouble and vexation freely to his young +secretary. Jack was sincerely attached to his generous and eccentric +chief, and the general was gratified by the young officer's readiness at +all times and hours to come to him and write from his dictation the +long letters and dispatches which he sent home. He saw, too, that he +was thoroughly trustworthy, and could be relied upon to keep absolute +silence as to the confidences which he made him. + +In the midst of all these quarrels and disputes the siege was carried +on in a languid manner. A battery of fifty heavy guns, supplied by the +ships and manned by seamen, was placed upon a rising ground flanked +by two deep ravines, and on several of the adjacent hills batteries of +light field guns had been raised. Three weeks were consumed in these +comparatively unimportant operations, and no real advance toward the +capture of the place had been effected. Something like a blockade, +however, had been established, for the Catalan peasants guarded +vigilantly every approach to the town. + +The officers of the fleet were no less discontented than their brethren +on shore at the feeble conduct of the siege, and had they been consulted +they would have been in favor of a direct attack upon the city with +scaling ladders, as if they had been about to board a hostile ship. +But Peterborough and his officers were well aware that such an attack +against a city defended by a superior force would be simple madness, and +even an attack by regular approaches, with the means and labor at their +disposal, would have had no chance of success. But while all on shore +and in the fleet were chafing at the slowness and hopelessness of the +siege, Jack Stilwell was alone aware that the commander in chief did not +share in the general despair of any good arising from the operations. + +Lord Peterborough had little communication with the other generals; but, +alone in his tent with Jack and an interpreter, he occupied himself +from morning till night in examining peasants and spies as to every +particular of the fortifications of the city, of the ground near to the +walls, and of the habits and proceedings of the garrison. At last he +resolved upon an attempt which, in its daring and enterprise, is almost +without parallel. Indeed its only hope of success lay in its boldness, +for neither friend nor foe could anticipate that it would be attempted. +It was no less than the surprise of the citadel of Montjuich. + +This formidable stronghold covered the weakest part of the defenses, +that toward the southwest, and far exceeded in strength any other part +of the lines. It had been most skillfully designed. The ditches were +deep, and the walls firm; the outworks skillfully planned; the batteries +well armed, and the inner defenses formidable in themselves. It was, +in fact, by far the strongest point in the position of the besieged. +Standing on a commanding height, it was abundantly capable of defense +even against a regular siege, and its reduction was always regarded as +a most formidable enterprise, to be undertaken at leisure after the +capture of the town. Its only weakness lay in the fact that surrounding +it on every side were numerous ravines and hollows, which would afford +concealment to an assailant, and that trusting to the extraordinary +strength of their position the garrison of Montjuich might neglect +proper precautions. + +One morning before daybreak the earl, accompanied only by Jack and a +native guide, left the camp on foot, having laid aside their uniforms +and put on the attire of peasants, so that the glitter of their +accouterments might not attract the attention of the enemy's outposts. +Making a long detour they approached the castle, and ascending one of +the ravines gained a point where, themselves unseen, they could mark all +particulars of the fortifications. Having carried out his purpose the +earl returned to camp with his companion without his absence having been +observed. The observations which Peterborough had made confirmed the +reports of the peasants, that the garrison kept but a negligent watch, +and he at once resolved upon making the attempt; but to none of his most +intimate friends did he give the slightest hint of his intentions. + +To disguise his views he called councils of war both in the camp and +fleet, wherein it was resolved, with his full consent, that the siege of +Barcelona should be abandoned, and that the army should be immediately +re-embarked and conveyed to Italy. Accordingly the heavy artillery was +conveyed on board ship, the warlike stores collected, and the troops +warned to be ready for embarkation. A storm of reproaches was poured +upon the earl by Charles and his courtiers. The officers of the fleet +protested openly, declaring that an assault ought to be attempted, and +that it was too late in the season to attempt operations elsewhere. + +To Jack's surprise his commander, usually so hasty, irritable, and +passionate, bore with the greatest calmness and patience the reproaches +and accusations to which he was exposed. No one dreamed that behind +these preparations for embarkation any plan of attack was hidden. + +On the 13th of September the army received orders to embark on the +morrow, while within the town the garrison and the inhabitants, who +were, or pretended to be, well affected to the Bourbons held high +rejoicing at the approaching departure. + +On the afternoon of that day a detachment of English and Dutch troops +twelve hundred strong was ordered to assemble in the allied camp for the +purpose, as was supposed, of covering the embarkation. Scaling ladders +and everything necessary for an assault had already been privately +prepared by the Catalan peasants under Peterborough's instructions. + +About six o'clock in the evening four hundred grenadiers of the party +assembled under the command of Hon. Colonel Southwell, and were ordered +to march by the Serria road, as if en route to Taragona to meet the +fleet and embark in that harbor. The remainder of the detachment +followed in support at some little distance. At nightfall the Prince of +Hesse Darmstadt was surprised by Lord Peterborough's entrance into his +quarters. Since their rupture all intercourse had ceased between them. + +“I have determined,” the earl said, “to make this night an attack upon +the enemy. You may now, if you please, be a judge of our behavior, and +see whether my officers and soldiers really deserve the bad character +which you of late have so readily imputed to them.” He then explained +that the troops were already on their march to Montjuich. + +The prince immediately ordered his horse, and the two gallant but +impulsive and singular men rode off, followed only by Jack Stillwell and +the prince's aide de camp. At ten o'clock they overtook the troops, and +Peterborough ordered a total change of route, he himself leading. + +The roads were winding, narrow, and difficult. For a great part of the +way there was only room for the men to march in single file. The night +was very dark, and the detachment many hours on the march, so that +daylight was just breaking when they reached the foot of the hill on +which the fort of Montjuich stood. + +The troops under Peterborough's command now perceived the object of +their march, and imagined that they would be led to the attack before +the day had fairly broke; but the general had well considered the +subject, and had determined to avoid the risk and confusion of a night +assault. He called his officers together and explained to them why he +did not mean to attack till broad daylight. + +His examination of the place had shown him that the ditches could be +crossed, no palisades or barriers having been erected. He had noticed, +too, that the inner works were not sufficiently high to enable their +guns properly to command the outer works should these be carried by an +enemy. He had therefore determined to carry the outworks by assault, +judging that if he captured them the inner works could not long resist. +In case of a reverse, or to enable him to take advantage of success, he +told them that he had ordered Brigadier General Stanhope to march during +the night with a thousand infantry and the handful of cavalry to a +convent lying halfway between the camp and the city, and there to hold +himself in reserve. + +Peterborough now silently and coolly completed his arrangements for the +assault. He divided the body of troops into three parties; the first of +these, two hundred and eighty strong, were to attack the bastion facing +the town, which was the strongest part of the defense. He himself and +the Prince of Hesse accompanied this party. A lieutenant and thirty men +formed the advance, a captain and fifty more were the support, and the +remaining two hundred men were to form in the rear. + +The orders were that they should push forward in spite of the enemy's +fire, leap into the ditch, drive the garrison before them, and if +possible enter the works with them; but, if not, to obtain at least +a firm footing on the outer defenses. The second party, similar in +strength and formation, under the command of the Hon. Colonel Southwell, +were to attack an unfinished demibastion on the extreme western point +of the fort and furthermost from the town. The remainder of the little +force, under a Dutch colonel, were to be held in reserve, and to assist +wherever they might be most useful. They occupied a position somewhat +in rear of and halfway between the two parties who were to make the +assault. + +Soon after daylight Peterborough gave the order to advance, and in the +highest spirits, and in excellent order, the soldiers pushed up the +hill toward the fort. Some irregular Spanish troops were the first to +perceive them. These fired a hasty volley at the British troops as they +ascended the crest and then retreated into the fort. Seizing their arms +the garrison rushed to the ramparts and manned them in time to receive +the assailants with a sharp fire. The grenadiers who formed the leading +party did not hesitate for a moment, but leaped into the unfinished +ditch, clambered up the outer rampart, and with pike and bayonet +attacked the defenders. + +The captain's detachment speedily joined them. The defenders gave way, +broke, and fled, and in wild confusion both parties rushed into the +bastion. Peterborough and the prince with their two hundred men followed +them quickly and in perfect order, and were soon masters of the bastion. +The earl at once set his men to work to throw up a breastwork to cover +them from the guns of the inner works; and as there was plenty of +materials collected just at this spot for the carrying out of some +extensive repairs, they were able to put themselves under cover before +the enemy opened fire upon them. + +The attention of the garrison was wholly occupied by this sudden and +unexpected attack, and the Prince della Torrella, a Neapolitan officer +in temporary command of the fort, ordered all his force to oppose the +assailants. This was what Peterborough had expected. He at once sent +orders to Colonel Southwell to commence his attack upon the now almost +undefended west bastion. The order was promptly obeyed. At the first +rush the ditch was passed, the rampart gained, the outer walls scaled, +and three guns taken without the loss of a man. + +The defenders hastened at once to meet this new danger. They opened a +heavy fire upon the British, and sallying out, endeavored to retake the +outer rampart with the bayonet. A desperate contest ensued; but though +many of the English officers and soldiers fell, they would not yield +a foot of the position they had captured. Colonel Southwell, a man of +great personal strength and daring, was in the struggle three times +surrounded by the enemy; but each time he cut his way out in safety. + +The sally was at last repulsed, and the English intrenched their +position and turned their captured guns against the fort. While both the +assaulting columns were occupied in intrenching themselves there was a +lull in the battle. The besieged could not venture to advance against +either, as they would have been exposed to the fire of the other, and to +the risk of a flank attack. + +Peterborough exerted himself to the utmost. He ordered up the thousand +men under General Stanhope and made prodigious exertions to get some +guns and mortars into position upon the newly won ramparts. + +Great was the consternation and astonishment in Barcelona when a loud +roar of musketry broke out round the citadel, and Velasco, the governor, +was thunderstruck to find himself threatened in this vital point by an +enemy whose departure he had, the evening before, been celebrating. The +assembly was sounded, and the church bells pealed out the alarm. + +The troops ran to their places of assembly, the fortifications round the +town were manned, and a body of four hundred mounted grenadiers under +the Marquis de Risbourg hurried off to the succor of Montjuich. The earl +had been sure that such a movement would be made. He could not spare men +from his own scanty force to guard the roads between the city and the +castle, but he had posted a number of the armed Spanish peasants who +were in the pay of the army in a narrow gorge, where, with hardly any +risk to themselves, they might easily have prevented the horsemen from +passing. The peasants, however, fired a hurried volley and then fled in +all directions. + +Lord Peterborough learned a lesson here which he never forgot, namely, +that these Spanish irregulars, useful as they might be in harassing an +enemy or pursuing a beaten foe, were utterly untrustworthy in any plan +of combined action. The succor, therefore, reached Montjuich in safety; +two hundred of the men dismounted and entered the fort; the remainder, +leading their horses, returned to Barcelona. + +The Marquis de Risbourg had no sooner entered the fort and taken the +command than he adopted a stratagem which nearly proved fatal to the +English hopes of success. He ordered his men to shout “Long live Charles +the Third!” and threw open the gates of the fort as if to surrender. The +Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, who commanded at this point, was completely +deceived, and he ordered Colonel Allen to advance with two hundred +and fifty men, while he himself followed with a company in reserve, +believing that the Spanish garrison had declared for King Charles. + +The British advanced eagerly and in some disorder into the ditch, when +a terrible fire of musketry was suddenly opened upon them from the front +and flank. In vain they tried to defend themselves; the brave prince was +struck down by a mortal wound while endeavoring to encourage them, +and was carried to the rear, and Allen and two hundred men were taken +prisoners. The prince expired a few minutes later before there was time +for a doctor to examine his wound. + +Peterborough, who had come up just at the end of the struggle, remained +with him till he died, and then hurried off to retrieve the fortune of +the day, which, during these few minutes, had greatly changed. Velasco +had dispatched three thousand men, as fast as they could be got +together, to follow Risbourg's dragoons to the succor of the fort, and +these were already in sight. But this was not all. One of the strange +panics which occasionally attack even the best troops had seized the +British in the bastion. + +Without any apparent cause, without a shot being fired at them from the +fort, they fell into confusion. Their commander, Lord Charlemont, shared +the panic, and gave orders for a retreat. The march soon became a rout, +and the men fled in confusion from the position which they had just +before so bravely won. + +Captain Carleton, a staff officer, disengaged himself from the throng +of fugitives and rode off to inform the earl, who was reconnoitering +the approaching Spaniards, of what had taken place. Peterborough at once +turned his horse, and, followed by Carleton and Jack Stilwell, galloped +up the hill. He drew his sword and threw away the scabbard as he met +the troops, already halfway down the hill, and, dismounting, shouted to +them: + +“I am sure all brave men will follow me. Will you bear the infamy of +having deserted your post and forsaken your general?” + +The appeal was not in vain. Ashamed of their late panic the fugitives +halted, faced about, and pressed after him up the hill, and, on reaching +the top, found that, strangely enough, the garrison had not discovered +that the bastion had been abandoned, for in their retreat the English +were hidden from the sight of those in the inner works. + +The Marquis de Risbourg, instead of following up his advantage, had at +once left Montjuich at the side near the city, taking Colonel Allen and +the prisoners with him, and pushed on toward Barcelona. Halfway down +he met the reinforcement of three thousand men. The prisoners, on being +questioned, informed the Spanish commander that Lord Peterborough and +the Prince of Hesse led the attack in person. + +Thereupon the officer commanding the reinforcements concluded that the +whole of the allied army was round the castle, and that he would be +risking destruction if he pushed on. He therefore turned and marched +back to the city. Had he continued his way Peterborough's force must +have been destroyed, as Stanhope had not yet come up, and he had with +him only the little force with which he had marched out from camp, of +whom more than a fourth were already captured or slain. Such are the +circumstances upon which the fate of battles and campaigns depend. + + + +CHAPTER VIII: A TUMULT IN THE CITY + + +As the Spanish column retired to Barcelona under the idea that the +whole English army was on the hill, the Miquelets, as the armed bands +of peasants were called, swarmed down from the hills. Incapable of +withstanding an attack by even a small force, they were in their element +in harassing a large one in retreat. Halfway between Montjuich and the +town was the small fort of San Bertram. The garrison, seeing the column +in retreat toward the town, pursued by the insurgent peasantry, feared +that they themselves would be cut off, and so abandoned their post and +joined the retreat. + +The peasants at once took possession of San Bertram, where there were +five light guns. As soon as the news reached Peterborough he called +together two hundred men and led them down to the little fort. Ropes +were fastened to the guns, and with forty men to each gun these were +quickly run up the hill and placed in position in the captured bastions. +So quickly was this done that in less than an hour from the abandonment +of San Bertram by the Spanish the guns had opened fire upon Montjuich. + +While the troops worked these five guns and the three captured in +Southwell's first attack Jack Stilwell was sent off on horseback at full +speed with an order for the landing of the heavy guns and mortars from +the fleet. The news of the attack on Montjuich and the retreat of the +Spanish column spread with rapidity through the country, and swarms of +armed peasants flocked in. These the earl dispersed among the ravines +and groves round the city, so as to prevent any parties from coining +out to ascertain what was going on round Montjuich, and to mask the +movements of the besiegers. + +Velasco appeared paralyzed by the energy and daring of his opponent, +and although he had in hand a force equal if not superior to that which +Peterborough could dispose of, he allowed two days to pass without +attempting to relieve Montjuich. In those two days wonders had been +performed by the soldiers and sailors, who toiled unweariedly in +dragging the heavy guns from the landing place to the hill of Montjuich. +The light cannon of the besiegers had had but little effect upon the +massive walls of the fortress, and the Prince Caraccioli held out for +two days even against the heavier metal of the mortars and siege guns +that were quickly brought to bear upon him. + +On the 17th, however, Colonel Southwell by a well aimed shot brought +the siege to a close. He noticed that a small chapel within the fort +appeared to be specially guarded by the besieged, and ordered a Dutch +sergeant of artillery, who was working a heavy mortar, to try to drop +a shell upon it. The artilleryman made several attempts, but each time +missed the mark. Colonel Southwell undertook the management of the +mortar himself, and soon succeeded in dropping a shell upon the roof +of the building, which proved, as he had suspected, to be in use as a +magazine. There was a tremendous explosion, the chapel was shattered +into fragments, Caraccioli and three other officers were killed, and a +great breach was blown in the main rampart. + +A loud cheer broke from the besiegers, and Colonel Southwell at once put +himself at the head of the men in the trenches and advanced to storm +the breach before the enemy could recover from their confusion. The +disastrous effects of the explosion had, however, scared all idea of +further resistance out of the minds of the defenders, who at once +rushed out of the works and called out that they surrendered, the senior +surviving officer and his companions delivering up their swords to +Colonel Southwell, and begging that protection might at once be given to +their soldiers from the Miquelets, whose ferocity was as notorious then +as it was a hundred years afterward. + +Peterborough appointed Colonel Southwell governor of Montjuich, and +at once turned his attention to the city. The brilliant result of the +attack on the citadel had silenced all murmurs and completely restored +Lord Peterborough's authority. Soldiers and sailors vied with each other +in their exertions to get the guns into position, and the Miquelets, +largely increased in number, became for once orderly and active, and +labored steadily in the trenches. + +The main army conducted the attack from the side at which it had been +originally commenced, while General Stanhope, his force considerably +increased by troops from the main body, conducted the attack from the +side of Montjuich. Four batteries of heavy guns and two of mortars soon +opened fire upon the city, while the smaller vessels of the fleet moved +close in to the shore and threw shot and shell into the town. + +A breach was soon effected in the rampart, and Velasco was summoned to +surrender; but he refused to do so, although his position had become +almost desperate. The disaffection of the inhabitants was now openly +shown. The soldiers had lost confidence and heart, and the loyalty of +many of them was more than doubtful. The governor arrested many of the +mutinous soldiers and hostile citizens, and turned numbers of them out +of the city. + +On the 3d of October the English engineers declared the breach on the +side of Montjuich to be practicable, and Peterborough himself wrote to +the governor offering honorable terms of capitulation, but declaring +that if these were rejected he would not renew his offer. + +Velasco again refused. He had erected a formidable intrenchment within +the breach, and had sunk two mines beneath the ruins in readiness to +blow the assailing columns into the air. + +The guns again opened fire, and in a very short time a Dutch artillery +officer threw two shells upon the intrenchment and almost destroyed +it, while a third fell on the breach itself, and crashing through the +rubbish fired Velasco's two mines and greatly enlarged the breach. The +earl could now have carried the town by storm had he chosen, but with +his usual magnanimity to the vanquished he again wrote to Velasco and +summoned him to surrender. + +The governor had now no hope of a successful resistance, and he +therefore agreed to surrender in four days should no relief arrive. The +terms agreed upon were that the garrison should march out with all +the honors of war, and should be transported by sea to San Felix, and +escorted thence to Gerona; but as a few hours later the news arrived +that Gerona had declared for King Charles, Velasco requested to be +conveyed to Rosas instead. The capitulation was signed on the 9th of +October, and the garrison were preparing to march out on the 14th, when, +in the English camp, the sound of a tumult in the city was heard. + +“Quick, Stilwell!” the earl cried, running out of his tent, “to horse! +The rascals inside are breaking out into a riot, and there will be a +massacre unless I can put a stop to it.” + +The earl leaped on to his horse, called to a few orderly dragoons +who were at hand to accompany him, and ordered that four companies of +grenadiers should follow as quickly as possible. + +Galloping at full speed Peterborough soon arrived at the gate of San +Angelo, and ordered the Spanish guard to open it. This they did without +hesitation, and followed by his little party he rode into the city. All +was uproar and confusion. The repressive measures which the governor had +been obliged to take against the disaffected had added to the Catalan +hatred of the French, and the Austrian party determined to have +vengeance upon the governor. A report was circulated that he intended +to carry away with him a number of the principal inhabitants in spite +of the articles of capitulation. This at once stirred up the people to +fury, and they assailed and plundered the houses of the French and of +the known partisans of the Duke d'Anjou. + +They then turned upon the governor and garrison. The latter dispersed +through the city, and, unprepared for attack, would speedily have +been massacred had not their late enemy been at hand to save them. +Peterborough, with his little party of dragoons, rode through the +streets exhorting, entreating, and commanding the rioters to abstain. +When, as in some cases, the mob refused to listen to him, and continued +their work, the dragoons belabored them heartily with the flats of their +swords; and the surprise caused by seeing the British uniforms in their +midst, and their ignorance of how many of the British had entered, did +more even than the efforts of the dragoons to allay the tumult. Many +ladies of quality had taken refuge in the convent, and Peterborough at +once placed a guard over this. + +Dashing from street to street, unattended even by his dragoons, +Peterborough came upon a lady and gentleman struggling with the mob, who +were about to ill treat them. He charged into the thick of the tumult. + +His hat had been lost in the fray, and the mob, not recognizing the +strange figure as the redoubted English general, resisted, and one +discharged a musket at him at a distance of a few feet, but the ball +passed through his periwig without touching the head under it. + +Fortunately two or three of his dragoons now rode up, and he was able +to carry the lady and gentleman to their house hard by, when, to his +satisfaction, he found that the gentleman he had saved was the Duke of +Popoli, and the lady his wife, celebrated as one of the most beautiful +women in Europe. + +Jack Stilwell had soon after they entered the town become separated from +his general. Seeing a mob gathered before a house in a side street, and +hearing screams, he turned off and rode into the middle of the crowd. +Spurring his horse and making him rear, he made his way through them to +the door, and then leaping off, drawing as he did so a pistol from his +holster, he ran upstairs. + +It was a large and handsomely furnished house. On the first floor was a +great corridor. A number of men were gathered round a doorway. Within he +heard the clashing of steel and the shouts of men in conflict. Bursting +his way in through the doorway he entered the room. + +In a corner, at the furthest end, crouched a lady holding a little boy +in her arms. Before her stood a Spanish gentleman, sword in hand. A +servant, also armed, stood by him. They were hard pressed, for six or +eight men with swords and pikes were cutting and thrusting at them. +Three servants lay dead upon the ground, and seven or eight of the +townspeople were also lying dead or wounded. Jack rushed forward, +and with his pistol shot the man who appeared to be the leader of the +assailants, and then, drawing his sword, placed himself before the +gentleman and shouted to the men to lay down their arms. The latter, +astounded at the appearance of an English officer, drew back. Seeing he +was alone, they would, however, have renewed the attack, but Jack ran to +the window and opened it, and shouted as if to some soldiers below. + +The effect was instantaneous. The men dropped upon their knees, and +throwing down their arms begged for mercy. Jack signified that he +granted it, and motioned to them to carry off their dead and wounded +comrades. Some of the men in the corridor came in to aid them in so +doing. Jack, sword in hand, accompanied them to the door, and saw them +out of the house. Then he told a boy to hold his horse, and closing +the door returned upstairs. He found the gentleman sitting on a chair +exhausted, while his wife, crying partly from relief, partly from +anxiety, was endeavoring to stanch the blood which flowed from several +wounds. + +Jack at once aided her in the task, and signed to the servant to bring +something to drink. The man ran to a buffet and produced some cordials. +Jack filled a glass and placed it at the lips of the wounded man, who, +after drinking it, gradually recovered his strength. + +“My name, sir,” he said, “is Count Julian de Minas, and I owe you my +life and that of my wife and child. To whom am I indebted so much?” + +Jack did not, of course, understand his words, but the title caught his +ear, and he guessed that the Spaniard was introducing himself. + +“My name is Stilwell,” Jack said; “I am one of General Peterborough's +aides de camp. I am very glad to be of assistance; and now, seeing you +are so far recovered, I must leave you, for there is much to do in the +town, and the general has entered with only a few troops. I think you +need not fear any return on the part of these ruffians. The English +troops will enter the town in the coarse of a few hours.” + +So saying Jack immediately hurried away, and mounting his horse rode off +to find the general. + +The news that Lord Peterborough and the English had entered spread +rapidly through the city, and the rioters, fearing to excite the wrath +of the man who in a few hours would be master of the town, scattered to +their homes, and when all was quiet Peterborough again rode off to the +camp with his troops and there waited quietly until the hour appointed +for the capitulation. The Spanish then marched out, and the earl entered +with a portion of his troops. + +He at once issued a proclamation that if any person had any lawful +grievances against the late governor they should go to the town house +and lay them in proper form, and that he would see that justice was +done. An hour later some of the principal inhabitants waited upon him, +and asked which churches he desired to have for the exercise of his +religion. He replied: + +“Wherever I have my quarters I shall have conveniency enough to worship +God, and as for the army they will strictly follow the rules of war, and +perform divine service among themselves without giving any offense to +any one.” + +This answer gave great satisfaction to the people, as the French had +spread a report among them that the Protestants, if they captured the +town, would take their churches from them. + +In the evening the earl gave a great banquet, at which he entertained +all the people of distinction of both parties, and his courtesy and +affability at once won for him the confidence of all with whom he came +in contact. The next day the shops were all opened, the markets filled, +and there were no signs that the tranquillity of Barcelona had ever +been disturbed. Soon after breakfast Jack, who was quartered in the +governor's palace with the general, was informed that a gentleman wished +to speak to him, and the Count de Minas was shown in. He took Jack's +hand and bowed profoundly. As conversation was impossible Jack told his +orderly to fetch one of the interpreters attached to the general. + +“I tried to come last night,” the count said, “but I found that I was +too weak to venture out. I could not understand what you said when you +went away so suddenly, but I guessed that it was the call of duty. I +did not know your name, but inquiring this morning who were the officers +that entered with the general yesterday, I was told that his aide de +camp, Lieutenant Stilwell, was alone with him. That is how I found +you. And now, let me again thank you for the immense service you have +rendered me and my wife and child. Remember, henceforth the life of the +Count de Minas and all that he possesses is at your service.” + +When the interpreter had translated this, Jack said in some confusion, +“I am very glad, count, to have been of service to you. It was a piece +of good fortune, indeed, on my part that I happened so providentially +to ride along at the right moment. I was about this morning to do myself +the honor of calling to inquire how the countess and yourself were after +the terrible scene of yesterday.” + +“The countess prayed me to bring you round to her,” the count said. +“Will you do me the honor of accompanying me now?” + +Jack at once assented, and, followed by the interpreter, proceeded with +the count to his house. The room into which the count led him was not +that in which the fray had taken place the day before. The countess rose +as they entered, and Jack saw that, though still pale and shaken by the +events of the previous day, she was a singularly beautiful woman. + +“Ah, senor,” she said, advancing to meet him, and taking his hand and +laying it against her heart, “how can I thank you for the lives of my +husband and my boy! One more minute and you would have arrived too late. +It seemed to me as if heaven had opened and an angel had come to our aid +when you entered.” + +Jack colored up hotly as the interpreter translated the words. If he had +expressed his thoughts he would have said, “Please don't make any more +fuss about it;” but he found that Spanish courtesy required much more +than this, so he answered: + +“Countess, the moment was equally fortunate to me, and I shall ever feel +grateful that I have been permitted to be of service to so beautiful a +lady.” + +The countess smiled as Jack's words were translated. + +“I did not know that you English were flatterers,” she said. “They told +us that you were uncouth islanders, but I see that they have calumniated +you.” + +“I hope some day,” Jack said, “that I shall be able to talk to you +without the aid of an interpreter. It is very difficult to speak when +every word has to be translated.” + +For a quarter of an hour the conversation was continued, the count and +countess asking questions about England. At the end of that time Jack +thought he might venture to take his leave. The count accompanied him to +the door, and begged him to consider his house as his own, and then with +many bows on each side Jack made his way into the street. + +“Confound all this Spanish politeness!” he muttered to himself; “it's +very grand and stately, I have no doubt, but it's a horrible nuisance; +and as to talking through an interpreter, it's like repeating lessons, +only worse. I should like to see a man making a joke through an +interpreter, and waiting to see how it told. I must get up a little +Spanish as soon as possible. The earl has picked up a lot already, and +there will be no fun to be had here in Spain unless one can make one's +self understood.” + +The next day there were rumors current that the population were +determined to take vengeance upon Velasco. The earl marched eight +hundred men into the town, placed the governor in their center and +escorted him to the shore, and so took him safely on board a ship. He +was conveyed, by his own desire, to Alicante, as the revolt had spread +so rapidly through Catalonia that Rosas was now the only town which +favored the cause of the Duke d'Anjou. + +The capture of Barcelona takes its place as one of the most brilliant +feats in military history, and reflects extraordinary credit upon its +general, who exhibited at once profound prudence, faithful adherence +to his sovereign's orders, patience and self command under the ill +concealed hatred of many of those with whom he had to cooperate--the +wrong headedness of the king, the insolence of the German courtiers, the +supineness of the Dutch, the jealousy of his own officers, and the open +discontent of the army and navy--and a secrecy marvelously kept up for +many weary and apparently hopeless days. + +On the 28th of October King Charles made his public entry into +Barcelona, and for some days the city was the scene of continual fetes. +The whole province rose in his favor, and the gentlemen of the district +poured into the town to offer their homage to the king. Only about one +thousand men of the Spanish garrison had to be conveyed to Rosas in +accordance with the terms of capitulation, the rest of the troops taking +the oath of allegiance to King Charles and being incorporated with the +allied army. + +Jack Stilwell entered into the festivities with the enjoyment of youth. +The officers of the allied army were made much of by the inhabitants, +and Jack, as one of the general's aides de camp, was invited to every +fete and festivity. The Count de Minas introduced him to many of +the leading nobles of the city as the preserver of his life; but his +inability to speak the language deprived him of much of the pleasure +which he would otherwise have obtained, and, like many of the other +officers, he set to work in earnest to acquire some knowledge of it. +In one of the convents were some Scottish monks, and for three or four +hours every morning Jack worked regularly with one of them. + +Although Lord Peterborough threw himself heart and soul into the +festivities, he worked with equal ardor at the military preparations. +But here, as before, his plans for energetic action were thwarted by +the Germans and Dutch. At last, however, his energy, aided by the +active spirit of the king, prevailed, and preparations were made for +the continuance of the campaign. The season was so late that no further +operations could be undertaken by sea, and the allied fleet therefore +sailed for England and Holland, leaving four English and two Dutch +frigates in support of the land forces at Barcelona. + +Garrisons of regular troops were dispatched to the various towns which +had either declared for the king or had been captured by the Miquelets +headed by the Marquis of Cifuentes, engineer officers being also sent to +put them in a state of defense. Of these Tortosa was, from its position, +the most important, as it commanded the bridge of boats on the Ebro, the +main communication between Aragon and Valencia. To this town two hundred +dragoons and one thousand foot were sent under Colonel Hans Hamilton. +The king turned his attention to the organization of the Spanish +army. He formed a regiment of five hundred dragoons for his bodyguard, +mounting them upon the horses of the former garrison, while from these +troops, swelled by levies from the province, he raised six powerful +battalions of infantry. He excited, however, a very unfavorable feeling +among the Spaniards by bestowing all the chief commands in these corps +upon his German followers. + +But while the conquest of Barcelona had brought the whole of Catalonia +to his side, the cause of King Charles was in other parts of Spain less +flourishing. Lord Galway and General Fagel had been beaten by Marshal +Tesse before Badajos, and the allied army had retreated into Portugal, +leaving the French and Spanish adherents of Philip free to turn their +whole attention against the allies in Catalonia. + +Weary weeks passed on before Lord Peterborough could overcome the apathy +and obstinacy of the Germans and Dutch. At a council of war held on the +30th of December Peterborough proposed to divide the army, that he in +person would lead half of it to aid the insurrection which had broken +out in Valencia, and that the other half should march into Aragon; but +Brigadier General Conyngham and the Dutch General Schratenbach strongly +opposed this bold counsel, urging that the troops required repose after +their labors, and that their numbers were hardly sufficient to guard +the province they had won. Such arguments drove Peterborough almost to +madness; the troops had, in fact, gone through no hard work during the +siege of Barcelona, and two months and a half had elapsed since that +city surrendered. Moreover, far from being reinvigorated from rest, +they were suffering from illness caused by inactivity in an unhealthy +country. + +Already all the benefits derivable from the gallant capture of Barcelona +had been lost. The enemy had recovered from the surprise and dismay +excited by that event. The friendly and wavering, who would at once +have risen had the king boldly advanced after his striking success, had +already lost heart and become dispirited by the want of energy displayed +in his after proceedings, and from all parts of Spain masses of troops +were moving to crush the allies and stamp out the insurrection. + +In Valencia only had the partisans of Charles gained considerable +advantages. In the beginning of December Colonel Nebot, commanding a +regiment of Philip's dragoons, declared for Charles, and, accompanied by +four hundred of his men, entered the town of Denia, where the people and +Basset, the governor, at once declared for Charles. + +On the 11th Nebot and Basset attacked the little town of Xabea, +garrisoned by five hundred Biscayans, and carried it, and the same night +took Oliva and Gandia. The next day they pushed on through Alzira, where +they were joined by many of the principal inhabitants, and a detachment +of the dragoons under Nebot's brother, Alexander, surprised and routed +three troops of the enemy's horse, captured their convoy of ammunition, +and pursued them to the very gates of Valencia. + +On the night of the 15th the main body marched from Alzira, and appeared +next morning before Valencia and summoned the town to surrender. The +Marquis de Villa Garcia refused, but Alexander Nebot put himself at the +head of his dragoons and galloped up to the gates shouting “Long live +the king!” The inhabitants overpowered the guard at the gate and threw +it open and Valencia was taken. When the news of these reverses reached +Madrid the Conde de las Torres, a veteran officer who had seen much +service in the wars of Italy, marched from Madrid in all haste to +prevent if possible the junction of the forces of Catalonia with the +Valencians. + +He at once marched upon San Matteo, which lay on the main line of +communication, and commenced a vigorous siege of that city. The king +received the news on the 18th of January, 1706, and wrote at once to +Peterborough, urging him to go to the relief of San Matteo, but +giving him no troops whatever to assist him in his enterprise; and +Peterborough's difficulties were increased by General Conyngham, who +commanded a brigade at Fraga, hastily falling back upon Lerida upon +hearing exaggerated rumors of the strength of the enemy. + +Peterborough, however, did not hesitate a moment, but mounting his +horse, and accompanied only by his aides de camp, Jack Stilwell and +Lieutenant Graham, rode for Tortosa. Changing his horse at the various +towns through which he passed, and riding almost night and day, he +reached Tortosa on the 4th, and at once summoned the magnates of the +town to give information as to the real state of things. He then found, +to his astonishment, that the details which the king had sent him +respecting the force of the enemy were entirely incorrect. Charles had +written that they were two thousand strong, and that sixteen thousand +peasants were in arms against them, whereas Las Torres had with him +seven thousand good troops, and not a single peasant had taken up arms. + +General Killigrew, who now commanded the two hundred dragoons and +the thousand British infantry at Tortosa, together with his officers, +considered that under such circumstances it was absolutely hopeless to +attempt any movement for the relief of San Matteo; but Peterborough did +not hesitate a moment, and only said to his officers: + +“Unless I can raise that siege our affairs are desperate, and therefore +capable only of desperate remedies. Be content; let me try my fortune, +whether I cannot by diligence and surprise effect that which by +downright force is apparently impracticable.” + +The officers had unbounded confidence in their general, and although +the enterprise appeared absolutely hopeless, they at once agreed to +undertake it. Accordingly the three weak English regiments marched from +Tortosa under Killigrew, and the next day the earl followed with the +dragoons and a party of Miquelets, and overtook the infantry that night. +The next morning he broke up his little army into small detachments in +order that they might march more rapidly, and, dividing the Miquelets +among them as guides, ordered them to assemble at Fraiguesa, two leagues +from San Matteo. + +The advance was admirably managed. Small parties of dragoons and +Miquelets went on ahead along each of the roads to occupy the passes +among the hills. When arrived at these points they had strict orders +to let no one pass them until the troops appeared in sight, when the +advance again pushed forward and secured another position for the same +purpose. + +Thus no indication of his coming preceded him; and the troops arriving +together with admirable punctuality before Fraiguesa, the place was +taken by surprise, and guards were at once mounted on its gates, with +orders to prevent any one from leaving the town on any excuse whatever. +Thus while the English force were within two leagues of San Matteo, +Las Torres remained in absolute ignorance that any hostile force was +advancing against him. Graham and Jack were nearly worn out by the +exertions which they had undergone with their indefatigable general. +They had ridden for three days and nights almost without sleep, and on +their arrival at Tortosa were engaged unceasingly in carrying out their +chief's instructions, in making preparations for the advance, and in +obtaining every possible information as to the country to be traversed. + +Both the young officers had now begun to speak Spanish. A residence of +four months in the country, constant communication with the natives, and +two months and a half steady work with an instructor had enabled them +to make great progress, and they were now able to communicate without +difficulty with the Spaniards with whom they came in contact. + + + +CHAPTER IX: THE ADVANCE INTO VALENCIA + + +The Earl of Peterborough had not satisfied himself with depriving the +enemy of all information as to his advance. He took steps to confuse and +alarm them by false news. By means of large bribes he prevailed upon two +peasants to carry each a copy of the same letter to Colonel Jones, who +commanded in San Matteo. He took the further step of insuring their +loyalty by arresting their families as hostages, and, moreover, took +care that they should know nothing as to the real state of things that +they could report if treacherously inclined. + +He arranged that one of them should go in first and, passing through the +besiegers' lines, should arouse their suspicions, and should then, when +arrested, give up the letter concealed upon him, and should also betray +the route by which his companion was endeavoring to reach the city, +so that the second messenger would also be captured and his letter be +taken. The letters were as follows: + +“To COLONEL JONES: You will hardly believe yourself what this letter +informs you of, if it come safe to you; and though I have taken the best +precaution, it will do little prejudice if it falls into the enemy's +hands, since they shall see and feel my troops almost as soon as they +can receive intelligence, should it be betrayed to them. The end for +which I venture it to you is that you may prepare to open the furthest +gate toward Valencia, and have four thousand Miquelets ready, who +will have the employment they love and are fit for, the pursuing and +pillaging a flying enemy. The country is as one can wish for their +entire destruction. Be sure, upon the first appearance of our troops and +the first discharge of our artillery, you answer with an English halloo, +and take to the mountains on the heights with all your men. The Conde +de las Torres must take the plains, the hills on the left being almost +impassable, and secured by five or six thousand of the country people. +But what will gall him most will be the whole regiment of Nebot, which +revolted to us near Valencia, is likewise among us. + +“I was eight days ago myself in Barcelona, and I believe the Conde de +las Torres must have so good intelligence from thence that he cannot be +ignorant of it. What belongs to my own troops and my own resolutions +I can easily keep from them, though nothing else. You know the force I +have, and the multitudes that are gathering from all parts against us, +so I am forced to put the whole into this action, which must be decided +to give any hopes to our desperate game. By nine or ten, within an hour +after you can receive this, you will discover us on the tops of the +hills, not two cannon shot from their camp. + +“The advantages of the sea are inconceivable, and have contributed to +bring about what you could never expect to see, a force almost equal +to the enemy in number, and you know that less would do our business. +Besides, never men were so transported as to be brought in such secrecy +so near an enemy. I have near six thousand men locked up this night +within the walls of Traguera. I do not expect you will believe it till +you see them. + +“You know we had a thousand foot and two hundred dragoons in Tortosa. +Wills and a thousand foot English and Dutch came down the Ebro in boats, +and I embarked a thousand more at Tarragona when I landed at Vinaroz, +and the artillery from thence I brought in country carts. It was easy +to assemble the horse. Zinzendorf and Moras are as good as our own, +and with our English dragoons make up in all near two thousand. But the +whole depends upon leaving them a retreat without interruption. + +“Dear Jones, prove a good dragoon, be diligent and alert, and preach the +welcome doctrine to your Miquelets, plunder without danger. + +“Your friend, PETERBOROUGH.” + +The two letters fell into the hands of Las Torres, and so artfully had +the capture been contrived, that it never occurred to him to doubt the +truth of these mendacious documents. Orders were instantly given to +prepare for a march, and almost at the same time two events occurred in +the siege works which caused confusion of the troops. Several mines had +been unskillfully sunk and charged; one of these prematurely exploded +and destroyed forty of the workmen. The remaining mines Colonel Jones +contrived to swamp by turning the course of a brook into them, thus +rendering them harmless. While the troops were confused with these +disasters, the news of the contents of the intercepted letters spread +through the camp, causing a general panic; and almost immediately +afterward the advance guard of Peterborough's force were seen, according +to the promise contained in the letters, on the crests of the hills. + +By able management the twelve hundred men were made to appear vastly +more numerous than they were. The dragoons showed in various parties +at different points of the hilltops, and, after pausing as if to +reconnoiter the camp, galloped back as if to carry information to a main +body behind; while the infantry availed themselves of the wooded and +uneven ground to conceal their weakness. It seemed, indeed, to the enemy +that the tops of all the hills and the avenues of approach were covered +by advancing columns. Las Torres, unsuspicious of stratagem, was now +convinced that his position was one of extreme danger, while confusion +reigned in the camp. The tents were hastily struck, the guns spiked, and +in a few minutes the Spanish army started along the Valencia road in a +retreat which might almost be called a flight. + +Colonel Jones, seeing the confusion that reigned, instantly sallied from +the town with his whole force in pursuit, and followed Las Torres for +nearly two leagues to Penasol, inflicting a loss of nearly three hundred +men upon the Spaniards; while Peterborough on the other side marched his +force through the abandoned intrenchments and into the town. Scarcely +halting, however, he made a show of pursuit as far as Albocazer, but +always keeping to the hills with such caution that in case the enemy +should learn his weakness, his retreat would still be secured. While on +the march a courier overtook him with two dispatches--the one from +King Charles, the other from the English resident with the court at +Barcelona. + +The king told him that he would be obliged to countermand the +reinforcements he had promised him for the relief of San Matteo, in +consequence of the unfavorable state of affairs elsewhere. It, +however, conveyed to Peterborough something which he valued more than +reinforcements, namely, full power to act in accordance with his own +discretion. The dispatch from the British resident told him that news +had come that the Duke of Berwick, with the main army of France, freed +by the retreat of Lord Galway from all trouble on the western side of +Spain, was in full march for Catalonia. + +The Prince of Serclaes, with four thousand men, watched the small +garrison at Lerida; the Duke of Noailles, with eight thousand French +troops from Roussillon, threatened Catalonia on a third side; while +Philip and Marshal Tesse had collected ten thousand men at Madrid. The +letter concluded with the words: “There is nothing here but distrust, +discontent, and despair.” + +The responsibility left by the king's letter upon Peterborough was +great indeed. On the one hand, if he did not return to the defense of +Catalonia, the king might be exposed to imminent danger; and, on the +other, if he repassed the Ebro he might be accused of having left +Valencia and its loyal inhabitants to their fate, and would have +forfeited all the advantages that his audacity and skill had already +gained. + +His difficulties in any case were enormous. His infantry were marching +almost barefooted; they were clothed in rags. The season was inclement, +the country mountainous and rough, and the horses of the dragoons so +exhausted that they could scarcely carry their riders. In obedience to +his instructions, here, as at Tortosa, he assembled his officers in a +council of war and asked their opinion. They were unanimous in saying +that, with the small and exhausted force under his orders, no further +operation could be undertaken for the conquest of Valencia, but that the +little army should post itself in such a position as might afford the +greatest facility for protecting the king. + +Peterborough had thus on one side not only the difficulty of the +position, but the opinion of the council of war against a further +advance; but on the other hand he knew the anxiety of the king that +help should be given to the Valencians. He therefore announced to his +officers a resolution as desperate as that ever formed by a sane man. +He had listened gravely and in silence while the officers gave their +opinion, and then ordered that the footsore infantry, with a few of +the horse, should march back to Vinaroz, a little town on the seaside a +day's journey from Tortosa, where in case of necessity they might embark +in boats and be taken off to the ships. Then, to the stupefaction of +his officers, he announced his intention of himself proceeding with the +remaining dragoons, about a hundred and fifty in number, to conquer the +province of Valencia! + +In vain the officers remonstrated, the earl was firm. The council +then broke up, and the troops prepared for their march in opposite +directions. + +The parting of Peterborough and his officers was very sad, for they +doubted not it was a final one. + +“I will yet endeavor,” he said, “however our circumstances seem +desperate, to secure the kingdom of Valencia; and since the king has +thought conquest possible in this present case, he cannot complain of my +motions, however rash they might appear. I am resolved, therefore, never +to repass the Ebro without positive orders from him.” + +Before starting the earl wrote to Charles and explained fully his +intentions. It is evident from the tone of his letter that Peterborough +did not expect to survive this extraordinary expedition. The language +is grave and firm, and, though respectful, full of stronger remonstrance +and more homely advice than often reaches kings. It concluded: + +“I have had but little share in your councils. If our advance had +been approved, if your majesty had trusted us... if your majesty had +permitted me to march into the kingdom of Valencia, when I so earnestly +desired it, without making me stay under pretense of the march of +imaginary troops; if your majesty would have believed me on that +occasion, your majesty would have had this time not only a viceroy of +Valencia but the kingdom. With what force I have I am going to march +straight to Valencia. I can take no other measures, leaving the rest to +Providence. The time lost (so much against my inclination) exposes me to +a sacrifice, at least I will perish with honor, and as a man deserving a +better fate.” + +The earl now again sent orders to one thousand Spanish foot and three +hundred horse, which had before been nominally placed at his disposal, +but had never moved from the town in which they were garrisoned, to +follow him into Valencia; and at the same time he wrote to Colonel Wills +to march immediately with a like number of English horse and foot to his +assistance. + +The king, on the receipt of Peterborough's letter, issued positive and +peremptory orders that the Spanish troops were at once to be set in +motion. Colonel Wills wrote in reply that an important action had taken +place at San Esteban de Litera on the 26th and 27th of January, between +General Conyngham with his brigade and the Chevalier d'Asfeldt, in +which, after a bloody contest, the French were driven from the field +with a heavy loss of killed, wounded, and prisoners, the allies had +also suffered serious loss, and General Conyngham had received a mortal +wound. The command, therefore, had devolved upon himself. + +Having seen the infantry march off, Peterborough, attended only by his +two aides de camp, took his place at the head of his handful of cavalry +and proceeded on his desperate enterprise--an enterprise the most +extraordinary that has ever taken place between enemies of an equal +degree of civilization. It was a war of a general with a small escort, +but literally without an army, against able officers with thousands of +disciplined troops and numerous defensible towns and positions, against +enormous difficulties of country, against want and fatigue in every +shape, and above all, against hope itself. + +And yet no one who had witnessed that little body march off would +have supposed that they were entering upon what seemed an impossible +expedition--an expedition from which none could come back alive. Worn +out and sorry as was the appearance of the horses, ragged and dirty that +of their riders, the latter were in high spirits. The contagion of the +extraordinary energy and audacity of their chief had spread among them; +they had an absolute confidence in his genius, and they entered upon the +romantic enterprise with the ardor of schoolboys. + +Not less was the spirit of the two young aides de camp. Before starting +the earl had offered them the option of marching away with the infantry. + +“It is not that I doubt your courage, lads, for I marked you both under +fire at Montjuich, but the fatigues will be terrible. You have already +supported, in a manner which has surprised me, the work which you have +undergone. You have already borne far more than your full share of the +hardships of the campaign, and I have, in my dispatches, expressed a +very strong opinion to the government as to the value of the services +you have rendered. You are both very young, and I should be sorry to see +your lives sacrificed in such an enterprise as that I am undertaking, +and shall think no less of you if you elect now to have a period of +rest.” + +The young men had, however, so firmly and emphatically declined to leave +him that the earl had accepted their continued service. + +The cavalry, instead of keeping in a compact body, were broken up into +parties of ten, all of whom followed different roads, spreading, through +every hamlet they passed, the news that a great army, of which they were +the forerunners, was following hotly behind. So that should any peasants +favorable to Philip's cause carry the news to Las Torres, that general +would be forced to believe that he was being pursued by a veritable +army. Many stragglers of the retreating force were picked up and handed +over to the peasantry to be sent as prisoners into Catalonia. + +For the most part the little parties of cavalry were well received by +the populace; the majority of Valencians were in favor of King Charles, +and that night, when they halted, the weary horses obtained ample +supplies of grain and forage, and the troopers were made welcome to the +best the villages afforded. + +A few extra horses were purchased by Peterborough during the day, and +it was well for his aides de camp that it was so, for scarcely had +they finished their meal than Peterborough ordered them again into the +saddle. They were to ride by crossroads right and left to the villages +where the different detachments had been ordered to halt, and to +tell them the routes marked out for them by which they would again +concentrate at midday, so as to ride in comparatively strong force +through a small town on the main road, whence news might, not +improbably, be sent on to Las Torres. After that they were again to +disperse and pervade the country. + +Jack and Graham carried out these orders, taking guides from each +village through which they passed to the next, and it was near midnight +before they had finished their work. At four in the morning every +detachment was in motion, and at noon the troop was again concentrated. +Here the earl learned that a detachment of the enemy had remained behind +at Alcala, and, instead of carrying out his previous plan, he rode +straight with the whole of his dragoons to that town. When he approached +it he divided his force into three bodies, which entered the place +simultaneously by different gates, and the Spanish detachment, two +hundred strong, at once laid down their arms. + +Evening was now approaching, and as the horses and dragoons were utterly +worn out, Peterborough halted for the night. He at once called together +the principal inhabitants, and informed them that he required all the +horses in the town, with such saddlery as they could obtain, to be +collected and forwarded for his use to a point he named. + +The next morning the march was continued. Las Torres had continued his +flight, and this was hastened when he heard of the capture of Alcala. He +pushed through the town of Borriol and hastened on to Villa Real, a town +strongly favorable to King Charles. It opened its gates, however, on +the solemn promise of Las Torres to respect the life and property of the +inhabitants; but no sooner had his troops entered than he gave the order +for a general massacre and the sack of the town. This ferocious order +was executed, and very few of the inhabitants escaped with their lives. + +The following day, on the news coming in from various points in his rear +that the enemy were pressing after him, he marched his dispirited army +to Nules, where the inhabitants were well affected. In answer to his +appeal a thousand of the citizens enrolled themselves and undertook +to defend the town till the last against the English. Having assured +himself of their earnestness Las Torres inspected the muster, and, +having viewed all the dispositions for defense, continued his +flight. Nules was fortified by strong walls flanked with towers, the +fortifications were in an excellent state of defense, and the town could +have resisted a siege by a considerable army. + +On arriving at Villa Real the British were horrified at the hideous +massacre which had taken place. They went from house to house and found +everywhere the bodies of the slaughtered inhabitants, and the ardor of +the dragoons was, if possible, heightened by the sight. They made but a +short stay here and then galloped on to Nules. As they neared the town +a fire of musketry was opened from the walls, but, wholly disregarding +this, the earl at the head of his men dashed up to the gates and +demanded, in an imperious tone, that the principal inhabitants should +assemble and hold parley with him. + +The boldness of the earl's manner and the imperative tone in which he +spoke so astonished the citizens on the walls that they ceased firing, +and sent for their magistrates and priests. When these assembled on the +wall Peterborough told them in an angry tone that he gave them only +six minutes for deliberation, and that if they offered the slightest +resistance he would repeat at Nules the massacre which Las Torres +had carried out at Villa Real. He added that, unless they instantly +surrendered, he would blow down their walls the moment his artillery and +engineers arrived. The terror stricken magistrates at once summoned the +town council, and, upon their repeating Peterborough's terrible threats, +it was resolved at once to surrender, and the six minutes had scarcely +elapsed when the gates fell back on their hinges, and Peterborough and +his dragoons entered the town in triumph. + +Here the wearied band enjoyed a rest for some days, Peterborough +spreading the alarm, which his presence excited, by giving orders that +great quantities of provisions and forage should be brought in from +all directions for the supply of the large army which he stated to be +following at his heels. As it never occurred to any one that he could +be pursuing an army of seven thousand men through a hostile country +with only a handful of dragoons, his statements were not doubted. The +requisitions were complied with, and provisions and stores poured into +the town. + +Las Torres at Almenara, where he had again perpetrated a horrible +massacre, heard the news of great preparations that Peterborough was +making for the supply of his army, and considering his position to be +unsafe again retreated hastily. + +At Nules two hundred horses were found and at once appropriated for the +use of the army. With a portion of his force Peterborough rode out to +Castillon de la Plana, an open town of some size, where the people were +well affected to the Austrian cause. Here he secured four hundred more +horses, at the same time assuring both friends and foes that his +army was driving the enemy out of the kingdom. On entering Nules, +Peterborough had sent orders for Lord Barrymore's regiment of British +infantry, at that time under the command of Colonel Pierce, to march +from Vinaroz, where they had been sent with the rest of the infantry +from San Matteo to Oropesa, a town about nine miles from Castillon, +where he had collected all the horses he had obtained during his march. + +When the news reached Nules of the arrival of this regiment at Oropesa, +Lord Peterborough at once rode over. The regiment was formed up for his +inspection; it had marched with the greatest speed, and the men were +worn out and footsore with their long tramp over the stony hills. After +inspecting them the earl paid them a high compliment upon their past +achievements, and concluded by expressing his wish that they had but +horses and accouterments to try whether a corps of so high a character +would maintain their reputation in the novelty of mounted service. + +The joke of their eccentric general seemed but a poor one to the +footsore and almost shoeless men, but they were astonished when Jack +rode forward and presented to each of the officers a commission, +which he had drawn out in the earl's name, as cavalry officers. Their +astonishment was changed to delight when Peterborough marched them to +the brow of the hill where they stood, and they saw eight bodies of +horses drawn up in order ready for their eight companies. Among +these were set apart three good chargers for each captain, two for +lieutenants, and one for cornets. He ordered the regiment to mount, and, +immensely amused at their sudden elevation to the cavalry service, the +troops rode back to the town. + +From the moment when he started from San Matteo Peterborough had, in +spite of his incessant exertions and multifarious cares, been quietly +making preparations for this event. He had sent to Barcelona for the +necessary accouterments for these men and for the dismounted British +dragoons. The accouterments had been sent from Barcelona to the nearest +port on the seacoast, and by continually urging on the local carriers +the earl had, in nine days after leaving San Matteo, collected them in +readiness at his depot at Castillon, and thus raised his little band +of horse to nearly a thousand men. These he dispersed at once among the +well affected towns of the neighborhood, whose walls would render them +safe from the attack of an enemy unsupported by artillery, moving them +constantly from place to place, partly to accustom them to their new +duties, partly to confuse the enemy as to their numbers. + + + +CHAPTER X: AN ADVENTURE IN THE MOUNTAINS + + +“Mr. Stillwell,” the earl said, a few days after his arrival at +Castillon, “will you take twenty dragoons and ride out to the village of +Estrella? The district round it is extremely hostile, and they prevent +supplies being brought in from that direction. Get hold of the principal +men in the place, and tell them that if I hear any more complaints of +hostility in that neighborhood I will send out a regiment of horse, +burn their village, and ravage all the country. I don't think you need +apprehend any opposition; but of course you will keep a good lookout.” + +“Am I to return tonight, sir?” + +“Let that depend upon your reception. If the inhabitants show a fairly +good disposition, or if you see that at any rate there is a considerable +section of the population well disposed to the cause, stay there for +the night, and in the morning make a wide circuit through the district +before returning. If you perceive a strong hostile feeling it were best +not to sleep there; with so small a force you would be liable to a night +attack.” + +Twenty minutes later Jack rode off with his party, having first obtained +directions from the natives as to the best road to Estrella. The village +was but some fifteen miles off, and lay in the center of a fertile +district on the other side of a range of lofty hills. The road they were +traversing ran through the hills by a narrow and very steep valley. + +“This would be a nasty place to be attacked,” Jack said to the sergeant, +who was riding just behind him. + +“It would, indeed, sir; and if they were to set some of those stones +arolling they would soon knock our horses off their legs.” + +A mile or two further on the road again descended and the valley opened +to a fertile country. Another half hour's sharp riding brought them into +Estrella. Their coming had probably been signaled, for the inhabitants +evinced no sudden alarm as the little troop rode along the principal +street. The women stood at the doors of the houses to look at them, the +men were gathered in little knots at the corners; but all were unarmed, +and Jack saw at once that there was no intention of offering resistance. +He alighted at the door of the village inn, and in a few minutes two or +three of the chief men in the village presented themselves. + +“The English general,” Jack said, “has heard that the people of your +neighborhood are hostile, and that those who would pass through with +animals and stores for the army are prevented from doing so. He bids me +say that he does not wish to war with the people of this country so long +as they are peaceful. Those who take up arms he will meet with arms; but +so long as they interfere not with him he makes no inquiry as to whether +their wishes are for King Charles or Philip of Anjou; but if they evince +an active hostility he will be forced to punish them. You know how +Marshal Tesse has massacred unarmed citizens whom he deemed hostile, and +none could blame the English general did he carry out reprisals; but +it will grieve him to have to do so. He has therefore sent me with this +small troop to warn you that if the people of this village and district +interfere in any way with his friends, or evince signs of active +hostility, he will send a regiment of horse with orders to burn the +village to the ground, and to lay all the district bare.” + +“Your general has been misinformed,” the principal man in the place +said. “There are, it is true, some in the district who hold for Philip +of Anjou; but the population are well disposed to King Charles, and this +village is ready to furnish any supplies that the English may require. +If your honor will give me a list of these I will do my best to have +them in readiness by tomorrow morning, and I trust that you will honor +us by stopping here till then.” + +Jack hesitated; he did not much like the appearance of the man or the +tone of humility in which he spoke; still, as he offered to furnish +supplies, he thought it well to accept the same. + +“What horses could you let us have?” he asked. + +“We could supply ten horses,” the man said, “fit for cavalry, four +wagons of grain, and twenty barrels of wine.” + +“Very well,” Jack said; “if these are ready by tomorrow morning I will +accept them as an earnest of your goodwill, and now I require food for +my men.” + +“That shall be ready for them in an hour,” the man replied. + +Jack now gave orders to the sergeant that the girths to the saddles +should be loosened, and the horses fastened in readiness for service in +the street close to the inn. Four men were then posted as pickets at the +distance of a quarter of a mile on each side of the village. Corn was +brought for the horses. The women and children gathered round to gaze at +the foreign soldiers, and Jack was convinced that there was at any rate +no intention to effect a surprise while he remained in the village. In +an hour the dinner was served, and there was no reason to complain of +the quantity or quality of the provisions. + +An hour after dinner the troop again mounted and took a detour of some +miles through the district, passing through several other villages, in +none of which were the slightest signs of hostility met with. + +“Sergeant,” Jack said, after they had returned to Estrella, “everything +looks very quiet and peaceful; but, considering what we have heard +of the feeling in this district, it seems to me that it is almost too +peaceful. I can't help feeling somewhat uneasy. When it gets dark +divide the troop into two parties; keep one constantly under arms; place +sentries in pairs at each end of the village, and keep a most vigilant +watch. Do not let the others scatter to the quarters the mayor has +provided; but let all lie down here in the inn ready to turn out at a +moment's notice. They are a treacherous lot, these Spaniards, and we +cannot be too strictly on our guard.” + +The night passed, however, without an incident, and in the morning, the +five wagons with grain and wine, and eight horses, were brought in. + +Jack, rather ashamed of his suspicions on the previous night, thanked +the mayor warmly. Eight of the troopers took each a led horse. The four +countrymen in charge of the wagons shouted to their oxen, and the party +moved out from Estrella. + +“There are very few men about the village, Mr. Stilwell,” the sergeant +said, as Jack reined back his horse to speak to him. “Did you notice +that, sir?” + +“Yes,” Jack said; “I did notice it; for except a few old men and boys, +there were none but women and children gathered round or standing at +their door. There were plenty of men about yesterday; but perhaps they +have all gone up to work in the fields; however, we will keep our eyes +open. You had best ride forward, sergeant, to the two men in front and +tell them to keep a sharp lookout.” + +They were proceeding only at a slow walk in order to keep pace with the +wagons, and it was an hour and a half after leaving Estrella before they +entered the hills. + +Jack noticed that although many women and girls could be seen working in +the fields, not a man was in sight. + +“It is curious, sergeant, that there are no men about, and I can't help +thinking that all is not right. Do you take four men with you and ride +straight on through that nasty narrow valley we noticed as we came. Keep +a sharp lookout on both sides, for there are rocks enough on those hills +to hide an army.” + +Jack halted the detachment when the scouting party went forward. In +three quarters of an hour the sergeant returned with his men, saying +that he had ridden right through the valley and could see no signs of +life whatever. + +“Very well, sergeant, then we will proceed. But we will do so in groups. +If we are to be attacked in that valley, we could make no fight of it +were we ten times as many as we are; and if we must be caught, they +shall have as few of us as possible; therefore, let a corporal with four +men go on a good quarter of a mile ahead, so that he will be past the +worst part before the next body enter. Then do you take ten men and go +next. I will follow you at the same distance with the other five men and +the wagons. Order the corporal if attacked to ride through if possible; +if not, to fall back to you. Do you do the same. If you are nearly +through the valley when you are attacked, dash straight forward. I shall +see what is going on, and will turn and ride back with my party, and +making a sweep round through the flat country find my way back by some +other road. In that case by no possibility can they get more than a few +of us.” + +These orders, which were well calculated to puzzle a concealed enemy, +were carried out. The corporal's party were just disappearing round +a turn at the upper end of the valley when the main body under the +sergeant entered it. Jack was not quite so far behind, and halted as he +entered the valley to allow those who preceded him to get through before +he proceeded. They were still some two hundred yards from the further +end when a shot was heard, and in an instant men appeared from behind +every rock, and the hillside was obscured with smoke as upward of two +hundred guns were fired almost simultaneously. Then there was a deep +rumbling noise, and the rocks came bounding down from above. + +The sergeant carried out Jack's orders. At the flash of the first gun +he set off with his men at a gallop; and so quick and sudden was the +movement that but few of the bullets touched them, and the rocks for +the most part thundered down in their rear. Two or three horses and men +were, however, struck down and crushed by the massive rocks; but the +rest of the party got through the pass in safety and joined their +comrades who had preceded them. They rode on for a short distance +further, and then there was a halt, and wounds were examined and +bandaged. + +“It is well that we came as we did,” the sergeant said to his corporal; +“if we had been all together, with the wagons blocking up the road, not +a man Jack of us would have escaped alive. What an escape it has been! +the whole hillside seemed coming down on us.” + +“What will Mr. Stilwell do, sergeant?” + +“He said he should ride back into the plain and take some other way +round,” the sergeant replied; “but I fear he won't find it so easy. +Fellows who would lay such an ambush as that are pretty sure to have +taken steps to cut off the retreat of any who might escape and ride +back. I am sure I hope he will get out of it, for he is a good officer, +and as pleasant a young fellow as one can want to serve under; besides, +there are five of our chaps with him.” + +Jack had halted his men the instant the first shot was fired. “Shall I +shoot these fellows, sir?” one of the troopers asked, drawing his pistol +and pointing it at the head of one of the peasants leading a yoke of +oxen. + +“No,” Jack said; “they are unarmed; besides, they are plucky fellows for +risking their lives on such a venture. There! the sergeant's troop have +got through; but there are two or three of them down. Come along, lads, +we must ride back, and there is no time to lose. Keep well together, and +in readiness to charge if I give the word. It is likely enough our turn +may come next.” + +They rode on without interruption at full gallop till they neared the +lower end of the valley. Then Jack drew up his horse. Across the road +and the ground on each side extended a dozen carts, the oxen being taken +out, and the carts placed end to end so as to form a barricade. A number +of men were standing behind them. + +“I expected something of this sort,” muttered Jack. He looked at the +hills on either side, but they were too steep to ride up on horseback; +and as to abandoning the animals and taking to the hills on foot, it +was not to be thought of, for the active peasants would easily overtake +them. + +“We must ride straight forward,” he said; “there is no other way out of +it. There is level ground enough for a horse to pass round the left of +the wagons. Ride for that point as hard as you can, and when you are +through keep straight forward for a quarter of a mile till we are +together again. Now!” + +Giving his horse the spur, Jack dashed off at full speed, followed +closely by the troopers. As they approached the line guns flashed out +from the wagons, and the bullets sang thickly round them; but they were +going too fast to be an easy mark, and the peasants, after firing their +guns, seeing the point for which they were making, ran in a body to +oppose them, armed with pitch forks and ox goads; few of them had, +however, reached the spot when Jack and his troopers dashed up. There +was a short sharp struggle, and then, leaving five or six of the +peasants dead on the ground, the troopers burst through and rode +forward. One man only had been lost in the passage, shot through the +head as he approached the gap. + +“So far we are safe,” Jack said, “and as I expect every man in the +country round was engaged in that ambush, we need not hurry for the +present. The question is, Which way to go?” + +This was indeed a difficult point to settle, for Jack was wholly +ignorant of the country. He had made inquiries as to the way to +Estrella, but knew nothing of any other roads leading from that village, +and indeed, for aught he knew, the road by which he had come might be +the only one leading to the south through the range of hills. + +“We will turn west,” he said, after a moment's thought, “and keep along +near the foot of the hills till we come to another road crossing them.” + +So saying, he set forward at an easy trot across the fields of maize and +wheat stubble, vineyards, and occasionally orchards. For upward of two +hours Jack led the way, but they saw no signs of a road, and he observed +with uneasiness that the plain was narrowing fast and the hills on the +left trending to meet those on the right and form an apparently unbroken +line ahead. + +The horses were showing signs of fatigue, and Jack drew rein on somewhat +rising ground and looked anxiously round. If, as it seemed, there was no +break in the bills ahead, it would be necessary to retrace their steps, +and long ere this the defenders of the ravine would have returned to +their homes, and learned from the men at the carts that a small party +had escaped. As the women in the fields would be able to point out the +way they had taken, the whole population would be out in pursuit of +them. Looking round Jack saw among some trees to his right what appeared +to be a large mansion, and resolved at once to go there. + +“The horses must have food and a rest,” he said, “before we set out +again; and though it's hardly probable, as the peasants are so hostile, +that the owner of this place is friendly, I would even at the worst +rather fall into the hands of a gentleman than into those of these +peasants, who would certainly murder us in cold blood.” + +Thus saying, he rode toward the mansion, whose owner must, he thought as +he approached it, be a man of importance, for it was one of the finest +country residences he had seen in Spain. He rode up to the front door +and dismounted and rang at the bell. A man opened the door, and looked +with surprise and alarm at the English uniforms. He would have shut the +door again, but Jack put his shoulder to it and pushed it open. + +“What means this insolence?” he said sternly, drawing his pistol. “Is +your master in?” + +“No, senor,” the man stammered, “the count is from home.” + +“Is your mistress in?” + +The man hesitated. + +“I will see,” he said. + +“Look here, sir,” Jack said. “Your mistress is in, and unless you lead +me straight to her I will put a bullet through your head.” + +Several other men servants had now come up, but the four troopers had +also entered. The Spaniards looked at each other irresolutely. + +“Now, sirrah,” Jack said, raising his pistol, “are you going to obey +me?” + +The Spaniard, seeing Jack would execute his threat unless obeyed, turned +sullenly and led the way to a door. He opened it and entered. + +“Madam the countess,” he said, “an English officer insists on seeing +you.” + +Jack followed him in. A lady had just risen from her seat. + +“I must apologize, madam,” he began, and then stopped in surprise, while +at the same moment a cry of astonishment broke from the lady. + +“Senor Stilwell!” she cried. “Oh! how glad I am to see you! but--but--” + And she stopped. + +“But how do I come here, countess, you would ask? I come here by +accident, and had certainly no idea that I should find you, or that this +mansion belonged to your husband. You told me when I saw you last, a +fortnight before I left Barcelona, that you were going away to your seat +in the country. You told me its name, too, and were good enough to say +that you hoped when this war was over that I would come and visit you; +but, in truth, as this is not a time for visiting, I had put the matter +out of my mind.” + +“And do you belong, then,” the countess asked, “to the party who we +heard yesterday had arrived at Estrella? If so--” And she stopped again. + +“If so, how have I escaped, you would ask? By good fortune and the speed +of my horse.” + +“What will the count say?” the countess exclaimed. “How will he ever +forgive himself? Had he known that our preserver was with that party he +would have cut off his right hand before he would have--” + +“Led his tenants to attack us. He could not tell, countess, and now +I hope that you will give your retainers orders to treat my men with +hospitality. At present my four troopers and your men are glowering +at each other in the hall like wolves and dogs ready to spring at each +other's throats.” + +The countess at once went out into the hall. The servants had now armed +themselves, and, led by the majordomo, were standing in readiness to +attack the dragoons on the termination of the colloquy between the +officer and their mistress. + +“Lay aside your arms, men,” the countess said imperiously. “These men +are the count's guests. Enrico, do you not recognize this gentleman?” + +The majordomo turned, and, at once dropping his musket, ran across, and, +falling on his knees, pressed Jack's hand to his lips. The servants, who +had at first stood in irresolute astonishment at their mistress' order, +no longer hesitated, but placed their arms against the wall. + +“This,” the majordomo said to them, rising to his feet, “is the noble +English lord who saved the lives of the count and countess and my young +master from the mob at Barcelona, as I have often told you.” + +This explained the mystery. The servants saluted Jack with profound +respect, for all were deeply attached to the count and countess, and had +often thrilled with fury and excitement over the majordomo's relation of +that terrible scene at Barcelona. + +Jack in a few words explained to the troopers the reason of the change +in their position. The dragoons put up their swords, and were soon on +the best terms with the retainers in the great kitchen, while Jack and +the countess chatted over the events which had happened since they last +parted. + +“I shall always tremble when I think of today,” the countess said. “What +a feeling mine would have been all my life had our preserver been killed +by my servants! I should never have recovered it. It is true it +would have been an accident, and yet the possibility should have been +foreseen. The count knew you were with the Earl of Peterborough, and the +whole English army should have been sacred in his eyes for your sake; +but I suppose he never thought of it any more than I did. Of course +every one knows that we belong to Philip's party. It was for that, that +the mob at Barcelona would have killed us; but my husband does not talk +much, and when he left Barcelona no objection was raised. He did not +intend to take part in the war, and he little thought at that time that +an enemy would ever come so far from Barcelona; but yesterday, when a +message came that a small party of the enemy had entered the valley, and +that the peasants had prepared an ambuscade for them on their return, +and that they hoped that the count their master would himself come +and lead them to annihilate the heretics, the simple man agreed, never +thinking that you might be among them. What will his feelings be when, +he learns it!” + +Late in the afternoon the count arrived. One of the servants who had +been on the lookout informed the countess of his approach. + +“I will go myself to meet him,” she said. “Do you stay here, senor, +where you can hear.” + +The count rode up at full speed, and as the door opened ran hastily in. + +“What has happened, Nina?” he exclaimed anxiously. “I have had a great +fright. We have been following a small party of the enemy who escaped +us from Estrella, and just now a woman returning from work in the fields +told us she had seen five strange soldiers ride up here and enter.” + +“They are here,” the countess answered complacently. “They are at +present our guests.” + +“Our guests!” the count exclaimed, astonished “What are you saying, +Nina? The enemies of our country our guests! In what a position have you +placed me! I have two hundred armed men just behind. I left them to ride +on when I heard the news, being too anxious to go at their pace, and now +you tell me that these men of whom they are in search are our guests! +What am I to say or do? You amaze me altogether.” + +“What would you have me do?” the countess said. “Could I refuse +hospitality to wearied men who asked it, Juan?” she continued, changing +her tone. “You have to thank Providence indeed that those men came to +our door instead of falling into the hands of your peasants.” + +“To thank Providence!” the count repeated, astonished. + +“Come with me and you will see why.” + +She led the way into the room, her husband following her. The count gave +a cry as his eye fell upon Jack, and every vestige of color left his +face. + +“Mary, mother of heaven!” he said in a broken voice, “I thank thee that +I have been saved from a crime which would have imbittered all my life. +Oh, senor, is it thus we meet, thus, when I have been hunting blindly +for the blood of the man to whom I owe so much?” + +“Happily there is no harm done, count,” Jack said, advancing with +outstretched hand; “you were doing what you believed to be your duty, +attacking the enemy of your country. Had you killed me you would have +been no more to blame than I should, did a chance shot of mine slay you +when fighting in the ranks of the soldiers of Philip.” + +The count was some time before he could respond to Jack's greeting, +so great was his emotion at the thought of the escape he had had from +slaying the preserver of his wife and child. As soon as he recovered +himself he hurried out to meet the peasants, whose shouts could be heard +as they approached the castle. He soon returned and bade his servants +take a cask of wine into the courtyard behind the house, with what bread +and meat there might be in the larder. + +“You had no trouble with them, I hope?” Jack asked. + +“None whatever,” the count said. “As soon as I told them the +circumstances under which you saved the life of the countess, my boy, +and myself, their only wish was to see you and express their gratitude; +they are simple fellows, these peasants, and if fairly treated greatly +attached to their lords.” + +“It's a pity their treatment of the prisoners is so savage,” Jack said +dryly. + +“They are savage,” the count said, “but you must remember that the +history of Spain is one long story of war and bloodshed. They draw +knives on each other on the slightest provocation, and in their +amusements, as you know, there is nothing that in their eyes can rival +a bullfight; it is little wonder, then, that in war they are savage and, +as you would say, even bloodthirsty. This is not so in regular warfare. +Whatever may have been the conduct of some of our irregulars, none have +ever alleged that Spanish troops are less inclined to give quarter to +conquered foes than others; but in this rough irregular warfare each +peasant fights on his own account as against a personal enemy, and as +he would expect and would meet with little mercy if he fell into the +enemy's hands, so he grants no mercy to those who fall into his. Indeed, +after the brutal treatment which Marshal Tesse has, I am ashamed to say, +dealt out to those who opposed him, you can scarcely blame peasants for +acting as they see civilized soldiers do.” + +A short time afterward Jack went out with the count into the courtyard, +and was received with the most hearty and cordial greeting by the men +who were an hour before thirsting for his blood. Among them was the +village mayor. + +“Ah, sir,” he said, “why did you not tell us that you had saved the +life of our lord and lady? You should have had all the horses in the +district, and as many wagons of wine and grain as we could collect. We +are all in despair that we should have attacked our lord's preserver.” + +“I could not tell you,” Jack said, “because I was in ignorance that the +Count de Minas was your lord; had I known it I should have assuredly +gone straight to him.” + +“We shall never forgive ourselves,” the man said, “for having killed +four of your honor's soldiers.” + +“I am sorry that it was so,” Jack said, “but I cannot blame you; and I +am sorry that we on our part must have killed as many of yours.” + +“Six,” the mayor replied. “Yes, poor fellows, but the count will see to +their widows and orphans, he has promised us as much. I drink to your +health, senor,” and all present joined in the shout, “Long live the +preserver of the count and countess!” + +Jack and the count now returned to the house, and the next morning, +after a cordial adieu to the host and hostess, he rode back with his men +to Castillon. + +“Welcome back, Mr. Stilwell,” the general said as he entered; “I have +been very uneasy about you. Your men returned at noon yesterday and told +me of the ambush in which they had been beset. Your arrangements were +excellent except for your own safety. How did you manage to get out? +By the way, I was astonished by the arrival here an hour since of the +horses and wagons. The men who brought them could give me no account of +it, except that the Mayor of Estrella returned late yesterday evening +and ordered them to set out before daybreak. It seemed to me a perfect +mystery. I suspected at first that the wine was poisoned, and ordered +the men who brought it to drink some at once, but as they did so without +hesitation or sign of fear, I concluded that I was mistaken. However, I +have kept them captive pending news from you to enlighten me.” + +“I am not surprised you were astonished, sir, but the matter was simple +enough;” and then Jack related the circumstances which had befallen +them. + +“Bravo!” the earl said; “for once, Mr. Stilwell, a good action has had +its reward, which, so far as my experience goes, is an exception.” + +The earl at once called in a sergeant and ordered the release of the men +who had brought the horses and wagons, and gave ten gold pieces to be +distributed among them. Jack also went out and begged them to give his +compliments and thanks to the mayor. + +“I am heartily glad the adventure ended as it did,” the earl said when +he returned, “for, putting aside the regret I should have felt at your +loss, it would have been a difficult business for me to undertake, with +my present force, to chastise the men who attacked you, who must be bold +and determined fellows, and capable of realizing the advantages of this +mountainous country. If all Spaniards would do as much it would tax the +power of the greatest military nation to subdue them; and yet I could +hardly have suffered such a check without endeavoring to avenge it; so +altogether, Mr. Stilwell, we must congratulate ourselves that the affair +ended as it did. In any case you would have been in no way to blame, for +your dispositions throughout appear to have been excellent, and marked +alike with prudence and boldness.” + + + +CHAPTER XI: VALENCIA + + +While occupied in preparing for his advance, the general sent letter +after letter to Valencia, bidding the citizens to keep up their courage, +and promising to hasten to the relief of that city. Ordering Jack to +continue the correspondence in his name, so as to delude both friends +and foes that he was still at Castillon, he took post secretly and +hurried away back to Tortosa to see after reinforcements. He still +doubted whether the Spanish troops, which the king had promised should +be at his disposal for the campaign in Valencia, had got into motion, +and in case they had not done so he determined to post to Colonel Wills +and bring up that officer with his brigade. + +At Vinaroz he found that the Spanish troops had already entered +Valencia, and that some of the militia of that province and of Catalonia +were also in motion to join him. He therefore concentrated his little +force at Castillon, to which place he returned as rapidly as he had +left it. When it was assembled it consisted of a thousand horse and two +thousand infantry, being one English and three Spanish battalions of +regulars. Besides these were about three hundred armed peasants, whom +the earl thought it better not to join with his army, and therefore +quartered them at Almenara. + +Although he had accomplished marvels, there was yet much to do. The Duke +of Arcos had succeeded the Conde de las Torres in the chief command, the +latter having been superseded after his signal failures. The duke had +ten thousand men placed under his orders, of whom some thirty-five +hundred were in possession of the strong town of Murviedro, which +covered the approach to Valencia, while with the main body he marched +upon Valencia and commenced the siege of that city. The magistrates, +knowing that they could expect but little mercy should the town be +taken, made vigorous preparations for defense, and dispatched some +messengers to Peterborough imploring him to come to their assistance. He +was now in readiness to do so, and on the 1st of February marched from +Castillon with his army. + +Having unlimited powers, the earl, before starting, presented to his two +aides de camp commissions as captains, as a reward for the services they +had rendered. + +Although so inferior in numbers the little army advanced toward Valencia +with an absolute confidence of victory. The successes gained by their +leader with a handful of cavalry over an army of seven thousand men had +been so astounding that his troops believed him capable of effecting +anything that he undertook. They had seen him ride off from San Matteo +with his little body of horse upon what seemed an impossible enterprise; +they had met him again after having conquered half a province; and if he +had accomplished this with such scanty means, what was not possible now +when he had three thousand men at his disposal? + +But the earl trusted fully as much to his talents in the way of +deceiving the enemy as to his power of defeating them by open force +in the field. His eccentric genius appeared to revel in the mendacious +statements by which he deceived and puzzled both friend and foe; and +although the spreading of a certain amount of false news for the purpose +of deceiving an enemy has always been considered as a legitimate means +of warfare, Peterborough altogether exceeded the usual limits, and +appeared to delight in inventing the most complicated falsehoods from +the mere love of mischief. At times Jack was completely bewildered +by his general, so rapid were the changes of plans, so changeable his +purposes, so fantastic and eccentric his bearing and utterances. That +his military genius was astonishing no one can for a moment question, +but it was the genius rather of a knight errant than of the commander of +great armies. + +As a partisan leader Peterborough is without a rival in history. Whether +he would have succeeded equally well as the commander of great armies he +had never an opportunity of proving, but it is more than doubtful. Rapid +changes of plan, shifting and uncertain movements, may lead to wonderful +successes when but a small body of troops have to be set in motion, but +would cause endless confusion and embarrassment with a large army, which +can only move in accordance with settled plans and deliberate purpose. + +It must be said, however, that this most eccentric of generals proved +upon many occasions, as at the siege of Barcelona, that he was capable +of adapting himself to circumstances, and it is possible that had he +ever been placed in command of a great army he would have laid aside his +flightiness and eccentricity, his love for theatrical strokes and hair +breadth adventures, and would have exhibited a steadfast military genius +which would have placed his name in the annals of British history on a +par with those of Wellington and Marlborough. Never did he exhibit +his faculty for ingenious falsehood more remarkably than at Murviedro, +where, indeed, a great proportion of his inventions appear to have been +prompted rather by a spirit of malice than by any military necessity. + +Murviedro was the Saguntum of the Romans, one of the strongest cities +in Spain. The force there was commanded by Brigadier General Mahony, an +officer of Irish descent. He had under him five hundred regular cavalry +and a battalion of eight hundred trained infantry; the rest of his force +consisted of Spanish militia. The town itself was fairly strong and +contained a large population. It was separated from a wide plain by a +river, on the banks of which redoubts mounted with artillery had been +thrown up. + +Here the Valencian road wound through a pass, above which, on the +crest of a lofty overhanging hill, were the ruins of ancient Saguntum. +Peterborough had no artillery save a few Spanish field guns; the enemy's +position was formidable both by formation and art, and his force was +altogether inadequate for an attack upon it. So hopeless did the attempt +appear to be that Peterborough's officers were unanimous in the opinion +that it would be better to make a wide circuit and avoid the place, and +to march directly upon Valencia and give battle to the Duke of Arcos +under its walls. Peterborough, however, simply told them to wait and see +what would come of it, and in the mean time he continued to bewilder his +foes by the most surprising romances. + +His agents were for the most part a few sharp witted dragoons, and some +peasants whose fidelity was secured by their families being held as +hostages. He had already contrived to bewilder the division of Las +Torres before it reached the main body under the Duke of Arcos. A spy +in his pay had informed the Spanish general that the British were close +upon him, and he had accordingly at once broken up his camp and marched +all night. + +In the morning the spy again presented himself and stated that the +British were pushing on over the mountains to his left to occupy an +important point and to cut off his retreat to the Valencian plains. As +it seemed absolutely impossible that they could have pressed forward +so quickly, Las Torres refused to credit the story. The spy, as if +indignant at his truth being doubted, pledged himself at the hazard of +his life to give proof of the assertion to any officer who might be sent +to ascertain it. + +Two officers in plain clothes were accordingly sent with him in the +direction where he stated the English to be; but when they stopped for +refreshment at a village on the way they were suddenly pounced upon by +a picket of English dragoons, who had been sent there for the purpose. +After a time the spy pretended to the two officers that he had made the +guard drunk and that they could now make their escape, and leading them +stealthily to the stable showed them two of the dragoons lying in an +apparently drunken sleep. Three horses were quietly led out of the +stable, and the three men rode off, some of the dragoons making a show +of pursuit. + +This incident, of course, established the credit of the spy. Las Torres +was convinced that his retreat was really threatened, and hurried on +again with all speed, while all this time the English army was really +many miles away near Murviedro. Other dragoons were induced to feign +desertion, while some permitted themselves to be taken prisoners, and as +each vied with the others in the extravagance of his false information, +the Spanish generals were utterly bewildered by the contradictory nature +of the lies that reached them. + +While Las Torres was hastening away at full speed to join the Duke of +Arcos, Peterborough was occupied in fooling Mahony. That officer was a +distant relation of Lady Peterborough, and the earl sent to demand an +interview with him, naming a small hill near the town for the purpose. +When the time for the interview approached the earl disposed his army +so as to magnify their numbers as much as possible. Some were posted +as near the town as they could venture along the pass; others were kept +marching on the lower slopes of the hills, their numbers increased in +appearance by masses of the armed peasantry being mingled with them. + +Mahony having received the earl's word for his safety rode out to the +appointed place to meet him, accompanied by several of the principal +Spanish officers. Peterborough first used every persuasion to induce +Mahony to enter the service of King Charles, but the Irish officer +refused to entertain the tempting offers which he made. Peterborough +then changed his tone, and said with an air of kindly frankness: + +“The Spaniards have used such severities and cruelties at Villa Real as +to oblige me to retaliate. I am willing to spare a town if under your +protection. I know that you cannot pretend to defend it with the horse +you have, which will be so much more useful in another place if joined +with the troops of Arcos to obstruct my passing the plains of Valencia. +I am confident that you will soon quit Murviedro, which I can as little +prevent as you can hinder me from taking the town. The inhabitants +there must be exposed to the most abject miseries, and I can in no way +preserve it but by being bound in a capitulation, which I am willing to +give you if I have the assurance of the immediate surrender of the place +this very night. Some cases are so apparent that I need not dissemble. +I know you will immediately send to the Duke of Arcos to march to the +Carthusian convent and meet him there with the body of horse under your +command.” + +The earl further offered, in the same apparent spirit of frankness, to +show Mahony all his troops and artillery, as well as the large resources +he had upon the sea, which was only six miles off. Mahony was entirely +deceived by the manner of the man he regarded as a relative, and +laughingly acknowledged that he had, in case of necessity, intended to +fall back with his cavalry upon the Duke of Arcos. The interview ended +by Mahony retiring to the town, agreeing to send back an answer in half +an hour. At the end of that time he sent out a capitulation by a Spanish +officer. + +Had Peterborough's scheme ended here he would not have exceeded the +bounds of what is regarded as a fair method of deceiving an enemy, +but his subsequent proceedings were absolutely indefensible, and are, +indeed, almost incredible on the part of the man who in some respects +carried the point of honor almost to an extreme. His notion, no doubt, +was to paralyze the action of the enemy by exciting suspicions of +treachery among their leaders, but the means which he took to do so were +base and unworthy in the extreme. + +He began with the Spanish officer who had brought the capitulation, +giving him a garbled account of his interview with Mahony, and then +endeavoring to bribe him to desert to the Austrian cause, insinuating +that he had succeeded by this means with Mahony. As the earl expected, +he failed to induce the Spaniard to desert, but he succeeded in his +purpose of filling his mind with suspicions of treachery on the part of +Mahony. + +Mahony had conducted the negotiations in a manner worthy of a loyal +and skillful officer; he had stipulated not to leave the town till one +o'clock in the morning, and that Peterborough should not pass the river +until that hour. + +This he had arranged in order to allow the Duke of Arcos time to reach +the plains, where he was to be joined by the horse from Murviedro. But +Peterborough's machinations had been effectual; the Spanish officer, on +his return, informed his countrymen that Mahony had betrayed them, and +the troops and populace became enraged against the unfortunate Irishman +and threatened his life. Peterborough, who, in spite of his perverted +notions of honor, would not on any account have passed the river before +the time stipulated, heard the neighing of horses in the town and +supposed that some of the troops were leaving it. In order, therefore, +to create suspicion and confusion among the enemy, he ordered a body +of men near the river to fire straggling shots as if small parties were +engaged at the outposts. + +Mahony hearing these sounds sent word that whatever collision might have +occurred it was the result of no breach of the terms of capitulation +on his part, and that, depending implicitly on the honor of an English +general, he could not believe that any foul play could take place. +Peterborough sent back his compliments by the officer who brought the +message, with expressions of gratification at the good understanding +which prevailed between them, and at the same time he proposed that +Mahony, for the security of the inhabitants of Murviedro, and to prevent +his troops being molested as they retired from the town, should permit +a regiment of English dragoons to cross the river and to form a guard +at the gates, offering at the same time to deliver up a number of his +officers as hostages to the Spanish for the loyal fulfillment of the +terms. + +In an evil hour for himself Mahony consented to the proposal. When +the Spaniards saw Peterborough's dragoons advancing without opposition +through the difficult pass, and up to the very gates of the town, their +suspicions of the treachery of their leader became a certainty. The +Spanish officers each got his company or troop together as quickly as +possible and hurried across the plain to the camp of the duke, where +they spread a vague but general panic. The officers accused Mahony +of treachery to the Spanish general, and the national jealousy of +foreigners made their tale easily believed; but Peterborough had taken +another step to secure the success of his diabolical plan against the +honor of his wife's relative. + +He made choice of two Irish dragoons, and persuaded them by bribes +and promises of promotion to undertake the dangerous part of false +deserters, and to tell the tale with which he furnished them. They +accordingly set out and rode straight to the camp of the Duke of Arcos +and gave themselves up to the outposts, by whom they were led before +the Spanish general. Questioned by him, they repeated the story they had +been taught. + +The statement was that they had been sitting drinking wine together +under some rocks on the hillside, close to where the conference was +held, and that Peterborough and Mahony, walking apart from the others, +came near to where they were sitting, but did not notice them, and that +they saw the earl deliver five thousand pistoles to Mahony, and heard +him promise to make him a major general in the English army, and to give +him the command of ten thousand Irish Catholics which were being raised +for the service of King Charles. They said that they were content to +receive no reward, but to be shot as spies if Mahony himself did not +give proof of treachery by carrying out his arrangements with the earl, +by sending a messenger requesting the duke to march that night across +the plain toward Murviedro to the Carthusian convent, where everything +would be arranged for their destruction by a strong ambush of British +troops. + +Scarcely had the men finished their story when an aide de camp galloped +in from Mahony with the very proposition which they had reported that +he would make. Arcos had now no doubt whatever of Mahony's treason, +and instead of complying with his request, which was obviously the best +course to have been pursued, as the junction of the two armies would +thereby have been completed, the duke broke up his camp without delay +and fell back in exactly the opposite direction. + +This was exactly what Peterborough had been scheming to bring about. +Mahony, with his cavalry, having delivered over the town, marched to the +Carthusian convent, and there, finding themselves unsupported, rode on +to the spot where the duke had been encamped, and finding that his army +was gone, followed it. On overtaking it Mahony was instantly arrested +and sent a prisoner to Madrid. + +It is satisfactory to know that he succeeded in clearing himself from +the charge of treachery, was promoted to the rank of major general, and +was sent back with Las Torres, who was ordered to supersede the Duke of +Arcos. + +The success of the earl's stratagem had been complete. Without the loss +of a single man he had obtained possession of Murviedro, and had spread +such confusion and doubt into the enemy's army that, although more than +three times his own force, it was marching away in all haste, having +abandoned the siege of Valencia, which city he could now enter with his +troops. The success was a wonderful one; but it is sad to think that +it was gained by such a treacherous and dastardly maneuver, which might +have cost a gallant officer--who was, moreover, a countryman and distant +connection of the earl--his honor and his life. + +The next day the earl entered the city of Valencia in triumph. The whole +population crowded into the streets. The houses were decorated with +flags and hangings. The church bells pealed out their welcome, and amid +the shouts of the people below and the waving of handkerchiefs from the +ladies at the balconies, he rode through the streets to the town hall, +where all the principal personages were assembled, followed by the +little army with which he had performed what appeared to have been an +impossible undertaking. + +After their incessant labors during the past two months, the rest at +Valencia was most grateful to the troops. The city is celebrated as +being one of the gayest and most delightful in all Spain. Its situation +is lovely, standing within a mile and a half of the sea, in a rich plain +covered with vines, olives, and other fruit trees, while beyond the +plains rise the mountains, range after range, with the higher summits +covered with snow. The people, at all times pleasure loving, gave +themselves up to fetes and rejoicings for some time after the entrance +of the army that had saved them from such imminent danger, and all vied +in hospitality to the earl and his officers. + +King Charles, astonished and delighted at Peterborough's success, +appointed him captain general of all his forces, and gave him the power +of appointing and removing all governors and other public servants, as +he might consider necessary for the good of the cause, while from London +the earl received a dispatch appointing him plenipotentiary at the court +of King Charles. + +Here as at Barcelona the earl entered with almost boyish animation into +the gayety of which he was the center. With the priests and ladies he +was an especial favorite, having won the former by the outward respect +which he paid to their religion, and by the deference he exhibited +toward themselves. + +Valencia prided itself on being one of the holiest cities in Spain, and +no other town could boast of the connection of so many saints or +the possession of so many relics. The priesthood were numerous and +influential. Religious processions were constantly passing through +the streets, and in the churches the services were conducted with the +greatest pomp and magnificence. + +Peterborough, knowing the value of the alliance and assistance of +the priests, spared no pains to stand well with the Church, revenging +himself for the outward deference he paid to it by the bitterest sarcasm +and jeers in his letters to his friends at home. Believing nothing +himself, the gross superstition which he saw prevailing round him was +an argument in favor of his own disbelief in holy things, and he did not +fail to turn it to advantage. + +With the ladies his romantic adventures, his extraordinary bravery, +his energy and endurance, his brilliant wit, his polished manner, his +courtesy and devotion, rendered him an almost mythical hero; and the +fair Valencians were to a woman his devoted admirers and adherents. + +But, while apparently absorbed in pleasure, Peterborough's energy never +slumbered for a moment. His position was still one of extreme danger. +The force of Las Torres, seven thousand strong, recovering from their +panic, had, a day or two after he entered the town, returned and taken +post on some hills near it, preparatory to recommencing the siege. Four +thousand Castilians were marching to their support by the road leading +through Fuente de la Higuera, while at Madrid, within an easy distance, +lay the overwhelming forces of the main army under Marshal Tesse.. To +cope with these forces he had but his little army in the town, amounting +to but three thousand men, deficient in artillery, ammunition, and +stores of all kinds. + +Had Marshal Tesse marched at once to join Las Torres Peterborough's +little force must have been crushed; but the court of King Philip +decided to dispatch the marshal against Barcelona. Fortunately +Peterborough was well informed by the country people of everything that +was passing, for in every town and village there were men or women who +sent him news of all that was going on in their neighborhood. + +It was but a week after they entered Valencia that the earl, happening +to pass close by Jack Stilwell at a brilliant ball, paused for a moment +and said: + +“Get away from this in half an hour, find Graham, and bring him with you +to my quarters. Before you go find Colonel Zinzendorf and tell him +to have two hundred men ready to mount at half past one. He is here +somewhere. If you find he has left you must go round to the barracks. +Tell him the matter is to be kept an absolute secret. I know,” the earl +said gallantly to the lady on his arm and to Jack's partner, “we can +trust you two ladies to say nothing of what you have heard. It is indeed +grief and pain to myself and Captain Stilwell to tear ourselves away +from such society, and you may be sure that none but the most pressing +necessity could induce me to do it.” + +Jack at once led his partner to a seat and set out on the search for +Graham and the colonel of dragoons. He was some time finding them both, +and it was already past one when the three issued together from the +palace where the fete was held, and hurried off, the two young officers +to Peterborough's quarters, the colonel to his barracks. + +The earl was already in his chamber. He had slipped away unobserved from +the ball, and had climbed the wall of the garden, to avoid being noticed +passing out of the entrance. His great wig and court uniform were thrown +aside, and he was putting on the plain uniform which he used on service +when his aides de camp entered. + +“Get rid of that finery and gold lace,” he said as they entered. “You +have to do a forty mile ride before morning. I have received glorious +news. One of my partners told me that she had, just as she was starting +for the ball, received a message from a cousin saying that a vessel had +come into port from Genoa with sixteen brass twenty-four pounder +guns, and a quantity of ammunition and stores, to enable Las Torres to +commence the siege. The stores were landed yesterday, and carts were +collected from the country round in readiness for a start at daybreak +this morning. As these things will be even more useful to us than to +the Spaniards, I mean to have them now. Be as quick as you can. I have +already ordered your horses to be brought round with mine.” + +In five minutes they were in the saddle and rode quickly to the cavalry +barracks. The streets were still full of people; but the earl in his +simple uniform passed unnoticed through them. The dragoons were already +mounted when they reached the barracks. + +“We will go out at the back gate, colonel,” the earl said. “Take the +most quiet streets by the way, and make for the west gate. Break your +troop up into four parties, and let them go by different routes, so that +any they meet will suppose they are merely small bodies going out to +relieve the outposts. If it was suspected that I was with you, and that +an expedition was on foot, the Spaniards would hear it in an hour. Loyal +as the population are here, there must be many adherents of Philip among +them, and Las Torres no doubt has his spies as well as we have.” + +The earl's orders were carried out, and half an hour later the four +parties again assembled at a short distance outside the city gates. +Peterborough placed himself at their head and rode directly for the sea. + +“The Spaniards are sure to have outposts placed on all the roads leading +inland,” he said to Colonel Zinzendorf, “and the Spanish irregulars will +be scattered all over the country; but I do not suppose they will have +any down as far as the seashore.” + +When they reached the coast they followed a small road running along its +margin. Two or three miles further they turned off and rode inland till +they struck a main road, so as to avoid following all the windings of +the coast. They now pushed on at a sharp trot, and just at four o'clock +came down upon the little port. + +Its streets were cumbered with country carts, and as the dragoons dashed +into the place a few shots were fired by some Spanish soldiers belonging +to a small detachment which had been sent by Las Torres to act as a +convoy for the guns and stores, and who were sleeping on the pavement +or scattered among the houses in readiness for a start at daybreak. +The resistance soon ceased. Before entering the place Peterborough had +placed a cordon of dragoons in a semicircle round it to prevent any one +passing out. + +No time was lost; the carts were already loaded, and a troop of cavalry +horses stood picketed by the guns. These were soon harnessed up, and the +few other horses in the place were seized to prevent any one riding off +with the news. The order was given to the peasants to start their carts, +and in ten minutes after their entering the place the convoy was on its +way with its long row of carts laden with ammunition and its sixteen +guns. + +The cordon of dragoons was still left round the town, the officer in +command being ordered to allow no one to pass for an hour and a half, +after which time he was to gallop on with his men to overtake the +convoy, as by that time it would be no longer possible for any one to +carry the news to Las Torres in time for him to put his troops into +motion to cut off the convoy from Valencia. The journey back took much +longer than the advance, for the carts, drawn for the most part by +bullocks, made but slow progress. Three hours after the convoy started +the dragoons left behind overtook them. When within three miles of the +town, they were met by a small party of the enemy's Spanish militia; but +these were at once scattered by a charge of the dragoons, and the convoy +proceeded without further molestation until just at noon it entered the +gates of Valencia, where the astonishment and delight of the inhabitants +at its appearance were unbounded. + +In a few hours the cannon were all mounted in position on the ramparts, +adding very much to the defensive power of the town, which was now safe +for a time from any attempt at a siege by Las Torres, whose plans would +be entirely frustrated by the capture of the artillery intended for the +siege. + +But Peterborough was not yet contented. The junction of the four +thousand Castilians, of whose approach he had heard, with Las Torres +would raise the force under that general to a point which would enable +him to blockade the town pending the arrival of artillery for siege +works; and no sooner had the earl returned to his quarters, after seeing +the cannon placed upon the walls, than he began his preparations for +another expedition. He ordered Colonel Zinzendorf to march quietly out +of the city at eight o'clock with four hundred of his dragoons, and four +hundred British and as many Spanish infantry were to join him outside +the walls. The colonels of these three bodies were ordered to say +nothing of their intended movement, and to issue no orders until within +half an hour of the time named. At the same hour the rest of the troops +were to march to the walls and form a close cordon round them, so as to +prevent any one from letting himself down by a rope and taking the news +that an expedition was afoot to Las Torres. + +At a few minutes past eight, eight hundred foot and four hundred horse +assembled outside the gates, and Peterborough took the command. His +object was to crush the Castilians before they could effect a junction +with Las Torres. In order to do this it would be necessary to pass close +by the Spanish camp, which covered the road by which the reinforcements +were advancing to join them. + +In perfect silence the party moved forward and marched to a ford +across the river Xucar, a short distance only below the Spanish camp. +Peterborough rode at their head, having by his side a Spanish gentleman +acquainted with every foot of the country. They forded the river without +being observed, and then, making as wide a circuit as possible round the +camp, came down upon the road without the alarm being given; then they +pushed forward, and after three hours' march came upon the Castilians at +Fuente de la Higuera. The surprise was complete. The Spaniards, knowing +that the Spanish army lay between them and the town, had taken no +precautions, and the British were in possession of the place before they +were aware of their danger. + +There was no attempt at resistance beyond a few hasty shots. The +Castilians were sleeping wrapped up in their cloaks around the place, +and on the alarm they leaped up and fled wildly in all directions. +In the darkness great numbers got away, but six hundred were taken +prisoners. An hour was spent in collecting and breaking the arms left +behind by the fugitives, and the force, with their prisoners in their +midst, then started back on their return march. The circuit of the +Spanish camp was made, and the ford passed as successfully as before, +and just as daylight was breaking the little army marched into Valencia. + +The news rapidly spread, and the inhabitants hurried into the streets, +unable at first to credit the news that the Castilian army, whose +approach menaced the safety of the town, was destroyed. The movement of +the troops on the previous night to the ramparts and the absence of the +greater part of the officers from the festivities had occasioned +some comment; but as none knew that an expedition had set out, it was +supposed that the earl had received news from his spies that Las Torres +intended to attempt a sudden night attack, and the people would have +doubted the astonishing news they now received had it not been for the +presence of the six hundred Castilian prisoners. + +These two serious misadventures caused Las Torres to despair of success +against a town defended by so energetic and enterprising a commander as +Peterborough, and he now turned his thoughts toward the small towns of +Sueca and Alcira. Below these towns and commanded by their guns was the +important bridge of Cullera, by which by far the greater portion of +the supplies for the town was brought in from the country. Las Torres +therefore determined to seize these places, which were distant about +fifteen miles from his camp, and so to straiten the town for provisions. + +As usual, Peterborough's spies brought him early intelligence of the +intended movement, and the orders issued by Las Torres were known to the +earl a few hours later. It needed all his activity to be in time. Five +hundred English and six hundred Spanish infantry, and four hundred +horse, were ordered to march with all speed to the threatened towns; +and, pushing on without a halt, the troops reached them half an hour +before the Spanish force appeared on the spot. On finding the two towns +strongly occupied by the British, Las Torres abandoned his intention and +drew off his troops. + +A portion of the Spanish army were cantoned in a village only some +two miles from Alcira, and a few days later Peterborough determined to +surprise it, and for that purpose marched out at night from Valencia +with an English force of a thousand men, and reached the spot intended +at daybreak as he had arranged. The Spanish garrison of Alcira, also +about a thousand strong, had orders to sally out and attack the village +at the same hour. The Spaniards also arrived punctually, but just as +they were preparing to burst upon the unconscious enemy, who were four +thousand strong, they happened to come upon a picket of twenty horse. An +unaccountable panic seized them; they broke their ranks and fled in such +utter confusion that many of the terror stricken soldiers killed each +other. The picket aroused the enemy, who quickly fell into their ranks, +and Peterborough, seeing that it would be madness to attack them with +his wearied and unsupported force, reluctantly ordered a retreat, which +he conducted in perfect order and without the loss of a man. + +This was Peterborough's only failure; with this exception every one of +his plans had proved successful, and he only failed here from trusting +for once to the cooperation of his wholly unreliable Spanish allies. +After this nothing was done on either side for several weeks. + +The campaign had been one of the most extraordinary ever accomplished, +and its success was due in no degree to chance, but solely to the +ability of Peterborough himself. Wild as many of his schemes appeared, +they were always planned with the greatest care. He calculated upon +almost every possible contingency, and prepared for it. He never +intrusted to others that which he could do himself, and he personally +commanded every expedition even of the most petty kind. + +His extraordinary physical powers of endurance enabled him to support +fatigue and to carry out adventure, which would have prostrated most +other men. The highest praise, too, is due to the troops, who proved +themselves worthy of such a leader. Their confidence in their chief +inspired them with a valor equal to his own. They bore uncomplainingly +the greatest hardships and fatigues, and engaged unquestioningly +in adventures and exploits against odds which made success appear +absolutely hopeless. The hundred and fifty dragoons who followed the +Earl of Peterborough to the conquest of Valencia deserve a place side by +side with the greatest heroes of antiquity. + + + +CHAPTER XII: IRREGULAR WARFARE + + +From the moment that the news of the loss of Barcelona had reached +Madrid, Philip of Anjou had labored strenuously to collect a force +sufficient to overwhelm his enemies. He had, moreover, written urgently +to Louis XIV for assistance, and although France was at the moment +obliged to make strenuous efforts to show a front to Marlborough and his +allies, who had already at Blenheim inflicted a disastrous defeat +upon her, Louis responded to the appeal. Formidable French armies were +assembled at Saragossa and Roussillon, while a fleet of twelve ships of +the line, under the command of the Count of Toulouse, sailed to blockade +Barcelona, and the Duke of Berwick, one of the ablest generals of the +day, was sent to head the southern army. + +In January the French army of Catalonia, under Marshal Tesse, reached +Saragossa, where the arrogance and brutality of the marshal soon excited +a storm of hatred among the Aragonese. The towns resisted desperately +the entry of the French troops; assassinations of officers and men were +matters of daily occurrence, and the savage reprisals adopted by the +marshal, instead of subduing, excited the Spaniards to still fiercer +resistance. But savage and cruel as was the marshal, he was in no haste +to meet the enemy in the field, and Philip, who was with him, had the +greatest difficulty in getting him to move forward. + +It was in the last week of February that the news reached the Earl of +Peterborough that Marshal Tesse had left Saragossa, and was marching +toward Lerida. This was two days after the unsuccessful attempt to +surprise the enemy's camp near Alcira; and, menaced as Valencia was by a +force greatly superior to his own, he could not leave the city, which in +his absence would speedily have succumbed to the attack of Las Torres. +He walked quickly up and down his room for some minutes and then said: + +“Captain Stilwell, I cannot leave here myself, but I will send you +to the Marquis of Cifuentes. You have shown the greatest activity and +energy with me, and I do not doubt that you will do equally well when +acting independently. I will give you a letter to the marquis, saying +that you are one of my most trusted and valued officers, and begging him +to avail himself to the fullest of your energy and skill. I shall +tell him that at present I am tied here, but that when the enemy reach +Barcelona, I shall at all hazards march hence and take post in their +rear and do what I can to prevent their carrying on the siege. In the +mean time I beg him to throw every obstacle in the way of their advance, +to hold every pass to the last, to hang on their rear, attack baggage +trains, and cut off stragglers. He cannot hope to defeat Tesse, but he +may wear out and dispirit his men by constant attacks. You speak Spanish +fluently enough now, and will be able to advise and suggest. Remember, +every day that Tesse is delayed gives so much time to the king to put +Barcelona in a state of defense. With my little force I cannot do much +even when I come. The sole hope of Barcelona is to hold out until a +fleet arrives from England. If the king would take my advice I will +guarantee that he shall be crowned in Madrid in two months; but those +pig headed Germans who surround him set him against every proposition I +make. You had better start tonight as soon as it gets dark, and take a +mounted guide with you who knows the country thoroughly. + +“It will be a change for you, from the pleasures of Valencia to a +guerrilla warfare in the mountains in this inclement season, Stilwell,” + Graham said as they left the general. “I don't think I should care about +your mission. I own I have enjoyed myself in Valencia, and I have lost +my heart a dozen times since we arrived.” + +“I have not lost mine at all,” Jack said laughing, “and I am sick of all +these balls and festivities. I was not brought up to it, you know, and +rough as the work may be I shall prefer it to a long stay here.” + +“Yes,” Graham agreed, “I should not care for a long stay, but you may be +quite certain the earl will not remain inactive here many weeks. He is +waiting to see how things go, and the moment the game is fairly opened +you may be sure he will be on the move.” + +“Yes, I don't suppose you will be very long after me,” Jack said; +“still, I am not sorry to go.” + +At seven o'clock in the evening Jack set out, taking with him two +dragoons as orderlies, the earl having suggested that he should do so. + +“Always do a thing yourself if it is possible, Captain Stilwell; but +there are times when you must be doing something else, and it is as well +to have some one that you can rely upon; besides, the orderlies will +give you additional importance in the eyes of the peasants. Most of the +men have picked up some Spanish, but you had better pick out two of my +orderlies who are best up in it.” + +Jack had spent the afternoon in making a round of calls at the houses +where he had been entertained, and after the exchange of adieus, +ceremonial speeches, and compliments, he was heartily glad when the +gates closed behind him and he set out on his journey. As the road +did not pass anywhere near the Spanish camp there was little fear of +interruption in the way. The guide led them by little frequented tracks +across the hills, and by morning they were far on their road. + +They were frequently obliged to make detours to avoid towns and villages +favorable to King Philip. Why one town or village should take one side, +and the next the other, was inexplicable to Jack, but it was so, and +throughout the country this singular anomaly existed. It could be +accounted for by a variety of causes. A popular mayor or a powerful +landed proprietor, whose sympathies were strong with one side or the +other, would probably be followed by the townspeople or peasants. The +influence of the priests, too, was great, and this also was divided. +However it was, the fact remained that, as with Villa Real and Nules, +neighboring towns were frequently enthusiastically in favor of opposite +parties. As Jack had seen all the dispatches and letters which poured +in to the earl, he knew what were the circumstances which prevailed in +every town and village. He knew to what residences of large proprietors +he could ride up with an assurance of welcome, and those which must be +carefully avoided. + +In some parts of the journey, where the general feeling was hostile, +Jack adopted the tactics of his general, riding boldly into the village +with his two dragoons clattering behind him, summoning the head men +before him, and peremptorily ordering that provisions and forage should +be got together for the five hundred horsemen who might be expected to +come in half an hour. The terror caused by Peterborough's raids was +so great that the mere sight of the English uniform was sufficient to +insure obedience, and without any adventure of importance Jack and his +companions rode on, until, on the third day after leaving Valencia, +they approached Lerida. Groups of armed peasants hurrying in the same +direction were now overtaken. These saluted Jack with shouts of welcome, +and he learned that, on the previous day, Marshal Tesse with his army +had crossed from Arragon into Catalonia, and that the alarm bells had +been rung throughout the district. + +From the peasants Jack learned where the Count of Cifuentes would be +found. It was in a village among the hills, to the left of the line +by which the enemy were advancing. It was toward this place that the +peasants were hastening. Jack had frequently met the count at the siege +of Barcelona, and had taken a strong liking for the gallant and dashing +Spanish nobleman. The village was crowded with peasants armed with all +sorts of weapons--rough, hardy, resolute men, determined to defend their +country to the last against the invaders. A shout of satisfaction arose +as Jack and his two troopers rode in, and at the sound the count himself +appeared at the door of the principal house in the village. + +“Ah, Senor Stilwell,” he said, “this in an unexpected pleasure. I +thought that you were with the earl in Valencia.” + +“So I have been, count, but he has sent me hither with a dispatch for +you, and, as you will see by its contents, places me for awhile at your +disposal.” + +“I am pleased indeed to hear it,” the count said; “but pray, senor--” + +“Captain, count,” Jack said with a smile, “for to such rank the earl has +been pleased to promote me as a recognition for such services as I was +able to perform in his campaign against Valencia.” + +“Ah,” the count said, “you earned it well. Every man in that wonderful +force deserved promotion. It was an almost miraculous adventure, and +recalled the feats of the Cid. Truly the days of chivalry are not +passed; your great earl has proved the contrary.” + +They had now entered the house, and, after pouring out a cup of wine +for Jack after the fatigue of his ride, the count opened the dispatch of +which Jack was the bearer. + +“It is well.” he said when he had read it. “As you see for yourself I am +already preparing to carry out the first part, for the alarm bells have +been ringing out from every church tower in this part of Catalonia, and +in another twenty-four hours I expect six thousand peasants will be +out. But, as the earl says, I have no hope with such levies as these of +offering any effectual opposition to the advance of the enemy. + +“The Miquelets cannot stand against disciplined troops. They have +no confidence in themselves, and a thousand Frenchmen could rout six +thousand of them; but as irregulars they can be trusted to fight. You +shall give me the advantage of your experience and wide knowledge, and +we will dispute every pass, cut off their convoys, and harass them. I +warrant that they will have to move as a body, for it will go hard with +any party who may be detached from the rest.” + +“I fear, count, you must not rely in any way upon my knowledge,” Jack +said. “I am a very young officer, though I have had the good fortune to +be promoted to the rank of captain.” + +“Age goes for nothing in this warfare,” the count said. “The man of +seventy and the boy of fifteen who can aim straight from behind a rock +are equally welcome. It is not a deep knowledge of military science that +will be of any use to us here. What is wanted is a quick eye, a keen +spirit, and courage. These I know that you have, or you would never have +won the approbation of the Earl of Peterborough, who is, of all men, +the best judge on such matters. Now I will order supper to be got ready +soon, as it must, I am sure, be long since you had food. While it is +being prepared I will, with your permission, go out and inspect the +new arrivals. Fortunately, ten days ago, foreseeing that Tesse would +probably advance by this line, I sent several wagon loads of provisions +to this village, and a store of ammunition.” + +Jack accompanied the count into the street of the village. The latter +went about among the peasants with a kindly word of welcome to each, +giving them the cheering news that though the great English general was +occupied in Valencia, he had promised that, when the time came, he would +come with all haste to the defense of Barcelona, and in the mean time +he had sent an officer of his own staff to assist him to lead the noble +Catalans in the defense of their country. On the steps of the church the +priest, with half a dozen willing assistants, was distributing food from +the wagons to the peasants. + +“Don't open the ammunition wagon tonight,” the count said. “The men must +not take as much as they like, but the ammunition must be served out +regularly, for a Catalan will never believe that he has too much powder, +and if left alone the first comers would load themselves with it, and +the supply would run short before all are provided.” + +The count then entered the church, where a party of men were occupied +in putting down a thick layer of straw. Here as many as could find room +were to sleep, the others sheltering in the houses and barns, for the +nights were still very cold among the hills. Having seen that all was +going on well, the count returned to his quarters, where a room had been +assigned to Jack's two dragoons, and the sound of loud laughter from +within showed that they were making themselves at home with the inmates. + +A well cooked repast was soon on the table, and to this Jack and his +host did full justice. + +“This wine is excellent; surely it does not grow on these hills!” + +“No,” the count said, laughing. “I am ready to run the risk of being +killed, but I do not want to be poisoned, so I sent up a score or two +of flasks from my own cellars. The vineyards of Cifuentes are reckoned +among the first in this part of Spain. And now,” he said, when they had +finished and the table had been cleared, “we will take a look at the map +and talk over our plans. The enemy leave Lerida tomorrow. I have already +ordered that the whole country along their line of march shall be +wasted, that all stores of corn, wine, and forage which cannot be +carried off shall be destroyed, and that every horse and every head +of cattle shall be driven away. I have also ordered the wells to be +poisoned.” + +Jack looked grave. “I own that I don't like that,” he said. + +“I do not like it myself,” the count replied; “but if an enemy invades +your country you must oppose him by all means. Water is one of the +necessaries of life, and as one can't carry off the wells one must +render them useless; but I don't wish to kill in this way, and have +given strict orders that in every case where poison is used, a placard, +with a notice that it has been done, shall be affixed to the wells.” + +“In that case,” Jack said, “I quite approve of what you have done, +count; the wells then simply cease to exist as sources of supply.” + +“I wish I could poison all the running streams too,” the count said; +“but unfortunately they are beyond us, and there are so many little +streams caused by the melting snow on the hills that I fear we shall not +be able greatly to straiten the enemy. At daybreak tomorrow I will mount +with you, and we will ride some twenty miles along the road and select +the spots where a sturdy resistance can best be made. By the time we get +back here most of the peasants who are coming will have assembled. These +we will form into bands, some to hold the passes and to dispute the +advance, others to hang upon the skirts and annoy them incessantly, some +to close in behind, cut off wagons that break down or lag by the way, +and to prevent, if possible, any convoys from the rear from joining +them.” + +This programme was carried out. Several spots were settled on where an +irregular force could oppose a stout resistance to trained troops, and +points were fixed upon where breastworks should be thrown up, walls +utilized, and houses loopholed and placed in a state of defense. + +It was late in the afternoon before they rode again into the village. +The gathering of peasants was now very largely increased, and extended +over the fields for some distance round the place. The count at once +gave orders that all should form up in regular order according to the +villages from which they came. When this was done he divided them into +four groups. + +The first, two thousand strong, was intended to hold the passes; two +others, each one thousand strong, were to operate upon the flanks of the +enemy; and a fourth, of the same strength, to act in its rear. + +“Now, Captain Stilwell,” he said, “will you take the command of +whichever of these bodies you choose?” + +“I thank you, count, for the offer,” Jack said, “but I will take no +command whatever. In the first place, your Catalans would very strongly +object to being led by a foreigner, especially by one so young and +unknown as myself. In the second place, I would rather, with your +permission, remain by your side. You will naturally command the force +that opposes the direct attack, and, as the bulk of the fighting +will fall on them, I should prefer being there. I will act as your +lieutenant.” + +“Well, since you choose it, perhaps it is best so,” the count said. +“These peasants fight best their own way. They are given to sudden +retreats, but they rally quickly and return again to the fight, and they +will probably fight better under their own local leaders than under a +stranger. You will see they have no idea of fighting in a body; the men +of each village will fight together and act independently of the rest. +Many of them, you see, are headed by priests, not a few of whom have +brought rifles with them. These will generally lead their own villagers, +and their authority is far greater than that which any layman could +obtain over them. I must appoint a leader to each body to direct their +general movements; the village chiefs will do the rest.” + +While the count had been absent several other gentlemen of good family +had arrived in the village, some marching in with the peasants on their +estates. Three of these were appointed to lead the three bands destined +for the flank and rear attacks. The next three hours were devoted to the +distribution of provisions and ammunition, each man taking four days' +supply of the former, and receiving sufficient powder and bullets for +forty rounds of the latter. All were ordered to be in readiness to march +two hours before daybreak. + +The count then retired to his quarters, and there pointed out on the map +to the three divisional leaders the spots where he intended to make a +stand, and gave them instructions as to their respective shares of the +operations. Their orders were very general. They were to post their men +on the side hills, and as much behind cover as possible, to keep up a +galling fire at the column, occasionally to show in threatening masses +as if about to charge down, so as to cause as much alarm and confusion +as possible, and, should at any point the nature of the ground favor +it, they were to dash down upon the baggage train and to hamstring the +horses, smash the wheels, and create as much damage as they could, and +to fall back upon the approach of a strong body of the enemy. Those in +the rear were to press closely up so as to necessitate a strong force +being kept there to oppose them. But their principal duties were to hold +the passes, and to prevent any convoys, unless very strongly guarded, +from reaching the enemy from his base at Saragossa. + +After these instructions had been given supper was spread, and some +fifteen or twenty of the principal persons who had joined were invited +by the count, and a pleasant evening was spent. + +It was interesting to Jack to observe the difference between this +gathering and that which had taken place in the Earl of Peterborough's +quarters on the evening before the attack on San Matteo. There, although +many considered that the prospects of success on the following day were +slight indeed, all was merriment and mirth. The whole party were in the +highest spirits, and the brilliant wit of the earl, and his reckless +spirit of fun, had kept the party in continual laughter. + +The tone on the contrary at the present gathering was quiet and almost +stiff. These grave Catalan nobles, fresh from their country estates, +contrasted strongly with the more lively and joyous inhabitants of +Valencia. Each addressed the other with ceremony, and listened with +grave attention to the remarks of each speaker in turn. + +During the whole evening nothing approaching to a joke was made, there +was scarcely a smile upon the countenance of any present; and yet the +tone of courtliness and deference to the opinions of each other, the +grave politeness, the pride with which each spoke of his country, their +enthusiasm in the cause, and the hatred with which they spoke of the +enemy, impressed Jack very favorably; and though, as he said to himself +when thinking it over, the evening had certainly not been a lively one, +it had by no means been unpleasant. + +Two hours before daybreak the bell of the church gave the signal. As +the men had only to rise to their feet, shake themselves, take up their +arms, and sling their bags of provisions round their necks, it was but a +few minutes before they were formed up in order. The count saw the three +divisions file off silently in the darkness, and then, placing himself +at the head of the main body, led the way toward the spot which he and +Jack had selected for opposing the march of Tesse's invading column. + +Daylight was just breaking when they reached it, and the count ordered +the men to pile their arms and at once to set to work. The road, which +had been winding along in a valley, here mounted a sharp rise, on the +very brow of which stood a hamlet of some twenty houses. It had already +been deserted by the inhabitants, and the houses were taken possession +of by the workers. Those facing the brow of the hill were loopholed, +as were the walls along the same line. Men were set to work to build a +great barricade across the road, and to run breastworks of stones right +and left from the points where the walls ended along the brow. Other +parties loopholed the houses and walls of the village, and formed +another barricade across the road at the other end. With two thousand +men at work these tasks were soon carried out; and the count then led +the men down the hill, whose face was covered with loose stones, and set +them to work piling these in lines one above another. + +At ten o'clock in the morning the work was complete. The count told +the men off by parties, each of which were to hold one of the lines of +stones; each party was, as the French charged, to retire up the hill and +join that at the line above, so that their resistance would become more +and more obstinate till the village itself was reached. Here a stand was +to be made as long as possible. If the column advanced only by the road, +every house was to be held; if they spread out in line so as to overlap +the village on both sides, a rapid retreat was to be made when the +bugler by the count's side gave the signal. + +The men sat down to breakfast in their allotted places, quiet, grave, +and stern; and again the contrast with the laughter and high spirits +which prevail among English soldiers, when fighting is expected, struck +Jack very forcibly. + +“They would make grand soldiers if properly trained, these grave, +earnest looking men,” he said to himself. “They look as if they could +endure any amount of fatigue and hardship; and although they don't take +things in the same cheerful light our men do, no one can doubt their +courage. I can quite understand now the fact that the Spanish infantry +was once considered the finest in Europe. If they only had leaders and +discipline Spain would not want any foreign aid; her own people would be +more than a match for any army the French could send across the northern +frontier.” + +The meal was scarcely finished when, at the end of the valley, some +three miles away, a cloud of dust was seen to rise with the sparkle of +the sun on arms and accouterments. + +“There are Tesse's cavalry!” the count exclaimed. “Another half hour +will cause a transformation in this quiet valley.” + +The head of the column came on but slowly, the cavalry regiment forming +it accommodating their pace to that of the infantry and baggage wagons +in the rear. Slowly they moved on, until the bottom of the valley +appeared covered with a moving mass extending from the end, three +miles away, to within half a mile of the foot of the hill on which the +Spaniards were posted. Suddenly from the hillsides on the left puffs of +smoke darted out, and instantly a similar fire was opened on the right. + +“They are at work at last,” Jack exclaimed as the rattle of musketry +sounded loud and continuous. “I wondered when they were going to begin.” + +“I told them to let the column pass nearly to the head of the valley +before they opened fire,” the count said. “Had they begun soon after the +enemy entered the valley, they would have left all their baggage behind +under a guard, and the infantry would have been free to attack the hills +at once. Now they are all crowded up in the valley--horse, foot, and +baggage. The wounded horses will become unmanageable, and there is sure +to be confusion, though perhaps not panic. See, they are answering our +fire! They might as well save their powder, for they are only throwing +away ammunition by firing away at the hillside.” + +This indeed was the case; for Jack, although in the course of the +morning he had frequently watched the hillside for signs of the other +parties, had not made out the slightest movement, so completely were the +men hidden behind rocks and bushes. + +Strong bodies of infantry were thrown out by Tesse on both flanks, +and these began to climb the hills, keeping up a heavy fire at their +concealed foe, while the main column continued its way. + +Not a shot was fired by the Spanish until the head of the column was +within a hundred yards of the foot of the rise, and then from the whole +face of the hill a heavy fire was opened. The enemy recoiled, and for a +time there was great confusion near the head of the column; an officer +of high rank dashed up, and the troops formed out into a line across the +whole width of the valley and then moved forward steadily; so heavy were +their losses, however, that they presently came to a standstill. But +reinforcements coming up, they again pressed forward, firing as they +went. + +Not until they were within twenty yards did the Miquelets lining the +lower wall of rocks leave their post, and, covered by the smoke, gain +with little loss the line next above them. Slowly the enemy won their +way uphill, suffering heavily as they did so, and continually being +reinforced from the rear. At the last wall the peasants, gathered now +together, maintained a long resistance; and it was not until fully four +thousand of the enemy were brought up that the position was seriously +threatened. Then their leader, seeing that they would sustain very heavy +loss if the enemy carried the wall by assault, ordered his trumpeter to +sound the retreat. It was at once obeyed, and by the time the French had +crossed the wall the peasants had already passed out at the other end of +the village. + +As the French cavalry had not been able to pass the lower walls there +was no pursuit. The peasants rallied after a rapid flight of a mile. +Their loss had been small, while that of the French had been very +considerable; and the marshal halted his troops round the village for +the day. + +The result of the fighting added to the resolution of the peasants, +and as soon as the French continued their route the next morning the +fighting began again. It was a repetition of that of the preceding day. +The enemy had to contest every foot of the ground, and were exposed to +a galling fire along the whole line of their march. Many times they made +desperate efforts to drive the peasants from the hillsides; sometimes +they were beaten back with heavy loss, and when they succeeded it was +only to find the positions they attacked deserted and their active +defenders already beyond musket fire. At night they had no respite; the +enemy swarmed round their camp, shot down the sentries, and attacked +with such boldness that the marshal was obliged to keep a large number +of his men constantly under arms. + +At last, worn out by fatigue and fighting, the weary army emerged from +the hills into the wide valleys, where their cavalry were able to act, +and the ground no longer offered favorable positions of defense to +the peasantry. Seeing the uselessness of further attacks, the Count of +Cifuentes drew off his peasants; and Tesse marched on to Barcelona and +effected a junction with the troops from Roussillon under the Duke de +Noailles, who had come down by the way of Gerona. The town was at once +invested on the land side; while the Count of Toulouse, with thirty +French ships, blockaded it from the sea. + + + +CHAPTER XIII: THE FRENCH CONVOY + + +A report having arrived at the camp of the Count of Cifuentes that the +peasants around Saragossa had risen in insurrection, Jack thought that +he should be doing more good by discovering the truth of the rumor, and +by keeping the earl informed of the state of things in the enemy's rear, +than by remaining with the count. He hesitated whether he should take +his two orderlies with him, but as they were well mounted he decided +that they should accompany him, as they would add to his authority, and +would, in case of need, enable him the better to assume the position of +an officer riding in advance of a considerable force. + +After a hearty adieu from the Count of Cifuentes, he started soon after +daybreak. After riding for some hours, just as he reached the top of a +rise, up which he had walked his horse, one of the orderlies, who were +riding a few paces behind him, rode up. + +“I think, Captain Stilwell,” he said, “I hear the sound of firing. Brown +thinks he hears it too.” + +Jack reined in his horse. + +“I hear nothing,” he said, after a pause of a minute. + +“I don't hear it now, sir,” the man said. “I think it came down on a +puff of wind.. If you wait a minute or two I think you will hear it.” + +Jack waited another two minutes, and then was about to resume his +journey, when suddenly a faint sound came upon the wind. + +“You are right, Thompson,” he exclaimed, “that's firing, sure enough. It +must be a convoy attacked by peasants.” + +He touched his horse with the spur and galloped forward. Two miles +further on, crossing the brow, they saw, half a mile ahead of them in +the dip of the valley, a number of wagons huddled together. On either +side of the road men were lying, and the spurts of smoke that rose from +these, as well as from the wagons, proved that they were still stoutly +defending themselves. A light smoke rose from every bush and rock on the +hillsides around, showing how numerous were the assailants. Leaving +the road, Jack galloped toward the hill. Presently several balls came +singing round them. + +“They think we are French, sir,” one of the troopers said. “I guess they +don't know much about uniforms.” + +Jack drew out a white handkerchief and waved it as he rode forward, +shouting as he did, “English, English.” The fire ceased, and the little +party soon reached the spot where the peasants were lying thickly in +their ambushes. + +“I am an English officer,” Jack said as he leaped from his horse. “Where +is your leader?” + +“There is one of them,” a peasant said, pointing to a priest, who, with +a long musket in his hand, rose from behind a log. + +“Reverend father,” Jack said, “I have come from the Earl of Peterborough +with a mission to understand how matters go in Arragon, and to ascertain +what force would be likely to join him in this province against the +invader.” + +“You see for yourself how things go,” the priest said. “I am glad to +see an officer of the great Earl of Peterborough, whose exploits +have excited the admiration of all Spain. To whom have I the honor of +speaking?” + +“I am Captain Stilwell, one of the earl's aides de camp; and you, +father?” + +“I am Ignacio Bravos, the humble padre of the village of San Aldephonso. +And now, Captain Stilwell, if you will excuse me till we make an end of +these accursed Frenchmen, afterward I will be at your service.” + +For another two hour's the conflict continued. Jack saw that the fire +of the defenders of the wagons was decreasing, and he was not surprised +when a white handkerchief was raised on the top of a bayonet and waved +in the air in token of desire to parley. A shout of exultation rose from +the Spaniards. The priest showed himself on the hillside. + +“Do you surrender?” he shouted. + +“We surrender the wagons,” an officer called back, “on condition that we +are allowed to march off with our arms without molestation.” + +A shout of refusal rose from the peasants, and the firing was instantly +renewed. Jack went and sat down by the side of the priest. + +“Father,” he said, “it were best to give these men the terms they ask. +War is not massacre.” + +“Quite so, my son,” the priest replied coolly. “That is what you should +have told Marshal Tesse. It is he who has chosen to make it massacre. +Why, man, he has shot and hung hundreds in cold blood in and around +Saragossa, has burned numerous villages in the neighborhood, and put +man, woman, and child to the sword.” + +“Then, if this be so, father, I should say, by all means hang Marshal +Tesse when you catch him, but do not punish the innocent for the guilty. +You must remember that these men have been taken away from their +homes in France, and forced to fight in quarrels in which they have no +concern. Like yourself, they are Catholics. Above all, remember how many +scores of villages are at present at the mercy of the French. If the +news comes to the marshal that you have refused quarter to his soldiers, +he will have a fair excuse for taking vengeance on such of your +countrymen as may be in his power.” + +“There is something in that,” the priest said. “For myself I have no +pity, not a scrap of it, for these Frenchmen, nor would you have, had +you seen as much of their doings as I have, nor do I think that any +retribution that we might deal out to the men could increase Tesse's +hatred and ferocity toward us.” + +“Still, it might serve as an excuse,” Jack urged. “Remember the eyes +of Europe are upon this struggle, and that the report of wholesale +slaughter of your enemies will not influence public opinion in your +favor.” + +“Public opinion goes for nothing,” the priest said shortly. + +“Pardon me, father,” Jack replied. “The English and Dutch and the Duke +of Savoy are all fighting in your favor, and we may even boast that had +it not been for the Earl of Peterborough and the allies the chains of +France would be riveted firmly round your necks. You will tell me, no +doubt, that they are fighting for their own political ends, and from no +true love for the Spanish people. That may be so, but you must remember +that although governments begin wars it is the people who carry them on. +Let the people of England and Holland hear, as they will hear, of the +brutal ferocity of the French marshal on a defenseless people, and their +sympathies will be strongly with you. They will urge their governments +to action, and vote willingly the necessary sums for carrying on the +war. Let them hear that with you too war is massacre, that you take no +prisoners, and kill all that fall into your hands, and, believe me, the +public will soon grow sick of the war carried on with such cruelty on +both sides.” + +“You are right, my son,” the priest said frankly. “Young as you are, you +have seen more of the world than I, who, since I left the University of +Salamanca, have never been ten miles from my native village. I will do +what I can to put a stop to this matter. But I am not solely in command +here. I lead my own village, but there are the men of a score of +villages lying on these hills. But I will summon all the chiefs to a +council now.” + +The priest called half a dozen of the peasants to him, and dispatched +them with orders to bring all the other leaders to take part in a +council with an English officer who had arrived from the great Earl of +Peterborough. + +In half an hour some twenty men were assembled in a little hollow on the +hillside, where they were sheltered from the fire of the French. Four +or five of these were priests. There were two or three innkeepers. The +remainder were small landed proprietors. Father Ignacio first addressed +them. He stated that the English officer had come on a mission from the +earl, and had arrived accidentally while the fight was going on, and +that he was of opinion that the French offer of surrender should be +accepted. A murmur of dissent went round the circle. + +“I was at first of your opinion,” the priest said, “but the reasons +which this English officer has given me in support of his advice have +brought me round to his way of thinking. I will leave him to state them +to you.” + +Jack now rose to his feet, and repeated the arguments which he had used +to the priest. He gathered from the faces of his hearers that, although +some were convinced that mercy would be the best policy, others were +still bent upon revenge. Father Ignacio then, in language which he +thought best suited to touch his hearers, repeated Jack's arguments, +urging very strongly the vengeance which the French marshal would be +sure to take upon the Spanish population of the country through which he +was passing when he heard the news. + +“Besides,” Jack said, when he had finished, “you must remember you have +not conquered the enemy yet. I see the officer has withdrawn all his men +among the wagons, where their shelter will be nearly as good as yours. +They have, doubtless, abundant stores of ammunition in those wagons, +together with food and wine, and if you force them to fight to the last +man they can hold out for a very long time, and will inflict a heavy +loss upon your men before they are overcome.” + +“But why should they take their weapons with them?” one of the men said; +“they will be useful to us. Why should we let them carry them away to +kill more Spaniards?” + +“The reason why I would let them take their arms is this,” Jack said. +“Unless they march away armed you will not be able to restrain your +followers, who will be likely to break any convention you may make and +to massacre them without mercy. As to the arms being used again against +you, I will put the officers under their parole that they and their men +shall not take any further part in the war until they are exchanged for +an equal number of prisoners taken by the French.” + +“Who would trust to a Frenchman's word?” a man asked scoffingly. + +“I would trust to a French officer's word as much as to that of an +English officer,” Jack replied. “You would expect them to trust to your +word that they should be safe if they laid down their arms; and yet, as +you know, you might not be able to keep it. Better a thousand times +that a handful of French officers and men should be allowed to join the +enemy's ranks than that the national honor of Spain should be soiled by +a massacre perpetrated just after a surrender.” + +“The Englishman is right,” Father Ignacio said positively. “Let us waste +no further words on it. Besides, I have a reason of my own. I started +before daybreak without breakfast and have got nothing but a piece of +dry bread with me. If we don't accept these fellows' surrender we may +be on the hillside all night, and I told my servant that I should have +a larded capon and a flask of my best wine for dinner. That is an +argument, my sons, which I am sure comes home to you all; and remember, +if we accept the surrender we shall soon quench our thirst on the good +wine which, I doubt not, is contained in some of the barrels I see down +yonder.” + +There was a hearty laugh and the question was settled; and it was +arranged at once that Father Ignacio, one of the other leaders, and Jack +should treat with the enemy. The other leaders hurried away to their +respective sections to order them to cease firing when a white flag was +raised; and, having given them twenty minutes to get to their several +posts, a white handkerchief was waved in the air. The Spanish fire +ceased at once, and as soon as the French perceived the flag they also +stopped firing. + +“We are coming down, three of us, to discuss matters with you,” Father +Ignacio shouted out. + +The three accordingly descended the hill, and when within a short +distance of the wagons were met by the officer in command of the convoy +and two others. + +“We have come to discuss the terms of your surrender,” Jack said. “I am +Captain Stilwell, one of Lord Peterborough's aides de camp. You see your +position is desperate.” + +“Not quite desperate,” the French officer replied; “we have plenty of +ammunition and abundance of provisions, and can hold out for a long +time, till rescue comes.” + +“There is little chance of rescue,” Jack said. “Your marshal has his +hands full where he is; and even did he hear of your situation and +detach a force back to your rescue, neither of which he is likely to do, +that force would have to fight every foot of its way, and assuredly not +arrive in time. Nor is there any more chance of your receiving succor +from the rear. You have made a gallant defense, sir, and might perhaps +hold out for many hours yet; but of what use is it sacrificing the lives +of your men in a vain resistance?” + +“What is your proposal?” the officer asked. + +“We propose,” Jack said, “to allow you to march out with your arms and +five rounds of ammunition to each man, on you and your officers giving +me your parole to consider yourselves and your men as prisoners of war, +and not to serve again until exchanged.” + +The terms were far better than the French officer had looked for. + +“I may tell you,” Father Ignacio said, “that for these terms you are +indebted solely to this English officer. Had it depended upon us only, +rest assured that no one of you would have gone away alive.” + +“You will understand,” Jack said, “that you will be allowed to take your +arms solely as a protection against the peasants, who have been justly +enraged by the brutal atrocities of your general. You know well that +even could their leaders here obtain from their followers a respect for +the terms of surrender, your men would be massacred in the first village +through which they passed were they deprived of their arms. My friends +here are desirous that no stigma of massacre shall rest upon the Spanish +honor, and they have therefore agreed to allow your men to keep their +arms for purposes of defense on their return march.” + +After a few words with his fellow officers the commander of the convoy +agreed to the terms. “You will, however,” he said, “permit me to +take with me one or more wagons, as may be required, to carry off my +wounded?” + +This was at once agreed to, and in ten minutes the two companies of +French infantry were in readiness to march. There were forty wounded +in the wagons, and twenty-seven dead were left behind them. The French +officer in command, before marching off, thanked Jack very heartily for +his interference on their behalf. + +“I tell you frankly, Captain Stilwell,” he said, “that I had no hopes +whatever that I or any of my men would leave the ground alive, for these +Spaniards invariably massacre prisoners who fall into their hands. I +could not have left my wounded behind me; and even if I had resolved +to do so, the chances of our fighting our way back in safety would have +been small indeed. We owe you our lives, sir; and should it ever be in +the power of Major Ferre to repay the debt, you may rely upon me.” + +“I trust that the fortune of war may never place me in a position when I +may need to recall your promise,” Jack said, smiling; “but should it do +so, I will not fail to remind you if I get a chance.” + +All was now ready for the march. Two wagons which had been hastily +emptied were, with the wounded men, placed in the center, and the +French, numbering now less than a hundred, started on their march. The +Spanish peasants remained in their places on the hillside till they had +departed, as the leaders had agreed that it was better they should be +kept away from the vicinity of the French, as a quarrel would be +certain to take place did they come to close quarters. The peasants +were indignant at what they deemed the escape of their enemies; but the +desire of plunder soon overcame other considerations, and as soon as the +French had marched off they poured down from the hills. Their leaders, +however, restrained them from indiscriminate plundering. There were in +all eighty-seven wagons loaded with wine, corn, flour, and provisions +for the use of the army. + +An equal division was made of these among the various bands of peasants +in proportion to their strength. A few casks of wine were broached. The +peasants then buried their own dead--who were very few in number, so +securely had they been sheltered in their hiding places--and then the +force broke up, each party marching with its proportion of wagons back +to its village. + +“Now, Signor Capitano,” Father Ignacio said, “I trust that you will come +home with me. My village is six miles away, and I will do my best to +make you comfortable. Hitherto you have seen me only as a man of war. I +can assure you that I am much more estimable in my proper character as a +man of peace. And let me tell you, my cook is excellent; the wine of +the village is famous in the province, and I have some in my cellars ten +years old.” + +“I cannot resist such a number of good arguments,” Jack said, smiling, +“and till tomorrow morning I am at your service; but I warn you that +my appetite just at present is ravenous, and that my two dragoons +are likely to make a serious inroad upon the larders of your village, +however well supplied.” + +“They will be welcome,” the priest said, “and I guarantee the larders +will prove sufficiently well stocked. Fortunately, although nearly every +village in the neighborhood has been raided by the French, owing to our +good fortune and the interposition of the blessed San Aldephonso our +village has escaped a visit.” + +The party under Father Ignacio soon turned off from the main road, and, +with the six wagons which fell to their share, journeyed along a. rough +country road until they reached the village. Father Ignacio sat on the +leading wagon, and Jack rode alongside chatting with him. The priest was +a stout built man, with a good humored countenance and merry twinkle of +the eye, and Jack wondered what could have been the special wrong that +induced him to take up a musket and lead his flock to the attack of a +French convoy. + +“Katherine!” he shouted as the wagon stopped in front of his house and +a buxom serving woman appeared at the door, “dinner as quickly as +possible, for we are starving; and let it be not only quick, but +plentiful. Lay a cover for this gentleman, who will dine with me; and +prepare an ample supply of food in the kitchen for these two English +soldiers, who have come across the sea to fight for the good cause. + +“And now,” he said to Jack, “while dinner is preparing I must distribute +the spoil.” + +The wagons were unloaded and their contents divided among the men who +had take a part in the expedition, his flock insisting upon the padre +taking a bountiful share. + +The mules and bullocks in the wagons were similarly divided, in this +case one being given to each family; for there were but thirty animals, +while the fighting contingent from the village had numbered nearly +eighty men. There were five or six animals over when the division had +been made, and these were given, in addition to their proper share, to +the families of three men who had been killed in the fight. + +“Now, my sons,” the padre said when all was done, “take your axes and +fall upon the wagons. A wagon is a thing to swear by. Every man knows +his own goods; and should the French ever visit our village again these +wagons might cost us dear. Therefore let them be made into firewood as +quickly as possible, and let them all be consumed before other fuel is +touched. And now, capitano, I think that Katherine will be ready for +us.” + +So saying he led the way back into his house. A capital meal was +provided, and Jack found that the priest had by no means over praised +either his cook or his cellar. After the meal was over and the two had +drawn their chairs up to the hearth, on which was blazing brightly some +wood which Jack recognized as forming part of one of the wagons, and the +priest had placed on a small table close at hand a large flask which he +had himself gone into the cellar to fetch, Jack said: + +“How is it, father, that, as you told me, you have seen such acts +of brutality on the part of the French as to cause you to wage a war +without mercy against them, when, as you say, they have never penetrated +to your village? Your reasons must be strong, for your profession is a +peaceful one. You do not look like a man who would rush into deeds of +violence for their own sake, and your cook and your cellar offer you +strong inducements to remain at home.” + +“That is so, my son,” the priest said with a laugh. “I am, as you may +see, an easygoing man, well contented with my lot, and envy not the +Bishop of Toledo; but you know it is said that even a worm will turn, +and so you have seen the peaceful priest enacting the part of the +bloodthirsty captain. But, my son,”--and his face grew grave now--“you +can little imagine the deeds which the ferocious Tesse has enacted +here in Arragon. When warring with you English the French behave like +a civilized nation; when warring with us Spanish peasants, who have no +means of making our wrongs known to the world, they behave worse than +a horde of brutal savages. But I will tell you the circumstances which +have driven me to place myself at the head of my parishioners, to wage a +war of extermination with the French, and to deny mercy to every one of +that accursed nation who may fall into my hands. I have a brother--or +rather I should say I had one--a well to do farmer who lived at a +village some six miles from Saragossa. He had an only daughter, who was +to be married to the son of a neighboring proprietor. A handsome, high +spirited lad he was, and devoted to Nina. They were to have been married +some three months ago, and they wrote to me to go over to perform the +ceremony. + +“I went; the wedding day arrived, and all was ready. It was a holiday in +the village, for both were favorites. The bride was dressed; the village +maidens and men were all in their best; the procession was about to set +out, when a troop of dragoons rode suddenly in from Saragossa. A shot +or two had been fired at them as they rode through a wood. When they +arrived they dismounted, and the commander ordered the principal men +of the village to be brought to him. My brother and the father of the +bridegroom were among them. + +“'My troops have been fired at,' the Frenchman said, 'and I hold you +responsible.' + +“'It was no one from this village,' my brother said; 'we have a wedding +here, and not a soul is absent.' + +“'I care not,' the officer said; 'we have been fired at, and we shall +give the people of this district a lesson.' + +“So without another word he turned to his soldiers and ordered them to +fire the village from end to end. + +“'It is outrageous,' my brother said, and the others joined him in the +cry. I, too, implored him to pause before having such an order carried +into execution. His only reply was to give the order to his men. + +“The six principal men were seized at once, were set with their backs +against the wall of a house, and shot.” + +“You cannot mean it!” Jack exclaimed indignantly. “Surely such an +outrage could never be perpetrated by civilized soldiers?” + +“I saw it done,” the priest said bitterly. “I tried to throw myself +between the victims and their murderers, but I was held back by force +by the soldiers. Imagine the scene if you can--the screaming women, the +outburst of vain fury among the men, The bridegroom, in his despair +at seeing his father murdered, seized a stick and rushed at the French +officer; but he, drawing a pistol, shot him dead, and the soldiers +poured a volley into his companions, killing some eight or ten others. +Resistance was hopeless. Those who were unwounded fled; those who fell +were bayoneted on the spot. I took my niece's arm and led her quietly +away. Even the French soldiers drew back before us. You should have seen +her face. Madre de Dios! I see it now--I see it always. She died that +night. Not one word passed her lips from the moment when her father and +her affianced husband fell dead before her eyes. An hour later the troop +rode off, and the people stole back to bury their dead among the ashes +of what had been their homes. I went to Saragossa after reading the +funeral service over them. I saw Tesse and told him of the scene I +had witnessed, and demanded vengeance. He laughed in my face. Senor, I +persisted, and he got angry and told me that, were it not for my cloth, +he would hang me from the steeple. I called down Heaven's curse upon +him, and left him and came home. Do you wonder, senor, that I found it +hard to spare those Frenchmen for whom you pleaded? Do you wonder that +I, a man of peace, lead out my villagers to slaughter our enemy?” + +“I do not, indeed!” Jack exclaimed warmly. “Such acts as these would +stir the blood of the coldest into fire; and, priest or no priest, a man +would be less than a man who did not try to take vengeance for so foul a +deed. Have many massacres of this sort been perpetrated?” + +“Many,” the priest replied, “and in no case has any redress been +obtained by the relatives of the victims.” + +“And throughout all Arragon, does the same hatred of the French +prevail?” + +“Everywhere,” the priest said. + +“Then King Charles would meet with an enthusiastic welcome here!” + +“I do not say that,” the priest answered. “He would be well received, +doubtless, simply because he is the enemy of the French; but for +himself, no. We Arragonese cannot for the life of us see why we should +be ruled over by a foreigner; and in some respects a German king is even +less to be desired than a French one. The connection between the two +Latin nations is naturally closer than between us and the Germans, and +a French king would more readily adapt himself to our ways than would a +stiff and thick headed German. + +“Apart from the recent doings of the French army Arragon would have +preferred Philip to Charles. Moreover, Charles is looked upon as the +choice of the Catalans and Valencians, and why should the men of Arragon +take the king others have chosen? No, King Charles will doubtless be +received well because he appears as the enemy of the French; but you +will not find that the people of Arragon will make any great sacrifices +in his behalf. Let a French army enter our province again, every man +will rise in arms against it; but there will be little disposition to +raise troops to follow King Charles beyond the limits of the province. +Castile is strong for Philip; the jealousy there of the Catalans is even +greater than here, and the fact that Arragon will go with Catalonia and +Valencia will only render the Castilians more earnest in the cause of +Philip. There have been several skirmishes already between bands of our +Miquelets and those of Castile, and the whole country along the border +is greatly disturbed.” + +“It is a pity that Spaniards cannot agree among themselves as to who +shall be king.” + +“Ah, my son, but it will be very long yet before. Spaniards agree upon +any point. It is a mistake to think of us as one nation. We are half +a dozen nations under one king. If you are asked your nationality, +you reply an Englishman. If you ask a Spaniard, he will reply, I am +a Castilian or a Catalan, an Arragonese or Biscayan--never I am a +Spaniard. We hate each other as you Scotchmen and Englishmen hated each +other a hundred years back, and even now regard yourselves as different +peoples. What connection is there between the hardy mountaineer of the +northern provinces and the easygoing peasant of Valencia or Andalusia? +Nothing. Consequently, if one part of Spain declares for one man as a +king, you may be sure that the other will declare against him. + +“As long as we had great men, Spaniards, for our kings--and the descent +went in the regular way from father to son--things went smoothly, +because no pretender could have a shadow of claim. As between two +foreign princes, each man has a right to choose for himself. Were there +any Spaniard with a shadow of claim, all parties would rally round him; +but, unfortunately, this is not so; and I foresee an epoch of war and +trouble before the matter is settled. For myself, I tell you I would not +give that flask of wine were I able to put the crown upon the head of +one or other of these foreigners. Let whoever gets the crown govern well +and strongly, tax my villagers lightly, and interfere in no way with our +privileges, and I shall be well content, and such you will find is the +opinion of most men in Spain. And now, tell me if there is aught that I +can do for you. You say you must be on your way by daybreak. Tell me +in which direction you journey, and it will be hard if I cannot find +a friend there with whom my introduction will insure you a hearty +welcome.” + +“If you can tell me where are the largest gatherings of Miquelets, I +can tell you which way I shall ride,” Jack replied. “My mission is to +ascertain what aid the king can rely upon in this province.” + +“Three days ago there were many thousands of men under arms,” the priest +replied; “by tonight there will be less than as many hundreds. The day +Tesse crossed the frontier with his army the greater portion of the +bands went to their homes, and their arms will be laid aside until the +news comes that the French army is on its return from Barcelona. I +fancy there is but little chance of our seeing King Charles among us. +In another day or two Tesse will be before Barcelona; and joined, as he +will be there, by the French army marching down from Roussillon, he will +make quick work of that town, and King Charles will have the choice of +going to Valencia to be hunted shortly thence, or of sailing away again +from the country in your ships.” + +“It would seem like it,” Jack agreed; “but you are reckoning without the +Earl of Peterborough.” + +“Your English general must be a wonder,” the priest said, “a marvel; but +he cannot accomplish impossibilities. What can he do with two or +three thousand trained troops against twenty thousand veteran French +soldiers?” + +“I cannot tell what he will do,” Jack laughed; “but you may rely upon +it that he will do something, and I would take fair odds that he will +somehow or other save Barcelona and rid Catalonia of its invaders.” + +“That I judge to be altogether impossible,” the priest replied. +“Anything that man could do I am ready to admit that your general +is capable of; but I do not judge this to be within the range of +possibilities. If you will take my advice, my son, you will not linger +here, but will ride for Valencia and embark on board your ships with him +when the time comes.” + +“We shall see,” Jack said, laughing. “I have faith in the improbable. It +may not be so very long before I drop in again to drink another flask +of your wine on my way through Arragon with King Charles on his march +toward Madrid.” + +“If you do, my son, I will produce a bottle of wine to which this is +but ditch water. I have three or four stored away in my cellar which I +preserve for great occasions. They are the remains of the cellar of my +predecessor, as good a judge of wine as ever lived. It is forty years +since he laid them by, and they were, he said, the best vintage he had +ever come across. Had the good old man died ten years earlier, what +a heritage would have been mine! but in his later years he was not so +saving as it behooves a good man to be, and indulged in them on minor +occasions; consequently, but two dozen remained when I succeeded to the +charge twenty years ago. I, too, was not sufficiently chary of them to +begin with, and all but six bottles were drunk in the first ten years. +Since then I have been as stingy as a miser, and but two bottles have +been opened.” + +“I hope, father, that you have laid in a similar supply for whomsoever +may come after you.” + +“Surely I have, my son. Fifteen years ago I had a hogshead of the +finest vintage in the neighborhood bricked up in my cellar. I had an +inscription placed on the wall by which, should I be taken suddenly, my +successor may know of the store that awaits him. At present you would +not find the inscription did you search for it; for when those troubles +began I filled up the letters in the stone with mortar, and gave the +wall two or three coats of whitewash. I did not choose to run any risk +of my grand wine going down the throats of thirsty French soldiers. It +would be an act of sacrilege. When matters are settled, and we are at +peace again, I will pick out the mortar from the letters; but not till +then. I have often reflected since how short sighted it was not to have +stowed away another hogshead for my own consumption. It would have been +something to have looked forward to in my declining years.” + +“Ah, father, who knows what may happen before that? The wall may fall +down, and then naturally you would wish to see whether the wine is in +as good a condition as it should be. Besides, you will say to yourself, +why, when my successor left me but a miserable two dozen of that grand +wine of his, should I bequeath a whole hogshead to him who may come +after me, and who, moreover, may be so bad a judge of wine that he will +value my treasure no more than an equal quantity of the rough country +vintage?” + +“Avaunt, tempter!” the priest said, laughing. “But,” he added more +seriously, “you have frightened me. I never thought of that. I have +always pictured my successor as a man who would appreciate good wine +as I do myself. Truly, it would be a terrible misfortune did he not +do so--a veritable throwing of pearls before swine. Now that you have +presented this dreadful idea it will be ever in my mind. I shall no +longer think of my hogshead with unmixed satisfaction.” + +“The idea is a terrible one, truly,” Jack said gravely, “and to prevent +it I would advise you when the time of peace arrives to open your +cave, to bottle off your wine, and to secure its being appreciated by +indulging in it yourself on special occasions and holidays, taking care +always to leave a store equal to, or even superior to, that which you +yourself inherited.” + +“I will think it over, my son, and it may be that I shall take your +advice. Such a misfortune as that which you have suggested is too +terrible to think of.” + +“It is so, father, terrible indeed; and I feel confident that you will +do the best in your power to prevent the possibility of its occurrence. +Besides, you know, wine may be kept even too long. I judge you not to be +more than forty-five now; with so good a cook and so good a cellar you +may reasonably expect to live to the age of eighty; there is, therefore, +plenty of time for you to lay in another hogshead to mature for your +successor.” + +The priest burst into a roar of laughter, in which Jack joined him. + +“Your reasoning powers are admirable,” he said when he recovered his +gravity, “and you have completely convinced me. An hour ago if it had +been suggested to me that I should open that cellar I should have viewed +the proposal with horror; now it seems to me that it is the very best +thing that could be done for all parties, including the wine itself.” + +There was some further chat as to the course which Jack would follow in +the morning, and he decided finally to ride to the borders of Castile +in order that he might learn as much as possible as to the feeling +of people in that province. Father Ignacio gave him a letter of +introduction to the priest in charge of a village a mile or two within +the border of Arragon, and the next morning Jack started at daybreak, +after a hearty adieu from his host, who insisted on rising to see him +off. + + + +CHAPTER XIV: A PRISONER + + +Jack, with his two troopers, rode away from the hospitable cottage of +the priest in high spirits. He determined to avoid Saragossa, as he +was not charged with any direct mission from the earl, and wished, +therefore, to avoid any official intercourse with the leaders of the +province. As soon as the marshal had marched, the people there had +risen, had driven out the small French garrison left, and had resumed +the management of their own affairs. Jack learned, however, that the +city had not formally declared for King Charles. As the priest had told +him would be the case, Jack encountered no bodies of armed men during +the day; the country had a peaceful aspect, the peasants were working +in the fields, and at the villages through which he passed the English +uniforms excited a feeling of curiosity rather than of interest. He +stopped at several of these and entered into conversation with the +inhabitants. He found everywhere an intense hatred of the French +prevailing, while but little interest was evinced in the respective +claims of Charles and Philip. + +After a very long ride he arrived, at nightfall, near the spot to which +he was bound. In this neighborhood he observed a greater amount of +watchfulness and preparation than had prevailed elsewhere. The men, for +the most part, remained in their villages, and went about armed. Jack +learned that an inroad by the Miquelets of Castile was deemed probable, +and that it was thought possible that another French force might follow +Tesse from Madrid to Barcelona. + +It was late in the evening before Jack reached his destination, where, +on his presenting his letter of introduction, he was most heartily +received by the priest. + +“Father Ignacio tells me,” he said when he had read it, “that you are +not only to be welcomed as an officer of the great English general, but +that you are in every way deserving of friendship; he adds, too, that +you are a first rate judge of wine, and that you can be trusted as an +adviser upon knotty and difficult matters.” + +Jack laughed. “I only gave the good father my advice upon two points,” + he said; “the first was the admitting to terms of surrender of a body +of French troops with whom he was engaged in battle when I arrived; the +second was upon the important question of broaching or not broaching a +hogshead of particularly good wine.” + +“If you advised that the hogshead should be broached,” the priest said, +smiling, “I can warrant that my good brother Ignacio followed your +advice, and can well understand the respect in which he seems to hold +your judgment. But do not let us stand talking here. + +“Your men will find a stable behind the house where they can stand the +horses. Alas! it is uninhabited at present, for my mule, the gentlest +and best in the province, was requisitioned--which is another word for +stolen--by the French as they passed through. My faithful beast! I miss +her every hour of the day, and I doubt not that she misses me still +more sorely. Tell me, senor, my brother Ignacio writes me that he has +captured many animals from the French--was Margaretta among them? She +was a large mule, and in good condition; indeed, there was some flesh on +her bones. She was a dark chestnut with a white star on the forehead, +a little white on her fore feet, and white below the hocks on the hind +legs; she had a soft eye, and a peculiar twist in jerking her tail.” + +The manner of the priest was so earnest that Jack repressed a smile with +difficulty. + +“I did notice among the mules in one of the wagons one marked somewhat +similarly to your description, and, if I mistake not, it, with another, +fell to the share of the good priest; but I cannot say that it had much +flesh upon its bones; indeed, it was in very poor case. Nor did I notice +that its eyes were particularly soft, or that there was any peculiarity +in the twitching of its tail.” + +“It may be Margaretta,” the priest said with some excitement; “the poor +beast would naturally lose flesh in the hands of the French, while as to +the switch in the tail, it was a sign of welcome which she gave me when +I took an apple or a piece of bread into her stable, and she would +not be likely so to greet strangers. I will lose no time in writing to +Ignacio to inquire further into the matter. Verily, it seems to me as if +the saint had sent you specially here as a bearer of this good news.” + +Jack spent a pleasant evening with the priest, and learned much as +to the state of things upon the frontier. The priest represented the +Castilians as bitterly opposed to the claims of Charles; they had no +grievances against the French, who had behaved with strict discipline in +that province, and had only commenced their excesses upon crossing +the frontier into Arragon. This they regarded, though wrongfully, as a +hostile country; for, previous to their arrival, the people there had +taken no part either way in the struggle, but the overbearing manner +of Tesse, and the lax discipline of his troops, had speedily caused an +intense feeling of irritation. Resistance had been offered to foraging +parties of the French army, and the terrible vengeance which had been +taken by Tesse for these acts had roused the whole province in a flame +of insurrection. + +“There are several bodies of French cavalry across the frontier,” the +priest said; “occasionally they make flying raids into Arragon, but, as +you see, the people are armed, and prepared, and ready to give them a +hot reception. The Castilians are like ourselves; if at any time an army +should march in this direction against Madrid, the Miquelets will oppose +them just as we should oppose the French, but they will not leave their +homes to interfere with us, for they know well enough that did they +do so we also should cross the line, and fire and destruction would +be carried through all the villages on both sides of the border. So +at present there is nothing to fear from Castile, but if your English +general were to drive the French out of the country, he would have hard +work ere he overcame the resistance of that province.” + +Just as day was breaking the next morning Jack was aroused by shouts in +the streets, followed by the heavy trampling of horse. He sprang from +the bed and threw on his cloak; as he was buckling on his sword one of +the dragoons rushed into his room. + +“We are surrounded, sir! I have just looked out, and there are French +cavalry all round the house.” + +As he spoke there was a tremendous knocking at the door. The priest ran +into the room. “We are betrayed,” he said; “some one must have carried +away the news last night of your arrival here, and it has come to the +ears of the French cavalry on the other side. I ordered some men out +last night to watch the road across the border, but the enemy must have +ridden too fast for them to get here first.” + +“It cannot be helped,” Jack said; “you had best open the door, or they +will break it in in another minute. Make no resistance, lads,” he said +to the dragoons, for the second orderly had now joined them; “lay your +swords down on the bed; we are caught this time, and must make our +escape when we can. It is better, anyhow, to have fallen into the hands +of the French than of the Spanish.” + +The sound of the knocking had ceased now, and there was a trampling and +clamor of voices as the French soldiers poured into the house. Steps +were heard ascending the stairs, the door opened, and the priest, +accompanied by a French officer and followed by a number of soldiers, +entered the room. + +“You are my prisoner, sir,” the French officer said. + +“I am afraid there is no doubt of that,” Jack said, speaking in Spanish; +“here is my sword, sir. These two men are my orderlies, and, of course, +also surrender. You will observe that we are all in uniform, that we are +taken on the soil of Arragon, and that I am here in pursuance of my duty +as an officer of the English army.” + +“You are alone?” the officer asked. + +“Yes,” Jack said; “there are, so far as I know, no other British but +ourselves in Arragon.” + +“Then we were misinformed,” the officer said; “the news was received +last night that the Earl of Peterborough was himself here; and although +it was but in the afternoon that we had heard that your general was at +Valencia, his movements are so swift and erratic that, if we heard of +him in Portugal one hour we should not be surprised to find him here the +next.” He stopped as shots were heard fired in the streets. + +“You must excuse ceremony, sir,” he said, “and mount at once with your +men and accompany me. In ten minutes we shall have the whole country +buzzing round us like wasps; and now that the object of my ride is +accomplished, I don't wish to throw away my men's lives.” + +The horses were saddled without loss of time, and in two or three +minutes Jack was trotting down the village in the midst of the French +cavalry amid a scathing fire from behind the houses and walls. + +The French officer rode at the head of his troop till well beyond the +village, then reining in his horse, joined his prisoner. + +“And now,” he asked, “whom have I the honor of capturing?” + +“I am Captain Stilwell,” Jack replied, “one of the Earl of +Peterborough's aides de camp.” + +“I am Captain de Courcy,” the French officer said; “happily, although +the French and English have taken opposite sides on this question, we +can esteem and honor each other as brave and civilized adversaries. As +for these Spanish scoundrels, they are no better than banditti; they +murder us in our beds, they poison our wine, they as often as not burn +us alive if we fall into their hands; they are savages, neither more nor +less; and why Philip of Anjou, who could have had all the pleasures of +life as a prince of the blood at Versailles, should covet the kingship +of this country, passes my understanding. And now tell me about that +paladin, your general. Peste, what a man! And you are one of his aides +de camp? Why, if he drags you about everywhere with him, you must lead +the life of a dog.” + +“When I last heard of the general he was at Valencia,” Jack said. “But +that was ten days since.” + +“Ten days!” the Frenchman said; “then by now he may be in London, or in +Rome, or at Paris.” + +“With the wind favoring him he might be at Rome, but he could scarcely +have arrived at either London or Paris.” + +“There is no saying,” the French officer laughed. “Has he not three +leagued boots, and can he not step from mountain to mountain? Does he +not fly through a storm on a broomstick? Can he not put on a cap and +make himself invisible? For I can tell you that our soldiers credit him +with all these powers. Can he not, by waving his hand, multiply three +hundred men into an army, spread them over a wide extent of country, and +then cause them to sink into the ground and disappear? Our soldiers are +convinced that he is in league with the evil one, even if he be not the +gentlemen in black himself.” + +Jack joined in the laugh. “He is a wonderful man,” he said, “though he +cannot do all you credit him with. But he is absolutely tireless, and +can do without sleep for any time; and yet to look at him no one would +think that he was in any way a strong man. He is small, thin, and worn +looking--in fact, almost insignificant in appearance, were it not for +his keen eye and a certain lofty expression of face. My post is no +sinecure, I can assure you, for the general expects all to be able to +do as well as himself. But with a chief who never spares himself all are +willing to do their best. Extreme as has been the labor of the troops, +severe as have been their hardships, you will never hear a grumble; the +men have most implicit confidence in him, and are ready to go anywhere +and do anything he orders them.” + +“He is a marvel,” the French officer said. “The way he took Barcelona, +and then, with a handful of men, hunted our armies out of Catalonia and +Valencia, was wonderful; and though it was at our cost, and not a little +to our discredit, there is not an officer in the army but admires your +general. Fortunately I was not in Barcelona when you laid siege to it, +but I was with Las Torres afterward when you were driving us about like +sheep. I shall never forget that time. We never knew when to expect an +attack, what force was opposed to us, or from what direction you would +come. I laugh now, but it was no joke then.” + +Three hours' riding took them into the little town from which the French +cavalry had started in the middle of the night. On arriving there the +French officer at once sent off a trooper to Madrid, reporting the +prisoners he had taken, and forty-eight hours later he received orders +to himself conduct his prisoners to Madrid. + +Upon arriving there Jack was at once taken before the Duke of Berwick, +who received him courteously, and asked him many questions concerning +the force under the earl, the intentions of Barcelona to resist the +two French armies now hurrying before it. To these questions Jack gave +cautious answers. As to matters concerning which he was sure that the +French must have accurate information, he replied frankly. Fortunately +he was, as he truly said, in entire ignorance as to the plans of the +earl, and as to Barcelona, he knew nothing whatever of what had taken +place there from the day when he suddenly left with Peterborough. + +“I would place you on your parole with pleasure,” the duke said, “but I +tell you frankly that in the present excited state of public feeling +I do not think it will be safe for you to move through the streets +unprotected. So many of our officers have been murdered in Saragossa +and other places that the lower class of Spaniards would think it a +meritorious action to take vengeance on an English officer. Of course I +am well aware that the English have nothing to do with these atrocities, +but the people in general are not able to draw nice distinctions. I +shall send you to France on the first opportunity, to remain there till +exchanged.” + +“Thank you, sir,” Jack said; “I should prefer not being put on my +parole, for I shall certainly escape if I have the opportunity. I should +tell you, sir, that I have ridden through Arragon, and though I do not +wish to excuse the murders perpetrated by the Spaniards, I must tell +you that I cannot blame them; for, horrible as are their deeds, they are +simply acts of retaliation for the abominable atrocities which +Marshal Tesse allows and encourages his troops to perpetrate upon the +population. I have the highest respect, sir, for the French nation, +but if I were the Earl of Peterborough, and Marshal Tesse fell into my +hands, I would hand him over to the Spaniards to be torn in pieces as he +deserves.” + +“You speak boldly, sir,” the duke said sternly. + +“I feel what I say, sir,” Jack replied. “I think it well that you, +a general high in command under the French king, should know the +atrocities perpetrated in his name by this man upon defenseless people. +I could tell you, sir, a score of stories which I heard in Arragon, +although I was but two days there, of massacre and murder which would +make your blood run cold. I confess that personally I have no greater +interest in King Charles than in King Philip. I have seen so much of +the Austrian and his advisers that I believe that if the Earl of +Peterborough were to seat him on his throne here tomorrow, he would be +driven from the country a fugitive before many weeks were over; but in +the same way I am convinced that Philip of Anjou will never be accepted +by the Spanish as their king if his cause be stained by such atrocities +as those carried out by Marshal Tesse in his name.” + +The duke then asked Jack if he had any objections to state the +particular object for which he was sent into Arragon by his general; and +Jack was glad to be able to say truthfully that the earl knew nothing +of his being there, he having sent him simply to assist the Count of +Cifuentes in barring the advance of the French army into Catalonia, and +that when he had carried out that order he had ridden into Arragon on +his own account, in order that he might, on his return to the earl, be +able to give him an accurate description of the state of affairs in that +province. + +“Then so far as you know, Captain Stilwell, the Earl of Peterborough +is still at Valencia, and has no intention of leaving that province at +present.” + +“I can say truly, sir, that so far as I know the general had no +intention of leaving Valencia; but as his decisions are generally taken +instantaneously, and are a surprise to all about him, I should be sorry +to assert that the earl remained in Valencia a quarter of an hour after +I quitted the city.” + +“It matters little,” the duke said, “the affair is rapidly approaching +an end. Barcelona must surrender as soon as Tesse and the Duke de +Noailles appear before it; the breaches are open, and there are not +a thousand men in garrison. Barcelona once fallen, the cause of the +Austrian is lost. Your general is already watched by an army four times +as strong as his own, and the twenty thousand men under the marshal will +compel him to take to his ships, and will stamp out the last embers +of the insurrection. You agree with me, do you not?” he asked as Jack +remained silent. + +“Well, sir, it seems that it must be as you say, and I have only to +reply that you have not reckoned upon the Earl of Peterborough. What he +will do I do not pretend to say, but knowing him as I do, I can say that +he will give you trouble. I don't think that anything can be considered +as a certainty in which you have the Earl of Peterborough to reckon +with.” + +“He is a great man,” the duke said--“a great man, and has performed +marvels; but there is a limit to the possibilities which one man can +perform, and here that limit is passed. I shall give orders, Captain +Stilwell, that your imprisonment is made as little disagreeable as +possible, and that you have everything you require.” + +Jack expressed his thanks and retired. On leaving the room he was again +taken charge of by Captain do Courcy and four of his troopers, and was +conducted by him to the citadel. + +The quarters assigned to Jack were by no means uncomfortable. A good +meal was placed before him, and after he had finished it the governor +of the citadel called upon him and told him that he was at liberty to go +where he would within the walls, and that any wishes he might express +he would do his best to comply with. Jack at once availed himself of his +liberty by going out into the courtyard and thence on to the walls of +the citadel. It was a strongly fortified and gloomy building, which has +now ceased to exist. It covered a considerable portion of ground, and +had at one time been a royal residence; the walls were strong and high, +and sentries were placed on them at short intervals. + +Jack saw at once there was little possibility of escape thence, and +decided that he might as well abandon any idea of evasion for the +present, and would trust to luck in escaping from his escort on the road +to the frontier, or, if no opportunity then presented itself, from his +prison in France. A week after his arrival he was surprised by being +told that an officer wished to see him, and a minute later Major Ferre +entered the apartment. + +“I only arrived an hour ago,” he said, “and learned that you were +prisoner here. Who would have thought when we parted last, and you +gave me my liberty, that on my arrival here I should find that you had +already been a week a prisoner? Horses' legs move faster than men's, you +see.” + +“It is the fortune of war,” Jack said, smiling. “I am glad to see that +you got out of Arragon safely.” + +“It was thanks to your seeing that we were provided with ammunition,” + the major said. “The peasants swarmed round us hotly more than once, and +it was the fact that we had our arms and were ready to use them, quite +as much as my assurances that we were prisoners on parole, and had +promised not to serve in Spain until exchanged, that kept them from +making an attack upon us; as it was we nearly came to blows several +times. I marched that day till the men were ready to drop, and camped at +a distance from a road in a lonely place. I dared not scatter my men +in a village. The next day we kept steadily on and crossed the frontier +into Castile, pretty well worn out, just at nightfall. I had to give my +men two days' halt before we could go further, and we have since come by +easy stages, which accounts for your being here so long before us. And +now, is there anything that I can do for you? If there is, command my +service to the utmost. I shall see the duke this afternoon, and shall +tell him that I and my party are indebted to you for our lives. It is +well for me that he is in command here instead of the marshal; he is a +gentleman, and will respect the parole I gave for myself and my men; +if it had been Tesse I might have had trouble, for as likely as not he +would have scoffed at my promise, and ordered me and my men back to the +front again, and then I should have been placed in a nice fix.” + +“The best thing you could do for me,” Jack said, “would be to suggest +to the marshal that he should exchange me against you. If he will let +me take my two troopers I would throw in all your men. There will be no +occasion to arrange it with our general; you gave your word to me, and +I can give it you back again. As I am of no use to him, and you are, I +should think he would consent.” + +“I should think so too,” Major Ferre said, “and should be delighted, on +both our accounts, if it could be managed.” + +Three hours later the major returned in high spirits. + +“I have arranged the matter,” he said, “and we are both free men. You +can't stir out of here at present, because it would not be safe for +you to go about Madrid; but I have orders to march tomorrow morning, +in command of a convoy, to join Las Torres outside Valencia, so you can +ride with me till we get near the town, and then join your people.” + +Jack was delighted, and the next morning set out with the convoy. His +appearance, as he rode by the side of Major Ferre with his two orderlies +behind him, excited the greatest surprise and curiosity in the various +towns and villages through which they passed. The journey was a pleasant +one, Major Ferre exerting himself in every way to make it as pleasant +as possible. After four days' journey the convoy arrived within sight +of Valencia. When they came to a place where the roads forked the major +said: + +“That is your way, my dear Stilwell. I hope that some day the fortunes +of war will throw us together again, in some pleasant position where +we can renew our friendship. Two miles on is a ford across the river, +where, as the peasants tell me, two of your vedettes are posted; another +hour's ride will take you to Valencia.” + +With a hearty goodby on both sides, Jack and his two dragoons rode off, +and soon astonished the English vedettes by their appearance on the +opposite bank of the river. A few words in English convinced the +soldiers that it was no trick that was being played with them, and Jack +rode across the ford and then galloped on to Valencia. + +“Well, Captain Stilwell,” the earl said as Jack entered his apartment, +“what news do you bring me from Barcelona? I hear that Tesse has +invested the town.” + +“My last news is from Madrid, general,” Jack said; “I have had to stay a +week in that city.” + +And he then proceeded to relate the series of events which had happened +from the time he joined the Count of Cifuentes. + +“I know I exceeded my duty, general,” he said when he finished, “in +going up into Arragon without orders; but I felt that I was of little +use with the count, who handles the Miquelets well, and I thought that +you would be glad of trustworthy information of the state of feeling in +Arragon, and perhaps of Castile.” + +“You were quite right,” the earl said, “and have done exceedingly +well. Yours has been an adventure after my own heart, and you have just +arrived here in time, for I am on the point of starting to do what I can +to harass the besiegers of Barcelona.” + + + +CHAPTER XV: THE RELIEF OF BARCELONA + + +Although for months it was evident that the French were preparing to +make a great effort to recapture Barcelona, Charles and his German +advisers had done nothing whatever to place the city in the position to +resist a siege. The fortifications remained just as they had been when +Peterborough had captured the city. The breaches which had been made by +the English cannon were still open, and even that in the all important +citadel of Montjuich remained as it had been left by the explosion of +the magazine. + +Not until Tesse was pressing down from Lerida and de Noailles from +Roussillon did the king awake to his danger. Orders were sent out to +recall all the troops who were within reach, the country people were set +to work collecting provisions, and the king made an urgent appeal to +the citizens to aid in repairing the fortifications. The appeal was +responded to; the whole male population took up arms, even priests and +friars enrolling themselves in the ranks. The women and children were +formed into companies, and all Barcelona labored in carrying materials +and in repairing the breaches. The king had received a letter from +Peterborough proposing the plan of which he had spoken to his aides de +camp, and which, had it been carried out, would have changed the fate +of Spain. His suggestion was that Charles should at once make his way by +sea to Portugal, which, as the blockade had not then commenced, he could +have easily done, there to put himself at the head of the allied army, +twenty-six thousand strong, and march straight upon Madrid. This could +have been done with a certainty of success, for the west of Spain and +the capital had been denuded of troops for the invasion of Catalonia and +Valencia, and no more than two thousand men could have been collected to +oppose the invaders. + +“If your majesty will undertake to do this,” wrote the earl, “I will +undertake to maintain the province here, and perhaps to open a way to +Madrid.” + +But now, as before, this bold but really safe counsel was overruled by +Charles' German courtiers and he resolved to remain in Barcelona and +wait a siege. + +As soon as Peterborough received the answer, he left a small garrison in +Valencia, and marched away with all the force he could collect, which, +however, numbered only two thousand foot and six hundred horse, while +de Noailles had no less than twenty thousand gathered round Barcelona. +Peterborough moved rapidly across the country, pushing forward at +the utmost speed of the troops till he arrived within two leagues of +Barcelona, and took up a strong position among the mountains, where he +was at once joined by the Count of Cifuentes and his peasant army. + +“Ah, count,” the earl said as he rode into his camp, “I am glad to see +you again. You did not succeed in stopping Tesse, but by all accounts +you mauled him handsomely. And now, what are our prospects?” + +“Indeed, sir, they are not over bright, and I do not see that we can +effect much to aid the king. My men will fight well enough, as Captain +Stilwell has witnessed, when they choose their position and shoot behind +shelter, but they would be of no use whatever in a regular action; and +as to advancing into the plain to give battle with you against twenty +thousand regular troops, they would not attempt it, even if you were to +join your orders to mine.” + +“We will not ask them, count,” Peterborough said. “I know the Miquelets +by this time. They are admirable for irregular war, but worse than +useless for anything else. All we will ask of them, count, is to scatter +in strong bodies over the hills, to guard every road, and cut off any +parties of the enemy who may venture to go out to gather provisions or +forage. If they can manage occasionally to threaten an attack upon the +French camp, so much the better.” + +The next morning a strong body of the French took post round Montjuich, +and at nine o'clock a force of infantry, supported by two squadrons of +horse, attempted to carry the western outworks by storm. This was the +weakest part of the citadel, and was manned by only a hundred men of +Colonel Hamilton's regiment, who had arrived the night before, having in +two days ridden seventy miles on mules. + +As the French advanced they received them with great determination, +and poured in so sharp a fire that the assailants speedily retired with +considerable loss. As they fell back the English threw up their caps and +raised loud shouts, which so exasperated the enemy that they reformed +and returned several times to the assault, but only to be repulsed as +on their first attempt. This was a sharp check to the French, who had +expected to find the place guarded only by the usual garrison of forty +Spaniards. + +When the sound of firing was heard in the town the whole garrison turned +out and marched to support Montjuich, only twelve men being left behind +for a guard to the king. This repulse of the first attempt of the enemy +raised the spirits of the townsmen, and bands of them ventured beyond +the walls, and, sheltering in the gardens and groves, maintained a +strong fire upon the French. + +Finding that Barcelona was not to be taken as easily as they had +expected, the French generals extended their camp so as to completely +surround the town. On their side the citizens were not inactive, and, +sallying out, managed to cut off and drive in a flock of seven hundred +of the enemy's sheep and twelve of their mules. + +The following night the besieged sustained a severe loss by the +treacherous surrender, by its commander, of Fort Redonda, which stood +on the seashore and commanded the landing. The enemy at once profited by +this advantage and began landing their provisions, guns, and ammunition. +This misfortune was, however, balanced by the enterprise of Brigadier +Generals Lord Donegal and Sentiman, with two English and two newly +raised Catalan battalions. They received the king's orders to return +to Barcelona too late to reach the town before its investment, but now +managed, under cover of night, to elude the enemy and enter the city in +safety. + +When the enemy received news of the success of this attempt they closed +in their left wing to the eastward, in hopes of preventing further +reinforcements from entering the town. But they had not reckoned upon +the Earl of Peterborough, who had received news that the garrison of +Gerona, after evacuating that town on the approach of the army of the +Duke de Noailles, had embarked in small boats and were about to attempt +a landing near Barcelona, on the north side. On the receipt of the +news he started as night fell with his whole force from his camp in the +mountains, and having, after a march of nearly twenty miles, arrived at +the spot named for the debarkation just as the boats were nearing the +shore, and having escorted the Gerona men past the enemy's outpost +and into the town, without the loss of a man, he again retired to the +mountains. These accessions of strength raised the force of troops in +the besieged town to upward of three thousand. + +The next day a case of treason was discovered among the Spaniards in the +garrison of Montjuich. A boy confessed that he had been hired by one +of these men to put out all the gun matches, and to throw the priming +powder out of the matchlocks that night. He was told to do this on the +weakest side of the works, where the attack would probably be made. + +The discovery of this intended treason, following so closely on that at +Fort Redonda, excited suspicions of the loyalty of the Spanish Governor +of Montjuich, and he was superseded and the Earl of Donegal appointed to +the command. For the next six days the French continued to raise battery +after battery around Montjuich. Lord Donegal made some gallant sallies +and several times drove the besiegers from their works, but in each case +they returned in such overwhelming force that he was obliged to abandon +the positions he had won and to fall back into the citadel. + +The Miquelets, of whom there were many in the town, aided the besieged +by harassing the French. Every night they stole into their camp, +murdered officers in their tents, carried off horses, slew sentries, and +kept the enemy in a perpetual state of watchfulness. + +At eight o'clock on the morning of the 15th of April the besiegers made +a furious attack on the western outwork of Montjuich, having ascertained +that it was defended only by a party of one of the newly raised Spanish +regiments. They captured the post without difficulty, the Spaniards +flying at the first assault, but on the inner ramparts they were met by +Donegal and his grenadiers, and a desperate struggle took place which +lasted for two hours. + +The English fought with the greatest obstinacy, and frequently flung +back among their assailants the grenades which the latter showered among +them, before they had time to explode, Lord Donegal himself setting the +men the example. But though able to prevent the French from advancing +further, the English could not recover the outpost which the Spaniards +had abandoned, and the French formed intrenchments and mounted a battery +upon it. + +In spite of the continued fire which the besiegers now poured in upon +it from all sides, Lord Donegal held out bravely. The little force under +his command was much reduced in numbers, and so worn out by constant +exertion and loss of sleep that men frequently fell asleep while under +arms under the heaviest fire. The besiegers were not idle in other +directions. Several mortar vessels moved close in shore and threw shells +into the town, while the batteries poured in red hot shot. This spread +great alarm throughout the town. The people could be hardly induced to +continue working on the defenses, and many took refuge in cellars or +in the churches. Ammunition began to fail, and despair was taking +possession of the defenders, when, at two o'clock in the morning of the +21st, a galley ran safely into the harbor bearing a supply of powder and +encouraging messages from Lord Peterborough. + +Three days later he managed to throw a body of Neapolitan troops into +the town, embarking them in boats at Matero, a small port a few miles to +the northeast of the town. He sent them close along the shore in order +to pass the enemy's fleet, if possible, unobserved. They found, however, +that a line of boats had been drawn across the harbor to blockade the +entrance. They attacked the boats, and after a sharp fight, which lasted +over an hour, four hundred men succeeded in forcing their way through, +and the rest returned to Matero in safety. + +Peterborough now determined to endeavor to relieve the town by the +desperate expedient of attacking the enemy's camp with his little force. +In order to do this with any prospect of success it was necessary to +warn the king of his intentions, so that the garrison of the town could +issue out and attack the enemy at the same moment from their side. He +committed the dispatch to Captain Graham, who succeeded in making his +way through the enemy's lines to the city. The king agreed to join in a +combined attack, and, having arranged all his plans, gave the dispatch +to Graham to carry back to the earl. + +On the way out he was less successful than he had been in entering. He +was seized upon by a body of French before he could destroy the paper. +Tesse was accordingly warned of the earl's plans, and at the hour +appointed for the attack drew up his army in order of battle. +Peterborough was ready to advance, and the besieged were all in arms on +the ramparts, but seeing that the enemy were fully prepared the project +was abandoned, and the troops returned to their quarters. + +But the fall of Montjuich was at hand. The besiegers secretly massed +a large force in the trenches. At midday on the 22d a salvo of four +mortars gave the signal. The French rushed in with loud shouts and +effected a complete surprise. Before the troops could get under arms two +bastions were captured. + +So sudden was the affair that many of the English officers, hearing the +firing, ran out from the keep, and seeing some foreign troops drawn up +in the works joined them, concluding that they were Dutch, and were +only undeceived by finding themselves taken prisoners. The men were so +confused by the loss of many of the officers that, had the French pushed +in at once, they would have been able to carry the main body of the +works with but little resistance. They halted, however, in the bastions +they had won. The next morning the people of Barcelona, headed by their +priests, sallied out to effect the relief of Montjuich, but were easily +driven back by the besiegers. The little garrison of the castle sallied +out to meet their friends, but when these retreated to the town they had +to fight their way back to the castle, which they regained with great +difficulty, the gallant Earl of Donegal and many of his officers being +killed. + +Finding that their position was now desperate, the remnant of the +British troops abandoned the castle they had so stoutly defended, and +succeeded in making their way safely into the city. Tesse now pushed on +the siege of the town with vigor. Batteries of heavy guns were raised +opposite the newly mended breaches, and so close did he plant his guns +to the walls that the artillery of the besieged could not be depressed +sufficiently to play upon them, while so heavy a fire of infantry +was kept up upon the walls that their defenders were unable to reply +effectively with their musketry. + +The walls crumbled rapidly, and the defenders busied themselves +in raising inner defenses behind the breaches. Had the French been +commanded by an enterprising general there is little doubt that they +could have carried the town by assault, but Tesse, in his over caution, +waited until success was a certainty. The alarm in Barcelona was great, +and the king sent messenger after messenger to Peterborough to urge him +to come to his relief; but, daring as was the earl when he considered +success to be possible, he would not venture his little force upon +an enterprise which was, he felt, hopeless, and he knew that the only +possible relief for the city was the arrival of the English fleet. + +Early in March Admiral Sir John Leake and Baron Wassenaer had sailed +from Lisbon with the combined fleet in accordance with Peterborough's +orders; but the wind was contrary, and it was fully six weeks after +starting that they reached the Straits, where they were joined by +Captain Price with a small squadron, on board of which were two English +regiments. It was not until the 24th of April that they sailed from +Gibraltar. + +On reaching Altea they received news that another squadron had sailed +from Lisbon to join them, and in spite of the warm remonstrances of +General Stanhope, who commanded the troops on board, the Dutch and +English admirals determined to await the arrival of the reinforcements +before sailing to give battle to the fleet of the Count of Toulouse +before Barcelona. + +On the 3d of April Sir George Byng arrived at Altea with some ships +from Ireland, and the next day Commodore Walker, with the squadron from +Lisbon, also arrived; but the wind was now contrary, and although the +fleet set sail, for three days they made no progress whatever, and each +hour so wasted rendered the position of the besieged at Barcelona more +and more desperate. While lying at Altea General Stanhope had sent a +message to Lord Peterborough telling him that he would use every means +in his power to hasten Sir John Leake's movements, and that he would +give him timely notice of the approach of the fleet. + +He said that as it was of the utmost importance that the enemy should +remain in ignorance of the approaching succors, his messenger should +carry only a half sheet of blank paper, so that if he were taken by the +enemy they would learn nothing from his dispatch. When the fleet +sailed he sent off a second messenger, who got safely to the earl, and +delivered his blank dispatch. With the exception of his aide de camp, +who was always in his confidence, he told no one the meaning of this +blank dispatch, and his officers were surprised when orders were issued +for the little army at once to prepare for a night march. Officers +and men had, however, most implicit confidence in their general, and, +doubting not that some daring enterprise was at hand, they started in +high spirits. + +All through the night they marched in a southwesterly direction over the +hills, and at daybreak reached the little seaport of Sitjes, some seven +leagues from Barcelona. Ordering the wearied soldiers to encamp behind +some low hills, the indefatigable general rode with Jack Stilwell into +the little port, and at once, by offering large rewards, set the sailors +and fishermen at work to collect the boats, barges, and fishing smacks +along the neighboring coast, and to bring them to Sitjes. + +In two days he had succeeded in collecting a sufficient number to carry +the whole force. The news of the work upon which the general was engaged +soon spread among the force and caused the greatest astonishment. Jack +Stilwell was overwhelmed with questions as to the intentions of the +general. + +“What on earth are we going to do next, Stilwell?” one of the colonels +said to him. “We are all ready, you know, to do anything that the chief +bids us, but for the life of us no one can make this business out. The +only possible thing seems to be that the chief intends to attack the +French fleet, and desperate as many of his exploits have been, they +would be as nothing to that. Even the earl could surely not expect that +fifteen hundred men in fishing boats and barges could attack a fleet of +some thirty men of war. The idea seems preposterous, and yet one does +not see what else he can have got in his head.” + +“Of course, colonel,” Jack said, laughing, “you do not expect me to tell +you what are the general's plans. You may be quite sure that, whatever +they are, there is nothing absolutely impossible about them, for you +know that although the general may undertake desperate things, he never +attempts anything that has not at least a possibility of success; in +fact, as you know, he has never yet failed in any enterprise that he has +undertaken.” + +“That is true enough,” the colonel said; “and yet for the life of me +I cannot make out what else he can be thinking of. Certainly to attack +Toulouse would be madness, and yet there is no one else to attack.” + +“Well, colonel, I can only say that time will show, and I don't think +you will have to wait very long before you know as much about it as I +do.” + +Jack was right in this, for on the night of the second day the earl +called his officers together, and informed them that he was waiting +to join the English fleet, which might at any moment come in sight. As +hitherto nothing had been known about the arrival of reinforcements, the +news excited the greatest joy. The earl had hoped that at daybreak the +fleet would be in sight, and as soon as it was light he mounted a hill +which gave him a wide view over the sea, but to his deep disappointment +not a sail appeared above the horizon. Knowing the desperate state of +the garrison at Barcelona, and that at any hour he might receive +news that an assault had been delivered and the city captured, +his disappointment at the delay in the appearance of the fleet was +unbounded. + +The roar of the distant guns around Barcelona came distinctly to his +ears, and he was almost wild with impatience and anxiety. On reaching +the shore again he found that a fast sailing felucca had just come in +from Barcelona. She had managed to evade the blockading fleet, and bore +an urgent letter from the king, praying Peterborough to come to his +assistance. The earl did not hesitate a moment, but determined to set +sail at once to find the fleet, and to bring it on to Barcelona with all +speed. + +The astonishment and dismay of his officers at the news that their +general was about to leave them and embark on such an enterprise were +very great, but the earl explained to the leaders the reasons for his +anxiety to gain the fleet. His commission appointed him to the command +at sea as well as on land, and on joining the fleet he would be its +admiral in chief. He feared that at the sight of so powerful an armament +the Count of Toulouse would at once decline battle and make for France. +He determined, therefore, to advance only with a force considerably +inferior to that of the French, in which case Toulouse, rather than +abandon the siege of Barcelona just when success seemed assured, would +sail out and give battle. + +Should he do so the earl, however inferior his force, had no doubts as +to obtaining victory. Accompanied only by Jack Stillwell and by Captain +Humphrey, who had taken the place of Graham, he embarked on board the +little felucca and put to sea. The weather was cold and stormy, and the +master of the boat did not like putting out far from shore; but the earl +was peremptory, and the felucca stood well out to sea. Night came on +without any signs of the fleet being discovered. The hours of darkness +passed slowly, for the boat was undecked and afforded no shelter, and +the heavy seas which broke over her kept all on board wetted to the +skin. + +At daybreak, to their great joy, they perceived a British man of war +approaching. They at once made for her, and found she was the Leopard, +commanded by Captain Price. The astonishment of that officer, and of all +on board, was unbounded at being boarded at break of day almost out of +sight of land from an open boat by the admiral of all the fleets. The +earl's stay on board was but a short one. As soon as he had learned the +whereabout of the rest of the fleet, and given instructions to Captain +Price, he again embarked in the felucca, and sailed for Sitjes. + +The joy of the troops was great at the return of their general, for the +night had been so stormy that there were great fears for his safety; but +he was not to remain with them long, for, having given orders that the +whole disposable force, about fourteen hundred men, should embark in the +boats before daybreak next morning, and follow the fleet to Barcelona, +he again with his aides de camp took his place in the felucca and sailed +for the fleet. + +In the middle of the night he came across them, and boarding the Prince +George, hoisted his flag as admiral of the fleet on the maintop, and +took the command. He then sent a boat to Sir John Leake to acquaint +him with his orders and intentions, and another boat to advise General +Stanhope of his arrival; but the darkness delayed the delivery of these +messages till nearly morning, and when day appeared the whole fleet was +amazed at seeing the flag of the admiral in chief flying on the Prince +George. The wind was strong and favorable, and the fleet crowded on +all sail; but when within about eighteen miles of Barcelona one of +the French lookout ships sighted them, and made a signal to a consort +further along. She in turn passed on the news until it reached the +Count of Toulouse, who, without waiting to ascertain the strength of +the approaching squadron, at once signaled to his fleet to weigh anchor, +and, putting to sea, sailed for France. + +The disappointment of the earl was great, as he had fully calculated +upon gaining a great naval battle in sight of the city he had come to +relieve. On the afternoon of the 8th of May the leading vessels anchored +off Barcelona, and preparations were at once made for the landing of the +troops. The first to set foot on shore were the earl's veteran troops, +who had according to his orders accompanied the fleet from Sitjes. The +succor was welcome, indeed; the breaches were no longer defensible, and +an assault was hourly expected. The king himself came down to receive +the earl and his army; the city went wild with joy. + +For a few days the French made a show of carrying on the siege. They +were still enormously superior in force; but the energy and skill of +Peterborough counterbalanced the inequality. He worked day and night +in superintending the works of defense, and in placing the troops in +readiness for the expected assault. Philip and many of his officers +were still in favor of an attack upon the city; but Tesse as usual was +opposed to anything like vigorous measures, and his views were adopted +by a council of war. + +At one o'clock on the morning of the 11th of May the besiegers broke +up their camp, and in great confusion made their way toward the French +frontier, for Tesse preferred even the ignominy of falling back into +France with his unsuccessful and dispirited army to retracing his steps +toward Saragossa, where his devastations and cruelty had caused the +whole population to rise in insurrection as soon as his army had passed +into Catalonia. Besides which, he had received news that Peterborough +had caused every pass and town on his way to the west to be fortified +and held by the Miquelets. Philip accompanied the retreating army to +Roussillon. The downfall of his hopes had been utter and complete. But +a few weeks before it had seemed that Spain was his, and that the forces +at his disposal were ample to crush out the insurrection in Barcelona, +and to sweep into the sea the handful of the invaders. But all his plans +had been baffled, all his hopes brought to naught by the genius and +energy of one man, in spite of that man being thwarted at every turn by +the imbecile German coterie who surrounded the king, and by the jealousy +and ill will of his fellow generals. + +Bad news met the fugitive at Roussillon. There he heard that his +countrymen had suffered a disastrous defeat at Ramillies; that nearly +all the Netherlands had been wrested from France; that a heavy defeat +had been inflicted upon her at Turin, and that Italy was well nigh lost. +It needed, indeed, but the smallest amount of unanimity, enterprise, and +confidence on the part of the advisers and generals of King Charles to +have placed him securely and permanently upon the throne of Spain. + +When the flight of the besieging army was discovered after daybreak by +the besieged, they poured out from Barcelona into the deserted camp. All +the ordnance and stores of the French had been abandoned. Two hundred +heavy brass guns, thirty mortars, and a vast quantity of shot, shells, +and intrenching tools, three thousand barrels of powder, ten thousand +sacks of corn, and a vast quantity of provisions and stores were found +left behind in the camp. Tesse had left, too, all his sick and wounded +with a letter to the Earl of Peterborough begging him to see that they +were well cared for. + +The news of the hasty retreat of Marshal Tesse from before Barcelona +caused a shock of surprise throughout Europe. In France it had never +been doubted that Barcelona would fall, and as to the insurrection, it +was believed that it could be trampled out without difficulty by +the twenty-five thousand French veterans whom the marshal had at +his disposal. As to the handful of British troops whose exploits had +occasioned such astonishment, none had supposed for a moment that they +would be able to effect anything when opposed to so overwhelming a force +of the disciplined troops of France. + +Peterborough himself had hardly hoped to save Barcelona, but, unlike +his enemies, he had not considered that the fall of that city would +necessarily entail the final defeat of the cause for which he fought. +While busying himself with the marches and achievements of the troops +under his command, he had never ceased to take measures to provide for +the future. His marches and counter marches had made him thoroughly +acquainted with the country, and he had won the entire confidence of the +people. + +He had, therefore, taken measures that even if Barcelona fell Philip +should not march back again to his capital. From the day Tesse advanced +he had had thousands of the country people at work, under the direction +of a few of his own officers, rendering each of the three roads by which +the French army could march from Barcelona to Madrid impracticable. +Gorges were blocked with vast masses of rock rolled down from the +mountain side at spots where the road wound along on the face of +precipices; and where it had only been made by blasting, it was by +similar means entirely destroyed. Bridges were broken down, every castle +and town on the lines of retreat placed in a state of defense, and the +cattle and provisions driven off to places of safety. + +Thus while the earl was himself engaged in the most perilous adventures, +he neglected nothing that the most prudent and cautious general could +have suggested to insure the success of his plans. Even when affairs +looked most unpromising in Barcelona the earl wrote cheerfully to the +Duke of Savoy, saying that the circumstances were much better than +were generally supposed; and that the French officers, ignorant of the +situation of the country, would be astonished at the difficulties that +would be opposed to them on advancing even after success; and that if +the siege were raised they would be forced to abandon Spain, while all +the western frontier would be clear for the progress of Lord Galway and +Das Minas to Madrid. + +A few days after the retreat of Marshal Tesse, to Jack's great pleasure +Graham came into Barcelona. He had, in the confusion of the retreat, had +little difficulty in slipping away from his captors. His only danger had +been from the peasantry, at whose hands he had narrowly escaped death, +as they took him for a French officer; but, upon being convinced by his +assurances that he was an Englishman and an aide de camp of the Earl of +Peterborough, they had provided him with a horse to make his way back to +Barcelona. + + + +CHAPTER XVI: INGRATITUDE + + +Barcelona rescued, Peterborough at once urged the king to march upon +Madrid and have himself proclaimed king in his capital. There was no +force which could oppose his advance, and Lord Galway and the Portuguese +could move unresisted from the west and meet him there. But it was a +long time before Charles and his counselors would listen to his advice; +and although at last they agreed to follow it, their resolution was +short. In the first place, they determined to leave so large a force +to garrison Catalonia that the army available for the advance on Madrid +would be very seriously weakened--fifteen hundred English and eleven +hundred Spaniards were to be left at Barcelona, sixteen hundred English +and Dutch and fifteen hundred Spanish at Gerona, eight hundred and fifty +Spanish and Dutch at Lerida, and five hundred Spanish at Tortosa. + +This left but sixty-five hundred men available for service in the field, +and even this number was subsequently diminished by the vacillating +Charles to forty-five hundred. + +As Peterborough wrote to Lord Halifax: “We have saved kingdoms in spite +of the king, who would abandon them, and we have waged more dangerous +war with ministers than with enemies. Lord Galway and the Portuguese +generals pass all understanding.” + +No wonder the earl was astounded by the incompetence of Lord Galway and +the Portuguese generals. They had twenty thousand men, while to oppose +them there were but five thousand under the Duke of Berwick; and yet +after entering Spain they fell back, without doing anything, into +Portugal--their retreat beginning on the 11th of May, the day on which +Philip retreated from Barcelona. So that on the opposite side of Spain +two large armies simultaneously retired before others vastly weaker than +themselves. When the news of Tesse's retreat to France reached Portugal +they again advanced. Berwick was too weak to oppose them, and on the +25th of June the advance guard of the allies occupied Madrid, and there +proclaimed Charles as king. + +Had Galway and his colleagues now shown the slightest energy, and moved +against Berwick's little force, with which was Philip himself, they +could have driven them across the frontier without striking a blow, +and the French cause would have been lost in Spain; but, having reached +Madrid, they remained there doing absolutely nothing--leaving ample +time to Philip to repair his misfortunes, receive aid from France, and +recommence the campaign with vigor. As Peterborough wrote indignantly to +General Stanhope: “Their halt is as fatal as was Hannibal's at Capua.” + +As soon as the movement upon Madrid had been decided upon, Peterborough +sailed with the English and Dutch infantry to Valencia, where he was +received with enthusiasm by the inhabitants. He at once set to work to +raise a regiment of dragoons, and organized them in three weeks. The +very day they were mounted he marched them upon Castile. During this +time not only had Lord Galway made no movement, but he had joined in +the German intrigue by which Charles was induced to abandon the plan of +marching to his capital under the escort of Peterborough. + +The allied generals at Madrid were indeed basely jealous of the +brilliant conqueror of Catalonia and Valencia. His deeds had thrown +theirs entirely into the shade. With utterly insufficient means he had +done everything; with ample means they had effected nothing, and had +only been enabled to enter Madrid by the fact that he had drawn off the +army which had successfully opposed them. + +After incessant labor in organizing his force, the earl sent two +thousand men, under the command of Lieutenant General Wyndham, to +besiege the towns of Requena and Cuenca--two places of some strength +which blocked the road between Valencia and Madrid. + +Wyndham easily accomplished the task; and the road being thus secured, +Peterborough wrote to Charles that “nothing remained to hinder him +from entering Madrid with even a small escort of horse.” The earl had +everything prepared along the road for the passage of the king; but +although he wrote over and over again urging him not to delay, Charles +refused to stir, and told General Stanhope (who backed Peterborough's +entreaties) that he had “no becoming equipment with which to enter his +capital.” + +“Sire,” the English general exclaimed in indignant astonishment, “our +William the Third entered London in a hackney, with a cloak bag behind +it, and was made king not many weeks after.” + +A month after the date originally settled Charles set out and proceeded +to Taragona, but then, to the astonishment of the English general and +envoy, they learned he had altered his mind and taken the route to +Saragossa. When he heard the news, Peterborough sent couriers day after +day with urgent letters to the king. He prevailed upon a deputation of +the Valencian nobility to follow with the same purpose, and transmitted +the opinion of a council of war, which was unanimous in entreating +the king to stay his steps. The king again hesitated, and was about to +follow Peterborough's advice, when a French officer in the Portuguese +service arrived from Galway and Das Minas, again urging him to move by +the route which they had suggested. + +Charles again hesitated, the Count of Cifuentes (who was with him) gave +his advice in favor of the Saragossa route, and the king decided on that +line. + +On the 26th of July the earl summoned a council of war, including the +Governor of Valencia, two Spanish generals, and his own officers. They +agreed unanimously that Peterborough should march his army to Madrid or +join the army in Portugal, as circumstances might require. Just before +they started letters came in from the king desiring that Peterborough +should send the forces under his command either to relieve the Duke of +Savoy or to capture the Balearic Isles. + +The earl declined to follow this ungrateful suggestion, which was +manifestly intended by Charles and his advisers, English, Portuguese, +and German, to send away from his kingdom the man who had won it for +him. Being fortunately independent of orders, Peterborough marched for +Castile, as he and the council of war had previously determined. + +Charles was not long in regretting that he had not followed Lord +Peterborough's advice. Instead of the triumphant procession from +Saragossa to Madrid, which he had been promised, he was met with the +most determined opposition. + +Every town and village in the center and south of Spain rose against +him; Salamanca and Toledo declared for Philip, and Andalusia raised +eighteen thousand men. The troops of Las Torres from Valencia, and +those who had retreated under Tesse to Roussillon, had joined Berwick at +Xadraque, and Philip had placed himself at the head of this formidable +army. Charles was obliged to send in the utmost haste to ask the Earl of +Peterborough to extricate him from the position in which he had placed +himself by neglecting his advice. + +The earl instantly complied with the request, and marching with all +speed overtook the king on the 4th of August at Pastrina, and thence +on the following day escorted him in safety to the army of Portugal at +Guadalaxara. + +The total strength of the united allied army was eighteen thousand +men--a force inferior, indeed, to that with which Berwick confronted +them; and that portion brought by Lord Galway and the Portuguese General +Das Minas was not to be relied upon, having fallen into a state of great +indiscipline owing to the tedious delays, the frequent retreats, and the +long inactivity to which it had been subjected by the incompetence of +its leaders. That this was so was evident by the fact that the day after +the king's arrival the French made a partial attack, and many of the +allied battalions at once fell into complete confusion. But this was not +the greatest drawback to the efficiency of the allied army; they were +paralyzed by the dissensions of their commanders--Galway, Das Minas, +and the Dutch Count de Noyelles. Each and all declined to acknowledge +Peterborough as commander in chief. The earl then offered to waive his +own rights entirely and to fight as a simple volunteer, and that Das +Minas, Lord Galway, and the Dutch general should each command their own +forces, receiving their orders from the king. + +This offer was, however, refused by the three generals. The partisans +of the various leaders shared their animosity. The English troops of +Peterborough claiming, and justly, that Catalonia and Valencia had been +gained and won by him, and that to him alone the king owed his crown, +were furious that those who had shown naught but incapacity from +the commencement of the campaign should now refuse to recognize his +authority. While the disputes continued Berwick had nearly succeeded in +surprising Galway, and a disastrous defeat had only been prevented +by the gallant defense made by Lord Tyrawley of an outpost which he +commanded, and which he held for two hours against all the efforts of +the French, and so gave time for the army to make a hasty retreat. + +The army was, moreover, straitened by want of provisions; Lord Galway +and his colleagues had made no arrangements whatever for its supply. +Day and night the German favorites of the king, who had ruined their +master's cause by dissuading him from following the advice of Lord +Peterborough, now labored with the king still further to destroy his +confidence in Peterborough; and finding himself treated coldly by the +ungrateful monarch, who owed everything to him, opposed at every turn by +the other generals, and seeing that his presence was worse than useless, +Peterborough announced his intention of obeying the orders from Queen +Anne, dated the 12th of June, and repeated on the 17th, to proceed to +the assistance of the Duke of Savoy. + +On the same evening a council of war was held. The king formally laid +Peterborough's announcement before the generals, who, delighted to get +rid of their rival, unanimously recommended that he should depart. + +On the 11th of August, full of mortification and disgust at the +treatment that he had experienced and the base ingratitude of the king, +Peterborough rode from the camp at Guadalaxara. As if to humiliate him +as far as possible, he was given only an escort of eighty dragoons, +although there were serious difficulties to be encountered on the road +to Valencia. His two favorite aides de camp, Stilwell and Graham, were +the only officers who accompanied him. It is satisfactory to know that +from the moment of the earl's departure misfortune and disaster fell +upon the fortunes of King Charles, and that the crown which he had +received from the English earl was wrested from his unworthy grasp. +Peterborough had gone but a short distance when he heard that all his +baggage, consisting of eight wagon loads and of the value of eight +thousand pounds sterling, had fallen into the hands of the enemy. When +he left Valencia to extricate the king from his difficulties he had +ordered it to be sent after him to Guadalaxara. When it arrived at +Cuenca, General Wyndham, who commanded there, forwarded it with a small +escort; but it was attacked while passing through the town of Huete by a +party of the Duke of Berwick's troopers. + +The earl was furious at the news. Not only were all his personal +effects, jewels, and uniforms lost, but his spare horses, carriages, +and mules. Upon making inquiry he found that the troopers of Berwick had +been aided by the inhabitants of Huete, who had given information to the +troopers and shared in the plunder. His first impulse was to burn +the town to the ground, and as when he arrived there he was joined by +Wyndham's force, he had ample power to do so. + +He immediately summoned the magistrates and clergy to meet him, and told +them in decided terms that they must find his baggage and the rogues +that had stolen it. After making a search in the town they were able +to find but a small portion of it. They then offered to pay him ten +thousand pistoles for his loss, or any other sum which he might choose +to name; but the earl, with that singular generosity which formed so +marked a part of his character, declined the offer, and said: + +“I see you are honest gentlemen; for my part I will sit content with my +loss if you will bring all the corn of the district to the army.” + +The townspeople were delighted at this clemency, as corn was much more +easy to procure than money, and it was accordingly sent to Lord Galway's +camp, where it sufficed to supply the whole army for six weeks. + +This was an act of almost unparalleled magnanimity and generosity to the +generals whose jealousy and machinations had driven him from the army; +but the earl was so satisfied at thus heaping coals of fire upon the +heads of his rivals that he continued his journey in the highest state +of good humor in spite of the loss which he had suffered, and which, as +he was by no means rich, was a very considerable one. He took with him +Killigrew's dragoons and sent on Wyndham's brigade to join Lord Galway. +On the way he encountered several adventures. + +One night when he arrived at the little town of Campillo, he heard of a +barbarous massacre that had that day been perpetrated in a neighboring +village upon a small detachment of English soldiers, who had just been +discharged from the hospital at Cuenca, and were proceeding under the +command of an officer to join Wyndham's battalion of the guards, to +which they belonged. They had slept at the village, and were marching +out unconscious of danger, when a shot in the back killed their officer, +and the peasants at once rushed in upon the men and killed several of +them, together with their wives who had accompanied them. The rest were +dragged up a hill near the village, and then one by one thrown down a +deep pit. + +No sooner did the earl hear of the outrage than he ordered the trumpets +to sound to horse. The dragoons, who, weary with their long march, had +just unsaddled, turned out wondering at the order; but when they heard +what had happened, they mounted with an impatience for vengeance equal +to that of their general. Arriving at the village they found, to their +great disappointment, that the murderers had fled, and that hardly any +of the inhabitants remained. They found, however, hidden in the church, +the clothes of some of the murdered guardsmen. The sacristan of the +church was alleged by the inhabitants, who were narrowly examined, to +have taken an active part in the slaughter, and the earl ordered him to +be hung up at once to the knocker of his own door. The troops then rode +up to the top of the hill, and the earl and his aides de camp dismounted +at the edge of the pit. They had procured a rope at the village, +although the inhabitants insisted that no one could be found alive, as +the pit, which was a disused one, was of vast depth. + +“Is any one alive down there?” the earl shouted. + +“Yes, yes,” a voice cried a short distance below them. “Thank God +friends have come; but help me quickly, for I cannot hold on much +longer.” + +Jack seized the rope and twisted one end round his body. Several of the +soldiers lowered him down, and some twenty feet below the edge he came +upon the man who had spoken. As he fell he had caught some bushes which +grew in the side of the old pit, and having managed to find a ledge +on which to place his feet, had maintained his grasp in this perilous +position the whole day. As the rope was amply strong enough to hold two, +Jack clasped his arms around the man's body and called to those above to +haul up. They were soon at the surface. + +The soldier, who had fainted when he found himself in safety, was laid +down and brandy poured down his throat, and Jack, to his astonishment +and satisfaction, recognized in him his old friend Sergeant Edwards. He +did not wait, however, for him to recover sensibility, but at once told +the troopers to lower him again to the end of the rope. This they did, +and Jack then shouted several times, but received no answer. He then +dropped a small stone he had brought down with him, but no sound came +back in return, and, satisfied that none of the soldiers could have +survived the fall, for he was already more than sixty feet below the +surface, he shouted to those above to draw him up. He found that Edwards +had now recovered his senses, and was giving to the earl a detailed +account of the massacre, which so exasperated him that he gave orders +that the village should be burned to the ground, a command which +was willingly carried out by the troopers. Edwards was delighted at +recognizing Jack, and when, after the destruction of the village, the +party rode back to Campillo for the night, the two old friends had a +long chat as to the events which had happened since they last parted at +Barcelona. + +“Is it true, sir, that the general has resigned his command?” + +“Quite true, Edwards.” + +“And is he going home, sir?” + +“No; he will sail to aid the Duke of Savoy; at least that is the present +intention; but I should not be surprised if he is in England ere many +months are over.” + +“Well, sir, I should like to get my discharge and go home too; being +chucked down that pit has given me a regular sickness of campaigning +among these savages. Talk about pirates, Captain Stilwell, why, I +had rather fall among pirates any day than among these bloodthirsty +wretches. Calls themselves Christians too! The pirates wasn't +hypocrites, in that way, anyhow; they didn't bow down on their knees +before every little trumpery doll stuck up by the wayside, and then go +and cut a man's throat afterward--it was all fair and square with them. +Anyways, it don't matter to me, as I see, whether they has King Charles +or King Philip to rule over them; I wishes him joy of the job, whichever +it may be; but I don't see no call to be risking my life in being shot, +or chucked down pits, or stabbed in my bed, for such a lot of varmint +any longer. I have served my full time, and can take my pension; +besides, I have got something like a thousand pounds stowed away in a +snug hiding place near Barcelona.” + +“You have, Edwards? I am glad to hear it; I had no idea you were such a +rich man.” + +“It's prize money, sir, lawful earned prize money, though I don't know +between ourselves as the colonel would have approved of it; so I stowed +it away and says nothing till I gets a chance to lift it before I set +sail. It's been rather worrying me in case we should be ordered to take +ship at some other port.” + +“Well, but how did you get it, Edwards?” + +“Well, sir, I know that I can tell you, 'cause I am sure it won't go no +further. Just afore the French came down to besiege Barcelona I was +up with the brigade at Lerida. The people were pretty much divided up +there, but the news as the French was coming to drive us into the sea +made the folks as was against us very bold. The sentries had to be +doubled at night, for lots of our men were found stabbed, and it was +dangerous to go about outside the town except in parties. Well, sir, +Sergeant Adams of ours, as smart a soldier as ever wore pigtail, had +fallen in love with the daughter of an innkeeper at a place four miles +from Lerida. + +“It wasn't much of a village, but there was a big convent close by, one +of the richest in Spain, they said. The girl was fond of Adams, and had +agreed, so he told me, to cut and run when the regiment marched away, +and to be spliced to him. I rather tried to dissuade him from the +affair, for, as I pointed out, how would a Spanish woman get on in +barracks with the other sergeants' wives, specially if she was as pretty +as the whole lot put together? However, of course, he wouldn't listen to +that--no chap ever does when he's downright in love; so he asked me +one afternoon if I would go out with him and Sergeant Saunders to the +village, so that while we were having our glass he could manage to get a +few words with the girl to arrange about her joining him, for the French +were only two or three marches away, and we might have to fall back any +day. + +“I didn't much like the job, for it was a risky business three of us +going so far; but he pointed out that we needn't start till it got dark, +so nobody would see us till we got to the village, and we needn't stay +there above a quarter of an hour, and could be off before any one who +meant mischief could find out that we were alone; besides, hitherto +the people there had always been friendly, for, being just the right +distance for a walk, and the wine there being good, our fellows went +over there a good deal: so the long and short of it was we went. + +“We got there all right, and walked into the wine shop as usual and sat +down and called for wine. There were half a dozen fellows sitting there +drinking. They were talking aloud when we entered, but stopped at once +as we came in, and looked as men do when you come across them just as +they are saying something as is no good about you. We passed the word as +usual, and were soon chatting with them. They didn't seem very free and +friendly, and asked several questions about the French army, and whether +we had any troops coming up to help us hold Lerida. I said we expected +five or six thousand in a day or two, which seemed rather to take them +by surprise. + +“Well, presently Adams got up quietly and went out of the door, and I +knew he was going round to the back to meet his girl. I had seen a look +pass atween them when she brought in our wine. We went on talking quiet +for some time; four or five other men dropped in, and some of them got +talking together in low tones, and I began to wish we were well out of +it, and to wonder how much longer Adams was going to be before he came +back. Suddenly we heard a loud scream, and Manola--that was the girl's +name--came rushing in from behind. 'He's killed him,' she screamed, and +she fell down as if she had been killed too. As I heard afterward, her +old rascal of a father had for some time suspected something was up +between her and Adams, and when he missed him had stolen out behind and +came upon them just as he was kissing her and saying goodby. Then he +whipped his knife out, and before Adams had time to turn round, stabbed +him in the back, and the sergeant fell dead without a word. + +“Close behind the girl rushed in the innkeeper, swearing and cursing and +calling us heretics, and dogs, and robbers, and every other bad kind of +name. The men got up and began to stamp and shout, and seeing that it +was no time for argument I said to Saunders, 'We had best make a bolt of +it, Bill.' So we out swords and made a dash for the inner door, for they +had closed in at the other with their knives out. We got safely through +the house. Just outside the back door we came upon the body of Adams. We +stopped a moment and turned him over to see if he was dead, but it was +all up with him. + +“It didn't take a moment to look; but, before it was done, they were +upon us, both from behind and running round from the front of the house. +We cut and slashed for a moment and then bolted with them at our heels. +We got separated in a minute. I turned in among some bushes and lost +Saunders. I heard afterward he was killed before he had run fifty yards. +Luckily they missed me for the moment, and I lay down among the bushes +and thought it over. The whole village was up by this time, as I could +hear by the shouts; and after thinking it over I concluded that there +was no chance of my making my way back to Lerida, and that my best plan +would be to go up to the convent and ask for shelter there. I knew well +enough that once inside I should be safe from the peasants. + +“Well, I crawled along for some distance. Half a dozen times they +was nigh stumbling over me as they searched about in the gardens and +vineyards; but at last I made my way safe up to the convent and rang +at the bell. Presently the little window in the door opened, and a monk +said, 'Who is there?' I kept out of his sight and said in Spanish: 'A +fugitive who seeks sanctuary.' Thinking I was only somebody who had +stabbed three or four men in a row, the monk opened the door. He gave +an exclamation when he saw my uniform when I entered, and would have +slammed the door in my face; but I pushed in. Then he gave a shout, +and five or six other monks came running up and set up a jabbering, and +stood staring at me as if I had been a wild beast. Then they wanted to +turn me out; but I wouldn't budge, and as I had my sword still in my +hand they didn't know what to do. + +“At last some chap in authority came down. He talked to me and tried to +persuade me to leave; but I said, 'No, I claim sanctuary;' and as they +were ready to give sanctuary to the worst of murderers, I didn't see as +they could deny it to me who had committed no crime whatever. He went +away and came back again after some time, and then told me to sheath my +sword and follow him. This I did, and he led the way to a sort of cell +where there were some rushes laid on a stone bed, and told me that I +could remain there. + +“Thinking it was all right I lay down and went to sleep, but was +presently woke by half a dozen monks, who were tying my hands and feet +with cords. It was no use struggling, so I lay quiet; and when they +had done, they carried me away, took me some distance, and went down a +flight of stairs; a door was unlocked, and then I was pitched down +on the ground as if I had been a log of wood. I didn't move much that +night. + +“In the morning there was just enough light came through a little slit +high up in the wall to show me that I was in a place about six feet +square. It was perfectly bare, without as much as a bit of straw to +lie on. Presently two monks came in. One of them untied the cords which +fastened my hands. They placed some black bread and a jug of water by +me, and then went out again. There they kept me for six days. At the +end of that time they told me to come along with them. I had, of course, +taken the cords off my legs when I had got my hands free, and I followed +them, wondering what was to come next. I was taken to the door of the +convent, and there I saw a party of French troopers, to whom the monks +handed me over. I mounted behind one of them, and was taken to Marshal +Tesse's camp near Lerida, and a couple of days afterward sent back to +Saragossa. + +“I didn't stop long in the prison there, for the next day the people +rose, turned the French from the citadel, and opened the prison doors +and let out all the prisoners. They made a good deal of me, as I was +the only Englishman there, supplied me with money and clean clothes, and +provided me with a guide and a mule to take me by round about byroads +so that I should avoid the French army. I put my regimentals in a bag, +which I carried behind me, and at last got down to Barcelona the very +day before the French arrived there. + +“I found my regiment already there. I got a rare blowing up from the +colonel for having gone out from Lerida without leave; but as he said he +thought I had been punished enough already, and bore a good character, +he overlooked it, of which I was glad enough, I can tell you, for I +expected nothing less than reduction to the ranks. + +“Well, after Lord Peterborough arrived with the fleet, and the French +bolted as hard as they could to France, Wyndham's brigade went up again +to Lerida. I got chatting the affair over with Jack Thompson, who was +General Wyndham's servant, and we agreed between us that we would give +those monks a fright, and perhaps get some compensation out of them. So +we got hold of four of Killigrew's dragoons, who, when they heard what +was wanted, was ready enough for the spree. So one day when General +Wyndham had gone off with a party for the day, Thompson borrowed his hat +and plumes and his cloak, and hiding them up, went out of camp with me +to a place a quarter of a mile away, where the four troopers with two +spare horses were waiting for us. Thompson put on the general's hat and +cloak, and mounted one horse, while I got on the other, and away we rode +out to the village. + +“First of all we went to the inn and seized the innkeeper. Manola wasn't +there, and I never heard what became of her--whether her father had sent +her to a convent or killed her, I don't know. However, we held a court +regular. Thompson he was the judge, and I gave evidence as to the +innkeeper having murdered poor Adams, and Thompson sentenced him to +death, and we hung him up over his door. When we had set that job right +we went to the convent and rang the bell. They opened quick enough this +time. + +“'Tell the prior,' Thompson said, 'that the Earl of Peterborough is +here, and desires to see him instantly.' + +“Mighty frightened the monk looked, I can tell you, as he went off to +give the message, and came back in a minute, asking Thompson to follow +him. We all dismounted. Two of the troopers stopped to look after the +horses, and the others with drawn swords followed Thompson and me. We +were shown into the prior's room, which was fit for a prince. The prior +looked mighty pale, and so did two or three other chaps who were with +him. + +“'Look here,' Thompson said in an angry tone of voice, 'I am the Earl of +Peterborough, and I hear from this man, Sergeant Edwards, of the king's +regiment of grenadiers, that he was basely and treacherously made a +prisoner by you; that he was confined in an underground cell and fed +with bread and water for a week, and then handed over to the French. +Now, sir, I give you an hour to clear out with all your gang from this +convent, which I intend to destroy. You will remain in the courtyard as +prisoners. You will then be tried for this treacherous act against one +of the King of England's guards, and all found to have had a hand in the +proceeding will be hung.' + +“Well, sir, you may just guess the fright they were in. They knew that +the earl was just the sort of man to carry his threat into execution, +and they thought their last day was come. You never saw such a set of +cowardly wretches in your life. I am blessed if they didn't go down on +their knees and howl. At last Thompson began to think he had worked them +up enough, and he said stern: + +“'Well, I am disposed to have mercy, and if in half an hour you pay down +the sum of five thousand pounds as a ransom for the convent and your +wretched lives I will be merciful.' + +“Then there was a fresh howling. They swore by all the saints that such +a sum as five thousand pounds was never heard of. Thompson gradually +dropped his demands to three thousand; still they swore they hadn't got +it, and he said sternly to one of the troopers: + +“'Ride back and fetch up the regiment which is a mile outside the +village.' + +“Then there was more howling, and at last they offered to give seven +hundred pounds, which was all the money which they had in the treasury, +and to make it up in precious stones. After a deal of haggling Thompson +consented, and I believe if he had stood out for three times as much +he would have got it, for the convent was rich in relics, and no end of +precious offerings were stored away in their chests; however, he didn't +wish to push matters too far, and in half an hour they brought the +money, and a handful of diamonds and rubies, and things they had picked +out of their settings in the vases and crucifixes and vestments, and +what not. + +“We didn't know if they were real or not; but Thompson told them he +should give them to a jeweler to value, and if he found they had cheated +him by giving him false stones he would come back and hang the lot of +them. So off we rode again. + +“When we got back to Lerida we took two or three of the stones to a +jeweler and found that they were all right. Then we divided the swag +into three parts as we had agreed. Thompson took one, I took another, +and the other was divided among the four troopers, who were not running +such a risk as we were. I never heard anything more about the matter, +as far as I was concerned, though there was a row. The prior heard that +Peterborough had never been near Lerida, and came over and saw General +Wyndham. + +“Killigrew's dragoons were paraded, but the prior couldn't spot any +of them. We had chosen four fair fellows, and they had all darkened +themselves a bit before they went. Luckily the prior did not say +anything about me. I expect he was afraid that when Wyndham heard how +I had been treated there he might have inflicted a fresh fine on the +convent; however, I was not there at the time, for I had a touch of +fever the day after the affair, and made myself out a bit worse than I +was, and so got sent down to Barcelona, where I buried my share of the +plunder four or five inches deep in a corner of the hospital yard. As +to Thompson, there wasn't any reason why suspicion should fall upon him. +Soon after I got back to my regiment I got ill again and was left in a +hospital at Cuenca, and had a narrow escape of it this morning.” + +“It was a risky business,” Jack said, “and it would have gone very hard +with you and Thompson if you had been found out.” + +“So it would, sir. I knew that; but you see, it was only right and just +those fellows should pay for their treatment of me. If I had laid the +case before General Wyndham, no doubt he would have punished them +just as severe as I did, only the fine would have gone into the army +treasury, instead of going to the right person.” + +“I am afraid, Edwards, that you have not got rid of those loose notions +of morality you picked up among the pirates,” Jack said, smiling. + +“Perhaps not, Captain Stilwell. You see, bad habits stick to a man; but +I have done with them now. When I get back to England I shall buy a snug +public house at Dover, and with that and my pension I shall be in clover +for the rest of my life.” + +It was not until the voyage home that Jack, after obtaining a promise of +secrecy, related to the earl the liberty which had been taken with +his name. It was just a freak after Peterborough's heart, and he was +immensely amused. + +“The rascals!” he said, “they deserved hanging, every one of them; but +the story is a capital one, and I should like to have been there myself +to have seen the fright of the prior and his assistants. They richly +deserved what befell them and more for betraying sanctuary. If it had +been a scoundrel who had cut his wife's throat, and stabbed half a dozen +men, they would have refused to give him up to the civil power, and +would have stood on the rights of sanctuary of the Church. I think they +were let off very easily. Let me see, is not that the same fellow that +I exchanged into the grenadiers at Gibraltar at your request, for his +conduct in that business of the mutiny on board your ship?” + +“The same man, sir. He has led a queer life. He was a sailor originally, +and was taken by pirates and forced to join them, and had a narrow +escape of being hung when the vessel he sailed in was captured by an +English cruiser; but his life was spared, and he was drafted into the +army, and he is a willing and faithful soldier of the queen, and really +a worthy fellow.” + +“He is evidently an arrant old scamp, Stilwell. Still, as long as +we recruit our army as we do, we cannot look for morality as well as +bravery, and I dare say your fellow is no worse than the rest. If you +ever run against him in London you must bring him to me, and I will hear +his story from his own lips.” + + + +CHAPTER XVII: HOME + + +Upon the arrival of the Earl of Peterborough at Valencia he was received +with the profoundest sympathy and respect by the people, who were filled +with indignation at the treatment which the man whose daring and genius +had freed Catalonia and Valencia of the French had received at the hands +of their ungrateful monarch. Finding that a portion of the fleet had +been ordered to the West Indies, the earl was obliged to abandon his +project of capturing Minorca and then carrying substantial aid to the +Duke of Savoy. He, however, went to Genoa, and there borrowed a hundred +thousand pounds, which he brought back to Valencia and sent to the king +for the use of the army. + +The cause of Charles was already well nigh desperate. Castile was lost, +and the enemy were pressing forward to recover Catalonia and Valencia. +Affairs were in the utmost state of confusion. Peterborough's rivals +having got rid of him now quarreled among themselves, or their only bond +of union was their mutual hatred of the earl. + +The king himself, while he pretended to flatter him, wrote letters +behind his back to England bringing all sorts of accusations against +him, and succeeded in obtaining an order for his return. Before leaving +he implored the king and his generals to avoid a battle, which would +probably be disastrous, and to content themselves with a defensive war +until Eugene of Savoy and the Duke of Marlborough broke the power of +France elsewhere. His opinion was overruled, and the result was the +disastrous battle of Almanza, in which the hopes of Charles of Austria +of obtaining the crown of Spain were finally crushed. + +Peterborough embarked on the 14th of May on board the Resolution, man of +war, commanded by his second son Henry. + +The Resolution was accompanied by two frigates, the Enterprise and the +Milford Haven. The King of Spain's envoy to the court of Savoy also +sailed in the Resolution. The earl took with him his two aides de camp, +who were both too indignant at the treatment which their chief had +received to desire to remain with the army in Spain. The little squadron +sailed first for Barcelona, where it only remained a few hours, and then +set sail for Italy. + +On the fifth day at sea they fell in with a French fleet of six men +of war. Two carried eighty guns, two seventy, one sixty-eight, and the +other fifty-eight. The Resolution was a slow sailer, and the French, who +at once gave chase, gained rapidly upon her. As resistance against such +overwhelming odds seemed hopeless, Peterborough determined to go with +the Spanish envoy and the state papers on board the Enterprise. There +was little time for reflection. A small boat was lowered, and the earl, +with a hasty adieu to his son, Jack, and Graham, descended the ship's +side with the Spanish envoy and rowed away to the Enterprise. + +“We are fated to see the inside of a French prison, after all,” Jack +said to Graham. + +“I don't know, Stilwell. We have both been in their hands once, and +did not stay there long. I can hardly believe that our luck's going to +desert us at last.” + +“I don't see much chance of our escape this time, Graham. Six ships +against one are too great odds even for English sailors. The smallest of +them carries as many guns as we do, and once a prisoner on board a ship +there is no slipping away.” + +“We are not prisoners yet, Jack, and I don't think that Mordaunt will +strike his flag without a struggle, though they are six to one. He is +just his father over again as far as courage goes.” + +“Well, I hope, anyhow, the earl will get away,” Jack said. “If it hadn't +been for all those state papers he is burdened with I am sure he would +have stuck to the Resolution and fought it out. It would be just +the kind of desperate adventure to suit him. See, he has reached the +Enterprise, and she and the Milford Haven are spreading every sail; but +although they will leave us behind I question whether they will outsail +the French. They are coming up fast.” + +“It will soon be dark,” Graham said, “and they may be able to slip away. +You may be sure the French will attend to us first, as being the most +valuable prize.” + +“Well, gentlemen,” Captain Mordaunt said, coming up to them, “you are +going to have a piece of new experience. I know you have been through +some apparently hopeless conflicts on land with my father, but I don't +think you have ever seen a sea fight.” + +“Are you going to fight them all, sir?” Jack asked. + +“I am going to try,” the captain said. “My orders were to go to Leghorn, +and to Leghorn I mean to go if the ship floats; but I tell you honestly +I do not think there is much chance of our getting there. Still, as long +as the ship floats, the British flag will float over her.” + +“Is there anything we can do, sir?” Jack asked. “We shall be happy +to serve as volunteers in any capacity in which you think we may be +useful.” + +“Until it comes to boarding I fear that you cannot help,” the +captain said, “except by walking about between decks and cheering and +inspiriting the men. The presence of officers looking cool and confident +among them always does good. If the enemy try to board us you shall +fight by my side.” + +The two fastest sailing French vessels were so close when night fell +that it was hopeless to try to evade them either by changing the ship's +course or by lowering the sails. At ten o'clock they were less than a +mile astern, one on either quarter. The ship had long since been ready +for action, and the men were now called to the guns; but the enemy did +not open fire, but could, by the night glasses, be seen somewhat +to shorten sail so as to keep about the same distance behind the +Resolution. + +“Cowardly dogs,” the young captain said, “they do not mean to fight +until the whole of their consorts come up. However, we ought not to +grumble, as every hour takes us so much nearer port.” + +He then ordered the men to lie down by the guns and get what sleep they +could until the enemy opened fire. Jack and Graham, finding that there +was nothing to be done, threw themselves into their hammocks, and slept +till five o'clock in the morning. They were then aroused, and went on +deck. The six French ships had now all come up, and were coming on in a +body. + +“Good morning, gentlemen,” the young captain said gayly. “We have a fine +morning for our amusement. I wish the wind would freshen a little more +so as to take this lubberly old ship faster through the water.” + +At six o'clock the leading vessel of the French squadron opened fire, +and at the signal her consorts all followed her example. Some of them +were now almost abreast of the Resolution, and the iron shower tore +through her sails and cut her rigging. She answered with a broadside +from both sides, and the battle commenced in earnest. + +In all the annals of British seamanship there is no more heroic story +than that of the fight between the Resolution and the six French men of +war. From six in the morning until half past three in the afternoon she +maintained the unequal contest, still keeping on under full sail toward +her port, only yawing occasionally to pour a broadside into one or other +of her foes. They were now running along the coast, and the peasants on +the distant hills must have watched with astonishment the unequal fight +as the vessels pressed on past them. By half past three the Resolution +was little more than a wreck. Her sails were riddled with holes, many +of her spars shot away, her sides ragged and torn, and many of her +crew killed, but the remainder of the crew still fought their guns +unflinchingly. + +“We can do no more,” Captain Mordaunt said to Jack. “The carpenter has +just reported that the mainmast is so seriously injured that at any +moment it may go over the side. It is impossible to hope any longer to +reach Leghorn, but my ship I am determined they shall not have.” + +So saying, he gave orders to the first lieutenant, and the vessel's head +was suddenly turned straight toward the shore. The French, astonished at +so desperate a course, did not venture to follow her, and the Resolution +threaded her way through the dangerous reefs till at last she brought up +with a sudden crash which sent her tottering mainmast over the side. + +The French advanced cautiously until nearing the reefs, and then opened +a distant fire, which the Resolution did not return. The captain ordered +the exhausted crew from their guns, a strong allowance of grog was +served out, and after a meal the men felt again ready for work. Jack +and his companion were at dinner with the captain, when the officer in +charge of the deck reported that the French ships were lowering their +boats. + +“Let the men rest as long as possible, Mr. Darwin, but when you see the +boats fairly on their way toward us beat to quarters.” + +A few minutes later the roll of the drums was heard. “Now, gentlemen, we +will go on deck,” the captain said, “since they will not let us alone. +But if their ships could not take us I do not think that their boats +will have much chance.” + +Dusk was closing in when they went on deck and saw all the boats of the +six French men of war, crowded with men, rowing in a line toward them. +The captain gave the order for the men to load with grape. As soon as +the French flotilla came well within range the word was given, and a +storm of balls swept their line. + +Several of the boats were sunk at once, the others paused to pick up +their comrades from the water, and then again dashed forward; but by +this time the guns were again loaded, and the hail of iron again crashed +into them. With splendid bravery the French still advanced until close +to the ship. Then Captain Mordaunt ordered all the lower deck guns to +be run in and the ports closed, and the crew to come on deck. While some +worked the upper guns, others kept up a heavy fire of musketry upon the +boats, which swarmed round the ship. + +Again and again the French made determined efforts to board, but they +were unable to climb the lofty sides of the ship. At length, after +suffering terrible loss, the French sailors gave up the attempt and +rowed sullenly off to their ships, covered by the darkness from the +English fire. Captain Mordaunt took off his cap and gave the signal, +and a hearty cheer arose from the crew. The night passed quietly, +the terribly diminished crew lay down as they stood by the guns, in +readiness to repel another attack, should it be attempted. The next +morning one of the French eighty gun ships got under way, and, with +merely a rag of canvas shown, and her boats rowing ahead and sounding +to find a channel through the reefs, gradually made her way toward the +Resolution. + +“Well, gentlemen,” the captain said, “I think you will agree with me +that nothing further can be done. The ship is already half full of +water, the magazine is flooded, and the whole of the powder wetted. +The ship is a wreck, and I should be only throwing away the men's lives +uselessly by attempting further resistance.” + +The officers thoroughly agreed, and with the greatest coolness the +captain gave his orders for the abandonment of the vessel. Although the +French man of war had now opened fire, all the wounded, the whole of +the crew, the flags, papers, and everything of value were placed in the +boats, and the vessel was then set on fire in a dozen places. + +After superintending everything personally, and making sure that the +fire had obtained such a hold that it could not be extinguished, Captain +Mordaunt ordered the officers to descend into the boats. Just as he +was about to leave the deck himself, the last man on board the ship, +a cannon shot from the French man of war struck him in the leg. The +officers ran back and raised him from the deck. + +“It might have been worse,” he said cheerfully. “Now, gentlemen, will +you carry me down and place me in my gig, and then take your boats as +arranged? Be careful, as you row toward shore, to keep the Resolution +between you and the Frenchman's guns.” + +Everything was done steadily and in order, and the survivors of the crew +of the Resolution reached the shore without further loss. The Resolution +was now in a blaze from end to end, and by eleven o'clock she was burned +to the water's edge. Mordaunt and his crew were kindly received by the +people of the country. As the captain himself would not be able to move +for some time, Jack and Graham said adieu to him and posted to Turin, +where the earl had told them that he should go direct from Leghorn. + +They arrived before him, but twenty-four hours after they had reached +the capital of Savoy the earl arrived. He had already heard rumors of +the desperate fight between the Resolution and the enemy, and that his +son had been wounded. His aides de camp were now able to assure him +that, although serious, Captain Mordaunt's wounds were not likely to be +fatal, and Peterborough was delighted with the narrative of the gallant +achievement of his son. Shortly afterward an imperative order for his +return reaching the earl, he set out for England through Germany with +his two aides de camp. Peterborough was suffering from illness caused by +the immense exertions he had made through the campaign, and traveled but +slowly. He visited many of the German courts, and went for a few days to +the camp of Charles of Sweden in Saxony. + +After this, by special invitation, he journeyed to the camp of the Duke +of Marlborough at Genappes, where he was received with much honor by the +great commander. He presented to him his two aides de camp. + +“They have, my lord duke,” he said, “been my faithful friends throughout +the whole campaign in Spain, they have shared all my dangers, and any +credit I may have gained is due in no small degree to their zeal and +activity. It is unlikely that I shall again command an army in the +field, and therefore I would recommend them to you. They will accompany +me to England, for they, too, need a rest, after their exertions; after +that I trust that they may be sent out to fight under your orders, and +I trust that you will keep them in your eye, and will give them the +advantage of your protection and favor.” + +The duke promised to do so, and, after a few days' stay in the camp, the +earl with his two followers started for England, where he arrived on the +20th of August, 1707, nearly two years to a day from the date when he +had appeared, with a force under his command, before Barcelona. But +the campaign itself, so far as he was concerned, had lasted less than +a year, as it was in August, 1706, that he rode into Valencia, after +having been deprived of his command. + +In that year he exhibited military qualities which have never been +surpassed. Daring to the point of extreme rashness where there was a +possibility of success, he was prudent and cautious in the extreme when +prudence was more necessary than daring. With absurdly insufficient +means he all but conquered Spain for Charles of Austria, and would have +succeeded in doing so altogether had he not, from first to last, +been thwarted and hampered by jealousy, malignity, stupidity, and +irresolution on the part of the king, his courtiers, and the generals +who should have been the earl's assistants, but who were his rivals, +detractors, and enemies. + +It must be owned that Peterborough owed this opposition in some degree +to himself. He was impatient of fools, and took no pains to conceal his +contempt and dislike for those whose intellects were inferior to his +own. His independence of spirit and eccentricity of manner set the +formal German and Spanish advisers of the king against him, and although +adored by the officers and men who served under him, he made almost +every man of rank approaching his own who came in contact with him his +personal enemy. Among the bulk of the Spanish people of the provinces in +which he warred he was beloved as well as admired, and even to this day +legends of the brilliant and indefatigable English general are still +current among the people of Catalonia and Valencia. No man ever served +the cause to which he devoted himself with greater zeal and sincerity. +He was lavish of his own private means in its interest, and, even when +his advice and opinion were most slighted, he was ready to sacrifice +himself, his rank, and dignity to the good of the cause. Had he had +the good fortune to command an army of his own countrymen unfettered by +others, it is probable that he would have gained a renown equal to that +of the greatest commanders the world has known. + +The great services which he had rendered were warmly felt and +acknowledged by the people of England on his return, and the attempts +of his enemies to undermine his reputation were confuted by the +papers which he brought back with him. For a time Peterborough took a +considerable part in politics, and his acrimony in debate so enraged +his enemies that his conduct during the war in Spain was called into +question. A debate on the subject took place. In this he successfully +defended himself from the attacks made against him, and a formal vote of +thanks to him was passed. + +Some years afterward he retired altogether from public life, and +privately married Miss Anastasia Robinson, his first wife having died +many years before. Miss Robinson was a singer of the highest repute, of +the most amiable character, and kindest disposition. There was no reason +why the match should not have been publicly acknowledged, as the lady +was held in universal esteem; but, with his usual eccentricity, the earl +insisted on the marriage being kept a secret, and did not announce it +until on his death bed in the year 1735. Lady Peterborough lived in +profound retirement, universally beloved and honored, to the age of +eighty-eight. + +Upon arriving in London Jack stayed for a few days with his friend +Graham, whose family lived there. The earl had told the young officer +that he would introduce them to the queen, but, on their calling by +appointment on him at his hotel on the third day after their arrival in +town, Peterborough said: + +“You had best go about your own business for a time; the queen is out of +temper. The ears of ministers have been poisoned by lying letters from +my enemies in Spain, but it will all come right in time. As you know, I +have papers which will clear me of every charge that their malignity may +invent. When I am in favor again I will let you know, and will present +you to the queen and minister of war; at any rate, you will like a rest +at home before you set out for the Netherlands, so there will be plenty +of time.” + +The next day Jack took his place on the coach for Southampton. He +arrived there after fourteen hours' journey, and put up at a hotel for +the night. The next morning he dressed himself with greater care than +usual, and started for the well remembered shop in the High Street. He +knocked at the private door, and inquired if Mistress Anthony were in. + +“Will you say that a gentleman whom she knows wishes to speak to her?” + +Jack was shown into the parlor, and in a minute or two Mrs. Anthony +appeared, looking a little flustered at hearing that a grand looking +officer wished to see her. Jack advanced toward her with a smile. + +“Why, Jack!” she exclaimed with a scream of delight, “is it you?” and +the good woman threw her arms round his neck and kissed him as if he had +been her own son. + +“Of course we got your letters,” she said, “telling us how you had been +made an officer and then a captain. The last letter we had from you was +from Italy; telling us about that great sea fight, and that you were +coming home, but that's eight months ago. We knew you were with my +Lord Peterborough, and we saw in the Intelligencer about his being in +Germany, and last week they said he had come home. We were talking about +you only yesterday, and wondering whether you would come down to see us, +and whether you would know us now you had grown such a fine gentleman, +and being written about in Lord Peterborough's dispatches, and +accustomed to all sorts of grand society.” + +“You knew I would,” Jack said; “why, where should I go if not here? And +Alice is quite well, I hope, and grown quite a woman.” + +“Not quite a woman yet, Jack, but getting on.” She opened the door and +called Alice, and in a minute the girl ran down. Her mother saw that she +had guessed who the caller was, for she had smoothed her hair and put on +a bright ribbon which her mother had not seen for three years, and which +Jack himself had given her. She paused a moment shyly at the door, for +this young officer, in all the glories of the staff uniform, was a very +grand figure in her eyes. + +“How do you do, Cousin Jack?” she said, coming forward, with a bright +color and outstretched hand. + +“How are you, Cousin Alice?” Jack said, mimicking her tone; “why, you +little goose,” he exclaimed, catching her in his arms and kissing her, +“you don't suppose I am going to be satisfied with shaking your hand +after being nearly three years away.” + +“Oh, but you are so big, Jack, and so grand, it seems different +altogether.” + +“You are bigger than you were, Alice, but it does not seem in the least +different to me.” + +“Well, I thought you would be quite changed, Jack, and quite different, +now you are a captain, and famous, and all that, and you have seen so +many grand ladies in all the countries you have traveled that--that--” + And she hesitated. + +“Well, go on,” Jack said gravely. + +“Well, then, that you would have forgotten all about me.” + +“Then you are a very bad little girl, Alice, and not half so good as I +thought you were, for you must have a very bad opinion of me, indeed, if +you thought all that of me.” + +“I don't think I quite thought so, Jack. Well, I told myself it was only +natural it should be so.” + +“We will argue that out presently,” Jack said; “and now, where is Mr. +Anthony?” + +“I will call him, Jack,” Mrs. Anthony said. “You have no ill feeling, I +hope, toward him, for you know he really has been very sorry about the +part he took in getting you away, and has blamed himself over and over +again.” + +“I never have had,” Jack said; “it has been the best thing that ever +happened to me. If I had had my own way I should still be working before +the mast instead of being a captain in the army.” + +Mr. Anthony was soon called in from the store. At first he was a little +awkward and shy, but Jack's heartiness soon put him at his ease. + +Jack stayed a fortnight at Southampton, and then, on the receipt of +a letter from the Earl of Peterborough, went up to town, where he was +presented to the queen and afterward to the minister of war by the earl. + +A week later he and Graham sailed for the Netherlands and joined the +army of the Duke of Marlborough, and served under that great commander +until, three years later, the war was brought to a conclusion. They were +attached to the staff of one of the generals of division. + +The duke kept his promise to the Earl of Peterborough, and kept his eye +on the young officers. Both distinguished themselves in the hard fought +battles in Belgium, and the end of the war found them both colonels. +There being no prospect of further wars the army was greatly reduced, +and Jack was retired on half pay, and as soon as matters were arranged +in London he again made his way down to Southampton, and at once asked +Mr. Anthony's permission to pay his addresses to his daughter. + +The ex mayor consented with delight, and, as Alice herself offered +no objection, matters were speedily arranged. Jack's half pay was +sufficient for them to live on comfortably, and Mr. Anthony, in his +gratification at a marriage which he considered did him great honor, +presented her with a handsome sum at her wedding, and the young couple +settled down in a pretty house a short distance out of Southampton. + +Jack was never called out again for active service, and lived in the +neighborhood of Southampton until the end of his long life, buying a +small estate there, when, at the death of Mr. Anthony, the handsome +fortune which the cloth merchant had made came to his daughter, subject +to an annuity to Mrs. Anthony, who took up her abode for the rest of +her life with her son-in-law, her daughter, and their children. For many +years Colonel Stilwell sat in parliament as member for Southampton, and +maintained a warm friendship with his ancient commander until the death +of the latter, in 1735. + +THE END. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bravest of the Brave, by G. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/7318-0.zip b/7318-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6840691 --- /dev/null +++ b/7318-0.zip diff --git a/7318-h.zip b/7318-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8eb378f --- /dev/null +++ b/7318-h.zip diff --git a/7318-h/7318-h.htm b/7318-h/7318-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bad5595 --- /dev/null +++ b/7318-h/7318-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10449 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Bravest of the Brave, by G. A. Henty. + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bravest of the Brave, by G. A. Henty + +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: The Bravest of the Brave + or, with Peterborough in Spain + +Author: G. A. Henty + +Release Date: July 30, 2009 [EBook #7318] +Last Updated: March 11, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE + </h1> + <h2> + OR, WITH PETERBOROUGH IN SPAIN + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By G. A. Henty. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a> <br /><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> THE WAR OF THE + SUCCESSION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> IMPRESSED + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> A + DOMESTIC STORM <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> THE + SERGEANT'S YARN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> THE + PIRATE HOLD <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> A + COMMISSION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> BARCELONA + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> A + TUMULT IN THE CITY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> THE + ADVANCE INTO VALENCIA <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. + </a> AN ADVENTURE IN THE MOUNTAINS <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> VALENCIA <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> IRREGULAR WARFARE + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> THE + FRENCH CONVOY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> A + PRISONER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> THE + RELIEF OF BARCELONA <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. + </a> INGRATITUDE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER + XVII. </a> HOME <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + My Dear Lads: + </p> + <p> + There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completely + fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. His career as a + general was a brief one, extending only over little more than a year, and + yet in that time he showed a genius for warfare which has never been + surpassed, and performed feats of daring worthy of taking their place + among those of the leaders of chivalry. + </p> + <p> + The fact that they have made so slight a mark upon history is due to + several reasons. In the first place, they were overshadowed by the glory + and successes of Marlborough; they were performed in a cause which could + scarcely be said to be that of England, and in which the public had a + comparatively feeble interest; the object, too, for which he fought was + frustrated, and the war was an unsuccessful one, although from no fault on + his part. + </p> + <p> + But most of all, Lord Peterborough failed to attain that place in the list + of British worthies to which his genius and his bravery should have raised + him, because that genius was directed by no steady aim or purpose. Lord + Peterborough is, indeed, one of the most striking instances in history of + genius and talent wasted, and a life thrown away by want of fixed + principle and by an inability or unwillingness to work with other men. He + quarreled in turn with every party and with almost every individual with + whom he came in contact; and while he himself was constantly changing his + opinions, he was intolerant of all opinions differing from those which he + at the moment held, and was always ready to express in the most open and + offensive manner his contempt and dislike for those who differed from him. + His eccentricities were great; he was haughty and arrogant, hasty and + passionate; he denied his God, quarreled with his king, and rendered + himself utterly obnoxious to every party in the state. + </p> + <p> + And yet there was a vast amount of good in this strange man. He was + generous and warm hearted to a fault, kind to those in station beneath + him, thoughtful and considerate for his troops, who adored him, cool in + danger, sagacious in difficulties, and capable at need of evincing a + patience and calmness wholly at variance with his ordinary impetuous + character. Although he did not scruple to carry deception, in order to + mislead an enemy, to a point vastly beyond what is generally considered + admissible in war, he was true to his word and punctiliously honorable in + the ordinary affairs of life. + </p> + <p> + For the historical events I have described, and for the details of + Peterborough's conduct and character, I have relied chiefly upon the + memoir of the earl written by Mr. C. Warburton, and published some thirty + years ago. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I: THE WAR OF THE SUCCESSION + </h2> + <p> + “He is an idle vagabond!” the mayor of the good town of Southampton said, + in high wrath—“a ne'er do well, and an insolent puppy; and as to + you, Mistress Alice, if I catch you exchanging words with him again, ay, + or nodding to him, or looking as if in any way you were conscious of his + presence, I will put you on bread and water, and will send you away for + six months to the care of my sister Deborah, who will, I warrant me, bring + you to your senses.” + </p> + <p> + The Mayor of Southampton must have been very angry indeed when he spoke in + this way to his daughter Alice, who in most matters had her own way. + Especially did it show that he was angry, since he so spoke in the + presence of Mistress Anthony, his wife, who was accustomed to have a by no + means unimportant share in any decision arrived at respecting family + matters. + </p> + <p> + She was too wise a woman, however, to attempt to arrest the torrent in + full flood, especially as it was a matter on which her husband had already + shown a very unusual determination to have his own way. She therefore + continued to work in silence, and paid no attention to the appealing + glance which her daughter, a girl of fourteen, cast toward her. But + although she said nothing, her husband understood in her silence an + unuttered protest. + </p> + <p> + “It is no use your taking that scamp's part, Mary, in this matter. I am + determined to have my own way, and the townspeople know well that when + Richard Anthony makes up his mind, nothing will move him.” + </p> + <p> + “I have had no opportunity to take his part, Richard,” his wife said + quietly; “you have been storming without interruption since you came in + five minutes ago, and I have not uttered a single word.” + </p> + <p> + “But you agree with me, Mary—you cannot but agree with me—that + it is nothing short of a scandal for the daughter of the Mayor of + Southampton to be talking to a penniless young rogue like that at the + garden gate.” + </p> + <p> + “Alice should not have met him there,” Mistress Anthony said; “but seeing + that she is only fourteen years old, and the boy only sixteen, and he her + second cousin, I do not see that the matter is so very shocking.” + </p> + <p> + “In four more years, Mistress Anthony,” the mayor said profoundly, “he + will be twenty, and she will be eighteen.” + </p> + <p> + “So I suppose, Richard; I am no great head at a figures, but even I can + reckon that. But as at present they are only fourteen and sixteen, I + repeat that I do not see that it matters—at least not so very much. + Alice, do you go to your room, and remain there till I send for you.” + </p> + <p> + The girl without a word rose and retired. In the reign of King William the + Third implicit obedience was expected of children. + </p> + <p> + “I think, Richard,” Mrs. Anthony went on when the door closed behind her + daughter, “you are not acting quite with your usual wisdom in treating + this matter in so serious a light, and in putting ideas into the girl's + head which would probably never have entered there otherwise. Of course + Alice is fond of Jack. It is only natural that she should be, seeing that + he is her second cousin, and that for two years they have lived together + under this roof.” + </p> + <p> + “I was a fool, Mistress Anthony,” the mayor said angrily, “ever to yield + to your persuasions in that matter. It was unfortunate, of course, that + the boy's father, the husband of your Cousin Margaret, should have been + turned out of his living by the Sectarians, as befell thousands of other + clergymen besides him. It was still more unfortunate that when King + Charles returned he did not get reinstated; but, after all, that was + Margaret's business and not mine; and if she was fool enough to marry a + pauper, and he well nigh old enough to be her father—well, as I say, + it was no business of mine.” + </p> + <p> + “He was not a pauper, Richard, and you know it; and he made enough by + teaching to keep him and Margaret comfortably till he broke down and died + three years ago, and poor Margaret followed him to the grave a year later. + He was a good man—in every way a good man.” + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut! I am not saying he wasn't a good man. I am only saying that, + good or bad, it was no business of mine; and then nothing will do but I + must send for the boy and put him in my business. And a nice mess he made + of it—an idler, more careless apprentice, no cloth merchant, + especially one who stood well with his fellow citizens, and who was on the + highway to becoming mayor of his native city, was ever crossed with.” + </p> + <p> + “I think he was hardly as bad as that, Richard. I don't think you were + ever quite fair to the boy.” + </p> + <p> + “Not fair, Mary! I am surprised at you. In what way was I not quite fair?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think you meant to be unfair, Richard; but you see you were a + little—just a little—prejudiced against him from the first; + because, instead of jumping at your offer to apprentice him to your trade, + he said he should like to be a sailor.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite enough to prejudice me, too, madam. Why, there are scores of sons + of respectable burgesses of this town who would jump at such an offer; and + here this penniless boy turns up his nose at it.” + </p> + <p> + “It was foolish, no doubt, Richard; but you see the boy had been reading + the lives of admirals and navigators—he was full of life and spirit—and + I believe his father had consented to his going to sea.” + </p> + <p> + “Full of life and spirit, madam!” the mayor repeated more angrily than + before; “let me tell you it is these fellows who are full of life and + adventure who come to the gallows. Naturally I was offended; but as I had + given you my word I kept to it. Every man in Southampton knows that the + word of Richard Anthony is as good as his bond. I bound him apprentice, + and what comes of it? My foreman, Andrew Carson, is knocked flat on his + back in the middle of the shop.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Anthony bit her lips to prevent herself from smiling. + </p> + <p> + “We will not speak any more about that, Richard,” she said; “because, if + we did, we should begin to argue. You know it is my opinion, and always + has been, that Carson deliberately set you against the boy; that he was + always telling you tales to his disadvantage; and although I admit that + the lad was very wrong to knock him down when he struck him, I think, my + dear, I should have done the same had I been in his place.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, madam,” Mr. Anthony said solemnly, “you would have deserved what + happened to him—that you should be turned neck and crop into the + street.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Anthony gave a determined nod of her head—a nod which signified + that she should have a voice on that point. However, seeing that in her + husband's present mood it was better to say no more, she resumed her work. + </p> + <p> + While this conversation had been proceeding, Jack Stilwell, who had fled + hastily when surprised by the mayor as he was talking to his daughter at + the back gate of the garden, had made his way down to the wharves, and + there, seating himself upon a pile of wood, had stared moodily at the + tract of mud extending from his feet to the strip of water far away. His + position was indeed an unenviable one. As Mrs. Anthony had said, his + father was a clergyman of the Church of England, the vicar of a snug + living in Lincolnshire, but he had been cast out when the Parliamentarians + gained the upper hand, and his living was handed over to a Sectarian + preacher. When, after years of poverty, King Charles came to the throne, + the dispossessed minister thought that as a matter of course he should be + restored to his living; but it was not so. As in hundreds of other cases + the new occupant conformed at once to the new laws, and the Rev. Thomas + Stilwell, having no friends or interest, was, like many another clergyman, + left out in the cold. + </p> + <p> + But by this time he had settled at Oxford—at which university he had + been educated—and was gaining a not uncomfortable livelihood by + teaching the sons of citizens. Late in life he married Margaret + Ullathorpe, who, still a young woman, had, during a visit to some friends + at Oxford, made his acquaintance. In spite of the disparity of years the + union was a happy one. One son was born to them, and all had gone well + until a sudden chill had been the cause of Mr. Stilwell's death, his wife + surviving him only one year. Her death took place at Southampton, where + she had moved after the loss of her husband, having no further tie at + Oxford, and a week later Jack Stilwell found himself domiciled at the + house of Mr. Anthony. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain that he represented to the cloth merchant that his wishes + lay toward a seafaring life, and that although his father had wished him + to go into the ministry, he had given way to his entreaties. Mr. Anthony + sharply pooh poohed the idea, and insisted that it was nothing short of + madness to dream of such a thing when so excellent an opportunity of + learning a respectable business was open to him. + </p> + <p> + At any other time Jack would have resisted stoutly, and would have run + away and taken his chance rather than agree to the proposition; but he was + broken down by grief at his mother's death. Incapable of making a struggle + against the obstinacy of Mr. Anthony, and scarce caring what became of + himself, he signed the deed of apprenticeship which made him for five + years the slave of the cloth merchant. Not that the latter intended to be + anything but kind, and he sincerely believed that he was acting for the + good of the boy in taking him as his apprentice; but as Jack recovered his + spirits and energy, he absolutely loathed the trade to which he was bound. + Had it not been for Mistress Anthony and Alice he would have braved the + heavy pains and penalties which in those days befell disobedient + apprentices, and would have run away to sea; but their constant kindness, + and the fact that his mother with her dying breath had charged him to + regard her cousin as standing in her place, prevented him from carrying + the idea which he often formed into effect. + </p> + <p> + In the shop his life was wretched. He was not stupid, as his master + asserted; for indeed in other matters he was bright and clever, and his + father had been well pleased with the progress he made with his studies; + but, in the first place; he hated his work, and, in the second, every + shortcoming and mistake was magnified and made the most of by the foreman, + Andrew Carson. This man had long looked to be taken into partnership, and + finally to succeed his master, seeing that the latter had no sons, and he + conceived a violent jealousy of Jack Stilwell, in whose presence, as a + prime favorite of Mistress Anthony and of her daughter, he thought he + foresaw an overthrow of his plans. + </p> + <p> + He was not long in effecting a breach between the boy and his master—for + Jack's carelessness and inattention gave him plenty of opportunities—and + Mr. Anthony ere long viewed the boy's errors as acts of willful + disobedience. This state of things lasted for two years until the climax + came, when, as Mr. Anthony had said to his wife, Jack, upon the foreman + attempting to strike him, had knocked the latter down in the shop. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Anthony's first impulse was to take his apprentice before the justices + and to demand condign punishment for such an act of flagrant rebellion; + but a moment's reflection told him that Jack, at the end of his + punishment, would return to his house, where his wife would take his part + as usual, and the quarrels which had frequently arisen on his account + would be more bitter than before. + </p> + <p> + It was far better to get rid of him at once, and he accordingly ordered + him from the shop, tore up his indenture before his eyes, and bade him + never let him see his face again. For the first few hours Jack was + delighted at his freedom. He spent the day down on the wharves talking to + the fishermen and sailors. There were no foreign bound ships in the port, + and he had no wish to ship on board a coaster; he therefore resolved to + wait until a vessel sailing for foreign ports should leave. + </p> + <p> + He had no money; but a few hours after he left the shop Mrs. Anthony's + maid found him on the wharf, and gave him a letter from her mistress. In + this was inclosed a sum of money sufficient to last him for some time, and + an assurance that she did not share her husband's anger against him. + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt, my dear Jack,” she said, “that in time I could heal the + breach and could arrange for you to come back again, but I think perhaps + it is better as it is. You would never make a clothier, and I don't think + you would ever become Mayor of Southampton. I know what your wishes are, + and I think that you had better follow them out. Alice is heartbroken over + the affair, but I assure her that it will all turn out for the best. I + cannot ask you to come up to the house; but whenever you have settled on + anything leave a note with Dorothy for me, and I will come down with Alice + to see you and say goodby to you. I will see that you do not go without a + proper outfit.” + </p> + <p> + It was to deliver this letter that Jack had gone up to the back gate; and + seeing Alice in the garden they had naturally fallen into conversation at + the gate, when the mayor, looking out from the window of his warehouse, + happened to see them, and went out in the greatest wrath to put a stop to + the conversation. + </p> + <p> + Jack had indeed found a ship; she had come in from Holland with cloth and + other merchandise, and was after she was discharged to sail for the + colonies with English goods. She would not leave the port for some weeks; + but he had seen the captain, who had agreed to take him as ship's boy. Had + the mayor been aware that his late apprentice was on the point of leaving + he would not have interfered with his intention; but as he had + peremptorily ordered that his name was not to be mentioned before him, and + as Mrs. Anthony had no motive in approaching the forbidden subject, the + mayor remained in ignorance that Jack was about to depart on a distant + voyage. + </p> + <p> + One day, on going down to the town hail, he found an official letter + waiting him; it was an order from government empowering justices of the + peace to impress such men as they thought fit, with the only restriction + that men entitled to vote for members of parliament were exempted. This + tremendous power had just been legalized by an act of parliament. A more + iniquitous act never disgraced our statutes, for it enabled justices of + the peace to spite any of their poorer neighbors against whom they had a + grudge, and to ship them off to share in the hardships of Marlborough's + campaign in Germany and the Low Countries, or in the expedition now + preparing for Spain. + </p> + <p> + At that time the army was held in the greatest dislike by the English + people. The nation had always been opposed to a standing force, and it was + only now that the necessities of the country induced them to tolerate it. + It was, however, recruited almost entirely from reckless and desperate + men. Criminals were allowed to commute sentences of imprisonment for + service in the army, and the gates of the prisons were also opened to + insolvent debtors consenting to enlist. But all the efforts of the + recruiting sergeants, aided by such measures as these, proved insufficient + to attract a sufficient number of men to keep up the armies at the + required strength. + </p> + <p> + Pressing had always existed to a certain extent; but it had been carried + on secretly, and was regarded as illegal. Therefore, as men must be had, + the law giving justices the authority and power to impress any men they + might select, with the exception of those who possessed a vote for members + of parliament, was passed with the approval of parties on both sides of + the House of Commons. + </p> + <p> + There was indeed great need for men. England had allied herself with + Austria and Holland in opposition to France, the subject of dispute being + the succession to the crown of Spain, England's feelings in the matter + being further imbittered by the recognition by Louis XIV of the Pretender + as King of England. Therefore, although her interests were not so deeply + engaged in the question as to the succession to the throne of Spain as + were those of the continental powers, she threw herself into the struggle + with ardor. + </p> + <p> + The two claimants to the throne of Spain were the Archduke Charles, second + son of Leopold, Emperor of Austria, and Philip, Duke of Anjou, a younger + grandson of Louis. On the marriage of the French king with Maria Theresa, + the sister of Charles II of Spain, she had formally renounced all claims + to the succession, but the French king had nevertheless continued from + time to time to bring them forward. Had these rights not been renounced + Philip would have had the best claim to the Spanish throne, the next of + kin after him being Charles of Austria. + </p> + <p> + During the later days of the King of Spain all Europe had looked on with + the most intense interest at the efforts which the respective parties made + for their candidates. Whichever might succeed to the throne the balance of + power would be destroyed; for either Austria and Spain united, or France + and Spain united, would be sufficient to overawe the rest of the + Continent. Louis XIV lulled the fears of the Austrian party by suggesting + a treaty of partition to the Dutch states and William the Third of + England. + </p> + <p> + By this treaty it was agreed that the Archduke Charles was to be + acknowledged successor to the crowns of Spain, the Indies, and the + Netherlands; while the dauphin, as the eldest son of Maria Theresa, should + receive the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, with the Spanish province of + Guipuscoa and the duchy of Milan, in compensation of his abandonment of + other claims. When the conditions of this treaty became known they + inspired natural indignation in the minds of the people of the country + which had thus been arbitrarily allotted, and the dying Charles of Spain + was infuriated by this conspiracy to break up and divide his dominion. His + jealousy of France would have led him to select the Austrian claimant; but + the emperor's undisguised greed for a portion of the Spanish empire, and + the overbearing and unpleasant manner of the Austrian ambassador in the + Spanish court, drove him to listen to the overtures of Louis, who had a + powerful ally in Cardinal Portocarrero, Archbishop of Toledo, whose + influence was all powerful with the king. The cardinal argued that the + grandson of Maria Theresa could not be bound by her renunciation, and also + that it had only been made with a view to keep separate the French and + Spanish monarchies, and that if a descendant of hers, other than the heir + to the throne of France, were chosen, this condition would be carried out. + </p> + <p> + Finally, he persuaded Charles, a month before his death, to sign a will + declaring Philip, Duke of Anjou, grandson of his brother in law Louis XIV, + sole heir of the Spanish empire. The will was kept secret till the death + of the king, and was then publicly proclaimed. Louis accepted the bequest + in favor of his grandson, and Philip was declared king in Spain and her + dependencies. + </p> + <p> + The greatest indignation was caused in England, Holland, and the empire at + this breach by the King of France of the treaty of partition, of which he + himself had been the author. England and Holland were unprepared for war, + and therefore bided their time, but Austria at once commenced hostilities + by directing large bodies of troops, under Prince Eugene, into the duchy + of Milan, and by inciting the Neapolitans to revolt. The young king was at + first popular in Spain, but Cardinal Portocarrero, who exercised the real + power of the state, by his overbearing temper, his avarice, and his + shameless corruption, speedily alienated the people from their monarch. + Above all, the cardinal was supposed to be the tool of the French king, + and to represent the policy which had for its object the dismemberment of + the Spanish monarchy and the aggrandizement of France. + </p> + <p> + That Louis had such designs was undoubted, and, if properly managed and + bribed, Portocarrero would have been a pliant instrument in his hands; but + the cardinal was soon estranged by the constant interference by the French + agents in his own measures of government, and therefore turned against + France that power of intrigue which he had recently used in her favor. He + pretended to be devoted to France, and referred even the most minute + details of government to Paris for approbation, with the double view of + disgusting Louis with the government of Spain and of enraging the Spanish + people at the constant interference of Louis. + </p> + <p> + Philip, however, found a new and powerful ally in the hearts of the people + by his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the Duke of Savoy—a + beautiful girl of fourteen years old, who rapidly developed into a + graceful and gifted woman, and became the darling of the Spanish people, + and whose intellect, firmness, and courage guided and strengthened her + weak but amiable husband. For a time the power of Spain and France united + overshadowed Europe, the trading interests of England and Holland were + assailed, and a French army assembled close to the Flemish frontier. + </p> + <p> + The indignation of the Dutch overcame their fears, and they yielded to the + quiet efforts which King William was making, and combined with England and + Austria in a grand alliance against France, the object of the combination + being to exclude Louis from the Netherlands and West Indies, and to + prevent the union of the crowns of France and Spain upon the same head. + King William might not have obtained from the English parliament a + ratification of the alliance had not Louis just at this moment + acknowledged the son of the ex-king James as king of England. This insult + roused the spirit of the English people, the House of Commons approved the + triple alliance, and voted large supplies. King William died just after + seeing his favorite project successful, and was succeeded by Queen Anne, + who continued his policy. The Austrian Archduke Charles was recognized by + the allies as King of Spain, and preparation made for war. + </p> + <p> + An English army was landed near Cadiz; but the Spaniards showed no signs + of rising in favor of Charles, and, after bringing great discredit on + themselves and exciting the animosity of the Spaniards by gross + misconduct, the English army embarked again. Some treasure ships were + captured, and others sunk in the harbor of Vigo, but the fleet was no more + effective than the army. Admiral Sir John Munden was cashiered for + treachery or cowardice on the coast of Spain, and four captains of vessels + in the gallant Benbow's West India fleet were either dismissed or shot for + refusing to meet the enemy and for abandoning their chief. + </p> + <p> + In 1703 little was done in the way of fighting, but the allies received an + important addition of strength by the accession of Portugal to their + ranks. In 1704 the allies made an attempt upon the important city of + Barcelona. It was believed that the Catalans would have declared for + Charles; but the plot by which the town was to be given up to him was + discovered on the eve of execution, and the English force re-embarked on + their ships. Their success was still less on the side of Portugal, where + the Duke of Berwick, who was in command of the forces of King Philip, + defeated the English and Dutch under the Duke of Schomberg and captured + many towns. + </p> + <p> + The Portuguese rendered the allies but slight assistance. These reverses + were, however, balanced by the capture of Gibraltar on the 21st of June by + the fleet under Sir George Rooke, and a small land force under Prince + George of Hesse. Schomberg was recalled and Lord Galway took the command; + but he succeeded no better than his predecessor, and affairs looked but + badly for the allies, when the Duke of Marlborough, with the English and + allied troops in Germany, inflicted the first great check upon the power + and ambition of Louis XIV by the splendid victory of Blenheim. + </p> + <p> + This defeat of the French had a disastrous effect upon the fortunes of + Philip. He could no longer hope for help from his grandfather, for Louis + was now called upon to muster his whole strength on his eastern frontier + for the defense of his own dominion, and Philip was forced to depend upon + his partisans in Spain only. The partisans of Charles at once took heart. + The Catalans had never been warm in the cause of Philip; the crowns of + Castile, Arragon, and Catalonia had only recently been united, and + dangerous jealousy existed between these provinces. The Castilians were + devoted adherents of Philip, and this in itself was sufficient to set + Catalonia and Arragon against him. + </p> + <p> + The English government had been informed of this growing discontent in the + north of Spain, and sent out an emissary to inquire into the truth of the + statement. As his report confirmed all that they had heard, it was decided + in the spring of 1705 to send out an expedition which was to effect a + landing in Catalonia, and would, it was hoped, be joined by all the people + of that province and Arragon. By the efforts and patronage of the Duchess + of Marlborough, who was all powerful with Queen Anne, the Earl of + Peterborough was named to the command of the expedition. + </p> + <p> + The choice certainly appeared a singular one, for hitherto the earl had + done nothing which would entitle him to so distinguished a position. + Charles Mordaunt was the eldest son of John Lord Mordaunt, Viscount + Avalon, a brave and daring cavalier, who had fought heart and soul for + Charles, and had been tried by Cromwell for treason, and narrowly escaped + execution. On the restoration, as a reward for his risk of life and + fortune, and for his loyalty and ability, he was raised to the peerage. + </p> + <p> + His son Charles inherited none of his father's steadfastness. Brought up + in the profligate court of Charles the Second he became an atheist, a + scoffer at morality, and a republican. At the same time he had many + redeeming points. He was brilliant, witty, energetic, and brave. He was + generous and strictly honorable to his word. He was filled with a burning + desire for adventure, and, at the close of 1674, when in his seventeenth + year, he embarked in Admiral Torrington's ship, and proceeded to join as a + volunteer Sir John Narborough's fleet in the Mediterranean, in order to + take part in the expedition to restrain and revenge the piratical + depredations of the barbarous states of Tripoli and Algiers. + </p> + <p> + He distinguished himself on the 14th of January, 1675, in an attack by the + boats of the fleet upon four corsair men o' war moored under the very guns + of the castle and fort of Tripoli. The exploit was a successful one, the + ships were all burned, and most of their crews slain. Another encounter + with the fleet of Tripoli took place in February, when the pirates were + again defeated, and the bey forced to grant all the English demands. + </p> + <p> + In 1677 the fleet returned to England, and with it Mordaunt, who had + during his absence succeeded to his father's title and estates, John Lord + Mordaunt having died on the 5th of June, 1675. Shortly after his return to + England Lord Mordaunt, though still but twenty years old, married a + daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser. But his spirit was altogether unsuited + to the quiet enjoyment of domestic life, and at the end of September, + 1678, he went out as a volunteer in his majesty's ship Bristol, which was + on the point of sailing for the Mediterranean to take part in an + expedition fitting out for the relief of Tangier, then besieged by the + Moors. Nothing, however, came of the expedition, and Mordaunt returned to + England in the autumn of 1679. + </p> + <p> + In June, 1680, he again sailed for Tangier with a small expedition + commanded by the Earl of Plymouth. The expedition succeeded in throwing + themselves into the besieged town, and continued the defense with vigor, + and Mordaunt again distinguished himself; but he soon wearied of the + monotony of a long siege, and before the end of the year found opportunity + to return to England, where he plunged into politics and became one of the + leaders of the party formed to exclude the Duke of York from the throne. + </p> + <p> + Although a close friend of Lord Russell and Algernon Sidney he had + fortunately for himself not been admitted to the fatal privilege of their + private councils, and therefore escaped the fate which befell them. He + continued his friendship with them to the last, and accompanied Algernon + Sidney to the scaffold. But even while throwing himself heart and soul + into politics he was continually indulging in wild freaks which rendered + him the talk of the town. + </p> + <p> + On the accession of King James he made his first speech in the House of + Peers against a standing army, and distinguished himself alike by the + eloquence and violence of his language. He was now under the displeasure + of the court, and his profuse generosity had brought him into pecuniary + trouble. In 1686, therefore, he quitted England with the professed + intention of accepting a command in the Dutch fleet then about to sail for + the West Indies, When he arrived in Holland, however, he presented himself + immediately to the Prince of Orange, and first among the British nobility + boldly proposed to William an immediate invasion of England. He pushed his + arguments with fiery zeal, urged the disaffection of all classes, the + hatred of the Commons, the defection of the Lords, the alarm of the + Church, and the wavering loyalty of the army. + </p> + <p> + William, however, was already informed of these facts, and was not to be + hurried. Mordaunt remained with him till, on the 20th of October, 1688, he + sailed for England. The first commission that King William signed in + England was the appointment of Lord Mordaunt as lieutenant colonel of + horse, and raising a regiment he rendered good service at Exeter. As soon + as the revolution was completed, and William and Mary ascended the throne, + Mordaunt was made a privy councilor and one of the lords of the + bedchamber, and in April, 1689, he was made first commissioner of the + treasury, and advanced to the dignity of Earl of Monmouth. In addition to + the other offices to which he was appointed he was given the colonelcy of + the regiment of horse guards. + </p> + <p> + His conduct in office showed in brilliant contrast to that of the men with + whom he was placed. He alone was free from the slightest suspicion of + corruption and venality, and he speedily made enemies among his colleagues + by the open contempt which he manifested for their gross corruption. + </p> + <p> + Although he had taken so prominent a part in bringing King William to + England, Monmouth soon became mixed up in all sorts of intrigues and + plots. He was already tired of the reign of the Dutch king, and longed for + a commonwealth. He was constantly quarreling with his colleagues, and + whenever there was a debate in the House of Lords Monmouth took a + prominent part on the side of the minority. In 1692 he went out with his + regiment of horse guards to Holland, and fought bravely at the battle of + Steenkirk. The campaign was a failure, and in October he returned to + England with the king. + </p> + <p> + For two years after this he lived quietly, devoting his principal + attention to his garden and the society of wits and men of letters. Then + he again appeared in parliament, and took a leading part in the movement + in opposition to the crown, and inveighed in bitter terms against the + bribery of persons in power by the East India Company, and the venality of + many members of parliament and even the ministry. His relations with the + king were now of the coldest kind, and he became mixed up in a Jacobite + plot. How far he was guilty in the matter was never proved. Public opinion + certainly condemned him, and by a vote of the peers he was deprived of all + his employments and sent to the Tower. The king, however, stood his + friend, and released him at the end of the session. + </p> + <p> + In 1697, by the death of his uncle, Charles became Earl of Peterborough, + and passed the next four years in private life, emerging only occasionally + to go down to the House of Peers and make fiery onslaughts upon abuses and + corruption. In the course of these years, both in parliament and at court, + he had been sometimes the friend, sometimes the opponent of Marlborough; + but he had the good fortune to be a favorite of the duchess, and when the + time came that a leader was required for the proposed expedition to Spain, + she exerted herself so effectually that she procured his nomination. + </p> + <p> + Hitherto his life had been a strange one. Indolent and energetic by turns, + restless and intriguing, quarreling with all with whom he came in contact, + burning with righteous indignation against corruption and misdoing, + generous to a point which crippled his finances seriously, he was a puzzle + to all who knew him, and had he died at this time he would only have left + behind him the reputation of being one of the most brilliant, gifted, and + honest, but at the same time one of the most unstable, eccentric, and ill + regulated spirits of his time. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II: IMPRESSED + </h2> + <p> + When the Mayor of Southampton opened the official document empowering and + requesting him to obtain recruits for the queen's service he was not + greatly pleased. This sort of thing would give a good deal of trouble, and + would assuredly not add to his popularity. He saw at once that he would be + able to oblige many of his friends by getting rid of people troublesome to + them, but with this exception where was he to find the recruits the queen + required? There were, of course, a few never do wells in the town who + could be packed off, to the general satisfaction of the inhabitants, but + beyond this every one taken would have friends and relations who would cry + out and protest. + </p> + <p> + It was likely to be a troublesome business, and the mayor threw down the + paper on the table before him. Then suddenly his expression changed. He + had been thinking of obliging his friends by sending off persons + troublesome to them, but he had not thought of his own case. Here was the + very thing; he would send off this troublesome lad to fight for the queen; + and whether he went to the Low Countries under Marlborough, or to Spain + with this new expedition which was being prepared, it was very unlikely + that he would ever return to trouble him. + </p> + <p> + He was only sixteen, indeed, but he was strong and well grown, and much + fitter for service than many of those who would be sent. If the young + fellow stopped here he would always be a trouble, and a bone of contention + between himself and his wife. Besides, for Alice's sake, it was clearly + his duty to get the fellow out of the way. Girls, Mr. Anthony considered, + were always falling in love with the very last people in the world with + whom they should do so, and out of sheer contrariety it was more than + possible that Alice might take a fancy for this penniless vagabond, and if + she did Mrs. Anthony was fool enough to support her in her folly. + </p> + <p> + Of course there would be trouble with his wife when she found what had + happened to the lad—for the mayor did not deceive himself for a + moment by the thought that he would be able to conceal from his wife the + cause of Jack's absence; he was too well aware of Mrs. Anthony's power of + investigation. Still, after it was done it could not be undone, and it was + better to have one domestic storm than a continuation of foul weather. + </p> + <p> + Calling in his clerk the mayor read over to him the order he had received, + and bade him turn to the court book and make out a list of the names of + forty young men who had been charged before him with offenses of + drunkenness, assault, battery and rioting. + </p> + <p> + “When you have made up the list, Johnson, you will go round to the + aldermen and inform them of the order that I have received from the + government, and you can tell them that if there are any persons they know + of whom they consider that Southampton would be well rid, if they will + send the names to me I will add them to the list. Bid them not to choose + married men, if it can be avoided, for the town would be burdened with the + support of their wives and families. Another ten names will do. The letter + which accompanies the order says that from my well known zeal and loyalty + it is doubted not that Southampton will furnish a hundred men, but if I + begin with fifty that will be well enough, and we can pick out the others + at our leisure.” + </p> + <p> + By the afternoon the list was filled up. One of the aldermen had inserted + the name of a troublesome nephew, another that of a foreman with whom he + had had a dispute about wages, and who had threatened to proceed against + him in the court. Some of the names were inserted from mere petty spite; + but with scarce an exception the aldermen responded to the invitation of + the mayor, and placed on the list the name of some one whom they, or + Southampton, would be the better without. + </p> + <p> + When the list was completed the mayor struck out one of the first names + inserted by his clerk and inserted that of John Stilwell in its place. His + instructions were that he was to notify to an officer, who would arrive + with a company of soldiers on the following day, the names of those whom + he deemed suitable for the queen's service. The officer after taking them + was to embark them on board one of the queen's cutters, which would come + round from Portsmouth for the purpose, and would convey them to Dover, + where a camp was being formed and the troops assembling. + </p> + <p> + Upon the following day the company marched into the town, and the officer + in command, having seen his men billeted among the citizens, called upon + the mayor. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Mayor,” he said, “I hope you have a good list of recruits for + me. I don't want to be waiting here, for I have to go on a similar errand + to other towns. It is not a job I like, I can tell you, but it is not for + me to question orders.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a list of fifty men, all active and hearty fellows, who will make + good soldiers,” the mayor said. + </p> + <p> + “And of whom, no doubt, Southampton will be well rid,” the officer said + with a laugh. “Truly, I pity the Earl of Peterborough, for he will have as + rough a body of soldiers as ever marched to war. However, it is usually + the case that the sort of men who give trouble at home are just those who, + when the time comes, make the best fighters. I would rather have half a + dozen of your reckless blades, when the pinch comes, than a score of + honest plowboys. How do you propose that I shall take them?” + </p> + <p> + “That I will leave entirely to you,” the mayor said; “here is a list of + the houses where they lodge. I will place the town watch at your disposal + to show you the way and to point out the men to you.” + </p> + <p> + “That will be all I shall require,” the officer said; “but you can give me + a list of those who are most likely to give trouble. These I will pounce + upon and get on board ship first of all. When they are secured I will tell + my men off in parties, each with one of your constables to point out the + men, and we will pick them up so many every evening. It is better not to + break into houses and seize them; for, although we are acting legally and + under the authority of act of parliament, it is always as well to avoid + giving cause of complaint, which might tend to excite a feeling against + the war and make the government unpopular, and which, moreover, might do + you harm with the good citizens, and do me harm with those above me. I am + sure you agree with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, quite so,” the mayor said hastily; “you speak very prudently + and well, sir. I hope you will honor me by taking up your abode in my + house during your stay here; but may I ask you not to allow my wife, who + is inquisitive by nature, to see the list with which I furnish you? Women + are ever meddling in matters which concern them not.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand,” the officer said with a wink, “there are names on the list + of which your wife would not approve. I have known the same thing happen + before. But never fear, the list shall be kept safe; and, indeed, it were + better that nothing were said of my business in the town, for if this get + abroad, some of those whose conscience may tell them that they will be + likely to be chosen for service might very well slip off and be out of the + way until they hear that I and my men have left.” + </p> + <p> + Two days later, when, as the evening was falling, Jack Stilwell was + walking up from the wharf, where he had been watching the unlading of the + vessel in which he was to sail, he came upon a group of four or five + soldiers standing at a corner. Then a voice, which he recognized as that + of the foreman, Richard Carson, said: + </p> + <p> + “That is your man, officer;” and the soldiers made a sudden rush upon him. + </p> + <p> + Taken by surprise he nevertheless struggled desperately, but a heavy blow + with a staff fell on the back of his head, and for a time he knew nothing + more. When he recovered his consciousness he was lying almost in complete + darkness, but by the faint gleam of the lantern he discovered that he was + in the hold of a ship. Several other men were sitting or laying near him. + Some of them were cursing and swearing, others were stanching the blood + which flowed from various cuts and gashes. + </p> + <p> + “What does all this mean?” he asked as he somewhat recovered himself. + </p> + <p> + “It means,” said one, “that we are pressed to serve as soldiers. I made a + fight for it, and just as they had got the handcuffs on some citizens came + up and asked what was doing, and the sergeant said, 'It is quite legal. We + hold the mayor's warrant to impress this man for service in the army; + there is a constable here who will tell you we are acting on authority, + and if any interfere it will be worse for them.'” + </p> + <p> + Jack heard the news in silence. So, he had been pressed by a warrant of + the mayor, he was the victim of the spite of his late employer. But his + thoughts soon turned from this by the consciousness that his shirt and + clothes were soaked with blood, and putting his hand to the back of his + head he found a great lump from which the blood was still slowly flowing. + Taking off his neck handkerchief he bound it round his head and then lay + down again. He tried to think, but his brain was weak and confused, and he + presently fell into a sound sleep, from which he was not aroused by the + arrival of another batch of prisoners. + </p> + <p> + It was morning when he awoke, and he found that he had now nearly twenty + companions in captivity. Some were walking up and down like caged animals, + others were loudly bewailing their fate, some sat moody and silent, while + some bawled out threats of vengeance against those they considered + responsible for their captivity. A sentry with a shouldered musket was + standing at the foot of the steps, and from time to time some sailors + passed up and down. Jack went up to one of these. + </p> + <p> + “Mate,” he said, “could you let us have a few buckets of water down here? + In the first place we are parched with thirst, and in the second we may as + well try to get off some of the blood which, from a good many of us, has + been let out pretty freely.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you seem a reasonable sort of chap,” the sailor said, “and to take + things coolly. That's the way, my lad; when the king, or the queen now—it's + all the same thing—has once got his hand on you it's of no use + kicking against it. I have been pressed twice myself, so I know how you + feel. Here, mates,” he said to two of the other sailors, “lend a hand and + get a bucket of fresh water and a pannikin, and half a dozen buckets of + salt water, and let these lads have a drink and a wash.” + </p> + <p> + It was soon done. The prisoners were all glad of the drink, but few cared + to trouble about washing. Jack, however, took possession of a bucket, + stripped to the waist, and had a good wash. The salt water made his wound + smart, but he continued for half an hour bathing it, and at the end of + that time felt vastly fresher and better. Then he soaked his shirt in the + water, and as far as possible removed the broad stains of blood which + stiffened it. Then he wrung it out and hung it up to dry, and, putting on + his coat, sat down and thought matters over. + </p> + <p> + He had never had the idea of entering the army, for the measures taken to + fill the ranks rendered the military service distasteful in the extreme to + the English people. Since the days of Agincourt the English army had never + gained any brilliant successes abroad, and there was consequently none of + that national pride which now exists in its bravery and glorious history. + </p> + <p> + Still, Jack reflected, it did not make much difference to him whether he + became a soldier or a sailor. He had longed to see the world, to share in + deeds of adventure, and, above all, to escape from the dreary drudgery of + the clothier's shop. These objects would be attained as well in the army + as in the navy; and, indeed, now that he thought of it, he preferred the + active service which he would see under Marlborough or Peterborough to the + monotony of a long sea voyage. At any rate, it was clear that remonstrance + or resistance were vain. He as well as others were aware of the law which + had just been passed, giving magistrates the power of impressing soldiers + for the service, and he felt, therefore, that although his impressment had + no doubt been dictated by the private desire of the mayor to get him out + of the way, it was yet strictly legal, and that it would be useless his + making any protest against it. He resolved, therefore, to make the best of + things, and to endeavor to win the goodwill of his officers by prompt and + cheerful acquiescence in the inevitable. + </p> + <p> + Presently some sailors brought down a tray with a number of hunks of black + bread, a large pot filled with a sort of broth, and a score of earthenware + mugs. Jack at once dipped one of the mugs into the pot, and, taking a hunk + of bread, sat down to his breakfast. A few others followed his example, + but most of them were too angry or too dispirited to care about eating; + and, indeed, it seemed to them that their refusal to partake of the meal + was a sort of protest against their captivity. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour afterward the sailors removed the food; and many of those who + had refused to touch it soon regretted bitterly that they had not done so, + for as the time went on hunger began to make itself felt. It was evening + before the next meal, consisting of black bread and a great piece of salt + beef, was brought down. This time there were no abstentions. As the + evening wore on fresh batches of prisoners were brought in, until, by + midnight, the number was raised to fifty. Many of them had been seriously + knocked about in their capture, and Jack, who had persuaded his friend the + sailor to bring down three or four more buckets of salt water, did his + best, by bathing and bandaging their wounds, to put them at their ease. + </p> + <p> + In the morning he could see who were his companions in misfortune. Many of + them he knew by sight as loafers on the wharves and as troublesome or + riotous characters. Three or four were men of different type. There were + two or three respectable mechanics—men who had had, at various + times, drawn upon them the dislikes of the great men of the town by + insisting on their rights; and there were two idle young fellows of a + higher class, who had vexed their friends beyond endurance. + </p> + <p> + Presently the officer in charge of the recruiting party, who had now come + on board, came down into the hold. He was at once assailed with a storm of + curses and angry remonstrances. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, my lads,” he said, raising his hand for silence, “it is of no + use your going on like this, and I warn you that the sooner you make up + your minds that you have got to serve her majesty the better for you, + because that you have got to do it is certain. You have all been impressed + according to act of parliament, and there is no getting out of it. It's + your own fault that you got those hard knocks that I see the marks of, and + you will get more if you give any more trouble. Now, those who choose to + agree at once to serve her majesty can come on deck.” + </p> + <p> + Jack at once stepped forward. + </p> + <p> + “I am ready to serve, sir,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “That's right,” the officer replied heartily; “you are a lad of spirit, I + can see, and will make a good soldier. You look young yet, but that's all + in your favor; you will be a sergeant at an age when others are learning + their recruit drill. Now, who's the next?” + </p> + <p> + Some half dozen of the others followed Jack's example, but the rest were + still too sore and angry to be willing to do anything voluntarily. + </p> + <p> + Jack leaped lightly up on deck and looked round; the cutter was already + under weigh, and with a gentle breeze was running along the smooth surface + of Southampton waters; the ivy covered ruins of Netley Abbey were abreast + of them, and behind was the shipping of the port. + </p> + <p> + “Well, young un,” an old sergeant said, “so I suppose you have agreed to + serve the queen?” + </p> + <p> + “As her majesty was so pressing,” Jack replied with a smile, “you see I + had no choice in the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right,” the sergeant said kindly; “always keep up your spirits, + lad. Care killed a cat, you know. You are one of the right sort, I can + see, but you are young to be pressed. How old are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Sixteen,” Jack replied. + </p> + <p> + “Then they had no right to take you,” the sergeant said; “seventeen's the + earliest age, and as a rule soldiers ain't much good till they are past + twenty. You would have a right to get off if you could prove your age; but + of course you could not do that without witnesses or papers, and it's an + old game for recruits who look young to try to pass as under age.” + </p> + <p> + “I shan't try,” Jack answered; “I have made up my mind to it now, and + there's an end to it. But why ain't soldiers any good till they are past + twenty, sergeant? As far as I can see, boys are just as brave as men.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as brave, my lad, and when it comes to fighting the young soldier is + very often every bit as good as the old one; but they can't stand fatigue + and hardship like old soldiers. A boy will start out on as long a walk as + a man can take, but he can't keep it up day after day. When it comes to + long marches, to sleeping on the ground in the wet, bad food, and fever + from the marshes, the young soldier breaks down, the hospital gets full of + boys, and they just die off like flies, while the older men pull through.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a Job's comforter, I must say,” Jack said with a laugh; “but I + must hope that I shan't have long marches, and bad food, and damp weather, + and marsh fever till I get a bit older.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to discourage you,” the sergeant remarked, “and you know + there are young soldiers and young soldiers. There are the weedy, narrow + chested chaps as seems to be made special for filling a grave; and there + is the sturdy, hardy young chap, whose good health and good spirits + carries him through. That's your sort, I reckon. Good spirits is the best + medicine in the world; it's worth all the doctors and apothecaries in the + army. But how did you come to be pressed? it's generally the ne'er do well + and idle who get picked out as food for powder. That doesn't look your + sort, or I'm mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope not,” Jack said. “I am here because I am a sort of cousin of the + Mayor of Southampton. He wanted me to serve in his shop. I stood it for a + time, but I hated it, and at last I had a row with his foreman and knocked + him down, so I was kicked out into the streets; and I suppose he didn't + like seeing me about, and so took this means of getting rid of me. He + needn't have been in such a hurry, for if he had waited a few days I + should have gone, for I had shipped as a boy on board of a ship about to + sail for the colonies.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, my lad, you have no reason for ill will against this + precious relation of yours, for he has done you a good turn while meaning + to do you a bad un. The life of a boy on board a ship isn't one to be + envied, I can tell you; he is at every one's beck and call, and gets more + kicks than halfpence. Besides, what comes of it? You get to be a sailor, + and, as far as I can see, the life of a sailor is the life of a dog. Look + at the place where he sleeps—why, it ain't as good as a decent + kennel. Look at his food—salt meat as hard as a stone, and rotten + biscuit that a decent dog would turn up his nose at; his time is never his + own—wet or dry, storm or calm, he's got to work when he's told. And + what's he got to look forward to? A spree on shore when his voyage is + done, and then to work again. Why, my lad, a soldier's life is a + gentleman's life in comparison. Once you have learned your drill and know + your duty you have an easy time of it. Most of your time's your own. When + you are on a campaign you eat, drink, and are jolly at other folks' + expense; and if you do get wet when you are on duty, you can generally + manage to turn in dry when you are relieved. It's not a bad life, my boy, + I can tell you; and if you do your duty well, and you are steady, and + civil, and smart, you are sure to get your stripes, especially if you can + read and write, as I suppose you can.” + </p> + <p> + Jack nodded with a half smile. + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” the sergeant said, “you may even in time get to be an + officer. I can't read nor write—not one in twenty can—but + those as can, of course, has a better chance of promotion if they + distinguish themselves. I should have got it last year in the Low Country, + and Marlborough himself said, 'Well done!' when I, with ten rank and file, + held a bridge across a canal for half an hour against a company of French. + He sent for me after it was over, but when he found I couldn't read or + write he couldn't promote me; but he gave me a purse of twenty guineas, + and I don't know but what that suited me better, for I am a deal more + comfortable as a sergeant than I should have been as an officer; but you + see, if you had been in my place up you would have gone.” + </p> + <p> + The wind fell in the afternoon, and the cutter dropped her anchor as the + tide was running against her. At night Jack Stilwell and the others who + had accepted their fate slept with the troops on board instead of + returning to rejoin their companions in the hold. Jack was extremely glad + of the change, as there was air and ventilation, whereas in the hold the + atmosphere had been close and oppressive. He was the more glad next + morning when he found that the wind, which had sprung up soon after + midnight, was freshening fast, and was, as one of the sailors said, likely + to blow hard before long. The cutter was already beginning to feel the + effect of the rising sea, and toward the afternoon was pitching in a + lively way and taking the sea over her bows. + </p> + <p> + “You seem to enjoy it, young un,” the sergeant said as Jack, holding on by + a shroud, was facing the wind regardless of the showers of spray which + flew over him. “Half our company are down with seasickness, and as for + those chaps down in the fore hold they must be having a bad time of it, + for I can hear them groaning and cursing through the bulkhead. The + hatchway has been battened down for the last three hours.” + </p> + <p> + “I enjoy it,” Jack said; “whenever I got a holiday at Southampton I used + to go out sailing. I knew most of the fishermen there; they were always + ready to take me with them as an extra hand. When do you think we shall + get to Dover?” + </p> + <p> + “She is walking along fast,” the sergeant said; “we shall be there + tomorrow morning. We might be there before, but the sailors say that the + skipper is not likely to run in before daylight, and before it gets dark + he will shorten sail so as not to get there before.” + </p> + <p> + The wind increased until it was blowing a gale; but the cutter was a good + sea boat, and being in light trim made good weather of it. However, even + Jack was pleased when he felt a sudden change in the motion of the vessel, + and knew that she was running into Dover harbor. + </p> + <p> + Morning was just breaking, and the hatchways being removed the sergeant + shouted down to the pressed men that they could come on deck. It was a + miserable body of men who crawled up in answer to the summons, utterly + worn out and exhausted with the seasickness, the closeness of the air, and + the tossing and buffeting of the last eighteen hours; many had scarce + strength to climb the ladder. + </p> + <p> + All the spirit and indignation had been knocked out of them—they + were too miserable and dejected to utter a complaint. The sergeant ordered + his men to draw up some buckets of water, and told the recruits to wash + themselves and make themselves as decent as they could, and the order was + sharply enforced by the captain when he came on deck. + </p> + <p> + “I would not march through the streets of Dover with such a filthy, hang + dog crew,” he said; “why, the very boys would throw mud at you. Come, do + what you can to make yourselves clean, or I will have buckets of water + thrown over you. I would rather take you on shore drenched to the skin + than in that state. You have brought it entirely on yourselves by your + obstinacy. Had you enlisted at once without further trouble you would not + have suffered as you have.” + </p> + <p> + The fresh air and cold water soon revived even the most exhausted of the + new recruits, and as soon as all had been made as presentable as + circumstances would admit of, the order was given to land. The party were + formed on the quay, four abreast, the soldiers forming the outside line, + and so they marched through Dover, where but yet a few people were up and + stirring, to the camp formed just outside the walls of the castle. The + colonel of the regiment met them as they marched in. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Captain Lowther, you have had a rough time of it, I reckon. I + thought the whole camp was going to be blown away last night. These are + the recruits from Southampton, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, colonel, what there is left of them; they certainly had a baddish + twelve hours of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Form them in line,” the colonel said, “and let me have a look at them. + They are all ready and willing to serve her majesty, I hope,” he added + with a grim smile. + </p> + <p> + “They are all ready, no doubt,” Captain Lowther replied; “as to their + willingness I can't say so much. Some half dozen or so agreed at once to + join without giving any trouble, foremost among them that lad at the end + of the line, who, Sergeant Edwards tells me, is a fine young fellow and + likely to do credit to the regiment; the rest chose to be sulky, and have + suffered for it by being kept below during the voyage. However, I think + all their nonsense is knocked out of them now.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel walked along the line and examined the men. + </p> + <p> + “A sturdy set of fellows,” he said to the captain, “when they have got + over their buffeting. Now, my lads,” he went on, addressing the men, “you + have all been pressed to serve her majesty in accordance with act of + parliament, and though some of you may not like it just at present, you + will soon get over that and take to it kindly enough. I warn you that the + discipline will be strict. In a newly raised regiment like this it is + necessary to keep a tight hand, but if you behave yourselves and do your + duty you will not find the life a hard one. + </p> + <p> + “Remember, it's no use any of you thinking of deserting; we have got your + names and addresses, so you couldn't go home if you did; and you would + soon be brought back wherever you went, and you know pretty well what's + the punishment for desertion without my telling you. That will do.” + </p> + <p> + No one raised a voice in reply—each man felt that his position was + hopeless, for, as the colonel said, they had been legally impressed. They + were first taken before the adjutant, who rapidly swore them in, and they + were then set to work, assisted by some more soldiers, in pitching tents. + Clothes were soon served out to them and the work of drill commenced at + once. + </p> + <p> + Each day brought fresh additions to the force, and in a fortnight its + strength was complete. Jack did not object to the hard drill which they + had to go through, and which occupied them from morning till night, for + the colonel knew that on any day the regiment might receive orders to + embark, and he wanted to get it in something like shape before setting + sail. Jack did, however, shrink from the company in which he found + himself. With a few exceptions the regiment was made up of wild and + worthless fellows, of whom the various magistrates had been only too glad + to clear their towns, and mingled with these were the sweepings of the + jails, rogues and ruffians of every description. The regiment might + eventually be welded into a body of good soldiers, but at present + discipline had not done its work, and it was simply a collection of + reckless men, thieves, and vagabonds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III: A DOMESTIC STORM + </h2> + <p> + Great was the surprise of Dame Anthony when, on sending down her servant + with a letter to Jack Stilwell, the woman returned, saying that he had + left his lodging two days before and had not returned. All his things had + been left behind, and it was evident that when he went out he had no + intention of leaving. The woman of the house said that Master Stilwell was + a steady and regular lodger, and that she could not but think something + had happened to him. Of course she didn't know, but all the town were + talking of the men who had been taken away by the press gang, and she + thought they must have clapped hands on her lodger. + </p> + <p> + Dame Anthony at once jumped at that conclusion. The pressing of fifty men + had indeed made a great stir in the town during the last two days. The + mayor's office had been thronged by angry women complaining of their + husbands or sons being dragged away; and the mayor had been the object of + many threats and much indignation, and had the evening before returned + home bespattered with mud, having been pelted on his way from the town + hall by the women, and having only been saved from more serious assaults + by the exertions of the constables. + </p> + <p> + Dame Anthony had been surprised that her husband had taken these things so + quietly. Some of the women had indeed been seized and set in the stocks, + but the mayor had made light of the affair, and had altogether seemed in + an unusually good state of temper. Dame Anthony at once connected this + with Jack's disappearance. She knew that the list had been made out by the + mayor, and the idea that her husband had taken this means of getting rid + of Jack, and that he was exulting over the success of his scheme, flashed + across her. As the mayor was away at the town hall she was forced to wait + till his return to dinner; but no sooner had the meal been concluded and + Andrew Carson and the two assistants had left the table than she began: + </p> + <p> + “Richard, I want to look at the list of the men who were pressed.” + </p> + <p> + The request scarcely came as a surprise upon the clothier. He had made up + his mind that his wife would be sure sooner or later to discover that Jack + was missing, and would connect his disappearance with the operations of + the press gang. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want to see that for?” he asked shortly. + </p> + <p> + “I want to see who have been taken,” his wife said. “There is no secret + about it, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “No, there is no secret,” the mayor replied. “According to the act of + parliament and the request of her majesty's minister I drew up a list of + fifty of the most useless and disreputable of the inhabitants of this + town, and I rejoice to say that the place is rid of them all. The + respectable citizens are all grateful to me for the manner in which I have + fulfilled the task laid upon me, and as to the clamor of a few angry + women, it causes me not a moment's annoyance.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know why you are telling me all this, Richard,” his wife said + calmly. “I did not cast any reflections as to the manner in which you made + your choice. I only said I wished to see the list.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not see that the list concerns you,” the mayor said. “Why do you + wish to see it?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to see it, Richard, because I suspect that the name of my Cousin + Jack Stilwell is upon it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, mother!” cried Alice, who had been listening in surprise to the + conversation, suddenly starting to her feet; “you don't mean that they + have pressed Jack to be a soldier.” + </p> + <p> + “Leave the room, Alice,” her father said angrily. “This is no concern of a + child like you.” When the door closed behind the girl he said to his wife: + </p> + <p> + “Naturally his name is in the list. I selected fifty of the most worthless + fellows in Southampton, and his name was the first which occurred to me. + What then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I tell you, Richard,” Dame Anthony said, rising, “that you are a + wretch, a mean, cowardly, cruel wretch. You have vented your spite upon + Jack, whom I love as if he were my own son, because he would not put up + with the tyranny of your foreman and yourself. You may be Mayor of + Southampton, you may be a great man in your own way, but I call you a + mean, pitiful fellow. I won't stay in the house with you an hour longer. + The wagon for Basingstoke comes past at three o'clock, and I shall go and + stay with my father and mother there, and take Alice with me.” + </p> + <p> + “I forbid you to do anything of the sort,” the mayor said pompously. + </p> + <p> + “You forbid!” Dame Anthony cried. “What do I care for your forbidding? If + you say a word I will go down the town and join those who pelted you with + mud last night. A nice spectacle it would be for the worthy Mayor of + Southampton to be pelted in the street by a lot of women led by his own + wife. You know me, Richard. You know when I say I will do a thing I will + do it.” + </p> + <p> + “I will lock you up in your own room, woman.” + </p> + <p> + “You won't,” Dame Anthony said scornfully. “I would scream out of the + window till I brought the whole town round. No, Mr. Mayor. You have had + your own way, and I am going to have mine. Go and tell the town if you + like that your wife has left you because you kidnapped her cousin, the boy + she loved. You tell your story and I will tell mine. Why, the women in the + town would hoot you, and you wouldn't dare show your face in the streets. + You insist, indeed! Why, you miserable little man, my fingers are tingling + now. Say another word to me and I will box your ears till you won't know + whether you are standing on your head or your heels.” + </p> + <p> + The mayor was a small man, while Dame Anthony, although not above the + usual height, was plump and strong; and her crestfallen spouse felt that + she was capable of carrying her threat into execution. He therefore + thought it prudent to make no reply, and his angry wife swept from the + room. + </p> + <p> + It was some time before the mayor descended to his shop. In the interval + he had thought the matter over, and had concluded that it would be best + for him to let his wife have her way. Indeed, he did not see how he could + do otherwise. + </p> + <p> + He had expected a storm, but not such a storm as this. Never before in his + fifteen years of married life had he seen his wife in such a passion, and + there was no saying whether she would not carry all her threats into + execution if he interfered with her now. No. It would be better to let her + go. The storm would blow over in time. It was natural enough for her to go + over and stay a few weeks with her people, and in time, of course, she + would come back again. After all, he had got rid of Jack, and this being + so, he could afford for awhile to put up with the absence of his wife. It + was unpleasant, of course, very unpleasant, to be called such names, but + as no one had heard them but himself it did not so much matter. Perhaps, + after all, it was the best thing that could happen that she should take it + into her head to go away for a time. In her present mood she would not + make things comfortable at home, and, of course, his daughter would side + with her mother. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, when the carrier's wagon stopped at the door the mayor went + out with a pleasant countenance, and saw that the boxes were safely placed + in it, and that his wife was comfortably seated on some shawls spread over + a heap of straw. His attention, however, received neither thanks nor + recognition from Dame Anthony, while Alice, whose face was swollen with + crying, did not speak a word. However, they were seated well under the + cover of the wagon, and could not be seen by the few people standing near; + and as the mayor continued till the wagon started speaking cheerfully, and + giving them all sorts of injunctions as to taking care of themselves on + the way, he flattered himself that no one would have an idea that the + departure was anything but an amicable one. + </p> + <p> + A week later a letter arrived for Dame Anthony and the mayor at once + recognized the handwriting of Jack Stilwell. He took it up to his room, + and had a considerable debate with himself as to whether he would open it + or not. The question was, What did the boy say? If he wrote full of bitter + complaints as to his treatment, the receipt of the letter by his wife + would only make matters worse, and in that case it would be better to + destroy the letter as well as any others which might follow it, and so put + an end to all communication, for it was unlikely that the boy would ever + return to England. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly he opened the letter, and after reading it through, laid it + down with a feeling of something like relief. It was written in a cheerful + spirit. Jack began by saying that he feared Dame Anthony and Alice would + have been anxious when they heard that he was missing from his lodgings. + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt, my dear cousin, you will have guessed what has befallen + me, seeing that so many have been taken away in the same way. I don't + think that my late master acted handsomely in thus getting rid of me; for, + as the list was made up by him, it was of course his doing. But you will + please tell him from me that I feel no grudge against him. In the first + place, he did not know I was going away to sea, and it must naturally have + angered him to see one known to be connected with him hanging about + Southampton doing nothing. Besides, I know that he always meant kindly by + me. He took me in when I had nowhere to go, he gave me my apprenticeship + without fee, and, had it not been that my roving spirit rendered me + disinclined for so quiet a life, he would doubtless have done much for me + hereafter. Thus thinking it over, it seems to me but reasonable that he + should have been angered at my rejection of the benefits he intended for + me. + </p> + <p> + “In the next place, it may be that his action in shipping me off as a + soldier may in the end prove to be for my welfare. Had I carried out my + intention and gone as a sailor, a sailor I might have remained all my + life. It seems to me that as a soldier my chances are larger. Not only + shall I see plenty of fighting and adventure, which accords well with my + spirit, but it seems to me—and a sergeant who has shown me much + kindness says that it is so—that there are fair chances of + advancement. The soldiers are for the great part disorderly and ignorant + men; and, as I mean to be steady and obedient so as to gain the goodwill + of the officers, and as I have received a good education from my dear + father, I hope in time to come to be regarded as one somewhat different + from the common herd; and if I get an opportunity of distinguishing + myself, and do not get killed by a Spanish bullet or pike thrust, or by + the fevers which they say are not uncommon, then it is possible I may come + back at the end of the war with some honor and credit, and, the sergeant + said, may even obtain advancement to the rank of an officer. Therefore my + late master, having done me many good turns, may perhaps find that this + last one—even though he intended it not—is the best of all. + Will you make my respects to him, dear cousin, and tell him that I feel no + grudge or ill will against him? Will you give my love to my Cousin Alice? + Tell her that I will bring her home some rare keepsakes from Spain should + they fall in my way; and you know I will do the same for yourself, who + have always been so good and kind to me.” + </p> + <p> + “The boy is not a bad boy,” the mayor said, well pleased as he laid down + the letter. “It may be that I have judged him too harshly, seeing that he + set himself against what was best for his welfare. Still, one cannot + expect men's heads on boys' shoulders, and he writes dutifully and + properly. I believe it is the fault of Andrew Carson, who was forever + edging me on by reports of the boy's laziness and carelessness. He + certainly has a grudge against him, and he assuredly exceeded his place + and authority when he lifted his hand against my wife's cousin. It seems + to me truly that I have acted somewhat hastily and wrong headedly in the + matter. I shall give Master Carson notice that at the end of a month I + shall require his services no longer—the fellow puts himself too + forward. That will please Mary; she never liked him, and women in these + matters of likes and dislikes are shrewder than we are. Perhaps when she + hears that he is going, and reads this letter, which I will forward to her + by the carrier, she may come back to me. I certainly miss her sorely, and + the household matters go all wrong now that she is away. She ought not to + have said things to me; but no wise man thinks anything of what a woman + says when she's angry; and now that I think things over, it certainly + seems to me that she had some sort of warrant for her words. Yes, I + certainly don't know what can have come over me, unless it was that + fellow, Andrew Carson. Richard Anthony has not been considered a bad + fellow else he would never have become the Mayor of Southampton; and for + fifteen years Mary and I have got on very well together, save for the + little disputes which have arisen from her over masterful disposition. But + she is a good wife—none could wish for better—though she is + given to flame out at what she considers unrighteous dealings; but every + woman has her faults, and every man too as far as that goes, and upon the + whole few of them have less than Mary. I will write to her at once.” + </p> + <p> + The mayor was not a man to delay when his mind was once made up, and + sitting down at a writing desk he wrote as follows: + </p> + <p> + “DEAR WIFE: I inclose a letter which has come for you from your Cousin + Jack. I opened it, and you will think poorly of me when I tell you that + had it been filled with complaints of me, as I expected, it would not have + come to your hands; for your anger against me is fierce enough without the + adding of fresh fuel thereto. But the lad, as you will see, writes in + quite another strain, and remembers former kindnesses rather than late + injuries. His letter has put it into my head to think matters over, and in + a different spirit from that in which I had previously regarded it, and I + have come to the conclusion that I have acted wrongly; first, that I did + not make allowances enough for the boy; second, that I insisted on keeping + him to a trade he disliked; third, that I have given too willing an ear to + what Andrew Carson has said against the boy; lastly, that I took such + means of freeing myself from him. I today give Andrew Carson notice to + quit my service—a matter in which I have hitherto withstood you. I + am willing to forget the words which you spoke to me in anger, seeing that + there was some foundation for them, and that when a woman is in a passion + her tongue goes further than she means. + </p> + <p> + “Now, as I am ready to put this on one side, I trust that you also will + put aside your anger at my having obtained the pressing for a soldier of + your cousin. You can see for yourself by his writing that he does not + desire that any enmity shall arise out of the manner of his going. For + fifteen years we have lived in amity, and I see not why, after this cloud + passes away, we should not do so again. + </p> + <p> + “I miss you sorely. Things go badly with us since you have gone. The food + is badly cooked, and the serving indifferent. If you will write to tell me + that you are willing to come back, and to be a loving and dutiful wife + again, I will make me a holiday and come over to Basingstoke to fetch you + and Alice home again. I am writing to Jack and sending him five guineas, + for which he will no doubt find a use in getting things suitable for the + adventure upon which he is embarked, for the payment of her majesty to her + soldiers does not permit of the purchase of many luxuries. On second + thoughts I have resolved to pay Andrew Carson his month's wages, and to + let him go at once. So that if you return you will not find one here + against whom you have always been set, and who is indeed in no small way + the author of the matters which have come between us, save only as + touching the impressment, of which I own that I must take the blame solely + upon myself. Give my love to Alice, and say that she must keep up her + spirits, and look forward to the time when her Cousin Jack shall come back + to her after the killing of many Spaniards.” + </p> + <p> + Having signed and carefully sealed this letter, with that from Jack + inclosed within it, the mayor then proceeded to write the following to the + young soldier: + </p> + <p> + “MY DEAR COUSIN JACK: I have read the letter which you sent to my wife, + and it is written in a very proper and dutiful strain. Your departure has + caused trouble between my wife and me; but this I hope will pass away + after she has read and considered your letter. She carried matters so far + that she is at present with your Cousin Alice at the house of her parents + at Basingstoke. Having read your letter, I write to tell you that I feel + that I am not without blame toward you. I did not see it myself until the + manner of your letter opened my eyes to the fact. I have misunderstood + you, and, being bent on carrying out my own inclinations, made not enough + allowance for yours. Were you here now I doubt not that in future we + should get on better together; but as that cannot be, I can only say that + I recognize the kind spirit in which you wrote, and that I trust that in + future we shall be good friends. I inclose you an order for five guineas + on a tradesman in Dover with whom I have dealings. There are many little + things that you may want to buy for your voyage to supplement the pay + which you receive. Andrew Carson is leaving my service. I think that it is + he greatly who came between us, and has brought things to the pass which I + cannot but regret.” + </p> + <p> + A week later the cloth merchant's shop in the High Street was shut up, and + the mayor, having appointed a deputy for the week he purposed to be + absent, took his place in the stage for Basingstoke, when a complete + reconciliation was effected between him and his wife. + </p> + <p> + The starting of the expedition was delayed beyond the intended time, for + the government either could not or would not furnish the required funds, + and the Earl of Peterborough was obliged to borrow considerable sums of + money, and to involve himself in serious pecuniary embarrassments to + remedy the defects, and to supply as far as possible the munition and + stores necessary for the efficiency of the little force he had been + appointed to command. It consisted of some three thousand English troops, + who were nearly all raw and undisciplined, and a brigade, two thousand + strong, of Dutch soldiers. + </p> + <p> + Early in May the regiment to which Jack Stilwell belonged marched for + Portsmouth, where the rest of the expedition were assembled, and embarked + on board the transports lying at Spithead, and on the 22d of the month set + sail for St. Helens, where they were joined on the following day by their + general, who embarked with his suit on board the admiral's ship. On the + 24th the fleet sailed for Lisbon. + </p> + <p> + Fond as Jack was of the sea, he did not find the change an agreeable one. + On shore the constant drill and steady work had fully occupied the men, + and had left them but little time for grumbling. On board ship things were + different. In those days there was but little of the strict discipline + which is now maintained on board a troop ship. It was true that the + vessels in which the expedition was being carried belonged to the royal + navy; but even here the discipline was but lax. There were many good + sailors on board; but the bulk of the crew had been pressed into the + service as harshly and tyrannically as were the soldiers themselves, and + the grumblers of one class found ready sympathizers among the others. + </p> + <p> + The captain was a young man of good family who had obtained his + appointment solely by interest, and who, although he would have fought his + ship bravely in an action with the enemy, took but little interest in the + regular work, leaving such matters entirely in the hands of his first + lieutenant. The military officers were all new to their work. On shore + they had had the support which the presence of a considerable number of + veteran troops in garrison in the castle gave them; but they now ceased to + struggle against the difficulty of keeping up discipline among a large + number of raw and insubordinate recruits, relying upon bringing them into + order and discipline when they got them ashore in a foreign country. + Beyond, therefore, a daily parade, and half an hour's drill in the + handling of their firelocks, they interfered but little with the men. + </p> + <p> + Sergeant Edwards with twenty of his men had at the last minute, to Jack's + great satisfaction, been drafted into the regiment, and accompanied them + on their voyage. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, they are a rough lot,” the sergeant said in answer to an observation + of Jack as to the grumbling of the men after they had been at sea a few + days; “but what can you expect when you take men from their homes against + their will, pick out the worst characters in each town, make up their + number with jail birds, and then pack them off to sea before they have got + into shape? There's nothing tries men more than a sea voyage. Here they + are packed up as close as herrings, with scarcely room to move about, with + nothing to do, and with food which a dog would turn up his nose to eat. + Naturally they get talking together, and grumbling over their wrongs till + they work themselves up. + </p> + <p> + “I wish the voyage was over. It wouldn't matter if we had a good steady + old crew, but more than half of them have been pressed; many of them are + landsmen who have been carried off just as you were. No doubt they would + all fight toughly enough if a Frenchman hove in view, but the captain + couldn't rely on them in a row on board. As long as the fleet keeps + together it's all right enough. Here are nine vessels, and no one on board + one knows what's going on in the others, but if the captain of any one of + them were to hoist a signal that a mutiny had broken out on board, the + others would be round her with their portholes opened ready to give her a + dose of round shot in no time.” + </p> + <p> + “But you don't think that it is really likely that we shall have any + trouble, sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + “There won't be any trouble if, as I am telling you, the weather holds + fine and the fleet keeps together; but if there's a gale and the ships get + scattered, no one can't say what might come of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't think how they could be so mad as to get up a mutiny,” Jack said; + “why, even supposing they did take the ship, what would they do with it?” + </p> + <p> + “Them's questions as has been asked before, my lad, and there's sense and + reason in them, but you knows as well as I that there's many a craft + sailing the seas under the black flag. There isn't a ship as puts to sea + but what has half a dozen hands on board who have been in slavers, and who + are full of tales of islands where everything grows without the trouble of + putting a spade in the ground, where all sorts of strange fruit can be had + for the picking, and where the natives are glad enough to be servants or + wives, as the case may be, to whites. It's just such tales as these as + leads men away, and I will warrant there's a score at least among the crew + of the Caesar who are telling such tales to any who will listen to them. + Well, you see, it's a tempting story enough to one as knows no better. On + the one side there is a hard life, with bad food and the chance of being + shot at, and the sartainty of being ordered about and not being able to + call your life your own. On the other side is a life of idleness and + pleasure, of being your own master, and, if you want something which the + islands can't afford you, why, there's just a short cruise and then back + you come with your ship filled up with plunder. I don't say as it's not + tempting; but there's one thing agin it, and the chaps as tells these + yarns don't say much about that.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it, sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + “It's just the certainty of a halter or a bloody grave sooner or later. + The thing goes on for some time, and then, when merchant ship after + merchant ship is missing, there are complaints at home, and out comes a + ship or two with the queen's pennant at the head, and then either the + pirate ship gets caught at sea and sunk or captured, or there's a visit to + the little island, and a short shrift for those found there. + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't think it can pay, my lad, even at its best. It's jolly enough + for awhile, maybe, for those whose hearts are so hard that they think + nothing of scuttling a ship with all on board, or of making the crew and + passengers walk the plank in cold blood. Still even they must know that it + can't last, and that there's a gallows somewhere waiting for them. Still, + you see, they don't think of all that when a chap is atelling them of + these islands, and how pleasant the life is there, and how easy it would + be to do for the officers, and take the command of the ship and sail away. + Two or three chaps as makes up their mind for it will poison a whole crew + in no time.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak as if you knew all about it.” + </p> + <p> + “I know a good deal about it,” the sergeant replied gravely. “It's a tale + as there ain't many as knows; but you are a sort of lad as one can trust, + and so I don't mind if I tell it you. Though you wouldn't think it, I have + sailed under the black flag myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You, sergeant!” Jack exclaimed incredulously; “do you mean to say you + have been a pirate?” + </p> + <p> + “Just that, my boy. I don't look like it, do I? There ain't nothing + buccaneering about my cut. I looks just what I am, a tough old sergeant in + a queen's regiment; but for all that I have been a pirate. The yarn is a + long one, and I can't tell it you now, because just at present, you see, I + have got to go below to look after the dinners of the company, but the + first time as we can get an opportunity for a quiet talk I will tell it + you. But don't you go away and think till then as I was a pirate from + choice. I shouldn't like you to think that of me; there ain't never no + saying at sea what may happen. I might tumble overboard tonight and get + drowned, or one of the convoy might run foul of us and sink us, and + tomorrow you might be alive and I might be dead, and I shouldn't like you + to go on thinking all your life as that Sergeant Edwards had been a bloody + pirate of his own free will. So you just bear in mind, till I tells you + the whole story, as how it was forced upon me. Mind, I don't say as how I + hadn't the choice of death or that, and maybe had you been in my place you + would have chosen death; but, you see, I had never been brought up as you + were. I had had no chances to speak of, and being only just about your + age, I didn't like the thought of dying, so you see I took to it, making + up my mind secret at the same time that the first chance I had I would + slip away from them. I won't tell you more now, I hain't time; but just + you bear that in mind, in case of anything happening, that if Sergeant + Edwards once sailed under the black flag, he didn't do it willing.” + </p> + <p> + The sergeant now hurried below, leaving Jack wondering over what he had + heard. Some days elapsed before the story was told, for a few hours later + the sky clouded over and the wind rose, and before next morning the vessel + was laboring heavily under double reefed topsails. The soldiers were all + kept below, and there was no possibility of anything like a quiet talk. + The weather had hitherto been so fine and the wind so light that the + vessels had glided over the sea almost without motion, and very few indeed + of those on board had experienced anything of the usual seasickness; but + now, in the stifling atmosphere between decks, with the vessel rolling and + plunging heavily, the greater part were soon prostrate with seasickness, + and even Jack, accustomed to the sea as he was, succumbed to the + unpleasantness of the surroundings. + </p> + <p> + On the second day of the storm Sergeant Edwards, who had been on deck to + make a report to the captain of the company, was eagerly questioned on his + return below on the condition of the weather. + </p> + <p> + “It's blowing about as hard as it can be,” he said, “and she rolls fit to + take the masts out of her. There don't seem no chance of the gale + breaking, and none of the other ships of the fleet are in sight. That's + about all I have to tell you, except that I told the captain that if he + didn't get the hatches lifted a little we should be all stifled down here. + He says if there's a bit of a lull he will ask them to give us a little + fresh air, and in the mean time he says that any who are good sailors may + go up on deck, but it will be at their own risk, for some of the seas go + pretty nearly clean over her.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV: THE SERGEANT'S YARN + </h2> + <p> + Jack Stilwell and a few of the other men availed themselves of the + permission to escape for a time from the stifling atmosphere below, and + made their way on deck. For a time the rush of the wind and the wild + confusion of the sea almost bewildered them. Masses of water were rushing + along the deck, and each time she rolled the waves seemed as if they would + topple over the bulwarks. Several of the party turned and went below again + at once, but Jack, with a few others, waited their opportunity and, making + a rush across the deck, grasped the shrouds and there hung on. Jack soon + recovered from his first confusion and was able to enjoy the grandeur of + the scene. + </p> + <p> + Small as was the canvas she was showing, the vessel was traveling fast + through the waves, sometimes completely burying her head under a sea; then + as she rose again the water rushed aft knee deep, and Jack had as much as + he could do to prevent himself being carried off his feet. Fortunately all + loose articles had long since been swept overboard, otherwise the risk of + a broken limb from their contact would have been serious. + </p> + <p> + In a quarter of an hour even Jack had had enough of it and went below, + and, having changed his drenched clothes, slung his hammock and turned in. + The next day the gale began to abate, and by evening the wind had nearly + died away, although the vessel was rolling as heavily as before among the + great masses of water which rolled in from the Atlantic. + </p> + <p> + The hatchways, however, were now removed, and all below ordered on deck, + and after awhile a party was told off to sluice down their quarters below. + The men were all weakened by their confinement, but their spirits soon + rose, and there was ere long plenty of laughter at the misfortunes which + befell those who tried to cross the deck, for the ship was rolling so + heavily that it was impossible for a landsman to keep his feet without + holding on. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, although a heavy swell was still rolling, the ship + assumed her normal aspect. The sailors had removed all trace of disorder + above, clothes were hung out to dry, and, as the ship was still far too + unsteady to allow of walking exercise, the soldiers sat in groups on the + deck, laughing and chatting and enjoying the warm sun whose rays streamed + down upon them. Seeing Sergeant Edwards standing alone looking over the + bulwark, Jack made his way up to him. + </p> + <p> + “It has been a sharp blow,” the sergeant said, “and I am glad it's over; + the last four days have been enough to sicken one of the sea for life. I + suppose you think this is a good opportunity for my yarn.” + </p> + <p> + “That is just what I was thinking, sergeant.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then, my lad, here goes. I was born at Poole. My people were + all in the seafaring line, and it was only natural that, as soon as I got + old enough to stand kicking, I was put on board a coaster plying between + Poole and London. It was pretty rough, but the skipper wasn't a bad kind + of fellow when he was sober. I stuck to that for three years, and then the + old craft was wrecked on Shoreham beach. Fortunately she was driven up so + far that we were able to drop over the bowsprit pretty well beyond the + reach of the waves, but there was no getting the Eliza off. It was no + great loss, for she would have had to be broken up as firewood in another + year or two. About six hours out of every twenty-four I was taking my turn + at spells at the pump. + </p> + <p> + “Now the Eliza was cast away, I had to look out for another ship. I had + had enough of coasters, so instead of going home I tramped it up to + London. Having got a berth on board a foreign bound vessel I made two + voyages out to Brazil and back. A fine country is the Brazils, but the + Portuguese ain't the fellows to make much out of it. Little undersized + chaps, they are all chatter and jabber, and when they used to come + alongside to unload, it were jest for all the world like so many boatfuls + of monkeys. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I starts for my third voyage, being by this time about sixteen or + seventeen. We got out to Rio right enough; but we couldn't get a full + cargo back, and the captain determined to cruise among the West Indy + Islands and fill up his ship. We were pretty nigh full when one morning + the lookout hailed that there were two vessels just coming out of an inlet + in an island we were passing some three miles on the weather bow. + </p> + <p> + “The captain was soon on deck with his glass, and no sooner did he make + them out than he gave orders to clap every sail on her. We hadn't a very + smart crew, but there are not many British ships ever made sail faster + than we did then. The men just flew about, for it needed no glass to show + that the two vessels which came creeping out from among trees weren't + customers as one wanted to talk to on the high seas. The one was a brig, + the other a schooner. They carried lofty spars ever so much higher than an + honest trader could want; and quick as we had got up our sails, they had + got their canvas spread as soon as we had. + </p> + <p> + “The ship was a fast sailer, but it didn't need half an hour to show that + they had the legs of us. So the skipper called the crew aft. 'Now, my + lads,' he said, 'you see those two vessels astern. I don't think it needs + any telling from me as to what they are. They might be Spaniards or they + might be French, or they might be native traders, but we are pretty well + sure they ain't anything of the kind. They are pirates—I guess the + same two vessels I heard them talking about down at Rio. They have been + doing no end of damage there. There were pretty nigh a dozen ships + missing, and they put them all down to them. However, a couple of English + frigates had come into Rio, and hearing what had happened had gone out to + chase them. They hadn't caught them, and the Brazilians thought that they + had shifted their quarters and gone for a cruise in other latitudes. + </p> + <p> + “'The description they gave of them answered to these two—a brig and + a schooner, with low hulls and tall spars. One of them carries ten guns, + the other two on each side, and a heavy piece mounted on a swivel + amidship. It was said that before they went down to Brazil they had been + carrying on their games among the West India Islands, and had made it so + hot for themselves that they had been obliged to move off from there. It + was like enough that, now the hue and cry after them had abated, they + would return to their old quarters. + </p> + <p> + “'Well, my lads, I needn't tell you what we have to expect if they take + us. Every man Jack will either get his throat cut or be forced to walk the + plank. So we will fight her to the last; for if the worst comes to the + worst, it's better to be killed fighting like men than to be murdered in + cold blood. However, I hope it won't come to that. We carry twelve guns, + and they are heavier metal than most merchantmen have on board. We are + more than a match for either of them alone; and if we can manage to + cripple one, we can beat the other off. + </p> + <p> + “'At any rate we will try our best. Thank God we have no women on board, + and only ourselves to think of! Now, my lads, cast the guns loose and get + the ammunition on deck; run two of the guns aft and train them over the + stern. As soon as they come within range we will try and knock some spars + out of them. Now, boys, give three cheers for the old flag, and we will + swear together it shall never come down while there's one of us to fight + the ship.' + </p> + <p> + “The men gave three cheers and then went off to their quarters at the + guns. They were quiet and grave, and it was easy enough to see that they + did not like the prospect. An Englishman always goes into action, as far + as I have seen, with a light heart and a joke on his lips when he's + fighting against Frenchmen or Spaniards or any other foe, but it's a + different thing when it's a pirate he has to deal with. Every man knows + then that it's a case of life or death, and that he's got to win or die. + The enemy made no secret of what they were, for when they got within a + mile of us two black flags ran up to their mastheads. + </p> + <p> + “The captain he trained one of the stern chasers hisself, and the first + mate took the other. They fired at the same moment, both aiming at the + schooner, which was getting the nearest to us. They were good shots both + of them. The mate's ball struck the water some twenty yards in front of + her forefoot, and smashed her bow planking some three feet above the + waterline; while the captain's struck her bulwark, tore along her deck, + and went out astern, doing some damage by the way, I reckon. + </p> + <p> + “We could see there was some confusion on board. They hadn't reckoned that + we carried such heavy metal, and our luck in getting both shots on board + must have surprised them. Then her bow paid off, there was a puff of smoke + amidship, and a ball from the long swivel gun buzzed overhead, passing + through our mainsail without touching mast or stay. + </p> + <p> + “So far we had the best of it, and the men looked more cheerful than they + had done from the first moment when the pirates showed from among the + trees. After that we kept up a fire from the stern guns as fast as we + could load. I could not see myself what damage we were doing, for I was + kept hard at work carrying ammunition. Presently the broadside guns began + to fire too, and taking the chance for a look round I saw that the pirates + had separated, and were coming up one on each side of us. + </p> + <p> + “So far they had not fired a shot after the first. I suppose they didn't + want to lose ground by yawing, but as they came abreast of us they both + opened fire. Our chaps fought their guns well, and I expect the pirates + found they were not getting much the best of it; for one of them made a + signal, and they both closed in to board. We hadn't had much luck after + our first shot. We had hulled them over and over again and spotted their + sails with shot. Many of their ropes were hanging loose, but we hadn't + succeeded in crippling them, although almost every shot had been aimed at + the masts; for every man knew that our only chance was to bring them down. + </p> + <p> + “As they came up close to us they poured in a volley of grape, and a + minute later they grated alongside and a crowd of men swarmed on board + over the bulwarks. Our fellows fought to the last, but the odds were five + to one against them. The skipper had been killed by a grapeshot, but the + mate he led the men; and if fighting could have saved us the ship would + not have been captured. But it was no use. In two minutes every man had + been cut down or disarmed. I had laid about me with a cutlass till I got a + lick over my head with a boarding pike which knocked my senses out of me. + </p> + <p> + “When I opened my eyes I was hauled up to my feet and put alongside the + mate and six others, all of whom was bleeding more or less. The rest had + all been chucked overboard at once. In a minute or two the captain of one + of the pirates, a little dapper Frenchman, came up to us. 'You have fought + your ship well,' he said to the mate, 'and have killed several of my + officers and men; but I bear you no malice, and if you are ready to ship + with me I will spare your life.' 'I would rather die a hundred times!' the + mate said. The pirate said nothing, but just nodded, and four of his men + seized the mate and flung him over the bulwarks. The same question was + asked of each of the men; but each in turn refused, and an end was made of + them. I was the last. + </p> + <p> + “'Now, my boy,' the captain said, 'I hope you won't be stupid like those + pig headed fellows. What do you say—good treatment and a free life + on the sea, or the sharks?' + </p> + <p> + “Well, lad, if my turn hadn't been last I would have said 'no' like the + others. I wouldn't have shown the white feather before any of my + shipmates; but they had gone—there wasn't one to cast a reproachful + look at me or to taunt me with cowardice. I just stood alone; there + weren't no one to back me up in choosing to die rather than to serve, and + so I says, 'I will join you, captain.' I don't say I was right, lad; I + don't say I didn't act as a coward; but I think most young chaps with my + bringing up, and placed as I was, would have done the same. There's many + as would have said 'no' if they had had comrades and friends looking on, + but I don't think there's many as would have said 'no' if they had stood + all alone as I did. + </p> + <p> + “I can't say as I blame myself much about that business, though I have + thought it over many a score of times; but anyhow, from the first I made + up my mind that at the very first chance I would get away from them. I + knew the chance wasn't likely to come for some time—still there it + was; and during all the black scenes I took part in on board that ship I + was always telling myself that I was there against my will. + </p> + <p> + “It was the brig as I was to go in. And as soon as that little matter of + the crew was settled all hands set to work to shift the cargo from the + ship aboard the pirates. Wonderful quick they did it too; and when I + thought how long that cargo had taken to get on board, it was wonderful + how soon they whipped it out of her. When they had stripped her of all + they thought worth taking, they ran one of the cannon to the open hatch, + loaded it and crammed it full of balls to the muzzle; then they pointed it + down the hold and fired it, and were soon on board their own craft. + </p> + <p> + “The charge must have torn a great hole in the ship's bottom, for I could + see she was settling down in the water before we had left her five + minutes, and in a quarter of an hour she gave a sudden lurch and sank. As + I was in for it now, I knew the best thing was to put a good face on it, + so I lent a hand at shifting the cargo and did my best to seem contented. + We sailed off in company, and in the morning when I came on deck I found + the two craft riding side by side in a land locked harbor. + </p> + <p> + “A few minutes later the boats were lowered and the work of getting the + cargo on shore began. It was clear enough that this was the pirates' + headquarters; for there were lots of huts built on the sloping sides of + the inlet, and a number of men and women stood gathered on the shore to + receive us as we landed. The women were of all countries, English and + French, Dutch, Spaniards, and Portuguese, with a good sprinkling of dark + skinned natives. All the white women had been taken prisoners at some time + or other from vessels which had fallen into the pirates' hands, and though + most of them must have been miserable enough at heart, poor creatures, + they all made a show of being glad to see the men back again. It was but a + week, I learned, since the pirates had sailed, and it was considered a + great stroke of luck that they should so soon have effected a capture. + </p> + <p> + “No one attended to me, but I worked hard all day with the others rowing + backward and forward between the shore and the ship. When it became dusk + they knocked off work, and the men went off to their huts, for it seemed + that each of them had a wife, brown skinned or white. Seeing that nobody + paid any attention to me, I went off to the little captain, who was making + his way up to a hut of a better class than the others. + </p> + <p> + “'What is to become of me, captain?' I asked. 'Ah! I had not thought of + you,' he said; 'well, you can go up with me and get some supper, and you + can have a blanket and sleep on my veranda for tonight; we will see where + you can be lodged in the morning.' I followed him into his house, and was + astonished as I entered at the luxury of the apartment, which far exceeded + anything I had ever seen before. The plank walls were concealed by + hangings of light green silk, a rich carpet covered the floor, the + furniture was most handsome and massive, and had no doubt been intended + for the palace of the Spanish governor of some of the islands. A pair of + candelabra of solid silver stood on the table, and the white candles in + them, which had just been lighted, threw a soft glow of light over the + room and lighted up the table, on which was a service, also of solid + silver, with vases and, lovely flowers. A young woman rose from a couch as + he entered: 'I have been expecting you for the last half hour, Eugene. You + have worked longer than usual this evening; if the fish are spoiled you + must not blame Zoe.' + </p> + <p> + “The speaker was a tall and very handsome woman, and I now understood how + it was that my captor spoke such excellent English. There was a deep + expression of melancholy on her face, but she smiled when speaking to the + pirate, and her tone was one of affection. + </p> + <p> + “'I have brought home a countryman of yours, Ellen. I forgot to allot him + quarters until it was too late, so please give him over to the care of Zoe + and ask her to give him some supper and a blanket; he will sleep in the + veranda.' + </p> + <p> + “The first look which the woman gave me as the captain spoke made me wish + that instead of speaking to the captain I had lain down fasting under a + tree, there was so much contempt and horror in it; then, as I suppose she + saw I was but a boy, it changed, and it seemed to me that she pitied me + from her heart; however, she clapped her hands and a negress entered. She + said something to her in Spanish, and the old woman beckoned me to follow + her, and I was soon sitting in front of a better meal than I had tasted + for many a month, perhaps the best meal I had tasted in my life. + </p> + <p> + “As she couldn't speak English there was no talking with the old woman. + She gave me a tumbler of stiff rum and water to drink with my supper, and + after I had done she handed me a blanket, took me out into the veranda, + pointed to the side where I should get the sea breeze, and left me. I + smoked a pipe or two and then went to sleep. I was awakened in the morning + by some one coming along the veranda, and, sitting up, saw the lady I had + seen the night before. 'So you are English?' she said. 'Yes, ma'am,' says + I, touching my hat sailor fashion. 'Are you lately from home?' she asked. + 'Not very late, ma'am,' says I; 'we went to Rio first, and not filling up + there were cruising about picking up a cargo when—' and I stopped, + not knowing, you see, how I should put it. 'Are there any more of you?' + she asked after awhile in a low sort of voice. 'No, ma'am,' says I; 'I am + the only one.' 'I did not ask,' she said almost in a whisper, and I could + see her face was 'most as white as a sheet, 'I never ask. And so you have + joined them?' 'Yes,' says I, 'I couldn't help it, ma'am. I was the last, + you see; if there had been any one else to have encouraged me I should + have said no, but being alone—' 'Don't excuse yourself, poor boy,' + she said; 'don't think I blame you. Who am I that I should blame any one? + It is little I can do for you, but if you should want anything I will do + my best to befriend you.' I heard the captain's voice calling. Suddenly + she put her finger to her lips, as a hint to me to hold my tongue, and off + she went. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know whether the captain's wife spoke to him about me or not, but + at any rate he didn't tell me off to any of the huts, but kept me at the + house. I used to go down in the day to work with the other men unloading + the ship and stowing away the stores, but they only worked for a few hours + morning and evening, lying in hammocks slung under the trees during the + heat of the day. I made myself useful about the house, helped the old + woman to chop wood, drew water for her, attended to the plants in the + little garden round the house, trained the creepers up the veranda, and + lent a hand at all sorts of odd jobs, just as a sailor will do. + </p> + <p> + “When, ten days after we arrived, the ships got ready for another cruise, + I was afraid they would take me with them, and I lay awake at nights + sweating as I thought over the fearful deeds I should have to take part + in; but the captain gave me no orders, and to my delight the men embarked + and the ships sailed away without me. I found there were some forty men + left behind, whose duty it was to keep a sharp lookout and man the + batteries they had got at the entrance to the cove in case any of our + cruisers came in sight. + </p> + <p> + “The man who was in command was a Spaniard, a sulky, cruel looking + scoundrel. However, he didn't have much to do with me; I took my turn at + the lookout with the rest of them, and besides that there was nothing to + do. The men on shore had all been in one or other of the ships when I was + taken; for I found there were about a hundred and sixty of them, and a + quarter stayed at home by turns, changing after each cruise, whether it + was a long or short one. + </p> + <p> + “The captain's wife often spoke to me now; she would come out and sit in + the veranda while I was at work. She asked me what part I came from, and + where I had sailed, and what friends I had at home. But she never said a + word to me about the capture of the ship. She always looked sad now, while + she had been cheerful and bright while the captain was on shore. In time + she got quite friendly with me, and one day she said, 'Peter, you will + have to go to sea next time, what will you do?' + </p> + <p> + “'I must do as the others do, God forgive me,' says I; 'but don't think, + ma'am, as ever I shall do it willing. It may be years before I gets a + chance, but if ever I does I shall make a run for it, whatever the risk + may be. I speaks free to you, ma'am, for I feel sure as you won't say a + word to no man, for it would cost me my life if they thought that I wasn't + with them willing.' + </p> + <p> + “'I will not tell any one, Peter, you may be sure,' she said; 'but I do + not think you will ever have a chance of getting away—no one ever + does who once comes here.' + </p> + <p> + “Well, in time, lad, she lets out bit by bit a little about herself. She + had been on her way out to join her father, who was an officer of the East + Indy Company, when the ship was taken by the pirates. The men was all + killed, but she and some other women was taken on board the pirate and at + last brought there. The French captain took a fancy to her from the first, + and after she had been there a year brought a Spanish priest they captured + on board a ship and he married them. The pirates seemed to think it was a + joke, and lots of them followed the captain's example and got married to + the women there. What they did with the priest afterward, whether they cut + his throat or landed him in some place thousands of miles away, or entered + him on board ship, is more nor I know. + </p> + <p> + “There's no doubt the captain's wife was fond of her husband; pirate as he + was, he had not behaved so bad to her—but except when he was with + her she was always sad. + </p> + <p> + “She had an awful horror of the life he led, and with this was a terror + lest he should fall into the hands of a cruiser, for she knew that if he + hadn't the good luck to be killed in the fight, he would be tried and hung + at the nearest port. It was a kind of mixed feeling, you see; she would + have given everything to be free from the life she was leading, and yet + even had she had the chance she would not have left her husband. I believe + he had promised her to give it up, but she must have knowed that he never + would do it; besides, if he had slipped away from the ship at any place + where they touched he could not have got her away, and her life would have + paid for his desertion. + </p> + <p> + “But I don't think he would have gone if he could, for, quiet and nice as + he was when at home, he was a demon at sea. Ruffians and scoundrels as + were his crew, the boldest of them were afraid of him. It was not a word + and a blow, but a word and a pistol shot with him; and if it hadn't been + that he was a first rate seaman, that he fought his ships splendidly, and + that there was no one who could have kept any show of order or discipline + had he not been there, I don't believe they would have put up with him for + a day. + </p> + <p> + “Well, lad, I sailed with them for three voyages. I won't tell you what I + saw and heard, but it was years before I could sleep 'well at night, but + would start up in a cold sweat with those scenes before my eyes and those + screams ringing in my ears. I can say that I never took the life of a man + or woman. Of course I had to help to load the cannon, and when the time + for boarding came would wave my cutlass and fire my pistols with the best + of them; but I took good care never to be in the front line, and the + others were too busy with their bloody doings to notice what share I took + in them. + </p> + <p> + “We had been out about a fortnight on my third voyage, and the schooner + and brig were lying in a little bay when we saw what we took to be a large + merchant ship coming along. She was all painted black, her rigging was + badly set up, her sails were dirty and some of them patched, she was + steering east, and seemed as if she was homeward bound after a long + voyage. Off we went in pursuit, thinking we had got a prize. She clapped + on more sail, but we came up to her hand over hand. She opened fire with + two eight pounders over her stern. We didn't waste a shot in reply, but + ranged up alongside, one on each beam. Then suddenly her sides seemed to + open, fifteen ports on each side went up, and her deck swarmed with men. + </p> + <p> + “A yell of dismay went up from the schooner which I was on. In a moment a + flash of fire ran along the frigate's broadside; there was a crash of + timber, and the schooner shook as if she had struck on a rock. There was a + cry, 'We are sinking!' Some made a wild rush for the boats, others in + their despair jumped overboard, some cursed and swore like madmen and + shook their fists at the frigate. It seemed no time when another broadside + came. + </p> + <p> + “Down came the foremast, crushing half a dozen men as she fell. Her deck + was nearly level with the water now. I climbed over the wreck of the + foremast, and run out along the bowsprit. I looked round just as I leaped. + The pirate captain was standing at the wheel. He had a pistol to his head, + and I saw the flash, and he fell. Then I dived off and swam under water as + hard as I could to get away from the sinking ship. When I came up I looked + round. I just saw the flutter of a black flag above the water and she was + gone. I was a good swimmer, and got rid of my shoes and jacket, and made + up my mind for a long swim, for the frigate was too busy with the brig for + any one to pay attention to us, but it did not take long to finish it. + </p> + <p> + “In five minutes it was over. The brig lay dismasted, and scarce a dozen + men out of the forty she carried were alive to throw down their arms on + deck and cry that they surrendered. Then the frigate's boats were lowered; + two rowed in our direction, while two put off to the brig. There were only + nine of us picked up, for from the first broadside till we sank a heavy + musketry fire had been poured down upon the deck, and as we were not more + than fifty yards away from the frigate, the men had been just mowed down. + We were all ironed as soon as we were brought on board. After that we were + brought up one by one and questioned. + </p> + <p> + “'You are young to be engaged in such work as this,' the captain said when + my turn came. + </p> + <p> + “'I was forced into it against my will, sir,' I said. + </p> + <p> + “'Yes,' the captain said, 'I suppose so; that's the story each of the + prisoners tells. How long have you been with them?' + </p> + <p> + “'Less than six months, sir.' + </p> + <p> + “'How old are you?' + </p> + <p> + “'I am not seventeen yet. I was boy on board the Jane and William. We were + taken by the pirates on our way back from Rio, and all except me killed or + thrown overboard.' + </p> + <p> + “'And you bought your life by agreeing to sail with them, I suppose?' the + captain said contemptuously. + </p> + <p> + “'I did, sir,' I said; 'but I was the last they asked; all the others had + gone, and there warn't no one to back me up.' + </p> + <p> + “'Well, boy, you know what your fate will be,' the captain said; 'there's + no mercy for pirates.' + </p> + <p> + “The next day the captain sent for me again, and I took heart a little, + for I thought if they had made up their minds to hang me they wouldn't + have questioned me. + </p> + <p> + “'Look here, lad,' the captain said; 'you are the youngest of the + prisoners, and less steeped in crime than any here, therefore I will at + once make you an offer. If you will direct us to the lair of the pirates, + I promise your life shall be spared.' + </p> + <p> + “'I don't know the latitude and longitudes sir,' I said, 'and I doubt if + any besides the captain and one or two others do, but I know pretty well + whereabout it is. We always set sail at night and came in at night, and + none was allowed on deck except the helmsman and two or three old hands + till morning; but when I was ashore and on duty at the lookout I noticed + three trees growing together just at the edge of the cliff at the point + where it was highest, two miles away from the entrance to the cove. They + were a big un and two little uns, and I feel sure if I were to see them + again I should know them.' + </p> + <p> + “'Very well,' the captain said, 'I shall make for port at once, and hand + over the prisoners to the Spanish authorities, then I will start on a + cruise with you, and see if we can find your trees.' + </p> + <p> + “From the description I could give him of the islands we passed after we + had been at sea a few hours, and the time it took us to sail from them to + some known points, the captain was able to form a sort of idea as to which + group of islands it belonged to, and when he had reached port and got rid + of his prisoners, all of whom were garroted—that's a sort of + strangling, you know—by the Spaniards, a week afterward, we set out + again on our search for the island.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V: THE PIRATE HOLD + </h2> + <p> + “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed + within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put + the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns + enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water. + As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just + enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in. I was not + in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can + tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me. + </p> + <p> + “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but + at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees. + </p> + <p> + “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, + and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to + go to the captain. + </p> + <p> + “You are sure those are the trees?' + </p> + <p> + “'Quite sure, sir.' + </p> + <p> + “'They answer to your description certainly,' the captain said. 'Keep her + away, master, I don't want them to think we are steering for the island.' + </p> + <p> + “The ship's course was altered, and she sailed along parallel with the + coast. + </p> + <p> + “'I beg your pardon, sir,' I said, touching my hat, 'but they have got + some wonderful good glasses up at the lookout, and if I might make so bold + I should say that they will make out that we have got a lot more men on + deck than a merchant ship would carry.' + </p> + <p> + “'You are right, lad,' the captain said, and he at once gave orders that + all hands with the exception of half a dozen should sit down under the + bulwarks or go below. The captain and first lieutenant kept a sharp + lookout through their glasses until we had passed the end of the island. I + pointed out to them the exact position of the cove, but it was so shut in + that even when I showed where it was, it was as much as they could do to + make it out. + </p> + <p> + “'Now, lad, do you know of any other landing places on the other side of + the island?' + </p> + <p> + “'No, sir, and I don't believe there is any,' says I. I know the captain + said to me the first day I was on shore, 'It's no use your thinking of + making a bolt, for there ain't no other place but this where you could get + to sea—not though you had twenty boats waiting to take you off.' I + expect that's why they chose it. Anyhow, there never was any watch kept up + on shore, though. I have no doubt there was many a one who had been + pressed into pirating just as I was, to save their lives, would have made + off had they seen ever such a little chance of getting away. + </p> + <p> + “'Just come into the cabin with me,' says he; 'I want you to show me + exactly where are these batteries, and the position of the village on + shore.' + </p> + <p> + “The first lieutenant came too, and I drew them out a chart as well as I + could, showing them the position of things, and told them that every + evening a boom was floated across the entrance. + </p> + <p> + “'What sentries are there on at night?' + </p> + <p> + “'Four, sir; two close down to the water, one each side of the cove, and + two in the batteries at the top. That's the watch, but besides there are + six men sleep in each of the other batteries, and six in each of the + batteries inside.' + </p> + <p> + “'Tell me more about the place and the life you led there,' the captain + said, 'and then I shall understand the position of things better.' + </p> + <p> + “So I spun him a regular yarn about the place and the people. I told him + about the captain's wife, and she being an English woman, and how she was + taken, which indeed was the way of most of the women there. + </p> + <p> + “'I suppose that a good many of the men were pressed too,' the captain + said. + </p> + <p> + “'I expects so, sir; but when we were together on guard or on board a ship + I noticed we never talked of such things. It seemed to me as if every one + was trying to forget the past, and I think that made them more brutal and + bloody minded than they would have been. Every one was afraid of every one + else guessing as he wasn't contented, and was wanting to get away, and so + each carried on as bad as he could.' + </p> + <p> + “'I dare say you are right, lad; it must be a terrible position for a man + to be in; but you see the law can make no distinctions. If it wasn't + thoroughly understood that if a man took up the life of a pirate, whether + willingly or unwillingly, he would assuredly be executed if he was caught, + we should have the sea swarming with pirates. Now, lad, you know how this + boom was fastened; can you suggest any way that we could get over it or + loosen it without giving the alarm?' + </p> + <p> + “'There is no way, sir. One end is fastened by a big chain which is fixed + to a great shackle which is let into a hole in the rock and fastened in + there with lead; that's the fixed end of the boom. The other end, which is + swung backward and forward when the ships go in port, has got a big chain + too. It goes under an iron bar which is bent, and the two ends fastened in + a rock. When they want to fix the boom the end of the chain is passed + under this iron loop and then fastened to some blocks and ropes worked + from the battery above, and the end of the chain is drawn up tight there, + so that there is no loosing the chain till that battery is taken.' + </p> + <p> + “'And you say the guns of the lower batteries at the inner point sweep the + entrance?' + </p> + <p> + “'They do, sir. There are ten of them on each side, twelve pounder + carronades, which are always charged, and crammed up to the muzzle with + bullets and nails and bits of iron. The batteries on the top of the cliff + at the entrance are the heaviest metal. They have got twenty guns in each + of them. They are loaded with round shot to keep a vessel from + approaching, though of course they could fire grape into any boats they + saw coming in.' + </p> + <p> + “'This does not seem an easy business by any means, Mr. Earnshaw,' the + captain said. + </p> + <p> + “'It does not, sir,' the lieutenant agreed in a dubisome sort of way; 'but + no doubt it can be done, sir—no doubt it can be done.' + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, but how?' the captain asked. 'You will be in command of the boats, + Mr. Earnshaw, and it will never do to attack such a place as that without + some sort of plan.' + </p> + <p> + “'What is the boom like, my lad?' the lieutenant asked; 'is it lashed + together?' + </p> + <p> + “'No, it is a solid spar,' I said. 'The entrance is not more than forty + feet wide, and the boom is part of the mainmast of a big ship.' + </p> + <p> + “'It seems to me,' said the lieutenant, 'that the only way to get at it + would be to go straight at the boom, the two lightest boats to go first. + The men must get on the spar and pull the boats over, and then make a dash + for the batteries; the heavy boats can follow them.' + </p> + <p> + “'It would never do, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'You forget there + are twelve guns loaded to the muzzle with grape and musketballs all + trained upon a point only forty feet across. Would it be possible to land + just outside the boom, lad, on one or both sides, and to keep along the + edge, or wade in the water to the batteries?' + </p> + <p> + “'No, sir, the rock goes straight up from the water both sides.' + </p> + <p> + “'Well, the two sentries, how do they get down to the water's edge?' + </p> + <p> + “'They are let down by rope from above, sir, and the rope is hauled up as + soon as they are down.' + </p> + <p> + “'This is a deuce of a place, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'We must do + nothing hastily in this matter, or we shall only be throwing away the + lives of a lot of men, and failing in our object. I was intending to sail + on and not return for a week, for no doubt they will be specially vigilant + for a time after seeing a large ship pass them. As it is, I will return + tonight to the back of the island, and will there leave the cutter and my + gig. You will be in charge of the cutter, and Mr. Escombe will take the + gig. I shall then sail away again before daylight; for although from what + the lad said there is no watch kept on that side of the island, it cannot + be more than three miles across, and any of the men or women might stroll + across or might from any high point in the island obtain a view that way. + You will make a thorough survey of all that side. The cliffs certainly + seem, so far as we could see them as we left the island, as perpendicular + as they are on the side we passed; but there may be some place easier than + another—some place where, by setting our wits to work, we may make a + shift to climb up. Get into the island I will, if I have to blast a flight + of steps up the cliff.' + </p> + <p> + “'I will do my best to find a place, sir,' the lieutenant said; 'and, if + there isn't one, I will make one.' + </p> + <p> + “The lieutenant told me that I was to accompany him in the cutter, and all + was got ready for the trip. Water and a week's rations of food were placed + on board the boats; for in that climate there was no saying when a gale + might spring up, or how long the vessel might be before she got back to + pick up the boats. + </p> + <p> + “When we were fairly out of sight of the island we lay to till it got + dusk, and then her head was pointed back again. There was scarce a breath + of wind stirring, and the vessel went through the water so slowly that a + couple of hours later the captain ordered the boats to be lowered, for he + saw that if the wind didn't freshen the ship could not get to the island, + much less get away again, before daylight. The oars were got out and off + we started, and after four hours' steady rowing, the lieutenant, who was + steering by compass, made out the land looming high above us. Another + quarter of an hour's row and we dropped our grapnels close to the foot of + the cliffs, and the men were told to get a sleep as well as they could + till morning. + </p> + <p> + “As soon as it was daylight we were off again and rowed to the end of the + island; for, as Mr. Earnshaw said to the third lieutenant, we had best + begin at the end and do the work thoroughly. When we got to the point we + turned and rowed back, keeping about two hundred yards from the cliff, so + that we could see well up. They were about a hundred feet high—sometimes + a little less, sometimes a good bit more, and they went as straight up + from the water's edge as the cliffs at Dover, only there weren't no beach. + It was deep water right up to the foot. + </p> + <p> + “We went along very slowly, the men only just dipping their oars into the + water, and all of us watching every foot of the cliffs. Sometimes we would + stop altogether while the officers talked over the possibility of any one + climbing up at some place where the water trickling down from the top had + eaten away the face a little; but not a goat in the world could have + climbed up them, not to say men. So we kept on till we got to the other + end of the island, which must have been five miles long. Not a place could + we see. + </p> + <p> + “'Unless we are going to do as the captain said—blast steps up the + face of that rock—I don't believe it's to be done,' Lieutenant + Earnshaw said to Mr. Escombe. 'Well, there's nothing to do, lads, but to + row in and drop your grapnels again and wait till we see the ship's lights + tonight.' + </p> + <p> + “Although we rowed in to within an oar's length of the cliff, there was + eight fathoms of water when we dropped the grapnels. We had been lying + there an hour when the third lieutenant said: + </p> + <p> + “'I should think, Mr. Earnshaw, that if we were to bring the pinnace with + that four pounder gun in the bow and up end it, and with a small charge + fire a ball with a rope fastened to it up into that clump of trees we saw + just about the middle of the island, it might get caught.' + </p> + <p> + “'So it might, Escombe, and the idea is a good one; but I doubt whether + there's a man on board ship could climb a rope swinging like that against + the face of those cliffs.' + </p> + <p> + “'He might if we used a knotted rope,' Mr. Escombe said. + </p> + <p> + “'I wouldn't mind making a try, yer honor,' one of the sailors said, and + half a dozen others volunteered their readiness to make the attempt. + </p> + <p> + “'I will put it to the captain,' Mr. Earnshaw said; 'if he agrees, as you + were the first to volunteer, Jones, you shall have the chance.' + </p> + <p> + “The day was dead calm, so was the night that followed it; and although we + rowed back to the end of the island from which we had come, no lights were + to be seen that night. + </p> + <p> + “The next day passed slowly. The sun was hot; but toward evening the + lieutenant gave permission for the men to bathe; but warned us that no man + must go far from the boats, because there might be sharks about. However, + we didn't see none, and we enjoyed the dip, and were in better humor still + when we found that a light breeze was springing up. It might have been + about midnight when the men on watch made out a light to seaward, and we + weren't long in getting up our grapnels and sitting our oars. In half an + hour we were on board, and were soon sailing away from the island again. + </p> + <p> + “The next night in we came again, and I saw that the third lieutenant's + plan was going to be adopted; in fact, I guessed so before; for the sail + makers had been at work with two light ropes making a rope ladder, and the + ship's smith had got some empty shells on deck, and had made a shift to + screw some iron eyes into them for fixing ropes to. The gun was taken out + of the pinnace and a little mortar fixed in her, and half a dozen ropes, + each a hundred fathoms long, had knots put in them every two feet. + </p> + <p> + “The launch and the two cutters were lowered as well as the pinnace this + time, and the crews were armed with cutlass and pistol. I went with them + as before, as I should be wanted to guide them when they got near the + village. It was a bright starlight night without haze, so that when we got + close we could make out the outline of the cliffs, and could see the thick + wood growing on the top. When we got within about a hundred yards of the + cliffs the boat stopped rowing. + </p> + <p> + “'Don't use more powder than you can help, gunner,' Mr. Earnshaw said. 'In + the first place, we don't want to do more than carry out the rope to its + full length; in the next place, we don't want to make more noise than we + can help. What wind there is is fortunately blowing seaward, and being so + close under the cliff the sound will be echoed back. At the same time the + less noise the better.' + </p> + <p> + “'I will begin with very little, sir. If the ball don't go to the top of + the cliff I shall put a trifle more into the gun next time; it's better to + make a mistake on the right side.' + </p> + <p> + “A small quantity of powder was put in the mortar, which was only a four + inch one. Then a wad was put in, and a shell with one of the knotted ropes + fastened to it dropped in the top. The rope had been coiled in a tub so as + to run out easily. The gunner applied the match. There was a dull report, + and every man held his breath to listen. There was a thud high up on the + cliff and then a splash. + </p> + <p> + “'A few feet short of the top, I should say, gunner. You must put in more + next time, for the shell must go well up over the trees and drop among + them; otherwise it won't catch.' + </p> + <p> + “The gunner by the light of the lantern measured out half as much powder + again as he had used before, and then fired. This time we heard no sound + till there was a faint splash in the water. + </p> + <p> + “'The rope's gone, sir,' the gunner said, looking into the tub. 'There was + a little too much this time.' + </p> + <p> + “'I don't think so,' Mr. Escombe said. 'I think that splash was the end of + the rope touching the water. In that case it will be just right, a hundred + feet up the cliffs, and five hundred feet among the trees. No fear of the + rope coming back to us.' + </p> + <p> + “It took us a quarter of an hour's search in the dark to find the rope; + but at last we came upon it, and sure enough there was only four or five + fathoms in the water. + </p> + <p> + “'Now, Jones,' Mr. Earnshaw said, 'it's your turn. Put that light line + over your shoulders, and when you get to the top haul on it till you get + up the rope ladder, and fasten that to a stout trunk and give a low hail. + We will hold the rope as steady as we can below while you mount.' + </p> + <p> + “'Ay, ay, sir,' said the man, who was an active young chap; 'I will be up + there in a jiffy.' + </p> + <p> + “We fastened the lower end round one of the thwarts of the boat, and then + he began to climb. It was near five minutes before he got to the top, for + there were some nasty places where the cliff jutted out, and the rope was + hard against it; but presently the shaking ceased, and a minute later the + light line was hauled tight. There was a low cheer in the boats, and then + up went the rope ladder. A minute or two later there was a hail from the + top. + </p> + <p> + “'All taut, sir.' + </p> + <p> + “'I will go first,' Mr. Earnshaw said. + </p> + <p> + “Accordingly up he went, and one by one we followed, each waiting for the + signal that the one before him had got up, till all had gone except the + two told off as boat watch. Then the men of the launch and cutters + followed, and in about two hours they were all at the top, and a lantern + was shown to tell the ship we were there. + </p> + <p> + “We started at once across the island, Mr. Earnshaw keeping the line by a + pocket compass. It was rough work, though, and at last the lieutenant + said: + </p> + <p> + “'We make such a noise going through the bushes that we had better wait + till daylight, so just halt where you are, lads.' + </p> + <p> + “As soon as the first ray of light showed we were off again, and an hour + later reached the edge of the slope down to the cove. + </p> + <p> + “'Now, remember,' the lieutenant said, 'that no woman is to be hurt. All + the men who resist are to be shot or cut down; but you are to take + prisoners all who throw down their arms. Some of them may be able to prove + themselves less guilty than the rest. At any rate, there is no fear of the + Spanish authorities being too merciful. These pirates have been the + scourge of these seas for the last six years.' + </p> + <p> + “Well, lad, there ain't much more to tell you. We took them completely by + surprise, and the men in the village were all knocked down and bound, + without firing a shot. The men in the batteries tried to slew their guns + round, but we didn't give 'em time. They fought desperately, for they knew + what their doom was, and there weren't any prisoners taken there. As soon + as the village was taken I went straight with Mr. Escombe to the captain's + house. His wife was standing at the door, and she gave a little cry as she + saw the British uniforms, and ran a step or two to meet us, then she + stopped, and her arms dropped by her side. + </p> + <p> + “'What! you, Peter!' she said as we came up. 'Is it you who led them + here?' + </p> + <p> + “'Yes, ma'am, it was me,' says I, 'and the best thing I could do for you, + for you could not wish to stay here all your life with just the people + that are here.' + </p> + <p> + “'But what has happened?' she said. 'How is it you are here? What has + become of the schooner?' + </p> + <p> + “'The schooner is sunk, ma'am, and the brig is captured.' + </p> + <p> + “'And my husband?' + </p> + <p> + “'Well, ma'am, don't you take on, but your husband went down with the + schooner.' + </p> + <p> + “She tottered, and I thought she would have fallen, but Mr. Escombe put + his arm round her and led her to the house and left her there, putting two + sailors on guard to see as she wasn't disturbed. An hour or two later the + frigate was off the cove, and the captain landed. We stopped a week there, + and carried off all there was worth taking; and I tell you there was + enough to give every man Jack on board a handsome share of prize money + when the things came to be sold afterward. + </p> + <p> + “Money, there was lots of it, all stored away in what they called the + treasure house, for money was no good there. Jewels and ornaments, + watches, and the things which they uses in them Catholic churches, and all + kinds of valuable things, and stores of silks and velvets and all kinds of + materials; and as to wine and such like, there was enough to have lasted + them for years, for from first to last it was shown afterward that those + fellows must have captured more nor fifty vessels. Why they shouldn't have + stopped ashore and enjoyed what they got was a mystery to me. But I + suppose they couldn't do without excitement, and though every man talked + of the time when the treasure would be divided and they were to scatter, I + don't suppose as one ever expected as the time would really come. + </p> + <p> + “Well, arter everything was on board, and the women and children, the + place was burned, and we sailed for the nearest Spanish port. We had had a + sort of court martial on board the frigate, and two or three young chaps + like myself, and two men as was proved to have been captured in the + pirates' last cruise, and who hadn't been to sea with them or taken part + in any of their bloody doings, was kept on board ship, and the rest was + handed over to the Spanish authorities. Most of them was garroted, and a + few was condemned to work on the roads for life. I and the others was + taken back to England in the frigate, whose foreign time was up, and when + we got to Portsmouth we was drafted into a regiment there, and lucky we + thought ourselves to get off so easy. The captain's wife and some of the + other white women came home to England on board the frigate. She was very + low at first, but she brightened up a good deal toward the end of the + voyage, which lasted two months. She grieved over her husband, you see, + but she couldn't but have felt that it was all for the best. I heard + afterward as how two years after she married Mr. Earnshaw, who by that + time had got to be a captain. So that, you see, my lad, is how I came to + fight under the black flag first and then to be a soldier of the queen. I + didn't mean it to be sich a long yarn, but when I once began it all came + back to me, and you see, I haven't spoken of it for years. You don't think + altogether as I was very wrong, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you very much for your story, sergeant,” Jack replied. “I only + wish it had been longer; and although it's very easy to say that a man + ought to die rather than consent to be a pirate, I don't think there are + many lads who would choose death if they were placed as you were.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad you think that, young un; it's always been a sore point with + me, I have done my duty since, and no one can say as he's ever seen + Sergeant Edwards show the white feather. But the thought that that once I + did not act as a brave man would have done has always troubled me.” + </p> + <p> + The next day, as the sea went down, and the recruits recovered from the + effects of the confinement and sickness, they again began to talk among + themselves. The fact that all the other vessels of the fleet were out of + sight naturally encouraged them. Jack observed, however, that the call to + parade on deck was answered with more quickness than before, and the + exercises were gone through with a painstaking steadiness greater than had + been shown since the embarkation. When the men were dismissed from parade + Jack remarked this to the sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, ay, lad, I noticed it too,” the sergeant said, shaking his head, “and + in my opinion it's a bad sign. They want to throw the officers off their + guard. It's a pity you have been seen talking so much to me, because, of + course, they won't say anything when you are listening; but one or two of + the men who came into the regiment with me have dropped a word as they + happened to pass this morning that they wanted to have a word if they + could get one without being noticed, so I hope to hear a little more + tonight.” + </p> + <p> + That evening, before going below, Jack had an hour's talk with Sergeant + Edwards. + </p> + <p> + “It's just as I thought,” the latter said, “they've got an idea of seizing + the ship. The men I spoke of managed to get a few words with me this + evening. They don't know anything about piracy. All they have heard is + that there is a proposal to seize the ship and to carry her into one of + the northern ports of Spain, where the men will land and give up their + arms to the Spanish authorities, and then either disperse and make their + way home by twos and threes as best they can, or they will take service + with the King of Spain, who, they think, will pay them a deal better than + the English government. + </p> + <p> + “A part of the crew are in the scheme. These, the men tell me, do not + intend to land, but only tell the others that they shall sail away. That's + about what I thought would be. The greater part of these fellows only + wants to get quickly home again, while the sailors, who may want to go + abuccaneering, would not care about having the soldiers with them. I shall + give a hint to the captain of my company tonight as to what is going on, + but I don't much expect he will pay any attention to it. Officers never + believe these things till it is too late, and you see I can't give them + any names yet or prove what I say; besides, likely enough, any inquiry set + on foot would only bring the matter to a head. We must wait till we know + something sure. + </p> + <p> + “You keep your ears open, my boy, and your eyes too, and I will do the + same. If it comes, and you see a chance of warning the captain of the ship + or the first lieutenant in time, you do it; but don't you do it if you + don't think there's time enough, or if you can't do it without being seen. + If it's too late, and you are found out, they would just chuck you + overboard or knock you on the head, and you will have done no good after + all, and perhaps only caused bloodshed. Like enough, if matters go + quietly, there won't be no bloodshed, and the officers and those who stick + to them will just be turned adrift in the boats, or maybe handed over to + the Spanish at the port they go into as prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + Jack promised to follow the sergeant's instructions, and went below. He + thought that the men were unusually quiet, and taking his blanket—for + although some of the soldiers slept in hammocks, the majority lay on the + deck wrapped in their blankets—he lay down by the side of a gun + whose port had been opened to admit air between decks. After thinking the + matter over for some time, and wondering what would be the end of it, he + dropped off into a light sleep. + </p> + <p> + Presently he was aroused by a confused sound. Looking round cautiously, he + saw by the dim light of the lantern that most of the men were on their + feet. Some of them were taking down their firearms from the arm racks; + small groups were stooping over some of the sleeping figures; and to the + mast, close to which one of the lanterns hung, two or three men were + bound, and two soldiers with pikes were standing by them. The crisis, + then, had come, and Jack at once proceeded to carry out the plan he had + thought out after he lay down. + </p> + <p> + Very quietly he crawled out through the porthole, and then raised himself + and stood on the muzzle of the gun. There he could reach the foot of the + shrouds of the foremast, which happened to be immediately above the port. + He swung himself up, and, placing his hands on the edge of the bulwark, + cautiously looked over. + </p> + <p> + At present all was quiet there; the signal from below had not been given, + and the troops on deck—for, owing to the numbers on board, one + fourth were always on deck in fine weather—were standing about or + sitting in groups. Keeping his feet on the ledge which ran round level + with the deck, and his fingers on the top of the bulwark, Jack managed to + edge his way aft until he reached the line of the quarterdeck. Here the + line of the bulwark ceased, the cabins of the officers rising, as was + usual in those days, in a double tier high about the waist. + </p> + <p> + The nearest porthole, which was open, was but three feet long, and Jack, + reaching forward, put one hand in it and continued his way. The porthole + was but just large enough for him to squeeze through. Looking in before he + attempted it he saw an officer asleep immediately below him. It was the + ensign of his own company. Leaning in he touched him gently. After one or + two attempts, the young officer opened his eyes, saying, “What is it? It's + not morning yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, sir,” Jack said earnestly; “I am Jack Stilwell of your company. + There is a mutiny, sir, forward. Please help me in, I want to warn the + captain of the ship, and he will know what to do.” + </p> + <p> + The young officer leaped from his bunk and assisted Jack to enter. + </p> + <p> + “I will come with you,” he said, hastily dragging on his trousers and + coat. “Are you sure of what you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite sure, sir; the noncommissioned officers are bound; it may begin at + any moment.” + </p> + <p> + The ensign led the way to the captain's cabin, which he opened and entered + without ceremony. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” the captain exclaimed. The ensign said who he was, and Jack + repeated his story. + </p> + <p> + “The dogs!” the captain said, “we will teach them a lesson. Let me see, + the second lieutenant is on duty; rouse all the other officers;” and he + himself assisted them to do so. In a minute or two they were gathered + hastily attired, with sword and pistol, in the captain's cabin. + </p> + <p> + “Do you, Mr. Hartwell,” the captain said, addressing the first lieutenant, + “go below and rouse the boatswain and petty officers, and bid them get + together all the men they can depend upon, arm them quietly, and be ready + to rush on deck the instant a stir is heard forward among the soldiers. + Any man who disobeys orders, shoot him instantly. Do you, sir,” he said to + the second officer, “go to the magazine with four of the midshipmen, open + it and bring up charges of grape for the guns on the quarterdeck. Be as + quick as you can. Now, gentlemen, the rest of us will make our way up + quietly, one by one, to the quarterdeck. Go well aft, so that the men in + the waist will not notice you. Directly the cartridges come up we will + load the guns, and be in readiness to slew them across the deck; and in + the mean time, if they should attack before we are ready, we must hold the + ladders to the last.” + </p> + <p> + One by one the officers stole out from the cabin with bare feet, and made + their way up to the quarterdeck, until some thirty of them were gathered + there, being all the officers of the regiment, the naval officers, and + midshipmen. The night was a dark one, and this was accomplished without + the movement being noticed by any of those in the waist of the ship. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI: A COMMISSION + </h2> + <p> + The moments passed slowly and anxiously, for if the mutineers were to pour + up from below before the cartridges arrived and the lieutenant had got the + petty officers and men on whom they could rely ready for action, it was + improbable that the officers would be able successfully to oppose the rush + of the men, armed as these would be with matchlock and pike. + </p> + <p> + The mutineers, however, believing that there was no occasion to hurry, + were quietly carrying out their intentions. The noncommissioned officers + had all been seized, tied, and placed under sentries, whose orders were to + pike them if they uttered a word. A strong guard had been placed at the + foot of the gangway to prevent any of the soldiers who were not in the + plan from going on deck and giving the alarm. The muskets were not loaded, + as on embarkation all ball cartridges had, as usual, been stowed away in + the magazine; but they reckoned upon obtaining possession of this at the + first rush. The ringleaders proceeded to form the men in fours, so that + they could pour on to the deck in military order. The men of each company + were told off to separate work. Two companies were to clear the decks, + where, on their appearance, they would be joined by their comrades there, + and to overpower any sailors who might offer resistance. + </p> + <p> + Another company was to run down and secure the magazine, and, breaking it + open, to serve out cartridges to all. Two other companies were to rush aft + and overpower the officers; the sixth and seventh were to form round the + head of the hatchway leading to the decks where the sailors slept, and to + allow only those to come on deck who had entered into the plot. The other + three companies were already on deck. The arrangements were excellent, but + the care taken in preparing for them, and the necessity for doing this in + silence lest the stir should be heard and an alarm be given on deck, + occupied time which the officers were turning to advantage. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the captain and naval men had gained the quarterdeck they threw + off the lashings of the guns, and had all in readiness for running them in + and taking them aft to the edge of the quarterdeck. There was a deep + sensation of relief as one after another the midshipmen joined them, each + carrying three cartridges of grape, and followed by the gunner with four + more. The lieutenant was to stay below to lead the sailors on to the deck. + </p> + <p> + The gunner brought a message saying that all was well. Many of the sailors + were found to have turned into their hammocks without undressing, and to + have hand pikes or cutlasses concealed beneath the clothes. These, + however, had been surprised and taken without the slightest noise; as, on + finding a lantern on one side of their heads and a pistol on the other, + each had submitted without the slightest resistance. All these had been + sent down to the hold below, and a guard placed over them. The guns were + loaded and the whole of the officers divided among them in readiness to + run them forward. Four or five minutes passed, then a shout was heard + forward and a low rush of many feet. + </p> + <p> + In an instant the four guns on the quarterdeck were run across. While this + was being done there was a clashing of swords, shouts, and a noise of + conflict heard forward, and at the same time a loud cheer arose, while + from the after hatchway a dark body of men rushed up on to the deck and + formed across it. Some midshipmen, who had been told off for the duty, ran + up from the officers' cabin with lighted lanterns, which were ranged along + at the edge of the quarterdeck. + </p> + <p> + There was a rush aft of the mutineers, but these recoiled astonished at + the sight of the pikes which confronted them, and the line of sailors four + deep across the deck, while at the same moment the light of the lanterns + showed them the officers on the quarterdeck, and the four guns pointed + threateningly toward them. For a moment a silence of astonishment and + dismay succeeded the uproar which had preceded it, then the captain's + voice was heard: + </p> + <p> + “Down with your arms, you mutinous dogs, or I will blow you into the air. + It is useless to resist. We are prepared for you, and you are without + ammunition. Throw down the arms on the decks, every man of you, before I + count three, or I fire. One—two—” + </p> + <p> + There was a loud clattering of arms, mingled with shouts of—“We + surrender; don't fire, sir, don't fire.” + </p> + <p> + “It's all over,” the captain said grimly. “Mr. Hartwell, march your men + forward, shoot any scoundrel instantly whom you find with arms in his + hands, collect all the weapons and bring them aft. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Colonel Clifford,” he said, turning to the officer in command of the + regiment, “if you go below with the officers, you can unloose the + noncommissioned officers; they will be able to point out to you the + ringleaders in this business. They had better be ironed at once and put + into the hold. You will have no more trouble now, I fancy.” + </p> + <p> + In ten minutes the whole of the arms had been collected and stored up, the + noncommissioned officers had pointed out some twenty of the ringleaders, + and these were safely in irons below, while a strong guard of armed + sailors was placed between decks to see that there was no renewal of + insubordinate conduct. There was, however, no fear of this; the men were + thoroughly cowed and humiliated by the failure of their plan, and each was + occupied only in hoping that he had not been sufficiently conspicuous to + be handed over in the morning to join the prisoners below. + </p> + <p> + There was no more sleep that night on board the ship. After breakfast two + courts martial were held, the one by the naval, the other by the military + officers. The latter sentenced two men, who were convicted on the + testimony of the noncommissioned officers as having been the leaders, to + be hung, and the sentence was at once carried out. The regiment was formed + in close order on deck unarmed and witnessed the execution of their + comrades, who were hung up to the extremities of the main yard. The other + prisoners were sentenced to two hundred lashes apiece—a punishment + which was, according to the ideas of the time, very lenient, such a + punishment being frequently administered for comparatively trifling + offenses, and the prisoners considered themselves fortunate in escaping + hanging, for which, indeed, they had prepared themselves. + </p> + <p> + Previous to the administration of their punishment the colonel addressed + the men, and told them that all the ringleaders had been found guilty and + sentenced to death, but that the members of the court martial had agreed + with him that, considering the youth and inexperience of the offenders and + the whole circumstances of the case, it would be possible to remit the + death sentence, confident that the prisoners and the whole of the regiment + would recognize the leniency with which they had been treated, and would + return to their duty with a firm and hearty determination to do all in + their power to atone for their misconduct, and to show themselves true and + worthy soldiers of the queen. If this was the case, no further notice + would be taken of the error; but at the same time he warned them that he + had by him a long list of men who had taken a prominent part in the + affair, and that the first time any of these misconducted themselves they + might be well assured that no mercy would be shown to them. + </p> + <p> + The naval court martial showed no greater severity than that administered + by the military officers. The vessel was short handed, and moreover the + officers did not wish the stigma to attach to the ship of a serious mutiny + among the crew. Had any of these been hung, the matter must have been + reported; but as none of the crew had absolutely taken part in the rising, + however evident it was that they intended to do so, no sentences of death + were passed. But a number of the men were sentenced to be flogged more or + less severely, those who had but lately been pressed getting off with + comparatively light punishments, while the heaviest sentences were passed + on the older hands concerned in the affair. + </p> + <p> + The arms of the troops continued to be kept under a strong guard until, + ten days later, the rest of the fleet were seen, just as the northern + point of Portugal was made out. A few hours later the fleet was united; + and the next day, the wind dying entirely away, Colonel Clifford proceeded + in a boat to the flagship to report to the Earl of Peterborough the mutiny + which had taken place in his regiment, and its successful suppression. + </p> + <p> + Immediately the mutiny had been put down Jack Stilwell had stolen away and + rejoined the soldiers forward; and although there was much wonder among + the men as to how the affair had been discovered, none suspected him of + having betrayed them, and believed that the officers must have been warned + by some word incautiously let drop in their hearing. Only to Sergeant + Edwards did Jack reveal what had taken place. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, lad, I guessed as you had had a hand in the business + somehow. When I was standing tied up against the mast I had to keep my + mouth shut; but I had the use of my eyes, and I could not make you out + among them. I might have missed you, of course; but your company was + formed up close to where I was standing, and I thought I should have seen + you if you had been there. I could not think what had become of you; but + when the men came pouring down again without their arms, and I heard them + cursing and swearing because the sailors and the officers and all was + found in readiness to receive them, it somehow came to my mind as that you + was at the bottom of it—though how, I could not for the life of me + make out, for I knew you had gone below when I did.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish, sergeant, that when you are examined, as you will be about this + affair, you will ask Captain Curtis to ask the colonel not to let it be + known publicly that it was I who warned him, for my life would be + unbearable among the men if they knew it. And if it didn't happen before, + it would be certain that the first time we went into action I should get a + bullet in my back.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right there, my lad. I will tell the captain. You may be sure + your conduct won't be overlooked; but at present, as you say, the less + said about it the better.” + </p> + <p> + An hour after Colonel Clifford had gone on board the flagship the boat + returned with orders that Private Stilwell, of D Company, was to go back + with them. The order was given to Captain Curtis, who sent first for + Sergeant Edwards. + </p> + <p> + “Go forward, sergeant, and tell Stilwell that he is to go on board the + flagship. No doubt the colonel has spoken to the general. Tell the lad + apart, and let him make his way aft here to the gangway quietly, so that + he won't be noticed. If any of the men happen to see him going off in the + boat, they may suppose that the colonel has only sent for some man who can + write; and naturally if the captain had ordered me to choose a man, I + should have picked him out.” + </p> + <p> + On reaching the deck of the flagship Jack was conducted to the admiral's + cabin. At the head of the table was seated a man whom Jack recognized at + once, from the description he had heard of him, as the Earl of + Peterborough. He was small and very spare in person, his features were + pleasant, his nose somewhat prominent, his eye lively and penetrating. He + had laid aside the immense wig which, in accordance with the custom, he + wore when abroad or at court in England; and Jack saw his hair, which was + light brown and somewhat scanty. The admiral of the fleet sat next to him; + for although Peterborough had the command of the expedition both at land + and sea, an admiral was in command of the fleet under him. Colonel + Clifford was seated on the earl's left, and several other naval and + military officers were at the table. + </p> + <p> + “Well, young man,” Peterborough said, “Colonel Clifford has been telling + us that it is due to you that I have not a regiment the less under my + orders, and that her majesty has not lost a ship from the list of her + navy. He says that the whole thing was so quickly done that he has not + been able to learn the full particulars from you, and that he has + abstained from questioning you because you did not wish any suspicion to + be excited among the men of the part you played in it. Now, please to tell + me the whole history of the affair.” + </p> + <p> + Jack thereupon related how his suspicions had been aroused by Sergeant + Edwards, who was only waiting for sufficient opportunity and a certainty + of information to divulge the plot to the officers. He then related his + awaking as the mutiny began, and the steps he had taken to warn the + officers. When he had done, the earl said: + </p> + <p> + “You have acted smartly and well, young man; you have shown promptness, + courage, and fidelity. You speak above your rank. What is your parentage?” + </p> + <p> + “My father was a clergyman, sir,” Jack said, “but being dispossessed of + his living in the troubles, could not make his case known on the return of + King Charles; but he supported himself by teaching, and gave me such + education as he could, in hope that I too should enter the ministry. But + my thoughts did not incline that way; and when he died, and also my + mother, I thought of going to sea, when it happened that I was pressed for + a soldier. And seeing that it was so, I made up my mind to make the best + of things.” + </p> + <p> + “And you have done so, young man; and right glad am I that your education + and parentage are such that I can reward you as I should wish. I give you + a discharge now from your regiment and appoint you ensign. You will at + present form one of my staff; and glad am I to have so dashing and able a + young officer ready to hand for any perilous service I may require.” + </p> + <p> + On the 20th of June the fleet sailed up the Tagus. + </p> + <p> + Jack had not returned on board his ship. + </p> + <p> + “Better stop here,” the earl said. “If you went back, and they heard you + were promoted, likely enough some of them might toss you overboard on a + dark night. We will set the tailors at once to work to rig you up an + undress uniform. You can get a full dress made at Lisbon. Not that you + will be wanting to wear that much, for we have come out for rough work; + still, when we ride triumphantly into any town we have taken, it is as + well to make a good impression upon the Spanish donnas. And, say what they + will, fine feathers go a long way toward making fine birds. Do you write a + good hand?” + </p> + <p> + “I think I write a pretty fair one, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “That is good. I write a crabbed stick myself, and there's nothing I hate + more than writing; and as for these young gentlemen, I don't think they + will be of much use for that sort of thing. However, I shan't have a great + deal of it. But you shall act as my secretary when necessary.” + </p> + <p> + The earl's orders to the tailors were peremptory to lose no time in + fitting Jack with an undress suit, and in twenty-four hours he was able to + join the mess of the young officers and volunteers who accompanied the + general. These were all young men of good family; and having heard how + Jack had saved the ship from mutiny, they received him among them with + great heartiness, which was increased when they found that he was well + educated and the son of a gentleman. + </p> + <p> + It was a great satisfaction to Jack, that owing to the kindness and + generosity of the earl, he was able to pay his expenses at mess and to + live on equal terms with them; for the general had dropped a purse with a + hundred guineas into his hand, saying: + </p> + <p> + “This will be useful to you, lad, for you must live like the other + officers. I owe it to you many times over for having saved me that + regiment, upon whose equipment and fitting out I had spent well nigh a + hundred times that sum.” + </p> + <p> + Some of the officers were but little older than Jack, and by the time the + ship dropped anchor in the Tagus he was quite at home with them. + </p> + <p> + “What a lovely city!” he said as he leaned over the bulwark and looked at + the town standing on the steep hills sloping down to the river. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed,” Graham, one of the young officers, agreed. “But I fancy the + Portuguese are but poor creatures. The Earl of Galway writes in his + dispatches that they are great at promises, but he finds he can expect + little assistance from them.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you any idea whether we are going to land here?” + </p> + <p> + “No; wherever we land, you may be sure it won't be here. The Earl of + Galway has been here two or three months, and he has some good regiments + with him. Our chief would be losing his position did we land here, as he + has a separate command, and would of course be under Galway if the forces + were joined. The Dutch fleet is to be here in a day or two, and the + Archduke Charles sailed a fortnight before we did; and as we have made a + very slow voyage of it, he ought to have been here long ago. What a talk + there will be! What with the archduke, and the Portuguese, and the Dutch, + and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and the Earls of Galway and + Peterborough, and probably every one of them with his own ideas and + opinions, it will be hard to come to any arrangement. Besides there will + be dispatches from the British court, and the court of the Netherlands, + and the Austrian emperor, all of whom will probably differ as to what is + the best thing to be done. There will be a nice to do altogether. There's + one thing to be said, our chief can out talk them all; and he can say such + disagreeable things when he likes that he will be likely to get his own + way, if it's only to get rid of him. There goes his boat into the water. + What an impatient fellow he is, to be sure.” + </p> + <p> + No sooner had Peterborough landed than he turned all his energies to + obtain the supplies which had been denied to him at home, and after much + difficulty he succeeded in borrowing a hundred thousand pounds from a Jew + named Curtisos on treasury bills on Lord Godolphin, with the condition + that the lender should be given the contract for the supply of provisions + and other requisites for the army. The day that the earl had carried out + this arrangement he returned on board radiant. Hitherto he had been + terribly out of temper, and Jack, who had become his amanuensis, had + written at his dictation many very sharp notes to every one with whom he + had come in contact. As soon as he came on board he sent for Jack to his + cabin. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down, Mr. Stilwell. I have a dispatch for you to write to the lord + treasurer. I have got my money, so that difficulty is at an end. It is + glorious! I couldn't get a penny out of them before I sailed, now I have + got as much as I want. I would give a thousand guineas out of my own + pocket to see Godolphin's face when he reads my dispatch, and finds that + he's got to honor bills for a hundred thousand pounds; it will be better + than any comedy that ever was acted. How the pompous old owl will fret and + fume! But he will have to find the money for all that. He can't begin the + campaign by dishonoring bills of her majesty's general, or no one would + trust us hereafter. You haven't seen my lord treasurer, Mr. Stilwell?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, I have not been at court at all.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a pity,” the earl said; “for you lose the cream of the joke. Now, + I shall go on shore tomorrow and get everything that is wanted, and then + the sooner we are off the better; we have been here a fortnight, and I am + sick of the place.” + </p> + <p> + Jack was by no means sick of Lisbon, for he enjoyed himself vastly. The + town was full of troops—English, Dutch, and Portuguese. Of an + evening there were fetes and galas of all kinds, and as the earl always + attended these, Jack and the other young officers were permitted to go + ashore either in full uniform to take part in the fetes, or to enjoy + themselves according to their fancies. + </p> + <p> + As Graham had predicted, it was some time before any conclusion was + arrived at as to the destination of the fleet. Several councils were held, + but no decision was come to. Peterborough's orders were so vague that he + could use his own discretion. He had, indeed, been recommended to prevail + upon the Archduke Charles to accompany him and to proceed to Italy, where + he was to form a junction with Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy, who was + sorely pressed by the armies of France. + </p> + <p> + A messenger, however, arrived by sea with an order from the queen that the + fleet should proceed to the coast of Catalonia, in consequence of + information which had been sent to the British court of the favorable + disposition of the Catalans toward the Archduke Charles. This was in + accordance with the counsel which the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had been + strenuously urging, and his recent success in the capture and subsequent + defense of Gibraltar gave weight to his words and effaced the recollection + of his failure before Barcelona in the previous year. + </p> + <p> + The final decision rested in a great measure with the Archduke Charles, + who at last decided to proceed with Lord Peterborough and land upon the + coast of Spain and test the disposition of his Valencian and Catalan + subjects. The reasons for Peterborough's falling in with the decision to + move on Barcelona are explained in a dispatch which he dictated to Sir + George Rooke on the 20th of July. + </p> + <p> + “Upon the letter of my Lord Godolphin and the secretary of state, the King + of Spain, his ministers, and my Lord Galway and myself have concluded + there was no other attempt to be made but upon Catalonia, where all + advices agree that six thousand men and twelve hundred horse are ready + expecting our arrival with a general goodwill of all the people. The + Portuguese have entirely refused to join in any design against Cadiz, and + by a copy of my Lord Galway's letter you will find he is in an utter + despair of their attempting anything this year, and that by our + instructions it will appear that there is no other enterprise left for our + choice.” + </p> + <p> + Peterborough's military force was, however, wholly insufficient for such + an enterprise. He prevailed upon Lord Galway to give him a part of Lord + Raby's and General Cunningham's regiments of English dragoons, although + the Portuguese strenuously opposed this being done. Their conduct, indeed, + at this time was very similar to that which they adopted a hundred years + later toward the Duke of Wellington, throwing every conceivable obstacle + in the English commander's way, and opposing every plan of action which he + suggested. Many of the dragoons were without horses, but Lord Peterborough + mounted them on animals which he bought with some of the money he had + procured from Curtisos. + </p> + <p> + The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt went on ahead to Gibraltar to arrange for a + portion of the garrison to accompany the expedition. On the 28th of July + the Archduke Charles embarked with Lord Peterborough on board the + Ranelagh, and an hour later the fleet put to sea. Off Tangiers they were + joined by the squadron under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and a few days later + they reached the Bay of Gibraltar. + </p> + <p> + Here they found that the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had arranged that the + battalion of the guards, with three other veteran regiments that had borne + part in the gallant defense of the fortress, were to be embarked, and two + of the newly raised corps Lord Peterborough had brought out from England + were to take their place in the garrison. The regiment to which Jack had + belonged was one of these. As soon as he heard the news he took the first + opportunity of speaking to the earl. + </p> + <p> + “I have a favor to ask, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that, lad?” + </p> + <p> + “It is, sir, that Sergeant Edwards, who, if you remember, advised me about + warning the officers of the mutiny, should be transferred to one of the + regiments coming on board.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, my lad; I had not forgotten him. I truly wish that he had + sufficient education to give him a commission. I sent to inquire of his + colonel, but finding that he could not read or write, and that he would be + out of place among the officers, I could not do it; but I will gladly take + him with us on active service. It would be hard on a good soldier to be + left behind with that mutinous set of rascals.” + </p> + <p> + Jack had already heard from Sergeant Edwards, whom he had met several + times on shore at Lisbon, and who had rejoiced most heartily at his + promotion, that Lord Peterborough had sent him, through the colonel, a + purse of fifty guineas as a reward for his conduct. + </p> + <p> + Jack immediately proceeded in a boat to his old vessel, with an order from + the earl that the sergeant should be at once transferred into one of the + regiments coming on board. The sergeant was delighted, for orders had + already been received for the regiment to disembark and form part of the + garrison. + </p> + <p> + An hour later the Archduke Charles landed, amid the thunder of the guns of + the fleet and fortress, for here for the first time he was acknowledged as + and received the honor due to the King of Spain. There was but little + delay—Lord Peterborough's energy hurried every one else forward, and + on the 5th of August the fleet again put to sea, the king and the Prince + of Hesse Darmstadt accompanying it. + </p> + <p> + The winds were contrary, and it was not till the 11th that they anchored + in Altea Bay, at the mouth of the Guadalaviar, on the Valencian coast. On + the other side of the roadstead stood the castle and village of Denia. The + expedition was received with good will by the people, who hated the + ascendency of France at Madrid and were bitterly jealous of Castile. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the fleet anchored Peterborough caused a manifesto to be + distributed among the people disclaiming any idea of aggrandizement on the + part of Great Britain or her allies, or any intention of injuring the + persons or property of Spaniards who were the lawful subjects of King + Charles III. + </p> + <p> + “We come,” said he, “to free you from the insupportable yoke of the + government of foreigners, and from the slavery to which you have been + reduced and sold to France by ill designing persons.” + </p> + <p> + Several of the Spanish followers of the king landed to encourage the + people, among them General Basset y Ramos, an active officer who was a + Valencian by birth. The people rapidly assembled from the surrounding + country and lined the shore shouting “Long live King Charles III!” + </p> + <p> + Abundant supplies of provisions were sent off to the fleet, for which, + however, Peterborough insisted upon liberal payment being made. + </p> + <p> + A detachment of British infantry was landed to cover the operation of + watering the fleet. The insurrection spread rapidly, and a thousand of the + peasants seized the town of Denia for the king. A frigate and two bomb + vessels crossed the bay and threatened the castle. This, although a + magnificent pile of building, was but weakly fortified, and after a few + shots had been fired it surrendered, and General Ramos with four hundred + regular troops from the fleet landed and took possession, and amid the + enthusiasm of the population Charles III was for the first time on Spanish + ground proclaimed King of Spain and of the Indies. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Peterborough now proposed a plan of the most brilliant and + daring kind, and had his advice been taken the war would probably have + terminated in a very short time, by securely seating Charles III upon the + Spanish throne. Madrid was distant but fifty leagues from Altea Bay. + Requena was the only town of strength that lay in the way; the rich + country would have afforded ample provision and means of transport, and + these the friendly portion of the people would have placed at the disposal + of the army. + </p> + <p> + In the whole of Central Spain there was no force which could oppose him. + All the troops of Philip were either on the frontier of Portugal or + occupying the disaffected cities of the north. At Madrid there were but a + few troops of horse; in a week then, and possibly without shedding a drop + of blood, Charles might have been proclaimed king in the capital of Spain. + The plan was, of course, not without danger. Marshal Tesse, with an + overwhelming force, would threaten the left of the advancing army, and the + garrisons of the northern cities, if united, could march with equal + superiority of force upon its right; but Tesse would be followed by Lord + Galway and the allied and Portuguese army, while Barcelona and the other + strongholds of Catalonia would rise if their garrisons were withdrawn. + </p> + <p> + Even in the case of failure Peterborough could have retired safely through + Valencia and have re-embarked on board the fleet, or could have marched to + Gibraltar. The scheme was at once daring and judicious, but the Archduke + Charles was slow and timid, and was controlled by the advice of his even + slower and more cautious German advisers, and neither argument nor + entreaty on the part of Peterborough could suffice to move him. The earl + was in despair at so brilliant an opportunity being thrown away, and + expressed himself with the greatest of bitterness in his letters home as + to the impossibility of carrying out movements when embarrassed by the + presence of the king and by the incapacity of the king's advisers. + </p> + <p> + However, finding that nothing could be done he re-embarked his troops, and + the fleet sailed for Barcelona. It was not however, thought probable that + a successful attempt could be made upon so strongly fortified a city, and + it was determined that if upon inspection the chances of success should + appear slight, the fleet and army should at once proceed, as originally + intended, to the assistance of the Duke of Savoy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII: BARCELONA + </h2> + <p> + The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, is + not naturally a place of great strength. It is situated on a plain close + to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very formidable + against a strong army provided with a siege train. To hold them fully + required a much larger force than was disposable for the defense. The + garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of + Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against an army + vastly exceeding their own numbers. Ten bastions and some old towers + protected the town toward the north and east; between the city and the sea + was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the + west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked + and guarded the walls of the city. + </p> + <p> + From the center of the sea face a mole projected into the water, guarding + a small harbor. The country round the town was fertile and beautiful, + carefully cultivated and watered by streams flowing from the neighboring + mountains. At the distance of about a league from the shore the land rises + into an amphitheater of hills thickly dotted with small towns, villages, + and country seats. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the allied fleet had anchored the garrison commenced a + cannonade from the mole and from a battery close to the sea upon some of + the transports nearest to the shore; but their shot did not reach the + vessels, and the fire soon ceased. The east wind, however, proved more + troublesome than the enemy's fire, and the ships rolled heavily from the + sea which came in from the east. + </p> + <p> + The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt with two frigates put into the harbor of + Mataro for the purpose of obtaining intelligence. He found that in the + neighboring town of Vich the people had risen for King Charles, and + putting himself in communication with their leaders he advised them to + march upon the coast and cooperate with the forces about to land. On his + way to rejoin the fleet the prince chased two Neapolitan galleys, which + managed to get safely into Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + They had on board the Duke and Duchess of Popoli, M. d'Abary, a French + officer of distinction, and forty other young gentlemen, partisans of the + Duke d'Anjou, and destined for employment in different parts of Spain. + They were now, however, detained in the city by the governor to assist in + its defense. + </p> + <p> + The first glance into the state of affairs gave the Earl of Peterborough + such an unfavorable impression that he at once objected to the proposed + attack. + </p> + <p> + The governor, Don Francisco Velasco, was a brave and distinguished + officer, the garrison equaled his own force in numbers, the town was well + supplied with provisions and stores, and, in order to add to the + difficulties of the besiegers, orders had been given to destroy all the + forage in the surrounding country which could not be conveyed within the + walls. Any Austrian sympathies the inhabitants might possess were + effectually suppressed by the power and vigilance of the governor. The + besieging army was far too small to attempt a blockade, while the chances + of an assault upon an equal force behind well armed defenses seemed almost + desperate. + </p> + <p> + The engineers declared that the difficulties of a regular siege were + enormous, if not insurmountable, and that the only vulnerable point was + covered by a bog, where the transport of cannon or the formation of works + would be impossible. Above all, the principal hope of the expedition had + failed. The adherents of Charles had assured him that the whole country + would rise in his favor on the arrival of the fleet, and that the town + itself would probably open its gates to receive him. These promises had, + like all others he had received from his Spanish friends, proved delusive. + Few of the peasantry appeared to receive them on the coast, and these were + unarmed and without officers. + </p> + <p> + The earl's instructions, although generally quite indefinite, were + stringent upon one point. He was on no account to make the slightest + alteration in the plans of the expedition, or to take any decisive step + for their accomplishment, without the advice of the council of war. This + would have been in any case embarrassing for a general; in the present + instance it was calculated altogether to cripple him. There was but little + harmony among the chief officers. The English military officers were by no + means on good terms with each other, while the naval officers regarded + almost as an insult Lord Peterborough's being placed in command of them. + The English hated the German officers and despised the Dutch. Lord + Peterborough himself disliked almost all his associates, and entertained a + profound contempt for any one whose opinion might differ from that which + he at the moment might happen to hold. + </p> + <p> + It was impossible that good could come from a council of war composed of + such jarring elements as these. However, Lord Peterborough's instructions + were positive, and on the 16th of August, 1705, he convened a council of + war on board the Britannia, consisting of nine generals and a brigadier, + with two colonels on the staff. The king and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt + were present, but took no part in the deliberations. Singularly enough the + council proved unanimous in their opinion that Barcelona should not be + attacked. The reasons for the decision were drawn up and put on record. + The council pointed out all the difficulties which existed, and declared + the strength of the allied army to be only nineteen battalions of foot and + two cavalry regiments, of whom no more than seven thousand men were fit + for action, and only one hundred and twenty dragoon horses had survived + the voyage in serviceable condition. + </p> + <p> + The decision of the council was most opposed to the hopes and wishes of + Charles and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and they addressed letters of + strong remonstrance to Lord Peterborough, urging that to abandon the + expedition at this juncture would be alike fatal to the common cause and + discreditable to the British arms. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, however, the greater part of the troops had landed without + opposition; but the sea broke with such force on the beach that much + difficulty had been experienced in getting ashore. The landing place had + been well chosen by Lord Peterborough and Sir Cloudesley Shovel. It was + about two miles east of the city, near a place called Badalona, and close + to the mouth of the little river Basoz. The transports were moored in as + close as possible, and the boats of the fleet carried three thousand men + ashore each trip. + </p> + <p> + In five hours fifteen battalions were landed without the loss of a man. A + strong natural position about a mile from the city was chosen for the + encampment; its left rested on the sea, its right was covered by several + abrupt hills and defiles through which the river Basoz flowed. The front + was, however, much extended, but this mattered the less, as the people + from the neighboring villages began to assemble when the landing took + place, and welcomed the allies of King Charles with joy. A number of these + were employed by Lord Peterborough in guarding the advanced posts and + covering the numerous roads leading from the city toward the camp. + </p> + <p> + On the 22d another council of war was held at the Dutch General + Schratenbach's quarters in the camp to consider two letters of the king, + in which he again urged the allied generals to attack the city. He + proposed that a battery of fifty guns should be erected to breach the wall + between two of the bastions, and that the whole strength of the army + should be thrown upon an assault. He acknowledged the force of the several + objections to the attack, but urged that in such a case vigorous action + was the safest. He dwelt upon the ruin that must fall upon such of his + subjects as had declared for him if abandoned to their fate, and concluded + by declaring that he at least would not desert them. + </p> + <p> + The appeal failed to move any of the council with the exception of + Peterborough himself, and he alone voted, although in opposition to his + own judgment, in compliance with the king's plan. Notwithstanding the + adverse decision of the council the horses and dragoons were landed on the + 24th. + </p> + <p> + On the 25th, the 26th, and the 28th the council again assembled to + deliberate upon an earnest request of the king that they should attempt + the siege for a period of eighteen days. The first decision was adverse, + two only voting with Lord Peterborough for the siege. At the second + council, his influence succeeded in obtaining a majority; but at the + third, they agreed to abandon the attempt, even the commander in chief + concurring. + </p> + <p> + The cause of this sudden reversal of their opinion was that none of the + workmen whom they had demanded from the leaders of the Catalan peasantry + had appeared, and they felt it impossible to carry on the works and erect + the siege batteries without such assistance. Nevertheless the peasantry + gave effectual aid in landing the artillery, tents, ammunition, and + stores. On the 28th the king landed amid a great concourse of people, who + received him with every demonstration of enthusiasm, and he could with + difficulty make his way through them to the camp prepared for him near San + Martino. + </p> + <p> + The presence of the king on shore added to the difficulties of the + situation. He and his following of German courtiers complained bitterly of + the disinclination of the allies to undertake the siege, while the allies + were incensed against those who reproached them for not undertaking + impossibilities. Dissension spread between the allies themselves, and the + Dutch general declared that he would disobey the orders of the commander + in chief rather than vainly sacrifice his men. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough was driven nearly out of his mind by the reproaches and + recrimination to which he was exposed, and the quarrels which took place + around him. He was most anxious to carry out his instructions, and as far + as possible to defer to the opinion of Charles, but he was also bound by + the decisions of the councils of war, which were exactly opposite to the + wishes of the king. + </p> + <p> + The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt enraged him by insisting that fifteen + hundred disorderly peasants whom he had raised were an army, and should be + paid as regular soldiers from the military chest, while they would submit + to no discipline and refused to labor in the trenches, and an open rupture + took place, when the prince, in his vexation at the results of the + councils of war, even went so far as to accuse the earl of having used + secret influence to thwart the enterprise. + </p> + <p> + To add to the difficulties of the commander in chief the English troops + were loud in their complaints against him for having landed and committed + them to this apparently hopeless enterprise; but they nevertheless + clamored to be led against the town, that they might not be said to have + “come like fools and gone like cowards.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Peterborough confided his trouble and vexation freely to his young + secretary. Jack was sincerely attached to his generous and eccentric + chief, and the general was gratified by the young officer's readiness at + all times and hours to come to him and write from his dictation the long + letters and dispatches which he sent home. He saw, too, that he was + thoroughly trustworthy, and could be relied upon to keep absolute silence + as to the confidences which he made him. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of all these quarrels and disputes the siege was carried on + in a languid manner. A battery of fifty heavy guns, supplied by the ships + and manned by seamen, was placed upon a rising ground flanked by two deep + ravines, and on several of the adjacent hills batteries of light field + guns had been raised. Three weeks were consumed in these comparatively + unimportant operations, and no real advance toward the capture of the + place had been effected. Something like a blockade, however, had been + established, for the Catalan peasants guarded vigilantly every approach to + the town. + </p> + <p> + The officers of the fleet were no less discontented than their brethren on + shore at the feeble conduct of the siege, and had they been consulted they + would have been in favor of a direct attack upon the city with scaling + ladders, as if they had been about to board a hostile ship. But + Peterborough and his officers were well aware that such an attack against + a city defended by a superior force would be simple madness, and even an + attack by regular approaches, with the means and labor at their disposal, + would have had no chance of success. But while all on shore and in the + fleet were chafing at the slowness and hopelessness of the siege, Jack + Stilwell was alone aware that the commander in chief did not share in the + general despair of any good arising from the operations. + </p> + <p> + Lord Peterborough had little communication with the other generals; but, + alone in his tent with Jack and an interpreter, he occupied himself from + morning till night in examining peasants and spies as to every particular + of the fortifications of the city, of the ground near to the walls, and of + the habits and proceedings of the garrison. At last he resolved upon an + attempt which, in its daring and enterprise, is almost without parallel. + Indeed its only hope of success lay in its boldness, for neither friend + nor foe could anticipate that it would be attempted. It was no less than + the surprise of the citadel of Montjuich. + </p> + <p> + This formidable stronghold covered the weakest part of the defenses, that + toward the southwest, and far exceeded in strength any other part of the + lines. It had been most skillfully designed. The ditches were deep, and + the walls firm; the outworks skillfully planned; the batteries well armed, + and the inner defenses formidable in themselves. It was, in fact, by far + the strongest point in the position of the besieged. Standing on a + commanding height, it was abundantly capable of defense even against a + regular siege, and its reduction was always regarded as a most formidable + enterprise, to be undertaken at leisure after the capture of the town. Its + only weakness lay in the fact that surrounding it on every side were + numerous ravines and hollows, which would afford concealment to an + assailant, and that trusting to the extraordinary strength of their + position the garrison of Montjuich might neglect proper precautions. + </p> + <p> + One morning before daybreak the earl, accompanied only by Jack and a + native guide, left the camp on foot, having laid aside their uniforms and + put on the attire of peasants, so that the glitter of their accouterments + might not attract the attention of the enemy's outposts. Making a long + detour they approached the castle, and ascending one of the ravines gained + a point where, themselves unseen, they could mark all particulars of the + fortifications. Having carried out his purpose the earl returned to camp + with his companion without his absence having been observed. The + observations which Peterborough had made confirmed the reports of the + peasants, that the garrison kept but a negligent watch, and he at once + resolved upon making the attempt; but to none of his most intimate friends + did he give the slightest hint of his intentions. + </p> + <p> + To disguise his views he called councils of war both in the camp and + fleet, wherein it was resolved, with his full consent, that the siege of + Barcelona should be abandoned, and that the army should be immediately + re-embarked and conveyed to Italy. Accordingly the heavy artillery was + conveyed on board ship, the warlike stores collected, and the troops + warned to be ready for embarkation. A storm of reproaches was poured upon + the earl by Charles and his courtiers. The officers of the fleet protested + openly, declaring that an assault ought to be attempted, and that it was + too late in the season to attempt operations elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + To Jack's surprise his commander, usually so hasty, irritable, and + passionate, bore with the greatest calmness and patience the reproaches + and accusations to which he was exposed. No one dreamed that behind these + preparations for embarkation any plan of attack was hidden. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th of September the army received orders to embark on the morrow, + while within the town the garrison and the inhabitants, who were, or + pretended to be, well affected to the Bourbons held high rejoicing at the + approaching departure. + </p> + <p> + On the afternoon of that day a detachment of English and Dutch troops + twelve hundred strong was ordered to assemble in the allied camp for the + purpose, as was supposed, of covering the embarkation. Scaling ladders and + everything necessary for an assault had already been privately prepared by + the Catalan peasants under Peterborough's instructions. + </p> + <p> + About six o'clock in the evening four hundred grenadiers of the party + assembled under the command of Hon. Colonel Southwell, and were ordered to + march by the Serria road, as if en route to Taragona to meet the fleet and + embark in that harbor. The remainder of the detachment followed in support + at some little distance. At nightfall the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt was + surprised by Lord Peterborough's entrance into his quarters. Since their + rupture all intercourse had ceased between them. + </p> + <p> + “I have determined,” the earl said, “to make this night an attack upon the + enemy. You may now, if you please, be a judge of our behavior, and see + whether my officers and soldiers really deserve the bad character which + you of late have so readily imputed to them.” He then explained that the + troops were already on their march to Montjuich. + </p> + <p> + The prince immediately ordered his horse, and the two gallant but + impulsive and singular men rode off, followed only by Jack Stillwell and + the prince's aide de camp. At ten o'clock they overtook the troops, and + Peterborough ordered a total change of route, he himself leading. + </p> + <p> + The roads were winding, narrow, and difficult. For a great part of the way + there was only room for the men to march in single file. The night was + very dark, and the detachment many hours on the march, so that daylight + was just breaking when they reached the foot of the hill on which the fort + of Montjuich stood. + </p> + <p> + The troops under Peterborough's command now perceived the object of their + march, and imagined that they would be led to the attack before the day + had fairly broke; but the general had well considered the subject, and had + determined to avoid the risk and confusion of a night assault. He called + his officers together and explained to them why he did not mean to attack + till broad daylight. + </p> + <p> + His examination of the place had shown him that the ditches could be + crossed, no palisades or barriers having been erected. He had noticed, + too, that the inner works were not sufficiently high to enable their guns + properly to command the outer works should these be carried by an enemy. + He had therefore determined to carry the outworks by assault, judging that + if he captured them the inner works could not long resist. In case of a + reverse, or to enable him to take advantage of success, he told them that + he had ordered Brigadier General Stanhope to march during the night with a + thousand infantry and the handful of cavalry to a convent lying halfway + between the camp and the city, and there to hold himself in reserve. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough now silently and coolly completed his arrangements for the + assault. He divided the body of troops into three parties; the first of + these, two hundred and eighty strong, were to attack the bastion facing + the town, which was the strongest part of the defense. He himself and the + Prince of Hesse accompanied this party. A lieutenant and thirty men formed + the advance, a captain and fifty more were the support, and the remaining + two hundred men were to form in the rear. + </p> + <p> + The orders were that they should push forward in spite of the enemy's + fire, leap into the ditch, drive the garrison before them, and if possible + enter the works with them; but, if not, to obtain at least a firm footing + on the outer defenses. The second party, similar in strength and + formation, under the command of the Hon. Colonel Southwell, were to attack + an unfinished demibastion on the extreme western point of the fort and + furthermost from the town. The remainder of the little force, under a + Dutch colonel, were to be held in reserve, and to assist wherever they + might be most useful. They occupied a position somewhat in rear of and + halfway between the two parties who were to make the assault. + </p> + <p> + Soon after daylight Peterborough gave the order to advance, and in the + highest spirits, and in excellent order, the soldiers pushed up the hill + toward the fort. Some irregular Spanish troops were the first to perceive + them. These fired a hasty volley at the British troops as they ascended + the crest and then retreated into the fort. Seizing their arms the + garrison rushed to the ramparts and manned them in time to receive the + assailants with a sharp fire. The grenadiers who formed the leading party + did not hesitate for a moment, but leaped into the unfinished ditch, + clambered up the outer rampart, and with pike and bayonet attacked the + defenders. + </p> + <p> + The captain's detachment speedily joined them. The defenders gave way, + broke, and fled, and in wild confusion both parties rushed into the + bastion. Peterborough and the prince with their two hundred men followed + them quickly and in perfect order, and were soon masters of the bastion. + The earl at once set his men to work to throw up a breastwork to cover + them from the guns of the inner works; and as there was plenty of + materials collected just at this spot for the carrying out of some + extensive repairs, they were able to put themselves under cover before the + enemy opened fire upon them. + </p> + <p> + The attention of the garrison was wholly occupied by this sudden and + unexpected attack, and the Prince della Torrella, a Neapolitan officer in + temporary command of the fort, ordered all his force to oppose the + assailants. This was what Peterborough had expected. He at once sent + orders to Colonel Southwell to commence his attack upon the now almost + undefended west bastion. The order was promptly obeyed. At the first rush + the ditch was passed, the rampart gained, the outer walls scaled, and + three guns taken without the loss of a man. + </p> + <p> + The defenders hastened at once to meet this new danger. They opened a + heavy fire upon the British, and sallying out, endeavored to retake the + outer rampart with the bayonet. A desperate contest ensued; but though + many of the English officers and soldiers fell, they would not yield a + foot of the position they had captured. Colonel Southwell, a man of great + personal strength and daring, was in the struggle three times surrounded + by the enemy; but each time he cut his way out in safety. + </p> + <p> + The sally was at last repulsed, and the English intrenched their position + and turned their captured guns against the fort. While both the assaulting + columns were occupied in intrenching themselves there was a lull in the + battle. The besieged could not venture to advance against either, as they + would have been exposed to the fire of the other, and to the risk of a + flank attack. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough exerted himself to the utmost. He ordered up the thousand men + under General Stanhope and made prodigious exertions to get some guns and + mortars into position upon the newly won ramparts. + </p> + <p> + Great was the consternation and astonishment in Barcelona when a loud roar + of musketry broke out round the citadel, and Velasco, the governor, was + thunderstruck to find himself threatened in this vital point by an enemy + whose departure he had, the evening before, been celebrating. The assembly + was sounded, and the church bells pealed out the alarm. + </p> + <p> + The troops ran to their places of assembly, the fortifications round the + town were manned, and a body of four hundred mounted grenadiers under the + Marquis de Risbourg hurried off to the succor of Montjuich. The earl had + been sure that such a movement would be made. He could not spare men from + his own scanty force to guard the roads between the city and the castle, + but he had posted a number of the armed Spanish peasants who were in the + pay of the army in a narrow gorge, where, with hardly any risk to + themselves, they might easily have prevented the horsemen from passing. + The peasants, however, fired a hurried volley and then fled in all + directions. + </p> + <p> + Lord Peterborough learned a lesson here which he never forgot, namely, + that these Spanish irregulars, useful as they might be in harassing an + enemy or pursuing a beaten foe, were utterly untrustworthy in any plan of + combined action. The succor, therefore, reached Montjuich in safety; two + hundred of the men dismounted and entered the fort; the remainder, leading + their horses, returned to Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + The Marquis de Risbourg had no sooner entered the fort and taken the + command than he adopted a stratagem which nearly proved fatal to the + English hopes of success. He ordered his men to shout “Long live Charles + the Third!” and threw open the gates of the fort as if to surrender. The + Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, who commanded at this point, was completely + deceived, and he ordered Colonel Allen to advance with two hundred and + fifty men, while he himself followed with a company in reserve, believing + that the Spanish garrison had declared for King Charles. + </p> + <p> + The British advanced eagerly and in some disorder into the ditch, when a + terrible fire of musketry was suddenly opened upon them from the front and + flank. In vain they tried to defend themselves; the brave prince was + struck down by a mortal wound while endeavoring to encourage them, and was + carried to the rear, and Allen and two hundred men were taken prisoners. + The prince expired a few minutes later before there was time for a doctor + to examine his wound. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough, who had come up just at the end of the struggle, remained + with him till he died, and then hurried off to retrieve the fortune of the + day, which, during these few minutes, had greatly changed. Velasco had + dispatched three thousand men, as fast as they could be got together, to + follow Risbourg's dragoons to the succor of the fort, and these were + already in sight. But this was not all. One of the strange panics which + occasionally attack even the best troops had seized the British in the + bastion. + </p> + <p> + Without any apparent cause, without a shot being fired at them from the + fort, they fell into confusion. Their commander, Lord Charlemont, shared + the panic, and gave orders for a retreat. The march soon became a rout, + and the men fled in confusion from the position which they had just before + so bravely won. + </p> + <p> + Captain Carleton, a staff officer, disengaged himself from the throng of + fugitives and rode off to inform the earl, who was reconnoitering the + approaching Spaniards, of what had taken place. Peterborough at once + turned his horse, and, followed by Carleton and Jack Stilwell, galloped up + the hill. He drew his sword and threw away the scabbard as he met the + troops, already halfway down the hill, and, dismounting, shouted to them: + </p> + <p> + “I am sure all brave men will follow me. Will you bear the infamy of + having deserted your post and forsaken your general?” + </p> + <p> + The appeal was not in vain. Ashamed of their late panic the fugitives + halted, faced about, and pressed after him up the hill, and, on reaching + the top, found that, strangely enough, the garrison had not discovered + that the bastion had been abandoned, for in their retreat the English were + hidden from the sight of those in the inner works. + </p> + <p> + The Marquis de Risbourg, instead of following up his advantage, had at + once left Montjuich at the side near the city, taking Colonel Allen and + the prisoners with him, and pushed on toward Barcelona. Halfway down he + met the reinforcement of three thousand men. The prisoners, on being + questioned, informed the Spanish commander that Lord Peterborough and the + Prince of Hesse led the attack in person. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the officer commanding the reinforcements concluded that the + whole of the allied army was round the castle, and that he would be + risking destruction if he pushed on. He therefore turned and marched back + to the city. Had he continued his way Peterborough's force must have been + destroyed, as Stanhope had not yet come up, and he had with him only the + little force with which he had marched out from camp, of whom more than a + fourth were already captured or slain. Such are the circumstances upon + which the fate of battles and campaigns depend. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII: A TUMULT IN THE CITY + </h2> + <p> + As the Spanish column retired to Barcelona under the idea that the whole + English army was on the hill, the Miquelets, as the armed bands of + peasants were called, swarmed down from the hills. Incapable of + withstanding an attack by even a small force, they were in their element + in harassing a large one in retreat. Halfway between Montjuich and the + town was the small fort of San Bertram. The garrison, seeing the column in + retreat toward the town, pursued by the insurgent peasantry, feared that + they themselves would be cut off, and so abandoned their post and joined + the retreat. + </p> + <p> + The peasants at once took possession of San Bertram, where there were five + light guns. As soon as the news reached Peterborough he called together + two hundred men and led them down to the little fort. Ropes were fastened + to the guns, and with forty men to each gun these were quickly run up the + hill and placed in position in the captured bastions. So quickly was this + done that in less than an hour from the abandonment of San Bertram by the + Spanish the guns had opened fire upon Montjuich. + </p> + <p> + While the troops worked these five guns and the three captured in + Southwell's first attack Jack Stilwell was sent off on horseback at full + speed with an order for the landing of the heavy guns and mortars from the + fleet. The news of the attack on Montjuich and the retreat of the Spanish + column spread with rapidity through the country, and swarms of armed + peasants flocked in. These the earl dispersed among the ravines and groves + round the city, so as to prevent any parties from coining out to ascertain + what was going on round Montjuich, and to mask the movements of the + besiegers. + </p> + <p> + Velasco appeared paralyzed by the energy and daring of his opponent, and + although he had in hand a force equal if not superior to that which + Peterborough could dispose of, he allowed two days to pass without + attempting to relieve Montjuich. In those two days wonders had been + performed by the soldiers and sailors, who toiled unweariedly in dragging + the heavy guns from the landing place to the hill of Montjuich. The light + cannon of the besiegers had had but little effect upon the massive walls + of the fortress, and the Prince Caraccioli held out for two days even + against the heavier metal of the mortars and siege guns that were quickly + brought to bear upon him. + </p> + <p> + On the 17th, however, Colonel Southwell by a well aimed shot brought the + siege to a close. He noticed that a small chapel within the fort appeared + to be specially guarded by the besieged, and ordered a Dutch sergeant of + artillery, who was working a heavy mortar, to try to drop a shell upon it. + The artilleryman made several attempts, but each time missed the mark. + Colonel Southwell undertook the management of the mortar himself, and soon + succeeded in dropping a shell upon the roof of the building, which proved, + as he had suspected, to be in use as a magazine. There was a tremendous + explosion, the chapel was shattered into fragments, Caraccioli and three + other officers were killed, and a great breach was blown in the main + rampart. + </p> + <p> + A loud cheer broke from the besiegers, and Colonel Southwell at once put + himself at the head of the men in the trenches and advanced to storm the + breach before the enemy could recover from their confusion. The disastrous + effects of the explosion had, however, scared all idea of further + resistance out of the minds of the defenders, who at once rushed out of + the works and called out that they surrendered, the senior surviving + officer and his companions delivering up their swords to Colonel + Southwell, and begging that protection might at once be given to their + soldiers from the Miquelets, whose ferocity was as notorious then as it + was a hundred years afterward. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough appointed Colonel Southwell governor of Montjuich, and at + once turned his attention to the city. The brilliant result of the attack + on the citadel had silenced all murmurs and completely restored Lord + Peterborough's authority. Soldiers and sailors vied with each other in + their exertions to get the guns into position, and the Miquelets, largely + increased in number, became for once orderly and active, and labored + steadily in the trenches. + </p> + <p> + The main army conducted the attack from the side at which it had been + originally commenced, while General Stanhope, his force considerably + increased by troops from the main body, conducted the attack from the side + of Montjuich. Four batteries of heavy guns and two of mortars soon opened + fire upon the city, while the smaller vessels of the fleet moved close in + to the shore and threw shot and shell into the town. + </p> + <p> + A breach was soon effected in the rampart, and Velasco was summoned to + surrender; but he refused to do so, although his position had become + almost desperate. The disaffection of the inhabitants was now openly + shown. The soldiers had lost confidence and heart, and the loyalty of many + of them was more than doubtful. The governor arrested many of the mutinous + soldiers and hostile citizens, and turned numbers of them out of the city. + </p> + <p> + On the 3d of October the English engineers declared the breach on the side + of Montjuich to be practicable, and Peterborough himself wrote to the + governor offering honorable terms of capitulation, but declaring that if + these were rejected he would not renew his offer. + </p> + <p> + Velasco again refused. He had erected a formidable intrenchment within the + breach, and had sunk two mines beneath the ruins in readiness to blow the + assailing columns into the air. + </p> + <p> + The guns again opened fire, and in a very short time a Dutch artillery + officer threw two shells upon the intrenchment and almost destroyed it, + while a third fell on the breach itself, and crashing through the rubbish + fired Velasco's two mines and greatly enlarged the breach. The earl could + now have carried the town by storm had he chosen, but with his usual + magnanimity to the vanquished he again wrote to Velasco and summoned him + to surrender. + </p> + <p> + The governor had now no hope of a successful resistance, and he therefore + agreed to surrender in four days should no relief arrive. The terms agreed + upon were that the garrison should march out with all the honors of war, + and should be transported by sea to San Felix, and escorted thence to + Gerona; but as a few hours later the news arrived that Gerona had declared + for King Charles, Velasco requested to be conveyed to Rosas instead. The + capitulation was signed on the 9th of October, and the garrison were + preparing to march out on the 14th, when, in the English camp, the sound + of a tumult in the city was heard. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, Stilwell!” the earl cried, running out of his tent, “to horse! The + rascals inside are breaking out into a riot, and there will be a massacre + unless I can put a stop to it.” + </p> + <p> + The earl leaped on to his horse, called to a few orderly dragoons who were + at hand to accompany him, and ordered that four companies of grenadiers + should follow as quickly as possible. + </p> + <p> + Galloping at full speed Peterborough soon arrived at the gate of San + Angelo, and ordered the Spanish guard to open it. This they did without + hesitation, and followed by his little party he rode into the city. All + was uproar and confusion. The repressive measures which the governor had + been obliged to take against the disaffected had added to the Catalan + hatred of the French, and the Austrian party determined to have vengeance + upon the governor. A report was circulated that he intended to carry away + with him a number of the principal inhabitants in spite of the articles of + capitulation. This at once stirred up the people to fury, and they + assailed and plundered the houses of the French and of the known partisans + of the Duke d'Anjou. + </p> + <p> + They then turned upon the governor and garrison. The latter dispersed + through the city, and, unprepared for attack, would speedily have been + massacred had not their late enemy been at hand to save them. + Peterborough, with his little party of dragoons, rode through the streets + exhorting, entreating, and commanding the rioters to abstain. When, as in + some cases, the mob refused to listen to him, and continued their work, + the dragoons belabored them heartily with the flats of their swords; and + the surprise caused by seeing the British uniforms in their midst, and + their ignorance of how many of the British had entered, did more even than + the efforts of the dragoons to allay the tumult. Many ladies of quality + had taken refuge in the convent, and Peterborough at once placed a guard + over this. + </p> + <p> + Dashing from street to street, unattended even by his dragoons, + Peterborough came upon a lady and gentleman struggling with the mob, who + were about to ill treat them. He charged into the thick of the tumult. + </p> + <p> + His hat had been lost in the fray, and the mob, not recognizing the + strange figure as the redoubted English general, resisted, and one + discharged a musket at him at a distance of a few feet, but the ball + passed through his periwig without touching the head under it. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately two or three of his dragoons now rode up, and he was able to + carry the lady and gentleman to their house hard by, when, to his + satisfaction, he found that the gentleman he had saved was the Duke of + Popoli, and the lady his wife, celebrated as one of the most beautiful + women in Europe. + </p> + <p> + Jack Stilwell had soon after they entered the town become separated from + his general. Seeing a mob gathered before a house in a side street, and + hearing screams, he turned off and rode into the middle of the crowd. + Spurring his horse and making him rear, he made his way through them to + the door, and then leaping off, drawing as he did so a pistol from his + holster, he ran upstairs. + </p> + <p> + It was a large and handsomely furnished house. On the first floor was a + great corridor. A number of men were gathered round a doorway. Within he + heard the clashing of steel and the shouts of men in conflict. Bursting + his way in through the doorway he entered the room. + </p> + <p> + In a corner, at the furthest end, crouched a lady holding a little boy in + her arms. Before her stood a Spanish gentleman, sword in hand. A servant, + also armed, stood by him. They were hard pressed, for six or eight men + with swords and pikes were cutting and thrusting at them. Three servants + lay dead upon the ground, and seven or eight of the townspeople were also + lying dead or wounded. Jack rushed forward, and with his pistol shot the + man who appeared to be the leader of the assailants, and then, drawing his + sword, placed himself before the gentleman and shouted to the men to lay + down their arms. The latter, astounded at the appearance of an English + officer, drew back. Seeing he was alone, they would, however, have renewed + the attack, but Jack ran to the window and opened it, and shouted as if to + some soldiers below. + </p> + <p> + The effect was instantaneous. The men dropped upon their knees, and + throwing down their arms begged for mercy. Jack signified that he granted + it, and motioned to them to carry off their dead and wounded comrades. + Some of the men in the corridor came in to aid them in so doing. Jack, + sword in hand, accompanied them to the door, and saw them out of the + house. Then he told a boy to hold his horse, and closing the door returned + upstairs. He found the gentleman sitting on a chair exhausted, while his + wife, crying partly from relief, partly from anxiety, was endeavoring to + stanch the blood which flowed from several wounds. + </p> + <p> + Jack at once aided her in the task, and signed to the servant to bring + something to drink. The man ran to a buffet and produced some cordials. + Jack filled a glass and placed it at the lips of the wounded man, who, + after drinking it, gradually recovered his strength. + </p> + <p> + “My name, sir,” he said, “is Count Julian de Minas, and I owe you my life + and that of my wife and child. To whom am I indebted so much?” + </p> + <p> + Jack did not, of course, understand his words, but the title caught his + ear, and he guessed that the Spaniard was introducing himself. + </p> + <p> + “My name is Stilwell,” Jack said; “I am one of General Peterborough's + aides de camp. I am very glad to be of assistance; and now, seeing you are + so far recovered, I must leave you, for there is much to do in the town, + and the general has entered with only a few troops. I think you need not + fear any return on the part of these ruffians. The English troops will + enter the town in the coarse of a few hours.” + </p> + <p> + So saying Jack immediately hurried away, and mounting his horse rode off + to find the general. + </p> + <p> + The news that Lord Peterborough and the English had entered spread rapidly + through the city, and the rioters, fearing to excite the wrath of the man + who in a few hours would be master of the town, scattered to their homes, + and when all was quiet Peterborough again rode off to the camp with his + troops and there waited quietly until the hour appointed for the + capitulation. The Spanish then marched out, and the earl entered with a + portion of his troops. + </p> + <p> + He at once issued a proclamation that if any person had any lawful + grievances against the late governor they should go to the town house and + lay them in proper form, and that he would see that justice was done. An + hour later some of the principal inhabitants waited upon him, and asked + which churches he desired to have for the exercise of his religion. He + replied: + </p> + <p> + “Wherever I have my quarters I shall have conveniency enough to worship + God, and as for the army they will strictly follow the rules of war, and + perform divine service among themselves without giving any offense to any + one.” + </p> + <p> + This answer gave great satisfaction to the people, as the French had + spread a report among them that the Protestants, if they captured the + town, would take their churches from them. + </p> + <p> + In the evening the earl gave a great banquet, at which he entertained all + the people of distinction of both parties, and his courtesy and affability + at once won for him the confidence of all with whom he came in contact. + The next day the shops were all opened, the markets filled, and there were + no signs that the tranquillity of Barcelona had ever been disturbed. Soon + after breakfast Jack, who was quartered in the governor's palace with the + general, was informed that a gentleman wished to speak to him, and the + Count de Minas was shown in. He took Jack's hand and bowed profoundly. As + conversation was impossible Jack told his orderly to fetch one of the + interpreters attached to the general. + </p> + <p> + “I tried to come last night,” the count said, “but I found that I was too + weak to venture out. I could not understand what you said when you went + away so suddenly, but I guessed that it was the call of duty. I did not + know your name, but inquiring this morning who were the officers that + entered with the general yesterday, I was told that his aide de camp, + Lieutenant Stilwell, was alone with him. That is how I found you. And now, + let me again thank you for the immense service you have rendered me and my + wife and child. Remember, henceforth the life of the Count de Minas and + all that he possesses is at your service.” + </p> + <p> + When the interpreter had translated this, Jack said in some confusion, “I + am very glad, count, to have been of service to you. It was a piece of + good fortune, indeed, on my part that I happened so providentially to ride + along at the right moment. I was about this morning to do myself the honor + of calling to inquire how the countess and yourself were after the + terrible scene of yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “The countess prayed me to bring you round to her,” the count said. “Will + you do me the honor of accompanying me now?” + </p> + <p> + Jack at once assented, and, followed by the interpreter, proceeded with + the count to his house. The room into which the count led him was not that + in which the fray had taken place the day before. The countess rose as + they entered, and Jack saw that, though still pale and shaken by the + events of the previous day, she was a singularly beautiful woman. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, senor,” she said, advancing to meet him, and taking his hand and + laying it against her heart, “how can I thank you for the lives of my + husband and my boy! One more minute and you would have arrived too late. + It seemed to me as if heaven had opened and an angel had come to our aid + when you entered.” + </p> + <p> + Jack colored up hotly as the interpreter translated the words. If he had + expressed his thoughts he would have said, “Please don't make any more + fuss about it;” but he found that Spanish courtesy required much more than + this, so he answered: + </p> + <p> + “Countess, the moment was equally fortunate to me, and I shall ever feel + grateful that I have been permitted to be of service to so beautiful a + lady.” + </p> + <p> + The countess smiled as Jack's words were translated. + </p> + <p> + “I did not know that you English were flatterers,” she said. “They told us + that you were uncouth islanders, but I see that they have calumniated + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope some day,” Jack said, “that I shall be able to talk to you without + the aid of an interpreter. It is very difficult to speak when every word + has to be translated.” + </p> + <p> + For a quarter of an hour the conversation was continued, the count and + countess asking questions about England. At the end of that time Jack + thought he might venture to take his leave. The count accompanied him to + the door, and begged him to consider his house as his own, and then with + many bows on each side Jack made his way into the street. + </p> + <p> + “Confound all this Spanish politeness!” he muttered to himself; “it's very + grand and stately, I have no doubt, but it's a horrible nuisance; and as + to talking through an interpreter, it's like repeating lessons, only + worse. I should like to see a man making a joke through an interpreter, + and waiting to see how it told. I must get up a little Spanish as soon as + possible. The earl has picked up a lot already, and there will be no fun + to be had here in Spain unless one can make one's self understood.” + </p> + <p> + The next day there were rumors current that the population were determined + to take vengeance upon Velasco. The earl marched eight hundred men into + the town, placed the governor in their center and escorted him to the + shore, and so took him safely on board a ship. He was conveyed, by his own + desire, to Alicante, as the revolt had spread so rapidly through Catalonia + that Rosas was now the only town which favored the cause of the Duke + d'Anjou. + </p> + <p> + The capture of Barcelona takes its place as one of the most brilliant + feats in military history, and reflects extraordinary credit upon its + general, who exhibited at once profound prudence, faithful adherence to + his sovereign's orders, patience and self command under the ill concealed + hatred of many of those with whom he had to cooperate—the wrong + headedness of the king, the insolence of the German courtiers, the + supineness of the Dutch, the jealousy of his own officers, and the open + discontent of the army and navy—and a secrecy marvelously kept up + for many weary and apparently hopeless days. + </p> + <p> + On the 28th of October King Charles made his public entry into Barcelona, + and for some days the city was the scene of continual fetes. The whole + province rose in his favor, and the gentlemen of the district poured into + the town to offer their homage to the king. Only about one thousand men of + the Spanish garrison had to be conveyed to Rosas in accordance with the + terms of capitulation, the rest of the troops taking the oath of + allegiance to King Charles and being incorporated with the allied army. + </p> + <p> + Jack Stilwell entered into the festivities with the enjoyment of youth. + The officers of the allied army were made much of by the inhabitants, and + Jack, as one of the general's aides de camp, was invited to every fete and + festivity. The Count de Minas introduced him to many of the leading nobles + of the city as the preserver of his life; but his inability to speak the + language deprived him of much of the pleasure which he would otherwise + have obtained, and, like many of the other officers, he set to work in + earnest to acquire some knowledge of it. In one of the convents were some + Scottish monks, and for three or four hours every morning Jack worked + regularly with one of them. + </p> + <p> + Although Lord Peterborough threw himself heart and soul into the + festivities, he worked with equal ardor at the military preparations. But + here, as before, his plans for energetic action were thwarted by the + Germans and Dutch. At last, however, his energy, aided by the active + spirit of the king, prevailed, and preparations were made for the + continuance of the campaign. The season was so late that no further + operations could be undertaken by sea, and the allied fleet therefore + sailed for England and Holland, leaving four English and two Dutch + frigates in support of the land forces at Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + Garrisons of regular troops were dispatched to the various towns which had + either declared for the king or had been captured by the Miquelets headed + by the Marquis of Cifuentes, engineer officers being also sent to put them + in a state of defense. Of these Tortosa was, from its position, the most + important, as it commanded the bridge of boats on the Ebro, the main + communication between Aragon and Valencia. To this town two hundred + dragoons and one thousand foot were sent under Colonel Hans Hamilton. The + king turned his attention to the organization of the Spanish army. He + formed a regiment of five hundred dragoons for his bodyguard, mounting + them upon the horses of the former garrison, while from these troops, + swelled by levies from the province, he raised six powerful battalions of + infantry. He excited, however, a very unfavorable feeling among the + Spaniards by bestowing all the chief commands in these corps upon his + German followers. + </p> + <p> + But while the conquest of Barcelona had brought the whole of Catalonia to + his side, the cause of King Charles was in other parts of Spain less + flourishing. Lord Galway and General Fagel had been beaten by Marshal + Tesse before Badajos, and the allied army had retreated into Portugal, + leaving the French and Spanish adherents of Philip free to turn their + whole attention against the allies in Catalonia. + </p> + <p> + Weary weeks passed on before Lord Peterborough could overcome the apathy + and obstinacy of the Germans and Dutch. At a council of war held on the + 30th of December Peterborough proposed to divide the army, that he in + person would lead half of it to aid the insurrection which had broken out + in Valencia, and that the other half should march into Aragon; but + Brigadier General Conyngham and the Dutch General Schratenbach strongly + opposed this bold counsel, urging that the troops required repose after + their labors, and that their numbers were hardly sufficient to guard the + province they had won. Such arguments drove Peterborough almost to + madness; the troops had, in fact, gone through no hard work during the + siege of Barcelona, and two months and a half had elapsed since that city + surrendered. Moreover, far from being reinvigorated from rest, they were + suffering from illness caused by inactivity in an unhealthy country. + </p> + <p> + Already all the benefits derivable from the gallant capture of Barcelona + had been lost. The enemy had recovered from the surprise and dismay + excited by that event. The friendly and wavering, who would at once have + risen had the king boldly advanced after his striking success, had already + lost heart and become dispirited by the want of energy displayed in his + after proceedings, and from all parts of Spain masses of troops were + moving to crush the allies and stamp out the insurrection. + </p> + <p> + In Valencia only had the partisans of Charles gained considerable + advantages. In the beginning of December Colonel Nebot, commanding a + regiment of Philip's dragoons, declared for Charles, and, accompanied by + four hundred of his men, entered the town of Denia, where the people and + Basset, the governor, at once declared for Charles. + </p> + <p> + On the 11th Nebot and Basset attacked the little town of Xabea, garrisoned + by five hundred Biscayans, and carried it, and the same night took Oliva + and Gandia. The next day they pushed on through Alzira, where they were + joined by many of the principal inhabitants, and a detachment of the + dragoons under Nebot's brother, Alexander, surprised and routed three + troops of the enemy's horse, captured their convoy of ammunition, and + pursued them to the very gates of Valencia. + </p> + <p> + On the night of the 15th the main body marched from Alzira, and appeared + next morning before Valencia and summoned the town to surrender. The + Marquis de Villa Garcia refused, but Alexander Nebot put himself at the + head of his dragoons and galloped up to the gates shouting “Long live the + king!” The inhabitants overpowered the guard at the gate and threw it open + and Valencia was taken. When the news of these reverses reached Madrid the + Conde de las Torres, a veteran officer who had seen much service in the + wars of Italy, marched from Madrid in all haste to prevent if possible the + junction of the forces of Catalonia with the Valencians. + </p> + <p> + He at once marched upon San Matteo, which lay on the main line of + communication, and commenced a vigorous siege of that city. The king + received the news on the 18th of January, 1706, and wrote at once to + Peterborough, urging him to go to the relief of San Matteo, but giving him + no troops whatever to assist him in his enterprise; and Peterborough's + difficulties were increased by General Conyngham, who commanded a brigade + at Fraga, hastily falling back upon Lerida upon hearing exaggerated rumors + of the strength of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough, however, did not hesitate a moment, but mounting his horse, + and accompanied only by his aides de camp, Jack Stilwell and Lieutenant + Graham, rode for Tortosa. Changing his horse at the various towns through + which he passed, and riding almost night and day, he reached Tortosa on + the 4th, and at once summoned the magnates of the town to give information + as to the real state of things. He then found, to his astonishment, that + the details which the king had sent him respecting the force of the enemy + were entirely incorrect. Charles had written that they were two thousand + strong, and that sixteen thousand peasants were in arms against them, + whereas Las Torres had with him seven thousand good troops, and not a + single peasant had taken up arms. + </p> + <p> + General Killigrew, who now commanded the two hundred dragoons and the + thousand British infantry at Tortosa, together with his officers, + considered that under such circumstances it was absolutely hopeless to + attempt any movement for the relief of San Matteo; but Peterborough did + not hesitate a moment, and only said to his officers: + </p> + <p> + “Unless I can raise that siege our affairs are desperate, and therefore + capable only of desperate remedies. Be content; let me try my fortune, + whether I cannot by diligence and surprise effect that which by downright + force is apparently impracticable.” + </p> + <p> + The officers had unbounded confidence in their general, and although the + enterprise appeared absolutely hopeless, they at once agreed to undertake + it. Accordingly the three weak English regiments marched from Tortosa + under Killigrew, and the next day the earl followed with the dragoons and + a party of Miquelets, and overtook the infantry that night. The next + morning he broke up his little army into small detachments in order that + they might march more rapidly, and, dividing the Miquelets among them as + guides, ordered them to assemble at Fraiguesa, two leagues from San + Matteo. + </p> + <p> + The advance was admirably managed. Small parties of dragoons and Miquelets + went on ahead along each of the roads to occupy the passes among the + hills. When arrived at these points they had strict orders to let no one + pass them until the troops appeared in sight, when the advance again + pushed forward and secured another position for the same purpose. + </p> + <p> + Thus no indication of his coming preceded him; and the troops arriving + together with admirable punctuality before Fraiguesa, the place was taken + by surprise, and guards were at once mounted on its gates, with orders to + prevent any one from leaving the town on any excuse whatever. Thus while + the English force were within two leagues of San Matteo, Las Torres + remained in absolute ignorance that any hostile force was advancing + against him. Graham and Jack were nearly worn out by the exertions which + they had undergone with their indefatigable general. They had ridden for + three days and nights almost without sleep, and on their arrival at + Tortosa were engaged unceasingly in carrying out their chief's + instructions, in making preparations for the advance, and in obtaining + every possible information as to the country to be traversed. + </p> + <p> + Both the young officers had now begun to speak Spanish. A residence of + four months in the country, constant communication with the natives, and + two months and a half steady work with an instructor had enabled them to + make great progress, and they were now able to communicate without + difficulty with the Spaniards with whom they came in contact. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX: THE ADVANCE INTO VALENCIA + </h2> + <p> + The Earl of Peterborough had not satisfied himself with depriving the + enemy of all information as to his advance. He took steps to confuse and + alarm them by false news. By means of large bribes he prevailed upon two + peasants to carry each a copy of the same letter to Colonel Jones, who + commanded in San Matteo. He took the further step of insuring their + loyalty by arresting their families as hostages, and, moreover, took care + that they should know nothing as to the real state of things that they + could report if treacherously inclined. + </p> + <p> + He arranged that one of them should go in first and, passing through the + besiegers' lines, should arouse their suspicions, and should then, when + arrested, give up the letter concealed upon him, and should also betray + the route by which his companion was endeavoring to reach the city, so + that the second messenger would also be captured and his letter be taken. + The letters were as follows: + </p> + <p> + “To COLONEL JONES: You will hardly believe yourself what this letter + informs you of, if it come safe to you; and though I have taken the best + precaution, it will do little prejudice if it falls into the enemy's + hands, since they shall see and feel my troops almost as soon as they can + receive intelligence, should it be betrayed to them. The end for which I + venture it to you is that you may prepare to open the furthest gate toward + Valencia, and have four thousand Miquelets ready, who will have the + employment they love and are fit for, the pursuing and pillaging a flying + enemy. The country is as one can wish for their entire destruction. Be + sure, upon the first appearance of our troops and the first discharge of + our artillery, you answer with an English halloo, and take to the + mountains on the heights with all your men. The Conde de las Torres must + take the plains, the hills on the left being almost impassable, and + secured by five or six thousand of the country people. But what will gall + him most will be the whole regiment of Nebot, which revolted to us near + Valencia, is likewise among us. + </p> + <p> + “I was eight days ago myself in Barcelona, and I believe the Conde de las + Torres must have so good intelligence from thence that he cannot be + ignorant of it. What belongs to my own troops and my own resolutions I can + easily keep from them, though nothing else. You know the force I have, and + the multitudes that are gathering from all parts against us, so I am + forced to put the whole into this action, which must be decided to give + any hopes to our desperate game. By nine or ten, within an hour after you + can receive this, you will discover us on the tops of the hills, not two + cannon shot from their camp. + </p> + <p> + “The advantages of the sea are inconceivable, and have contributed to + bring about what you could never expect to see, a force almost equal to + the enemy in number, and you know that less would do our business. + Besides, never men were so transported as to be brought in such secrecy so + near an enemy. I have near six thousand men locked up this night within + the walls of Traguera. I do not expect you will believe it till you see + them. + </p> + <p> + “You know we had a thousand foot and two hundred dragoons in Tortosa. + Wills and a thousand foot English and Dutch came down the Ebro in boats, + and I embarked a thousand more at Tarragona when I landed at Vinaroz, and + the artillery from thence I brought in country carts. It was easy to + assemble the horse. Zinzendorf and Moras are as good as our own, and with + our English dragoons make up in all near two thousand. But the whole + depends upon leaving them a retreat without interruption. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Jones, prove a good dragoon, be diligent and alert, and preach the + welcome doctrine to your Miquelets, plunder without danger. + </p> + <p> + “Your friend, PETERBOROUGH.” + </p> + <p> + The two letters fell into the hands of Las Torres, and so artfully had the + capture been contrived, that it never occurred to him to doubt the truth + of these mendacious documents. Orders were instantly given to prepare for + a march, and almost at the same time two events occurred in the siege + works which caused confusion of the troops. Several mines had been + unskillfully sunk and charged; one of these prematurely exploded and + destroyed forty of the workmen. The remaining mines Colonel Jones + contrived to swamp by turning the course of a brook into them, thus + rendering them harmless. While the troops were confused with these + disasters, the news of the contents of the intercepted letters spread + through the camp, causing a general panic; and almost immediately + afterward the advance guard of Peterborough's force were seen, according + to the promise contained in the letters, on the crests of the hills. + </p> + <p> + By able management the twelve hundred men were made to appear vastly more + numerous than they were. The dragoons showed in various parties at + different points of the hilltops, and, after pausing as if to reconnoiter + the camp, galloped back as if to carry information to a main body behind; + while the infantry availed themselves of the wooded and uneven ground to + conceal their weakness. It seemed, indeed, to the enemy that the tops of + all the hills and the avenues of approach were covered by advancing + columns. Las Torres, unsuspicious of stratagem, was now convinced that his + position was one of extreme danger, while confusion reigned in the camp. + The tents were hastily struck, the guns spiked, and in a few minutes the + Spanish army started along the Valencia road in a retreat which might + almost be called a flight. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Jones, seeing the confusion that reigned, instantly sallied from + the town with his whole force in pursuit, and followed Las Torres for + nearly two leagues to Penasol, inflicting a loss of nearly three hundred + men upon the Spaniards; while Peterborough on the other side marched his + force through the abandoned intrenchments and into the town. Scarcely + halting, however, he made a show of pursuit as far as Albocazer, but + always keeping to the hills with such caution that in case the enemy + should learn his weakness, his retreat would still be secured. While on + the march a courier overtook him with two dispatches—the one from + King Charles, the other from the English resident with the court at + Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + The king told him that he would be obliged to countermand the + reinforcements he had promised him for the relief of San Matteo, in + consequence of the unfavorable state of affairs elsewhere. It, however, + conveyed to Peterborough something which he valued more than + reinforcements, namely, full power to act in accordance with his own + discretion. The dispatch from the British resident told him that news had + come that the Duke of Berwick, with the main army of France, freed by the + retreat of Lord Galway from all trouble on the western side of Spain, was + in full march for Catalonia. + </p> + <p> + The Prince of Serclaes, with four thousand men, watched the small garrison + at Lerida; the Duke of Noailles, with eight thousand French troops from + Roussillon, threatened Catalonia on a third side; while Philip and Marshal + Tesse had collected ten thousand men at Madrid. The letter concluded with + the words: “There is nothing here but distrust, discontent, and despair.” + </p> + <p> + The responsibility left by the king's letter upon Peterborough was great + indeed. On the one hand, if he did not return to the defense of Catalonia, + the king might be exposed to imminent danger; and, on the other, if he + repassed the Ebro he might be accused of having left Valencia and its + loyal inhabitants to their fate, and would have forfeited all the + advantages that his audacity and skill had already gained. + </p> + <p> + His difficulties in any case were enormous. His infantry were marching + almost barefooted; they were clothed in rags. The season was inclement, + the country mountainous and rough, and the horses of the dragoons so + exhausted that they could scarcely carry their riders. In obedience to his + instructions, here, as at Tortosa, he assembled his officers in a council + of war and asked their opinion. They were unanimous in saying that, with + the small and exhausted force under his orders, no further operation could + be undertaken for the conquest of Valencia, but that the little army + should post itself in such a position as might afford the greatest + facility for protecting the king. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough had thus on one side not only the difficulty of the position, + but the opinion of the council of war against a further advance; but on + the other hand he knew the anxiety of the king that help should be given + to the Valencians. He therefore announced to his officers a resolution as + desperate as that ever formed by a sane man. He had listened gravely and + in silence while the officers gave their opinion, and then ordered that + the footsore infantry, with a few of the horse, should march back to + Vinaroz, a little town on the seaside a day's journey from Tortosa, where + in case of necessity they might embark in boats and be taken off to the + ships. Then, to the stupefaction of his officers, he announced his + intention of himself proceeding with the remaining dragoons, about a + hundred and fifty in number, to conquer the province of Valencia! + </p> + <p> + In vain the officers remonstrated, the earl was firm. The council then + broke up, and the troops prepared for their march in opposite directions. + </p> + <p> + The parting of Peterborough and his officers was very sad, for they + doubted not it was a final one. + </p> + <p> + “I will yet endeavor,” he said, “however our circumstances seem desperate, + to secure the kingdom of Valencia; and since the king has thought conquest + possible in this present case, he cannot complain of my motions, however + rash they might appear. I am resolved, therefore, never to repass the Ebro + without positive orders from him.” + </p> + <p> + Before starting the earl wrote to Charles and explained fully his + intentions. It is evident from the tone of his letter that Peterborough + did not expect to survive this extraordinary expedition. The language is + grave and firm, and, though respectful, full of stronger remonstrance and + more homely advice than often reaches kings. It concluded: + </p> + <p> + “I have had but little share in your councils. If our advance had been + approved, if your majesty had trusted us... if your majesty had permitted + me to march into the kingdom of Valencia, when I so earnestly desired it, + without making me stay under pretense of the march of imaginary troops; if + your majesty would have believed me on that occasion, your majesty would + have had this time not only a viceroy of Valencia but the kingdom. With + what force I have I am going to march straight to Valencia. I can take no + other measures, leaving the rest to Providence. The time lost (so much + against my inclination) exposes me to a sacrifice, at least I will perish + with honor, and as a man deserving a better fate.” + </p> + <p> + The earl now again sent orders to one thousand Spanish foot and three + hundred horse, which had before been nominally placed at his disposal, but + had never moved from the town in which they were garrisoned, to follow him + into Valencia; and at the same time he wrote to Colonel Wills to march + immediately with a like number of English horse and foot to his + assistance. + </p> + <p> + The king, on the receipt of Peterborough's letter, issued positive and + peremptory orders that the Spanish troops were at once to be set in + motion. Colonel Wills wrote in reply that an important action had taken + place at San Esteban de Litera on the 26th and 27th of January, between + General Conyngham with his brigade and the Chevalier d'Asfeldt, in which, + after a bloody contest, the French were driven from the field with a heavy + loss of killed, wounded, and prisoners, the allies had also suffered + serious loss, and General Conyngham had received a mortal wound. The + command, therefore, had devolved upon himself. + </p> + <p> + Having seen the infantry march off, Peterborough, attended only by his two + aides de camp, took his place at the head of his handful of cavalry and + proceeded on his desperate enterprise—an enterprise the most + extraordinary that has ever taken place between enemies of an equal degree + of civilization. It was a war of a general with a small escort, but + literally without an army, against able officers with thousands of + disciplined troops and numerous defensible towns and positions, against + enormous difficulties of country, against want and fatigue in every shape, + and above all, against hope itself. + </p> + <p> + And yet no one who had witnessed that little body march off would have + supposed that they were entering upon what seemed an impossible expedition—an + expedition from which none could come back alive. Worn out and sorry as + was the appearance of the horses, ragged and dirty that of their riders, + the latter were in high spirits. The contagion of the extraordinary energy + and audacity of their chief had spread among them; they had an absolute + confidence in his genius, and they entered upon the romantic enterprise + with the ardor of schoolboys. + </p> + <p> + Not less was the spirit of the two young aides de camp. Before starting + the earl had offered them the option of marching away with the infantry. + </p> + <p> + “It is not that I doubt your courage, lads, for I marked you both under + fire at Montjuich, but the fatigues will be terrible. You have already + supported, in a manner which has surprised me, the work which you have + undergone. You have already borne far more than your full share of the + hardships of the campaign, and I have, in my dispatches, expressed a very + strong opinion to the government as to the value of the services you have + rendered. You are both very young, and I should be sorry to see your lives + sacrificed in such an enterprise as that I am undertaking, and shall think + no less of you if you elect now to have a period of rest.” + </p> + <p> + The young men had, however, so firmly and emphatically declined to leave + him that the earl had accepted their continued service. + </p> + <p> + The cavalry, instead of keeping in a compact body, were broken up into + parties of ten, all of whom followed different roads, spreading, through + every hamlet they passed, the news that a great army, of which they were + the forerunners, was following hotly behind. So that should any peasants + favorable to Philip's cause carry the news to Las Torres, that general + would be forced to believe that he was being pursued by a veritable army. + Many stragglers of the retreating force were picked up and handed over to + the peasantry to be sent as prisoners into Catalonia. + </p> + <p> + For the most part the little parties of cavalry were well received by the + populace; the majority of Valencians were in favor of King Charles, and + that night, when they halted, the weary horses obtained ample supplies of + grain and forage, and the troopers were made welcome to the best the + villages afforded. + </p> + <p> + A few extra horses were purchased by Peterborough during the day, and it + was well for his aides de camp that it was so, for scarcely had they + finished their meal than Peterborough ordered them again into the saddle. + They were to ride by crossroads right and left to the villages where the + different detachments had been ordered to halt, and to tell them the + routes marked out for them by which they would again concentrate at + midday, so as to ride in comparatively strong force through a small town + on the main road, whence news might, not improbably, be sent on to Las + Torres. After that they were again to disperse and pervade the country. + </p> + <p> + Jack and Graham carried out these orders, taking guides from each village + through which they passed to the next, and it was near midnight before + they had finished their work. At four in the morning every detachment was + in motion, and at noon the troop was again concentrated. Here the earl + learned that a detachment of the enemy had remained behind at Alcala, and, + instead of carrying out his previous plan, he rode straight with the whole + of his dragoons to that town. When he approached it he divided his force + into three bodies, which entered the place simultaneously by different + gates, and the Spanish detachment, two hundred strong, at once laid down + their arms. + </p> + <p> + Evening was now approaching, and as the horses and dragoons were utterly + worn out, Peterborough halted for the night. He at once called together + the principal inhabitants, and informed them that he required all the + horses in the town, with such saddlery as they could obtain, to be + collected and forwarded for his use to a point he named. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the march was continued. Las Torres had continued his + flight, and this was hastened when he heard of the capture of Alcala. He + pushed through the town of Borriol and hastened on to Villa Real, a town + strongly favorable to King Charles. It opened its gates, however, on the + solemn promise of Las Torres to respect the life and property of the + inhabitants; but no sooner had his troops entered than he gave the order + for a general massacre and the sack of the town. This ferocious order was + executed, and very few of the inhabitants escaped with their lives. + </p> + <p> + The following day, on the news coming in from various points in his rear + that the enemy were pressing after him, he marched his dispirited army to + Nules, where the inhabitants were well affected. In answer to his appeal a + thousand of the citizens enrolled themselves and undertook to defend the + town till the last against the English. Having assured himself of their + earnestness Las Torres inspected the muster, and, having viewed all the + dispositions for defense, continued his flight. Nules was fortified by + strong walls flanked with towers, the fortifications were in an excellent + state of defense, and the town could have resisted a siege by a + considerable army. + </p> + <p> + On arriving at Villa Real the British were horrified at the hideous + massacre which had taken place. They went from house to house and found + everywhere the bodies of the slaughtered inhabitants, and the ardor of the + dragoons was, if possible, heightened by the sight. They made but a short + stay here and then galloped on to Nules. As they neared the town a fire of + musketry was opened from the walls, but, wholly disregarding this, the + earl at the head of his men dashed up to the gates and demanded, in an + imperious tone, that the principal inhabitants should assemble and hold + parley with him. + </p> + <p> + The boldness of the earl's manner and the imperative tone in which he + spoke so astonished the citizens on the walls that they ceased firing, and + sent for their magistrates and priests. When these assembled on the wall + Peterborough told them in an angry tone that he gave them only six minutes + for deliberation, and that if they offered the slightest resistance he + would repeat at Nules the massacre which Las Torres had carried out at + Villa Real. He added that, unless they instantly surrendered, he would + blow down their walls the moment his artillery and engineers arrived. The + terror stricken magistrates at once summoned the town council, and, upon + their repeating Peterborough's terrible threats, it was resolved at once + to surrender, and the six minutes had scarcely elapsed when the gates fell + back on their hinges, and Peterborough and his dragoons entered the town + in triumph. + </p> + <p> + Here the wearied band enjoyed a rest for some days, Peterborough spreading + the alarm, which his presence excited, by giving orders that great + quantities of provisions and forage should be brought in from all + directions for the supply of the large army which he stated to be + following at his heels. As it never occurred to any one that he could be + pursuing an army of seven thousand men through a hostile country with only + a handful of dragoons, his statements were not doubted. The requisitions + were complied with, and provisions and stores poured into the town. + </p> + <p> + Las Torres at Almenara, where he had again perpetrated a horrible + massacre, heard the news of great preparations that Peterborough was + making for the supply of his army, and considering his position to be + unsafe again retreated hastily. + </p> + <p> + At Nules two hundred horses were found and at once appropriated for the + use of the army. With a portion of his force Peterborough rode out to + Castillon de la Plana, an open town of some size, where the people were + well affected to the Austrian cause. Here he secured four hundred more + horses, at the same time assuring both friends and foes that his army was + driving the enemy out of the kingdom. On entering Nules, Peterborough had + sent orders for Lord Barrymore's regiment of British infantry, at that + time under the command of Colonel Pierce, to march from Vinaroz, where + they had been sent with the rest of the infantry from San Matteo to + Oropesa, a town about nine miles from Castillon, where he had collected + all the horses he had obtained during his march. + </p> + <p> + When the news reached Nules of the arrival of this regiment at Oropesa, + Lord Peterborough at once rode over. The regiment was formed up for his + inspection; it had marched with the greatest speed, and the men were worn + out and footsore with their long tramp over the stony hills. After + inspecting them the earl paid them a high compliment upon their past + achievements, and concluded by expressing his wish that they had but + horses and accouterments to try whether a corps of so high a character + would maintain their reputation in the novelty of mounted service. + </p> + <p> + The joke of their eccentric general seemed but a poor one to the footsore + and almost shoeless men, but they were astonished when Jack rode forward + and presented to each of the officers a commission, which he had drawn out + in the earl's name, as cavalry officers. Their astonishment was changed to + delight when Peterborough marched them to the brow of the hill where they + stood, and they saw eight bodies of horses drawn up in order ready for + their eight companies. Among these were set apart three good chargers for + each captain, two for lieutenants, and one for cornets. He ordered the + regiment to mount, and, immensely amused at their sudden elevation to the + cavalry service, the troops rode back to the town. + </p> + <p> + From the moment when he started from San Matteo Peterborough had, in spite + of his incessant exertions and multifarious cares, been quietly making + preparations for this event. He had sent to Barcelona for the necessary + accouterments for these men and for the dismounted British dragoons. The + accouterments had been sent from Barcelona to the nearest port on the + seacoast, and by continually urging on the local carriers the earl had, in + nine days after leaving San Matteo, collected them in readiness at his + depot at Castillon, and thus raised his little band of horse to nearly a + thousand men. These he dispersed at once among the well affected towns of + the neighborhood, whose walls would render them safe from the attack of an + enemy unsupported by artillery, moving them constantly from place to + place, partly to accustom them to their new duties, partly to confuse the + enemy as to their numbers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X: AN ADVENTURE IN THE MOUNTAINS + </h2> + <p> + “Mr. Stillwell,” the earl said, a few days after his arrival at Castillon, + “will you take twenty dragoons and ride out to the village of Estrella? + The district round it is extremely hostile, and they prevent supplies + being brought in from that direction. Get hold of the principal men in the + place, and tell them that if I hear any more complaints of hostility in + that neighborhood I will send out a regiment of horse, burn their village, + and ravage all the country. I don't think you need apprehend any + opposition; but of course you will keep a good lookout.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I to return tonight, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Let that depend upon your reception. If the inhabitants show a fairly + good disposition, or if you see that at any rate there is a considerable + section of the population well disposed to the cause, stay there for the + night, and in the morning make a wide circuit through the district before + returning. If you perceive a strong hostile feeling it were best not to + sleep there; with so small a force you would be liable to a night attack.” + </p> + <p> + Twenty minutes later Jack rode off with his party, having first obtained + directions from the natives as to the best road to Estrella. The village + was but some fifteen miles off, and lay in the center of a fertile + district on the other side of a range of lofty hills. The road they were + traversing ran through the hills by a narrow and very steep valley. + </p> + <p> + “This would be a nasty place to be attacked,” Jack said to the sergeant, + who was riding just behind him. + </p> + <p> + “It would, indeed, sir; and if they were to set some of those stones + arolling they would soon knock our horses off their legs.” + </p> + <p> + A mile or two further on the road again descended and the valley opened to + a fertile country. Another half hour's sharp riding brought them into + Estrella. Their coming had probably been signaled, for the inhabitants + evinced no sudden alarm as the little troop rode along the principal + street. The women stood at the doors of the houses to look at them, the + men were gathered in little knots at the corners; but all were unarmed, + and Jack saw at once that there was no intention of offering resistance. + He alighted at the door of the village inn, and in a few minutes two or + three of the chief men in the village presented themselves. + </p> + <p> + “The English general,” Jack said, “has heard that the people of your + neighborhood are hostile, and that those who would pass through with + animals and stores for the army are prevented from doing so. He bids me + say that he does not wish to war with the people of this country so long + as they are peaceful. Those who take up arms he will meet with arms; but + so long as they interfere not with him he makes no inquiry as to whether + their wishes are for King Charles or Philip of Anjou; but if they evince + an active hostility he will be forced to punish them. You know how Marshal + Tesse has massacred unarmed citizens whom he deemed hostile, and none + could blame the English general did he carry out reprisals; but it will + grieve him to have to do so. He has therefore sent me with this small + troop to warn you that if the people of this village and district + interfere in any way with his friends, or evince signs of active + hostility, he will send a regiment of horse with orders to burn the + village to the ground, and to lay all the district bare.” + </p> + <p> + “Your general has been misinformed,” the principal man in the place said. + “There are, it is true, some in the district who hold for Philip of Anjou; + but the population are well disposed to King Charles, and this village is + ready to furnish any supplies that the English may require. If your honor + will give me a list of these I will do my best to have them in readiness + by tomorrow morning, and I trust that you will honor us by stopping here + till then.” + </p> + <p> + Jack hesitated; he did not much like the appearance of the man or the tone + of humility in which he spoke; still, as he offered to furnish supplies, + he thought it well to accept the same. + </p> + <p> + “What horses could you let us have?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “We could supply ten horses,” the man said, “fit for cavalry, four wagons + of grain, and twenty barrels of wine.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” Jack said; “if these are ready by tomorrow morning I will + accept them as an earnest of your goodwill, and now I require food for my + men.” + </p> + <p> + “That shall be ready for them in an hour,” the man replied. + </p> + <p> + Jack now gave orders to the sergeant that the girths to the saddles should + be loosened, and the horses fastened in readiness for service in the + street close to the inn. Four men were then posted as pickets at the + distance of a quarter of a mile on each side of the village. Corn was + brought for the horses. The women and children gathered round to gaze at + the foreign soldiers, and Jack was convinced that there was at any rate no + intention to effect a surprise while he remained in the village. In an + hour the dinner was served, and there was no reason to complain of the + quantity or quality of the provisions. + </p> + <p> + An hour after dinner the troop again mounted and took a detour of some + miles through the district, passing through several other villages, in + none of which were the slightest signs of hostility met with. + </p> + <p> + “Sergeant,” Jack said, after they had returned to Estrella, “everything + looks very quiet and peaceful; but, considering what we have heard of the + feeling in this district, it seems to me that it is almost too peaceful. I + can't help feeling somewhat uneasy. When it gets dark divide the troop + into two parties; keep one constantly under arms; place sentries in pairs + at each end of the village, and keep a most vigilant watch. Do not let the + others scatter to the quarters the mayor has provided; but let all lie + down here in the inn ready to turn out at a moment's notice. They are a + treacherous lot, these Spaniards, and we cannot be too strictly on our + guard.” + </p> + <p> + The night passed, however, without an incident, and in the morning, the + five wagons with grain and wine, and eight horses, were brought in. + </p> + <p> + Jack, rather ashamed of his suspicions on the previous night, thanked the + mayor warmly. Eight of the troopers took each a led horse. The four + countrymen in charge of the wagons shouted to their oxen, and the party + moved out from Estrella. + </p> + <p> + “There are very few men about the village, Mr. Stilwell,” the sergeant + said, as Jack reined back his horse to speak to him. “Did you notice that, + sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Jack said; “I did notice it; for except a few old men and boys, + there were none but women and children gathered round or standing at their + door. There were plenty of men about yesterday; but perhaps they have all + gone up to work in the fields; however, we will keep our eyes open. You + had best ride forward, sergeant, to the two men in front and tell them to + keep a sharp lookout.” + </p> + <p> + They were proceeding only at a slow walk in order to keep pace with the + wagons, and it was an hour and a half after leaving Estrella before they + entered the hills. + </p> + <p> + Jack noticed that although many women and girls could be seen working in + the fields, not a man was in sight. + </p> + <p> + “It is curious, sergeant, that there are no men about, and I can't help + thinking that all is not right. Do you take four men with you and ride + straight on through that nasty narrow valley we noticed as we came. Keep a + sharp lookout on both sides, for there are rocks enough on those hills to + hide an army.” + </p> + <p> + Jack halted the detachment when the scouting party went forward. In three + quarters of an hour the sergeant returned with his men, saying that he had + ridden right through the valley and could see no signs of life whatever. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, sergeant, then we will proceed. But we will do so in groups. + If we are to be attacked in that valley, we could make no fight of it were + we ten times as many as we are; and if we must be caught, they shall have + as few of us as possible; therefore, let a corporal with four men go on a + good quarter of a mile ahead, so that he will be past the worst part + before the next body enter. Then do you take ten men and go next. I will + follow you at the same distance with the other five men and the wagons. + Order the corporal if attacked to ride through if possible; if not, to + fall back to you. Do you do the same. If you are nearly through the valley + when you are attacked, dash straight forward. I shall see what is going + on, and will turn and ride back with my party, and making a sweep round + through the flat country find my way back by some other road. In that case + by no possibility can they get more than a few of us.” + </p> + <p> + These orders, which were well calculated to puzzle a concealed enemy, were + carried out. The corporal's party were just disappearing round a turn at + the upper end of the valley when the main body under the sergeant entered + it. Jack was not quite so far behind, and halted as he entered the valley + to allow those who preceded him to get through before he proceeded. They + were still some two hundred yards from the further end when a shot was + heard, and in an instant men appeared from behind every rock, and the + hillside was obscured with smoke as upward of two hundred guns were fired + almost simultaneously. Then there was a deep rumbling noise, and the rocks + came bounding down from above. + </p> + <p> + The sergeant carried out Jack's orders. At the flash of the first gun he + set off with his men at a gallop; and so quick and sudden was the movement + that but few of the bullets touched them, and the rocks for the most part + thundered down in their rear. Two or three horses and men were, however, + struck down and crushed by the massive rocks; but the rest of the party + got through the pass in safety and joined their comrades who had preceded + them. They rode on for a short distance further, and then there was a + halt, and wounds were examined and bandaged. + </p> + <p> + “It is well that we came as we did,” the sergeant said to his corporal; + “if we had been all together, with the wagons blocking up the road, not a + man Jack of us would have escaped alive. What an escape it has been! the + whole hillside seemed coming down on us.” + </p> + <p> + “What will Mr. Stilwell do, sergeant?” + </p> + <p> + “He said he should ride back into the plain and take some other way + round,” the sergeant replied; “but I fear he won't find it so easy. + Fellows who would lay such an ambush as that are pretty sure to have taken + steps to cut off the retreat of any who might escape and ride back. I am + sure I hope he will get out of it, for he is a good officer, and as + pleasant a young fellow as one can want to serve under; besides, there are + five of our chaps with him.” + </p> + <p> + Jack had halted his men the instant the first shot was fired. “Shall I + shoot these fellows, sir?” one of the troopers asked, drawing his pistol + and pointing it at the head of one of the peasants leading a yoke of oxen. + </p> + <p> + “No,” Jack said; “they are unarmed; besides, they are plucky fellows for + risking their lives on such a venture. There! the sergeant's troop have + got through; but there are two or three of them down. Come along, lads, we + must ride back, and there is no time to lose. Keep well together, and in + readiness to charge if I give the word. It is likely enough our turn may + come next.” + </p> + <p> + They rode on without interruption at full gallop till they neared the + lower end of the valley. Then Jack drew up his horse. Across the road and + the ground on each side extended a dozen carts, the oxen being taken out, + and the carts placed end to end so as to form a barricade. A number of men + were standing behind them. + </p> + <p> + “I expected something of this sort,” muttered Jack. He looked at the hills + on either side, but they were too steep to ride up on horseback; and as to + abandoning the animals and taking to the hills on foot, it was not to be + thought of, for the active peasants would easily overtake them. + </p> + <p> + “We must ride straight forward,” he said; “there is no other way out of + it. There is level ground enough for a horse to pass round the left of the + wagons. Ride for that point as hard as you can, and when you are through + keep straight forward for a quarter of a mile till we are together again. + Now!” + </p> + <p> + Giving his horse the spur, Jack dashed off at full speed, followed closely + by the troopers. As they approached the line guns flashed out from the + wagons, and the bullets sang thickly round them; but they were going too + fast to be an easy mark, and the peasants, after firing their guns, seeing + the point for which they were making, ran in a body to oppose them, armed + with pitch forks and ox goads; few of them had, however, reached the spot + when Jack and his troopers dashed up. There was a short sharp struggle, + and then, leaving five or six of the peasants dead on the ground, the + troopers burst through and rode forward. One man only had been lost in the + passage, shot through the head as he approached the gap. + </p> + <p> + “So far we are safe,” Jack said, “and as I expect every man in the country + round was engaged in that ambush, we need not hurry for the present. The + question is, Which way to go?” + </p> + <p> + This was indeed a difficult point to settle, for Jack was wholly ignorant + of the country. He had made inquiries as to the way to Estrella, but knew + nothing of any other roads leading from that village, and indeed, for + aught he knew, the road by which he had come might be the only one leading + to the south through the range of hills. + </p> + <p> + “We will turn west,” he said, after a moment's thought, “and keep along + near the foot of the hills till we come to another road crossing them.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he set forward at an easy trot across the fields of maize and + wheat stubble, vineyards, and occasionally orchards. For upward of two + hours Jack led the way, but they saw no signs of a road, and he observed + with uneasiness that the plain was narrowing fast and the hills on the + left trending to meet those on the right and form an apparently unbroken + line ahead. + </p> + <p> + The horses were showing signs of fatigue, and Jack drew rein on somewhat + rising ground and looked anxiously round. If, as it seemed, there was no + break in the bills ahead, it would be necessary to retrace their steps, + and long ere this the defenders of the ravine would have returned to their + homes, and learned from the men at the carts that a small party had + escaped. As the women in the fields would be able to point out the way + they had taken, the whole population would be out in pursuit of them. + Looking round Jack saw among some trees to his right what appeared to be a + large mansion, and resolved at once to go there. + </p> + <p> + “The horses must have food and a rest,” he said, “before we set out again; + and though it's hardly probable, as the peasants are so hostile, that the + owner of this place is friendly, I would even at the worst rather fall + into the hands of a gentleman than into those of these peasants, who would + certainly murder us in cold blood.” + </p> + <p> + Thus saying, he rode toward the mansion, whose owner must, he thought as + he approached it, be a man of importance, for it was one of the finest + country residences he had seen in Spain. He rode up to the front door and + dismounted and rang at the bell. A man opened the door, and looked with + surprise and alarm at the English uniforms. He would have shut the door + again, but Jack put his shoulder to it and pushed it open. + </p> + <p> + “What means this insolence?” he said sternly, drawing his pistol. “Is your + master in?” + </p> + <p> + “No, senor,” the man stammered, “the count is from home.” + </p> + <p> + “Is your mistress in?” + </p> + <p> + The man hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “I will see,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, sir,” Jack said. “Your mistress is in, and unless you lead me + straight to her I will put a bullet through your head.” + </p> + <p> + Several other men servants had now come up, but the four troopers had also + entered. The Spaniards looked at each other irresolutely. + </p> + <p> + “Now, sirrah,” Jack said, raising his pistol, “are you going to obey me?” + </p> + <p> + The Spaniard, seeing Jack would execute his threat unless obeyed, turned + sullenly and led the way to a door. He opened it and entered. + </p> + <p> + “Madam the countess,” he said, “an English officer insists on seeing you.” + </p> + <p> + Jack followed him in. A lady had just risen from her seat. + </p> + <p> + “I must apologize, madam,” he began, and then stopped in surprise, while + at the same moment a cry of astonishment broke from the lady. + </p> + <p> + “Senor Stilwell!” she cried. “Oh! how glad I am to see you! but—but—” + And she stopped. + </p> + <p> + “But how do I come here, countess, you would ask? I come here by accident, + and had certainly no idea that I should find you, or that this mansion + belonged to your husband. You told me when I saw you last, a fortnight + before I left Barcelona, that you were going away to your seat in the + country. You told me its name, too, and were good enough to say that you + hoped when this war was over that I would come and visit you; but, in + truth, as this is not a time for visiting, I had put the matter out of my + mind.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you belong, then,” the countess asked, “to the party who we heard + yesterday had arrived at Estrella? If so—” And she stopped again. + </p> + <p> + “If so, how have I escaped, you would ask? By good fortune and the speed + of my horse.” + </p> + <p> + “What will the count say?” the countess exclaimed. “How will he ever + forgive himself? Had he known that our preserver was with that party he + would have cut off his right hand before he would have—” + </p> + <p> + “Led his tenants to attack us. He could not tell, countess, and now I hope + that you will give your retainers orders to treat my men with hospitality. + At present my four troopers and your men are glowering at each other in + the hall like wolves and dogs ready to spring at each other's throats.” + </p> + <p> + The countess at once went out into the hall. The servants had now armed + themselves, and, led by the majordomo, were standing in readiness to + attack the dragoons on the termination of the colloquy between the officer + and their mistress. + </p> + <p> + “Lay aside your arms, men,” the countess said imperiously. “These men are + the count's guests. Enrico, do you not recognize this gentleman?” + </p> + <p> + The majordomo turned, and, at once dropping his musket, ran across, and, + falling on his knees, pressed Jack's hand to his lips. The servants, who + had at first stood in irresolute astonishment at their mistress' order, no + longer hesitated, but placed their arms against the wall. + </p> + <p> + “This,” the majordomo said to them, rising to his feet, “is the noble + English lord who saved the lives of the count and countess and my young + master from the mob at Barcelona, as I have often told you.” + </p> + <p> + This explained the mystery. The servants saluted Jack with profound + respect, for all were deeply attached to the count and countess, and had + often thrilled with fury and excitement over the majordomo's relation of + that terrible scene at Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + Jack in a few words explained to the troopers the reason of the change in + their position. The dragoons put up their swords, and were soon on the + best terms with the retainers in the great kitchen, while Jack and the + countess chatted over the events which had happened since they last + parted. + </p> + <p> + “I shall always tremble when I think of today,” the countess said. “What a + feeling mine would have been all my life had our preserver been killed by + my servants! I should never have recovered it. It is true it would have + been an accident, and yet the possibility should have been foreseen. The + count knew you were with the Earl of Peterborough, and the whole English + army should have been sacred in his eyes for your sake; but I suppose he + never thought of it any more than I did. Of course every one knows that we + belong to Philip's party. It was for that, that the mob at Barcelona would + have killed us; but my husband does not talk much, and when he left + Barcelona no objection was raised. He did not intend to take part in the + war, and he little thought at that time that an enemy would ever come so + far from Barcelona; but yesterday, when a message came that a small party + of the enemy had entered the valley, and that the peasants had prepared an + ambuscade for them on their return, and that they hoped that the count + their master would himself come and lead them to annihilate the heretics, + the simple man agreed, never thinking that you might be among them. What + will his feelings be when, he learns it!” + </p> + <p> + Late in the afternoon the count arrived. One of the servants who had been + on the lookout informed the countess of his approach. + </p> + <p> + “I will go myself to meet him,” she said. “Do you stay here, senor, where + you can hear.” + </p> + <p> + The count rode up at full speed, and as the door opened ran hastily in. + </p> + <p> + “What has happened, Nina?” he exclaimed anxiously. “I have had a great + fright. We have been following a small party of the enemy who escaped us + from Estrella, and just now a woman returning from work in the fields told + us she had seen five strange soldiers ride up here and enter.” + </p> + <p> + “They are here,” the countess answered complacently. “They are at present + our guests.” + </p> + <p> + “Our guests!” the count exclaimed, astonished “What are you saying, Nina? + The enemies of our country our guests! In what a position have you placed + me! I have two hundred armed men just behind. I left them to ride on when + I heard the news, being too anxious to go at their pace, and now you tell + me that these men of whom they are in search are our guests! What am I to + say or do? You amaze me altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you have me do?” the countess said. “Could I refuse + hospitality to wearied men who asked it, Juan?” she continued, changing + her tone. “You have to thank Providence indeed that those men came to our + door instead of falling into the hands of your peasants.” + </p> + <p> + “To thank Providence!” the count repeated, astonished. + </p> + <p> + “Come with me and you will see why.” + </p> + <p> + She led the way into the room, her husband following her. The count gave a + cry as his eye fell upon Jack, and every vestige of color left his face. + </p> + <p> + “Mary, mother of heaven!” he said in a broken voice, “I thank thee that I + have been saved from a crime which would have imbittered all my life. Oh, + senor, is it thus we meet, thus, when I have been hunting blindly for the + blood of the man to whom I owe so much?” + </p> + <p> + “Happily there is no harm done, count,” Jack said, advancing with + outstretched hand; “you were doing what you believed to be your duty, + attacking the enemy of your country. Had you killed me you would have been + no more to blame than I should, did a chance shot of mine slay you when + fighting in the ranks of the soldiers of Philip.” + </p> + <p> + The count was some time before he could respond to Jack's greeting, so + great was his emotion at the thought of the escape he had had from slaying + the preserver of his wife and child. As soon as he recovered himself he + hurried out to meet the peasants, whose shouts could be heard as they + approached the castle. He soon returned and bade his servants take a cask + of wine into the courtyard behind the house, with what bread and meat + there might be in the larder. + </p> + <p> + “You had no trouble with them, I hope?” Jack asked. + </p> + <p> + “None whatever,” the count said. “As soon as I told them the circumstances + under which you saved the life of the countess, my boy, and myself, their + only wish was to see you and express their gratitude; they are simple + fellows, these peasants, and if fairly treated greatly attached to their + lords.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a pity their treatment of the prisoners is so savage,” Jack said + dryly. + </p> + <p> + “They are savage,” the count said, “but you must remember that the history + of Spain is one long story of war and bloodshed. They draw knives on each + other on the slightest provocation, and in their amusements, as you know, + there is nothing that in their eyes can rival a bullfight; it is little + wonder, then, that in war they are savage and, as you would say, even + bloodthirsty. This is not so in regular warfare. Whatever may have been + the conduct of some of our irregulars, none have ever alleged that Spanish + troops are less inclined to give quarter to conquered foes than others; + but in this rough irregular warfare each peasant fights on his own account + as against a personal enemy, and as he would expect and would meet with + little mercy if he fell into the enemy's hands, so he grants no mercy to + those who fall into his. Indeed, after the brutal treatment which Marshal + Tesse has, I am ashamed to say, dealt out to those who opposed him, you + can scarcely blame peasants for acting as they see civilized soldiers do.” + </p> + <p> + A short time afterward Jack went out with the count into the courtyard, + and was received with the most hearty and cordial greeting by the men who + were an hour before thirsting for his blood. Among them was the village + mayor. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, sir,” he said, “why did you not tell us that you had saved the life + of our lord and lady? You should have had all the horses in the district, + and as many wagons of wine and grain as we could collect. We are all in + despair that we should have attacked our lord's preserver.” + </p> + <p> + “I could not tell you,” Jack said, “because I was in ignorance that the + Count de Minas was your lord; had I known it I should have assuredly gone + straight to him.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall never forgive ourselves,” the man said, “for having killed four + of your honor's soldiers.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry that it was so,” Jack said, “but I cannot blame you; and I am + sorry that we on our part must have killed as many of yours.” + </p> + <p> + “Six,” the mayor replied. “Yes, poor fellows, but the count will see to + their widows and orphans, he has promised us as much. I drink to your + health, senor,” and all present joined in the shout, “Long live the + preserver of the count and countess!” + </p> + <p> + Jack and the count now returned to the house, and the next morning, after + a cordial adieu to the host and hostess, he rode back with his men to + Castillon. + </p> + <p> + “Welcome back, Mr. Stilwell,” the general said as he entered; “I have been + very uneasy about you. Your men returned at noon yesterday and told me of + the ambush in which they had been beset. Your arrangements were excellent + except for your own safety. How did you manage to get out? By the way, I + was astonished by the arrival here an hour since of the horses and wagons. + The men who brought them could give me no account of it, except that the + Mayor of Estrella returned late yesterday evening and ordered them to set + out before daybreak. It seemed to me a perfect mystery. I suspected at + first that the wine was poisoned, and ordered the men who brought it to + drink some at once, but as they did so without hesitation or sign of fear, + I concluded that I was mistaken. However, I have kept them captive pending + news from you to enlighten me.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not surprised you were astonished, sir, but the matter was simple + enough;” and then Jack related the circumstances which had befallen them. + </p> + <p> + “Bravo!” the earl said; “for once, Mr. Stilwell, a good action has had its + reward, which, so far as my experience goes, is an exception.” + </p> + <p> + The earl at once called in a sergeant and ordered the release of the men + who had brought the horses and wagons, and gave ten gold pieces to be + distributed among them. Jack also went out and begged them to give his + compliments and thanks to the mayor. + </p> + <p> + “I am heartily glad the adventure ended as it did,” the earl said when he + returned, “for, putting aside the regret I should have felt at your loss, + it would have been a difficult business for me to undertake, with my + present force, to chastise the men who attacked you, who must be bold and + determined fellows, and capable of realizing the advantages of this + mountainous country. If all Spaniards would do as much it would tax the + power of the greatest military nation to subdue them; and yet I could + hardly have suffered such a check without endeavoring to avenge it; so + altogether, Mr. Stilwell, we must congratulate ourselves that the affair + ended as it did. In any case you would have been in no way to blame, for + your dispositions throughout appear to have been excellent, and marked + alike with prudence and boldness.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI: VALENCIA + </h2> + <p> + While occupied in preparing for his advance, the general sent letter after + letter to Valencia, bidding the citizens to keep up their courage, and + promising to hasten to the relief of that city. Ordering Jack to continue + the correspondence in his name, so as to delude both friends and foes that + he was still at Castillon, he took post secretly and hurried away back to + Tortosa to see after reinforcements. He still doubted whether the Spanish + troops, which the king had promised should be at his disposal for the + campaign in Valencia, had got into motion, and in case they had not done + so he determined to post to Colonel Wills and bring up that officer with + his brigade. + </p> + <p> + At Vinaroz he found that the Spanish troops had already entered Valencia, + and that some of the militia of that province and of Catalonia were also + in motion to join him. He therefore concentrated his little force at + Castillon, to which place he returned as rapidly as he had left it. When + it was assembled it consisted of a thousand horse and two thousand + infantry, being one English and three Spanish battalions of regulars. + Besides these were about three hundred armed peasants, whom the earl + thought it better not to join with his army, and therefore quartered them + at Almenara. + </p> + <p> + Although he had accomplished marvels, there was yet much to do. The Duke + of Arcos had succeeded the Conde de las Torres in the chief command, the + latter having been superseded after his signal failures. The duke had ten + thousand men placed under his orders, of whom some thirty-five hundred + were in possession of the strong town of Murviedro, which covered the + approach to Valencia, while with the main body he marched upon Valencia + and commenced the siege of that city. The magistrates, knowing that they + could expect but little mercy should the town be taken, made vigorous + preparations for defense, and dispatched some messengers to Peterborough + imploring him to come to their assistance. He was now in readiness to do + so, and on the 1st of February marched from Castillon with his army. + </p> + <p> + Having unlimited powers, the earl, before starting, presented to his two + aides de camp commissions as captains, as a reward for the services they + had rendered. + </p> + <p> + Although so inferior in numbers the little army advanced toward Valencia + with an absolute confidence of victory. The successes gained by their + leader with a handful of cavalry over an army of seven thousand men had + been so astounding that his troops believed him capable of effecting + anything that he undertook. They had seen him ride off from San Matteo + with his little body of horse upon what seemed an impossible enterprise; + they had met him again after having conquered half a province; and if he + had accomplished this with such scanty means, what was not possible now + when he had three thousand men at his disposal? + </p> + <p> + But the earl trusted fully as much to his talents in the way of deceiving + the enemy as to his power of defeating them by open force in the field. + His eccentric genius appeared to revel in the mendacious statements by + which he deceived and puzzled both friend and foe; and although the + spreading of a certain amount of false news for the purpose of deceiving + an enemy has always been considered as a legitimate means of warfare, + Peterborough altogether exceeded the usual limits, and appeared to delight + in inventing the most complicated falsehoods from the mere love of + mischief. At times Jack was completely bewildered by his general, so rapid + were the changes of plans, so changeable his purposes, so fantastic and + eccentric his bearing and utterances. That his military genius was + astonishing no one can for a moment question, but it was the genius rather + of a knight errant than of the commander of great armies. + </p> + <p> + As a partisan leader Peterborough is without a rival in history. Whether + he would have succeeded equally well as the commander of great armies he + had never an opportunity of proving, but it is more than doubtful. Rapid + changes of plan, shifting and uncertain movements, may lead to wonderful + successes when but a small body of troops have to be set in motion, but + would cause endless confusion and embarrassment with a large army, which + can only move in accordance with settled plans and deliberate purpose. + </p> + <p> + It must be said, however, that this most eccentric of generals proved upon + many occasions, as at the siege of Barcelona, that he was capable of + adapting himself to circumstances, and it is possible that had he ever + been placed in command of a great army he would have laid aside his + flightiness and eccentricity, his love for theatrical strokes and hair + breadth adventures, and would have exhibited a steadfast military genius + which would have placed his name in the annals of British history on a par + with those of Wellington and Marlborough. Never did he exhibit his faculty + for ingenious falsehood more remarkably than at Murviedro, where, indeed, + a great proportion of his inventions appear to have been prompted rather + by a spirit of malice than by any military necessity. + </p> + <p> + Murviedro was the Saguntum of the Romans, one of the strongest cities in + Spain. The force there was commanded by Brigadier General Mahony, an + officer of Irish descent. He had under him five hundred regular cavalry + and a battalion of eight hundred trained infantry; the rest of his force + consisted of Spanish militia. The town itself was fairly strong and + contained a large population. It was separated from a wide plain by a + river, on the banks of which redoubts mounted with artillery had been + thrown up. + </p> + <p> + Here the Valencian road wound through a pass, above which, on the crest of + a lofty overhanging hill, were the ruins of ancient Saguntum. Peterborough + had no artillery save a few Spanish field guns; the enemy's position was + formidable both by formation and art, and his force was altogether + inadequate for an attack upon it. So hopeless did the attempt appear to be + that Peterborough's officers were unanimous in the opinion that it would + be better to make a wide circuit and avoid the place, and to march + directly upon Valencia and give battle to the Duke of Arcos under its + walls. Peterborough, however, simply told them to wait and see what would + come of it, and in the mean time he continued to bewilder his foes by the + most surprising romances. + </p> + <p> + His agents were for the most part a few sharp witted dragoons, and some + peasants whose fidelity was secured by their families being held as + hostages. He had already contrived to bewilder the division of Las Torres + before it reached the main body under the Duke of Arcos. A spy in his pay + had informed the Spanish general that the British were close upon him, and + he had accordingly at once broken up his camp and marched all night. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the spy again presented himself and stated that the British + were pushing on over the mountains to his left to occupy an important + point and to cut off his retreat to the Valencian plains. As it seemed + absolutely impossible that they could have pressed forward so quickly, Las + Torres refused to credit the story. The spy, as if indignant at his truth + being doubted, pledged himself at the hazard of his life to give proof of + the assertion to any officer who might be sent to ascertain it. + </p> + <p> + Two officers in plain clothes were accordingly sent with him in the + direction where he stated the English to be; but when they stopped for + refreshment at a village on the way they were suddenly pounced upon by a + picket of English dragoons, who had been sent there for the purpose. After + a time the spy pretended to the two officers that he had made the guard + drunk and that they could now make their escape, and leading them + stealthily to the stable showed them two of the dragoons lying in an + apparently drunken sleep. Three horses were quietly led out of the stable, + and the three men rode off, some of the dragoons making a show of pursuit. + </p> + <p> + This incident, of course, established the credit of the spy. Las Torres + was convinced that his retreat was really threatened, and hurried on again + with all speed, while all this time the English army was really many miles + away near Murviedro. Other dragoons were induced to feign desertion, while + some permitted themselves to be taken prisoners, and as each vied with the + others in the extravagance of his false information, the Spanish generals + were utterly bewildered by the contradictory nature of the lies that + reached them. + </p> + <p> + While Las Torres was hastening away at full speed to join the Duke of + Arcos, Peterborough was occupied in fooling Mahony. That officer was a + distant relation of Lady Peterborough, and the earl sent to demand an + interview with him, naming a small hill near the town for the purpose. + When the time for the interview approached the earl disposed his army so + as to magnify their numbers as much as possible. Some were posted as near + the town as they could venture along the pass; others were kept marching + on the lower slopes of the hills, their numbers increased in appearance by + masses of the armed peasantry being mingled with them. + </p> + <p> + Mahony having received the earl's word for his safety rode out to the + appointed place to meet him, accompanied by several of the principal + Spanish officers. Peterborough first used every persuasion to induce + Mahony to enter the service of King Charles, but the Irish officer refused + to entertain the tempting offers which he made. Peterborough then changed + his tone, and said with an air of kindly frankness: + </p> + <p> + “The Spaniards have used such severities and cruelties at Villa Real as to + oblige me to retaliate. I am willing to spare a town if under your + protection. I know that you cannot pretend to defend it with the horse you + have, which will be so much more useful in another place if joined with + the troops of Arcos to obstruct my passing the plains of Valencia. I am + confident that you will soon quit Murviedro, which I can as little prevent + as you can hinder me from taking the town. The inhabitants there must be + exposed to the most abject miseries, and I can in no way preserve it but + by being bound in a capitulation, which I am willing to give you if I have + the assurance of the immediate surrender of the place this very night. + Some cases are so apparent that I need not dissemble. I know you will + immediately send to the Duke of Arcos to march to the Carthusian convent + and meet him there with the body of horse under your command.” + </p> + <p> + The earl further offered, in the same apparent spirit of frankness, to + show Mahony all his troops and artillery, as well as the large resources + he had upon the sea, which was only six miles off. Mahony was entirely + deceived by the manner of the man he regarded as a relative, and + laughingly acknowledged that he had, in case of necessity, intended to + fall back with his cavalry upon the Duke of Arcos. The interview ended by + Mahony retiring to the town, agreeing to send back an answer in half an + hour. At the end of that time he sent out a capitulation by a Spanish + officer. + </p> + <p> + Had Peterborough's scheme ended here he would not have exceeded the bounds + of what is regarded as a fair method of deceiving an enemy, but his + subsequent proceedings were absolutely indefensible, and are, indeed, + almost incredible on the part of the man who in some respects carried the + point of honor almost to an extreme. His notion, no doubt, was to paralyze + the action of the enemy by exciting suspicions of treachery among their + leaders, but the means which he took to do so were base and unworthy in + the extreme. + </p> + <p> + He began with the Spanish officer who had brought the capitulation, giving + him a garbled account of his interview with Mahony, and then endeavoring + to bribe him to desert to the Austrian cause, insinuating that he had + succeeded by this means with Mahony. As the earl expected, he failed to + induce the Spaniard to desert, but he succeeded in his purpose of filling + his mind with suspicions of treachery on the part of Mahony. + </p> + <p> + Mahony had conducted the negotiations in a manner worthy of a loyal and + skillful officer; he had stipulated not to leave the town till one o'clock + in the morning, and that Peterborough should not pass the river until that + hour. + </p> + <p> + This he had arranged in order to allow the Duke of Arcos time to reach the + plains, where he was to be joined by the horse from Murviedro. But + Peterborough's machinations had been effectual; the Spanish officer, on + his return, informed his countrymen that Mahony had betrayed them, and the + troops and populace became enraged against the unfortunate Irishman and + threatened his life. Peterborough, who, in spite of his perverted notions + of honor, would not on any account have passed the river before the time + stipulated, heard the neighing of horses in the town and supposed that + some of the troops were leaving it. In order, therefore, to create + suspicion and confusion among the enemy, he ordered a body of men near the + river to fire straggling shots as if small parties were engaged at the + outposts. + </p> + <p> + Mahony hearing these sounds sent word that whatever collision might have + occurred it was the result of no breach of the terms of capitulation on + his part, and that, depending implicitly on the honor of an English + general, he could not believe that any foul play could take place. + Peterborough sent back his compliments by the officer who brought the + message, with expressions of gratification at the good understanding which + prevailed between them, and at the same time he proposed that Mahony, for + the security of the inhabitants of Murviedro, and to prevent his troops + being molested as they retired from the town, should permit a regiment of + English dragoons to cross the river and to form a guard at the gates, + offering at the same time to deliver up a number of his officers as + hostages to the Spanish for the loyal fulfillment of the terms. + </p> + <p> + In an evil hour for himself Mahony consented to the proposal. When the + Spaniards saw Peterborough's dragoons advancing without opposition through + the difficult pass, and up to the very gates of the town, their suspicions + of the treachery of their leader became a certainty. The Spanish officers + each got his company or troop together as quickly as possible and hurried + across the plain to the camp of the duke, where they spread a vague but + general panic. The officers accused Mahony of treachery to the Spanish + general, and the national jealousy of foreigners made their tale easily + believed; but Peterborough had taken another step to secure the success of + his diabolical plan against the honor of his wife's relative. + </p> + <p> + He made choice of two Irish dragoons, and persuaded them by bribes and + promises of promotion to undertake the dangerous part of false deserters, + and to tell the tale with which he furnished them. They accordingly set + out and rode straight to the camp of the Duke of Arcos and gave themselves + up to the outposts, by whom they were led before the Spanish general. + Questioned by him, they repeated the story they had been taught. + </p> + <p> + The statement was that they had been sitting drinking wine together under + some rocks on the hillside, close to where the conference was held, and + that Peterborough and Mahony, walking apart from the others, came near to + where they were sitting, but did not notice them, and that they saw the + earl deliver five thousand pistoles to Mahony, and heard him promise to + make him a major general in the English army, and to give him the command + of ten thousand Irish Catholics which were being raised for the service of + King Charles. They said that they were content to receive no reward, but + to be shot as spies if Mahony himself did not give proof of treachery by + carrying out his arrangements with the earl, by sending a messenger + requesting the duke to march that night across the plain toward Murviedro + to the Carthusian convent, where everything would be arranged for their + destruction by a strong ambush of British troops. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had the men finished their story when an aide de camp galloped in + from Mahony with the very proposition which they had reported that he + would make. Arcos had now no doubt whatever of Mahony's treason, and + instead of complying with his request, which was obviously the best course + to have been pursued, as the junction of the two armies would thereby have + been completed, the duke broke up his camp without delay and fell back in + exactly the opposite direction. + </p> + <p> + This was exactly what Peterborough had been scheming to bring about. + Mahony, with his cavalry, having delivered over the town, marched to the + Carthusian convent, and there, finding themselves unsupported, rode on to + the spot where the duke had been encamped, and finding that his army was + gone, followed it. On overtaking it Mahony was instantly arrested and sent + a prisoner to Madrid. + </p> + <p> + It is satisfactory to know that he succeeded in clearing himself from the + charge of treachery, was promoted to the rank of major general, and was + sent back with Las Torres, who was ordered to supersede the Duke of Arcos. + </p> + <p> + The success of the earl's stratagem had been complete. Without the loss of + a single man he had obtained possession of Murviedro, and had spread such + confusion and doubt into the enemy's army that, although more than three + times his own force, it was marching away in all haste, having abandoned + the siege of Valencia, which city he could now enter with his troops. The + success was a wonderful one; but it is sad to think that it was gained by + such a treacherous and dastardly maneuver, which might have cost a gallant + officer—who was, moreover, a countryman and distant connection of + the earl—his honor and his life. + </p> + <p> + The next day the earl entered the city of Valencia in triumph. The whole + population crowded into the streets. The houses were decorated with flags + and hangings. The church bells pealed out their welcome, and amid the + shouts of the people below and the waving of handkerchiefs from the ladies + at the balconies, he rode through the streets to the town hall, where all + the principal personages were assembled, followed by the little army with + which he had performed what appeared to have been an impossible + undertaking. + </p> + <p> + After their incessant labors during the past two months, the rest at + Valencia was most grateful to the troops. The city is celebrated as being + one of the gayest and most delightful in all Spain. Its situation is + lovely, standing within a mile and a half of the sea, in a rich plain + covered with vines, olives, and other fruit trees, while beyond the plains + rise the mountains, range after range, with the higher summits covered + with snow. The people, at all times pleasure loving, gave themselves up to + fetes and rejoicings for some time after the entrance of the army that had + saved them from such imminent danger, and all vied in hospitality to the + earl and his officers. + </p> + <p> + King Charles, astonished and delighted at Peterborough's success, + appointed him captain general of all his forces, and gave him the power of + appointing and removing all governors and other public servants, as he + might consider necessary for the good of the cause, while from London the + earl received a dispatch appointing him plenipotentiary at the court of + King Charles. + </p> + <p> + Here as at Barcelona the earl entered with almost boyish animation into + the gayety of which he was the center. With the priests and ladies he was + an especial favorite, having won the former by the outward respect which + he paid to their religion, and by the deference he exhibited toward + themselves. + </p> + <p> + Valencia prided itself on being one of the holiest cities in Spain, and no + other town could boast of the connection of so many saints or the + possession of so many relics. The priesthood were numerous and + influential. Religious processions were constantly passing through the + streets, and in the churches the services were conducted with the greatest + pomp and magnificence. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough, knowing the value of the alliance and assistance of the + priests, spared no pains to stand well with the Church, revenging himself + for the outward deference he paid to it by the bitterest sarcasm and jeers + in his letters to his friends at home. Believing nothing himself, the + gross superstition which he saw prevailing round him was an argument in + favor of his own disbelief in holy things, and he did not fail to turn it + to advantage. + </p> + <p> + With the ladies his romantic adventures, his extraordinary bravery, his + energy and endurance, his brilliant wit, his polished manner, his courtesy + and devotion, rendered him an almost mythical hero; and the fair + Valencians were to a woman his devoted admirers and adherents. + </p> + <p> + But, while apparently absorbed in pleasure, Peterborough's energy never + slumbered for a moment. His position was still one of extreme danger. The + force of Las Torres, seven thousand strong, recovering from their panic, + had, a day or two after he entered the town, returned and taken post on + some hills near it, preparatory to recommencing the siege. Four thousand + Castilians were marching to their support by the road leading through + Fuente de la Higuera, while at Madrid, within an easy distance, lay the + overwhelming forces of the main army under Marshal Tesse.. To cope with + these forces he had but his little army in the town, amounting to but + three thousand men, deficient in artillery, ammunition, and stores of all + kinds. + </p> + <p> + Had Marshal Tesse marched at once to join Las Torres Peterborough's little + force must have been crushed; but the court of King Philip decided to + dispatch the marshal against Barcelona. Fortunately Peterborough was well + informed by the country people of everything that was passing, for in + every town and village there were men or women who sent him news of all + that was going on in their neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + It was but a week after they entered Valencia that the earl, happening to + pass close by Jack Stilwell at a brilliant ball, paused for a moment and + said: + </p> + <p> + “Get away from this in half an hour, find Graham, and bring him with you + to my quarters. Before you go find Colonel Zinzendorf and tell him to have + two hundred men ready to mount at half past one. He is here somewhere. If + you find he has left you must go round to the barracks. Tell him the + matter is to be kept an absolute secret. I know,” the earl said gallantly + to the lady on his arm and to Jack's partner, “we can trust you two ladies + to say nothing of what you have heard. It is indeed grief and pain to + myself and Captain Stilwell to tear ourselves away from such society, and + you may be sure that none but the most pressing necessity could induce me + to do it.” + </p> + <p> + Jack at once led his partner to a seat and set out on the search for + Graham and the colonel of dragoons. He was some time finding them both, + and it was already past one when the three issued together from the palace + where the fete was held, and hurried off, the two young officers to + Peterborough's quarters, the colonel to his barracks. + </p> + <p> + The earl was already in his chamber. He had slipped away unobserved from + the ball, and had climbed the wall of the garden, to avoid being noticed + passing out of the entrance. His great wig and court uniform were thrown + aside, and he was putting on the plain uniform which he used on service + when his aides de camp entered. + </p> + <p> + “Get rid of that finery and gold lace,” he said as they entered. “You have + to do a forty mile ride before morning. I have received glorious news. One + of my partners told me that she had, just as she was starting for the + ball, received a message from a cousin saying that a vessel had come into + port from Genoa with sixteen brass twenty-four pounder guns, and a + quantity of ammunition and stores, to enable Las Torres to commence the + siege. The stores were landed yesterday, and carts were collected from the + country round in readiness for a start at daybreak this morning. As these + things will be even more useful to us than to the Spaniards, I mean to + have them now. Be as quick as you can. I have already ordered your horses + to be brought round with mine.” + </p> + <p> + In five minutes they were in the saddle and rode quickly to the cavalry + barracks. The streets were still full of people; but the earl in his + simple uniform passed unnoticed through them. The dragoons were already + mounted when they reached the barracks. + </p> + <p> + “We will go out at the back gate, colonel,” the earl said. “Take the most + quiet streets by the way, and make for the west gate. Break your troop up + into four parties, and let them go by different routes, so that any they + meet will suppose they are merely small bodies going out to relieve the + outposts. If it was suspected that I was with you, and that an expedition + was on foot, the Spaniards would hear it in an hour. Loyal as the + population are here, there must be many adherents of Philip among them, + and Las Torres no doubt has his spies as well as we have.” + </p> + <p> + The earl's orders were carried out, and half an hour later the four + parties again assembled at a short distance outside the city gates. + Peterborough placed himself at their head and rode directly for the sea. + </p> + <p> + “The Spaniards are sure to have outposts placed on all the roads leading + inland,” he said to Colonel Zinzendorf, “and the Spanish irregulars will + be scattered all over the country; but I do not suppose they will have any + down as far as the seashore.” + </p> + <p> + When they reached the coast they followed a small road running along its + margin. Two or three miles further they turned off and rode inland till + they struck a main road, so as to avoid following all the windings of the + coast. They now pushed on at a sharp trot, and just at four o'clock came + down upon the little port. + </p> + <p> + Its streets were cumbered with country carts, and as the dragoons dashed + into the place a few shots were fired by some Spanish soldiers belonging + to a small detachment which had been sent by Las Torres to act as a convoy + for the guns and stores, and who were sleeping on the pavement or + scattered among the houses in readiness for a start at daybreak. The + resistance soon ceased. Before entering the place Peterborough had placed + a cordon of dragoons in a semicircle round it to prevent any one passing + out. + </p> + <p> + No time was lost; the carts were already loaded, and a troop of cavalry + horses stood picketed by the guns. These were soon harnessed up, and the + few other horses in the place were seized to prevent any one riding off + with the news. The order was given to the peasants to start their carts, + and in ten minutes after their entering the place the convoy was on its + way with its long row of carts laden with ammunition and its sixteen guns. + </p> + <p> + The cordon of dragoons was still left round the town, the officer in + command being ordered to allow no one to pass for an hour and a half, + after which time he was to gallop on with his men to overtake the convoy, + as by that time it would be no longer possible for any one to carry the + news to Las Torres in time for him to put his troops into motion to cut + off the convoy from Valencia. The journey back took much longer than the + advance, for the carts, drawn for the most part by bullocks, made but slow + progress. Three hours after the convoy started the dragoons left behind + overtook them. When within three miles of the town, they were met by a + small party of the enemy's Spanish militia; but these were at once + scattered by a charge of the dragoons, and the convoy proceeded without + further molestation until just at noon it entered the gates of Valencia, + where the astonishment and delight of the inhabitants at its appearance + were unbounded. + </p> + <p> + In a few hours the cannon were all mounted in position on the ramparts, + adding very much to the defensive power of the town, which was now safe + for a time from any attempt at a siege by Las Torres, whose plans would be + entirely frustrated by the capture of the artillery intended for the + siege. + </p> + <p> + But Peterborough was not yet contented. The junction of the four thousand + Castilians, of whose approach he had heard, with Las Torres would raise + the force under that general to a point which would enable him to blockade + the town pending the arrival of artillery for siege works; and no sooner + had the earl returned to his quarters, after seeing the cannon placed upon + the walls, than he began his preparations for another expedition. He + ordered Colonel Zinzendorf to march quietly out of the city at eight + o'clock with four hundred of his dragoons, and four hundred British and as + many Spanish infantry were to join him outside the walls. The colonels of + these three bodies were ordered to say nothing of their intended movement, + and to issue no orders until within half an hour of the time named. At the + same hour the rest of the troops were to march to the walls and form a + close cordon round them, so as to prevent any one from letting himself + down by a rope and taking the news that an expedition was afoot to Las + Torres. + </p> + <p> + At a few minutes past eight, eight hundred foot and four hundred horse + assembled outside the gates, and Peterborough took the command. His object + was to crush the Castilians before they could effect a junction with Las + Torres. In order to do this it would be necessary to pass close by the + Spanish camp, which covered the road by which the reinforcements were + advancing to join them. + </p> + <p> + In perfect silence the party moved forward and marched to a ford across + the river Xucar, a short distance only below the Spanish camp. + Peterborough rode at their head, having by his side a Spanish gentleman + acquainted with every foot of the country. They forded the river without + being observed, and then, making as wide a circuit as possible round the + camp, came down upon the road without the alarm being given; then they + pushed forward, and after three hours' march came upon the Castilians at + Fuente de la Higuera. The surprise was complete. The Spaniards, knowing + that the Spanish army lay between them and the town, had taken no + precautions, and the British were in possession of the place before they + were aware of their danger. + </p> + <p> + There was no attempt at resistance beyond a few hasty shots. The + Castilians were sleeping wrapped up in their cloaks around the place, and + on the alarm they leaped up and fled wildly in all directions. In the + darkness great numbers got away, but six hundred were taken prisoners. An + hour was spent in collecting and breaking the arms left behind by the + fugitives, and the force, with their prisoners in their midst, then + started back on their return march. The circuit of the Spanish camp was + made, and the ford passed as successfully as before, and just as daylight + was breaking the little army marched into Valencia. + </p> + <p> + The news rapidly spread, and the inhabitants hurried into the streets, + unable at first to credit the news that the Castilian army, whose approach + menaced the safety of the town, was destroyed. The movement of the troops + on the previous night to the ramparts and the absence of the greater part + of the officers from the festivities had occasioned some comment; but as + none knew that an expedition had set out, it was supposed that the earl + had received news from his spies that Las Torres intended to attempt a + sudden night attack, and the people would have doubted the astonishing + news they now received had it not been for the presence of the six hundred + Castilian prisoners. + </p> + <p> + These two serious misadventures caused Las Torres to despair of success + against a town defended by so energetic and enterprising a commander as + Peterborough, and he now turned his thoughts toward the small towns of + Sueca and Alcira. Below these towns and commanded by their guns was the + important bridge of Cullera, by which by far the greater portion of the + supplies for the town was brought in from the country. Las Torres + therefore determined to seize these places, which were distant about + fifteen miles from his camp, and so to straiten the town for provisions. + </p> + <p> + As usual, Peterborough's spies brought him early intelligence of the + intended movement, and the orders issued by Las Torres were known to the + earl a few hours later. It needed all his activity to be in time. Five + hundred English and six hundred Spanish infantry, and four hundred horse, + were ordered to march with all speed to the threatened towns; and, pushing + on without a halt, the troops reached them half an hour before the Spanish + force appeared on the spot. On finding the two towns strongly occupied by + the British, Las Torres abandoned his intention and drew off his troops. + </p> + <p> + A portion of the Spanish army were cantoned in a village only some two + miles from Alcira, and a few days later Peterborough determined to + surprise it, and for that purpose marched out at night from Valencia with + an English force of a thousand men, and reached the spot intended at + daybreak as he had arranged. The Spanish garrison of Alcira, also about a + thousand strong, had orders to sally out and attack the village at the + same hour. The Spaniards also arrived punctually, but just as they were + preparing to burst upon the unconscious enemy, who were four thousand + strong, they happened to come upon a picket of twenty horse. An + unaccountable panic seized them; they broke their ranks and fled in such + utter confusion that many of the terror stricken soldiers killed each + other. The picket aroused the enemy, who quickly fell into their ranks, + and Peterborough, seeing that it would be madness to attack them with his + wearied and unsupported force, reluctantly ordered a retreat, which he + conducted in perfect order and without the loss of a man. + </p> + <p> + This was Peterborough's only failure; with this exception every one of his + plans had proved successful, and he only failed here from trusting for + once to the cooperation of his wholly unreliable Spanish allies. After + this nothing was done on either side for several weeks. + </p> + <p> + The campaign had been one of the most extraordinary ever accomplished, and + its success was due in no degree to chance, but solely to the ability of + Peterborough himself. Wild as many of his schemes appeared, they were + always planned with the greatest care. He calculated upon almost every + possible contingency, and prepared for it. He never intrusted to others + that which he could do himself, and he personally commanded every + expedition even of the most petty kind. + </p> + <p> + His extraordinary physical powers of endurance enabled him to support + fatigue and to carry out adventure, which would have prostrated most other + men. The highest praise, too, is due to the troops, who proved themselves + worthy of such a leader. Their confidence in their chief inspired them + with a valor equal to his own. They bore uncomplainingly the greatest + hardships and fatigues, and engaged unquestioningly in adventures and + exploits against odds which made success appear absolutely hopeless. The + hundred and fifty dragoons who followed the Earl of Peterborough to the + conquest of Valencia deserve a place side by side with the greatest heroes + of antiquity. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII: IRREGULAR WARFARE + </h2> + <p> + From the moment that the news of the loss of Barcelona had reached Madrid, + Philip of Anjou had labored strenuously to collect a force sufficient to + overwhelm his enemies. He had, moreover, written urgently to Louis XIV for + assistance, and although France was at the moment obliged to make + strenuous efforts to show a front to Marlborough and his allies, who had + already at Blenheim inflicted a disastrous defeat upon her, Louis + responded to the appeal. Formidable French armies were assembled at + Saragossa and Roussillon, while a fleet of twelve ships of the line, under + the command of the Count of Toulouse, sailed to blockade Barcelona, and + the Duke of Berwick, one of the ablest generals of the day, was sent to + head the southern army. + </p> + <p> + In January the French army of Catalonia, under Marshal Tesse, reached + Saragossa, where the arrogance and brutality of the marshal soon excited a + storm of hatred among the Aragonese. The towns resisted desperately the + entry of the French troops; assassinations of officers and men were + matters of daily occurrence, and the savage reprisals adopted by the + marshal, instead of subduing, excited the Spaniards to still fiercer + resistance. But savage and cruel as was the marshal, he was in no haste to + meet the enemy in the field, and Philip, who was with him, had the + greatest difficulty in getting him to move forward. + </p> + <p> + It was in the last week of February that the news reached the Earl of + Peterborough that Marshal Tesse had left Saragossa, and was marching + toward Lerida. This was two days after the unsuccessful attempt to + surprise the enemy's camp near Alcira; and, menaced as Valencia was by a + force greatly superior to his own, he could not leave the city, which in + his absence would speedily have succumbed to the attack of Las Torres. He + walked quickly up and down his room for some minutes and then said: + </p> + <p> + “Captain Stilwell, I cannot leave here myself, but I will send you to the + Marquis of Cifuentes. You have shown the greatest activity and energy with + me, and I do not doubt that you will do equally well when acting + independently. I will give you a letter to the marquis, saying that you + are one of my most trusted and valued officers, and begging him to avail + himself to the fullest of your energy and skill. I shall tell him that at + present I am tied here, but that when the enemy reach Barcelona, I shall + at all hazards march hence and take post in their rear and do what I can + to prevent their carrying on the siege. In the mean time I beg him to + throw every obstacle in the way of their advance, to hold every pass to + the last, to hang on their rear, attack baggage trains, and cut off + stragglers. He cannot hope to defeat Tesse, but he may wear out and + dispirit his men by constant attacks. You speak Spanish fluently enough + now, and will be able to advise and suggest. Remember, every day that + Tesse is delayed gives so much time to the king to put Barcelona in a + state of defense. With my little force I cannot do much even when I come. + The sole hope of Barcelona is to hold out until a fleet arrives from + England. If the king would take my advice I will guarantee that he shall + be crowned in Madrid in two months; but those pig headed Germans who + surround him set him against every proposition I make. You had better + start tonight as soon as it gets dark, and take a mounted guide with you + who knows the country thoroughly. + </p> + <p> + “It will be a change for you, from the pleasures of Valencia to a + guerrilla warfare in the mountains in this inclement season, Stilwell,” + Graham said as they left the general. “I don't think I should care about + your mission. I own I have enjoyed myself in Valencia, and I have lost my + heart a dozen times since we arrived.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not lost mine at all,” Jack said laughing, “and I am sick of all + these balls and festivities. I was not brought up to it, you know, and + rough as the work may be I shall prefer it to a long stay here.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Graham agreed, “I should not care for a long stay, but you may be + quite certain the earl will not remain inactive here many weeks. He is + waiting to see how things go, and the moment the game is fairly opened you + may be sure he will be on the move.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I don't suppose you will be very long after me,” Jack said; “still, + I am not sorry to go.” + </p> + <p> + At seven o'clock in the evening Jack set out, taking with him two dragoons + as orderlies, the earl having suggested that he should do so. + </p> + <p> + “Always do a thing yourself if it is possible, Captain Stilwell; but there + are times when you must be doing something else, and it is as well to have + some one that you can rely upon; besides, the orderlies will give you + additional importance in the eyes of the peasants. Most of the men have + picked up some Spanish, but you had better pick out two of my orderlies + who are best up in it.” + </p> + <p> + Jack had spent the afternoon in making a round of calls at the houses + where he had been entertained, and after the exchange of adieus, + ceremonial speeches, and compliments, he was heartily glad when the gates + closed behind him and he set out on his journey. As the road did not pass + anywhere near the Spanish camp there was little fear of interruption in + the way. The guide led them by little frequented tracks across the hills, + and by morning they were far on their road. + </p> + <p> + They were frequently obliged to make detours to avoid towns and villages + favorable to King Philip. Why one town or village should take one side, + and the next the other, was inexplicable to Jack, but it was so, and + throughout the country this singular anomaly existed. It could be + accounted for by a variety of causes. A popular mayor or a powerful landed + proprietor, whose sympathies were strong with one side or the other, would + probably be followed by the townspeople or peasants. The influence of the + priests, too, was great, and this also was divided. However it was, the + fact remained that, as with Villa Real and Nules, neighboring towns were + frequently enthusiastically in favor of opposite parties. As Jack had seen + all the dispatches and letters which poured in to the earl, he knew what + were the circumstances which prevailed in every town and village. He knew + to what residences of large proprietors he could ride up with an assurance + of welcome, and those which must be carefully avoided. + </p> + <p> + In some parts of the journey, where the general feeling was hostile, Jack + adopted the tactics of his general, riding boldly into the village with + his two dragoons clattering behind him, summoning the head men before him, + and peremptorily ordering that provisions and forage should be got + together for the five hundred horsemen who might be expected to come in + half an hour. The terror caused by Peterborough's raids was so great that + the mere sight of the English uniform was sufficient to insure obedience, + and without any adventure of importance Jack and his companions rode on, + until, on the third day after leaving Valencia, they approached Lerida. + Groups of armed peasants hurrying in the same direction were now + overtaken. These saluted Jack with shouts of welcome, and he learned that, + on the previous day, Marshal Tesse with his army had crossed from Arragon + into Catalonia, and that the alarm bells had been rung throughout the + district. + </p> + <p> + From the peasants Jack learned where the Count of Cifuentes would be + found. It was in a village among the hills, to the left of the line by + which the enemy were advancing. It was toward this place that the peasants + were hastening. Jack had frequently met the count at the siege of + Barcelona, and had taken a strong liking for the gallant and dashing + Spanish nobleman. The village was crowded with peasants armed with all + sorts of weapons—rough, hardy, resolute men, determined to defend + their country to the last against the invaders. A shout of satisfaction + arose as Jack and his two troopers rode in, and at the sound the count + himself appeared at the door of the principal house in the village. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Senor Stilwell,” he said, “this in an unexpected pleasure. I thought + that you were with the earl in Valencia.” + </p> + <p> + “So I have been, count, but he has sent me hither with a dispatch for you, + and, as you will see by its contents, places me for awhile at your + disposal.” + </p> + <p> + “I am pleased indeed to hear it,” the count said; “but pray, senor—” + </p> + <p> + “Captain, count,” Jack said with a smile, “for to such rank the earl has + been pleased to promote me as a recognition for such services as I was + able to perform in his campaign against Valencia.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” the count said, “you earned it well. Every man in that wonderful + force deserved promotion. It was an almost miraculous adventure, and + recalled the feats of the Cid. Truly the days of chivalry are not passed; + your great earl has proved the contrary.” + </p> + <p> + They had now entered the house, and, after pouring out a cup of wine for + Jack after the fatigue of his ride, the count opened the dispatch of which + Jack was the bearer. + </p> + <p> + “It is well.” he said when he had read it. “As you see for yourself I am + already preparing to carry out the first part, for the alarm bells have + been ringing out from every church tower in this part of Catalonia, and in + another twenty-four hours I expect six thousand peasants will be out. But, + as the earl says, I have no hope with such levies as these of offering any + effectual opposition to the advance of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + “The Miquelets cannot stand against disciplined troops. They have no + confidence in themselves, and a thousand Frenchmen could rout six thousand + of them; but as irregulars they can be trusted to fight. You shall give me + the advantage of your experience and wide knowledge, and we will dispute + every pass, cut off their convoys, and harass them. I warrant that they + will have to move as a body, for it will go hard with any party who may be + detached from the rest.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear, count, you must not rely in any way upon my knowledge,” Jack + said. “I am a very young officer, though I have had the good fortune to be + promoted to the rank of captain.” + </p> + <p> + “Age goes for nothing in this warfare,” the count said. “The man of + seventy and the boy of fifteen who can aim straight from behind a rock are + equally welcome. It is not a deep knowledge of military science that will + be of any use to us here. What is wanted is a quick eye, a keen spirit, + and courage. These I know that you have, or you would never have won the + approbation of the Earl of Peterborough, who is, of all men, the best + judge on such matters. Now I will order supper to be got ready soon, as it + must, I am sure, be long since you had food. While it is being prepared I + will, with your permission, go out and inspect the new arrivals. + Fortunately, ten days ago, foreseeing that Tesse would probably advance by + this line, I sent several wagon loads of provisions to this village, and a + store of ammunition.” + </p> + <p> + Jack accompanied the count into the street of the village. The latter went + about among the peasants with a kindly word of welcome to each, giving + them the cheering news that though the great English general was occupied + in Valencia, he had promised that, when the time came, he would come with + all haste to the defense of Barcelona, and in the mean time he had sent an + officer of his own staff to assist him to lead the noble Catalans in the + defense of their country. On the steps of the church the priest, with half + a dozen willing assistants, was distributing food from the wagons to the + peasants. + </p> + <p> + “Don't open the ammunition wagon tonight,” the count said. “The men must + not take as much as they like, but the ammunition must be served out + regularly, for a Catalan will never believe that he has too much powder, + and if left alone the first comers would load themselves with it, and the + supply would run short before all are provided.” + </p> + <p> + The count then entered the church, where a party of men were occupied in + putting down a thick layer of straw. Here as many as could find room were + to sleep, the others sheltering in the houses and barns, for the nights + were still very cold among the hills. Having seen that all was going on + well, the count returned to his quarters, where a room had been assigned + to Jack's two dragoons, and the sound of loud laughter from within showed + that they were making themselves at home with the inmates. + </p> + <p> + A well cooked repast was soon on the table, and to this Jack and his host + did full justice. + </p> + <p> + “This wine is excellent; surely it does not grow on these hills!” + </p> + <p> + “No,” the count said, laughing. “I am ready to run the risk of being + killed, but I do not want to be poisoned, so I sent up a score or two of + flasks from my own cellars. The vineyards of Cifuentes are reckoned among + the first in this part of Spain. And now,” he said, when they had finished + and the table had been cleared, “we will take a look at the map and talk + over our plans. The enemy leave Lerida tomorrow. I have already ordered + that the whole country along their line of march shall be wasted, that all + stores of corn, wine, and forage which cannot be carried off shall be + destroyed, and that every horse and every head of cattle shall be driven + away. I have also ordered the wells to be poisoned.” + </p> + <p> + Jack looked grave. “I own that I don't like that,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I do not like it myself,” the count replied; “but if an enemy invades + your country you must oppose him by all means. Water is one of the + necessaries of life, and as one can't carry off the wells one must render + them useless; but I don't wish to kill in this way, and have given strict + orders that in every case where poison is used, a placard, with a notice + that it has been done, shall be affixed to the wells.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” Jack said, “I quite approve of what you have done, count; + the wells then simply cease to exist as sources of supply.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could poison all the running streams too,” the count said; “but + unfortunately they are beyond us, and there are so many little streams + caused by the melting snow on the hills that I fear we shall not be able + greatly to straiten the enemy. At daybreak tomorrow I will mount with you, + and we will ride some twenty miles along the road and select the spots + where a sturdy resistance can best be made. By the time we get back here + most of the peasants who are coming will have assembled. These we will + form into bands, some to hold the passes and to dispute the advance, + others to hang upon the skirts and annoy them incessantly, some to close + in behind, cut off wagons that break down or lag by the way, and to + prevent, if possible, any convoys from the rear from joining them.” + </p> + <p> + This programme was carried out. Several spots were settled on where an + irregular force could oppose a stout resistance to trained troops, and + points were fixed upon where breastworks should be thrown up, walls + utilized, and houses loopholed and placed in a state of defense. + </p> + <p> + It was late in the afternoon before they rode again into the village. The + gathering of peasants was now very largely increased, and extended over + the fields for some distance round the place. The count at once gave + orders that all should form up in regular order according to the villages + from which they came. When this was done he divided them into four groups. + </p> + <p> + The first, two thousand strong, was intended to hold the passes; two + others, each one thousand strong, were to operate upon the flanks of the + enemy; and a fourth, of the same strength, to act in its rear. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Captain Stilwell,” he said, “will you take the command of whichever + of these bodies you choose?” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, count, for the offer,” Jack said, “but I will take no + command whatever. In the first place, your Catalans would very strongly + object to being led by a foreigner, especially by one so young and unknown + as myself. In the second place, I would rather, with your permission, + remain by your side. You will naturally command the force that opposes the + direct attack, and, as the bulk of the fighting will fall on them, I + should prefer being there. I will act as your lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, since you choose it, perhaps it is best so,” the count said. “These + peasants fight best their own way. They are given to sudden retreats, but + they rally quickly and return again to the fight, and they will probably + fight better under their own local leaders than under a stranger. You will + see they have no idea of fighting in a body; the men of each village will + fight together and act independently of the rest. Many of them, you see, + are headed by priests, not a few of whom have brought rifles with them. + These will generally lead their own villagers, and their authority is far + greater than that which any layman could obtain over them. I must appoint + a leader to each body to direct their general movements; the village + chiefs will do the rest.” + </p> + <p> + While the count had been absent several other gentlemen of good family had + arrived in the village, some marching in with the peasants on their + estates. Three of these were appointed to lead the three bands destined + for the flank and rear attacks. The next three hours were devoted to the + distribution of provisions and ammunition, each man taking four days' + supply of the former, and receiving sufficient powder and bullets for + forty rounds of the latter. All were ordered to be in readiness to march + two hours before daybreak. + </p> + <p> + The count then retired to his quarters, and there pointed out on the map + to the three divisional leaders the spots where he intended to make a + stand, and gave them instructions as to their respective shares of the + operations. Their orders were very general. They were to post their men on + the side hills, and as much behind cover as possible, to keep up a galling + fire at the column, occasionally to show in threatening masses as if about + to charge down, so as to cause as much alarm and confusion as possible, + and, should at any point the nature of the ground favor it, they were to + dash down upon the baggage train and to hamstring the horses, smash the + wheels, and create as much damage as they could, and to fall back upon the + approach of a strong body of the enemy. Those in the rear were to press + closely up so as to necessitate a strong force being kept there to oppose + them. But their principal duties were to hold the passes, and to prevent + any convoys, unless very strongly guarded, from reaching the enemy from + his base at Saragossa. + </p> + <p> + After these instructions had been given supper was spread, and some + fifteen or twenty of the principal persons who had joined were invited by + the count, and a pleasant evening was spent. + </p> + <p> + It was interesting to Jack to observe the difference between this + gathering and that which had taken place in the Earl of Peterborough's + quarters on the evening before the attack on San Matteo. There, although + many considered that the prospects of success on the following day were + slight indeed, all was merriment and mirth. The whole party were in the + highest spirits, and the brilliant wit of the earl, and his reckless + spirit of fun, had kept the party in continual laughter. + </p> + <p> + The tone on the contrary at the present gathering was quiet and almost + stiff. These grave Catalan nobles, fresh from their country estates, + contrasted strongly with the more lively and joyous inhabitants of + Valencia. Each addressed the other with ceremony, and listened with grave + attention to the remarks of each speaker in turn. + </p> + <p> + During the whole evening nothing approaching to a joke was made, there was + scarcely a smile upon the countenance of any present; and yet the tone of + courtliness and deference to the opinions of each other, the grave + politeness, the pride with which each spoke of his country, their + enthusiasm in the cause, and the hatred with which they spoke of the + enemy, impressed Jack very favorably; and though, as he said to himself + when thinking it over, the evening had certainly not been a lively one, it + had by no means been unpleasant. + </p> + <p> + Two hours before daybreak the bell of the church gave the signal. As the + men had only to rise to their feet, shake themselves, take up their arms, + and sling their bags of provisions round their necks, it was but a few + minutes before they were formed up in order. The count saw the three + divisions file off silently in the darkness, and then, placing himself at + the head of the main body, led the way toward the spot which he and Jack + had selected for opposing the march of Tesse's invading column. + </p> + <p> + Daylight was just breaking when they reached it, and the count ordered the + men to pile their arms and at once to set to work. The road, which had + been winding along in a valley, here mounted a sharp rise, on the very + brow of which stood a hamlet of some twenty houses. It had already been + deserted by the inhabitants, and the houses were taken possession of by + the workers. Those facing the brow of the hill were loopholed, as were the + walls along the same line. Men were set to work to build a great barricade + across the road, and to run breastworks of stones right and left from the + points where the walls ended along the brow. Other parties loopholed the + houses and walls of the village, and formed another barricade across the + road at the other end. With two thousand men at work these tasks were soon + carried out; and the count then led the men down the hill, whose face was + covered with loose stones, and set them to work piling these in lines one + above another. + </p> + <p> + At ten o'clock in the morning the work was complete. The count told the + men off by parties, each of which were to hold one of the lines of stones; + each party was, as the French charged, to retire up the hill and join that + at the line above, so that their resistance would become more and more + obstinate till the village itself was reached. Here a stand was to be made + as long as possible. If the column advanced only by the road, every house + was to be held; if they spread out in line so as to overlap the village on + both sides, a rapid retreat was to be made when the bugler by the count's + side gave the signal. + </p> + <p> + The men sat down to breakfast in their allotted places, quiet, grave, and + stern; and again the contrast with the laughter and high spirits which + prevail among English soldiers, when fighting is expected, struck Jack + very forcibly. + </p> + <p> + “They would make grand soldiers if properly trained, these grave, earnest + looking men,” he said to himself. “They look as if they could endure any + amount of fatigue and hardship; and although they don't take things in the + same cheerful light our men do, no one can doubt their courage. I can + quite understand now the fact that the Spanish infantry was once + considered the finest in Europe. If they only had leaders and discipline + Spain would not want any foreign aid; her own people would be more than a + match for any army the French could send across the northern frontier.” + </p> + <p> + The meal was scarcely finished when, at the end of the valley, some three + miles away, a cloud of dust was seen to rise with the sparkle of the sun + on arms and accouterments. + </p> + <p> + “There are Tesse's cavalry!” the count exclaimed. “Another half hour will + cause a transformation in this quiet valley.” + </p> + <p> + The head of the column came on but slowly, the cavalry regiment forming it + accommodating their pace to that of the infantry and baggage wagons in the + rear. Slowly they moved on, until the bottom of the valley appeared + covered with a moving mass extending from the end, three miles away, to + within half a mile of the foot of the hill on which the Spaniards were + posted. Suddenly from the hillsides on the left puffs of smoke darted out, + and instantly a similar fire was opened on the right. + </p> + <p> + “They are at work at last,” Jack exclaimed as the rattle of musketry + sounded loud and continuous. “I wondered when they were going to begin.” + </p> + <p> + “I told them to let the column pass nearly to the head of the valley + before they opened fire,” the count said. “Had they begun soon after the + enemy entered the valley, they would have left all their baggage behind + under a guard, and the infantry would have been free to attack the hills + at once. Now they are all crowded up in the valley—horse, foot, and + baggage. The wounded horses will become unmanageable, and there is sure to + be confusion, though perhaps not panic. See, they are answering our fire! + They might as well save their powder, for they are only throwing away + ammunition by firing away at the hillside.” + </p> + <p> + This indeed was the case; for Jack, although in the course of the morning + he had frequently watched the hillside for signs of the other parties, had + not made out the slightest movement, so completely were the men hidden + behind rocks and bushes. + </p> + <p> + Strong bodies of infantry were thrown out by Tesse on both flanks, and + these began to climb the hills, keeping up a heavy fire at their concealed + foe, while the main column continued its way. + </p> + <p> + Not a shot was fired by the Spanish until the head of the column was + within a hundred yards of the foot of the rise, and then from the whole + face of the hill a heavy fire was opened. The enemy recoiled, and for a + time there was great confusion near the head of the column; an officer of + high rank dashed up, and the troops formed out into a line across the + whole width of the valley and then moved forward steadily; so heavy were + their losses, however, that they presently came to a standstill. But + reinforcements coming up, they again pressed forward, firing as they went. + </p> + <p> + Not until they were within twenty yards did the Miquelets lining the lower + wall of rocks leave their post, and, covered by the smoke, gain with + little loss the line next above them. Slowly the enemy won their way + uphill, suffering heavily as they did so, and continually being reinforced + from the rear. At the last wall the peasants, gathered now together, + maintained a long resistance; and it was not until fully four thousand of + the enemy were brought up that the position was seriously threatened. Then + their leader, seeing that they would sustain very heavy loss if the enemy + carried the wall by assault, ordered his trumpeter to sound the retreat. + It was at once obeyed, and by the time the French had crossed the wall the + peasants had already passed out at the other end of the village. + </p> + <p> + As the French cavalry had not been able to pass the lower walls there was + no pursuit. The peasants rallied after a rapid flight of a mile. Their + loss had been small, while that of the French had been very considerable; + and the marshal halted his troops round the village for the day. + </p> + <p> + The result of the fighting added to the resolution of the peasants, and as + soon as the French continued their route the next morning the fighting + began again. It was a repetition of that of the preceding day. The enemy + had to contest every foot of the ground, and were exposed to a galling + fire along the whole line of their march. Many times they made desperate + efforts to drive the peasants from the hillsides; sometimes they were + beaten back with heavy loss, and when they succeeded it was only to find + the positions they attacked deserted and their active defenders already + beyond musket fire. At night they had no respite; the enemy swarmed round + their camp, shot down the sentries, and attacked with such boldness that + the marshal was obliged to keep a large number of his men constantly under + arms. + </p> + <p> + At last, worn out by fatigue and fighting, the weary army emerged from the + hills into the wide valleys, where their cavalry were able to act, and the + ground no longer offered favorable positions of defense to the peasantry. + Seeing the uselessness of further attacks, the Count of Cifuentes drew off + his peasants; and Tesse marched on to Barcelona and effected a junction + with the troops from Roussillon under the Duke de Noailles, who had come + down by the way of Gerona. The town was at once invested on the land side; + while the Count of Toulouse, with thirty French ships, blockaded it from + the sea. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII: THE FRENCH CONVOY + </h2> + <p> + A report having arrived at the camp of the Count of Cifuentes that the + peasants around Saragossa had risen in insurrection, Jack thought that he + should be doing more good by discovering the truth of the rumor, and by + keeping the earl informed of the state of things in the enemy's rear, than + by remaining with the count. He hesitated whether he should take his two + orderlies with him, but as they were well mounted he decided that they + should accompany him, as they would add to his authority, and would, in + case of need, enable him the better to assume the position of an officer + riding in advance of a considerable force. + </p> + <p> + After a hearty adieu from the Count of Cifuentes, he started soon after + daybreak. After riding for some hours, just as he reached the top of a + rise, up which he had walked his horse, one of the orderlies, who were + riding a few paces behind him, rode up. + </p> + <p> + “I think, Captain Stilwell,” he said, “I hear the sound of firing. Brown + thinks he hears it too.” + </p> + <p> + Jack reined in his horse. + </p> + <p> + “I hear nothing,” he said, after a pause of a minute. + </p> + <p> + “I don't hear it now, sir,” the man said. “I think it came down on a puff + of wind.. If you wait a minute or two I think you will hear it.” + </p> + <p> + Jack waited another two minutes, and then was about to resume his journey, + when suddenly a faint sound came upon the wind. + </p> + <p> + “You are right, Thompson,” he exclaimed, “that's firing, sure enough. It + must be a convoy attacked by peasants.” + </p> + <p> + He touched his horse with the spur and galloped forward. Two miles further + on, crossing the brow, they saw, half a mile ahead of them in the dip of + the valley, a number of wagons huddled together. On either side of the + road men were lying, and the spurts of smoke that rose from these, as well + as from the wagons, proved that they were still stoutly defending + themselves. A light smoke rose from every bush and rock on the hillsides + around, showing how numerous were the assailants. Leaving the road, Jack + galloped toward the hill. Presently several balls came singing round them. + </p> + <p> + “They think we are French, sir,” one of the troopers said. “I guess they + don't know much about uniforms.” + </p> + <p> + Jack drew out a white handkerchief and waved it as he rode forward, + shouting as he did, “English, English.” The fire ceased, and the little + party soon reached the spot where the peasants were lying thickly in their + ambushes. + </p> + <p> + “I am an English officer,” Jack said as he leaped from his horse. “Where + is your leader?” + </p> + <p> + “There is one of them,” a peasant said, pointing to a priest, who, with a + long musket in his hand, rose from behind a log. + </p> + <p> + “Reverend father,” Jack said, “I have come from the Earl of Peterborough + with a mission to understand how matters go in Arragon, and to ascertain + what force would be likely to join him in this province against the + invader.” + </p> + <p> + “You see for yourself how things go,” the priest said. “I am glad to see + an officer of the great Earl of Peterborough, whose exploits have excited + the admiration of all Spain. To whom have I the honor of speaking?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Captain Stilwell, one of the earl's aides de camp; and you, father?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Ignacio Bravos, the humble padre of the village of San Aldephonso. + And now, Captain Stilwell, if you will excuse me till we make an end of + these accursed Frenchmen, afterward I will be at your service.” + </p> + <p> + For another two hour's the conflict continued. Jack saw that the fire of + the defenders of the wagons was decreasing, and he was not surprised when + a white handkerchief was raised on the top of a bayonet and waved in the + air in token of desire to parley. A shout of exultation rose from the + Spaniards. The priest showed himself on the hillside. + </p> + <p> + “Do you surrender?” he shouted. + </p> + <p> + “We surrender the wagons,” an officer called back, “on condition that we + are allowed to march off with our arms without molestation.” + </p> + <p> + A shout of refusal rose from the peasants, and the firing was instantly + renewed. Jack went and sat down by the side of the priest. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” he said, “it were best to give these men the terms they ask. War + is not massacre.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, my son,” the priest replied coolly. “That is what you should + have told Marshal Tesse. It is he who has chosen to make it massacre. Why, + man, he has shot and hung hundreds in cold blood in and around Saragossa, + has burned numerous villages in the neighborhood, and put man, woman, and + child to the sword.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, if this be so, father, I should say, by all means hang Marshal + Tesse when you catch him, but do not punish the innocent for the guilty. + You must remember that these men have been taken away from their homes in + France, and forced to fight in quarrels in which they have no concern. + Like yourself, they are Catholics. Above all, remember how many scores of + villages are at present at the mercy of the French. If the news comes to + the marshal that you have refused quarter to his soldiers, he will have a + fair excuse for taking vengeance on such of your countrymen as may be in + his power.” + </p> + <p> + “There is something in that,” the priest said. “For myself I have no pity, + not a scrap of it, for these Frenchmen, nor would you have, had you seen + as much of their doings as I have, nor do I think that any retribution + that we might deal out to the men could increase Tesse's hatred and + ferocity toward us.” + </p> + <p> + “Still, it might serve as an excuse,” Jack urged. “Remember the eyes of + Europe are upon this struggle, and that the report of wholesale slaughter + of your enemies will not influence public opinion in your favor.” + </p> + <p> + “Public opinion goes for nothing,” the priest said shortly. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, father,” Jack replied. “The English and Dutch and the Duke of + Savoy are all fighting in your favor, and we may even boast that had it + not been for the Earl of Peterborough and the allies the chains of France + would be riveted firmly round your necks. You will tell me, no doubt, that + they are fighting for their own political ends, and from no true love for + the Spanish people. That may be so, but you must remember that although + governments begin wars it is the people who carry them on. Let the people + of England and Holland hear, as they will hear, of the brutal ferocity of + the French marshal on a defenseless people, and their sympathies will be + strongly with you. They will urge their governments to action, and vote + willingly the necessary sums for carrying on the war. Let them hear that + with you too war is massacre, that you take no prisoners, and kill all + that fall into your hands, and, believe me, the public will soon grow sick + of the war carried on with such cruelty on both sides.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, my son,” the priest said frankly. “Young as you are, you + have seen more of the world than I, who, since I left the University of + Salamanca, have never been ten miles from my native village. I will do + what I can to put a stop to this matter. But I am not solely in command + here. I lead my own village, but there are the men of a score of villages + lying on these hills. But I will summon all the chiefs to a council now.” + </p> + <p> + The priest called half a dozen of the peasants to him, and dispatched them + with orders to bring all the other leaders to take part in a council with + an English officer who had arrived from the great Earl of Peterborough. + </p> + <p> + In half an hour some twenty men were assembled in a little hollow on the + hillside, where they were sheltered from the fire of the French. Four or + five of these were priests. There were two or three innkeepers. The + remainder were small landed proprietors. Father Ignacio first addressed + them. He stated that the English officer had come on a mission from the + earl, and had arrived accidentally while the fight was going on, and that + he was of opinion that the French offer of surrender should be accepted. A + murmur of dissent went round the circle. + </p> + <p> + “I was at first of your opinion,” the priest said, “but the reasons which + this English officer has given me in support of his advice have brought me + round to his way of thinking. I will leave him to state them to you.” + </p> + <p> + Jack now rose to his feet, and repeated the arguments which he had used to + the priest. He gathered from the faces of his hearers that, although some + were convinced that mercy would be the best policy, others were still bent + upon revenge. Father Ignacio then, in language which he thought best + suited to touch his hearers, repeated Jack's arguments, urging very + strongly the vengeance which the French marshal would be sure to take upon + the Spanish population of the country through which he was passing when he + heard the news. + </p> + <p> + “Besides,” Jack said, when he had finished, “you must remember you have + not conquered the enemy yet. I see the officer has withdrawn all his men + among the wagons, where their shelter will be nearly as good as yours. + They have, doubtless, abundant stores of ammunition in those wagons, + together with food and wine, and if you force them to fight to the last + man they can hold out for a very long time, and will inflict a heavy loss + upon your men before they are overcome.” + </p> + <p> + “But why should they take their weapons with them?” one of the men said; + “they will be useful to us. Why should we let them carry them away to kill + more Spaniards?” + </p> + <p> + “The reason why I would let them take their arms is this,” Jack said. + “Unless they march away armed you will not be able to restrain your + followers, who will be likely to break any convention you may make and to + massacre them without mercy. As to the arms being used again against you, + I will put the officers under their parole that they and their men shall + not take any further part in the war until they are exchanged for an equal + number of prisoners taken by the French.” + </p> + <p> + “Who would trust to a Frenchman's word?” a man asked scoffingly. + </p> + <p> + “I would trust to a French officer's word as much as to that of an English + officer,” Jack replied. “You would expect them to trust to your word that + they should be safe if they laid down their arms; and yet, as you know, + you might not be able to keep it. Better a thousand times that a handful + of French officers and men should be allowed to join the enemy's ranks + than that the national honor of Spain should be soiled by a massacre + perpetrated just after a surrender.” + </p> + <p> + “The Englishman is right,” Father Ignacio said positively. “Let us waste + no further words on it. Besides, I have a reason of my own. I started + before daybreak without breakfast and have got nothing but a piece of dry + bread with me. If we don't accept these fellows' surrender we may be on + the hillside all night, and I told my servant that I should have a larded + capon and a flask of my best wine for dinner. That is an argument, my + sons, which I am sure comes home to you all; and remember, if we accept + the surrender we shall soon quench our thirst on the good wine which, I + doubt not, is contained in some of the barrels I see down yonder.” + </p> + <p> + There was a hearty laugh and the question was settled; and it was arranged + at once that Father Ignacio, one of the other leaders, and Jack should + treat with the enemy. The other leaders hurried away to their respective + sections to order them to cease firing when a white flag was raised; and, + having given them twenty minutes to get to their several posts, a white + handkerchief was waved in the air. The Spanish fire ceased at once, and as + soon as the French perceived the flag they also stopped firing. + </p> + <p> + “We are coming down, three of us, to discuss matters with you,” Father + Ignacio shouted out. + </p> + <p> + The three accordingly descended the hill, and when within a short distance + of the wagons were met by the officer in command of the convoy and two + others. + </p> + <p> + “We have come to discuss the terms of your surrender,” Jack said. “I am + Captain Stilwell, one of Lord Peterborough's aides de camp. You see your + position is desperate.” + </p> + <p> + “Not quite desperate,” the French officer replied; “we have plenty of + ammunition and abundance of provisions, and can hold out for a long time, + till rescue comes.” + </p> + <p> + “There is little chance of rescue,” Jack said. “Your marshal has his hands + full where he is; and even did he hear of your situation and detach a + force back to your rescue, neither of which he is likely to do, that force + would have to fight every foot of its way, and assuredly not arrive in + time. Nor is there any more chance of your receiving succor from the rear. + You have made a gallant defense, sir, and might perhaps hold out for many + hours yet; but of what use is it sacrificing the lives of your men in a + vain resistance?” + </p> + <p> + “What is your proposal?” the officer asked. + </p> + <p> + “We propose,” Jack said, “to allow you to march out with your arms and + five rounds of ammunition to each man, on you and your officers giving me + your parole to consider yourselves and your men as prisoners of war, and + not to serve again until exchanged.” + </p> + <p> + The terms were far better than the French officer had looked for. + </p> + <p> + “I may tell you,” Father Ignacio said, “that for these terms you are + indebted solely to this English officer. Had it depended upon us only, + rest assured that no one of you would have gone away alive.” + </p> + <p> + “You will understand,” Jack said, “that you will be allowed to take your + arms solely as a protection against the peasants, who have been justly + enraged by the brutal atrocities of your general. You know well that even + could their leaders here obtain from their followers a respect for the + terms of surrender, your men would be massacred in the first village + through which they passed were they deprived of their arms. My friends + here are desirous that no stigma of massacre shall rest upon the Spanish + honor, and they have therefore agreed to allow your men to keep their arms + for purposes of defense on their return march.” + </p> + <p> + After a few words with his fellow officers the commander of the convoy + agreed to the terms. “You will, however,” he said, “permit me to take with + me one or more wagons, as may be required, to carry off my wounded?” + </p> + <p> + This was at once agreed to, and in ten minutes the two companies of French + infantry were in readiness to march. There were forty wounded in the + wagons, and twenty-seven dead were left behind them. The French officer in + command, before marching off, thanked Jack very heartily for his + interference on their behalf. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you frankly, Captain Stilwell,” he said, “that I had no hopes + whatever that I or any of my men would leave the ground alive, for these + Spaniards invariably massacre prisoners who fall into their hands. I could + not have left my wounded behind me; and even if I had resolved to do so, + the chances of our fighting our way back in safety would have been small + indeed. We owe you our lives, sir; and should it ever be in the power of + Major Ferre to repay the debt, you may rely upon me.” + </p> + <p> + “I trust that the fortune of war may never place me in a position when I + may need to recall your promise,” Jack said, smiling; “but should it do + so, I will not fail to remind you if I get a chance.” + </p> + <p> + All was now ready for the march. Two wagons which had been hastily emptied + were, with the wounded men, placed in the center, and the French, + numbering now less than a hundred, started on their march. The Spanish + peasants remained in their places on the hillside till they had departed, + as the leaders had agreed that it was better they should be kept away from + the vicinity of the French, as a quarrel would be certain to take place + did they come to close quarters. The peasants were indignant at what they + deemed the escape of their enemies; but the desire of plunder soon + overcame other considerations, and as soon as the French had marched off + they poured down from the hills. Their leaders, however, restrained them + from indiscriminate plundering. There were in all eighty-seven wagons + loaded with wine, corn, flour, and provisions for the use of the army. + </p> + <p> + An equal division was made of these among the various bands of peasants in + proportion to their strength. A few casks of wine were broached. The + peasants then buried their own dead—who were very few in number, so + securely had they been sheltered in their hiding places—and then the + force broke up, each party marching with its proportion of wagons back to + its village. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Signor Capitano,” Father Ignacio said, “I trust that you will come + home with me. My village is six miles away, and I will do my best to make + you comfortable. Hitherto you have seen me only as a man of war. I can + assure you that I am much more estimable in my proper character as a man + of peace. And let me tell you, my cook is excellent; the wine of the + village is famous in the province, and I have some in my cellars ten years + old.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot resist such a number of good arguments,” Jack said, smiling, + “and till tomorrow morning I am at your service; but I warn you that my + appetite just at present is ravenous, and that my two dragoons are likely + to make a serious inroad upon the larders of your village, however well + supplied.” + </p> + <p> + “They will be welcome,” the priest said, “and I guarantee the larders will + prove sufficiently well stocked. Fortunately, although nearly every + village in the neighborhood has been raided by the French, owing to our + good fortune and the interposition of the blessed San Aldephonso our + village has escaped a visit.” + </p> + <p> + The party under Father Ignacio soon turned off from the main road, and, + with the six wagons which fell to their share, journeyed along a. rough + country road until they reached the village. Father Ignacio sat on the + leading wagon, and Jack rode alongside chatting with him. The priest was a + stout built man, with a good humored countenance and merry twinkle of the + eye, and Jack wondered what could have been the special wrong that induced + him to take up a musket and lead his flock to the attack of a French + convoy. + </p> + <p> + “Katherine!” he shouted as the wagon stopped in front of his house and a + buxom serving woman appeared at the door, “dinner as quickly as possible, + for we are starving; and let it be not only quick, but plentiful. Lay a + cover for this gentleman, who will dine with me; and prepare an ample + supply of food in the kitchen for these two English soldiers, who have + come across the sea to fight for the good cause. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” he said to Jack, “while dinner is preparing I must distribute + the spoil.” + </p> + <p> + The wagons were unloaded and their contents divided among the men who had + take a part in the expedition, his flock insisting upon the padre taking a + bountiful share. + </p> + <p> + The mules and bullocks in the wagons were similarly divided, in this case + one being given to each family; for there were but thirty animals, while + the fighting contingent from the village had numbered nearly eighty men. + There were five or six animals over when the division had been made, and + these were given, in addition to their proper share, to the families of + three men who had been killed in the fight. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my sons,” the padre said when all was done, “take your axes and fall + upon the wagons. A wagon is a thing to swear by. Every man knows his own + goods; and should the French ever visit our village again these wagons + might cost us dear. Therefore let them be made into firewood as quickly as + possible, and let them all be consumed before other fuel is touched. And + now, capitano, I think that Katherine will be ready for us.” + </p> + <p> + So saying he led the way back into his house. A capital meal was provided, + and Jack found that the priest had by no means over praised either his + cook or his cellar. After the meal was over and the two had drawn their + chairs up to the hearth, on which was blazing brightly some wood which + Jack recognized as forming part of one of the wagons, and the priest had + placed on a small table close at hand a large flask which he had himself + gone into the cellar to fetch, Jack said: + </p> + <p> + “How is it, father, that, as you told me, you have seen such acts of + brutality on the part of the French as to cause you to wage a war without + mercy against them, when, as you say, they have never penetrated to your + village? Your reasons must be strong, for your profession is a peaceful + one. You do not look like a man who would rush into deeds of violence for + their own sake, and your cook and your cellar offer you strong inducements + to remain at home.” + </p> + <p> + “That is so, my son,” the priest said with a laugh. “I am, as you may see, + an easygoing man, well contented with my lot, and envy not the Bishop of + Toledo; but you know it is said that even a worm will turn, and so you + have seen the peaceful priest enacting the part of the bloodthirsty + captain. But, my son,”—and his face grew grave now—“you can + little imagine the deeds which the ferocious Tesse has enacted here in + Arragon. When warring with you English the French behave like a civilized + nation; when warring with us Spanish peasants, who have no means of making + our wrongs known to the world, they behave worse than a horde of brutal + savages. But I will tell you the circumstances which have driven me to + place myself at the head of my parishioners, to wage a war of + extermination with the French, and to deny mercy to every one of that + accursed nation who may fall into my hands. I have a brother—or + rather I should say I had one—a well to do farmer who lived at a + village some six miles from Saragossa. He had an only daughter, who was to + be married to the son of a neighboring proprietor. A handsome, high + spirited lad he was, and devoted to Nina. They were to have been married + some three months ago, and they wrote to me to go over to perform the + ceremony. + </p> + <p> + “I went; the wedding day arrived, and all was ready. It was a holiday in + the village, for both were favorites. The bride was dressed; the village + maidens and men were all in their best; the procession was about to set + out, when a troop of dragoons rode suddenly in from Saragossa. A shot or + two had been fired at them as they rode through a wood. When they arrived + they dismounted, and the commander ordered the principal men of the + village to be brought to him. My brother and the father of the bridegroom + were among them. + </p> + <p> + “'My troops have been fired at,' the Frenchman said, 'and I hold you + responsible.' + </p> + <p> + “'It was no one from this village,' my brother said; 'we have a wedding + here, and not a soul is absent.' + </p> + <p> + “'I care not,' the officer said; 'we have been fired at, and we shall give + the people of this district a lesson.' + </p> + <p> + “So without another word he turned to his soldiers and ordered them to + fire the village from end to end. + </p> + <p> + “'It is outrageous,' my brother said, and the others joined him in the + cry. I, too, implored him to pause before having such an order carried + into execution. His only reply was to give the order to his men. + </p> + <p> + “The six principal men were seized at once, were set with their backs + against the wall of a house, and shot.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot mean it!” Jack exclaimed indignantly. “Surely such an outrage + could never be perpetrated by civilized soldiers?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw it done,” the priest said bitterly. “I tried to throw myself + between the victims and their murderers, but I was held back by force by + the soldiers. Imagine the scene if you can—the screaming women, the + outburst of vain fury among the men, The bridegroom, in his despair at + seeing his father murdered, seized a stick and rushed at the French + officer; but he, drawing a pistol, shot him dead, and the soldiers poured + a volley into his companions, killing some eight or ten others. Resistance + was hopeless. Those who were unwounded fled; those who fell were bayoneted + on the spot. I took my niece's arm and led her quietly away. Even the + French soldiers drew back before us. You should have seen her face. Madre + de Dios! I see it now—I see it always. She died that night. Not one + word passed her lips from the moment when her father and her affianced + husband fell dead before her eyes. An hour later the troop rode off, and + the people stole back to bury their dead among the ashes of what had been + their homes. I went to Saragossa after reading the funeral service over + them. I saw Tesse and told him of the scene I had witnessed, and demanded + vengeance. He laughed in my face. Senor, I persisted, and he got angry and + told me that, were it not for my cloth, he would hang me from the steeple. + I called down Heaven's curse upon him, and left him and came home. Do you + wonder, senor, that I found it hard to spare those Frenchmen for whom you + pleaded? Do you wonder that I, a man of peace, lead out my villagers to + slaughter our enemy?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not, indeed!” Jack exclaimed warmly. “Such acts as these would stir + the blood of the coldest into fire; and, priest or no priest, a man would + be less than a man who did not try to take vengeance for so foul a deed. + Have many massacres of this sort been perpetrated?” + </p> + <p> + “Many,” the priest replied, “and in no case has any redress been obtained + by the relatives of the victims.” + </p> + <p> + “And throughout all Arragon, does the same hatred of the French prevail?” + </p> + <p> + “Everywhere,” the priest said. + </p> + <p> + “Then King Charles would meet with an enthusiastic welcome here!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not say that,” the priest answered. “He would be well received, + doubtless, simply because he is the enemy of the French; but for himself, + no. We Arragonese cannot for the life of us see why we should be ruled + over by a foreigner; and in some respects a German king is even less to be + desired than a French one. The connection between the two Latin nations is + naturally closer than between us and the Germans, and a French king would + more readily adapt himself to our ways than would a stiff and thick headed + German. + </p> + <p> + “Apart from the recent doings of the French army Arragon would have + preferred Philip to Charles. Moreover, Charles is looked upon as the + choice of the Catalans and Valencians, and why should the men of Arragon + take the king others have chosen? No, King Charles will doubtless be + received well because he appears as the enemy of the French; but you will + not find that the people of Arragon will make any great sacrifices in his + behalf. Let a French army enter our province again, every man will rise in + arms against it; but there will be little disposition to raise troops to + follow King Charles beyond the limits of the province. Castile is strong + for Philip; the jealousy there of the Catalans is even greater than here, + and the fact that Arragon will go with Catalonia and Valencia will only + render the Castilians more earnest in the cause of Philip. There have been + several skirmishes already between bands of our Miquelets and those of + Castile, and the whole country along the border is greatly disturbed.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a pity that Spaniards cannot agree among themselves as to who shall + be king.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, my son, but it will be very long yet before. Spaniards agree upon any + point. It is a mistake to think of us as one nation. We are half a dozen + nations under one king. If you are asked your nationality, you reply an + Englishman. If you ask a Spaniard, he will reply, I am a Castilian or a + Catalan, an Arragonese or Biscayan—never I am a Spaniard. We hate + each other as you Scotchmen and Englishmen hated each other a hundred + years back, and even now regard yourselves as different peoples. What + connection is there between the hardy mountaineer of the northern + provinces and the easygoing peasant of Valencia or Andalusia? Nothing. + Consequently, if one part of Spain declares for one man as a king, you may + be sure that the other will declare against him. + </p> + <p> + “As long as we had great men, Spaniards, for our kings—and the + descent went in the regular way from father to son—things went + smoothly, because no pretender could have a shadow of claim. As between + two foreign princes, each man has a right to choose for himself. Were + there any Spaniard with a shadow of claim, all parties would rally round + him; but, unfortunately, this is not so; and I foresee an epoch of war and + trouble before the matter is settled. For myself, I tell you I would not + give that flask of wine were I able to put the crown upon the head of one + or other of these foreigners. Let whoever gets the crown govern well and + strongly, tax my villagers lightly, and interfere in no way with our + privileges, and I shall be well content, and such you will find is the + opinion of most men in Spain. And now, tell me if there is aught that I + can do for you. You say you must be on your way by daybreak. Tell me in + which direction you journey, and it will be hard if I cannot find a friend + there with whom my introduction will insure you a hearty welcome.” + </p> + <p> + “If you can tell me where are the largest gatherings of Miquelets, I can + tell you which way I shall ride,” Jack replied. “My mission is to + ascertain what aid the king can rely upon in this province.” + </p> + <p> + “Three days ago there were many thousands of men under arms,” the priest + replied; “by tonight there will be less than as many hundreds. The day + Tesse crossed the frontier with his army the greater portion of the bands + went to their homes, and their arms will be laid aside until the news + comes that the French army is on its return from Barcelona. I fancy there + is but little chance of our seeing King Charles among us. In another day + or two Tesse will be before Barcelona; and joined, as he will be there, by + the French army marching down from Roussillon, he will make quick work of + that town, and King Charles will have the choice of going to Valencia to + be hunted shortly thence, or of sailing away again from the country in + your ships.” + </p> + <p> + “It would seem like it,” Jack agreed; “but you are reckoning without the + Earl of Peterborough.” + </p> + <p> + “Your English general must be a wonder,” the priest said, “a marvel; but + he cannot accomplish impossibilities. What can he do with two or three + thousand trained troops against twenty thousand veteran French soldiers?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell what he will do,” Jack laughed; “but you may rely upon it + that he will do something, and I would take fair odds that he will somehow + or other save Barcelona and rid Catalonia of its invaders.” + </p> + <p> + “That I judge to be altogether impossible,” the priest replied. “Anything + that man could do I am ready to admit that your general is capable of; but + I do not judge this to be within the range of possibilities. If you will + take my advice, my son, you will not linger here, but will ride for + Valencia and embark on board your ships with him when the time comes.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall see,” Jack said, laughing. “I have faith in the improbable. It + may not be so very long before I drop in again to drink another flask of + your wine on my way through Arragon with King Charles on his march toward + Madrid.” + </p> + <p> + “If you do, my son, I will produce a bottle of wine to which this is but + ditch water. I have three or four stored away in my cellar which I + preserve for great occasions. They are the remains of the cellar of my + predecessor, as good a judge of wine as ever lived. It is forty years + since he laid them by, and they were, he said, the best vintage he had + ever come across. Had the good old man died ten years earlier, what a + heritage would have been mine! but in his later years he was not so saving + as it behooves a good man to be, and indulged in them on minor occasions; + consequently, but two dozen remained when I succeeded to the charge twenty + years ago. I, too, was not sufficiently chary of them to begin with, and + all but six bottles were drunk in the first ten years. Since then I have + been as stingy as a miser, and but two bottles have been opened.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope, father, that you have laid in a similar supply for whomsoever may + come after you.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely I have, my son. Fifteen years ago I had a hogshead of the finest + vintage in the neighborhood bricked up in my cellar. I had an inscription + placed on the wall by which, should I be taken suddenly, my successor may + know of the store that awaits him. At present you would not find the + inscription did you search for it; for when those troubles began I filled + up the letters in the stone with mortar, and gave the wall two or three + coats of whitewash. I did not choose to run any risk of my grand wine + going down the throats of thirsty French soldiers. It would be an act of + sacrilege. When matters are settled, and we are at peace again, I will + pick out the mortar from the letters; but not till then. I have often + reflected since how short sighted it was not to have stowed away another + hogshead for my own consumption. It would have been something to have + looked forward to in my declining years.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, father, who knows what may happen before that? The wall may fall + down, and then naturally you would wish to see whether the wine is in as + good a condition as it should be. Besides, you will say to yourself, why, + when my successor left me but a miserable two dozen of that grand wine of + his, should I bequeath a whole hogshead to him who may come after me, and + who, moreover, may be so bad a judge of wine that he will value my + treasure no more than an equal quantity of the rough country vintage?” + </p> + <p> + “Avaunt, tempter!” the priest said, laughing. “But,” he added more + seriously, “you have frightened me. I never thought of that. I have always + pictured my successor as a man who would appreciate good wine as I do + myself. Truly, it would be a terrible misfortune did he not do so—a + veritable throwing of pearls before swine. Now that you have presented + this dreadful idea it will be ever in my mind. I shall no longer think of + my hogshead with unmixed satisfaction.” + </p> + <p> + “The idea is a terrible one, truly,” Jack said gravely, “and to prevent it + I would advise you when the time of peace arrives to open your cave, to + bottle off your wine, and to secure its being appreciated by indulging in + it yourself on special occasions and holidays, taking care always to leave + a store equal to, or even superior to, that which you yourself inherited.” + </p> + <p> + “I will think it over, my son, and it may be that I shall take your + advice. Such a misfortune as that which you have suggested is too terrible + to think of.” + </p> + <p> + “It is so, father, terrible indeed; and I feel confident that you will do + the best in your power to prevent the possibility of its occurrence. + Besides, you know, wine may be kept even too long. I judge you not to be + more than forty-five now; with so good a cook and so good a cellar you may + reasonably expect to live to the age of eighty; there is, therefore, + plenty of time for you to lay in another hogshead to mature for your + successor.” + </p> + <p> + The priest burst into a roar of laughter, in which Jack joined him. + </p> + <p> + “Your reasoning powers are admirable,” he said when he recovered his + gravity, “and you have completely convinced me. An hour ago if it had been + suggested to me that I should open that cellar I should have viewed the + proposal with horror; now it seems to me that it is the very best thing + that could be done for all parties, including the wine itself.” + </p> + <p> + There was some further chat as to the course which Jack would follow in + the morning, and he decided finally to ride to the borders of Castile in + order that he might learn as much as possible as to the feeling of people + in that province. Father Ignacio gave him a letter of introduction to the + priest in charge of a village a mile or two within the border of Arragon, + and the next morning Jack started at daybreak, after a hearty adieu from + his host, who insisted on rising to see him off. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV: A PRISONER + </h2> + <p> + Jack, with his two troopers, rode away from the hospitable cottage of the + priest in high spirits. He determined to avoid Saragossa, as he was not + charged with any direct mission from the earl, and wished, therefore, to + avoid any official intercourse with the leaders of the province. As soon + as the marshal had marched, the people there had risen, had driven out the + small French garrison left, and had resumed the management of their own + affairs. Jack learned, however, that the city had not formally declared + for King Charles. As the priest had told him would be the case, Jack + encountered no bodies of armed men during the day; the country had a + peaceful aspect, the peasants were working in the fields, and at the + villages through which he passed the English uniforms excited a feeling of + curiosity rather than of interest. He stopped at several of these and + entered into conversation with the inhabitants. He found everywhere an + intense hatred of the French prevailing, while but little interest was + evinced in the respective claims of Charles and Philip. + </p> + <p> + After a very long ride he arrived, at nightfall, near the spot to which he + was bound. In this neighborhood he observed a greater amount of + watchfulness and preparation than had prevailed elsewhere. The men, for + the most part, remained in their villages, and went about armed. Jack + learned that an inroad by the Miquelets of Castile was deemed probable, + and that it was thought possible that another French force might follow + Tesse from Madrid to Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + It was late in the evening before Jack reached his destination, where, on + his presenting his letter of introduction, he was most heartily received + by the priest. + </p> + <p> + “Father Ignacio tells me,” he said when he had read it, “that you are not + only to be welcomed as an officer of the great English general, but that + you are in every way deserving of friendship; he adds, too, that you are a + first rate judge of wine, and that you can be trusted as an adviser upon + knotty and difficult matters.” + </p> + <p> + Jack laughed. “I only gave the good father my advice upon two points,” he + said; “the first was the admitting to terms of surrender of a body of + French troops with whom he was engaged in battle when I arrived; the + second was upon the important question of broaching or not broaching a + hogshead of particularly good wine.” + </p> + <p> + “If you advised that the hogshead should be broached,” the priest said, + smiling, “I can warrant that my good brother Ignacio followed your advice, + and can well understand the respect in which he seems to hold your + judgment. But do not let us stand talking here. + </p> + <p> + “Your men will find a stable behind the house where they can stand the + horses. Alas! it is uninhabited at present, for my mule, the gentlest and + best in the province, was requisitioned—which is another word for + stolen—by the French as they passed through. My faithful beast! I + miss her every hour of the day, and I doubt not that she misses me still + more sorely. Tell me, senor, my brother Ignacio writes me that he has + captured many animals from the French—was Margaretta among them? She + was a large mule, and in good condition; indeed, there was some flesh on + her bones. She was a dark chestnut with a white star on the forehead, a + little white on her fore feet, and white below the hocks on the hind legs; + she had a soft eye, and a peculiar twist in jerking her tail.” + </p> + <p> + The manner of the priest was so earnest that Jack repressed a smile with + difficulty. + </p> + <p> + “I did notice among the mules in one of the wagons one marked somewhat + similarly to your description, and, if I mistake not, it, with another, + fell to the share of the good priest; but I cannot say that it had much + flesh upon its bones; indeed, it was in very poor case. Nor did I notice + that its eyes were particularly soft, or that there was any peculiarity in + the twitching of its tail.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be Margaretta,” the priest said with some excitement; “the poor + beast would naturally lose flesh in the hands of the French, while as to + the switch in the tail, it was a sign of welcome which she gave me when I + took an apple or a piece of bread into her stable, and she would not be + likely so to greet strangers. I will lose no time in writing to Ignacio to + inquire further into the matter. Verily, it seems to me as if the saint + had sent you specially here as a bearer of this good news.” + </p> + <p> + Jack spent a pleasant evening with the priest, and learned much as to the + state of things upon the frontier. The priest represented the Castilians + as bitterly opposed to the claims of Charles; they had no grievances + against the French, who had behaved with strict discipline in that + province, and had only commenced their excesses upon crossing the frontier + into Arragon. This they regarded, though wrongfully, as a hostile country; + for, previous to their arrival, the people there had taken no part either + way in the struggle, but the overbearing manner of Tesse, and the lax + discipline of his troops, had speedily caused an intense feeling of + irritation. Resistance had been offered to foraging parties of the French + army, and the terrible vengeance which had been taken by Tesse for these + acts had roused the whole province in a flame of insurrection. + </p> + <p> + “There are several bodies of French cavalry across the frontier,” the + priest said; “occasionally they make flying raids into Arragon, but, as + you see, the people are armed, and prepared, and ready to give them a hot + reception. The Castilians are like ourselves; if at any time an army + should march in this direction against Madrid, the Miquelets will oppose + them just as we should oppose the French, but they will not leave their + homes to interfere with us, for they know well enough that did they do so + we also should cross the line, and fire and destruction would be carried + through all the villages on both sides of the border. So at present there + is nothing to fear from Castile, but if your English general were to drive + the French out of the country, he would have hard work ere he overcame the + resistance of that province.” + </p> + <p> + Just as day was breaking the next morning Jack was aroused by shouts in + the streets, followed by the heavy trampling of horse. He sprang from the + bed and threw on his cloak; as he was buckling on his sword one of the + dragoons rushed into his room. + </p> + <p> + “We are surrounded, sir! I have just looked out, and there are French + cavalry all round the house.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke there was a tremendous knocking at the door. The priest ran + into the room. “We are betrayed,” he said; “some one must have carried + away the news last night of your arrival here, and it has come to the ears + of the French cavalry on the other side. I ordered some men out last night + to watch the road across the border, but the enemy must have ridden too + fast for them to get here first.” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be helped,” Jack said; “you had best open the door, or they + will break it in in another minute. Make no resistance, lads,” he said to + the dragoons, for the second orderly had now joined them; “lay your swords + down on the bed; we are caught this time, and must make our escape when we + can. It is better, anyhow, to have fallen into the hands of the French + than of the Spanish.” + </p> + <p> + The sound of the knocking had ceased now, and there was a trampling and + clamor of voices as the French soldiers poured into the house. Steps were + heard ascending the stairs, the door opened, and the priest, accompanied + by a French officer and followed by a number of soldiers, entered the + room. + </p> + <p> + “You are my prisoner, sir,” the French officer said. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid there is no doubt of that,” Jack said, speaking in Spanish; + “here is my sword, sir. These two men are my orderlies, and, of course, + also surrender. You will observe that we are all in uniform, that we are + taken on the soil of Arragon, and that I am here in pursuance of my duty + as an officer of the English army.” + </p> + <p> + “You are alone?” the officer asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Jack said; “there are, so far as I know, no other British but + ourselves in Arragon.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we were misinformed,” the officer said; “the news was received last + night that the Earl of Peterborough was himself here; and although it was + but in the afternoon that we had heard that your general was at Valencia, + his movements are so swift and erratic that, if we heard of him in + Portugal one hour we should not be surprised to find him here the next.” + He stopped as shots were heard fired in the streets. + </p> + <p> + “You must excuse ceremony, sir,” he said, “and mount at once with your men + and accompany me. In ten minutes we shall have the whole country buzzing + round us like wasps; and now that the object of my ride is accomplished, I + don't wish to throw away my men's lives.” + </p> + <p> + The horses were saddled without loss of time, and in two or three minutes + Jack was trotting down the village in the midst of the French cavalry amid + a scathing fire from behind the houses and walls. + </p> + <p> + The French officer rode at the head of his troop till well beyond the + village, then reining in his horse, joined his prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” he asked, “whom have I the honor of capturing?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Captain Stilwell,” Jack replied, “one of the Earl of Peterborough's + aides de camp.” + </p> + <p> + “I am Captain de Courcy,” the French officer said; “happily, although the + French and English have taken opposite sides on this question, we can + esteem and honor each other as brave and civilized adversaries. As for + these Spanish scoundrels, they are no better than banditti; they murder us + in our beds, they poison our wine, they as often as not burn us alive if + we fall into their hands; they are savages, neither more nor less; and why + Philip of Anjou, who could have had all the pleasures of life as a prince + of the blood at Versailles, should covet the kingship of this country, + passes my understanding. And now tell me about that paladin, your general. + Peste, what a man! And you are one of his aides de camp? Why, if he drags + you about everywhere with him, you must lead the life of a dog.” + </p> + <p> + “When I last heard of the general he was at Valencia,” Jack said. “But + that was ten days since.” + </p> + <p> + “Ten days!” the Frenchman said; “then by now he may be in London, or in + Rome, or at Paris.” + </p> + <p> + “With the wind favoring him he might be at Rome, but he could scarcely + have arrived at either London or Paris.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no saying,” the French officer laughed. “Has he not three + leagued boots, and can he not step from mountain to mountain? Does he not + fly through a storm on a broomstick? Can he not put on a cap and make + himself invisible? For I can tell you that our soldiers credit him with + all these powers. Can he not, by waving his hand, multiply three hundred + men into an army, spread them over a wide extent of country, and then + cause them to sink into the ground and disappear? Our soldiers are + convinced that he is in league with the evil one, even if he be not the + gentlemen in black himself.” + </p> + <p> + Jack joined in the laugh. “He is a wonderful man,” he said, “though he + cannot do all you credit him with. But he is absolutely tireless, and can + do without sleep for any time; and yet to look at him no one would think + that he was in any way a strong man. He is small, thin, and worn looking—in + fact, almost insignificant in appearance, were it not for his keen eye and + a certain lofty expression of face. My post is no sinecure, I can assure + you, for the general expects all to be able to do as well as himself. But + with a chief who never spares himself all are willing to do their best. + Extreme as has been the labor of the troops, severe as have been their + hardships, you will never hear a grumble; the men have most implicit + confidence in him, and are ready to go anywhere and do anything he orders + them.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a marvel,” the French officer said. “The way he took Barcelona, and + then, with a handful of men, hunted our armies out of Catalonia and + Valencia, was wonderful; and though it was at our cost, and not a little + to our discredit, there is not an officer in the army but admires your + general. Fortunately I was not in Barcelona when you laid siege to it, but + I was with Las Torres afterward when you were driving us about like sheep. + I shall never forget that time. We never knew when to expect an attack, + what force was opposed to us, or from what direction you would come. I + laugh now, but it was no joke then.” + </p> + <p> + Three hours' riding took them into the little town from which the French + cavalry had started in the middle of the night. On arriving there the + French officer at once sent off a trooper to Madrid, reporting the + prisoners he had taken, and forty-eight hours later he received orders to + himself conduct his prisoners to Madrid. + </p> + <p> + Upon arriving there Jack was at once taken before the Duke of Berwick, who + received him courteously, and asked him many questions concerning the + force under the earl, the intentions of Barcelona to resist the two French + armies now hurrying before it. To these questions Jack gave cautious + answers. As to matters concerning which he was sure that the French must + have accurate information, he replied frankly. Fortunately he was, as he + truly said, in entire ignorance as to the plans of the earl, and as to + Barcelona, he knew nothing whatever of what had taken place there from the + day when he suddenly left with Peterborough. + </p> + <p> + “I would place you on your parole with pleasure,” the duke said, “but I + tell you frankly that in the present excited state of public feeling I do + not think it will be safe for you to move through the streets unprotected. + So many of our officers have been murdered in Saragossa and other places + that the lower class of Spaniards would think it a meritorious action to + take vengeance on an English officer. Of course I am well aware that the + English have nothing to do with these atrocities, but the people in + general are not able to draw nice distinctions. I shall send you to France + on the first opportunity, to remain there till exchanged.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir,” Jack said; “I should prefer not being put on my parole, + for I shall certainly escape if I have the opportunity. I should tell you, + sir, that I have ridden through Arragon, and though I do not wish to + excuse the murders perpetrated by the Spaniards, I must tell you that I + cannot blame them; for, horrible as are their deeds, they are simply acts + of retaliation for the abominable atrocities which Marshal Tesse allows + and encourages his troops to perpetrate upon the population. I have the + highest respect, sir, for the French nation, but if I were the Earl of + Peterborough, and Marshal Tesse fell into my hands, I would hand him over + to the Spaniards to be torn in pieces as he deserves.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak boldly, sir,” the duke said sternly. + </p> + <p> + “I feel what I say, sir,” Jack replied. “I think it well that you, a + general high in command under the French king, should know the atrocities + perpetrated in his name by this man upon defenseless people. I could tell + you, sir, a score of stories which I heard in Arragon, although I was but + two days there, of massacre and murder which would make your blood run + cold. I confess that personally I have no greater interest in King Charles + than in King Philip. I have seen so much of the Austrian and his advisers + that I believe that if the Earl of Peterborough were to seat him on his + throne here tomorrow, he would be driven from the country a fugitive + before many weeks were over; but in the same way I am convinced that + Philip of Anjou will never be accepted by the Spanish as their king if his + cause be stained by such atrocities as those carried out by Marshal Tesse + in his name.” + </p> + <p> + The duke then asked Jack if he had any objections to state the particular + object for which he was sent into Arragon by his general; and Jack was + glad to be able to say truthfully that the earl knew nothing of his being + there, he having sent him simply to assist the Count of Cifuentes in + barring the advance of the French army into Catalonia, and that when he + had carried out that order he had ridden into Arragon on his own account, + in order that he might, on his return to the earl, be able to give him an + accurate description of the state of affairs in that province. + </p> + <p> + “Then so far as you know, Captain Stilwell, the Earl of Peterborough is + still at Valencia, and has no intention of leaving that province at + present.” + </p> + <p> + “I can say truly, sir, that so far as I know the general had no intention + of leaving Valencia; but as his decisions are generally taken + instantaneously, and are a surprise to all about him, I should be sorry to + assert that the earl remained in Valencia a quarter of an hour after I + quitted the city.” + </p> + <p> + “It matters little,” the duke said, “the affair is rapidly approaching an + end. Barcelona must surrender as soon as Tesse and the Duke de Noailles + appear before it; the breaches are open, and there are not a thousand men + in garrison. Barcelona once fallen, the cause of the Austrian is lost. + Your general is already watched by an army four times as strong as his + own, and the twenty thousand men under the marshal will compel him to take + to his ships, and will stamp out the last embers of the insurrection. You + agree with me, do you not?” he asked as Jack remained silent. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, it seems that it must be as you say, and I have only to reply + that you have not reckoned upon the Earl of Peterborough. What he will do + I do not pretend to say, but knowing him as I do, I can say that he will + give you trouble. I don't think that anything can be considered as a + certainty in which you have the Earl of Peterborough to reckon with.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a great man,” the duke said—“a great man, and has performed + marvels; but there is a limit to the possibilities which one man can + perform, and here that limit is passed. I shall give orders, Captain + Stilwell, that your imprisonment is made as little disagreeable as + possible, and that you have everything you require.” + </p> + <p> + Jack expressed his thanks and retired. On leaving the room he was again + taken charge of by Captain do Courcy and four of his troopers, and was + conducted by him to the citadel. + </p> + <p> + The quarters assigned to Jack were by no means uncomfortable. A good meal + was placed before him, and after he had finished it the governor of the + citadel called upon him and told him that he was at liberty to go where he + would within the walls, and that any wishes he might express he would do + his best to comply with. Jack at once availed himself of his liberty by + going out into the courtyard and thence on to the walls of the citadel. It + was a strongly fortified and gloomy building, which has now ceased to + exist. It covered a considerable portion of ground, and had at one time + been a royal residence; the walls were strong and high, and sentries were + placed on them at short intervals. + </p> + <p> + Jack saw at once there was little possibility of escape thence, and + decided that he might as well abandon any idea of evasion for the present, + and would trust to luck in escaping from his escort on the road to the + frontier, or, if no opportunity then presented itself, from his prison in + France. A week after his arrival he was surprised by being told that an + officer wished to see him, and a minute later Major Ferre entered the + apartment. + </p> + <p> + “I only arrived an hour ago,” he said, “and learned that you were prisoner + here. Who would have thought when we parted last, and you gave me my + liberty, that on my arrival here I should find that you had already been a + week a prisoner? Horses' legs move faster than men's, you see.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the fortune of war,” Jack said, smiling. “I am glad to see that you + got out of Arragon safely.” + </p> + <p> + “It was thanks to your seeing that we were provided with ammunition,” the + major said. “The peasants swarmed round us hotly more than once, and it + was the fact that we had our arms and were ready to use them, quite as + much as my assurances that we were prisoners on parole, and had promised + not to serve in Spain until exchanged, that kept them from making an + attack upon us; as it was we nearly came to blows several times. I marched + that day till the men were ready to drop, and camped at a distance from a + road in a lonely place. I dared not scatter my men in a village. The next + day we kept steadily on and crossed the frontier into Castile, pretty well + worn out, just at nightfall. I had to give my men two days' halt before we + could go further, and we have since come by easy stages, which accounts + for your being here so long before us. And now, is there anything that I + can do for you? If there is, command my service to the utmost. I shall see + the duke this afternoon, and shall tell him that I and my party are + indebted to you for our lives. It is well for me that he is in command + here instead of the marshal; he is a gentleman, and will respect the + parole I gave for myself and my men; if it had been Tesse I might have had + trouble, for as likely as not he would have scoffed at my promise, and + ordered me and my men back to the front again, and then I should have been + placed in a nice fix.” + </p> + <p> + “The best thing you could do for me,” Jack said, “would be to suggest to + the marshal that he should exchange me against you. If he will let me take + my two troopers I would throw in all your men. There will be no occasion + to arrange it with our general; you gave your word to me, and I can give + it you back again. As I am of no use to him, and you are, I should think + he would consent.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think so too,” Major Ferre said, “and should be delighted, on + both our accounts, if it could be managed.” + </p> + <p> + Three hours later the major returned in high spirits. + </p> + <p> + “I have arranged the matter,” he said, “and we are both free men. You + can't stir out of here at present, because it would not be safe for you to + go about Madrid; but I have orders to march tomorrow morning, in command + of a convoy, to join Las Torres outside Valencia, so you can ride with me + till we get near the town, and then join your people.” + </p> + <p> + Jack was delighted, and the next morning set out with the convoy. His + appearance, as he rode by the side of Major Ferre with his two orderlies + behind him, excited the greatest surprise and curiosity in the various + towns and villages through which they passed. The journey was a pleasant + one, Major Ferre exerting himself in every way to make it as pleasant as + possible. After four days' journey the convoy arrived within sight of + Valencia. When they came to a place where the roads forked the major said: + </p> + <p> + “That is your way, my dear Stilwell. I hope that some day the fortunes of + war will throw us together again, in some pleasant position where we can + renew our friendship. Two miles on is a ford across the river, where, as + the peasants tell me, two of your vedettes are posted; another hour's ride + will take you to Valencia.” + </p> + <p> + With a hearty goodby on both sides, Jack and his two dragoons rode off, + and soon astonished the English vedettes by their appearance on the + opposite bank of the river. A few words in English convinced the soldiers + that it was no trick that was being played with them, and Jack rode across + the ford and then galloped on to Valencia. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Captain Stilwell,” the earl said as Jack entered his apartment, + “what news do you bring me from Barcelona? I hear that Tesse has invested + the town.” + </p> + <p> + “My last news is from Madrid, general,” Jack said; “I have had to stay a + week in that city.” + </p> + <p> + And he then proceeded to relate the series of events which had happened + from the time he joined the Count of Cifuentes. + </p> + <p> + “I know I exceeded my duty, general,” he said when he finished, “in going + up into Arragon without orders; but I felt that I was of little use with + the count, who handles the Miquelets well, and I thought that you would be + glad of trustworthy information of the state of feeling in Arragon, and + perhaps of Castile.” + </p> + <p> + “You were quite right,” the earl said, “and have done exceedingly well. + Yours has been an adventure after my own heart, and you have just arrived + here in time, for I am on the point of starting to do what I can to harass + the besiegers of Barcelona.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV: THE RELIEF OF BARCELONA + </h2> + <p> + Although for months it was evident that the French were preparing to make + a great effort to recapture Barcelona, Charles and his German advisers had + done nothing whatever to place the city in the position to resist a siege. + The fortifications remained just as they had been when Peterborough had + captured the city. The breaches which had been made by the English cannon + were still open, and even that in the all important citadel of Montjuich + remained as it had been left by the explosion of the magazine. + </p> + <p> + Not until Tesse was pressing down from Lerida and de Noailles from + Roussillon did the king awake to his danger. Orders were sent out to + recall all the troops who were within reach, the country people were set + to work collecting provisions, and the king made an urgent appeal to the + citizens to aid in repairing the fortifications. The appeal was responded + to; the whole male population took up arms, even priests and friars + enrolling themselves in the ranks. The women and children were formed into + companies, and all Barcelona labored in carrying materials and in + repairing the breaches. The king had received a letter from Peterborough + proposing the plan of which he had spoken to his aides de camp, and which, + had it been carried out, would have changed the fate of Spain. His + suggestion was that Charles should at once make his way by sea to + Portugal, which, as the blockade had not then commenced, he could have + easily done, there to put himself at the head of the allied army, + twenty-six thousand strong, and march straight upon Madrid. This could + have been done with a certainty of success, for the west of Spain and the + capital had been denuded of troops for the invasion of Catalonia and + Valencia, and no more than two thousand men could have been collected to + oppose the invaders. + </p> + <p> + “If your majesty will undertake to do this,” wrote the earl, “I will + undertake to maintain the province here, and perhaps to open a way to + Madrid.” + </p> + <p> + But now, as before, this bold but really safe counsel was overruled by + Charles' German courtiers and he resolved to remain in Barcelona and wait + a siege. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Peterborough received the answer, he left a small garrison in + Valencia, and marched away with all the force he could collect, which, + however, numbered only two thousand foot and six hundred horse, while de + Noailles had no less than twenty thousand gathered round Barcelona. + Peterborough moved rapidly across the country, pushing forward at the + utmost speed of the troops till he arrived within two leagues of + Barcelona, and took up a strong position among the mountains, where he was + at once joined by the Count of Cifuentes and his peasant army. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, count,” the earl said as he rode into his camp, “I am glad to see you + again. You did not succeed in stopping Tesse, but by all accounts you + mauled him handsomely. And now, what are our prospects?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, sir, they are not over bright, and I do not see that we can + effect much to aid the king. My men will fight well enough, as Captain + Stilwell has witnessed, when they choose their position and shoot behind + shelter, but they would be of no use whatever in a regular action; and as + to advancing into the plain to give battle with you against twenty + thousand regular troops, they would not attempt it, even if you were to + join your orders to mine.” + </p> + <p> + “We will not ask them, count,” Peterborough said. “I know the Miquelets by + this time. They are admirable for irregular war, but worse than useless + for anything else. All we will ask of them, count, is to scatter in strong + bodies over the hills, to guard every road, and cut off any parties of the + enemy who may venture to go out to gather provisions or forage. If they + can manage occasionally to threaten an attack upon the French camp, so + much the better.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning a strong body of the French took post round Montjuich, + and at nine o'clock a force of infantry, supported by two squadrons of + horse, attempted to carry the western outworks by storm. This was the + weakest part of the citadel, and was manned by only a hundred men of + Colonel Hamilton's regiment, who had arrived the night before, having in + two days ridden seventy miles on mules. + </p> + <p> + As the French advanced they received them with great determination, and + poured in so sharp a fire that the assailants speedily retired with + considerable loss. As they fell back the English threw up their caps and + raised loud shouts, which so exasperated the enemy that they reformed and + returned several times to the assault, but only to be repulsed as on their + first attempt. This was a sharp check to the French, who had expected to + find the place guarded only by the usual garrison of forty Spaniards. + </p> + <p> + When the sound of firing was heard in the town the whole garrison turned + out and marched to support Montjuich, only twelve men being left behind + for a guard to the king. This repulse of the first attempt of the enemy + raised the spirits of the townsmen, and bands of them ventured beyond the + walls, and, sheltering in the gardens and groves, maintained a strong fire + upon the French. + </p> + <p> + Finding that Barcelona was not to be taken as easily as they had expected, + the French generals extended their camp so as to completely surround the + town. On their side the citizens were not inactive, and, sallying out, + managed to cut off and drive in a flock of seven hundred of the enemy's + sheep and twelve of their mules. + </p> + <p> + The following night the besieged sustained a severe loss by the + treacherous surrender, by its commander, of Fort Redonda, which stood on + the seashore and commanded the landing. The enemy at once profited by this + advantage and began landing their provisions, guns, and ammunition. This + misfortune was, however, balanced by the enterprise of Brigadier Generals + Lord Donegal and Sentiman, with two English and two newly raised Catalan + battalions. They received the king's orders to return to Barcelona too + late to reach the town before its investment, but now managed, under cover + of night, to elude the enemy and enter the city in safety. + </p> + <p> + When the enemy received news of the success of this attempt they closed in + their left wing to the eastward, in hopes of preventing further + reinforcements from entering the town. But they had not reckoned upon the + Earl of Peterborough, who had received news that the garrison of Gerona, + after evacuating that town on the approach of the army of the Duke de + Noailles, had embarked in small boats and were about to attempt a landing + near Barcelona, on the north side. On the receipt of the news he started + as night fell with his whole force from his camp in the mountains, and + having, after a march of nearly twenty miles, arrived at the spot named + for the debarkation just as the boats were nearing the shore, and having + escorted the Gerona men past the enemy's outpost and into the town, + without the loss of a man, he again retired to the mountains. These + accessions of strength raised the force of troops in the besieged town to + upward of three thousand. + </p> + <p> + The next day a case of treason was discovered among the Spaniards in the + garrison of Montjuich. A boy confessed that he had been hired by one of + these men to put out all the gun matches, and to throw the priming powder + out of the matchlocks that night. He was told to do this on the weakest + side of the works, where the attack would probably be made. + </p> + <p> + The discovery of this intended treason, following so closely on that at + Fort Redonda, excited suspicions of the loyalty of the Spanish Governor of + Montjuich, and he was superseded and the Earl of Donegal appointed to the + command. For the next six days the French continued to raise battery after + battery around Montjuich. Lord Donegal made some gallant sallies and + several times drove the besiegers from their works, but in each case they + returned in such overwhelming force that he was obliged to abandon the + positions he had won and to fall back into the citadel. + </p> + <p> + The Miquelets, of whom there were many in the town, aided the besieged by + harassing the French. Every night they stole into their camp, murdered + officers in their tents, carried off horses, slew sentries, and kept the + enemy in a perpetual state of watchfulness. + </p> + <p> + At eight o'clock on the morning of the 15th of April the besiegers made a + furious attack on the western outwork of Montjuich, having ascertained + that it was defended only by a party of one of the newly raised Spanish + regiments. They captured the post without difficulty, the Spaniards flying + at the first assault, but on the inner ramparts they were met by Donegal + and his grenadiers, and a desperate struggle took place which lasted for + two hours. + </p> + <p> + The English fought with the greatest obstinacy, and frequently flung back + among their assailants the grenades which the latter showered among them, + before they had time to explode, Lord Donegal himself setting the men the + example. But though able to prevent the French from advancing further, the + English could not recover the outpost which the Spaniards had abandoned, + and the French formed intrenchments and mounted a battery upon it. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the continued fire which the besiegers now poured in upon it + from all sides, Lord Donegal held out bravely. The little force under his + command was much reduced in numbers, and so worn out by constant exertion + and loss of sleep that men frequently fell asleep while under arms under + the heaviest fire. The besiegers were not idle in other directions. + Several mortar vessels moved close in shore and threw shells into the + town, while the batteries poured in red hot shot. This spread great alarm + throughout the town. The people could be hardly induced to continue + working on the defenses, and many took refuge in cellars or in the + churches. Ammunition began to fail, and despair was taking possession of + the defenders, when, at two o'clock in the morning of the 21st, a galley + ran safely into the harbor bearing a supply of powder and encouraging + messages from Lord Peterborough. + </p> + <p> + Three days later he managed to throw a body of Neapolitan troops into the + town, embarking them in boats at Matero, a small port a few miles to the + northeast of the town. He sent them close along the shore in order to pass + the enemy's fleet, if possible, unobserved. They found, however, that a + line of boats had been drawn across the harbor to blockade the entrance. + They attacked the boats, and after a sharp fight, which lasted over an + hour, four hundred men succeeded in forcing their way through, and the + rest returned to Matero in safety. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough now determined to endeavor to relieve the town by the + desperate expedient of attacking the enemy's camp with his little force. + In order to do this with any prospect of success it was necessary to warn + the king of his intentions, so that the garrison of the town could issue + out and attack the enemy at the same moment from their side. He committed + the dispatch to Captain Graham, who succeeded in making his way through + the enemy's lines to the city. The king agreed to join in a combined + attack, and, having arranged all his plans, gave the dispatch to Graham to + carry back to the earl. + </p> + <p> + On the way out he was less successful than he had been in entering. He was + seized upon by a body of French before he could destroy the paper. Tesse + was accordingly warned of the earl's plans, and at the hour appointed for + the attack drew up his army in order of battle. Peterborough was ready to + advance, and the besieged were all in arms on the ramparts, but seeing + that the enemy were fully prepared the project was abandoned, and the + troops returned to their quarters. + </p> + <p> + But the fall of Montjuich was at hand. The besiegers secretly massed a + large force in the trenches. At midday on the 22d a salvo of four mortars + gave the signal. The French rushed in with loud shouts and effected a + complete surprise. Before the troops could get under arms two bastions + were captured. + </p> + <p> + So sudden was the affair that many of the English officers, hearing the + firing, ran out from the keep, and seeing some foreign troops drawn up in + the works joined them, concluding that they were Dutch, and were only + undeceived by finding themselves taken prisoners. The men were so confused + by the loss of many of the officers that, had the French pushed in at + once, they would have been able to carry the main body of the works with + but little resistance. They halted, however, in the bastions they had won. + The next morning the people of Barcelona, headed by their priests, sallied + out to effect the relief of Montjuich, but were easily driven back by the + besiegers. The little garrison of the castle sallied out to meet their + friends, but when these retreated to the town they had to fight their way + back to the castle, which they regained with great difficulty, the gallant + Earl of Donegal and many of his officers being killed. + </p> + <p> + Finding that their position was now desperate, the remnant of the British + troops abandoned the castle they had so stoutly defended, and succeeded in + making their way safely into the city. Tesse now pushed on the siege of + the town with vigor. Batteries of heavy guns were raised opposite the + newly mended breaches, and so close did he plant his guns to the walls + that the artillery of the besieged could not be depressed sufficiently to + play upon them, while so heavy a fire of infantry was kept up upon the + walls that their defenders were unable to reply effectively with their + musketry. + </p> + <p> + The walls crumbled rapidly, and the defenders busied themselves in raising + inner defenses behind the breaches. Had the French been commanded by an + enterprising general there is little doubt that they could have carried + the town by assault, but Tesse, in his over caution, waited until success + was a certainty. The alarm in Barcelona was great, and the king sent + messenger after messenger to Peterborough to urge him to come to his + relief; but, daring as was the earl when he considered success to be + possible, he would not venture his little force upon an enterprise which + was, he felt, hopeless, and he knew that the only possible relief for the + city was the arrival of the English fleet. + </p> + <p> + Early in March Admiral Sir John Leake and Baron Wassenaer had sailed from + Lisbon with the combined fleet in accordance with Peterborough's orders; + but the wind was contrary, and it was fully six weeks after starting that + they reached the Straits, where they were joined by Captain Price with a + small squadron, on board of which were two English regiments. It was not + until the 24th of April that they sailed from Gibraltar. + </p> + <p> + On reaching Altea they received news that another squadron had sailed from + Lisbon to join them, and in spite of the warm remonstrances of General + Stanhope, who commanded the troops on board, the Dutch and English + admirals determined to await the arrival of the reinforcements before + sailing to give battle to the fleet of the Count of Toulouse before + Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + On the 3d of April Sir George Byng arrived at Altea with some ships from + Ireland, and the next day Commodore Walker, with the squadron from Lisbon, + also arrived; but the wind was now contrary, and although the fleet set + sail, for three days they made no progress whatever, and each hour so + wasted rendered the position of the besieged at Barcelona more and more + desperate. While lying at Altea General Stanhope had sent a message to + Lord Peterborough telling him that he would use every means in his power + to hasten Sir John Leake's movements, and that he would give him timely + notice of the approach of the fleet. + </p> + <p> + He said that as it was of the utmost importance that the enemy should + remain in ignorance of the approaching succors, his messenger should carry + only a half sheet of blank paper, so that if he were taken by the enemy + they would learn nothing from his dispatch. When the fleet sailed he sent + off a second messenger, who got safely to the earl, and delivered his + blank dispatch. With the exception of his aide de camp, who was always in + his confidence, he told no one the meaning of this blank dispatch, and his + officers were surprised when orders were issued for the little army at + once to prepare for a night march. Officers and men had, however, most + implicit confidence in their general, and, doubting not that some daring + enterprise was at hand, they started in high spirits. + </p> + <p> + All through the night they marched in a southwesterly direction over the + hills, and at daybreak reached the little seaport of Sitjes, some seven + leagues from Barcelona. Ordering the wearied soldiers to encamp behind + some low hills, the indefatigable general rode with Jack Stilwell into the + little port, and at once, by offering large rewards, set the sailors and + fishermen at work to collect the boats, barges, and fishing smacks along + the neighboring coast, and to bring them to Sitjes. + </p> + <p> + In two days he had succeeded in collecting a sufficient number to carry + the whole force. The news of the work upon which the general was engaged + soon spread among the force and caused the greatest astonishment. Jack + Stilwell was overwhelmed with questions as to the intentions of the + general. + </p> + <p> + “What on earth are we going to do next, Stilwell?” one of the colonels + said to him. “We are all ready, you know, to do anything that the chief + bids us, but for the life of us no one can make this business out. The + only possible thing seems to be that the chief intends to attack the + French fleet, and desperate as many of his exploits have been, they would + be as nothing to that. Even the earl could surely not expect that fifteen + hundred men in fishing boats and barges could attack a fleet of some + thirty men of war. The idea seems preposterous, and yet one does not see + what else he can have got in his head.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, colonel,” Jack said, laughing, “you do not expect me to tell + you what are the general's plans. You may be quite sure that, whatever + they are, there is nothing absolutely impossible about them, for you know + that although the general may undertake desperate things, he never + attempts anything that has not at least a possibility of success; in fact, + as you know, he has never yet failed in any enterprise that he has + undertaken.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true enough,” the colonel said; “and yet for the life of me I + cannot make out what else he can be thinking of. Certainly to attack + Toulouse would be madness, and yet there is no one else to attack.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, colonel, I can only say that time will show, and I don't think you + will have to wait very long before you know as much about it as I do.” + </p> + <p> + Jack was right in this, for on the night of the second day the earl called + his officers together, and informed them that he was waiting to join the + English fleet, which might at any moment come in sight. As hitherto + nothing had been known about the arrival of reinforcements, the news + excited the greatest joy. The earl had hoped that at daybreak the fleet + would be in sight, and as soon as it was light he mounted a hill which + gave him a wide view over the sea, but to his deep disappointment not a + sail appeared above the horizon. Knowing the desperate state of the + garrison at Barcelona, and that at any hour he might receive news that an + assault had been delivered and the city captured, his disappointment at + the delay in the appearance of the fleet was unbounded. + </p> + <p> + The roar of the distant guns around Barcelona came distinctly to his ears, + and he was almost wild with impatience and anxiety. On reaching the shore + again he found that a fast sailing felucca had just come in from + Barcelona. She had managed to evade the blockading fleet, and bore an + urgent letter from the king, praying Peterborough to come to his + assistance. The earl did not hesitate a moment, but determined to set sail + at once to find the fleet, and to bring it on to Barcelona with all speed. + </p> + <p> + The astonishment and dismay of his officers at the news that their general + was about to leave them and embark on such an enterprise were very great, + but the earl explained to the leaders the reasons for his anxiety to gain + the fleet. His commission appointed him to the command at sea as well as + on land, and on joining the fleet he would be its admiral in chief. He + feared that at the sight of so powerful an armament the Count of Toulouse + would at once decline battle and make for France. He determined, + therefore, to advance only with a force considerably inferior to that of + the French, in which case Toulouse, rather than abandon the siege of + Barcelona just when success seemed assured, would sail out and give + battle. + </p> + <p> + Should he do so the earl, however inferior his force, had no doubts as to + obtaining victory. Accompanied only by Jack Stillwell and by Captain + Humphrey, who had taken the place of Graham, he embarked on board the + little felucca and put to sea. The weather was cold and stormy, and the + master of the boat did not like putting out far from shore; but the earl + was peremptory, and the felucca stood well out to sea. Night came on + without any signs of the fleet being discovered. The hours of darkness + passed slowly, for the boat was undecked and afforded no shelter, and the + heavy seas which broke over her kept all on board wetted to the skin. + </p> + <p> + At daybreak, to their great joy, they perceived a British man of war + approaching. They at once made for her, and found she was the Leopard, + commanded by Captain Price. The astonishment of that officer, and of all + on board, was unbounded at being boarded at break of day almost out of + sight of land from an open boat by the admiral of all the fleets. The + earl's stay on board was but a short one. As soon as he had learned the + whereabout of the rest of the fleet, and given instructions to Captain + Price, he again embarked in the felucca, and sailed for Sitjes. + </p> + <p> + The joy of the troops was great at the return of their general, for the + night had been so stormy that there were great fears for his safety; but + he was not to remain with them long, for, having given orders that the + whole disposable force, about fourteen hundred men, should embark in the + boats before daybreak next morning, and follow the fleet to Barcelona, he + again with his aides de camp took his place in the felucca and sailed for + the fleet. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the night he came across them, and boarding the Prince + George, hoisted his flag as admiral of the fleet on the maintop, and took + the command. He then sent a boat to Sir John Leake to acquaint him with + his orders and intentions, and another boat to advise General Stanhope of + his arrival; but the darkness delayed the delivery of these messages till + nearly morning, and when day appeared the whole fleet was amazed at seeing + the flag of the admiral in chief flying on the Prince George. The wind was + strong and favorable, and the fleet crowded on all sail; but when within + about eighteen miles of Barcelona one of the French lookout ships sighted + them, and made a signal to a consort further along. She in turn passed on + the news until it reached the Count of Toulouse, who, without waiting to + ascertain the strength of the approaching squadron, at once signaled to + his fleet to weigh anchor, and, putting to sea, sailed for France. + </p> + <p> + The disappointment of the earl was great, as he had fully calculated upon + gaining a great naval battle in sight of the city he had come to relieve. + On the afternoon of the 8th of May the leading vessels anchored off + Barcelona, and preparations were at once made for the landing of the + troops. The first to set foot on shore were the earl's veteran troops, who + had according to his orders accompanied the fleet from Sitjes. The succor + was welcome, indeed; the breaches were no longer defensible, and an + assault was hourly expected. The king himself came down to receive the + earl and his army; the city went wild with joy. + </p> + <p> + For a few days the French made a show of carrying on the siege. They were + still enormously superior in force; but the energy and skill of + Peterborough counterbalanced the inequality. He worked day and night in + superintending the works of defense, and in placing the troops in + readiness for the expected assault. Philip and many of his officers were + still in favor of an attack upon the city; but Tesse as usual was opposed + to anything like vigorous measures, and his views were adopted by a + council of war. + </p> + <p> + At one o'clock on the morning of the 11th of May the besiegers broke up + their camp, and in great confusion made their way toward the French + frontier, for Tesse preferred even the ignominy of falling back into + France with his unsuccessful and dispirited army to retracing his steps + toward Saragossa, where his devastations and cruelty had caused the whole + population to rise in insurrection as soon as his army had passed into + Catalonia. Besides which, he had received news that Peterborough had + caused every pass and town on his way to the west to be fortified and held + by the Miquelets. Philip accompanied the retreating army to Roussillon. + The downfall of his hopes had been utter and complete. But a few weeks + before it had seemed that Spain was his, and that the forces at his + disposal were ample to crush out the insurrection in Barcelona, and to + sweep into the sea the handful of the invaders. But all his plans had been + baffled, all his hopes brought to naught by the genius and energy of one + man, in spite of that man being thwarted at every turn by the imbecile + German coterie who surrounded the king, and by the jealousy and ill will + of his fellow generals. + </p> + <p> + Bad news met the fugitive at Roussillon. There he heard that his + countrymen had suffered a disastrous defeat at Ramillies; that nearly all + the Netherlands had been wrested from France; that a heavy defeat had been + inflicted upon her at Turin, and that Italy was well nigh lost. It needed, + indeed, but the smallest amount of unanimity, enterprise, and confidence + on the part of the advisers and generals of King Charles to have placed + him securely and permanently upon the throne of Spain. + </p> + <p> + When the flight of the besieging army was discovered after daybreak by the + besieged, they poured out from Barcelona into the deserted camp. All the + ordnance and stores of the French had been abandoned. Two hundred heavy + brass guns, thirty mortars, and a vast quantity of shot, shells, and + intrenching tools, three thousand barrels of powder, ten thousand sacks of + corn, and a vast quantity of provisions and stores were found left behind + in the camp. Tesse had left, too, all his sick and wounded with a letter + to the Earl of Peterborough begging him to see that they were well cared + for. + </p> + <p> + The news of the hasty retreat of Marshal Tesse from before Barcelona + caused a shock of surprise throughout Europe. In France it had never been + doubted that Barcelona would fall, and as to the insurrection, it was + believed that it could be trampled out without difficulty by the + twenty-five thousand French veterans whom the marshal had at his disposal. + As to the handful of British troops whose exploits had occasioned such + astonishment, none had supposed for a moment that they would be able to + effect anything when opposed to so overwhelming a force of the disciplined + troops of France. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough himself had hardly hoped to save Barcelona, but, unlike his + enemies, he had not considered that the fall of that city would + necessarily entail the final defeat of the cause for which he fought. + While busying himself with the marches and achievements of the troops + under his command, he had never ceased to take measures to provide for the + future. His marches and counter marches had made him thoroughly acquainted + with the country, and he had won the entire confidence of the people. + </p> + <p> + He had, therefore, taken measures that even if Barcelona fell Philip + should not march back again to his capital. From the day Tesse advanced he + had had thousands of the country people at work, under the direction of a + few of his own officers, rendering each of the three roads by which the + French army could march from Barcelona to Madrid impracticable. Gorges + were blocked with vast masses of rock rolled down from the mountain side + at spots where the road wound along on the face of precipices; and where + it had only been made by blasting, it was by similar means entirely + destroyed. Bridges were broken down, every castle and town on the lines of + retreat placed in a state of defense, and the cattle and provisions driven + off to places of safety. + </p> + <p> + Thus while the earl was himself engaged in the most perilous adventures, + he neglected nothing that the most prudent and cautious general could have + suggested to insure the success of his plans. Even when affairs looked + most unpromising in Barcelona the earl wrote cheerfully to the Duke of + Savoy, saying that the circumstances were much better than were generally + supposed; and that the French officers, ignorant of the situation of the + country, would be astonished at the difficulties that would be opposed to + them on advancing even after success; and that if the siege were raised + they would be forced to abandon Spain, while all the western frontier + would be clear for the progress of Lord Galway and Das Minas to Madrid. + </p> + <p> + A few days after the retreat of Marshal Tesse, to Jack's great pleasure + Graham came into Barcelona. He had, in the confusion of the retreat, had + little difficulty in slipping away from his captors. His only danger had + been from the peasantry, at whose hands he had narrowly escaped death, as + they took him for a French officer; but, upon being convinced by his + assurances that he was an Englishman and an aide de camp of the Earl of + Peterborough, they had provided him with a horse to make his way back to + Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI: INGRATITUDE + </h2> + <p> + Barcelona rescued, Peterborough at once urged the king to march upon + Madrid and have himself proclaimed king in his capital. There was no force + which could oppose his advance, and Lord Galway and the Portuguese could + move unresisted from the west and meet him there. But it was a long time + before Charles and his counselors would listen to his advice; and although + at last they agreed to follow it, their resolution was short. In the first + place, they determined to leave so large a force to garrison Catalonia + that the army available for the advance on Madrid would be very seriously + weakened—fifteen hundred English and eleven hundred Spaniards were + to be left at Barcelona, sixteen hundred English and Dutch and fifteen + hundred Spanish at Gerona, eight hundred and fifty Spanish and Dutch at + Lerida, and five hundred Spanish at Tortosa. + </p> + <p> + This left but sixty-five hundred men available for service in the field, + and even this number was subsequently diminished by the vacillating + Charles to forty-five hundred. + </p> + <p> + As Peterborough wrote to Lord Halifax: “We have saved kingdoms in spite of + the king, who would abandon them, and we have waged more dangerous war + with ministers than with enemies. Lord Galway and the Portuguese generals + pass all understanding.” + </p> + <p> + No wonder the earl was astounded by the incompetence of Lord Galway and + the Portuguese generals. They had twenty thousand men, while to oppose + them there were but five thousand under the Duke of Berwick; and yet after + entering Spain they fell back, without doing anything, into Portugal—their + retreat beginning on the 11th of May, the day on which Philip retreated + from Barcelona. So that on the opposite side of Spain two large armies + simultaneously retired before others vastly weaker than themselves. When + the news of Tesse's retreat to France reached Portugal they again + advanced. Berwick was too weak to oppose them, and on the 25th of June the + advance guard of the allies occupied Madrid, and there proclaimed Charles + as king. + </p> + <p> + Had Galway and his colleagues now shown the slightest energy, and moved + against Berwick's little force, with which was Philip himself, they could + have driven them across the frontier without striking a blow, and the + French cause would have been lost in Spain; but, having reached Madrid, + they remained there doing absolutely nothing—leaving ample time to + Philip to repair his misfortunes, receive aid from France, and recommence + the campaign with vigor. As Peterborough wrote indignantly to General + Stanhope: “Their halt is as fatal as was Hannibal's at Capua.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as the movement upon Madrid had been decided upon, Peterborough + sailed with the English and Dutch infantry to Valencia, where he was + received with enthusiasm by the inhabitants. He at once set to work to + raise a regiment of dragoons, and organized them in three weeks. The very + day they were mounted he marched them upon Castile. During this time not + only had Lord Galway made no movement, but he had joined in the German + intrigue by which Charles was induced to abandon the plan of marching to + his capital under the escort of Peterborough. + </p> + <p> + The allied generals at Madrid were indeed basely jealous of the brilliant + conqueror of Catalonia and Valencia. His deeds had thrown theirs entirely + into the shade. With utterly insufficient means he had done everything; + with ample means they had effected nothing, and had only been enabled to + enter Madrid by the fact that he had drawn off the army which had + successfully opposed them. + </p> + <p> + After incessant labor in organizing his force, the earl sent two thousand + men, under the command of Lieutenant General Wyndham, to besiege the towns + of Requena and Cuenca—two places of some strength which blocked the + road between Valencia and Madrid. + </p> + <p> + Wyndham easily accomplished the task; and the road being thus secured, + Peterborough wrote to Charles that “nothing remained to hinder him from + entering Madrid with even a small escort of horse.” The earl had + everything prepared along the road for the passage of the king; but + although he wrote over and over again urging him not to delay, Charles + refused to stir, and told General Stanhope (who backed Peterborough's + entreaties) that he had “no becoming equipment with which to enter his + capital.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” the English general exclaimed in indignant astonishment, “our + William the Third entered London in a hackney, with a cloak bag behind it, + and was made king not many weeks after.” + </p> + <p> + A month after the date originally settled Charles set out and proceeded to + Taragona, but then, to the astonishment of the English general and envoy, + they learned he had altered his mind and taken the route to Saragossa. + When he heard the news, Peterborough sent couriers day after day with + urgent letters to the king. He prevailed upon a deputation of the + Valencian nobility to follow with the same purpose, and transmitted the + opinion of a council of war, which was unanimous in entreating the king to + stay his steps. The king again hesitated, and was about to follow + Peterborough's advice, when a French officer in the Portuguese service + arrived from Galway and Das Minas, again urging him to move by the route + which they had suggested. + </p> + <p> + Charles again hesitated, the Count of Cifuentes (who was with him) gave + his advice in favor of the Saragossa route, and the king decided on that + line. + </p> + <p> + On the 26th of July the earl summoned a council of war, including the + Governor of Valencia, two Spanish generals, and his own officers. They + agreed unanimously that Peterborough should march his army to Madrid or + join the army in Portugal, as circumstances might require. Just before + they started letters came in from the king desiring that Peterborough + should send the forces under his command either to relieve the Duke of + Savoy or to capture the Balearic Isles. + </p> + <p> + The earl declined to follow this ungrateful suggestion, which was + manifestly intended by Charles and his advisers, English, Portuguese, and + German, to send away from his kingdom the man who had won it for him. + Being fortunately independent of orders, Peterborough marched for Castile, + as he and the council of war had previously determined. + </p> + <p> + Charles was not long in regretting that he had not followed Lord + Peterborough's advice. Instead of the triumphant procession from Saragossa + to Madrid, which he had been promised, he was met with the most determined + opposition. + </p> + <p> + Every town and village in the center and south of Spain rose against him; + Salamanca and Toledo declared for Philip, and Andalusia raised eighteen + thousand men. The troops of Las Torres from Valencia, and those who had + retreated under Tesse to Roussillon, had joined Berwick at Xadraque, and + Philip had placed himself at the head of this formidable army. Charles was + obliged to send in the utmost haste to ask the Earl of Peterborough to + extricate him from the position in which he had placed himself by + neglecting his advice. + </p> + <p> + The earl instantly complied with the request, and marching with all speed + overtook the king on the 4th of August at Pastrina, and thence on the + following day escorted him in safety to the army of Portugal at + Guadalaxara. + </p> + <p> + The total strength of the united allied army was eighteen thousand men—a + force inferior, indeed, to that with which Berwick confronted them; and + that portion brought by Lord Galway and the Portuguese General Das Minas + was not to be relied upon, having fallen into a state of great + indiscipline owing to the tedious delays, the frequent retreats, and the + long inactivity to which it had been subjected by the incompetence of its + leaders. That this was so was evident by the fact that the day after the + king's arrival the French made a partial attack, and many of the allied + battalions at once fell into complete confusion. But this was not the + greatest drawback to the efficiency of the allied army; they were + paralyzed by the dissensions of their commanders—Galway, Das Minas, + and the Dutch Count de Noyelles. Each and all declined to acknowledge + Peterborough as commander in chief. The earl then offered to waive his own + rights entirely and to fight as a simple volunteer, and that Das Minas, + Lord Galway, and the Dutch general should each command their own forces, + receiving their orders from the king. + </p> + <p> + This offer was, however, refused by the three generals. The partisans of + the various leaders shared their animosity. The English troops of + Peterborough claiming, and justly, that Catalonia and Valencia had been + gained and won by him, and that to him alone the king owed his crown, were + furious that those who had shown naught but incapacity from the + commencement of the campaign should now refuse to recognize his authority. + While the disputes continued Berwick had nearly succeeded in surprising + Galway, and a disastrous defeat had only been prevented by the gallant + defense made by Lord Tyrawley of an outpost which he commanded, and which + he held for two hours against all the efforts of the French, and so gave + time for the army to make a hasty retreat. + </p> + <p> + The army was, moreover, straitened by want of provisions; Lord Galway and + his colleagues had made no arrangements whatever for its supply. Day and + night the German favorites of the king, who had ruined their master's + cause by dissuading him from following the advice of Lord Peterborough, + now labored with the king still further to destroy his confidence in + Peterborough; and finding himself treated coldly by the ungrateful + monarch, who owed everything to him, opposed at every turn by the other + generals, and seeing that his presence was worse than useless, + Peterborough announced his intention of obeying the orders from Queen + Anne, dated the 12th of June, and repeated on the 17th, to proceed to the + assistance of the Duke of Savoy. + </p> + <p> + On the same evening a council of war was held. The king formally laid + Peterborough's announcement before the generals, who, delighted to get rid + of their rival, unanimously recommended that he should depart. + </p> + <p> + On the 11th of August, full of mortification and disgust at the treatment + that he had experienced and the base ingratitude of the king, Peterborough + rode from the camp at Guadalaxara. As if to humiliate him as far as + possible, he was given only an escort of eighty dragoons, although there + were serious difficulties to be encountered on the road to Valencia. His + two favorite aides de camp, Stilwell and Graham, were the only officers + who accompanied him. It is satisfactory to know that from the moment of + the earl's departure misfortune and disaster fell upon the fortunes of + King Charles, and that the crown which he had received from the English + earl was wrested from his unworthy grasp. Peterborough had gone but a + short distance when he heard that all his baggage, consisting of eight + wagon loads and of the value of eight thousand pounds sterling, had fallen + into the hands of the enemy. When he left Valencia to extricate the king + from his difficulties he had ordered it to be sent after him to + Guadalaxara. When it arrived at Cuenca, General Wyndham, who commanded + there, forwarded it with a small escort; but it was attacked while passing + through the town of Huete by a party of the Duke of Berwick's troopers. + </p> + <p> + The earl was furious at the news. Not only were all his personal effects, + jewels, and uniforms lost, but his spare horses, carriages, and mules. + Upon making inquiry he found that the troopers of Berwick had been aided + by the inhabitants of Huete, who had given information to the troopers and + shared in the plunder. His first impulse was to burn the town to the + ground, and as when he arrived there he was joined by Wyndham's force, he + had ample power to do so. + </p> + <p> + He immediately summoned the magistrates and clergy to meet him, and told + them in decided terms that they must find his baggage and the rogues that + had stolen it. After making a search in the town they were able to find + but a small portion of it. They then offered to pay him ten thousand + pistoles for his loss, or any other sum which he might choose to name; but + the earl, with that singular generosity which formed so marked a part of + his character, declined the offer, and said: + </p> + <p> + “I see you are honest gentlemen; for my part I will sit content with my + loss if you will bring all the corn of the district to the army.” + </p> + <p> + The townspeople were delighted at this clemency, as corn was much more + easy to procure than money, and it was accordingly sent to Lord Galway's + camp, where it sufficed to supply the whole army for six weeks. + </p> + <p> + This was an act of almost unparalleled magnanimity and generosity to the + generals whose jealousy and machinations had driven him from the army; but + the earl was so satisfied at thus heaping coals of fire upon the heads of + his rivals that he continued his journey in the highest state of good + humor in spite of the loss which he had suffered, and which, as he was by + no means rich, was a very considerable one. He took with him Killigrew's + dragoons and sent on Wyndham's brigade to join Lord Galway. On the way he + encountered several adventures. + </p> + <p> + One night when he arrived at the little town of Campillo, he heard of a + barbarous massacre that had that day been perpetrated in a neighboring + village upon a small detachment of English soldiers, who had just been + discharged from the hospital at Cuenca, and were proceeding under the + command of an officer to join Wyndham's battalion of the guards, to which + they belonged. They had slept at the village, and were marching out + unconscious of danger, when a shot in the back killed their officer, and + the peasants at once rushed in upon the men and killed several of them, + together with their wives who had accompanied them. The rest were dragged + up a hill near the village, and then one by one thrown down a deep pit. + </p> + <p> + No sooner did the earl hear of the outrage than he ordered the trumpets to + sound to horse. The dragoons, who, weary with their long march, had just + unsaddled, turned out wondering at the order; but when they heard what had + happened, they mounted with an impatience for vengeance equal to that of + their general. Arriving at the village they found, to their great + disappointment, that the murderers had fled, and that hardly any of the + inhabitants remained. They found, however, hidden in the church, the + clothes of some of the murdered guardsmen. The sacristan of the church was + alleged by the inhabitants, who were narrowly examined, to have taken an + active part in the slaughter, and the earl ordered him to be hung up at + once to the knocker of his own door. The troops then rode up to the top of + the hill, and the earl and his aides de camp dismounted at the edge of the + pit. They had procured a rope at the village, although the inhabitants + insisted that no one could be found alive, as the pit, which was a disused + one, was of vast depth. + </p> + <p> + “Is any one alive down there?” the earl shouted. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” a voice cried a short distance below them. “Thank God friends + have come; but help me quickly, for I cannot hold on much longer.” + </p> + <p> + Jack seized the rope and twisted one end round his body. Several of the + soldiers lowered him down, and some twenty feet below the edge he came + upon the man who had spoken. As he fell he had caught some bushes which + grew in the side of the old pit, and having managed to find a ledge on + which to place his feet, had maintained his grasp in this perilous + position the whole day. As the rope was amply strong enough to hold two, + Jack clasped his arms around the man's body and called to those above to + haul up. They were soon at the surface. + </p> + <p> + The soldier, who had fainted when he found himself in safety, was laid + down and brandy poured down his throat, and Jack, to his astonishment and + satisfaction, recognized in him his old friend Sergeant Edwards. He did + not wait, however, for him to recover sensibility, but at once told the + troopers to lower him again to the end of the rope. This they did, and + Jack then shouted several times, but received no answer. He then dropped a + small stone he had brought down with him, but no sound came back in + return, and, satisfied that none of the soldiers could have survived the + fall, for he was already more than sixty feet below the surface, he + shouted to those above to draw him up. He found that Edwards had now + recovered his senses, and was giving to the earl a detailed account of the + massacre, which so exasperated him that he gave orders that the village + should be burned to the ground, a command which was willingly carried out + by the troopers. Edwards was delighted at recognizing Jack, and when, + after the destruction of the village, the party rode back to Campillo for + the night, the two old friends had a long chat as to the events which had + happened since they last parted at Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + “Is it true, sir, that the general has resigned his command?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite true, Edwards.” + </p> + <p> + “And is he going home, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “No; he will sail to aid the Duke of Savoy; at least that is the present + intention; but I should not be surprised if he is in England ere many + months are over.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, I should like to get my discharge and go home too; being + chucked down that pit has given me a regular sickness of campaigning among + these savages. Talk about pirates, Captain Stilwell, why, I had rather + fall among pirates any day than among these bloodthirsty wretches. Calls + themselves Christians too! The pirates wasn't hypocrites, in that way, + anyhow; they didn't bow down on their knees before every little trumpery + doll stuck up by the wayside, and then go and cut a man's throat afterward—it + was all fair and square with them. Anyways, it don't matter to me, as I + see, whether they has King Charles or King Philip to rule over them; I + wishes him joy of the job, whichever it may be; but I don't see no call to + be risking my life in being shot, or chucked down pits, or stabbed in my + bed, for such a lot of varmint any longer. I have served my full time, and + can take my pension; besides, I have got something like a thousand pounds + stowed away in a snug hiding place near Barcelona.” + </p> + <p> + “You have, Edwards? I am glad to hear it; I had no idea you were such a + rich man.” + </p> + <p> + “It's prize money, sir, lawful earned prize money, though I don't know + between ourselves as the colonel would have approved of it; so I stowed it + away and says nothing till I gets a chance to lift it before I set sail. + It's been rather worrying me in case we should be ordered to take ship at + some other port.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, but how did you get it, Edwards?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, I know that I can tell you, 'cause I am sure it won't go no + further. Just afore the French came down to besiege Barcelona I was up + with the brigade at Lerida. The people were pretty much divided up there, + but the news as the French was coming to drive us into the sea made the + folks as was against us very bold. The sentries had to be doubled at + night, for lots of our men were found stabbed, and it was dangerous to go + about outside the town except in parties. Well, sir, Sergeant Adams of + ours, as smart a soldier as ever wore pigtail, had fallen in love with the + daughter of an innkeeper at a place four miles from Lerida. + </p> + <p> + “It wasn't much of a village, but there was a big convent close by, one of + the richest in Spain, they said. The girl was fond of Adams, and had + agreed, so he told me, to cut and run when the regiment marched away, and + to be spliced to him. I rather tried to dissuade him from the affair, for, + as I pointed out, how would a Spanish woman get on in barracks with the + other sergeants' wives, specially if she was as pretty as the whole lot + put together? However, of course, he wouldn't listen to that—no chap + ever does when he's downright in love; so he asked me one afternoon if I + would go out with him and Sergeant Saunders to the village, so that while + we were having our glass he could manage to get a few words with the girl + to arrange about her joining him, for the French were only two or three + marches away, and we might have to fall back any day. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't much like the job, for it was a risky business three of us going + so far; but he pointed out that we needn't start till it got dark, so + nobody would see us till we got to the village, and we needn't stay there + above a quarter of an hour, and could be off before any one who meant + mischief could find out that we were alone; besides, hitherto the people + there had always been friendly, for, being just the right distance for a + walk, and the wine there being good, our fellows went over there a good + deal: so the long and short of it was we went. + </p> + <p> + “We got there all right, and walked into the wine shop as usual and sat + down and called for wine. There were half a dozen fellows sitting there + drinking. They were talking aloud when we entered, but stopped at once as + we came in, and looked as men do when you come across them just as they + are saying something as is no good about you. We passed the word as usual, + and were soon chatting with them. They didn't seem very free and friendly, + and asked several questions about the French army, and whether we had any + troops coming up to help us hold Lerida. I said we expected five or six + thousand in a day or two, which seemed rather to take them by surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Well, presently Adams got up quietly and went out of the door, and I knew + he was going round to the back to meet his girl. I had seen a look pass + atween them when she brought in our wine. We went on talking quiet for + some time; four or five other men dropped in, and some of them got talking + together in low tones, and I began to wish we were well out of it, and to + wonder how much longer Adams was going to be before he came back. Suddenly + we heard a loud scream, and Manola—that was the girl's name—came + rushing in from behind. 'He's killed him,' she screamed, and she fell down + as if she had been killed too. As I heard afterward, her old rascal of a + father had for some time suspected something was up between her and Adams, + and when he missed him had stolen out behind and came upon them just as he + was kissing her and saying goodby. Then he whipped his knife out, and + before Adams had time to turn round, stabbed him in the back, and the + sergeant fell dead without a word. + </p> + <p> + “Close behind the girl rushed in the innkeeper, swearing and cursing and + calling us heretics, and dogs, and robbers, and every other bad kind of + name. The men got up and began to stamp and shout, and seeing that it was + no time for argument I said to Saunders, 'We had best make a bolt of it, + Bill.' So we out swords and made a dash for the inner door, for they had + closed in at the other with their knives out. We got safely through the + house. Just outside the back door we came upon the body of Adams. We + stopped a moment and turned him over to see if he was dead, but it was all + up with him. + </p> + <p> + “It didn't take a moment to look; but, before it was done, they were upon + us, both from behind and running round from the front of the house. We cut + and slashed for a moment and then bolted with them at our heels. We got + separated in a minute. I turned in among some bushes and lost Saunders. I + heard afterward he was killed before he had run fifty yards. Luckily they + missed me for the moment, and I lay down among the bushes and thought it + over. The whole village was up by this time, as I could hear by the + shouts; and after thinking it over I concluded that there was no chance of + my making my way back to Lerida, and that my best plan would be to go up + to the convent and ask for shelter there. I knew well enough that once + inside I should be safe from the peasants. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I crawled along for some distance. Half a dozen times they was nigh + stumbling over me as they searched about in the gardens and vineyards; but + at last I made my way safe up to the convent and rang at the bell. + Presently the little window in the door opened, and a monk said, 'Who is + there?' I kept out of his sight and said in Spanish: 'A fugitive who seeks + sanctuary.' Thinking I was only somebody who had stabbed three or four men + in a row, the monk opened the door. He gave an exclamation when he saw my + uniform when I entered, and would have slammed the door in my face; but I + pushed in. Then he gave a shout, and five or six other monks came running + up and set up a jabbering, and stood staring at me as if I had been a wild + beast. Then they wanted to turn me out; but I wouldn't budge, and as I had + my sword still in my hand they didn't know what to do. + </p> + <p> + “At last some chap in authority came down. He talked to me and tried to + persuade me to leave; but I said, 'No, I claim sanctuary;' and as they + were ready to give sanctuary to the worst of murderers, I didn't see as + they could deny it to me who had committed no crime whatever. He went away + and came back again after some time, and then told me to sheath my sword + and follow him. This I did, and he led the way to a sort of cell where + there were some rushes laid on a stone bed, and told me that I could + remain there. + </p> + <p> + “Thinking it was all right I lay down and went to sleep, but was presently + woke by half a dozen monks, who were tying my hands and feet with cords. + It was no use struggling, so I lay quiet; and when they had done, they + carried me away, took me some distance, and went down a flight of stairs; + a door was unlocked, and then I was pitched down on the ground as if I had + been a log of wood. I didn't move much that night. + </p> + <p> + “In the morning there was just enough light came through a little slit + high up in the wall to show me that I was in a place about six feet + square. It was perfectly bare, without as much as a bit of straw to lie + on. Presently two monks came in. One of them untied the cords which + fastened my hands. They placed some black bread and a jug of water by me, + and then went out again. There they kept me for six days. At the end of + that time they told me to come along with them. I had, of course, taken + the cords off my legs when I had got my hands free, and I followed them, + wondering what was to come next. I was taken to the door of the convent, + and there I saw a party of French troopers, to whom the monks handed me + over. I mounted behind one of them, and was taken to Marshal Tesse's camp + near Lerida, and a couple of days afterward sent back to Saragossa. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't stop long in the prison there, for the next day the people rose, + turned the French from the citadel, and opened the prison doors and let + out all the prisoners. They made a good deal of me, as I was the only + Englishman there, supplied me with money and clean clothes, and provided + me with a guide and a mule to take me by round about byroads so that I + should avoid the French army. I put my regimentals in a bag, which I + carried behind me, and at last got down to Barcelona the very day before + the French arrived there. + </p> + <p> + “I found my regiment already there. I got a rare blowing up from the + colonel for having gone out from Lerida without leave; but as he said he + thought I had been punished enough already, and bore a good character, he + overlooked it, of which I was glad enough, I can tell you, for I expected + nothing less than reduction to the ranks. + </p> + <p> + “Well, after Lord Peterborough arrived with the fleet, and the French + bolted as hard as they could to France, Wyndham's brigade went up again to + Lerida. I got chatting the affair over with Jack Thompson, who was General + Wyndham's servant, and we agreed between us that we would give those monks + a fright, and perhaps get some compensation out of them. So we got hold of + four of Killigrew's dragoons, who, when they heard what was wanted, was + ready enough for the spree. So one day when General Wyndham had gone off + with a party for the day, Thompson borrowed his hat and plumes and his + cloak, and hiding them up, went out of camp with me to a place a quarter + of a mile away, where the four troopers with two spare horses were waiting + for us. Thompson put on the general's hat and cloak, and mounted one + horse, while I got on the other, and away we rode out to the village. + </p> + <p> + “First of all we went to the inn and seized the innkeeper. Manola wasn't + there, and I never heard what became of her—whether her father had + sent her to a convent or killed her, I don't know. However, we held a + court regular. Thompson he was the judge, and I gave evidence as to the + innkeeper having murdered poor Adams, and Thompson sentenced him to death, + and we hung him up over his door. When we had set that job right we went + to the convent and rang the bell. They opened quick enough this time. + </p> + <p> + “'Tell the prior,' Thompson said, 'that the Earl of Peterborough is here, + and desires to see him instantly.' + </p> + <p> + “Mighty frightened the monk looked, I can tell you, as he went off to give + the message, and came back in a minute, asking Thompson to follow him. We + all dismounted. Two of the troopers stopped to look after the horses, and + the others with drawn swords followed Thompson and me. We were shown into + the prior's room, which was fit for a prince. The prior looked mighty + pale, and so did two or three other chaps who were with him. + </p> + <p> + “'Look here,' Thompson said in an angry tone of voice, 'I am the Earl of + Peterborough, and I hear from this man, Sergeant Edwards, of the king's + regiment of grenadiers, that he was basely and treacherously made a + prisoner by you; that he was confined in an underground cell and fed with + bread and water for a week, and then handed over to the French. Now, sir, + I give you an hour to clear out with all your gang from this convent, + which I intend to destroy. You will remain in the courtyard as prisoners. + You will then be tried for this treacherous act against one of the King of + England's guards, and all found to have had a hand in the proceeding will + be hung.' + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, you may just guess the fright they were in. They knew that the + earl was just the sort of man to carry his threat into execution, and they + thought their last day was come. You never saw such a set of cowardly + wretches in your life. I am blessed if they didn't go down on their knees + and howl. At last Thompson began to think he had worked them up enough, + and he said stern: + </p> + <p> + “'Well, I am disposed to have mercy, and if in half an hour you pay down + the sum of five thousand pounds as a ransom for the convent and your + wretched lives I will be merciful.' + </p> + <p> + “Then there was a fresh howling. They swore by all the saints that such a + sum as five thousand pounds was never heard of. Thompson gradually dropped + his demands to three thousand; still they swore they hadn't got it, and he + said sternly to one of the troopers: + </p> + <p> + “'Ride back and fetch up the regiment which is a mile outside the + village.' + </p> + <p> + “Then there was more howling, and at last they offered to give seven + hundred pounds, which was all the money which they had in the treasury, + and to make it up in precious stones. After a deal of haggling Thompson + consented, and I believe if he had stood out for three times as much he + would have got it, for the convent was rich in relics, and no end of + precious offerings were stored away in their chests; however, he didn't + wish to push matters too far, and in half an hour they brought the money, + and a handful of diamonds and rubies, and things they had picked out of + their settings in the vases and crucifixes and vestments, and what not. + </p> + <p> + “We didn't know if they were real or not; but Thompson told them he should + give them to a jeweler to value, and if he found they had cheated him by + giving him false stones he would come back and hang the lot of them. So + off we rode again. + </p> + <p> + “When we got back to Lerida we took two or three of the stones to a + jeweler and found that they were all right. Then we divided the swag into + three parts as we had agreed. Thompson took one, I took another, and the + other was divided among the four troopers, who were not running such a + risk as we were. I never heard anything more about the matter, as far as I + was concerned, though there was a row. The prior heard that Peterborough + had never been near Lerida, and came over and saw General Wyndham. + </p> + <p> + “Killigrew's dragoons were paraded, but the prior couldn't spot any of + them. We had chosen four fair fellows, and they had all darkened + themselves a bit before they went. Luckily the prior did not say anything + about me. I expect he was afraid that when Wyndham heard how I had been + treated there he might have inflicted a fresh fine on the convent; + however, I was not there at the time, for I had a touch of fever the day + after the affair, and made myself out a bit worse than I was, and so got + sent down to Barcelona, where I buried my share of the plunder four or + five inches deep in a corner of the hospital yard. As to Thompson, there + wasn't any reason why suspicion should fall upon him. Soon after I got + back to my regiment I got ill again and was left in a hospital at Cuenca, + and had a narrow escape of it this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “It was a risky business,” Jack said, “and it would have gone very hard + with you and Thompson if you had been found out.” + </p> + <p> + “So it would, sir. I knew that; but you see, it was only right and just + those fellows should pay for their treatment of me. If I had laid the case + before General Wyndham, no doubt he would have punished them just as + severe as I did, only the fine would have gone into the army treasury, + instead of going to the right person.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid, Edwards, that you have not got rid of those loose notions of + morality you picked up among the pirates,” Jack said, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not, Captain Stilwell. You see, bad habits stick to a man; but I + have done with them now. When I get back to England I shall buy a snug + public house at Dover, and with that and my pension I shall be in clover + for the rest of my life.” + </p> + <p> + It was not until the voyage home that Jack, after obtaining a promise of + secrecy, related to the earl the liberty which had been taken with his + name. It was just a freak after Peterborough's heart, and he was immensely + amused. + </p> + <p> + “The rascals!” he said, “they deserved hanging, every one of them; but the + story is a capital one, and I should like to have been there myself to + have seen the fright of the prior and his assistants. They richly deserved + what befell them and more for betraying sanctuary. If it had been a + scoundrel who had cut his wife's throat, and stabbed half a dozen men, + they would have refused to give him up to the civil power, and would have + stood on the rights of sanctuary of the Church. I think they were let off + very easily. Let me see, is not that the same fellow that I exchanged into + the grenadiers at Gibraltar at your request, for his conduct in that + business of the mutiny on board your ship?” + </p> + <p> + “The same man, sir. He has led a queer life. He was a sailor originally, + and was taken by pirates and forced to join them, and had a narrow escape + of being hung when the vessel he sailed in was captured by an English + cruiser; but his life was spared, and he was drafted into the army, and he + is a willing and faithful soldier of the queen, and really a worthy + fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “He is evidently an arrant old scamp, Stilwell. Still, as long as we + recruit our army as we do, we cannot look for morality as well as bravery, + and I dare say your fellow is no worse than the rest. If you ever run + against him in London you must bring him to me, and I will hear his story + from his own lips.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII: HOME + </h2> + <p> + Upon the arrival of the Earl of Peterborough at Valencia he was received + with the profoundest sympathy and respect by the people, who were filled + with indignation at the treatment which the man whose daring and genius + had freed Catalonia and Valencia of the French had received at the hands + of their ungrateful monarch. Finding that a portion of the fleet had been + ordered to the West Indies, the earl was obliged to abandon his project of + capturing Minorca and then carrying substantial aid to the Duke of Savoy. + He, however, went to Genoa, and there borrowed a hundred thousand pounds, + which he brought back to Valencia and sent to the king for the use of the + army. + </p> + <p> + The cause of Charles was already well nigh desperate. Castile was lost, + and the enemy were pressing forward to recover Catalonia and Valencia. + Affairs were in the utmost state of confusion. Peterborough's rivals + having got rid of him now quarreled among themselves, or their only bond + of union was their mutual hatred of the earl. + </p> + <p> + The king himself, while he pretended to flatter him, wrote letters behind + his back to England bringing all sorts of accusations against him, and + succeeded in obtaining an order for his return. Before leaving he implored + the king and his generals to avoid a battle, which would probably be + disastrous, and to content themselves with a defensive war until Eugene of + Savoy and the Duke of Marlborough broke the power of France elsewhere. His + opinion was overruled, and the result was the disastrous battle of + Almanza, in which the hopes of Charles of Austria of obtaining the crown + of Spain were finally crushed. + </p> + <p> + Peterborough embarked on the 14th of May on board the Resolution, man of + war, commanded by his second son Henry. + </p> + <p> + The Resolution was accompanied by two frigates, the Enterprise and the + Milford Haven. The King of Spain's envoy to the court of Savoy also sailed + in the Resolution. The earl took with him his two aides de camp, who were + both too indignant at the treatment which their chief had received to + desire to remain with the army in Spain. The little squadron sailed first + for Barcelona, where it only remained a few hours, and then set sail for + Italy. + </p> + <p> + On the fifth day at sea they fell in with a French fleet of six men of + war. Two carried eighty guns, two seventy, one sixty-eight, and the other + fifty-eight. The Resolution was a slow sailer, and the French, who at once + gave chase, gained rapidly upon her. As resistance against such + overwhelming odds seemed hopeless, Peterborough determined to go with the + Spanish envoy and the state papers on board the Enterprise. There was + little time for reflection. A small boat was lowered, and the earl, with a + hasty adieu to his son, Jack, and Graham, descended the ship's side with + the Spanish envoy and rowed away to the Enterprise. + </p> + <p> + “We are fated to see the inside of a French prison, after all,” Jack said + to Graham. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, Stilwell. We have both been in their hands once, and did + not stay there long. I can hardly believe that our luck's going to desert + us at last.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see much chance of our escape this time, Graham. Six ships + against one are too great odds even for English sailors. The smallest of + them carries as many guns as we do, and once a prisoner on board a ship + there is no slipping away.” + </p> + <p> + “We are not prisoners yet, Jack, and I don't think that Mordaunt will + strike his flag without a struggle, though they are six to one. He is just + his father over again as far as courage goes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I hope, anyhow, the earl will get away,” Jack said. “If it hadn't + been for all those state papers he is burdened with I am sure he would + have stuck to the Resolution and fought it out. It would be just the kind + of desperate adventure to suit him. See, he has reached the Enterprise, + and she and the Milford Haven are spreading every sail; but although they + will leave us behind I question whether they will outsail the French. They + are coming up fast.” + </p> + <p> + “It will soon be dark,” Graham said, “and they may be able to slip away. + You may be sure the French will attend to us first, as being the most + valuable prize.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, gentlemen,” Captain Mordaunt said, coming up to them, “you are + going to have a piece of new experience. I know you have been through some + apparently hopeless conflicts on land with my father, but I don't think + you have ever seen a sea fight.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to fight them all, sir?” Jack asked. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to try,” the captain said. “My orders were to go to Leghorn, + and to Leghorn I mean to go if the ship floats; but I tell you honestly I + do not think there is much chance of our getting there. Still, as long as + the ship floats, the British flag will float over her.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything we can do, sir?” Jack asked. “We shall be happy to + serve as volunteers in any capacity in which you think we may be useful.” + </p> + <p> + “Until it comes to boarding I fear that you cannot help,” the captain + said, “except by walking about between decks and cheering and inspiriting + the men. The presence of officers looking cool and confident among them + always does good. If the enemy try to board us you shall fight by my + side.” + </p> + <p> + The two fastest sailing French vessels were so close when night fell that + it was hopeless to try to evade them either by changing the ship's course + or by lowering the sails. At ten o'clock they were less than a mile + astern, one on either quarter. The ship had long since been ready for + action, and the men were now called to the guns; but the enemy did not + open fire, but could, by the night glasses, be seen somewhat to shorten + sail so as to keep about the same distance behind the Resolution. + </p> + <p> + “Cowardly dogs,” the young captain said, “they do not mean to fight until + the whole of their consorts come up. However, we ought not to grumble, as + every hour takes us so much nearer port.” + </p> + <p> + He then ordered the men to lie down by the guns and get what sleep they + could until the enemy opened fire. Jack and Graham, finding that there was + nothing to be done, threw themselves into their hammocks, and slept till + five o'clock in the morning. They were then aroused, and went on deck. The + six French ships had now all come up, and were coming on in a body. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, gentlemen,” the young captain said gayly. “We have a fine + morning for our amusement. I wish the wind would freshen a little more so + as to take this lubberly old ship faster through the water.” + </p> + <p> + At six o'clock the leading vessel of the French squadron opened fire, and + at the signal her consorts all followed her example. Some of them were now + almost abreast of the Resolution, and the iron shower tore through her + sails and cut her rigging. She answered with a broadside from both sides, + and the battle commenced in earnest. + </p> + <p> + In all the annals of British seamanship there is no more heroic story than + that of the fight between the Resolution and the six French men of war. + From six in the morning until half past three in the afternoon she + maintained the unequal contest, still keeping on under full sail toward + her port, only yawing occasionally to pour a broadside into one or other + of her foes. They were now running along the coast, and the peasants on + the distant hills must have watched with astonishment the unequal fight as + the vessels pressed on past them. By half past three the Resolution was + little more than a wreck. Her sails were riddled with holes, many of her + spars shot away, her sides ragged and torn, and many of her crew killed, + but the remainder of the crew still fought their guns unflinchingly. + </p> + <p> + “We can do no more,” Captain Mordaunt said to Jack. “The carpenter has + just reported that the mainmast is so seriously injured that at any moment + it may go over the side. It is impossible to hope any longer to reach + Leghorn, but my ship I am determined they shall not have.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he gave orders to the first lieutenant, and the vessel's head + was suddenly turned straight toward the shore. The French, astonished at + so desperate a course, did not venture to follow her, and the Resolution + threaded her way through the dangerous reefs till at last she brought up + with a sudden crash which sent her tottering mainmast over the side. + </p> + <p> + The French advanced cautiously until nearing the reefs, and then opened a + distant fire, which the Resolution did not return. The captain ordered the + exhausted crew from their guns, a strong allowance of grog was served out, + and after a meal the men felt again ready for work. Jack and his companion + were at dinner with the captain, when the officer in charge of the deck + reported that the French ships were lowering their boats. + </p> + <p> + “Let the men rest as long as possible, Mr. Darwin, but when you see the + boats fairly on their way toward us beat to quarters.” + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later the roll of the drums was heard. “Now, gentlemen, we + will go on deck,” the captain said, “since they will not let us alone. But + if their ships could not take us I do not think that their boats will have + much chance.” + </p> + <p> + Dusk was closing in when they went on deck and saw all the boats of the + six French men of war, crowded with men, rowing in a line toward them. The + captain gave the order for the men to load with grape. As soon as the + French flotilla came well within range the word was given, and a storm of + balls swept their line. + </p> + <p> + Several of the boats were sunk at once, the others paused to pick up their + comrades from the water, and then again dashed forward; but by this time + the guns were again loaded, and the hail of iron again crashed into them. + With splendid bravery the French still advanced until close to the ship. + Then Captain Mordaunt ordered all the lower deck guns to be run in and the + ports closed, and the crew to come on deck. While some worked the upper + guns, others kept up a heavy fire of musketry upon the boats, which + swarmed round the ship. + </p> + <p> + Again and again the French made determined efforts to board, but they were + unable to climb the lofty sides of the ship. At length, after suffering + terrible loss, the French sailors gave up the attempt and rowed sullenly + off to their ships, covered by the darkness from the English fire. Captain + Mordaunt took off his cap and gave the signal, and a hearty cheer arose + from the crew. The night passed quietly, the terribly diminished crew lay + down as they stood by the guns, in readiness to repel another attack, + should it be attempted. The next morning one of the French eighty gun + ships got under way, and, with merely a rag of canvas shown, and her boats + rowing ahead and sounding to find a channel through the reefs, gradually + made her way toward the Resolution. + </p> + <p> + “Well, gentlemen,” the captain said, “I think you will agree with me that + nothing further can be done. The ship is already half full of water, the + magazine is flooded, and the whole of the powder wetted. The ship is a + wreck, and I should be only throwing away the men's lives uselessly by + attempting further resistance.” + </p> + <p> + The officers thoroughly agreed, and with the greatest coolness the captain + gave his orders for the abandonment of the vessel. Although the French man + of war had now opened fire, all the wounded, the whole of the crew, the + flags, papers, and everything of value were placed in the boats, and the + vessel was then set on fire in a dozen places. + </p> + <p> + After superintending everything personally, and making sure that the fire + had obtained such a hold that it could not be extinguished, Captain + Mordaunt ordered the officers to descend into the boats. Just as he was + about to leave the deck himself, the last man on board the ship, a cannon + shot from the French man of war struck him in the leg. The officers ran + back and raised him from the deck. + </p> + <p> + “It might have been worse,” he said cheerfully. “Now, gentlemen, will you + carry me down and place me in my gig, and then take your boats as + arranged? Be careful, as you row toward shore, to keep the Resolution + between you and the Frenchman's guns.” + </p> + <p> + Everything was done steadily and in order, and the survivors of the crew + of the Resolution reached the shore without further loss. The Resolution + was now in a blaze from end to end, and by eleven o'clock she was burned + to the water's edge. Mordaunt and his crew were kindly received by the + people of the country. As the captain himself would not be able to move + for some time, Jack and Graham said adieu to him and posted to Turin, + where the earl had told them that he should go direct from Leghorn. + </p> + <p> + They arrived before him, but twenty-four hours after they had reached the + capital of Savoy the earl arrived. He had already heard rumors of the + desperate fight between the Resolution and the enemy, and that his son had + been wounded. His aides de camp were now able to assure him that, although + serious, Captain Mordaunt's wounds were not likely to be fatal, and + Peterborough was delighted with the narrative of the gallant achievement + of his son. Shortly afterward an imperative order for his return reaching + the earl, he set out for England through Germany with his two aides de + camp. Peterborough was suffering from illness caused by the immense + exertions he had made through the campaign, and traveled but slowly. He + visited many of the German courts, and went for a few days to the camp of + Charles of Sweden in Saxony. + </p> + <p> + After this, by special invitation, he journeyed to the camp of the Duke of + Marlborough at Genappes, where he was received with much honor by the + great commander. He presented to him his two aides de camp. + </p> + <p> + “They have, my lord duke,” he said, “been my faithful friends throughout + the whole campaign in Spain, they have shared all my dangers, and any + credit I may have gained is due in no small degree to their zeal and + activity. It is unlikely that I shall again command an army in the field, + and therefore I would recommend them to you. They will accompany me to + England, for they, too, need a rest, after their exertions; after that I + trust that they may be sent out to fight under your orders, and I trust + that you will keep them in your eye, and will give them the advantage of + your protection and favor.” + </p> + <p> + The duke promised to do so, and, after a few days' stay in the camp, the + earl with his two followers started for England, where he arrived on the + 20th of August, 1707, nearly two years to a day from the date when he had + appeared, with a force under his command, before Barcelona. But the + campaign itself, so far as he was concerned, had lasted less than a year, + as it was in August, 1706, that he rode into Valencia, after having been + deprived of his command. + </p> + <p> + In that year he exhibited military qualities which have never been + surpassed. Daring to the point of extreme rashness where there was a + possibility of success, he was prudent and cautious in the extreme when + prudence was more necessary than daring. With absurdly insufficient means + he all but conquered Spain for Charles of Austria, and would have + succeeded in doing so altogether had he not, from first to last, been + thwarted and hampered by jealousy, malignity, stupidity, and irresolution + on the part of the king, his courtiers, and the generals who should have + been the earl's assistants, but who were his rivals, detractors, and + enemies. + </p> + <p> + It must be owned that Peterborough owed this opposition in some degree to + himself. He was impatient of fools, and took no pains to conceal his + contempt and dislike for those whose intellects were inferior to his own. + His independence of spirit and eccentricity of manner set the formal + German and Spanish advisers of the king against him, and although adored + by the officers and men who served under him, he made almost every man of + rank approaching his own who came in contact with him his personal enemy. + Among the bulk of the Spanish people of the provinces in which he warred + he was beloved as well as admired, and even to this day legends of the + brilliant and indefatigable English general are still current among the + people of Catalonia and Valencia. No man ever served the cause to which he + devoted himself with greater zeal and sincerity. He was lavish of his own + private means in its interest, and, even when his advice and opinion were + most slighted, he was ready to sacrifice himself, his rank, and dignity to + the good of the cause. Had he had the good fortune to command an army of + his own countrymen unfettered by others, it is probable that he would have + gained a renown equal to that of the greatest commanders the world has + known. + </p> + <p> + The great services which he had rendered were warmly felt and acknowledged + by the people of England on his return, and the attempts of his enemies to + undermine his reputation were confuted by the papers which he brought back + with him. For a time Peterborough took a considerable part in politics, + and his acrimony in debate so enraged his enemies that his conduct during + the war in Spain was called into question. A debate on the subject took + place. In this he successfully defended himself from the attacks made + against him, and a formal vote of thanks to him was passed. + </p> + <p> + Some years afterward he retired altogether from public life, and privately + married Miss Anastasia Robinson, his first wife having died many years + before. Miss Robinson was a singer of the highest repute, of the most + amiable character, and kindest disposition. There was no reason why the + match should not have been publicly acknowledged, as the lady was held in + universal esteem; but, with his usual eccentricity, the earl insisted on + the marriage being kept a secret, and did not announce it until on his + death bed in the year 1735. Lady Peterborough lived in profound + retirement, universally beloved and honored, to the age of eighty-eight. + </p> + <p> + Upon arriving in London Jack stayed for a few days with his friend Graham, + whose family lived there. The earl had told the young officer that he + would introduce them to the queen, but, on their calling by appointment on + him at his hotel on the third day after their arrival in town, + Peterborough said: + </p> + <p> + “You had best go about your own business for a time; the queen is out of + temper. The ears of ministers have been poisoned by lying letters from my + enemies in Spain, but it will all come right in time. As you know, I have + papers which will clear me of every charge that their malignity may + invent. When I am in favor again I will let you know, and will present you + to the queen and minister of war; at any rate, you will like a rest at + home before you set out for the Netherlands, so there will be plenty of + time.” + </p> + <p> + The next day Jack took his place on the coach for Southampton. He arrived + there after fourteen hours' journey, and put up at a hotel for the night. + The next morning he dressed himself with greater care than usual, and + started for the well remembered shop in the High Street. He knocked at the + private door, and inquired if Mistress Anthony were in. + </p> + <p> + “Will you say that a gentleman whom she knows wishes to speak to her?” + </p> + <p> + Jack was shown into the parlor, and in a minute or two Mrs. Anthony + appeared, looking a little flustered at hearing that a grand looking + officer wished to see her. Jack advanced toward her with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Jack!” she exclaimed with a scream of delight, “is it you?” and the + good woman threw her arms round his neck and kissed him as if he had been + her own son. + </p> + <p> + “Of course we got your letters,” she said, “telling us how you had been + made an officer and then a captain. The last letter we had from you was + from Italy; telling us about that great sea fight, and that you were + coming home, but that's eight months ago. We knew you were with my Lord + Peterborough, and we saw in the Intelligencer about his being in Germany, + and last week they said he had come home. We were talking about you only + yesterday, and wondering whether you would come down to see us, and + whether you would know us now you had grown such a fine gentleman, and + being written about in Lord Peterborough's dispatches, and accustomed to + all sorts of grand society.” + </p> + <p> + “You knew I would,” Jack said; “why, where should I go if not here? And + Alice is quite well, I hope, and grown quite a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Not quite a woman yet, Jack, but getting on.” She opened the door and + called Alice, and in a minute the girl ran down. Her mother saw that she + had guessed who the caller was, for she had smoothed her hair and put on a + bright ribbon which her mother had not seen for three years, and which + Jack himself had given her. She paused a moment shyly at the door, for + this young officer, in all the glories of the staff uniform, was a very + grand figure in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “How do you do, Cousin Jack?” she said, coming forward, with a bright + color and outstretched hand. + </p> + <p> + “How are you, Cousin Alice?” Jack said, mimicking her tone; “why, you + little goose,” he exclaimed, catching her in his arms and kissing her, + “you don't suppose I am going to be satisfied with shaking your hand after + being nearly three years away.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but you are so big, Jack, and so grand, it seems different + altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “You are bigger than you were, Alice, but it does not seem in the least + different to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I thought you would be quite changed, Jack, and quite different, + now you are a captain, and famous, and all that, and you have seen so many + grand ladies in all the countries you have traveled that—that—” + And she hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “Well, go on,” Jack said gravely. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, that you would have forgotten all about me.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are a very bad little girl, Alice, and not half so good as I + thought you were, for you must have a very bad opinion of me, indeed, if + you thought all that of me.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I quite thought so, Jack. Well, I told myself it was only + natural it should be so.” + </p> + <p> + “We will argue that out presently,” Jack said; “and now, where is Mr. + Anthony?” + </p> + <p> + “I will call him, Jack,” Mrs. Anthony said. “You have no ill feeling, I + hope, toward him, for you know he really has been very sorry about the + part he took in getting you away, and has blamed himself over and over + again.” + </p> + <p> + “I never have had,” Jack said; “it has been the best thing that ever + happened to me. If I had had my own way I should still be working before + the mast instead of being a captain in the army.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Anthony was soon called in from the store. At first he was a little + awkward and shy, but Jack's heartiness soon put him at his ease. + </p> + <p> + Jack stayed a fortnight at Southampton, and then, on the receipt of a + letter from the Earl of Peterborough, went up to town, where he was + presented to the queen and afterward to the minister of war by the earl. + </p> + <p> + A week later he and Graham sailed for the Netherlands and joined the army + of the Duke of Marlborough, and served under that great commander until, + three years later, the war was brought to a conclusion. They were attached + to the staff of one of the generals of division. + </p> + <p> + The duke kept his promise to the Earl of Peterborough, and kept his eye on + the young officers. Both distinguished themselves in the hard fought + battles in Belgium, and the end of the war found them both colonels. There + being no prospect of further wars the army was greatly reduced, and Jack + was retired on half pay, and as soon as matters were arranged in London he + again made his way down to Southampton, and at once asked Mr. Anthony's + permission to pay his addresses to his daughter. + </p> + <p> + The ex mayor consented with delight, and, as Alice herself offered no + objection, matters were speedily arranged. Jack's half pay was sufficient + for them to live on comfortably, and Mr. Anthony, in his gratification at + a marriage which he considered did him great honor, presented her with a + handsome sum at her wedding, and the young couple settled down in a pretty + house a short distance out of Southampton. + </p> + <p> + Jack was never called out again for active service, and lived in the + neighborhood of Southampton until the end of his long life, buying a small + estate there, when, at the death of Mr. Anthony, the handsome fortune + which the cloth merchant had made came to his daughter, subject to an + annuity to Mrs. Anthony, who took up her abode for the rest of her life + with her son-in-law, her daughter, and their children. For many years + Colonel Stilwell sat in parliament as member for Southampton, and + maintained a warm friendship with his ancient commander until the death of + the latter, in 1735. + </p> + <p> + THE END. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bravest of the Brave, by G. A. 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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: The Bravest of the Brave + or, with Peterborough in Spain + +Author: G. A. Henty + +Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7318] +Posting Date: July 30, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb + + + + + + + + +THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE + +OR, WITH PETERBOROUGH IN SPAIN + + +By G. A. Henty. + + + + +PREFACE + + +My Dear Lads: + +There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completely +fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. His career as +a general was a brief one, extending only over little more than a year, +and yet in that time he showed a genius for warfare which has never been +surpassed, and performed feats of daring worthy of taking their place +among those of the leaders of chivalry. + +The fact that they have made so slight a mark upon history is due to +several reasons. In the first place, they were overshadowed by the glory +and successes of Marlborough; they were performed in a cause which could +scarcely be said to be that of England, and in which the public had a +comparatively feeble interest; the object, too, for which he fought was +frustrated, and the war was an unsuccessful one, although from no fault +on his part. + +But most of all, Lord Peterborough failed to attain that place in the +list of British worthies to which his genius and his bravery should +have raised him, because that genius was directed by no steady aim +or purpose. Lord Peterborough is, indeed, one of the most striking +instances in history of genius and talent wasted, and a life thrown away +by want of fixed principle and by an inability or unwillingness to work +with other men. He quarreled in turn with every party and with almost +every individual with whom he came in contact; and while he himself +was constantly changing his opinions, he was intolerant of all opinions +differing from those which he at the moment held, and was always ready +to express in the most open and offensive manner his contempt and +dislike for those who differed from him. His eccentricities were great; +he was haughty and arrogant, hasty and passionate; he denied his God, +quarreled with his king, and rendered himself utterly obnoxious to every +party in the state. + +And yet there was a vast amount of good in this strange man. He was +generous and warm hearted to a fault, kind to those in station beneath +him, thoughtful and considerate for his troops, who adored him, cool +in danger, sagacious in difficulties, and capable at need of evincing +a patience and calmness wholly at variance with his ordinary impetuous +character. Although he did not scruple to carry deception, in order to +mislead an enemy, to a point vastly beyond what is generally considered +admissible in war, he was true to his word and punctiliously honorable +in the ordinary affairs of life. + +For the historical events I have described, and for the details of +Peterborough's conduct and character, I have relied chiefly upon the +memoir of the earl written by Mr. C. Warburton, and published some +thirty years ago. + + + +CHAPTER I: THE WAR OF THE SUCCESSION + + +"He is an idle vagabond!" the mayor of the good town of Southampton +said, in high wrath--"a ne'er do well, and an insolent puppy; and as to +you, Mistress Alice, if I catch you exchanging words with him again, ay, +or nodding to him, or looking as if in any way you were conscious of his +presence, I will put you on bread and water, and will send you away for +six months to the care of my sister Deborah, who will, I warrant me, +bring you to your senses." + +The Mayor of Southampton must have been very angry indeed when he spoke +in this way to his daughter Alice, who in most matters had her own +way. Especially did it show that he was angry, since he so spoke in the +presence of Mistress Anthony, his wife, who was accustomed to have a by +no means unimportant share in any decision arrived at respecting family +matters. + +She was too wise a woman, however, to attempt to arrest the torrent +in full flood, especially as it was a matter on which her husband had +already shown a very unusual determination to have his own way. She +therefore continued to work in silence, and paid no attention to the +appealing glance which her daughter, a girl of fourteen, cast toward +her. But although she said nothing, her husband understood in her +silence an unuttered protest. + +"It is no use your taking that scamp's part, Mary, in this matter. I am +determined to have my own way, and the townspeople know well that when +Richard Anthony makes up his mind, nothing will move him." + +"I have had no opportunity to take his part, Richard," his wife said +quietly; "you have been storming without interruption since you came in +five minutes ago, and I have not uttered a single word." + +"But you agree with me, Mary--you cannot but agree with me--that it is +nothing short of a scandal for the daughter of the Mayor of Southampton +to be talking to a penniless young rogue like that at the garden gate." + +"Alice should not have met him there," Mistress Anthony said; "but +seeing that she is only fourteen years old, and the boy only sixteen, +and he her second cousin, I do not see that the matter is so very +shocking." + +"In four more years, Mistress Anthony," the mayor said profoundly, "he +will be twenty, and she will be eighteen." + +"So I suppose, Richard; I am no great head at a figures, but even I can +reckon that. But as at present they are only fourteen and sixteen, I +repeat that I do not see that it matters--at least not so very much. +Alice, do you go to your room, and remain there till I send for you." + +The girl without a word rose and retired. In the reign of King William +the Third implicit obedience was expected of children. + +"I think, Richard," Mrs. Anthony went on when the door closed behind her +daughter, "you are not acting quite with your usual wisdom in treating +this matter in so serious a light, and in putting ideas into the girl's +head which would probably never have entered there otherwise. Of course +Alice is fond of Jack. It is only natural that she should be, seeing +that he is her second cousin, and that for two years they have lived +together under this roof." + +"I was a fool, Mistress Anthony," the mayor said angrily, "ever to yield +to your persuasions in that matter. It was unfortunate, of course, that +the boy's father, the husband of your Cousin Margaret, should have been +turned out of his living by the Sectarians, as befell thousands of other +clergymen besides him. It was still more unfortunate that when King +Charles returned he did not get reinstated; but, after all, that was +Margaret's business and not mine; and if she was fool enough to marry a +pauper, and he well nigh old enough to be her father--well, as I say, it +was no business of mine." + +"He was not a pauper, Richard, and you know it; and he made enough by +teaching to keep him and Margaret comfortably till he broke down and +died three years ago, and poor Margaret followed him to the grave a year +later. He was a good man--in every way a good man." + +"Tut, tut! I am not saying he wasn't a good man. I am only saying that, +good or bad, it was no business of mine; and then nothing will do but +I must send for the boy and put him in my business. And a nice mess +he made of it--an idler, more careless apprentice, no cloth merchant, +especially one who stood well with his fellow citizens, and who was +on the highway to becoming mayor of his native city, was ever crossed +with." + +"I think he was hardly as bad as that, Richard. I don't think you were +ever quite fair to the boy." + +"Not fair, Mary! I am surprised at you. In what way was I not quite +fair?" + +"I don't think you meant to be unfair, Richard; but you see you were a +little--just a little--prejudiced against him from the first; because, +instead of jumping at your offer to apprentice him to your trade, he +said he should like to be a sailor." + +"Quite enough to prejudice me, too, madam. Why, there are scores of sons +of respectable burgesses of this town who would jump at such an offer; +and here this penniless boy turns up his nose at it." + +"It was foolish, no doubt, Richard; but you see the boy had been +reading the lives of admirals and navigators--he was full of life and +spirit--and I believe his father had consented to his going to sea." + +"Full of life and spirit, madam!" the mayor repeated more angrily than +before; "let me tell you it is these fellows who are full of life and +adventure who come to the gallows. Naturally I was offended; but as I +had given you my word I kept to it. Every man in Southampton knows +that the word of Richard Anthony is as good as his bond. I bound him +apprentice, and what comes of it? My foreman, Andrew Carson, is knocked +flat on his back in the middle of the shop." + +Mrs. Anthony bit her lips to prevent herself from smiling. + +"We will not speak any more about that, Richard," she said; "because, if +we did, we should begin to argue. You know it is my opinion, and always +has been, that Carson deliberately set you against the boy; that he was +always telling you tales to his disadvantage; and although I admit that +the lad was very wrong to knock him down when he struck him, I think, my +dear, I should have done the same had I been in his place." + +"Then, madam," Mr. Anthony said solemnly, "you would have deserved +what happened to him--that you should be turned neck and crop into the +street." + +Mrs. Anthony gave a determined nod of her head--a nod which signified +that she should have a voice on that point. However, seeing that in her +husband's present mood it was better to say no more, she resumed her +work. + +While this conversation had been proceeding, Jack Stilwell, who had fled +hastily when surprised by the mayor as he was talking to his daughter at +the back gate of the garden, had made his way down to the wharves, and +there, seating himself upon a pile of wood, had stared moodily at the +tract of mud extending from his feet to the strip of water far away. +His position was indeed an unenviable one. As Mrs. Anthony had said, +his father was a clergyman of the Church of England, the vicar of a +snug living in Lincolnshire, but he had been cast out when the +Parliamentarians gained the upper hand, and his living was handed over +to a Sectarian preacher. When, after years of poverty, King Charles came +to the throne, the dispossessed minister thought that as a matter of +course he should be restored to his living; but it was not so. As in +hundreds of other cases the new occupant conformed at once to the new +laws, and the Rev. Thomas Stilwell, having no friends or interest, was, +like many another clergyman, left out in the cold. + +But by this time he had settled at Oxford--at which university he +had been educated--and was gaining a not uncomfortable livelihood +by teaching the sons of citizens. Late in life he married Margaret +Ullathorpe, who, still a young woman, had, during a visit to some +friends at Oxford, made his acquaintance. In spite of the disparity of +years the union was a happy one. One son was born to them, and all had +gone well until a sudden chill had been the cause of Mr. Stilwell's +death, his wife surviving him only one year. Her death took place at +Southampton, where she had moved after the loss of her husband, having +no further tie at Oxford, and a week later Jack Stilwell found himself +domiciled at the house of Mr. Anthony. + +It was in vain that he represented to the cloth merchant that his wishes +lay toward a seafaring life, and that although his father had wished him +to go into the ministry, he had given way to his entreaties. Mr. Anthony +sharply pooh poohed the idea, and insisted that it was nothing short +of madness to dream of such a thing when so excellent an opportunity of +learning a respectable business was open to him. + +At any other time Jack would have resisted stoutly, and would have run +away and taken his chance rather than agree to the proposition; but he +was broken down by grief at his mother's death. Incapable of making a +struggle against the obstinacy of Mr. Anthony, and scarce caring what +became of himself, he signed the deed of apprenticeship which made him +for five years the slave of the cloth merchant. Not that the latter +intended to be anything but kind, and he sincerely believed that he was +acting for the good of the boy in taking him as his apprentice; but as +Jack recovered his spirits and energy, he absolutely loathed the trade +to which he was bound. Had it not been for Mistress Anthony and Alice +he would have braved the heavy pains and penalties which in those days +befell disobedient apprentices, and would have run away to sea; but +their constant kindness, and the fact that his mother with her dying +breath had charged him to regard her cousin as standing in her place, +prevented him from carrying the idea which he often formed into effect. + +In the shop his life was wretched. He was not stupid, as his master +asserted; for indeed in other matters he was bright and clever, and his +father had been well pleased with the progress he made with his studies; +but, in the first place; he hated his work, and, in the second, every +shortcoming and mistake was magnified and made the most of by the +foreman, Andrew Carson. This man had long looked to be taken into +partnership, and finally to succeed his master, seeing that the latter +had no sons, and he conceived a violent jealousy of Jack Stilwell, +in whose presence, as a prime favorite of Mistress Anthony and of her +daughter, he thought he foresaw an overthrow of his plans. + +He was not long in effecting a breach between the boy and his +master--for Jack's carelessness and inattention gave him plenty of +opportunities--and Mr. Anthony ere long viewed the boy's errors as acts +of willful disobedience. This state of things lasted for two years until +the climax came, when, as Mr. Anthony had said to his wife, Jack, upon +the foreman attempting to strike him, had knocked the latter down in the +shop. + +Mr. Anthony's first impulse was to take his apprentice before the +justices and to demand condign punishment for such an act of flagrant +rebellion; but a moment's reflection told him that Jack, at the end of +his punishment, would return to his house, where his wife would take +his part as usual, and the quarrels which had frequently arisen on his +account would be more bitter than before. + +It was far better to get rid of him at once, and he accordingly ordered +him from the shop, tore up his indenture before his eyes, and bade +him never let him see his face again. For the first few hours Jack was +delighted at his freedom. He spent the day down on the wharves talking +to the fishermen and sailors. There were no foreign bound ships in +the port, and he had no wish to ship on board a coaster; he therefore +resolved to wait until a vessel sailing for foreign ports should leave. + +He had no money; but a few hours after he left the shop Mrs. Anthony's +maid found him on the wharf, and gave him a letter from her mistress. In +this was inclosed a sum of money sufficient to last him for some time, +and an assurance that she did not share her husband's anger against him. + +"I have no doubt, my dear Jack," she said, "that in time I could heal +the breach and could arrange for you to come back again, but I think +perhaps it is better as it is. You would never make a clothier, and I +don't think you would ever become Mayor of Southampton. I know what your +wishes are, and I think that you had better follow them out. Alice is +heartbroken over the affair, but I assure her that it will all turn out +for the best. I cannot ask you to come up to the house; but whenever you +have settled on anything leave a note with Dorothy for me, and I will +come down with Alice to see you and say goodby to you. I will see that +you do not go without a proper outfit." + +It was to deliver this letter that Jack had gone up to the back +gate; and seeing Alice in the garden they had naturally fallen into +conversation at the gate, when the mayor, looking out from the window of +his warehouse, happened to see them, and went out in the greatest wrath +to put a stop to the conversation. + +Jack had indeed found a ship; she had come in from Holland with cloth +and other merchandise, and was after she was discharged to sail for +the colonies with English goods. She would not leave the port for some +weeks; but he had seen the captain, who had agreed to take him as ship's +boy. Had the mayor been aware that his late apprentice was on the point +of leaving he would not have interfered with his intention; but as he +had peremptorily ordered that his name was not to be mentioned before +him, and as Mrs. Anthony had no motive in approaching the forbidden +subject, the mayor remained in ignorance that Jack was about to depart +on a distant voyage. + +One day, on going down to the town hail, he found an official letter +waiting him; it was an order from government empowering justices of the +peace to impress such men as they thought fit, with the only restriction +that men entitled to vote for members of parliament were exempted. This +tremendous power had just been legalized by an act of parliament. A more +iniquitous act never disgraced our statutes, for it enabled justices of +the peace to spite any of their poorer neighbors against whom they had a +grudge, and to ship them off to share in the hardships of Marlborough's +campaign in Germany and the Low Countries, or in the expedition now +preparing for Spain. + +At that time the army was held in the greatest dislike by the English +people. The nation had always been opposed to a standing force, and +it was only now that the necessities of the country induced them to +tolerate it. It was, however, recruited almost entirely from reckless +and desperate men. Criminals were allowed to commute sentences of +imprisonment for service in the army, and the gates of the prisons +were also opened to insolvent debtors consenting to enlist. But all the +efforts of the recruiting sergeants, aided by such measures as these, +proved insufficient to attract a sufficient number of men to keep up the +armies at the required strength. + +Pressing had always existed to a certain extent; but it had been carried +on secretly, and was regarded as illegal. Therefore, as men must be had, +the law giving justices the authority and power to impress any men +they might select, with the exception of those who possessed a vote for +members of parliament, was passed with the approval of parties on both +sides of the House of Commons. + +There was indeed great need for men. England had allied herself with +Austria and Holland in opposition to France, the subject of dispute +being the succession to the crown of Spain, England's feelings in the +matter being further imbittered by the recognition by Louis XIV of the +Pretender as King of England. Therefore, although her interests were not +so deeply engaged in the question as to the succession to the throne of +Spain as were those of the continental powers, she threw herself into +the struggle with ardor. + +The two claimants to the throne of Spain were the Archduke Charles, +second son of Leopold, Emperor of Austria, and Philip, Duke of Anjou, a +younger grandson of Louis. On the marriage of the French king with Maria +Theresa, the sister of Charles II of Spain, she had formally renounced +all claims to the succession, but the French king had nevertheless +continued from time to time to bring them forward. Had these rights +not been renounced Philip would have had the best claim to the Spanish +throne, the next of kin after him being Charles of Austria. + +During the later days of the King of Spain all Europe had looked on with +the most intense interest at the efforts which the respective parties +made for their candidates. Whichever might succeed to the throne the +balance of power would be destroyed; for either Austria and Spain +united, or France and Spain united, would be sufficient to overawe the +rest of the Continent. Louis XIV lulled the fears of the Austrian party +by suggesting a treaty of partition to the Dutch states and William the +Third of England. + +By this treaty it was agreed that the Archduke Charles was to be +acknowledged successor to the crowns of Spain, the Indies, and the +Netherlands; while the dauphin, as the eldest son of Maria Theresa, +should receive the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, with the Spanish +province of Guipuscoa and the duchy of Milan, in compensation of his +abandonment of other claims. When the conditions of this treaty became +known they inspired natural indignation in the minds of the people of +the country which had thus been arbitrarily allotted, and the dying +Charles of Spain was infuriated by this conspiracy to break up and +divide his dominion. His jealousy of France would have led him to select +the Austrian claimant; but the emperor's undisguised greed for a portion +of the Spanish empire, and the overbearing and unpleasant manner of the +Austrian ambassador in the Spanish court, drove him to listen to the +overtures of Louis, who had a powerful ally in Cardinal Portocarrero, +Archbishop of Toledo, whose influence was all powerful with the king. +The cardinal argued that the grandson of Maria Theresa could not be +bound by her renunciation, and also that it had only been made with a +view to keep separate the French and Spanish monarchies, and that if a +descendant of hers, other than the heir to the throne of France, were +chosen, this condition would be carried out. + +Finally, he persuaded Charles, a month before his death, to sign a will +declaring Philip, Duke of Anjou, grandson of his brother in law Louis +XIV, sole heir of the Spanish empire. The will was kept secret till the +death of the king, and was then publicly proclaimed. Louis accepted the +bequest in favor of his grandson, and Philip was declared king in Spain +and her dependencies. + +The greatest indignation was caused in England, Holland, and the empire +at this breach by the King of France of the treaty of partition, +of which he himself had been the author. England and Holland were +unprepared for war, and therefore bided their time, but Austria at once +commenced hostilities by directing large bodies of troops, under Prince +Eugene, into the duchy of Milan, and by inciting the Neapolitans to +revolt. The young king was at first popular in Spain, but Cardinal +Portocarrero, who exercised the real power of the state, by his +overbearing temper, his avarice, and his shameless corruption, speedily +alienated the people from their monarch. Above all, the cardinal was +supposed to be the tool of the French king, and to represent the policy +which had for its object the dismemberment of the Spanish monarchy and +the aggrandizement of France. + +That Louis had such designs was undoubted, and, if properly managed and +bribed, Portocarrero would have been a pliant instrument in his hands; +but the cardinal was soon estranged by the constant interference by the +French agents in his own measures of government, and therefore turned +against France that power of intrigue which he had recently used in her +favor. He pretended to be devoted to France, and referred even the most +minute details of government to Paris for approbation, with the double +view of disgusting Louis with the government of Spain and of enraging +the Spanish people at the constant interference of Louis. + +Philip, however, found a new and powerful ally in the hearts of the +people by his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the Duke of +Savoy--a beautiful girl of fourteen years old, who rapidly developed +into a graceful and gifted woman, and became the darling of the +Spanish people, and whose intellect, firmness, and courage guided and +strengthened her weak but amiable husband. For a time the power of Spain +and France united overshadowed Europe, the trading interests of England +and Holland were assailed, and a French army assembled close to the +Flemish frontier. + +The indignation of the Dutch overcame their fears, and they yielded +to the quiet efforts which King William was making, and combined with +England and Austria in a grand alliance against France, the object of +the combination being to exclude Louis from the Netherlands and West +Indies, and to prevent the union of the crowns of France and Spain upon +the same head. King William might not have obtained from the English +parliament a ratification of the alliance had not Louis just at this +moment acknowledged the son of the ex-king James as king of England. +This insult roused the spirit of the English people, the House of +Commons approved the triple alliance, and voted large supplies. King +William died just after seeing his favorite project successful, and was +succeeded by Queen Anne, who continued his policy. The Austrian Archduke +Charles was recognized by the allies as King of Spain, and preparation +made for war. + +An English army was landed near Cadiz; but the Spaniards showed no signs +of rising in favor of Charles, and, after bringing great discredit +on themselves and exciting the animosity of the Spaniards by gross +misconduct, the English army embarked again. Some treasure ships were +captured, and others sunk in the harbor of Vigo, but the fleet was no +more effective than the army. Admiral Sir John Munden was cashiered +for treachery or cowardice on the coast of Spain, and four captains of +vessels in the gallant Benbow's West India fleet were either dismissed +or shot for refusing to meet the enemy and for abandoning their chief. + +In 1703 little was done in the way of fighting, but the allies received +an important addition of strength by the accession of Portugal to their +ranks. In 1704 the allies made an attempt upon the important city of +Barcelona. It was believed that the Catalans would have declared for +Charles; but the plot by which the town was to be given up to him was +discovered on the eve of execution, and the English force re-embarked on +their ships. Their success was still less on the side of Portugal, where +the Duke of Berwick, who was in command of the forces of King Philip, +defeated the English and Dutch under the Duke of Schomberg and captured +many towns. + +The Portuguese rendered the allies but slight assistance. These reverses +were, however, balanced by the capture of Gibraltar on the 21st of June +by the fleet under Sir George Rooke, and a small land force under +Prince George of Hesse. Schomberg was recalled and Lord Galway took the +command; but he succeeded no better than his predecessor, and affairs +looked but badly for the allies, when the Duke of Marlborough, with the +English and allied troops in Germany, inflicted the first great check +upon the power and ambition of Louis XIV by the splendid victory of +Blenheim. + +This defeat of the French had a disastrous effect upon the fortunes of +Philip. He could no longer hope for help from his grandfather, for Louis +was now called upon to muster his whole strength on his eastern frontier +for the defense of his own dominion, and Philip was forced to depend +upon his partisans in Spain only. The partisans of Charles at once took +heart. The Catalans had never been warm in the cause of Philip; the +crowns of Castile, Arragon, and Catalonia had only recently been united, +and dangerous jealousy existed between these provinces. The Castilians +were devoted adherents of Philip, and this in itself was sufficient to +set Catalonia and Arragon against him. + +The English government had been informed of this growing discontent in +the north of Spain, and sent out an emissary to inquire into the truth +of the statement. As his report confirmed all that they had heard, it +was decided in the spring of 1705 to send out an expedition which was to +effect a landing in Catalonia, and would, it was hoped, be joined by all +the people of that province and Arragon. By the efforts and patronage +of the Duchess of Marlborough, who was all powerful with Queen Anne, the +Earl of Peterborough was named to the command of the expedition. + +The choice certainly appeared a singular one, for hitherto the earl had +done nothing which would entitle him to so distinguished a position. +Charles Mordaunt was the eldest son of John Lord Mordaunt, Viscount +Avalon, a brave and daring cavalier, who had fought heart and soul +for Charles, and had been tried by Cromwell for treason, and narrowly +escaped execution. On the restoration, as a reward for his risk of +life and fortune, and for his loyalty and ability, he was raised to the +peerage. + +His son Charles inherited none of his father's steadfastness. Brought +up in the profligate court of Charles the Second he became an atheist, +a scoffer at morality, and a republican. At the same time he had many +redeeming points. He was brilliant, witty, energetic, and brave. He +was generous and strictly honorable to his word. He was filled with a +burning desire for adventure, and, at the close of 1674, when in +his seventeenth year, he embarked in Admiral Torrington's ship, and +proceeded to join as a volunteer Sir John Narborough's fleet in the +Mediterranean, in order to take part in the expedition to restrain and +revenge the piratical depredations of the barbarous states of Tripoli +and Algiers. + +He distinguished himself on the 14th of January, 1675, in an attack by +the boats of the fleet upon four corsair men o' war moored under +the very guns of the castle and fort of Tripoli. The exploit was a +successful one, the ships were all burned, and most of their crews +slain. Another encounter with the fleet of Tripoli took place in +February, when the pirates were again defeated, and the bey forced to +grant all the English demands. + +In 1677 the fleet returned to England, and with it Mordaunt, who had +during his absence succeeded to his father's title and estates, John +Lord Mordaunt having died on the 5th of June, 1675. Shortly after his +return to England Lord Mordaunt, though still but twenty years +old, married a daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser. But his spirit was +altogether unsuited to the quiet enjoyment of domestic life, and at the +end of September, 1678, he went out as a volunteer in his majesty's ship +Bristol, which was on the point of sailing for the Mediterranean to +take part in an expedition fitting out for the relief of Tangier, then +besieged by the Moors. Nothing, however, came of the expedition, and +Mordaunt returned to England in the autumn of 1679. + +In June, 1680, he again sailed for Tangier with a small expedition +commanded by the Earl of Plymouth. The expedition succeeded in throwing +themselves into the besieged town, and continued the defense with vigor, +and Mordaunt again distinguished himself; but he soon wearied of +the monotony of a long siege, and before the end of the year found +opportunity to return to England, where he plunged into politics and +became one of the leaders of the party formed to exclude the Duke of +York from the throne. + +Although a close friend of Lord Russell and Algernon Sidney he had +fortunately for himself not been admitted to the fatal privilege of +their private councils, and therefore escaped the fate which befell +them. He continued his friendship with them to the last, and accompanied +Algernon Sidney to the scaffold. But even while throwing himself heart +and soul into politics he was continually indulging in wild freaks which +rendered him the talk of the town. + +On the accession of King James he made his first speech in the House of +Peers against a standing army, and distinguished himself alike by the +eloquence and violence of his language. He was now under the displeasure +of the court, and his profuse generosity had brought him into pecuniary +trouble. In 1686, therefore, he quitted England with the professed +intention of accepting a command in the Dutch fleet then about to sail +for the West Indies, When he arrived in Holland, however, he presented +himself immediately to the Prince of Orange, and first among the British +nobility boldly proposed to William an immediate invasion of England. +He pushed his arguments with fiery zeal, urged the disaffection of all +classes, the hatred of the Commons, the defection of the Lords, the +alarm of the Church, and the wavering loyalty of the army. + +William, however, was already informed of these facts, and was not to be +hurried. Mordaunt remained with him till, on the 20th of October, 1688, +he sailed for England. The first commission that King William signed in +England was the appointment of Lord Mordaunt as lieutenant colonel of +horse, and raising a regiment he rendered good service at Exeter. As +soon as the revolution was completed, and William and Mary ascended the +throne, Mordaunt was made a privy councilor and one of the lords of the +bedchamber, and in April, 1689, he was made first commissioner of the +treasury, and advanced to the dignity of Earl of Monmouth. In addition +to the other offices to which he was appointed he was given the +colonelcy of the regiment of horse guards. + +His conduct in office showed in brilliant contrast to that of the men +with whom he was placed. He alone was free from the slightest suspicion +of corruption and venality, and he speedily made enemies among his +colleagues by the open contempt which he manifested for their gross +corruption. + +Although he had taken so prominent a part in bringing King William to +England, Monmouth soon became mixed up in all sorts of intrigues and +plots. He was already tired of the reign of the Dutch king, and longed +for a commonwealth. He was constantly quarreling with his colleagues, +and whenever there was a debate in the House of Lords Monmouth took a +prominent part on the side of the minority. In 1692 he went out with his +regiment of horse guards to Holland, and fought bravely at the battle +of Steenkirk. The campaign was a failure, and in October he returned to +England with the king. + +For two years after this he lived quietly, devoting his principal +attention to his garden and the society of wits and men of letters. Then +he again appeared in parliament, and took a leading part in the movement +in opposition to the crown, and inveighed in bitter terms against the +bribery of persons in power by the East India Company, and the venality +of many members of parliament and even the ministry. His relations +with the king were now of the coldest kind, and he became mixed up in +a Jacobite plot. How far he was guilty in the matter was never proved. +Public opinion certainly condemned him, and by a vote of the peers he +was deprived of all his employments and sent to the Tower. The king, +however, stood his friend, and released him at the end of the session. + +In 1697, by the death of his uncle, Charles became Earl of Peterborough, +and passed the next four years in private life, emerging only +occasionally to go down to the House of Peers and make fiery onslaughts +upon abuses and corruption. In the course of these years, both in +parliament and at court, he had been sometimes the friend, sometimes the +opponent of Marlborough; but he had the good fortune to be a favorite of +the duchess, and when the time came that a leader was required for the +proposed expedition to Spain, she exerted herself so effectually that +she procured his nomination. + +Hitherto his life had been a strange one. Indolent and energetic by +turns, restless and intriguing, quarreling with all with whom he came +in contact, burning with righteous indignation against corruption and +misdoing, generous to a point which crippled his finances seriously, he +was a puzzle to all who knew him, and had he died at this time he +would only have left behind him the reputation of being one of the most +brilliant, gifted, and honest, but at the same time one of the most +unstable, eccentric, and ill regulated spirits of his time. + + + +CHAPTER II: IMPRESSED + + +When the Mayor of Southampton opened the official document empowering +and requesting him to obtain recruits for the queen's service he was not +greatly pleased. This sort of thing would give a good deal of trouble, +and would assuredly not add to his popularity. He saw at once that he +would be able to oblige many of his friends by getting rid of people +troublesome to them, but with this exception where was he to find the +recruits the queen required? There were, of course, a few never do wells +in the town who could be packed off, to the general satisfaction of +the inhabitants, but beyond this every one taken would have friends and +relations who would cry out and protest. + +It was likely to be a troublesome business, and the mayor threw down the +paper on the table before him. Then suddenly his expression changed. +He had been thinking of obliging his friends by sending off persons +troublesome to them, but he had not thought of his own case. Here was +the very thing; he would send off this troublesome lad to fight for the +queen; and whether he went to the Low Countries under Marlborough, or +to Spain with this new expedition which was being prepared, it was very +unlikely that he would ever return to trouble him. + +He was only sixteen, indeed, but he was strong and well grown, and much +fitter for service than many of those who would be sent. If the +young fellow stopped here he would always be a trouble, and a bone of +contention between himself and his wife. Besides, for Alice's sake, +it was clearly his duty to get the fellow out of the way. Girls, Mr. +Anthony considered, were always falling in love with the very last +people in the world with whom they should do so, and out of sheer +contrariety it was more than possible that Alice might take a fancy for +this penniless vagabond, and if she did Mrs. Anthony was fool enough to +support her in her folly. + +Of course there would be trouble with his wife when she found what had +happened to the lad--for the mayor did not deceive himself for a moment +by the thought that he would be able to conceal from his wife the cause +of Jack's absence; he was too well aware of Mrs. Anthony's power of +investigation. Still, after it was done it could not be undone, and +it was better to have one domestic storm than a continuation of foul +weather. + +Calling in his clerk the mayor read over to him the order he had +received, and bade him turn to the court book and make out a list of the +names of forty young men who had been charged before him with offenses +of drunkenness, assault, battery and rioting. + +"When you have made up the list, Johnson, you will go round to the +aldermen and inform them of the order that I have received from the +government, and you can tell them that if there are any persons they +know of whom they consider that Southampton would be well rid, if they +will send the names to me I will add them to the list. Bid them not to +choose married men, if it can be avoided, for the town would be burdened +with the support of their wives and families. Another ten names will do. +The letter which accompanies the order says that from my well known zeal +and loyalty it is doubted not that Southampton will furnish a hundred +men, but if I begin with fifty that will be well enough, and we can pick +out the others at our leisure." + +By the afternoon the list was filled up. One of the aldermen had +inserted the name of a troublesome nephew, another that of a foreman +with whom he had had a dispute about wages, and who had threatened to +proceed against him in the court. Some of the names were inserted from +mere petty spite; but with scarce an exception the aldermen responded to +the invitation of the mayor, and placed on the list the name of some one +whom they, or Southampton, would be the better without. + +When the list was completed the mayor struck out one of the first names +inserted by his clerk and inserted that of John Stilwell in its place. +His instructions were that he was to notify to an officer, who would +arrive with a company of soldiers on the following day, the names of +those whom he deemed suitable for the queen's service. The officer after +taking them was to embark them on board one of the queen's cutters, +which would come round from Portsmouth for the purpose, and would convey +them to Dover, where a camp was being formed and the troops assembling. + +Upon the following day the company marched into the town, and the +officer in command, having seen his men billeted among the citizens, +called upon the mayor. + +"Well, Mr. Mayor," he said, "I hope you have a good list of recruits +for me. I don't want to be waiting here, for I have to go on a similar +errand to other towns. It is not a job I like, I can tell you, but it is +not for me to question orders." + +"I have a list of fifty men, all active and hearty fellows, who will +make good soldiers," the mayor said. + +"And of whom, no doubt, Southampton will be well rid," the officer said +with a laugh. "Truly, I pity the Earl of Peterborough, for he will +have as rough a body of soldiers as ever marched to war. However, it is +usually the case that the sort of men who give trouble at home are just +those who, when the time comes, make the best fighters. I would rather +have half a dozen of your reckless blades, when the pinch comes, than a +score of honest plowboys. How do you propose that I shall take them?" + +"That I will leave entirely to you," the mayor said; "here is a list +of the houses where they lodge. I will place the town watch at your +disposal to show you the way and to point out the men to you." + +"That will be all I shall require," the officer said; "but you can give +me a list of those who are most likely to give trouble. These I will +pounce upon and get on board ship first of all. When they are secured +I will tell my men off in parties, each with one of your constables to +point out the men, and we will pick them up so many every evening. It +is better not to break into houses and seize them; for, although we +are acting legally and under the authority of act of parliament, it is +always as well to avoid giving cause of complaint, which might tend to +excite a feeling against the war and make the government unpopular, and +which, moreover, might do you harm with the good citizens, and do me +harm with those above me. I am sure you agree with me." + +"Quite so, quite so," the mayor said hastily; "you speak very prudently +and well, sir. I hope you will honor me by taking up your abode in my +house during your stay here; but may I ask you not to allow my wife, +who is inquisitive by nature, to see the list with which I furnish you? +Women are ever meddling in matters which concern them not." + +"I understand," the officer said with a wink, "there are names on the +list of which your wife would not approve. I have known the same thing +happen before. But never fear, the list shall be kept safe; and, indeed, +it were better that nothing were said of my business in the town, for if +this get abroad, some of those whose conscience may tell them that they +will be likely to be chosen for service might very well slip off and be +out of the way until they hear that I and my men have left." + +Two days later, when, as the evening was falling, Jack Stilwell was +walking up from the wharf, where he had been watching the unlading of +the vessel in which he was to sail, he came upon a group of four or five +soldiers standing at a corner. Then a voice, which he recognized as that +of the foreman, Richard Carson, said: + +"That is your man, officer;" and the soldiers made a sudden rush upon +him. + +Taken by surprise he nevertheless struggled desperately, but a heavy +blow with a staff fell on the back of his head, and for a time he knew +nothing more. When he recovered his consciousness he was lying almost in +complete darkness, but by the faint gleam of the lantern he discovered +that he was in the hold of a ship. Several other men were sitting or +laying near him. Some of them were cursing and swearing, others were +stanching the blood which flowed from various cuts and gashes. + +"What does all this mean?" he asked as he somewhat recovered himself. + +"It means," said one, "that we are pressed to serve as soldiers. I made +a fight for it, and just as they had got the handcuffs on some citizens +came up and asked what was doing, and the sergeant said, 'It is quite +legal. We hold the mayor's warrant to impress this man for service in +the army; there is a constable here who will tell you we are acting on +authority, and if any interfere it will be worse for them.'" + +Jack heard the news in silence. So, he had been pressed by a warrant of +the mayor, he was the victim of the spite of his late employer. But his +thoughts soon turned from this by the consciousness that his shirt and +clothes were soaked with blood, and putting his hand to the back of +his head he found a great lump from which the blood was still slowly +flowing. Taking off his neck handkerchief he bound it round his head +and then lay down again. He tried to think, but his brain was weak and +confused, and he presently fell into a sound sleep, from which he was +not aroused by the arrival of another batch of prisoners. + +It was morning when he awoke, and he found that he had now nearly +twenty companions in captivity. Some were walking up and down like caged +animals, others were loudly bewailing their fate, some sat moody and +silent, while some bawled out threats of vengeance against those they +considered responsible for their captivity. A sentry with a shouldered +musket was standing at the foot of the steps, and from time to time some +sailors passed up and down. Jack went up to one of these. + +"Mate," he said, "could you let us have a few buckets of water down +here? In the first place we are parched with thirst, and in the second +we may as well try to get off some of the blood which, from a good many +of us, has been let out pretty freely." + +"Well, you seem a reasonable sort of chap," the sailor said, "and to +take things coolly. That's the way, my lad; when the king, or the queen +now--it's all the same thing--has once got his hand on you it's of no +use kicking against it. I have been pressed twice myself, so I know how +you feel. Here, mates," he said to two of the other sailors, "lend a +hand and get a bucket of fresh water and a pannikin, and half a dozen +buckets of salt water, and let these lads have a drink and a wash." + +It was soon done. The prisoners were all glad of the drink, but few +cared to trouble about washing. Jack, however, took possession of a +bucket, stripped to the waist, and had a good wash. The salt water made +his wound smart, but he continued for half an hour bathing it, and at +the end of that time felt vastly fresher and better. Then he soaked his +shirt in the water, and as far as possible removed the broad stains of +blood which stiffened it. Then he wrung it out and hung it up to dry, +and, putting on his coat, sat down and thought matters over. + +He had never had the idea of entering the army, for the measures taken +to fill the ranks rendered the military service distasteful in the +extreme to the English people. Since the days of Agincourt the English +army had never gained any brilliant successes abroad, and there was +consequently none of that national pride which now exists in its bravery +and glorious history. + +Still, Jack reflected, it did not make much difference to him whether he +became a soldier or a sailor. He had longed to see the world, to +share in deeds of adventure, and, above all, to escape from the dreary +drudgery of the clothier's shop. These objects would be attained as well +in the army as in the navy; and, indeed, now that he thought of it, he +preferred the active service which he would see under Marlborough or +Peterborough to the monotony of a long sea voyage. At any rate, it was +clear that remonstrance or resistance were vain. He as well as others +were aware of the law which had just been passed, giving magistrates the +power of impressing soldiers for the service, and he felt, therefore, +that although his impressment had no doubt been dictated by the private +desire of the mayor to get him out of the way, it was yet strictly +legal, and that it would be useless his making any protest against it. +He resolved, therefore, to make the best of things, and to endeavor to +win the goodwill of his officers by prompt and cheerful acquiescence in +the inevitable. + +Presently some sailors brought down a tray with a number of hunks of +black bread, a large pot filled with a sort of broth, and a score of +earthenware mugs. Jack at once dipped one of the mugs into the pot, and, +taking a hunk of bread, sat down to his breakfast. A few others followed +his example, but most of them were too angry or too dispirited to care +about eating; and, indeed, it seemed to them that their refusal to +partake of the meal was a sort of protest against their captivity. + +Half an hour afterward the sailors removed the food; and many of those +who had refused to touch it soon regretted bitterly that they had not +done so, for as the time went on hunger began to make itself felt. It +was evening before the next meal, consisting of black bread and a +great piece of salt beef, was brought down. This time there were no +abstentions. As the evening wore on fresh batches of prisoners were +brought in, until, by midnight, the number was raised to fifty. Many of +them had been seriously knocked about in their capture, and Jack, who +had persuaded his friend the sailor to bring down three or four more +buckets of salt water, did his best, by bathing and bandaging their +wounds, to put them at their ease. + +In the morning he could see who were his companions in misfortune. Many +of them he knew by sight as loafers on the wharves and as troublesome or +riotous characters. Three or four were men of different type. There were +two or three respectable mechanics--men who had had, at various times, +drawn upon them the dislikes of the great men of the town by insisting +on their rights; and there were two idle young fellows of a higher +class, who had vexed their friends beyond endurance. + +Presently the officer in charge of the recruiting party, who had now +come on board, came down into the hold. He was at once assailed with a +storm of curses and angry remonstrances. + +"Look here, my lads," he said, raising his hand for silence, "it is of +no use your going on like this, and I warn you that the sooner you make +up your minds that you have got to serve her majesty the better for +you, because that you have got to do it is certain. You have all been +impressed according to act of parliament, and there is no getting out +of it. It's your own fault that you got those hard knocks that I see the +marks of, and you will get more if you give any more trouble. Now, those +who choose to agree at once to serve her majesty can come on deck." + +Jack at once stepped forward. + +"I am ready to serve, sir," he said. + +"That's right," the officer replied heartily; "you are a lad of spirit, +I can see, and will make a good soldier. You look young yet, but that's +all in your favor; you will be a sergeant at an age when others are +learning their recruit drill. Now, who's the next?" + +Some half dozen of the others followed Jack's example, but the rest were +still too sore and angry to be willing to do anything voluntarily. + +Jack leaped lightly up on deck and looked round; the cutter was already +under weigh, and with a gentle breeze was running along the smooth +surface of Southampton waters; the ivy covered ruins of Netley Abbey +were abreast of them, and behind was the shipping of the port. + +"Well, young un," an old sergeant said, "so I suppose you have agreed to +serve the queen?" + +"As her majesty was so pressing," Jack replied with a smile, "you see I +had no choice in the matter." + +"That's right," the sergeant said kindly; "always keep up your spirits, +lad. Care killed a cat, you know. You are one of the right sort, I can +see, but you are young to be pressed. How old are you?" + +"Sixteen," Jack replied. + +"Then they had no right to take you," the sergeant said; "seventeen's +the earliest age, and as a rule soldiers ain't much good till they are +past twenty. You would have a right to get off if you could prove your +age; but of course you could not do that without witnesses or papers, +and it's an old game for recruits who look young to try to pass as under +age." + +"I shan't try," Jack answered; "I have made up my mind to it now, and +there's an end to it. But why ain't soldiers any good till they are past +twenty, sergeant? As far as I can see, boys are just as brave as men." + +"Just as brave, my lad, and when it comes to fighting the young soldier +is very often every bit as good as the old one; but they can't stand +fatigue and hardship like old soldiers. A boy will start out on as long +a walk as a man can take, but he can't keep it up day after day. When it +comes to long marches, to sleeping on the ground in the wet, bad food, +and fever from the marshes, the young soldier breaks down, the hospital +gets full of boys, and they just die off like flies, while the older men +pull through." + +"You are a Job's comforter, I must say," Jack said with a laugh; "but +I must hope that I shan't have long marches, and bad food, and damp +weather, and marsh fever till I get a bit older." + +"I don't want to discourage you," the sergeant remarked, "and you know +there are young soldiers and young soldiers. There are the weedy, narrow +chested chaps as seems to be made special for filling a grave; and there +is the sturdy, hardy young chap, whose good health and good spirits +carries him through. That's your sort, I reckon. Good spirits is the +best medicine in the world; it's worth all the doctors and apothecaries +in the army. But how did you come to be pressed? it's generally the +ne'er do well and idle who get picked out as food for powder. That +doesn't look your sort, or I'm mistaken." + +"I hope not," Jack said. "I am here because I am a sort of cousin of the +Mayor of Southampton. He wanted me to serve in his shop. I stood it for +a time, but I hated it, and at last I had a row with his foreman and +knocked him down, so I was kicked out into the streets; and I suppose +he didn't like seeing me about, and so took this means of getting rid +of me. He needn't have been in such a hurry, for if he had waited a few +days I should have gone, for I had shipped as a boy on board of a ship +about to sail for the colonies." + +"In that case, my lad, you have no reason for ill will against this +precious relation of yours, for he has done you a good turn while +meaning to do you a bad un. The life of a boy on board a ship isn't one +to be envied, I can tell you; he is at every one's beck and call, and +gets more kicks than halfpence. Besides, what comes of it? You get to be +a sailor, and, as far as I can see, the life of a sailor is the life +of a dog. Look at the place where he sleeps--why, it ain't as good as +a decent kennel. Look at his food--salt meat as hard as a stone, and +rotten biscuit that a decent dog would turn up his nose at; his time +is never his own--wet or dry, storm or calm, he's got to work when he's +told. And what's he got to look forward to? A spree on shore when his +voyage is done, and then to work again. Why, my lad, a soldier's life is +a gentleman's life in comparison. Once you have learned your drill and +know your duty you have an easy time of it. Most of your time's your +own. When you are on a campaign you eat, drink, and are jolly at other +folks' expense; and if you do get wet when you are on duty, you can +generally manage to turn in dry when you are relieved. It's not a bad +life, my boy, I can tell you; and if you do your duty well, and you +are steady, and civil, and smart, you are sure to get your stripes, +especially if you can read and write, as I suppose you can." + +Jack nodded with a half smile. + +"In that case," the sergeant said, "you may even in time get to be an +officer. I can't read nor write--not one in twenty can--but those as +can, of course, has a better chance of promotion if they distinguish +themselves. I should have got it last year in the Low Country, and +Marlborough himself said, 'Well done!' when I, with ten rank and file, +held a bridge across a canal for half an hour against a company of +French. He sent for me after it was over, but when he found I couldn't +read or write he couldn't promote me; but he gave me a purse of twenty +guineas, and I don't know but what that suited me better, for I am +a deal more comfortable as a sergeant than I should have been as an +officer; but you see, if you had been in my place up you would have +gone." + +The wind fell in the afternoon, and the cutter dropped her anchor as the +tide was running against her. At night Jack Stilwell and the others +who had accepted their fate slept with the troops on board instead of +returning to rejoin their companions in the hold. Jack was extremely +glad of the change, as there was air and ventilation, whereas in the +hold the atmosphere had been close and oppressive. He was the more glad +next morning when he found that the wind, which had sprung up soon after +midnight, was freshening fast, and was, as one of the sailors said, +likely to blow hard before long. The cutter was already beginning to +feel the effect of the rising sea, and toward the afternoon was pitching +in a lively way and taking the sea over her bows. + +"You seem to enjoy it, young un," the sergeant said as Jack, holding +on by a shroud, was facing the wind regardless of the showers of spray +which flew over him. "Half our company are down with seasickness, and as +for those chaps down in the fore hold they must be having a bad time of +it, for I can hear them groaning and cursing through the bulkhead. The +hatchway has been battened down for the last three hours." + +"I enjoy it," Jack said; "whenever I got a holiday at Southampton I used +to go out sailing. I knew most of the fishermen there; they were always +ready to take me with them as an extra hand. When do you think we shall +get to Dover?" + +"She is walking along fast," the sergeant said; "we shall be there +tomorrow morning. We might be there before, but the sailors say that the +skipper is not likely to run in before daylight, and before it gets dark +he will shorten sail so as not to get there before." + +The wind increased until it was blowing a gale; but the cutter was a +good sea boat, and being in light trim made good weather of it. However, +even Jack was pleased when he felt a sudden change in the motion of the +vessel, and knew that she was running into Dover harbor. + +Morning was just breaking, and the hatchways being removed the sergeant +shouted down to the pressed men that they could come on deck. It was a +miserable body of men who crawled up in answer to the summons, utterly +worn out and exhausted with the seasickness, the closeness of the air, +and the tossing and buffeting of the last eighteen hours; many had +scarce strength to climb the ladder. + +All the spirit and indignation had been knocked out of them--they were +too miserable and dejected to utter a complaint. The sergeant ordered +his men to draw up some buckets of water, and told the recruits to wash +themselves and make themselves as decent as they could, and the order +was sharply enforced by the captain when he came on deck. + +"I would not march through the streets of Dover with such a filthy, hang +dog crew," he said; "why, the very boys would throw mud at you. Come, do +what you can to make yourselves clean, or I will have buckets of water +thrown over you. I would rather take you on shore drenched to the skin +than in that state. You have brought it entirely on yourselves by your +obstinacy. Had you enlisted at once without further trouble you would +not have suffered as you have." + +The fresh air and cold water soon revived even the most exhausted of +the new recruits, and as soon as all had been made as presentable as +circumstances would admit of, the order was given to land. The party +were formed on the quay, four abreast, the soldiers forming the outside +line, and so they marched through Dover, where but yet a few people +were up and stirring, to the camp formed just outside the walls of the +castle. The colonel of the regiment met them as they marched in. + +"Well, Captain Lowther, you have had a rough time of it, I reckon. I +thought the whole camp was going to be blown away last night. These are +the recruits from Southampton, I suppose?" + +"Yes, colonel, what there is left of them; they certainly had a baddish +twelve hours of it." + +"Form them in line," the colonel said, "and let me have a look at them. +They are all ready and willing to serve her majesty, I hope," he added +with a grim smile. + +"They are all ready, no doubt," Captain Lowther replied; "as to their +willingness I can't say so much. Some half dozen or so agreed at once to +join without giving any trouble, foremost among them that lad at the end +of the line, who, Sergeant Edwards tells me, is a fine young fellow and +likely to do credit to the regiment; the rest chose to be sulky, and +have suffered for it by being kept below during the voyage. However, I +think all their nonsense is knocked out of them now." + +The colonel walked along the line and examined the men. + +"A sturdy set of fellows," he said to the captain, "when they have got +over their buffeting. Now, my lads," he went on, addressing the men, +"you have all been pressed to serve her majesty in accordance with act +of parliament, and though some of you may not like it just at present, +you will soon get over that and take to it kindly enough. I warn you +that the discipline will be strict. In a newly raised regiment like this +it is necessary to keep a tight hand, but if you behave yourselves and +do your duty you will not find the life a hard one. + +"Remember, it's no use any of you thinking of deserting; we have got +your names and addresses, so you couldn't go home if you did; and you +would soon be brought back wherever you went, and you know pretty well +what's the punishment for desertion without my telling you. That will +do." + +No one raised a voice in reply--each man felt that his position was +hopeless, for, as the colonel said, they had been legally impressed. +They were first taken before the adjutant, who rapidly swore them in, +and they were then set to work, assisted by some more soldiers, in +pitching tents. Clothes were soon served out to them and the work of +drill commenced at once. + +Each day brought fresh additions to the force, and in a fortnight its +strength was complete. Jack did not object to the hard drill which they +had to go through, and which occupied them from morning till night, for +the colonel knew that on any day the regiment might receive orders to +embark, and he wanted to get it in something like shape before setting +sail. Jack did, however, shrink from the company in which he found +himself. With a few exceptions the regiment was made up of wild and +worthless fellows, of whom the various magistrates had been only too +glad to clear their towns, and mingled with these were the sweepings of +the jails, rogues and ruffians of every description. The regiment +might eventually be welded into a body of good soldiers, but at present +discipline had not done its work, and it was simply a collection of +reckless men, thieves, and vagabonds. + + + +CHAPTER III: A DOMESTIC STORM + + +Great was the surprise of Dame Anthony when, on sending down her servant +with a letter to Jack Stilwell, the woman returned, saying that he had +left his lodging two days before and had not returned. All his things +had been left behind, and it was evident that when he went out he had no +intention of leaving. The woman of the house said that Master Stilwell +was a steady and regular lodger, and that she could not but think +something had happened to him. Of course she didn't know, but all the +town were talking of the men who had been taken away by the press gang, +and she thought they must have clapped hands on her lodger. + +Dame Anthony at once jumped at that conclusion. The pressing of fifty +men had indeed made a great stir in the town during the last two days. +The mayor's office had been thronged by angry women complaining of their +husbands or sons being dragged away; and the mayor had been the object +of many threats and much indignation, and had the evening before +returned home bespattered with mud, having been pelted on his way from +the town hall by the women, and having only been saved from more serious +assaults by the exertions of the constables. + +Dame Anthony had been surprised that her husband had taken these things +so quietly. Some of the women had indeed been seized and set in the +stocks, but the mayor had made light of the affair, and had altogether +seemed in an unusually good state of temper. Dame Anthony at once +connected this with Jack's disappearance. She knew that the list had +been made out by the mayor, and the idea that her husband had taken this +means of getting rid of Jack, and that he was exulting over the success +of his scheme, flashed across her. As the mayor was away at the town +hall she was forced to wait till his return to dinner; but no sooner +had the meal been concluded and Andrew Carson and the two assistants had +left the table than she began: + +"Richard, I want to look at the list of the men who were pressed." + +The request scarcely came as a surprise upon the clothier. He had made +up his mind that his wife would be sure sooner or later to discover +that Jack was missing, and would connect his disappearance with the +operations of the press gang. + +"What do you want to see that for?" he asked shortly. + +"I want to see who have been taken," his wife said. "There is no secret +about it, I suppose?" + +"No, there is no secret," the mayor replied. "According to the act of +parliament and the request of her majesty's minister I drew up a list +of fifty of the most useless and disreputable of the inhabitants of +this town, and I rejoice to say that the place is rid of them all. The +respectable citizens are all grateful to me for the manner in which +I have fulfilled the task laid upon me, and as to the clamor of a few +angry women, it causes me not a moment's annoyance." + +"I don't know why you are telling me all this, Richard," his wife said +calmly. "I did not cast any reflections as to the manner in which you +made your choice. I only said I wished to see the list." + +"I do not see that the list concerns you," the mayor said. "Why do you +wish to see it?" + +"I wish to see it, Richard, because I suspect that the name of my Cousin +Jack Stilwell is upon it." + +"Oh, mother!" cried Alice, who had been listening in surprise to the +conversation, suddenly starting to her feet; "you don't mean that they +have pressed Jack to be a soldier." + +"Leave the room, Alice," her father said angrily. "This is no concern of +a child like you." When the door closed behind the girl he said to his +wife: + +"Naturally his name is in the list. I selected fifty of the most +worthless fellows in Southampton, and his name was the first which +occurred to me. What then?" + +"Then I tell you, Richard," Dame Anthony said, rising, "that you are a +wretch, a mean, cowardly, cruel wretch. You have vented your spite upon +Jack, whom I love as if he were my own son, because he would not put +up with the tyranny of your foreman and yourself. You may be Mayor of +Southampton, you may be a great man in your own way, but I call you a +mean, pitiful fellow. I won't stay in the house with you an hour longer. +The wagon for Basingstoke comes past at three o'clock, and I shall go +and stay with my father and mother there, and take Alice with me." + +"I forbid you to do anything of the sort," the mayor said pompously. + +"You forbid!" Dame Anthony cried. "What do I care for your forbidding? +If you say a word I will go down the town and join those who pelted you +with mud last night. A nice spectacle it would be for the worthy Mayor +of Southampton to be pelted in the street by a lot of women led by his +own wife. You know me, Richard. You know when I say I will do a thing I +will do it." + +"I will lock you up in your own room, woman." + +"You won't," Dame Anthony said scornfully. "I would scream out of the +window till I brought the whole town round. No, Mr. Mayor. You have had +your own way, and I am going to have mine. Go and tell the town if you +like that your wife has left you because you kidnapped her cousin, the +boy she loved. You tell your story and I will tell mine. Why, the women +in the town would hoot you, and you wouldn't dare show your face in the +streets. You insist, indeed! Why, you miserable little man, my fingers +are tingling now. Say another word to me and I will box your ears till +you won't know whether you are standing on your head or your heels." + +The mayor was a small man, while Dame Anthony, although not above the +usual height, was plump and strong; and her crestfallen spouse felt +that she was capable of carrying her threat into execution. He therefore +thought it prudent to make no reply, and his angry wife swept from the +room. + +It was some time before the mayor descended to his shop. In the interval +he had thought the matter over, and had concluded that it would be best +for him to let his wife have her way. Indeed, he did not see how he +could do otherwise. + +He had expected a storm, but not such a storm as this. Never before +in his fifteen years of married life had he seen his wife in such a +passion, and there was no saying whether she would not carry all her +threats into execution if he interfered with her now. No. It would be +better to let her go. The storm would blow over in time. It was natural +enough for her to go over and stay a few weeks with her people, and in +time, of course, she would come back again. After all, he had got rid of +Jack, and this being so, he could afford for awhile to put up with the +absence of his wife. It was unpleasant, of course, very unpleasant, to +be called such names, but as no one had heard them but himself it did +not so much matter. Perhaps, after all, it was the best thing that could +happen that she should take it into her head to go away for a time. In +her present mood she would not make things comfortable at home, and, of +course, his daughter would side with her mother. + +Accordingly, when the carrier's wagon stopped at the door the mayor +went out with a pleasant countenance, and saw that the boxes were safely +placed in it, and that his wife was comfortably seated on some shawls +spread over a heap of straw. His attention, however, received neither +thanks nor recognition from Dame Anthony, while Alice, whose face was +swollen with crying, did not speak a word. However, they were seated +well under the cover of the wagon, and could not be seen by the few +people standing near; and as the mayor continued till the wagon started +speaking cheerfully, and giving them all sorts of injunctions as to +taking care of themselves on the way, he flattered himself that no one +would have an idea that the departure was anything but an amicable one. + +A week later a letter arrived for Dame Anthony and the mayor at once +recognized the handwriting of Jack Stilwell. He took it up to his room, +and had a considerable debate with himself as to whether he would open +it or not. The question was, What did the boy say? If he wrote full of +bitter complaints as to his treatment, the receipt of the letter by his +wife would only make matters worse, and in that case it would be better +to destroy the letter as well as any others which might follow it, and +so put an end to all communication, for it was unlikely that the boy +would ever return to England. + +Accordingly he opened the letter, and after reading it through, laid +it down with a feeling of something like relief. It was written in a +cheerful spirit. Jack began by saying that he feared Dame Anthony and +Alice would have been anxious when they heard that he was missing from +his lodgings. + +"I have no doubt, my dear cousin, you will have guessed what has +befallen me, seeing that so many have been taken away in the same way. I +don't think that my late master acted handsomely in thus getting rid of +me; for, as the list was made up by him, it was of course his doing. But +you will please tell him from me that I feel no grudge against him. In +the first place, he did not know I was going away to sea, and it must +naturally have angered him to see one known to be connected with him +hanging about Southampton doing nothing. Besides, I know that he always +meant kindly by me. He took me in when I had nowhere to go, he gave +me my apprenticeship without fee, and, had it not been that my roving +spirit rendered me disinclined for so quiet a life, he would doubtless +have done much for me hereafter. Thus thinking it over, it seems to me +but reasonable that he should have been angered at my rejection of the +benefits he intended for me. + +"In the next place, it may be that his action in shipping me off as a +soldier may in the end prove to be for my welfare. Had I carried out my +intention and gone as a sailor, a sailor I might have remained all my +life. It seems to me that as a soldier my chances are larger. Not only +shall I see plenty of fighting and adventure, which accords well with +my spirit, but it seems to me--and a sergeant who has shown me much +kindness says that it is so--that there are fair chances of advancement. +The soldiers are for the great part disorderly and ignorant men; and, +as I mean to be steady and obedient so as to gain the goodwill of the +officers, and as I have received a good education from my dear father, +I hope in time to come to be regarded as one somewhat different from the +common herd; and if I get an opportunity of distinguishing myself, and +do not get killed by a Spanish bullet or pike thrust, or by the fevers +which they say are not uncommon, then it is possible I may come back at +the end of the war with some honor and credit, and, the sergeant said, +may even obtain advancement to the rank of an officer. Therefore my late +master, having done me many good turns, may perhaps find that this last +one--even though he intended it not--is the best of all. Will you make +my respects to him, dear cousin, and tell him that I feel no grudge or +ill will against him? Will you give my love to my Cousin Alice? Tell her +that I will bring her home some rare keepsakes from Spain should they +fall in my way; and you know I will do the same for yourself, who have +always been so good and kind to me." + +"The boy is not a bad boy," the mayor said, well pleased as he laid down +the letter. "It may be that I have judged him too harshly, seeing that +he set himself against what was best for his welfare. Still, one cannot +expect men's heads on boys' shoulders, and he writes dutifully and +properly. I believe it is the fault of Andrew Carson, who was forever +edging me on by reports of the boy's laziness and carelessness. He +certainly has a grudge against him, and he assuredly exceeded his place +and authority when he lifted his hand against my wife's cousin. It seems +to me truly that I have acted somewhat hastily and wrong headedly in the +matter. I shall give Master Carson notice that at the end of a month +I shall require his services no longer--the fellow puts himself too +forward. That will please Mary; she never liked him, and women in these +matters of likes and dislikes are shrewder than we are. Perhaps when she +hears that he is going, and reads this letter, which I will forward +to her by the carrier, she may come back to me. I certainly miss her +sorely, and the household matters go all wrong now that she is away. She +ought not to have said things to me; but no wise man thinks anything of +what a woman says when she's angry; and now that I think things over, it +certainly seems to me that she had some sort of warrant for her words. +Yes, I certainly don't know what can have come over me, unless it was +that fellow, Andrew Carson. Richard Anthony has not been considered a +bad fellow else he would never have become the Mayor of Southampton; and +for fifteen years Mary and I have got on very well together, save +for the little disputes which have arisen from her over masterful +disposition. But she is a good wife--none could wish for better--though +she is given to flame out at what she considers unrighteous dealings; +but every woman has her faults, and every man too as far as that goes, +and upon the whole few of them have less than Mary. I will write to her +at once." + +The mayor was not a man to delay when his mind was once made up, and +sitting down at a writing desk he wrote as follows: + +"DEAR WIFE: I inclose a letter which has come for you from your Cousin +Jack. I opened it, and you will think poorly of me when I tell you that +had it been filled with complaints of me, as I expected, it would not +have come to your hands; for your anger against me is fierce enough +without the adding of fresh fuel thereto. But the lad, as you will see, +writes in quite another strain, and remembers former kindnesses rather +than late injuries. His letter has put it into my head to think matters +over, and in a different spirit from that in which I had previously +regarded it, and I have come to the conclusion that I have acted +wrongly; first, that I did not make allowances enough for the boy; +second, that I insisted on keeping him to a trade he disliked; third, +that I have given too willing an ear to what Andrew Carson has said +against the boy; lastly, that I took such means of freeing myself from +him. I today give Andrew Carson notice to quit my service--a matter in +which I have hitherto withstood you. I am willing to forget the words +which you spoke to me in anger, seeing that there was some foundation +for them, and that when a woman is in a passion her tongue goes further +than she means. + +"Now, as I am ready to put this on one side, I trust that you also will +put aside your anger at my having obtained the pressing for a soldier +of your cousin. You can see for yourself by his writing that he does not +desire that any enmity shall arise out of the manner of his going. For +fifteen years we have lived in amity, and I see not why, after this +cloud passes away, we should not do so again. + +"I miss you sorely. Things go badly with us since you have gone. The +food is badly cooked, and the serving indifferent. If you will write +to tell me that you are willing to come back, and to be a loving +and dutiful wife again, I will make me a holiday and come over to +Basingstoke to fetch you and Alice home again. I am writing to Jack +and sending him five guineas, for which he will no doubt find a use in +getting things suitable for the adventure upon which he is embarked, +for the payment of her majesty to her soldiers does not permit of the +purchase of many luxuries. On second thoughts I have resolved to pay +Andrew Carson his month's wages, and to let him go at once. So that if +you return you will not find one here against whom you have always been +set, and who is indeed in no small way the author of the matters which +have come between us, save only as touching the impressment, of which +I own that I must take the blame solely upon myself. Give my love to +Alice, and say that she must keep up her spirits, and look forward to +the time when her Cousin Jack shall come back to her after the killing +of many Spaniards." + +Having signed and carefully sealed this letter, with that from Jack +inclosed within it, the mayor then proceeded to write the following to +the young soldier: + +"MY DEAR COUSIN JACK: I have read the letter which you sent to my wife, +and it is written in a very proper and dutiful strain. Your departure +has caused trouble between my wife and me; but this I hope will pass +away after she has read and considered your letter. She carried matters +so far that she is at present with your Cousin Alice at the house of +her parents at Basingstoke. Having read your letter, I write to tell +you that I feel that I am not without blame toward you. I did not see +it myself until the manner of your letter opened my eyes to the fact. +I have misunderstood you, and, being bent on carrying out my own +inclinations, made not enough allowance for yours. Were you here now I +doubt not that in future we should get on better together; but as that +cannot be, I can only say that I recognize the kind spirit in which +you wrote, and that I trust that in future we shall be good friends. I +inclose you an order for five guineas on a tradesman in Dover with whom +I have dealings. There are many little things that you may want to buy +for your voyage to supplement the pay which you receive. Andrew Carson +is leaving my service. I think that it is he greatly who came between +us, and has brought things to the pass which I cannot but regret." + +A week later the cloth merchant's shop in the High Street was shut up, +and the mayor, having appointed a deputy for the week he purposed to +be absent, took his place in the stage for Basingstoke, when a complete +reconciliation was effected between him and his wife. + +The starting of the expedition was delayed beyond the intended time, for +the government either could not or would not furnish the required funds, +and the Earl of Peterborough was obliged to borrow considerable sums +of money, and to involve himself in serious pecuniary embarrassments to +remedy the defects, and to supply as far as possible the munition and +stores necessary for the efficiency of the little force he had been +appointed to command. It consisted of some three thousand English +troops, who were nearly all raw and undisciplined, and a brigade, two +thousand strong, of Dutch soldiers. + +Early in May the regiment to which Jack Stilwell belonged marched +for Portsmouth, where the rest of the expedition were assembled, and +embarked on board the transports lying at Spithead, and on the 22d +of the month set sail for St. Helens, where they were joined on the +following day by their general, who embarked with his suit on board the +admiral's ship. On the 24th the fleet sailed for Lisbon. + +Fond as Jack was of the sea, he did not find the change an agreeable +one. On shore the constant drill and steady work had fully occupied +the men, and had left them but little time for grumbling. On board ship +things were different. In those days there was but little of the strict +discipline which is now maintained on board a troop ship. It was true +that the vessels in which the expedition was being carried belonged to +the royal navy; but even here the discipline was but lax. There were +many good sailors on board; but the bulk of the crew had been pressed +into the service as harshly and tyrannically as were the soldiers +themselves, and the grumblers of one class found ready sympathizers +among the others. + +The captain was a young man of good family who had obtained his +appointment solely by interest, and who, although he would have fought +his ship bravely in an action with the enemy, took but little interest +in the regular work, leaving such matters entirely in the hands of his +first lieutenant. The military officers were all new to their work. +On shore they had had the support which the presence of a considerable +number of veteran troops in garrison in the castle gave them; but they +now ceased to struggle against the difficulty of keeping up discipline +among a large number of raw and insubordinate recruits, relying upon +bringing them into order and discipline when they got them ashore in a +foreign country. Beyond, therefore, a daily parade, and half an hour's +drill in the handling of their firelocks, they interfered but little +with the men. + +Sergeant Edwards with twenty of his men had at the last minute, +to Jack's great satisfaction, been drafted into the regiment, and +accompanied them on their voyage. + +"Ay, they are a rough lot," the sergeant said in answer to an +observation of Jack as to the grumbling of the men after they had been +at sea a few days; "but what can you expect when you take men from their +homes against their will, pick out the worst characters in each town, +make up their number with jail birds, and then pack them off to sea +before they have got into shape? There's nothing tries men more than a +sea voyage. Here they are packed up as close as herrings, with scarcely +room to move about, with nothing to do, and with food which a dog +would turn up his nose to eat. Naturally they get talking together, and +grumbling over their wrongs till they work themselves up. + +"I wish the voyage was over. It wouldn't matter if we had a good steady +old crew, but more than half of them have been pressed; many of them are +landsmen who have been carried off just as you were. No doubt they would +all fight toughly enough if a Frenchman hove in view, but the captain +couldn't rely on them in a row on board. As long as the fleet keeps +together it's all right enough. Here are nine vessels, and no one on +board one knows what's going on in the others, but if the captain of +any one of them were to hoist a signal that a mutiny had broken out on +board, the others would be round her with their portholes opened ready +to give her a dose of round shot in no time." + +"But you don't think that it is really likely that we shall have any +trouble, sergeant?" + +"There won't be any trouble if, as I am telling you, the weather holds +fine and the fleet keeps together; but if there's a gale and the ships +get scattered, no one can't say what might come of it." + +"I can't think how they could be so mad as to get up a mutiny," Jack +said; "why, even supposing they did take the ship, what would they do +with it?" + +"Them's questions as has been asked before, my lad, and there's sense +and reason in them, but you knows as well as I that there's many a craft +sailing the seas under the black flag. There isn't a ship as puts to sea +but what has half a dozen hands on board who have been in slavers, and +who are full of tales of islands where everything grows without the +trouble of putting a spade in the ground, where all sorts of strange +fruit can be had for the picking, and where the natives are glad enough +to be servants or wives, as the case may be, to whites. It's just such +tales as these as leads men away, and I will warrant there's a score at +least among the crew of the Caesar who are telling such tales to any who +will listen to them. Well, you see, it's a tempting story enough to one +as knows no better. On the one side there is a hard life, with bad food +and the chance of being shot at, and the sartainty of being ordered +about and not being able to call your life your own. On the other side +is a life of idleness and pleasure, of being your own master, and, if +you want something which the islands can't afford you, why, there's +just a short cruise and then back you come with your ship filled up with +plunder. I don't say as it's not tempting; but there's one thing agin +it, and the chaps as tells these yarns don't say much about that." + +"What is it, sergeant?" + +"It's just the certainty of a halter or a bloody grave sooner or later. +The thing goes on for some time, and then, when merchant ship after +merchant ship is missing, there are complaints at home, and out comes +a ship or two with the queen's pennant at the head, and then either the +pirate ship gets caught at sea and sunk or captured, or there's a visit +to the little island, and a short shrift for those found there. + +"No, I don't think it can pay, my lad, even at its best. It's jolly +enough for awhile, maybe, for those whose hearts are so hard that they +think nothing of scuttling a ship with all on board, or of making the +crew and passengers walk the plank in cold blood. Still even they must +know that it can't last, and that there's a gallows somewhere waiting +for them. Still, you see, they don't think of all that when a chap is +atelling them of these islands, and how pleasant the life is there, and +how easy it would be to do for the officers, and take the command of +the ship and sail away. Two or three chaps as makes up their mind for it +will poison a whole crew in no time." + +"You speak as if you knew all about it." + +"I know a good deal about it," the sergeant replied gravely. "It's a +tale as there ain't many as knows; but you are a sort of lad as one can +trust, and so I don't mind if I tell it you. Though you wouldn't think +it, I have sailed under the black flag myself." + +"You, sergeant!" Jack exclaimed incredulously; "do you mean to say you +have been a pirate?" + +"Just that, my boy. I don't look like it, do I? There ain't nothing +buccaneering about my cut. I looks just what I am, a tough old sergeant +in a queen's regiment; but for all that I have been a pirate. The yarn +is a long one, and I can't tell it you now, because just at present, you +see, I have got to go below to look after the dinners of the company, +but the first time as we can get an opportunity for a quiet talk I will +tell it you. But don't you go away and think till then as I was a pirate +from choice. I shouldn't like you to think that of me; there ain't never +no saying at sea what may happen. I might tumble overboard tonight and +get drowned, or one of the convoy might run foul of us and sink us, and +tomorrow you might be alive and I might be dead, and I shouldn't like +you to go on thinking all your life as that Sergeant Edwards had been +a bloody pirate of his own free will. So you just bear in mind, till I +tells you the whole story, as how it was forced upon me. Mind, I don't +say as how I hadn't the choice of death or that, and maybe had you been +in my place you would have chosen death; but, you see, I had never been +brought up as you were. I had had no chances to speak of, and being only +just about your age, I didn't like the thought of dying, so you see I +took to it, making up my mind secret at the same time that the first +chance I had I would slip away from them. I won't tell you more now, +I hain't time; but just you bear that in mind, in case of anything +happening, that if Sergeant Edwards once sailed under the black flag, he +didn't do it willing." + +The sergeant now hurried below, leaving Jack wondering over what he +had heard. Some days elapsed before the story was told, for a few hours +later the sky clouded over and the wind rose, and before next morning +the vessel was laboring heavily under double reefed topsails. The +soldiers were all kept below, and there was no possibility of anything +like a quiet talk. The weather had hitherto been so fine and the wind +so light that the vessels had glided over the sea almost without motion, +and very few indeed of those on board had experienced anything of the +usual seasickness; but now, in the stifling atmosphere between decks, +with the vessel rolling and plunging heavily, the greater part were soon +prostrate with seasickness, and even Jack, accustomed to the sea as he +was, succumbed to the unpleasantness of the surroundings. + +On the second day of the storm Sergeant Edwards, who had been on deck to +make a report to the captain of the company, was eagerly questioned on +his return below on the condition of the weather. + +"It's blowing about as hard as it can be," he said, "and she rolls fit +to take the masts out of her. There don't seem no chance of the gale +breaking, and none of the other ships of the fleet are in sight. That's +about all I have to tell you, except that I told the captain that if +he didn't get the hatches lifted a little we should be all stifled down +here. He says if there's a bit of a lull he will ask them to give us +a little fresh air, and in the mean time he says that any who are good +sailors may go up on deck, but it will be at their own risk, for some of +the seas go pretty nearly clean over her." + + + +CHAPTER IV: THE SERGEANT'S YARN + + +Jack Stilwell and a few of the other men availed themselves of the +permission to escape for a time from the stifling atmosphere below, and +made their way on deck. For a time the rush of the wind and the wild +confusion of the sea almost bewildered them. Masses of water were +rushing along the deck, and each time she rolled the waves seemed as +if they would topple over the bulwarks. Several of the party turned +and went below again at once, but Jack, with a few others, waited their +opportunity and, making a rush across the deck, grasped the shrouds and +there hung on. Jack soon recovered from his first confusion and was able +to enjoy the grandeur of the scene. + +Small as was the canvas she was showing, the vessel was traveling fast +through the waves, sometimes completely burying her head under a sea; +then as she rose again the water rushed aft knee deep, and Jack had +as much as he could do to prevent himself being carried off his feet. +Fortunately all loose articles had long since been swept overboard, +otherwise the risk of a broken limb from their contact would have been +serious. + +In a quarter of an hour even Jack had had enough of it and went below, +and, having changed his drenched clothes, slung his hammock and turned +in. The next day the gale began to abate, and by evening the wind had +nearly died away, although the vessel was rolling as heavily as before +among the great masses of water which rolled in from the Atlantic. + +The hatchways, however, were now removed, and all below ordered on deck, +and after awhile a party was told off to sluice down their quarters +below. The men were all weakened by their confinement, but their spirits +soon rose, and there was ere long plenty of laughter at the misfortunes +which befell those who tried to cross the deck, for the ship was rolling +so heavily that it was impossible for a landsman to keep his feet +without holding on. + +The next morning, although a heavy swell was still rolling, the ship +assumed her normal aspect. The sailors had removed all trace of disorder +above, clothes were hung out to dry, and, as the ship was still far too +unsteady to allow of walking exercise, the soldiers sat in groups on +the deck, laughing and chatting and enjoying the warm sun whose rays +streamed down upon them. Seeing Sergeant Edwards standing alone looking +over the bulwark, Jack made his way up to him. + +"It has been a sharp blow," the sergeant said, "and I am glad it's over; +the last four days have been enough to sicken one of the sea for life. I +suppose you think this is a good opportunity for my yarn." + +"That is just what I was thinking, sergeant." + +"Very well, then, my lad, here goes. I was born at Poole. My people were +all in the seafaring line, and it was only natural that, as soon as I +got old enough to stand kicking, I was put on board a coaster plying +between Poole and London. It was pretty rough, but the skipper wasn't a +bad kind of fellow when he was sober. I stuck to that for three years, +and then the old craft was wrecked on Shoreham beach. Fortunately she +was driven up so far that we were able to drop over the bowsprit pretty +well beyond the reach of the waves, but there was no getting the Eliza +off. It was no great loss, for she would have had to be broken up +as firewood in another year or two. About six hours out of every +twenty-four I was taking my turn at spells at the pump. + +"Now the Eliza was cast away, I had to look out for another ship. I +had had enough of coasters, so instead of going home I tramped it up to +London. Having got a berth on board a foreign bound vessel I made two +voyages out to Brazil and back. A fine country is the Brazils, but the +Portuguese ain't the fellows to make much out of it. Little undersized +chaps, they are all chatter and jabber, and when they used to come +alongside to unload, it were jest for all the world like so many +boatfuls of monkeys. + +"Well, I starts for my third voyage, being by this time about sixteen +or seventeen. We got out to Rio right enough; but we couldn't get a full +cargo back, and the captain determined to cruise among the West Indy +Islands and fill up his ship. We were pretty nigh full when one morning +the lookout hailed that there were two vessels just coming out of an +inlet in an island we were passing some three miles on the weather bow. + +"The captain was soon on deck with his glass, and no sooner did he make +them out than he gave orders to clap every sail on her. We hadn't a very +smart crew, but there are not many British ships ever made sail faster +than we did then. The men just flew about, for it needed no glass to +show that the two vessels which came creeping out from among trees +weren't customers as one wanted to talk to on the high seas. The one +was a brig, the other a schooner. They carried lofty spars ever so much +higher than an honest trader could want; and quick as we had got up our +sails, they had got their canvas spread as soon as we had. + +"The ship was a fast sailer, but it didn't need half an hour to show +that they had the legs of us. So the skipper called the crew aft. 'Now, +my lads,' he said, 'you see those two vessels astern. I don't think it +needs any telling from me as to what they are. They might be Spaniards +or they might be French, or they might be native traders, but we are +pretty well sure they ain't anything of the kind. They are pirates--I +guess the same two vessels I heard them talking about down at Rio. They +have been doing no end of damage there. There were pretty nigh a dozen +ships missing, and they put them all down to them. However, a couple of +English frigates had come into Rio, and hearing what had happened had +gone out to chase them. They hadn't caught them, and the Brazilians +thought that they had shifted their quarters and gone for a cruise in +other latitudes. + +"'The description they gave of them answered to these two--a brig and a +schooner, with low hulls and tall spars. One of them carries ten guns, +the other two on each side, and a heavy piece mounted on a swivel +amidship. It was said that before they went down to Brazil they had been +carrying on their games among the West India Islands, and had made it so +hot for themselves that they had been obliged to move off from there. +It was like enough that, now the hue and cry after them had abated, they +would return to their old quarters. + +"'Well, my lads, I needn't tell you what we have to expect if they take +us. Every man Jack will either get his throat cut or be forced to walk +the plank. So we will fight her to the last; for if the worst comes +to the worst, it's better to be killed fighting like men than to be +murdered in cold blood. However, I hope it won't come to that. We carry +twelve guns, and they are heavier metal than most merchantmen have on +board. We are more than a match for either of them alone; and if we can +manage to cripple one, we can beat the other off. + +"'At any rate we will try our best. Thank God we have no women on board, +and only ourselves to think of! Now, my lads, cast the guns loose and +get the ammunition on deck; run two of the guns aft and train them over +the stern. As soon as they come within range we will try and knock some +spars out of them. Now, boys, give three cheers for the old flag, and we +will swear together it shall never come down while there's one of us to +fight the ship.' + +"The men gave three cheers and then went off to their quarters at the +guns. They were quiet and grave, and it was easy enough to see that they +did not like the prospect. An Englishman always goes into action, as +far as I have seen, with a light heart and a joke on his lips when he's +fighting against Frenchmen or Spaniards or any other foe, but it's a +different thing when it's a pirate he has to deal with. Every man knows +then that it's a case of life or death, and that he's got to win or die. +The enemy made no secret of what they were, for when they got within a +mile of us two black flags ran up to their mastheads. + +"The captain he trained one of the stern chasers hisself, and the first +mate took the other. They fired at the same moment, both aiming at the +schooner, which was getting the nearest to us. They were good shots both +of them. The mate's ball struck the water some twenty yards in front +of her forefoot, and smashed her bow planking some three feet above the +waterline; while the captain's struck her bulwark, tore along her deck, +and went out astern, doing some damage by the way, I reckon. + +"We could see there was some confusion on board. They hadn't reckoned +that we carried such heavy metal, and our luck in getting both shots on +board must have surprised them. Then her bow paid off, there was a puff +of smoke amidship, and a ball from the long swivel gun buzzed overhead, +passing through our mainsail without touching mast or stay. + +"So far we had the best of it, and the men looked more cheerful than +they had done from the first moment when the pirates showed from among +the trees. After that we kept up a fire from the stern guns as fast as +we could load. I could not see myself what damage we were doing, for I +was kept hard at work carrying ammunition. Presently the broadside guns +began to fire too, and taking the chance for a look round I saw that the +pirates had separated, and were coming up one on each side of us. + +"So far they had not fired a shot after the first. I suppose they didn't +want to lose ground by yawing, but as they came abreast of us they both +opened fire. Our chaps fought their guns well, and I expect the pirates +found they were not getting much the best of it; for one of them made a +signal, and they both closed in to board. We hadn't had much luck after +our first shot. We had hulled them over and over again and spotted their +sails with shot. Many of their ropes were hanging loose, but we hadn't +succeeded in crippling them, although almost every shot had been aimed +at the masts; for every man knew that our only chance was to bring them +down. + +"As they came up close to us they poured in a volley of grape, and a +minute later they grated alongside and a crowd of men swarmed on board +over the bulwarks. Our fellows fought to the last, but the odds were +five to one against them. The skipper had been killed by a grapeshot, +but the mate he led the men; and if fighting could have saved us the +ship would not have been captured. But it was no use. In two minutes +every man had been cut down or disarmed. I had laid about me with +a cutlass till I got a lick over my head with a boarding pike which +knocked my senses out of me. + +"When I opened my eyes I was hauled up to my feet and put alongside the +mate and six others, all of whom was bleeding more or less. The rest had +all been chucked overboard at once. In a minute or two the captain of +one of the pirates, a little dapper Frenchman, came up to us. 'You have +fought your ship well,' he said to the mate, 'and have killed several of +my officers and men; but I bear you no malice, and if you are ready +to ship with me I will spare your life.' 'I would rather die a hundred +times!' the mate said. The pirate said nothing, but just nodded, and +four of his men seized the mate and flung him over the bulwarks. The +same question was asked of each of the men; but each in turn refused, +and an end was made of them. I was the last. + +"'Now, my boy,' the captain said, 'I hope you won't be stupid like those +pig headed fellows. What do you say--good treatment and a free life on +the sea, or the sharks?' + +"Well, lad, if my turn hadn't been last I would have said 'no' like +the others. I wouldn't have shown the white feather before any of my +shipmates; but they had gone--there wasn't one to cast a reproachful +look at me or to taunt me with cowardice. I just stood alone; there +weren't no one to back me up in choosing to die rather than to serve, +and so I says, 'I will join you, captain.' I don't say I was right, lad; +I don't say I didn't act as a coward; but I think most young chaps with +my bringing up, and placed as I was, would have done the same. There's +many as would have said 'no' if they had had comrades and friends +looking on, but I don't think there's many as would have said 'no' if +they had stood all alone as I did. + +"I can't say as I blame myself much about that business, though I have +thought it over many a score of times; but anyhow, from the first I made +up my mind that at the very first chance I would get away from them. I +knew the chance wasn't likely to come for some time--still there it was; +and during all the black scenes I took part in on board that ship I was +always telling myself that I was there against my will. + +"It was the brig as I was to go in. And as soon as that little matter of +the crew was settled all hands set to work to shift the cargo from the +ship aboard the pirates. Wonderful quick they did it too; and when I +thought how long that cargo had taken to get on board, it was wonderful +how soon they whipped it out of her. When they had stripped her of all +they thought worth taking, they ran one of the cannon to the open hatch, +loaded it and crammed it full of balls to the muzzle; then they pointed +it down the hold and fired it, and were soon on board their own craft. + +"The charge must have torn a great hole in the ship's bottom, for I +could see she was settling down in the water before we had left her five +minutes, and in a quarter of an hour she gave a sudden lurch and sank. +As I was in for it now, I knew the best thing was to put a good face +on it, so I lent a hand at shifting the cargo and did my best to seem +contented. We sailed off in company, and in the morning when I came on +deck I found the two craft riding side by side in a land locked harbor. + +"A few minutes later the boats were lowered and the work of getting the +cargo on shore began. It was clear enough that this was the pirates' +headquarters; for there were lots of huts built on the sloping sides of +the inlet, and a number of men and women stood gathered on the shore to +receive us as we landed. The women were of all countries, English and +French, Dutch, Spaniards, and Portuguese, with a good sprinkling of dark +skinned natives. All the white women had been taken prisoners at some +time or other from vessels which had fallen into the pirates' hands, +and though most of them must have been miserable enough at heart, poor +creatures, they all made a show of being glad to see the men back again. +It was but a week, I learned, since the pirates had sailed, and it was +considered a great stroke of luck that they should so soon have effected +a capture. + +"No one attended to me, but I worked hard all day with the others rowing +backward and forward between the shore and the ship. When it became dusk +they knocked off work, and the men went off to their huts, for it seemed +that each of them had a wife, brown skinned or white. Seeing that nobody +paid any attention to me, I went off to the little captain, who was +making his way up to a hut of a better class than the others. + +"'What is to become of me, captain?' I asked. 'Ah! I had not thought of +you,' he said; 'well, you can go up with me and get some supper, and +you can have a blanket and sleep on my veranda for tonight; we will see +where you can be lodged in the morning.' I followed him into his house, +and was astonished as I entered at the luxury of the apartment, which +far exceeded anything I had ever seen before. The plank walls were +concealed by hangings of light green silk, a rich carpet covered the +floor, the furniture was most handsome and massive, and had no doubt +been intended for the palace of the Spanish governor of some of the +islands. A pair of candelabra of solid silver stood on the table, and +the white candles in them, which had just been lighted, threw a soft +glow of light over the room and lighted up the table, on which was a +service, also of solid silver, with vases and, lovely flowers. A young +woman rose from a couch as he entered: 'I have been expecting you for +the last half hour, Eugene. You have worked longer than usual this +evening; if the fish are spoiled you must not blame Zoe.' + +"The speaker was a tall and very handsome woman, and I now understood +how it was that my captor spoke such excellent English. There was a deep +expression of melancholy on her face, but she smiled when speaking to +the pirate, and her tone was one of affection. + +"'I have brought home a countryman of yours, Ellen. I forgot to allot +him quarters until it was too late, so please give him over to the care +of Zoe and ask her to give him some supper and a blanket; he will sleep +in the veranda.' + +"The first look which the woman gave me as the captain spoke made me +wish that instead of speaking to the captain I had lain down fasting +under a tree, there was so much contempt and horror in it; then, as I +suppose she saw I was but a boy, it changed, and it seemed to me that +she pitied me from her heart; however, she clapped her hands and a +negress entered. She said something to her in Spanish, and the old woman +beckoned me to follow her, and I was soon sitting in front of a better +meal than I had tasted for many a month, perhaps the best meal I had +tasted in my life. + +"As she couldn't speak English there was no talking with the old woman. +She gave me a tumbler of stiff rum and water to drink with my supper, +and after I had done she handed me a blanket, took me out into the +veranda, pointed to the side where I should get the sea breeze, and left +me. I smoked a pipe or two and then went to sleep. I was awakened in the +morning by some one coming along the veranda, and, sitting up, saw the +lady I had seen the night before. 'So you are English?' she said. 'Yes, +ma'am,' says I, touching my hat sailor fashion. 'Are you lately from +home?' she asked. 'Not very late, ma'am,' says I; 'we went to Rio first, +and not filling up there were cruising about picking up a cargo when--' +and I stopped, not knowing, you see, how I should put it. 'Are there +any more of you?' she asked after awhile in a low sort of voice. 'No, +ma'am,' says I; 'I am the only one.' 'I did not ask,' she said almost +in a whisper, and I could see her face was 'most as white as a sheet, 'I +never ask. And so you have joined them?' 'Yes,' says I, 'I couldn't help +it, ma'am. I was the last, you see; if there had been any one else to +have encouraged me I should have said no, but being alone--' 'Don't +excuse yourself, poor boy,' she said; 'don't think I blame you. Who am +I that I should blame any one? It is little I can do for you, but if +you should want anything I will do my best to befriend you.' I heard the +captain's voice calling. Suddenly she put her finger to her lips, as a +hint to me to hold my tongue, and off she went. + +"I don't know whether the captain's wife spoke to him about me or not, +but at any rate he didn't tell me off to any of the huts, but kept me +at the house. I used to go down in the day to work with the other men +unloading the ship and stowing away the stores, but they only worked for +a few hours morning and evening, lying in hammocks slung under the trees +during the heat of the day. I made myself useful about the house, helped +the old woman to chop wood, drew water for her, attended to the plants +in the little garden round the house, trained the creepers up the +veranda, and lent a hand at all sorts of odd jobs, just as a sailor will +do. + +"When, ten days after we arrived, the ships got ready for another +cruise, I was afraid they would take me with them, and I lay awake at +nights sweating as I thought over the fearful deeds I should have to +take part in; but the captain gave me no orders, and to my delight the +men embarked and the ships sailed away without me. I found there were +some forty men left behind, whose duty it was to keep a sharp lookout +and man the batteries they had got at the entrance to the cove in case +any of our cruisers came in sight. + +"The man who was in command was a Spaniard, a sulky, cruel looking +scoundrel. However, he didn't have much to do with me; I took my turn at +the lookout with the rest of them, and besides that there was nothing +to do. The men on shore had all been in one or other of the ships when I +was taken; for I found there were about a hundred and sixty of them, and +a quarter stayed at home by turns, changing after each cruise, whether +it was a long or short one. + +"The captain's wife often spoke to me now; she would come out and sit in +the veranda while I was at work. She asked me what part I came from, and +where I had sailed, and what friends I had at home. But she never said +a word to me about the capture of the ship. She always looked sad now, +while she had been cheerful and bright while the captain was on shore. +In time she got quite friendly with me, and one day she said, 'Peter, +you will have to go to sea next time, what will you do?' + +"'I must do as the others do, God forgive me,' says I; 'but don't think, +ma'am, as ever I shall do it willing. It may be years before I gets a +chance, but if ever I does I shall make a run for it, whatever the risk +may be. I speaks free to you, ma'am, for I feel sure as you won't say +a word to no man, for it would cost me my life if they thought that I +wasn't with them willing.' + +"'I will not tell any one, Peter, you may be sure,' she said; 'but I do +not think you will ever have a chance of getting away--no one ever does +who once comes here.' + +"Well, in time, lad, she lets out bit by bit a little about herself. She +had been on her way out to join her father, who was an officer of the +East Indy Company, when the ship was taken by the pirates. The men was +all killed, but she and some other women was taken on board the pirate +and at last brought there. The French captain took a fancy to her from +the first, and after she had been there a year brought a Spanish priest +they captured on board a ship and he married them. The pirates seemed to +think it was a joke, and lots of them followed the captain's example and +got married to the women there. What they did with the priest afterward, +whether they cut his throat or landed him in some place thousands of +miles away, or entered him on board ship, is more nor I know. + +"There's no doubt the captain's wife was fond of her husband; pirate as +he was, he had not behaved so bad to her--but except when he was with +her she was always sad. + +"She had an awful horror of the life he led, and with this was a terror +lest he should fall into the hands of a cruiser, for she knew that if +he hadn't the good luck to be killed in the fight, he would be tried and +hung at the nearest port. It was a kind of mixed feeling, you see; she +would have given everything to be free from the life she was leading, +and yet even had she had the chance she would not have left her husband. +I believe he had promised her to give it up, but she must have knowed +that he never would do it; besides, if he had slipped away from the ship +at any place where they touched he could not have got her away, and her +life would have paid for his desertion. + +"But I don't think he would have gone if he could, for, quiet and nice +as he was when at home, he was a demon at sea. Ruffians and scoundrels +as were his crew, the boldest of them were afraid of him. It was not a +word and a blow, but a word and a pistol shot with him; and if it +hadn't been that he was a first rate seaman, that he fought his ships +splendidly, and that there was no one who could have kept any show of +order or discipline had he not been there, I don't believe they would +have put up with him for a day. + +"Well, lad, I sailed with them for three voyages. I won't tell you what +I saw and heard, but it was years before I could sleep 'well at night, +but would start up in a cold sweat with those scenes before my eyes and +those screams ringing in my ears. I can say that I never took the life +of a man or woman. Of course I had to help to load the cannon, and when +the time for boarding came would wave my cutlass and fire my pistols +with the best of them; but I took good care never to be in the front +line, and the others were too busy with their bloody doings to notice +what share I took in them. + +"We had been out about a fortnight on my third voyage, and the schooner +and brig were lying in a little bay when we saw what we took to be a +large merchant ship coming along. She was all painted black, her rigging +was badly set up, her sails were dirty and some of them patched, she +was steering east, and seemed as if she was homeward bound after a long +voyage. Off we went in pursuit, thinking we had got a prize. She clapped +on more sail, but we came up to her hand over hand. She opened fire with +two eight pounders over her stern. We didn't waste a shot in reply, but +ranged up alongside, one on each beam. Then suddenly her sides seemed to +open, fifteen ports on each side went up, and her deck swarmed with men. + +"A yell of dismay went up from the schooner which I was on. In a moment +a flash of fire ran along the frigate's broadside; there was a crash of +timber, and the schooner shook as if she had struck on a rock. There was +a cry, 'We are sinking!' Some made a wild rush for the boats, others in +their despair jumped overboard, some cursed and swore like madmen +and shook their fists at the frigate. It seemed no time when another +broadside came. + +"Down came the foremast, crushing half a dozen men as she fell. Her deck +was nearly level with the water now. I climbed over the wreck of the +foremast, and run out along the bowsprit. I looked round just as I +leaped. The pirate captain was standing at the wheel. He had a pistol +to his head, and I saw the flash, and he fell. Then I dived off and swam +under water as hard as I could to get away from the sinking ship. When I +came up I looked round. I just saw the flutter of a black flag above the +water and she was gone. I was a good swimmer, and got rid of my shoes +and jacket, and made up my mind for a long swim, for the frigate was too +busy with the brig for any one to pay attention to us, but it did not +take long to finish it. + +"In five minutes it was over. The brig lay dismasted, and scarce a dozen +men out of the forty she carried were alive to throw down their arms +on deck and cry that they surrendered. Then the frigate's boats were +lowered; two rowed in our direction, while two put off to the brig. +There were only nine of us picked up, for from the first broadside till +we sank a heavy musketry fire had been poured down upon the deck, and +as we were not more than fifty yards away from the frigate, the men had +been just mowed down. We were all ironed as soon as we were brought on +board. After that we were brought up one by one and questioned. + +"'You are young to be engaged in such work as this,' the captain said +when my turn came. + +"'I was forced into it against my will, sir,' I said. + +"'Yes,' the captain said, 'I suppose so; that's the story each of the +prisoners tells. How long have you been with them?' + +"'Less than six months, sir.' + +"'How old are you?' + +"'I am not seventeen yet. I was boy on board the Jane and William. We +were taken by the pirates on our way back from Rio, and all except me +killed or thrown overboard.' + +"'And you bought your life by agreeing to sail with them, I suppose?' +the captain said contemptuously. + +"'I did, sir,' I said; 'but I was the last they asked; all the others +had gone, and there warn't no one to back me up.' + +"'Well, boy, you know what your fate will be,' the captain said; +'there's no mercy for pirates.' + +"The next day the captain sent for me again, and I took heart a little, +for I thought if they had made up their minds to hang me they wouldn't +have questioned me. + +"'Look here, lad,' the captain said; 'you are the youngest of the +prisoners, and less steeped in crime than any here, therefore I will +at once make you an offer. If you will direct us to the lair of the +pirates, I promise your life shall be spared.' + +"'I don't know the latitude and longitudes sir,' I said, 'and I doubt if +any besides the captain and one or two others do, but I know pretty well +whereabout it is. We always set sail at night and came in at night, and +none was allowed on deck except the helmsman and two or three old hands +till morning; but when I was ashore and on duty at the lookout I noticed +three trees growing together just at the edge of the cliff at the point +where it was highest, two miles away from the entrance to the cove. They +were a big un and two little uns, and I feel sure if I were to see them +again I should know them.' + +"'Very well,' the captain said, 'I shall make for port at once, and hand +over the prisoners to the Spanish authorities, then I will start on a +cruise with you, and see if we can find your trees.' + +"From the description I could give him of the islands we passed after we +had been at sea a few hours, and the time it took us to sail from them +to some known points, the captain was able to form a sort of idea as to +which group of islands it belonged to, and when he had reached port and +got rid of his prisoners, all of whom were garroted--that's a sort of +strangling, you know--by the Spaniards, a week afterward, we set out +again on our search for the island." + + + +CHAPTER V: THE PIRATE HOLD + + +"The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed +within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put +the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns +enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the +water. As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was +only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter +in. I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched +time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to +me. + +"For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, +but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees. + +"'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, +and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was +to go to the captain. + +"You are sure those are the trees?' + +"'Quite sure, sir.' + +"'They answer to your description certainly,' the captain said. 'Keep +her away, master, I don't want them to think we are steering for the +island.' + +"The ship's course was altered, and she sailed along parallel with the +coast. + +"'I beg your pardon, sir,' I said, touching my hat, 'but they have got +some wonderful good glasses up at the lookout, and if I might make so +bold I should say that they will make out that we have got a lot more +men on deck than a merchant ship would carry.' + +"'You are right, lad,' the captain said, and he at once gave orders that +all hands with the exception of half a dozen should sit down under the +bulwarks or go below. The captain and first lieutenant kept a sharp +lookout through their glasses until we had passed the end of the island. +I pointed out to them the exact position of the cove, but it was so shut +in that even when I showed where it was, it was as much as they could do +to make it out. + +"'Now, lad, do you know of any other landing places on the other side of +the island?' + +"'No, sir, and I don't believe there is any,' says I. I know the captain +said to me the first day I was on shore, 'It's no use your thinking of +making a bolt, for there ain't no other place but this where you could +get to sea--not though you had twenty boats waiting to take you off.' I +expect that's why they chose it. Anyhow, there never was any watch kept +up on shore, though. I have no doubt there was many a one who had been +pressed into pirating just as I was, to save their lives, would have +made off had they seen ever such a little chance of getting away. + +"'Just come into the cabin with me,' says he; 'I want you to show me +exactly where are these batteries, and the position of the village on +shore.' + +"The first lieutenant came too, and I drew them out a chart as well as +I could, showing them the position of things, and told them that every +evening a boom was floated across the entrance. + +"'What sentries are there on at night?' + +"'Four, sir; two close down to the water, one each side of the cove, and +two in the batteries at the top. That's the watch, but besides there +are six men sleep in each of the other batteries, and six in each of the +batteries inside.' + +"'Tell me more about the place and the life you led there,' the captain +said, 'and then I shall understand the position of things better.' + +"So I spun him a regular yarn about the place and the people. I told him +about the captain's wife, and she being an English woman, and how she +was taken, which indeed was the way of most of the women there. + +"'I suppose that a good many of the men were pressed too,' the captain +said. + +"'I expects so, sir; but when we were together on guard or on board a +ship I noticed we never talked of such things. It seemed to me as if +every one was trying to forget the past, and I think that made them more +brutal and bloody minded than they would have been. Every one was afraid +of every one else guessing as he wasn't contented, and was wanting to +get away, and so each carried on as bad as he could.' + +"'I dare say you are right, lad; it must be a terrible position for a +man to be in; but you see the law can make no distinctions. If it +wasn't thoroughly understood that if a man took up the life of a pirate, +whether willingly or unwillingly, he would assuredly be executed if he +was caught, we should have the sea swarming with pirates. Now, lad, you +know how this boom was fastened; can you suggest any way that we could +get over it or loosen it without giving the alarm?' + +"'There is no way, sir. One end is fastened by a big chain which is +fixed to a great shackle which is let into a hole in the rock and +fastened in there with lead; that's the fixed end of the boom. The other +end, which is swung backward and forward when the ships go in port, has +got a big chain too. It goes under an iron bar which is bent, and the +two ends fastened in a rock. When they want to fix the boom the end +of the chain is passed under this iron loop and then fastened to some +blocks and ropes worked from the battery above, and the end of the chain +is drawn up tight there, so that there is no loosing the chain till that +battery is taken.' + +"'And you say the guns of the lower batteries at the inner point sweep +the entrance?' + +"'They do, sir. There are ten of them on each side, twelve pounder +carronades, which are always charged, and crammed up to the muzzle with +bullets and nails and bits of iron. The batteries on the top of the +cliff at the entrance are the heaviest metal. They have got twenty guns +in each of them. They are loaded with round shot to keep a vessel from +approaching, though of course they could fire grape into any boats they +saw coming in.' + +"'This does not seem an easy business by any means, Mr. Earnshaw,' the +captain said. + +"'It does not, sir,' the lieutenant agreed in a dubisome sort of way; +'but no doubt it can be done, sir--no doubt it can be done.' + +"'Yes, but how?' the captain asked. 'You will be in command of the +boats, Mr. Earnshaw, and it will never do to attack such a place as that +without some sort of plan.' + +"'What is the boom like, my lad?' the lieutenant asked; 'is it lashed +together?' + +"'No, it is a solid spar,' I said. 'The entrance is not more than forty +feet wide, and the boom is part of the mainmast of a big ship.' + +"'It seems to me,' said the lieutenant, 'that the only way to get at it +would be to go straight at the boom, the two lightest boats to go first. +The men must get on the spar and pull the boats over, and then make a +dash for the batteries; the heavy boats can follow them.' + +"'It would never do, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'You forget there +are twelve guns loaded to the muzzle with grape and musketballs all +trained upon a point only forty feet across. Would it be possible to +land just outside the boom, lad, on one or both sides, and to keep along +the edge, or wade in the water to the batteries?' + +"'No, sir, the rock goes straight up from the water both sides.' + +"'Well, the two sentries, how do they get down to the water's edge?' + +"'They are let down by rope from above, sir, and the rope is hauled up +as soon as they are down.' + +"'This is a deuce of a place, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'We must +do nothing hastily in this matter, or we shall only be throwing away +the lives of a lot of men, and failing in our object. I was intending to +sail on and not return for a week, for no doubt they will be specially +vigilant for a time after seeing a large ship pass them. As it is, I +will return tonight to the back of the island, and will there leave the +cutter and my gig. You will be in charge of the cutter, and Mr. Escombe +will take the gig. I shall then sail away again before daylight; for +although from what the lad said there is no watch kept on that side of +the island, it cannot be more than three miles across, and any of the +men or women might stroll across or might from any high point in the +island obtain a view that way. You will make a thorough survey of all +that side. The cliffs certainly seem, so far as we could see them as we +left the island, as perpendicular as they are on the side we passed; +but there may be some place easier than another--some place where, by +setting our wits to work, we may make a shift to climb up. Get into the +island I will, if I have to blast a flight of steps up the cliff.' + +"'I will do my best to find a place, sir,' the lieutenant said; 'and, if +there isn't one, I will make one.' + +"The lieutenant told me that I was to accompany him in the cutter, and +all was got ready for the trip. Water and a week's rations of food were +placed on board the boats; for in that climate there was no saying when +a gale might spring up, or how long the vessel might be before she got +back to pick up the boats. + +"When we were fairly out of sight of the island we lay to till it got +dusk, and then her head was pointed back again. There was scarce a +breath of wind stirring, and the vessel went through the water so +slowly that a couple of hours later the captain ordered the boats to be +lowered, for he saw that if the wind didn't freshen the ship could not +get to the island, much less get away again, before daylight. The oars +were got out and off we started, and after four hours' steady rowing, +the lieutenant, who was steering by compass, made out the land looming +high above us. Another quarter of an hour's row and we dropped our +grapnels close to the foot of the cliffs, and the men were told to get a +sleep as well as they could till morning. + +"As soon as it was daylight we were off again and rowed to the end of +the island; for, as Mr. Earnshaw said to the third lieutenant, we had +best begin at the end and do the work thoroughly. When we got to the +point we turned and rowed back, keeping about two hundred yards from +the cliff, so that we could see well up. They were about a hundred feet +high--sometimes a little less, sometimes a good bit more, and they went +as straight up from the water's edge as the cliffs at Dover, only there +weren't no beach. It was deep water right up to the foot. + +"We went along very slowly, the men only just dipping their oars into +the water, and all of us watching every foot of the cliffs. Sometimes we +would stop altogether while the officers talked over the possibility of +any one climbing up at some place where the water trickling down from +the top had eaten away the face a little; but not a goat in the world +could have climbed up them, not to say men. So we kept on till we got to +the other end of the island, which must have been five miles long. Not a +place could we see. + +"'Unless we are going to do as the captain said--blast steps up the face +of that rock--I don't believe it's to be done,' Lieutenant Earnshaw said +to Mr. Escombe. 'Well, there's nothing to do, lads, but to row in +and drop your grapnels again and wait till we see the ship's lights +tonight.' + +"Although we rowed in to within an oar's length of the cliff, there was +eight fathoms of water when we dropped the grapnels. We had been lying +there an hour when the third lieutenant said: + +"'I should think, Mr. Earnshaw, that if we were to bring the pinnace +with that four pounder gun in the bow and up end it, and with a small +charge fire a ball with a rope fastened to it up into that clump of +trees we saw just about the middle of the island, it might get caught.' + +"'So it might, Escombe, and the idea is a good one; but I doubt whether +there's a man on board ship could climb a rope swinging like that +against the face of those cliffs.' + +"'He might if we used a knotted rope,' Mr. Escombe said. + +"'I wouldn't mind making a try, yer honor,' one of the sailors said, and +half a dozen others volunteered their readiness to make the attempt. + +"'I will put it to the captain,' Mr. Earnshaw said; 'if he agrees, as +you were the first to volunteer, Jones, you shall have the chance.' + +"The day was dead calm, so was the night that followed it; and although +we rowed back to the end of the island from which we had come, no lights +were to be seen that night. + +"The next day passed slowly. The sun was hot; but toward evening the +lieutenant gave permission for the men to bathe; but warned us that no +man must go far from the boats, because there might be sharks about. +However, we didn't see none, and we enjoyed the dip, and were in better +humor still when we found that a light breeze was springing up. It +might have been about midnight when the men on watch made out a light to +seaward, and we weren't long in getting up our grapnels and sitting our +oars. In half an hour we were on board, and were soon sailing away from +the island again. + +"The next night in we came again, and I saw that the third lieutenant's +plan was going to be adopted; in fact, I guessed so before; for the sail +makers had been at work with two light ropes making a rope ladder, and +the ship's smith had got some empty shells on deck, and had made a shift +to screw some iron eyes into them for fixing ropes to. The gun was taken +out of the pinnace and a little mortar fixed in her, and half a dozen +ropes, each a hundred fathoms long, had knots put in them every two +feet. + +"The launch and the two cutters were lowered as well as the pinnace this +time, and the crews were armed with cutlass and pistol. I went with them +as before, as I should be wanted to guide them when they got near the +village. It was a bright starlight night without haze, so that when we +got close we could make out the outline of the cliffs, and could see the +thick wood growing on the top. When we got within about a hundred yards +of the cliffs the boat stopped rowing. + +"'Don't use more powder than you can help, gunner,' Mr. Earnshaw said. +'In the first place, we don't want to do more than carry out the rope +to its full length; in the next place, we don't want to make more noise +than we can help. What wind there is is fortunately blowing seaward, +and being so close under the cliff the sound will be echoed back. At the +same time the less noise the better.' + +"'I will begin with very little, sir. If the ball don't go to the top of +the cliff I shall put a trifle more into the gun next time; it's better +to make a mistake on the right side.' + +"A small quantity of powder was put in the mortar, which was only a four +inch one. Then a wad was put in, and a shell with one of the knotted +ropes fastened to it dropped in the top. The rope had been coiled in a +tub so as to run out easily. The gunner applied the match. There was a +dull report, and every man held his breath to listen. There was a thud +high up on the cliff and then a splash. + +"'A few feet short of the top, I should say, gunner. You must put in +more next time, for the shell must go well up over the trees and drop +among them; otherwise it won't catch.' + +"The gunner by the light of the lantern measured out half as much powder +again as he had used before, and then fired. This time we heard no sound +till there was a faint splash in the water. + +"'The rope's gone, sir,' the gunner said, looking into the tub. 'There +was a little too much this time.' + +"'I don't think so,' Mr. Escombe said. 'I think that splash was the end +of the rope touching the water. In that case it will be just right, a +hundred feet up the cliffs, and five hundred feet among the trees. No +fear of the rope coming back to us.' + +"It took us a quarter of an hour's search in the dark to find the rope; +but at last we came upon it, and sure enough there was only four or five +fathoms in the water. + +"'Now, Jones,' Mr. Earnshaw said, 'it's your turn. Put that light line +over your shoulders, and when you get to the top haul on it till you +get up the rope ladder, and fasten that to a stout trunk and give a low +hail. We will hold the rope as steady as we can below while you mount.' + +"'Ay, ay, sir,' said the man, who was an active young chap; 'I will be +up there in a jiffy.' + +"We fastened the lower end round one of the thwarts of the boat, and +then he began to climb. It was near five minutes before he got to the +top, for there were some nasty places where the cliff jutted out, and +the rope was hard against it; but presently the shaking ceased, and a +minute later the light line was hauled tight. There was a low cheer in +the boats, and then up went the rope ladder. A minute or two later there +was a hail from the top. + +"'All taut, sir.' + +"'I will go first,' Mr. Earnshaw said. + +"Accordingly up he went, and one by one we followed, each waiting for +the signal that the one before him had got up, till all had gone except +the two told off as boat watch. Then the men of the launch and cutters +followed, and in about two hours they were all at the top, and a lantern +was shown to tell the ship we were there. + +"We started at once across the island, Mr. Earnshaw keeping the line by +a pocket compass. It was rough work, though, and at last the lieutenant +said: + +"'We make such a noise going through the bushes that we had better wait +till daylight, so just halt where you are, lads.' + +"As soon as the first ray of light showed we were off again, and an hour +later reached the edge of the slope down to the cove. + +"'Now, remember,' the lieutenant said, 'that no woman is to be hurt. +All the men who resist are to be shot or cut down; but you are to take +prisoners all who throw down their arms. Some of them may be able to +prove themselves less guilty than the rest. At any rate, there is no +fear of the Spanish authorities being too merciful. These pirates have +been the scourge of these seas for the last six years.' + +"Well, lad, there ain't much more to tell you. We took them completely +by surprise, and the men in the village were all knocked down and bound, +without firing a shot. The men in the batteries tried to slew their guns +round, but we didn't give 'em time. They fought desperately, for they +knew what their doom was, and there weren't any prisoners taken there. +As soon as the village was taken I went straight with Mr. Escombe to +the captain's house. His wife was standing at the door, and she gave +a little cry as she saw the British uniforms, and ran a step or two to +meet us, then she stopped, and her arms dropped by her side. + +"'What! you, Peter!' she said as we came up. 'Is it you who led them +here?' + +"'Yes, ma'am, it was me,' says I, 'and the best thing I could do for +you, for you could not wish to stay here all your life with just the +people that are here.' + +"'But what has happened?' she said. 'How is it you are here? What has +become of the schooner?' + +"'The schooner is sunk, ma'am, and the brig is captured.' + +"'And my husband?' + +"'Well, ma'am, don't you take on, but your husband went down with the +schooner.' + +"She tottered, and I thought she would have fallen, but Mr. Escombe put +his arm round her and led her to the house and left her there, putting +two sailors on guard to see as she wasn't disturbed. An hour or two +later the frigate was off the cove, and the captain landed. We stopped +a week there, and carried off all there was worth taking; and I tell +you there was enough to give every man Jack on board a handsome share of +prize money when the things came to be sold afterward. + +"Money, there was lots of it, all stored away in what they called the +treasure house, for money was no good there. Jewels and ornaments, +watches, and the things which they uses in them Catholic churches, and +all kinds of valuable things, and stores of silks and velvets and all +kinds of materials; and as to wine and such like, there was enough +to have lasted them for years, for from first to last it was shown +afterward that those fellows must have captured more nor fifty vessels. +Why they shouldn't have stopped ashore and enjoyed what they got was a +mystery to me. But I suppose they couldn't do without excitement, and +though every man talked of the time when the treasure would be divided +and they were to scatter, I don't suppose as one ever expected as the +time would really come. + +"Well, arter everything was on board, and the women and children, the +place was burned, and we sailed for the nearest Spanish port. We had +had a sort of court martial on board the frigate, and two or three young +chaps like myself, and two men as was proved to have been captured in +the pirates' last cruise, and who hadn't been to sea with them or taken +part in any of their bloody doings, was kept on board ship, and the rest +was handed over to the Spanish authorities. Most of them was garroted, +and a few was condemned to work on the roads for life. I and the others +was taken back to England in the frigate, whose foreign time was up, +and when we got to Portsmouth we was drafted into a regiment there, and +lucky we thought ourselves to get off so easy. The captain's wife and +some of the other white women came home to England on board the frigate. +She was very low at first, but she brightened up a good deal toward +the end of the voyage, which lasted two months. She grieved over her +husband, you see, but she couldn't but have felt that it was all for the +best. I heard afterward as how two years after she married Mr. Earnshaw, +who by that time had got to be a captain. So that, you see, my lad, is +how I came to fight under the black flag first and then to be a soldier +of the queen. I didn't mean it to be sich a long yarn, but when I once +began it all came back to me, and you see, I haven't spoken of it for +years. You don't think altogether as I was very wrong, I hope." + +"I thank you very much for your story, sergeant," Jack replied. "I only +wish it had been longer; and although it's very easy to say that a man +ought to die rather than consent to be a pirate, I don't think there are +many lads who would choose death if they were placed as you were." + +"I am glad you think that, young un; it's always been a sore point with +me, I have done my duty since, and no one can say as he's ever seen +Sergeant Edwards show the white feather. But the thought that that once +I did not act as a brave man would have done has always troubled me." + +The next day, as the sea went down, and the recruits recovered from the +effects of the confinement and sickness, they again began to talk among +themselves. The fact that all the other vessels of the fleet were out of +sight naturally encouraged them. Jack observed, however, that the call +to parade on deck was answered with more quickness than before, and the +exercises were gone through with a painstaking steadiness greater than +had been shown since the embarkation. When the men were dismissed from +parade Jack remarked this to the sergeant. + +"Ay, ay, lad, I noticed it too," the sergeant said, shaking his head, +"and in my opinion it's a bad sign. They want to throw the officers +off their guard. It's a pity you have been seen talking so much to me, +because, of course, they won't say anything when you are listening; but +one or two of the men who came into the regiment with me have dropped +a word as they happened to pass this morning that they wanted to have +a word if they could get one without being noticed, so I hope to hear a +little more tonight." + +That evening, before going below, Jack had an hour's talk with Sergeant +Edwards. + +"It's just as I thought," the latter said, "they've got an idea of +seizing the ship. The men I spoke of managed to get a few words with me +this evening. They don't know anything about piracy. All they have heard +is that there is a proposal to seize the ship and to carry her into +one of the northern ports of Spain, where the men will land and give up +their arms to the Spanish authorities, and then either disperse and make +their way home by twos and threes as best they can, or they will take +service with the King of Spain, who, they think, will pay them a deal +better than the English government. + +"A part of the crew are in the scheme. These, the men tell me, do not +intend to land, but only tell the others that they shall sail away. +That's about what I thought would be. The greater part of these fellows +only wants to get quickly home again, while the sailors, who may want to +go abuccaneering, would not care about having the soldiers with them. +I shall give a hint to the captain of my company tonight as to what +is going on, but I don't much expect he will pay any attention to it. +Officers never believe these things till it is too late, and you see +I can't give them any names yet or prove what I say; besides, likely +enough, any inquiry set on foot would only bring the matter to a head. +We must wait till we know something sure. + +"You keep your ears open, my boy, and your eyes too, and I will do the +same. If it comes, and you see a chance of warning the captain of the +ship or the first lieutenant in time, you do it; but don't you do it if +you don't think there's time enough, or if you can't do it without being +seen. If it's too late, and you are found out, they would just chuck you +overboard or knock you on the head, and you will have done no good +after all, and perhaps only caused bloodshed. Like enough, if matters +go quietly, there won't be no bloodshed, and the officers and those who +stick to them will just be turned adrift in the boats, or maybe handed +over to the Spanish at the port they go into as prisoners." + +Jack promised to follow the sergeant's instructions, and went below. He +thought that the men were unusually quiet, and taking his blanket--for +although some of the soldiers slept in hammocks, the majority lay on the +deck wrapped in their blankets--he lay down by the side of a gun whose +port had been opened to admit air between decks. After thinking the +matter over for some time, and wondering what would be the end of it, he +dropped off into a light sleep. + +Presently he was aroused by a confused sound. Looking round cautiously, +he saw by the dim light of the lantern that most of the men were on +their feet. Some of them were taking down their firearms from the arm +racks; small groups were stooping over some of the sleeping figures; and +to the mast, close to which one of the lanterns hung, two or three +men were bound, and two soldiers with pikes were standing by them. The +crisis, then, had come, and Jack at once proceeded to carry out the plan +he had thought out after he lay down. + +Very quietly he crawled out through the porthole, and then raised +himself and stood on the muzzle of the gun. There he could reach the +foot of the shrouds of the foremast, which happened to be immediately +above the port. He swung himself up, and, placing his hands on the edge +of the bulwark, cautiously looked over. + +At present all was quiet there; the signal from below had not been +given, and the troops on deck--for, owing to the numbers on board, +one fourth were always on deck in fine weather--were standing about or +sitting in groups. Keeping his feet on the ledge which ran round level +with the deck, and his fingers on the top of the bulwark, Jack managed +to edge his way aft until he reached the line of the quarterdeck. Here +the line of the bulwark ceased, the cabins of the officers rising, as +was usual in those days, in a double tier high about the waist. + +The nearest porthole, which was open, was but three feet long, and Jack, +reaching forward, put one hand in it and continued his way. The porthole +was but just large enough for him to squeeze through. Looking in before +he attempted it he saw an officer asleep immediately below him. It was +the ensign of his own company. Leaning in he touched him gently. After +one or two attempts, the young officer opened his eyes, saying, "What is +it? It's not morning yet." + +"Hush, sir," Jack said earnestly; "I am Jack Stilwell of your company. +There is a mutiny, sir, forward. Please help me in, I want to warn the +captain of the ship, and he will know what to do." + +The young officer leaped from his bunk and assisted Jack to enter. + +"I will come with you," he said, hastily dragging on his trousers and +coat. "Are you sure of what you say?" + +"Quite sure, sir; the noncommissioned officers are bound; it may begin +at any moment." + +The ensign led the way to the captain's cabin, which he opened and +entered without ceremony. + +"What is it?" the captain exclaimed. The ensign said who he was, and +Jack repeated his story. + +"The dogs!" the captain said, "we will teach them a lesson. Let me see, +the second lieutenant is on duty; rouse all the other officers;" and he +himself assisted them to do so. In a minute or two they were gathered +hastily attired, with sword and pistol, in the captain's cabin. + +"Do you, Mr. Hartwell," the captain said, addressing the first +lieutenant, "go below and rouse the boatswain and petty officers, +and bid them get together all the men they can depend upon, arm them +quietly, and be ready to rush on deck the instant a stir is heard +forward among the soldiers. Any man who disobeys orders, shoot him +instantly. Do you, sir," he said to the second officer, "go to the +magazine with four of the midshipmen, open it and bring up charges of +grape for the guns on the quarterdeck. Be as quick as you can. Now, +gentlemen, the rest of us will make our way up quietly, one by one, +to the quarterdeck. Go well aft, so that the men in the waist will not +notice you. Directly the cartridges come up we will load the guns, and +be in readiness to slew them across the deck; and in the mean time, if +they should attack before we are ready, we must hold the ladders to the +last." + +One by one the officers stole out from the cabin with bare feet, and +made their way up to the quarterdeck, until some thirty of them were +gathered there, being all the officers of the regiment, the naval +officers, and midshipmen. The night was a dark one, and this was +accomplished without the movement being noticed by any of those in the +waist of the ship. + + + +CHAPTER VI: A COMMISSION + + +The moments passed slowly and anxiously, for if the mutineers were to +pour up from below before the cartridges arrived and the lieutenant had +got the petty officers and men on whom they could rely ready for action, +it was improbable that the officers would be able successfully to oppose +the rush of the men, armed as these would be with matchlock and pike. + +The mutineers, however, believing that there was no occasion to hurry, +were quietly carrying out their intentions. The noncommissioned officers +had all been seized, tied, and placed under sentries, whose orders were +to pike them if they uttered a word. A strong guard had been placed at +the foot of the gangway to prevent any of the soldiers who were not in +the plan from going on deck and giving the alarm. The muskets were not +loaded, as on embarkation all ball cartridges had, as usual, been stowed +away in the magazine; but they reckoned upon obtaining possession of +this at the first rush. The ringleaders proceeded to form the men in +fours, so that they could pour on to the deck in military order. The men +of each company were told off to separate work. Two companies were to +clear the decks, where, on their appearance, they would be joined by +their comrades there, and to overpower any sailors who might offer +resistance. + +Another company was to run down and secure the magazine, and, breaking +it open, to serve out cartridges to all. Two other companies were to +rush aft and overpower the officers; the sixth and seventh were to form +round the head of the hatchway leading to the decks where the sailors +slept, and to allow only those to come on deck who had entered into the +plot. The other three companies were already on deck. The arrangements +were excellent, but the care taken in preparing for them, and the +necessity for doing this in silence lest the stir should be heard and an +alarm be given on deck, occupied time which the officers were turning to +advantage. + +As soon as the captain and naval men had gained the quarterdeck they +threw off the lashings of the guns, and had all in readiness for running +them in and taking them aft to the edge of the quarterdeck. There was +a deep sensation of relief as one after another the midshipmen joined +them, each carrying three cartridges of grape, and followed by the +gunner with four more. The lieutenant was to stay below to lead the +sailors on to the deck. + +The gunner brought a message saying that all was well. Many of +the sailors were found to have turned into their hammocks without +undressing, and to have hand pikes or cutlasses concealed beneath +the clothes. These, however, had been surprised and taken without the +slightest noise; as, on finding a lantern on one side of their heads +and a pistol on the other, each had submitted without the slightest +resistance. All these had been sent down to the hold below, and a guard +placed over them. The guns were loaded and the whole of the officers +divided among them in readiness to run them forward. Four or five +minutes passed, then a shout was heard forward and a low rush of many +feet. + +In an instant the four guns on the quarterdeck were run across. While +this was being done there was a clashing of swords, shouts, and a noise +of conflict heard forward, and at the same time a loud cheer arose, +while from the after hatchway a dark body of men rushed up on to the +deck and formed across it. Some midshipmen, who had been told off for +the duty, ran up from the officers' cabin with lighted lanterns, which +were ranged along at the edge of the quarterdeck. + +There was a rush aft of the mutineers, but these recoiled astonished at +the sight of the pikes which confronted them, and the line of sailors +four deep across the deck, while at the same moment the light of the +lanterns showed them the officers on the quarterdeck, and the four +guns pointed threateningly toward them. For a moment a silence of +astonishment and dismay succeeded the uproar which had preceded it, then +the captain's voice was heard: + +"Down with your arms, you mutinous dogs, or I will blow you into the +air. It is useless to resist. We are prepared for you, and you are +without ammunition. Throw down the arms on the decks, every man of you, +before I count three, or I fire. One--two--" + +There was a loud clattering of arms, mingled with shouts of--"We +surrender; don't fire, sir, don't fire." + +"It's all over," the captain said grimly. "Mr. Hartwell, march your men +forward, shoot any scoundrel instantly whom you find with arms in his +hands, collect all the weapons and bring them aft. + +"Now, Colonel Clifford," he said, turning to the officer in command of +the regiment, "if you go below with the officers, you can unloose the +noncommissioned officers; they will be able to point out to you the +ringleaders in this business. They had better be ironed at once and put +into the hold. You will have no more trouble now, I fancy." + +In ten minutes the whole of the arms had been collected and stored +up, the noncommissioned officers had pointed out some twenty of the +ringleaders, and these were safely in irons below, while a strong guard +of armed sailors was placed between decks to see that there was no +renewal of insubordinate conduct. There was, however, no fear of this; +the men were thoroughly cowed and humiliated by the failure of their +plan, and each was occupied only in hoping that he had not been +sufficiently conspicuous to be handed over in the morning to join the +prisoners below. + +There was no more sleep that night on board the ship. After breakfast +two courts martial were held, the one by the naval, the other by the +military officers. The latter sentenced two men, who were convicted +on the testimony of the noncommissioned officers as having been the +leaders, to be hung, and the sentence was at once carried out. The +regiment was formed in close order on deck unarmed and witnessed the +execution of their comrades, who were hung up to the extremities of +the main yard. The other prisoners were sentenced to two hundred lashes +apiece--a punishment which was, according to the ideas of the time, +very lenient, such a punishment being frequently administered for +comparatively trifling offenses, and the prisoners considered themselves +fortunate in escaping hanging, for which, indeed, they had prepared +themselves. + +Previous to the administration of their punishment the colonel addressed +the men, and told them that all the ringleaders had been found guilty +and sentenced to death, but that the members of the court martial had +agreed with him that, considering the youth and inexperience of the +offenders and the whole circumstances of the case, it would be possible +to remit the death sentence, confident that the prisoners and the whole +of the regiment would recognize the leniency with which they had +been treated, and would return to their duty with a firm and hearty +determination to do all in their power to atone for their misconduct, +and to show themselves true and worthy soldiers of the queen. If this +was the case, no further notice would be taken of the error; but at the +same time he warned them that he had by him a long list of men who had +taken a prominent part in the affair, and that the first time any of +these misconducted themselves they might be well assured that no mercy +would be shown to them. + +The naval court martial showed no greater severity than that +administered by the military officers. The vessel was short handed, and +moreover the officers did not wish the stigma to attach to the ship of +a serious mutiny among the crew. Had any of these been hung, the matter +must have been reported; but as none of the crew had absolutely taken +part in the rising, however evident it was that they intended to do +so, no sentences of death were passed. But a number of the men were +sentenced to be flogged more or less severely, those who had but lately +been pressed getting off with comparatively light punishments, while +the heaviest sentences were passed on the older hands concerned in the +affair. + +The arms of the troops continued to be kept under a strong guard until, +ten days later, the rest of the fleet were seen, just as the northern +point of Portugal was made out. A few hours later the fleet was united; +and the next day, the wind dying entirely away, Colonel Clifford +proceeded in a boat to the flagship to report to the Earl of +Peterborough the mutiny which had taken place in his regiment, and its +successful suppression. + +Immediately the mutiny had been put down Jack Stilwell had stolen away +and rejoined the soldiers forward; and although there was much wonder +among the men as to how the affair had been discovered, none suspected +him of having betrayed them, and believed that the officers must have +been warned by some word incautiously let drop in their hearing. Only to +Sergeant Edwards did Jack reveal what had taken place. + +"Do you know, lad, I guessed as you had had a hand in the business +somehow. When I was standing tied up against the mast I had to keep my +mouth shut; but I had the use of my eyes, and I could not make you out +among them. I might have missed you, of course; but your company was +formed up close to where I was standing, and I thought I should have +seen you if you had been there. I could not think what had become of +you; but when the men came pouring down again without their arms, and I +heard them cursing and swearing because the sailors and the officers and +all was found in readiness to receive them, it somehow came to my mind +as that you was at the bottom of it--though how, I could not for the +life of me make out, for I knew you had gone below when I did." + +"I wish, sergeant, that when you are examined, as you will be about this +affair, you will ask Captain Curtis to ask the colonel not to let it +be known publicly that it was I who warned him, for my life would +be unbearable among the men if they knew it. And if it didn't happen +before, it would be certain that the first time we went into action I +should get a bullet in my back." + +"You are right there, my lad. I will tell the captain. You may be sure +your conduct won't be overlooked; but at present, as you say, the less +said about it the better." + +An hour after Colonel Clifford had gone on board the flagship the boat +returned with orders that Private Stilwell, of D Company, was to go back +with them. The order was given to Captain Curtis, who sent first for +Sergeant Edwards. + +"Go forward, sergeant, and tell Stilwell that he is to go on board the +flagship. No doubt the colonel has spoken to the general. Tell the lad +apart, and let him make his way aft here to the gangway quietly, so that +he won't be noticed. If any of the men happen to see him going off in +the boat, they may suppose that the colonel has only sent for some man +who can write; and naturally if the captain had ordered me to choose a +man, I should have picked him out." + +On reaching the deck of the flagship Jack was conducted to the admiral's +cabin. At the head of the table was seated a man whom Jack recognized +at once, from the description he had heard of him, as the Earl of +Peterborough. He was small and very spare in person, his features were +pleasant, his nose somewhat prominent, his eye lively and penetrating. +He had laid aside the immense wig which, in accordance with the custom, +he wore when abroad or at court in England; and Jack saw his hair, which +was light brown and somewhat scanty. The admiral of the fleet sat next +to him; for although Peterborough had the command of the expedition +both at land and sea, an admiral was in command of the fleet under him. +Colonel Clifford was seated on the earl's left, and several other naval +and military officers were at the table. + +"Well, young man," Peterborough said, "Colonel Clifford has been telling +us that it is due to you that I have not a regiment the less under my +orders, and that her majesty has not lost a ship from the list of her +navy. He says that the whole thing was so quickly done that he has +not been able to learn the full particulars from you, and that he has +abstained from questioning you because you did not wish any suspicion +to be excited among the men of the part you played in it. Now, please to +tell me the whole history of the affair." + +Jack thereupon related how his suspicions had been aroused by Sergeant +Edwards, who was only waiting for sufficient opportunity and a certainty +of information to divulge the plot to the officers. He then related +his awaking as the mutiny began, and the steps he had taken to warn the +officers. When he had done, the earl said: + +"You have acted smartly and well, young man; you have shown promptness, +courage, and fidelity. You speak above your rank. What is your +parentage?" + +"My father was a clergyman, sir," Jack said, "but being dispossessed of +his living in the troubles, could not make his case known on the return +of King Charles; but he supported himself by teaching, and gave me such +education as he could, in hope that I too should enter the ministry. +But my thoughts did not incline that way; and when he died, and also my +mother, I thought of going to sea, when it happened that I was pressed +for a soldier. And seeing that it was so, I made up my mind to make the +best of things." + +"And you have done so, young man; and right glad am I that your +education and parentage are such that I can reward you as I should wish. +I give you a discharge now from your regiment and appoint you ensign. +You will at present form one of my staff; and glad am I to have so +dashing and able a young officer ready to hand for any perilous service +I may require." + +On the 20th of June the fleet sailed up the Tagus. + +Jack had not returned on board his ship. + +"Better stop here," the earl said. "If you went back, and they heard you +were promoted, likely enough some of them might toss you overboard on +a dark night. We will set the tailors at once to work to rig you up an +undress uniform. You can get a full dress made at Lisbon. Not that you +will be wanting to wear that much, for we have come out for rough work; +still, when we ride triumphantly into any town we have taken, it is as +well to make a good impression upon the Spanish donnas. And, say what +they will, fine feathers go a long way toward making fine birds. Do you +write a good hand?" + +"I think I write a pretty fair one, sir." + +"That is good. I write a crabbed stick myself, and there's nothing I +hate more than writing; and as for these young gentlemen, I don't think +they will be of much use for that sort of thing. However, I shan't have +a great deal of it. But you shall act as my secretary when necessary." + +The earl's orders to the tailors were peremptory to lose no time in +fitting Jack with an undress suit, and in twenty-four hours he was able +to join the mess of the young officers and volunteers who accompanied +the general. These were all young men of good family; and having heard +how Jack had saved the ship from mutiny, they received him among them +with great heartiness, which was increased when they found that he was +well educated and the son of a gentleman. + +It was a great satisfaction to Jack, that owing to the kindness and +generosity of the earl, he was able to pay his expenses at mess and to +live on equal terms with them; for the general had dropped a purse with +a hundred guineas into his hand, saying: + +"This will be useful to you, lad, for you must live like the other +officers. I owe it to you many times over for having saved me that +regiment, upon whose equipment and fitting out I had spent well nigh a +hundred times that sum." + +Some of the officers were but little older than Jack, and by the time +the ship dropped anchor in the Tagus he was quite at home with them. + +"What a lovely city!" he said as he leaned over the bulwark and looked +at the town standing on the steep hills sloping down to the river. + +"Yes, indeed," Graham, one of the young officers, agreed. "But I fancy +the Portuguese are but poor creatures. The Earl of Galway writes in his +dispatches that they are great at promises, but he finds he can expect +little assistance from them." + +"Have you any idea whether we are going to land here?" + +"No; wherever we land, you may be sure it won't be here. The Earl of +Galway has been here two or three months, and he has some good regiments +with him. Our chief would be losing his position did we land here, as +he has a separate command, and would of course be under Galway if the +forces were joined. The Dutch fleet is to be here in a day or two, and +the Archduke Charles sailed a fortnight before we did; and as we have +made a very slow voyage of it, he ought to have been here long ago. What +a talk there will be! What with the archduke, and the Portuguese, and +the Dutch, and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and the Earls of Galway +and Peterborough, and probably every one of them with his own ideas and +opinions, it will be hard to come to any arrangement. Besides there will +be dispatches from the British court, and the court of the Netherlands, +and the Austrian emperor, all of whom will probably differ as to what +is the best thing to be done. There will be a nice to do altogether. +There's one thing to be said, our chief can out talk them all; and he +can say such disagreeable things when he likes that he will be likely +to get his own way, if it's only to get rid of him. There goes his boat +into the water. What an impatient fellow he is, to be sure." + +No sooner had Peterborough landed than he turned all his energies to +obtain the supplies which had been denied to him at home, and after much +difficulty he succeeded in borrowing a hundred thousand pounds from +a Jew named Curtisos on treasury bills on Lord Godolphin, with the +condition that the lender should be given the contract for the supply of +provisions and other requisites for the army. The day that the earl had +carried out this arrangement he returned on board radiant. Hitherto +he had been terribly out of temper, and Jack, who had become his +amanuensis, had written at his dictation many very sharp notes to every +one with whom he had come in contact. As soon as he came on board he +sent for Jack to his cabin. + +"Sit down, Mr. Stilwell. I have a dispatch for you to write to the lord +treasurer. I have got my money, so that difficulty is at an end. It is +glorious! I couldn't get a penny out of them before I sailed, now I have +got as much as I want. I would give a thousand guineas out of my own +pocket to see Godolphin's face when he reads my dispatch, and finds that +he's got to honor bills for a hundred thousand pounds; it will be better +than any comedy that ever was acted. How the pompous old owl will fret +and fume! But he will have to find the money for all that. He can't +begin the campaign by dishonoring bills of her majesty's general, or no +one would trust us hereafter. You haven't seen my lord treasurer, Mr. +Stilwell?" + +"No, sir, I have not been at court at all." + +"That's a pity," the earl said; "for you lose the cream of the joke. +Now, I shall go on shore tomorrow and get everything that is wanted, and +then the sooner we are off the better; we have been here a fortnight, +and I am sick of the place." + +Jack was by no means sick of Lisbon, for he enjoyed himself vastly. The +town was full of troops--English, Dutch, and Portuguese. Of an evening +there were fetes and galas of all kinds, and as the earl always attended +these, Jack and the other young officers were permitted to go ashore +either in full uniform to take part in the fetes, or to enjoy themselves +according to their fancies. + +As Graham had predicted, it was some time before any conclusion was +arrived at as to the destination of the fleet. Several councils were +held, but no decision was come to. Peterborough's orders were so vague +that he could use his own discretion. He had, indeed, been recommended +to prevail upon the Archduke Charles to accompany him and to proceed +to Italy, where he was to form a junction with Victor Amadeus, Duke of +Savoy, who was sorely pressed by the armies of France. + +A messenger, however, arrived by sea with an order from the queen that +the fleet should proceed to the coast of Catalonia, in consequence of +information which had been sent to the British court of the favorable +disposition of the Catalans toward the Archduke Charles. This was in +accordance with the counsel which the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had been +strenuously urging, and his recent success in the capture and +subsequent defense of Gibraltar gave weight to his words and effaced the +recollection of his failure before Barcelona in the previous year. + +The final decision rested in a great measure with the Archduke Charles, +who at last decided to proceed with Lord Peterborough and land upon the +coast of Spain and test the disposition of his Valencian and Catalan +subjects. The reasons for Peterborough's falling in with the decision to +move on Barcelona are explained in a dispatch which he dictated to Sir +George Rooke on the 20th of July. + +"Upon the letter of my Lord Godolphin and the secretary of state, +the King of Spain, his ministers, and my Lord Galway and myself have +concluded there was no other attempt to be made but upon Catalonia, +where all advices agree that six thousand men and twelve hundred horse +are ready expecting our arrival with a general goodwill of all the +people. The Portuguese have entirely refused to join in any design +against Cadiz, and by a copy of my Lord Galway's letter you will find he +is in an utter despair of their attempting anything this year, and that +by our instructions it will appear that there is no other enterprise +left for our choice." + +Peterborough's military force was, however, wholly insufficient for such +an enterprise. He prevailed upon Lord Galway to give him a part of Lord +Raby's and General Cunningham's regiments of English dragoons, although +the Portuguese strenuously opposed this being done. Their conduct, +indeed, at this time was very similar to that which they adopted a +hundred years later toward the Duke of Wellington, throwing every +conceivable obstacle in the English commander's way, and opposing every +plan of action which he suggested. Many of the dragoons were without +horses, but Lord Peterborough mounted them on animals which he bought +with some of the money he had procured from Curtisos. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt went on ahead to Gibraltar to arrange for +a portion of the garrison to accompany the expedition. On the 28th of +July the Archduke Charles embarked with Lord Peterborough on board the +Ranelagh, and an hour later the fleet put to sea. Off Tangiers they were +joined by the squadron under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and a few days later +they reached the Bay of Gibraltar. + +Here they found that the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had arranged that +the battalion of the guards, with three other veteran regiments that had +borne part in the gallant defense of the fortress, were to be embarked, +and two of the newly raised corps Lord Peterborough had brought out from +England were to take their place in the garrison. The regiment to which +Jack had belonged was one of these. As soon as he heard the news he took +the first opportunity of speaking to the earl. + +"I have a favor to ask, sir." + +"What is that, lad?" + +"It is, sir, that Sergeant Edwards, who, if you remember, advised me +about warning the officers of the mutiny, should be transferred to one +of the regiments coming on board." + +"Certainly, my lad; I had not forgotten him. I truly wish that he had +sufficient education to give him a commission. I sent to inquire of his +colonel, but finding that he could not read or write, and that he would +be out of place among the officers, I could not do it; but I will gladly +take him with us on active service. It would be hard on a good soldier +to be left behind with that mutinous set of rascals." + +Jack had already heard from Sergeant Edwards, whom he had met several +times on shore at Lisbon, and who had rejoiced most heartily at his +promotion, that Lord Peterborough had sent him, through the colonel, a +purse of fifty guineas as a reward for his conduct. + +Jack immediately proceeded in a boat to his old vessel, with an order +from the earl that the sergeant should be at once transferred into one +of the regiments coming on board. The sergeant was delighted, for orders +had already been received for the regiment to disembark and form part of +the garrison. + +An hour later the Archduke Charles landed, amid the thunder of the +guns of the fleet and fortress, for here for the first time he was +acknowledged as and received the honor due to the King of Spain. There +was but little delay--Lord Peterborough's energy hurried every one else +forward, and on the 5th of August the fleet again put to sea, the king +and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt accompanying it. + +The winds were contrary, and it was not till the 11th that they anchored +in Altea Bay, at the mouth of the Guadalaviar, on the Valencian coast. +On the other side of the roadstead stood the castle and village of +Denia. The expedition was received with good will by the people, who +hated the ascendency of France at Madrid and were bitterly jealous of +Castile. + +As soon as the fleet anchored Peterborough caused a manifesto to be +distributed among the people disclaiming any idea of aggrandizement on +the part of Great Britain or her allies, or any intention of injuring +the persons or property of Spaniards who were the lawful subjects of +King Charles III. + +"We come," said he, "to free you from the insupportable yoke of the +government of foreigners, and from the slavery to which you have been +reduced and sold to France by ill designing persons." + +Several of the Spanish followers of the king landed to encourage the +people, among them General Basset y Ramos, an active officer who was a +Valencian by birth. The people rapidly assembled from the surrounding +country and lined the shore shouting "Long live King Charles III!" + +Abundant supplies of provisions were sent off to the fleet, for which, +however, Peterborough insisted upon liberal payment being made. + +A detachment of British infantry was landed to cover the operation of +watering the fleet. The insurrection spread rapidly, and a thousand of +the peasants seized the town of Denia for the king. A frigate and two +bomb vessels crossed the bay and threatened the castle. This, although a +magnificent pile of building, was but weakly fortified, and after a few +shots had been fired it surrendered, and General Ramos with four hundred +regular troops from the fleet landed and took possession, and amid +the enthusiasm of the population Charles III was for the first time on +Spanish ground proclaimed King of Spain and of the Indies. + +The Earl of Peterborough now proposed a plan of the most brilliant and +daring kind, and had his advice been taken the war would probably have +terminated in a very short time, by securely seating Charles III upon +the Spanish throne. Madrid was distant but fifty leagues from Altea +Bay. Requena was the only town of strength that lay in the way; the rich +country would have afforded ample provision and means of transport, +and these the friendly portion of the people would have placed at the +disposal of the army. + +In the whole of Central Spain there was no force which could oppose +him. All the troops of Philip were either on the frontier of Portugal or +occupying the disaffected cities of the north. At Madrid there were but +a few troops of horse; in a week then, and possibly without shedding a +drop of blood, Charles might have been proclaimed king in the capital of +Spain. The plan was, of course, not without danger. Marshal Tesse, with +an overwhelming force, would threaten the left of the advancing army, +and the garrisons of the northern cities, if united, could march with +equal superiority of force upon its right; but Tesse would be followed +by Lord Galway and the allied and Portuguese army, while Barcelona and +the other strongholds of Catalonia would rise if their garrisons were +withdrawn. + +Even in the case of failure Peterborough could have retired safely +through Valencia and have re-embarked on board the fleet, or could have +marched to Gibraltar. The scheme was at once daring and judicious, +but the Archduke Charles was slow and timid, and was controlled by the +advice of his even slower and more cautious German advisers, and neither +argument nor entreaty on the part of Peterborough could suffice to move +him. The earl was in despair at so brilliant an opportunity being thrown +away, and expressed himself with the greatest of bitterness in his +letters home as to the impossibility of carrying out movements when +embarrassed by the presence of the king and by the incapacity of the +king's advisers. + +However, finding that nothing could be done he re-embarked his troops, +and the fleet sailed for Barcelona. It was not however, thought probable +that a successful attempt could be made upon so strongly fortified +a city, and it was determined that if upon inspection the chances of +success should appear slight, the fleet and army should at once proceed, +as originally intended, to the assistance of the Duke of Savoy. + + + +CHAPTER VII: BARCELONA + + +The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in Spain, +is not naturally a place of great strength. It is situated on a plain +close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, were not very +formidable against a strong army provided with a siege train. To hold +them fully required a much larger force than was disposable for the +defense. The garrison was, however, fully equal in strength to the force +of Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city against +an army vastly exceeding their own numbers. Ten bastions and some old +towers protected the town toward the north and east; between the city +and the sea was a long rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered +way; while to the west, standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of +Montjuich overlooked and guarded the walls of the city. + +From the center of the sea face a mole projected into the water, +guarding a small harbor. The country round the town was fertile and +beautiful, carefully cultivated and watered by streams flowing from the +neighboring mountains. At the distance of about a league from the shore +the land rises into an amphitheater of hills thickly dotted with small +towns, villages, and country seats. + +As soon as the allied fleet had anchored the garrison commenced a +cannonade from the mole and from a battery close to the sea upon some +of the transports nearest to the shore; but their shot did not reach the +vessels, and the fire soon ceased. The east wind, however, proved more +troublesome than the enemy's fire, and the ships rolled heavily from the +sea which came in from the east. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt with two frigates put into the harbor of +Mataro for the purpose of obtaining intelligence. He found that in the +neighboring town of Vich the people had risen for King Charles, and +putting himself in communication with their leaders he advised them to +march upon the coast and cooperate with the forces about to land. On his +way to rejoin the fleet the prince chased two Neapolitan galleys, which +managed to get safely into Barcelona. + +They had on board the Duke and Duchess of Popoli, M. d'Abary, a French +officer of distinction, and forty other young gentlemen, partisans of +the Duke d'Anjou, and destined for employment in different parts of +Spain. They were now, however, detained in the city by the governor to +assist in its defense. + +The first glance into the state of affairs gave the Earl of Peterborough +such an unfavorable impression that he at once objected to the proposed +attack. + +The governor, Don Francisco Velasco, was a brave and distinguished +officer, the garrison equaled his own force in numbers, the town was +well supplied with provisions and stores, and, in order to add to the +difficulties of the besiegers, orders had been given to destroy all the +forage in the surrounding country which could not be conveyed within +the walls. Any Austrian sympathies the inhabitants might possess were +effectually suppressed by the power and vigilance of the governor. +The besieging army was far too small to attempt a blockade, while the +chances of an assault upon an equal force behind well armed defenses +seemed almost desperate. + +The engineers declared that the difficulties of a regular siege were +enormous, if not insurmountable, and that the only vulnerable point +was covered by a bog, where the transport of cannon or the formation +of works would be impossible. Above all, the principal hope of the +expedition had failed. The adherents of Charles had assured him that the +whole country would rise in his favor on the arrival of the fleet, and +that the town itself would probably open its gates to receive him. These +promises had, like all others he had received from his Spanish friends, +proved delusive. Few of the peasantry appeared to receive them on the +coast, and these were unarmed and without officers. + +The earl's instructions, although generally quite indefinite, were +stringent upon one point. He was on no account to make the slightest +alteration in the plans of the expedition, or to take any decisive step +for their accomplishment, without the advice of the council of war. This +would have been in any case embarrassing for a general; in the present +instance it was calculated altogether to cripple him. There was but +little harmony among the chief officers. The English military officers +were by no means on good terms with each other, while the naval officers +regarded almost as an insult Lord Peterborough's being placed in command +of them. The English hated the German officers and despised the Dutch. +Lord Peterborough himself disliked almost all his associates, and +entertained a profound contempt for any one whose opinion might differ +from that which he at the moment might happen to hold. + +It was impossible that good could come from a council of war composed +of such jarring elements as these. However, Lord Peterborough's +instructions were positive, and on the 16th of August, 1705, he convened +a council of war on board the Britannia, consisting of nine generals and +a brigadier, with two colonels on the staff. The king and the Prince +of Hesse Darmstadt were present, but took no part in the deliberations. +Singularly enough the council proved unanimous in their opinion that +Barcelona should not be attacked. The reasons for the decision were +drawn up and put on record. The council pointed out all the difficulties +which existed, and declared the strength of the allied army to be only +nineteen battalions of foot and two cavalry regiments, of whom no more +than seven thousand men were fit for action, and only one hundred and +twenty dragoon horses had survived the voyage in serviceable condition. + +The decision of the council was most opposed to the hopes and wishes of +Charles and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and they addressed letters +of strong remonstrance to Lord Peterborough, urging that to abandon the +expedition at this juncture would be alike fatal to the common cause and +discreditable to the British arms. + +Meanwhile, however, the greater part of the troops had landed without +opposition; but the sea broke with such force on the beach that much +difficulty had been experienced in getting ashore. The landing place had +been well chosen by Lord Peterborough and Sir Cloudesley Shovel. It +was about two miles east of the city, near a place called Badalona, and +close to the mouth of the little river Basoz. The transports were +moored in as close as possible, and the boats of the fleet carried three +thousand men ashore each trip. + +In five hours fifteen battalions were landed without the loss of a man. +A strong natural position about a mile from the city was chosen for the +encampment; its left rested on the sea, its right was covered by several +abrupt hills and defiles through which the river Basoz flowed. The front +was, however, much extended, but this mattered the less, as the people +from the neighboring villages began to assemble when the landing took +place, and welcomed the allies of King Charles with joy. A number of +these were employed by Lord Peterborough in guarding the advanced posts +and covering the numerous roads leading from the city toward the camp. + +On the 22d another council of war was held at the Dutch General +Schratenbach's quarters in the camp to consider two letters of the +king, in which he again urged the allied generals to attack the city. +He proposed that a battery of fifty guns should be erected to breach +the wall between two of the bastions, and that the whole strength of the +army should be thrown upon an assault. He acknowledged the force of the +several objections to the attack, but urged that in such a case vigorous +action was the safest. He dwelt upon the ruin that must fall upon such +of his subjects as had declared for him if abandoned to their fate, and +concluded by declaring that he at least would not desert them. + +The appeal failed to move any of the council with the exception of +Peterborough himself, and he alone voted, although in opposition to his +own judgment, in compliance with the king's plan. Notwithstanding the +adverse decision of the council the horses and dragoons were landed on +the 24th. + +On the 25th, the 26th, and the 28th the council again assembled to +deliberate upon an earnest request of the king that they should attempt +the siege for a period of eighteen days. The first decision was adverse, +two only voting with Lord Peterborough for the siege. At the second +council, his influence succeeded in obtaining a majority; but at the +third, they agreed to abandon the attempt, even the commander in chief +concurring. + +The cause of this sudden reversal of their opinion was that none of the +workmen whom they had demanded from the leaders of the Catalan peasantry +had appeared, and they felt it impossible to carry on the works and +erect the siege batteries without such assistance. Nevertheless +the peasantry gave effectual aid in landing the artillery, tents, +ammunition, and stores. On the 28th the king landed amid a great +concourse of people, who received him with every demonstration of +enthusiasm, and he could with difficulty make his way through them to +the camp prepared for him near San Martino. + +The presence of the king on shore added to the difficulties of the +situation. He and his following of German courtiers complained bitterly +of the disinclination of the allies to undertake the siege, while +the allies were incensed against those who reproached them for not +undertaking impossibilities. Dissension spread between the allies +themselves, and the Dutch general declared that he would disobey the +orders of the commander in chief rather than vainly sacrifice his men. + +Peterborough was driven nearly out of his mind by the reproaches and +recrimination to which he was exposed, and the quarrels which took place +around him. He was most anxious to carry out his instructions, and as +far as possible to defer to the opinion of Charles, but he was also +bound by the decisions of the councils of war, which were exactly +opposite to the wishes of the king. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt enraged him by insisting that fifteen +hundred disorderly peasants whom he had raised were an army, and should +be paid as regular soldiers from the military chest, while they would +submit to no discipline and refused to labor in the trenches, and an +open rupture took place, when the prince, in his vexation at the results +of the councils of war, even went so far as to accuse the earl of having +used secret influence to thwart the enterprise. + +To add to the difficulties of the commander in chief the English +troops were loud in their complaints against him for having landed +and committed them to this apparently hopeless enterprise; but they +nevertheless clamored to be led against the town, that they might not be +said to have "come like fools and gone like cowards." + +Lord Peterborough confided his trouble and vexation freely to his young +secretary. Jack was sincerely attached to his generous and eccentric +chief, and the general was gratified by the young officer's readiness at +all times and hours to come to him and write from his dictation the +long letters and dispatches which he sent home. He saw, too, that he +was thoroughly trustworthy, and could be relied upon to keep absolute +silence as to the confidences which he made him. + +In the midst of all these quarrels and disputes the siege was carried +on in a languid manner. A battery of fifty heavy guns, supplied by the +ships and manned by seamen, was placed upon a rising ground flanked +by two deep ravines, and on several of the adjacent hills batteries of +light field guns had been raised. Three weeks were consumed in these +comparatively unimportant operations, and no real advance toward the +capture of the place had been effected. Something like a blockade, +however, had been established, for the Catalan peasants guarded +vigilantly every approach to the town. + +The officers of the fleet were no less discontented than their brethren +on shore at the feeble conduct of the siege, and had they been consulted +they would have been in favor of a direct attack upon the city with +scaling ladders, as if they had been about to board a hostile ship. +But Peterborough and his officers were well aware that such an attack +against a city defended by a superior force would be simple madness, and +even an attack by regular approaches, with the means and labor at their +disposal, would have had no chance of success. But while all on shore +and in the fleet were chafing at the slowness and hopelessness of the +siege, Jack Stilwell was alone aware that the commander in chief did not +share in the general despair of any good arising from the operations. + +Lord Peterborough had little communication with the other generals; but, +alone in his tent with Jack and an interpreter, he occupied himself +from morning till night in examining peasants and spies as to every +particular of the fortifications of the city, of the ground near to the +walls, and of the habits and proceedings of the garrison. At last he +resolved upon an attempt which, in its daring and enterprise, is almost +without parallel. Indeed its only hope of success lay in its boldness, +for neither friend nor foe could anticipate that it would be attempted. +It was no less than the surprise of the citadel of Montjuich. + +This formidable stronghold covered the weakest part of the defenses, +that toward the southwest, and far exceeded in strength any other part +of the lines. It had been most skillfully designed. The ditches were +deep, and the walls firm; the outworks skillfully planned; the batteries +well armed, and the inner defenses formidable in themselves. It was, +in fact, by far the strongest point in the position of the besieged. +Standing on a commanding height, it was abundantly capable of defense +even against a regular siege, and its reduction was always regarded as +a most formidable enterprise, to be undertaken at leisure after the +capture of the town. Its only weakness lay in the fact that surrounding +it on every side were numerous ravines and hollows, which would afford +concealment to an assailant, and that trusting to the extraordinary +strength of their position the garrison of Montjuich might neglect +proper precautions. + +One morning before daybreak the earl, accompanied only by Jack and a +native guide, left the camp on foot, having laid aside their uniforms +and put on the attire of peasants, so that the glitter of their +accouterments might not attract the attention of the enemy's outposts. +Making a long detour they approached the castle, and ascending one of +the ravines gained a point where, themselves unseen, they could mark all +particulars of the fortifications. Having carried out his purpose the +earl returned to camp with his companion without his absence having been +observed. The observations which Peterborough had made confirmed the +reports of the peasants, that the garrison kept but a negligent watch, +and he at once resolved upon making the attempt; but to none of his most +intimate friends did he give the slightest hint of his intentions. + +To disguise his views he called councils of war both in the camp and +fleet, wherein it was resolved, with his full consent, that the siege of +Barcelona should be abandoned, and that the army should be immediately +re-embarked and conveyed to Italy. Accordingly the heavy artillery was +conveyed on board ship, the warlike stores collected, and the troops +warned to be ready for embarkation. A storm of reproaches was poured +upon the earl by Charles and his courtiers. The officers of the fleet +protested openly, declaring that an assault ought to be attempted, and +that it was too late in the season to attempt operations elsewhere. + +To Jack's surprise his commander, usually so hasty, irritable, and +passionate, bore with the greatest calmness and patience the reproaches +and accusations to which he was exposed. No one dreamed that behind +these preparations for embarkation any plan of attack was hidden. + +On the 13th of September the army received orders to embark on the +morrow, while within the town the garrison and the inhabitants, who +were, or pretended to be, well affected to the Bourbons held high +rejoicing at the approaching departure. + +On the afternoon of that day a detachment of English and Dutch troops +twelve hundred strong was ordered to assemble in the allied camp for the +purpose, as was supposed, of covering the embarkation. Scaling ladders +and everything necessary for an assault had already been privately +prepared by the Catalan peasants under Peterborough's instructions. + +About six o'clock in the evening four hundred grenadiers of the party +assembled under the command of Hon. Colonel Southwell, and were ordered +to march by the Serria road, as if en route to Taragona to meet the +fleet and embark in that harbor. The remainder of the detachment +followed in support at some little distance. At nightfall the Prince of +Hesse Darmstadt was surprised by Lord Peterborough's entrance into his +quarters. Since their rupture all intercourse had ceased between them. + +"I have determined," the earl said, "to make this night an attack upon +the enemy. You may now, if you please, be a judge of our behavior, and +see whether my officers and soldiers really deserve the bad character +which you of late have so readily imputed to them." He then explained +that the troops were already on their march to Montjuich. + +The prince immediately ordered his horse, and the two gallant but +impulsive and singular men rode off, followed only by Jack Stillwell and +the prince's aide de camp. At ten o'clock they overtook the troops, and +Peterborough ordered a total change of route, he himself leading. + +The roads were winding, narrow, and difficult. For a great part of the +way there was only room for the men to march in single file. The night +was very dark, and the detachment many hours on the march, so that +daylight was just breaking when they reached the foot of the hill on +which the fort of Montjuich stood. + +The troops under Peterborough's command now perceived the object of +their march, and imagined that they would be led to the attack before +the day had fairly broke; but the general had well considered the +subject, and had determined to avoid the risk and confusion of a night +assault. He called his officers together and explained to them why he +did not mean to attack till broad daylight. + +His examination of the place had shown him that the ditches could be +crossed, no palisades or barriers having been erected. He had noticed, +too, that the inner works were not sufficiently high to enable their +guns properly to command the outer works should these be carried by an +enemy. He had therefore determined to carry the outworks by assault, +judging that if he captured them the inner works could not long resist. +In case of a reverse, or to enable him to take advantage of success, he +told them that he had ordered Brigadier General Stanhope to march during +the night with a thousand infantry and the handful of cavalry to a +convent lying halfway between the camp and the city, and there to hold +himself in reserve. + +Peterborough now silently and coolly completed his arrangements for the +assault. He divided the body of troops into three parties; the first of +these, two hundred and eighty strong, were to attack the bastion facing +the town, which was the strongest part of the defense. He himself and +the Prince of Hesse accompanied this party. A lieutenant and thirty men +formed the advance, a captain and fifty more were the support, and the +remaining two hundred men were to form in the rear. + +The orders were that they should push forward in spite of the enemy's +fire, leap into the ditch, drive the garrison before them, and if +possible enter the works with them; but, if not, to obtain at least +a firm footing on the outer defenses. The second party, similar in +strength and formation, under the command of the Hon. Colonel Southwell, +were to attack an unfinished demibastion on the extreme western point +of the fort and furthermost from the town. The remainder of the little +force, under a Dutch colonel, were to be held in reserve, and to assist +wherever they might be most useful. They occupied a position somewhat +in rear of and halfway between the two parties who were to make the +assault. + +Soon after daylight Peterborough gave the order to advance, and in the +highest spirits, and in excellent order, the soldiers pushed up the +hill toward the fort. Some irregular Spanish troops were the first to +perceive them. These fired a hasty volley at the British troops as they +ascended the crest and then retreated into the fort. Seizing their arms +the garrison rushed to the ramparts and manned them in time to receive +the assailants with a sharp fire. The grenadiers who formed the leading +party did not hesitate for a moment, but leaped into the unfinished +ditch, clambered up the outer rampart, and with pike and bayonet +attacked the defenders. + +The captain's detachment speedily joined them. The defenders gave way, +broke, and fled, and in wild confusion both parties rushed into the +bastion. Peterborough and the prince with their two hundred men followed +them quickly and in perfect order, and were soon masters of the bastion. +The earl at once set his men to work to throw up a breastwork to cover +them from the guns of the inner works; and as there was plenty of +materials collected just at this spot for the carrying out of some +extensive repairs, they were able to put themselves under cover before +the enemy opened fire upon them. + +The attention of the garrison was wholly occupied by this sudden and +unexpected attack, and the Prince della Torrella, a Neapolitan officer +in temporary command of the fort, ordered all his force to oppose the +assailants. This was what Peterborough had expected. He at once sent +orders to Colonel Southwell to commence his attack upon the now almost +undefended west bastion. The order was promptly obeyed. At the first +rush the ditch was passed, the rampart gained, the outer walls scaled, +and three guns taken without the loss of a man. + +The defenders hastened at once to meet this new danger. They opened a +heavy fire upon the British, and sallying out, endeavored to retake the +outer rampart with the bayonet. A desperate contest ensued; but though +many of the English officers and soldiers fell, they would not yield +a foot of the position they had captured. Colonel Southwell, a man of +great personal strength and daring, was in the struggle three times +surrounded by the enemy; but each time he cut his way out in safety. + +The sally was at last repulsed, and the English intrenched their +position and turned their captured guns against the fort. While both the +assaulting columns were occupied in intrenching themselves there was a +lull in the battle. The besieged could not venture to advance against +either, as they would have been exposed to the fire of the other, and to +the risk of a flank attack. + +Peterborough exerted himself to the utmost. He ordered up the thousand +men under General Stanhope and made prodigious exertions to get some +guns and mortars into position upon the newly won ramparts. + +Great was the consternation and astonishment in Barcelona when a loud +roar of musketry broke out round the citadel, and Velasco, the governor, +was thunderstruck to find himself threatened in this vital point by an +enemy whose departure he had, the evening before, been celebrating. The +assembly was sounded, and the church bells pealed out the alarm. + +The troops ran to their places of assembly, the fortifications round the +town were manned, and a body of four hundred mounted grenadiers under +the Marquis de Risbourg hurried off to the succor of Montjuich. The earl +had been sure that such a movement would be made. He could not spare men +from his own scanty force to guard the roads between the city and the +castle, but he had posted a number of the armed Spanish peasants who +were in the pay of the army in a narrow gorge, where, with hardly any +risk to themselves, they might easily have prevented the horsemen from +passing. The peasants, however, fired a hurried volley and then fled in +all directions. + +Lord Peterborough learned a lesson here which he never forgot, namely, +that these Spanish irregulars, useful as they might be in harassing an +enemy or pursuing a beaten foe, were utterly untrustworthy in any plan +of combined action. The succor, therefore, reached Montjuich in safety; +two hundred of the men dismounted and entered the fort; the remainder, +leading their horses, returned to Barcelona. + +The Marquis de Risbourg had no sooner entered the fort and taken the +command than he adopted a stratagem which nearly proved fatal to the +English hopes of success. He ordered his men to shout "Long live Charles +the Third!" and threw open the gates of the fort as if to surrender. The +Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, who commanded at this point, was completely +deceived, and he ordered Colonel Allen to advance with two hundred +and fifty men, while he himself followed with a company in reserve, +believing that the Spanish garrison had declared for King Charles. + +The British advanced eagerly and in some disorder into the ditch, when +a terrible fire of musketry was suddenly opened upon them from the front +and flank. In vain they tried to defend themselves; the brave prince was +struck down by a mortal wound while endeavoring to encourage them, +and was carried to the rear, and Allen and two hundred men were taken +prisoners. The prince expired a few minutes later before there was time +for a doctor to examine his wound. + +Peterborough, who had come up just at the end of the struggle, remained +with him till he died, and then hurried off to retrieve the fortune of +the day, which, during these few minutes, had greatly changed. Velasco +had dispatched three thousand men, as fast as they could be got +together, to follow Risbourg's dragoons to the succor of the fort, and +these were already in sight. But this was not all. One of the strange +panics which occasionally attack even the best troops had seized the +British in the bastion. + +Without any apparent cause, without a shot being fired at them from the +fort, they fell into confusion. Their commander, Lord Charlemont, shared +the panic, and gave orders for a retreat. The march soon became a rout, +and the men fled in confusion from the position which they had just +before so bravely won. + +Captain Carleton, a staff officer, disengaged himself from the throng +of fugitives and rode off to inform the earl, who was reconnoitering +the approaching Spaniards, of what had taken place. Peterborough at once +turned his horse, and, followed by Carleton and Jack Stilwell, galloped +up the hill. He drew his sword and threw away the scabbard as he met +the troops, already halfway down the hill, and, dismounting, shouted to +them: + +"I am sure all brave men will follow me. Will you bear the infamy of +having deserted your post and forsaken your general?" + +The appeal was not in vain. Ashamed of their late panic the fugitives +halted, faced about, and pressed after him up the hill, and, on reaching +the top, found that, strangely enough, the garrison had not discovered +that the bastion had been abandoned, for in their retreat the English +were hidden from the sight of those in the inner works. + +The Marquis de Risbourg, instead of following up his advantage, had at +once left Montjuich at the side near the city, taking Colonel Allen and +the prisoners with him, and pushed on toward Barcelona. Halfway down +he met the reinforcement of three thousand men. The prisoners, on being +questioned, informed the Spanish commander that Lord Peterborough and +the Prince of Hesse led the attack in person. + +Thereupon the officer commanding the reinforcements concluded that the +whole of the allied army was round the castle, and that he would be +risking destruction if he pushed on. He therefore turned and marched +back to the city. Had he continued his way Peterborough's force must +have been destroyed, as Stanhope had not yet come up, and he had with +him only the little force with which he had marched out from camp, of +whom more than a fourth were already captured or slain. Such are the +circumstances upon which the fate of battles and campaigns depend. + + + +CHAPTER VIII: A TUMULT IN THE CITY + + +As the Spanish column retired to Barcelona under the idea that the +whole English army was on the hill, the Miquelets, as the armed bands +of peasants were called, swarmed down from the hills. Incapable of +withstanding an attack by even a small force, they were in their element +in harassing a large one in retreat. Halfway between Montjuich and the +town was the small fort of San Bertram. The garrison, seeing the column +in retreat toward the town, pursued by the insurgent peasantry, feared +that they themselves would be cut off, and so abandoned their post and +joined the retreat. + +The peasants at once took possession of San Bertram, where there were +five light guns. As soon as the news reached Peterborough he called +together two hundred men and led them down to the little fort. Ropes +were fastened to the guns, and with forty men to each gun these were +quickly run up the hill and placed in position in the captured bastions. +So quickly was this done that in less than an hour from the abandonment +of San Bertram by the Spanish the guns had opened fire upon Montjuich. + +While the troops worked these five guns and the three captured in +Southwell's first attack Jack Stilwell was sent off on horseback at full +speed with an order for the landing of the heavy guns and mortars from +the fleet. The news of the attack on Montjuich and the retreat of the +Spanish column spread with rapidity through the country, and swarms of +armed peasants flocked in. These the earl dispersed among the ravines +and groves round the city, so as to prevent any parties from coining +out to ascertain what was going on round Montjuich, and to mask the +movements of the besiegers. + +Velasco appeared paralyzed by the energy and daring of his opponent, +and although he had in hand a force equal if not superior to that which +Peterborough could dispose of, he allowed two days to pass without +attempting to relieve Montjuich. In those two days wonders had been +performed by the soldiers and sailors, who toiled unweariedly in +dragging the heavy guns from the landing place to the hill of Montjuich. +The light cannon of the besiegers had had but little effect upon the +massive walls of the fortress, and the Prince Caraccioli held out for +two days even against the heavier metal of the mortars and siege guns +that were quickly brought to bear upon him. + +On the 17th, however, Colonel Southwell by a well aimed shot brought +the siege to a close. He noticed that a small chapel within the fort +appeared to be specially guarded by the besieged, and ordered a Dutch +sergeant of artillery, who was working a heavy mortar, to try to drop +a shell upon it. The artilleryman made several attempts, but each time +missed the mark. Colonel Southwell undertook the management of the +mortar himself, and soon succeeded in dropping a shell upon the roof +of the building, which proved, as he had suspected, to be in use as a +magazine. There was a tremendous explosion, the chapel was shattered +into fragments, Caraccioli and three other officers were killed, and a +great breach was blown in the main rampart. + +A loud cheer broke from the besiegers, and Colonel Southwell at once put +himself at the head of the men in the trenches and advanced to storm +the breach before the enemy could recover from their confusion. The +disastrous effects of the explosion had, however, scared all idea of +further resistance out of the minds of the defenders, who at once +rushed out of the works and called out that they surrendered, the senior +surviving officer and his companions delivering up their swords to +Colonel Southwell, and begging that protection might at once be given to +their soldiers from the Miquelets, whose ferocity was as notorious then +as it was a hundred years afterward. + +Peterborough appointed Colonel Southwell governor of Montjuich, and +at once turned his attention to the city. The brilliant result of the +attack on the citadel had silenced all murmurs and completely restored +Lord Peterborough's authority. Soldiers and sailors vied with each other +in their exertions to get the guns into position, and the Miquelets, +largely increased in number, became for once orderly and active, and +labored steadily in the trenches. + +The main army conducted the attack from the side at which it had been +originally commenced, while General Stanhope, his force considerably +increased by troops from the main body, conducted the attack from the +side of Montjuich. Four batteries of heavy guns and two of mortars soon +opened fire upon the city, while the smaller vessels of the fleet moved +close in to the shore and threw shot and shell into the town. + +A breach was soon effected in the rampart, and Velasco was summoned to +surrender; but he refused to do so, although his position had become +almost desperate. The disaffection of the inhabitants was now openly +shown. The soldiers had lost confidence and heart, and the loyalty of +many of them was more than doubtful. The governor arrested many of the +mutinous soldiers and hostile citizens, and turned numbers of them out +of the city. + +On the 3d of October the English engineers declared the breach on the +side of Montjuich to be practicable, and Peterborough himself wrote to +the governor offering honorable terms of capitulation, but declaring +that if these were rejected he would not renew his offer. + +Velasco again refused. He had erected a formidable intrenchment within +the breach, and had sunk two mines beneath the ruins in readiness to +blow the assailing columns into the air. + +The guns again opened fire, and in a very short time a Dutch artillery +officer threw two shells upon the intrenchment and almost destroyed +it, while a third fell on the breach itself, and crashing through the +rubbish fired Velasco's two mines and greatly enlarged the breach. The +earl could now have carried the town by storm had he chosen, but with +his usual magnanimity to the vanquished he again wrote to Velasco and +summoned him to surrender. + +The governor had now no hope of a successful resistance, and he +therefore agreed to surrender in four days should no relief arrive. The +terms agreed upon were that the garrison should march out with all +the honors of war, and should be transported by sea to San Felix, and +escorted thence to Gerona; but as a few hours later the news arrived +that Gerona had declared for King Charles, Velasco requested to be +conveyed to Rosas instead. The capitulation was signed on the 9th of +October, and the garrison were preparing to march out on the 14th, when, +in the English camp, the sound of a tumult in the city was heard. + +"Quick, Stilwell!" the earl cried, running out of his tent, "to horse! +The rascals inside are breaking out into a riot, and there will be a +massacre unless I can put a stop to it." + +The earl leaped on to his horse, called to a few orderly dragoons +who were at hand to accompany him, and ordered that four companies of +grenadiers should follow as quickly as possible. + +Galloping at full speed Peterborough soon arrived at the gate of San +Angelo, and ordered the Spanish guard to open it. This they did without +hesitation, and followed by his little party he rode into the city. All +was uproar and confusion. The repressive measures which the governor had +been obliged to take against the disaffected had added to the Catalan +hatred of the French, and the Austrian party determined to have +vengeance upon the governor. A report was circulated that he intended +to carry away with him a number of the principal inhabitants in spite +of the articles of capitulation. This at once stirred up the people to +fury, and they assailed and plundered the houses of the French and of +the known partisans of the Duke d'Anjou. + +They then turned upon the governor and garrison. The latter dispersed +through the city, and, unprepared for attack, would speedily have +been massacred had not their late enemy been at hand to save them. +Peterborough, with his little party of dragoons, rode through the +streets exhorting, entreating, and commanding the rioters to abstain. +When, as in some cases, the mob refused to listen to him, and continued +their work, the dragoons belabored them heartily with the flats of their +swords; and the surprise caused by seeing the British uniforms in their +midst, and their ignorance of how many of the British had entered, did +more even than the efforts of the dragoons to allay the tumult. Many +ladies of quality had taken refuge in the convent, and Peterborough at +once placed a guard over this. + +Dashing from street to street, unattended even by his dragoons, +Peterborough came upon a lady and gentleman struggling with the mob, who +were about to ill treat them. He charged into the thick of the tumult. + +His hat had been lost in the fray, and the mob, not recognizing the +strange figure as the redoubted English general, resisted, and one +discharged a musket at him at a distance of a few feet, but the ball +passed through his periwig without touching the head under it. + +Fortunately two or three of his dragoons now rode up, and he was able +to carry the lady and gentleman to their house hard by, when, to his +satisfaction, he found that the gentleman he had saved was the Duke of +Popoli, and the lady his wife, celebrated as one of the most beautiful +women in Europe. + +Jack Stilwell had soon after they entered the town become separated from +his general. Seeing a mob gathered before a house in a side street, and +hearing screams, he turned off and rode into the middle of the crowd. +Spurring his horse and making him rear, he made his way through them to +the door, and then leaping off, drawing as he did so a pistol from his +holster, he ran upstairs. + +It was a large and handsomely furnished house. On the first floor was a +great corridor. A number of men were gathered round a doorway. Within he +heard the clashing of steel and the shouts of men in conflict. Bursting +his way in through the doorway he entered the room. + +In a corner, at the furthest end, crouched a lady holding a little boy +in her arms. Before her stood a Spanish gentleman, sword in hand. A +servant, also armed, stood by him. They were hard pressed, for six or +eight men with swords and pikes were cutting and thrusting at them. +Three servants lay dead upon the ground, and seven or eight of the +townspeople were also lying dead or wounded. Jack rushed forward, +and with his pistol shot the man who appeared to be the leader of the +assailants, and then, drawing his sword, placed himself before the +gentleman and shouted to the men to lay down their arms. The latter, +astounded at the appearance of an English officer, drew back. Seeing he +was alone, they would, however, have renewed the attack, but Jack ran to +the window and opened it, and shouted as if to some soldiers below. + +The effect was instantaneous. The men dropped upon their knees, and +throwing down their arms begged for mercy. Jack signified that he +granted it, and motioned to them to carry off their dead and wounded +comrades. Some of the men in the corridor came in to aid them in so +doing. Jack, sword in hand, accompanied them to the door, and saw them +out of the house. Then he told a boy to hold his horse, and closing +the door returned upstairs. He found the gentleman sitting on a chair +exhausted, while his wife, crying partly from relief, partly from +anxiety, was endeavoring to stanch the blood which flowed from several +wounds. + +Jack at once aided her in the task, and signed to the servant to bring +something to drink. The man ran to a buffet and produced some cordials. +Jack filled a glass and placed it at the lips of the wounded man, who, +after drinking it, gradually recovered his strength. + +"My name, sir," he said, "is Count Julian de Minas, and I owe you my +life and that of my wife and child. To whom am I indebted so much?" + +Jack did not, of course, understand his words, but the title caught his +ear, and he guessed that the Spaniard was introducing himself. + +"My name is Stilwell," Jack said; "I am one of General Peterborough's +aides de camp. I am very glad to be of assistance; and now, seeing you +are so far recovered, I must leave you, for there is much to do in the +town, and the general has entered with only a few troops. I think you +need not fear any return on the part of these ruffians. The English +troops will enter the town in the coarse of a few hours." + +So saying Jack immediately hurried away, and mounting his horse rode off +to find the general. + +The news that Lord Peterborough and the English had entered spread +rapidly through the city, and the rioters, fearing to excite the wrath +of the man who in a few hours would be master of the town, scattered to +their homes, and when all was quiet Peterborough again rode off to the +camp with his troops and there waited quietly until the hour appointed +for the capitulation. The Spanish then marched out, and the earl entered +with a portion of his troops. + +He at once issued a proclamation that if any person had any lawful +grievances against the late governor they should go to the town house +and lay them in proper form, and that he would see that justice was +done. An hour later some of the principal inhabitants waited upon him, +and asked which churches he desired to have for the exercise of his +religion. He replied: + +"Wherever I have my quarters I shall have conveniency enough to worship +God, and as for the army they will strictly follow the rules of war, and +perform divine service among themselves without giving any offense to +any one." + +This answer gave great satisfaction to the people, as the French had +spread a report among them that the Protestants, if they captured the +town, would take their churches from them. + +In the evening the earl gave a great banquet, at which he entertained +all the people of distinction of both parties, and his courtesy and +affability at once won for him the confidence of all with whom he came +in contact. The next day the shops were all opened, the markets filled, +and there were no signs that the tranquillity of Barcelona had ever +been disturbed. Soon after breakfast Jack, who was quartered in the +governor's palace with the general, was informed that a gentleman wished +to speak to him, and the Count de Minas was shown in. He took Jack's +hand and bowed profoundly. As conversation was impossible Jack told his +orderly to fetch one of the interpreters attached to the general. + +"I tried to come last night," the count said, "but I found that I was +too weak to venture out. I could not understand what you said when you +went away so suddenly, but I guessed that it was the call of duty. I +did not know your name, but inquiring this morning who were the officers +that entered with the general yesterday, I was told that his aide de +camp, Lieutenant Stilwell, was alone with him. That is how I found +you. And now, let me again thank you for the immense service you have +rendered me and my wife and child. Remember, henceforth the life of the +Count de Minas and all that he possesses is at your service." + +When the interpreter had translated this, Jack said in some confusion, +"I am very glad, count, to have been of service to you. It was a piece +of good fortune, indeed, on my part that I happened so providentially +to ride along at the right moment. I was about this morning to do myself +the honor of calling to inquire how the countess and yourself were after +the terrible scene of yesterday." + +"The countess prayed me to bring you round to her," the count said. +"Will you do me the honor of accompanying me now?" + +Jack at once assented, and, followed by the interpreter, proceeded with +the count to his house. The room into which the count led him was not +that in which the fray had taken place the day before. The countess rose +as they entered, and Jack saw that, though still pale and shaken by the +events of the previous day, she was a singularly beautiful woman. + +"Ah, senor," she said, advancing to meet him, and taking his hand and +laying it against her heart, "how can I thank you for the lives of my +husband and my boy! One more minute and you would have arrived too late. +It seemed to me as if heaven had opened and an angel had come to our aid +when you entered." + +Jack colored up hotly as the interpreter translated the words. If he had +expressed his thoughts he would have said, "Please don't make any more +fuss about it;" but he found that Spanish courtesy required much more +than this, so he answered: + +"Countess, the moment was equally fortunate to me, and I shall ever feel +grateful that I have been permitted to be of service to so beautiful a +lady." + +The countess smiled as Jack's words were translated. + +"I did not know that you English were flatterers," she said. "They told +us that you were uncouth islanders, but I see that they have calumniated +you." + +"I hope some day," Jack said, "that I shall be able to talk to you +without the aid of an interpreter. It is very difficult to speak when +every word has to be translated." + +For a quarter of an hour the conversation was continued, the count and +countess asking questions about England. At the end of that time Jack +thought he might venture to take his leave. The count accompanied him to +the door, and begged him to consider his house as his own, and then with +many bows on each side Jack made his way into the street. + +"Confound all this Spanish politeness!" he muttered to himself; "it's +very grand and stately, I have no doubt, but it's a horrible nuisance; +and as to talking through an interpreter, it's like repeating lessons, +only worse. I should like to see a man making a joke through an +interpreter, and waiting to see how it told. I must get up a little +Spanish as soon as possible. The earl has picked up a lot already, and +there will be no fun to be had here in Spain unless one can make one's +self understood." + +The next day there were rumors current that the population were +determined to take vengeance upon Velasco. The earl marched eight +hundred men into the town, placed the governor in their center and +escorted him to the shore, and so took him safely on board a ship. He +was conveyed, by his own desire, to Alicante, as the revolt had spread +so rapidly through Catalonia that Rosas was now the only town which +favored the cause of the Duke d'Anjou. + +The capture of Barcelona takes its place as one of the most brilliant +feats in military history, and reflects extraordinary credit upon its +general, who exhibited at once profound prudence, faithful adherence +to his sovereign's orders, patience and self command under the ill +concealed hatred of many of those with whom he had to cooperate--the +wrong headedness of the king, the insolence of the German courtiers, the +supineness of the Dutch, the jealousy of his own officers, and the open +discontent of the army and navy--and a secrecy marvelously kept up for +many weary and apparently hopeless days. + +On the 28th of October King Charles made his public entry into +Barcelona, and for some days the city was the scene of continual fetes. +The whole province rose in his favor, and the gentlemen of the district +poured into the town to offer their homage to the king. Only about one +thousand men of the Spanish garrison had to be conveyed to Rosas in +accordance with the terms of capitulation, the rest of the troops taking +the oath of allegiance to King Charles and being incorporated with the +allied army. + +Jack Stilwell entered into the festivities with the enjoyment of youth. +The officers of the allied army were made much of by the inhabitants, +and Jack, as one of the general's aides de camp, was invited to every +fete and festivity. The Count de Minas introduced him to many of +the leading nobles of the city as the preserver of his life; but his +inability to speak the language deprived him of much of the pleasure +which he would otherwise have obtained, and, like many of the other +officers, he set to work in earnest to acquire some knowledge of it. +In one of the convents were some Scottish monks, and for three or four +hours every morning Jack worked regularly with one of them. + +Although Lord Peterborough threw himself heart and soul into the +festivities, he worked with equal ardor at the military preparations. +But here, as before, his plans for energetic action were thwarted by +the Germans and Dutch. At last, however, his energy, aided by the +active spirit of the king, prevailed, and preparations were made for +the continuance of the campaign. The season was so late that no further +operations could be undertaken by sea, and the allied fleet therefore +sailed for England and Holland, leaving four English and two Dutch +frigates in support of the land forces at Barcelona. + +Garrisons of regular troops were dispatched to the various towns which +had either declared for the king or had been captured by the Miquelets +headed by the Marquis of Cifuentes, engineer officers being also sent to +put them in a state of defense. Of these Tortosa was, from its position, +the most important, as it commanded the bridge of boats on the Ebro, the +main communication between Aragon and Valencia. To this town two hundred +dragoons and one thousand foot were sent under Colonel Hans Hamilton. +The king turned his attention to the organization of the Spanish +army. He formed a regiment of five hundred dragoons for his bodyguard, +mounting them upon the horses of the former garrison, while from these +troops, swelled by levies from the province, he raised six powerful +battalions of infantry. He excited, however, a very unfavorable feeling +among the Spaniards by bestowing all the chief commands in these corps +upon his German followers. + +But while the conquest of Barcelona had brought the whole of Catalonia +to his side, the cause of King Charles was in other parts of Spain less +flourishing. Lord Galway and General Fagel had been beaten by Marshal +Tesse before Badajos, and the allied army had retreated into Portugal, +leaving the French and Spanish adherents of Philip free to turn their +whole attention against the allies in Catalonia. + +Weary weeks passed on before Lord Peterborough could overcome the apathy +and obstinacy of the Germans and Dutch. At a council of war held on the +30th of December Peterborough proposed to divide the army, that he in +person would lead half of it to aid the insurrection which had broken +out in Valencia, and that the other half should march into Aragon; but +Brigadier General Conyngham and the Dutch General Schratenbach strongly +opposed this bold counsel, urging that the troops required repose after +their labors, and that their numbers were hardly sufficient to guard +the province they had won. Such arguments drove Peterborough almost to +madness; the troops had, in fact, gone through no hard work during the +siege of Barcelona, and two months and a half had elapsed since that +city surrendered. Moreover, far from being reinvigorated from rest, +they were suffering from illness caused by inactivity in an unhealthy +country. + +Already all the benefits derivable from the gallant capture of Barcelona +had been lost. The enemy had recovered from the surprise and dismay +excited by that event. The friendly and wavering, who would at once +have risen had the king boldly advanced after his striking success, had +already lost heart and become dispirited by the want of energy displayed +in his after proceedings, and from all parts of Spain masses of troops +were moving to crush the allies and stamp out the insurrection. + +In Valencia only had the partisans of Charles gained considerable +advantages. In the beginning of December Colonel Nebot, commanding a +regiment of Philip's dragoons, declared for Charles, and, accompanied by +four hundred of his men, entered the town of Denia, where the people and +Basset, the governor, at once declared for Charles. + +On the 11th Nebot and Basset attacked the little town of Xabea, +garrisoned by five hundred Biscayans, and carried it, and the same night +took Oliva and Gandia. The next day they pushed on through Alzira, where +they were joined by many of the principal inhabitants, and a detachment +of the dragoons under Nebot's brother, Alexander, surprised and routed +three troops of the enemy's horse, captured their convoy of ammunition, +and pursued them to the very gates of Valencia. + +On the night of the 15th the main body marched from Alzira, and appeared +next morning before Valencia and summoned the town to surrender. The +Marquis de Villa Garcia refused, but Alexander Nebot put himself at the +head of his dragoons and galloped up to the gates shouting "Long live +the king!" The inhabitants overpowered the guard at the gate and threw +it open and Valencia was taken. When the news of these reverses reached +Madrid the Conde de las Torres, a veteran officer who had seen much +service in the wars of Italy, marched from Madrid in all haste to +prevent if possible the junction of the forces of Catalonia with the +Valencians. + +He at once marched upon San Matteo, which lay on the main line of +communication, and commenced a vigorous siege of that city. The king +received the news on the 18th of January, 1706, and wrote at once to +Peterborough, urging him to go to the relief of San Matteo, but +giving him no troops whatever to assist him in his enterprise; and +Peterborough's difficulties were increased by General Conyngham, who +commanded a brigade at Fraga, hastily falling back upon Lerida upon +hearing exaggerated rumors of the strength of the enemy. + +Peterborough, however, did not hesitate a moment, but mounting his +horse, and accompanied only by his aides de camp, Jack Stilwell and +Lieutenant Graham, rode for Tortosa. Changing his horse at the various +towns through which he passed, and riding almost night and day, he +reached Tortosa on the 4th, and at once summoned the magnates of the +town to give information as to the real state of things. He then found, +to his astonishment, that the details which the king had sent him +respecting the force of the enemy were entirely incorrect. Charles had +written that they were two thousand strong, and that sixteen thousand +peasants were in arms against them, whereas Las Torres had with him +seven thousand good troops, and not a single peasant had taken up arms. + +General Killigrew, who now commanded the two hundred dragoons and +the thousand British infantry at Tortosa, together with his officers, +considered that under such circumstances it was absolutely hopeless to +attempt any movement for the relief of San Matteo; but Peterborough did +not hesitate a moment, and only said to his officers: + +"Unless I can raise that siege our affairs are desperate, and therefore +capable only of desperate remedies. Be content; let me try my fortune, +whether I cannot by diligence and surprise effect that which by +downright force is apparently impracticable." + +The officers had unbounded confidence in their general, and although +the enterprise appeared absolutely hopeless, they at once agreed to +undertake it. Accordingly the three weak English regiments marched from +Tortosa under Killigrew, and the next day the earl followed with the +dragoons and a party of Miquelets, and overtook the infantry that night. +The next morning he broke up his little army into small detachments in +order that they might march more rapidly, and, dividing the Miquelets +among them as guides, ordered them to assemble at Fraiguesa, two leagues +from San Matteo. + +The advance was admirably managed. Small parties of dragoons and +Miquelets went on ahead along each of the roads to occupy the passes +among the hills. When arrived at these points they had strict orders +to let no one pass them until the troops appeared in sight, when the +advance again pushed forward and secured another position for the same +purpose. + +Thus no indication of his coming preceded him; and the troops arriving +together with admirable punctuality before Fraiguesa, the place was +taken by surprise, and guards were at once mounted on its gates, with +orders to prevent any one from leaving the town on any excuse whatever. +Thus while the English force were within two leagues of San Matteo, +Las Torres remained in absolute ignorance that any hostile force was +advancing against him. Graham and Jack were nearly worn out by the +exertions which they had undergone with their indefatigable general. +They had ridden for three days and nights almost without sleep, and on +their arrival at Tortosa were engaged unceasingly in carrying out their +chief's instructions, in making preparations for the advance, and in +obtaining every possible information as to the country to be traversed. + +Both the young officers had now begun to speak Spanish. A residence of +four months in the country, constant communication with the natives, and +two months and a half steady work with an instructor had enabled them +to make great progress, and they were now able to communicate without +difficulty with the Spaniards with whom they came in contact. + + + +CHAPTER IX: THE ADVANCE INTO VALENCIA + + +The Earl of Peterborough had not satisfied himself with depriving the +enemy of all information as to his advance. He took steps to confuse and +alarm them by false news. By means of large bribes he prevailed upon two +peasants to carry each a copy of the same letter to Colonel Jones, who +commanded in San Matteo. He took the further step of insuring their +loyalty by arresting their families as hostages, and, moreover, took +care that they should know nothing as to the real state of things that +they could report if treacherously inclined. + +He arranged that one of them should go in first and, passing through the +besiegers' lines, should arouse their suspicions, and should then, when +arrested, give up the letter concealed upon him, and should also betray +the route by which his companion was endeavoring to reach the city, +so that the second messenger would also be captured and his letter be +taken. The letters were as follows: + +"To COLONEL JONES: You will hardly believe yourself what this letter +informs you of, if it come safe to you; and though I have taken the best +precaution, it will do little prejudice if it falls into the enemy's +hands, since they shall see and feel my troops almost as soon as they +can receive intelligence, should it be betrayed to them. The end for +which I venture it to you is that you may prepare to open the furthest +gate toward Valencia, and have four thousand Miquelets ready, who +will have the employment they love and are fit for, the pursuing and +pillaging a flying enemy. The country is as one can wish for their +entire destruction. Be sure, upon the first appearance of our troops and +the first discharge of our artillery, you answer with an English halloo, +and take to the mountains on the heights with all your men. The Conde +de las Torres must take the plains, the hills on the left being almost +impassable, and secured by five or six thousand of the country people. +But what will gall him most will be the whole regiment of Nebot, which +revolted to us near Valencia, is likewise among us. + +"I was eight days ago myself in Barcelona, and I believe the Conde de +las Torres must have so good intelligence from thence that he cannot be +ignorant of it. What belongs to my own troops and my own resolutions +I can easily keep from them, though nothing else. You know the force I +have, and the multitudes that are gathering from all parts against us, +so I am forced to put the whole into this action, which must be decided +to give any hopes to our desperate game. By nine or ten, within an hour +after you can receive this, you will discover us on the tops of the +hills, not two cannon shot from their camp. + +"The advantages of the sea are inconceivable, and have contributed to +bring about what you could never expect to see, a force almost equal +to the enemy in number, and you know that less would do our business. +Besides, never men were so transported as to be brought in such secrecy +so near an enemy. I have near six thousand men locked up this night +within the walls of Traguera. I do not expect you will believe it till +you see them. + +"You know we had a thousand foot and two hundred dragoons in Tortosa. +Wills and a thousand foot English and Dutch came down the Ebro in boats, +and I embarked a thousand more at Tarragona when I landed at Vinaroz, +and the artillery from thence I brought in country carts. It was easy +to assemble the horse. Zinzendorf and Moras are as good as our own, +and with our English dragoons make up in all near two thousand. But the +whole depends upon leaving them a retreat without interruption. + +"Dear Jones, prove a good dragoon, be diligent and alert, and preach the +welcome doctrine to your Miquelets, plunder without danger. + +"Your friend, PETERBOROUGH." + +The two letters fell into the hands of Las Torres, and so artfully had +the capture been contrived, that it never occurred to him to doubt the +truth of these mendacious documents. Orders were instantly given to +prepare for a march, and almost at the same time two events occurred in +the siege works which caused confusion of the troops. Several mines had +been unskillfully sunk and charged; one of these prematurely exploded +and destroyed forty of the workmen. The remaining mines Colonel Jones +contrived to swamp by turning the course of a brook into them, thus +rendering them harmless. While the troops were confused with these +disasters, the news of the contents of the intercepted letters spread +through the camp, causing a general panic; and almost immediately +afterward the advance guard of Peterborough's force were seen, according +to the promise contained in the letters, on the crests of the hills. + +By able management the twelve hundred men were made to appear vastly +more numerous than they were. The dragoons showed in various parties +at different points of the hilltops, and, after pausing as if to +reconnoiter the camp, galloped back as if to carry information to a main +body behind; while the infantry availed themselves of the wooded and +uneven ground to conceal their weakness. It seemed, indeed, to the enemy +that the tops of all the hills and the avenues of approach were covered +by advancing columns. Las Torres, unsuspicious of stratagem, was now +convinced that his position was one of extreme danger, while confusion +reigned in the camp. The tents were hastily struck, the guns spiked, and +in a few minutes the Spanish army started along the Valencia road in a +retreat which might almost be called a flight. + +Colonel Jones, seeing the confusion that reigned, instantly sallied from +the town with his whole force in pursuit, and followed Las Torres for +nearly two leagues to Penasol, inflicting a loss of nearly three hundred +men upon the Spaniards; while Peterborough on the other side marched his +force through the abandoned intrenchments and into the town. Scarcely +halting, however, he made a show of pursuit as far as Albocazer, but +always keeping to the hills with such caution that in case the enemy +should learn his weakness, his retreat would still be secured. While on +the march a courier overtook him with two dispatches--the one from +King Charles, the other from the English resident with the court at +Barcelona. + +The king told him that he would be obliged to countermand the +reinforcements he had promised him for the relief of San Matteo, in +consequence of the unfavorable state of affairs elsewhere. It, +however, conveyed to Peterborough something which he valued more than +reinforcements, namely, full power to act in accordance with his own +discretion. The dispatch from the British resident told him that news +had come that the Duke of Berwick, with the main army of France, freed +by the retreat of Lord Galway from all trouble on the western side of +Spain, was in full march for Catalonia. + +The Prince of Serclaes, with four thousand men, watched the small +garrison at Lerida; the Duke of Noailles, with eight thousand French +troops from Roussillon, threatened Catalonia on a third side; while +Philip and Marshal Tesse had collected ten thousand men at Madrid. The +letter concluded with the words: "There is nothing here but distrust, +discontent, and despair." + +The responsibility left by the king's letter upon Peterborough was +great indeed. On the one hand, if he did not return to the defense of +Catalonia, the king might be exposed to imminent danger; and, on the +other, if he repassed the Ebro he might be accused of having left +Valencia and its loyal inhabitants to their fate, and would have +forfeited all the advantages that his audacity and skill had already +gained. + +His difficulties in any case were enormous. His infantry were marching +almost barefooted; they were clothed in rags. The season was inclement, +the country mountainous and rough, and the horses of the dragoons so +exhausted that they could scarcely carry their riders. In obedience to +his instructions, here, as at Tortosa, he assembled his officers in a +council of war and asked their opinion. They were unanimous in saying +that, with the small and exhausted force under his orders, no further +operation could be undertaken for the conquest of Valencia, but that the +little army should post itself in such a position as might afford the +greatest facility for protecting the king. + +Peterborough had thus on one side not only the difficulty of the +position, but the opinion of the council of war against a further +advance; but on the other hand he knew the anxiety of the king that +help should be given to the Valencians. He therefore announced to his +officers a resolution as desperate as that ever formed by a sane man. +He had listened gravely and in silence while the officers gave their +opinion, and then ordered that the footsore infantry, with a few of +the horse, should march back to Vinaroz, a little town on the seaside a +day's journey from Tortosa, where in case of necessity they might embark +in boats and be taken off to the ships. Then, to the stupefaction of +his officers, he announced his intention of himself proceeding with the +remaining dragoons, about a hundred and fifty in number, to conquer the +province of Valencia! + +In vain the officers remonstrated, the earl was firm. The council +then broke up, and the troops prepared for their march in opposite +directions. + +The parting of Peterborough and his officers was very sad, for they +doubted not it was a final one. + +"I will yet endeavor," he said, "however our circumstances seem +desperate, to secure the kingdom of Valencia; and since the king has +thought conquest possible in this present case, he cannot complain of my +motions, however rash they might appear. I am resolved, therefore, never +to repass the Ebro without positive orders from him." + +Before starting the earl wrote to Charles and explained fully his +intentions. It is evident from the tone of his letter that Peterborough +did not expect to survive this extraordinary expedition. The language +is grave and firm, and, though respectful, full of stronger remonstrance +and more homely advice than often reaches kings. It concluded: + +"I have had but little share in your councils. If our advance had +been approved, if your majesty had trusted us... if your majesty had +permitted me to march into the kingdom of Valencia, when I so earnestly +desired it, without making me stay under pretense of the march of +imaginary troops; if your majesty would have believed me on that +occasion, your majesty would have had this time not only a viceroy of +Valencia but the kingdom. With what force I have I am going to march +straight to Valencia. I can take no other measures, leaving the rest to +Providence. The time lost (so much against my inclination) exposes me to +a sacrifice, at least I will perish with honor, and as a man deserving a +better fate." + +The earl now again sent orders to one thousand Spanish foot and three +hundred horse, which had before been nominally placed at his disposal, +but had never moved from the town in which they were garrisoned, to +follow him into Valencia; and at the same time he wrote to Colonel Wills +to march immediately with a like number of English horse and foot to his +assistance. + +The king, on the receipt of Peterborough's letter, issued positive and +peremptory orders that the Spanish troops were at once to be set in +motion. Colonel Wills wrote in reply that an important action had taken +place at San Esteban de Litera on the 26th and 27th of January, between +General Conyngham with his brigade and the Chevalier d'Asfeldt, in +which, after a bloody contest, the French were driven from the field +with a heavy loss of killed, wounded, and prisoners, the allies had +also suffered serious loss, and General Conyngham had received a mortal +wound. The command, therefore, had devolved upon himself. + +Having seen the infantry march off, Peterborough, attended only by his +two aides de camp, took his place at the head of his handful of cavalry +and proceeded on his desperate enterprise--an enterprise the most +extraordinary that has ever taken place between enemies of an equal +degree of civilization. It was a war of a general with a small escort, +but literally without an army, against able officers with thousands of +disciplined troops and numerous defensible towns and positions, against +enormous difficulties of country, against want and fatigue in every +shape, and above all, against hope itself. + +And yet no one who had witnessed that little body march off would +have supposed that they were entering upon what seemed an impossible +expedition--an expedition from which none could come back alive. Worn +out and sorry as was the appearance of the horses, ragged and dirty that +of their riders, the latter were in high spirits. The contagion of the +extraordinary energy and audacity of their chief had spread among them; +they had an absolute confidence in his genius, and they entered upon the +romantic enterprise with the ardor of schoolboys. + +Not less was the spirit of the two young aides de camp. Before starting +the earl had offered them the option of marching away with the infantry. + +"It is not that I doubt your courage, lads, for I marked you both under +fire at Montjuich, but the fatigues will be terrible. You have already +supported, in a manner which has surprised me, the work which you have +undergone. You have already borne far more than your full share of the +hardships of the campaign, and I have, in my dispatches, expressed a +very strong opinion to the government as to the value of the services +you have rendered. You are both very young, and I should be sorry to see +your lives sacrificed in such an enterprise as that I am undertaking, +and shall think no less of you if you elect now to have a period of +rest." + +The young men had, however, so firmly and emphatically declined to leave +him that the earl had accepted their continued service. + +The cavalry, instead of keeping in a compact body, were broken up into +parties of ten, all of whom followed different roads, spreading, through +every hamlet they passed, the news that a great army, of which they were +the forerunners, was following hotly behind. So that should any peasants +favorable to Philip's cause carry the news to Las Torres, that general +would be forced to believe that he was being pursued by a veritable +army. Many stragglers of the retreating force were picked up and handed +over to the peasantry to be sent as prisoners into Catalonia. + +For the most part the little parties of cavalry were well received by +the populace; the majority of Valencians were in favor of King Charles, +and that night, when they halted, the weary horses obtained ample +supplies of grain and forage, and the troopers were made welcome to the +best the villages afforded. + +A few extra horses were purchased by Peterborough during the day, and +it was well for his aides de camp that it was so, for scarcely had +they finished their meal than Peterborough ordered them again into the +saddle. They were to ride by crossroads right and left to the villages +where the different detachments had been ordered to halt, and to +tell them the routes marked out for them by which they would again +concentrate at midday, so as to ride in comparatively strong force +through a small town on the main road, whence news might, not +improbably, be sent on to Las Torres. After that they were again to +disperse and pervade the country. + +Jack and Graham carried out these orders, taking guides from each +village through which they passed to the next, and it was near midnight +before they had finished their work. At four in the morning every +detachment was in motion, and at noon the troop was again concentrated. +Here the earl learned that a detachment of the enemy had remained behind +at Alcala, and, instead of carrying out his previous plan, he rode +straight with the whole of his dragoons to that town. When he approached +it he divided his force into three bodies, which entered the place +simultaneously by different gates, and the Spanish detachment, two +hundred strong, at once laid down their arms. + +Evening was now approaching, and as the horses and dragoons were utterly +worn out, Peterborough halted for the night. He at once called together +the principal inhabitants, and informed them that he required all the +horses in the town, with such saddlery as they could obtain, to be +collected and forwarded for his use to a point he named. + +The next morning the march was continued. Las Torres had continued his +flight, and this was hastened when he heard of the capture of Alcala. He +pushed through the town of Borriol and hastened on to Villa Real, a town +strongly favorable to King Charles. It opened its gates, however, on +the solemn promise of Las Torres to respect the life and property of the +inhabitants; but no sooner had his troops entered than he gave the order +for a general massacre and the sack of the town. This ferocious order +was executed, and very few of the inhabitants escaped with their lives. + +The following day, on the news coming in from various points in his rear +that the enemy were pressing after him, he marched his dispirited army +to Nules, where the inhabitants were well affected. In answer to his +appeal a thousand of the citizens enrolled themselves and undertook +to defend the town till the last against the English. Having assured +himself of their earnestness Las Torres inspected the muster, and, +having viewed all the dispositions for defense, continued his +flight. Nules was fortified by strong walls flanked with towers, the +fortifications were in an excellent state of defense, and the town could +have resisted a siege by a considerable army. + +On arriving at Villa Real the British were horrified at the hideous +massacre which had taken place. They went from house to house and found +everywhere the bodies of the slaughtered inhabitants, and the ardor of +the dragoons was, if possible, heightened by the sight. They made but a +short stay here and then galloped on to Nules. As they neared the town +a fire of musketry was opened from the walls, but, wholly disregarding +this, the earl at the head of his men dashed up to the gates and +demanded, in an imperious tone, that the principal inhabitants should +assemble and hold parley with him. + +The boldness of the earl's manner and the imperative tone in which he +spoke so astonished the citizens on the walls that they ceased firing, +and sent for their magistrates and priests. When these assembled on the +wall Peterborough told them in an angry tone that he gave them only +six minutes for deliberation, and that if they offered the slightest +resistance he would repeat at Nules the massacre which Las Torres +had carried out at Villa Real. He added that, unless they instantly +surrendered, he would blow down their walls the moment his artillery and +engineers arrived. The terror stricken magistrates at once summoned the +town council, and, upon their repeating Peterborough's terrible threats, +it was resolved at once to surrender, and the six minutes had scarcely +elapsed when the gates fell back on their hinges, and Peterborough and +his dragoons entered the town in triumph. + +Here the wearied band enjoyed a rest for some days, Peterborough +spreading the alarm, which his presence excited, by giving orders that +great quantities of provisions and forage should be brought in from +all directions for the supply of the large army which he stated to be +following at his heels. As it never occurred to any one that he could +be pursuing an army of seven thousand men through a hostile country +with only a handful of dragoons, his statements were not doubted. The +requisitions were complied with, and provisions and stores poured into +the town. + +Las Torres at Almenara, where he had again perpetrated a horrible +massacre, heard the news of great preparations that Peterborough was +making for the supply of his army, and considering his position to be +unsafe again retreated hastily. + +At Nules two hundred horses were found and at once appropriated for the +use of the army. With a portion of his force Peterborough rode out to +Castillon de la Plana, an open town of some size, where the people were +well affected to the Austrian cause. Here he secured four hundred more +horses, at the same time assuring both friends and foes that his +army was driving the enemy out of the kingdom. On entering Nules, +Peterborough had sent orders for Lord Barrymore's regiment of British +infantry, at that time under the command of Colonel Pierce, to march +from Vinaroz, where they had been sent with the rest of the infantry +from San Matteo to Oropesa, a town about nine miles from Castillon, +where he had collected all the horses he had obtained during his march. + +When the news reached Nules of the arrival of this regiment at Oropesa, +Lord Peterborough at once rode over. The regiment was formed up for his +inspection; it had marched with the greatest speed, and the men were +worn out and footsore with their long tramp over the stony hills. After +inspecting them the earl paid them a high compliment upon their past +achievements, and concluded by expressing his wish that they had but +horses and accouterments to try whether a corps of so high a character +would maintain their reputation in the novelty of mounted service. + +The joke of their eccentric general seemed but a poor one to the +footsore and almost shoeless men, but they were astonished when Jack +rode forward and presented to each of the officers a commission, +which he had drawn out in the earl's name, as cavalry officers. Their +astonishment was changed to delight when Peterborough marched them to +the brow of the hill where they stood, and they saw eight bodies of +horses drawn up in order ready for their eight companies. Among +these were set apart three good chargers for each captain, two for +lieutenants, and one for cornets. He ordered the regiment to mount, and, +immensely amused at their sudden elevation to the cavalry service, the +troops rode back to the town. + +From the moment when he started from San Matteo Peterborough had, in +spite of his incessant exertions and multifarious cares, been quietly +making preparations for this event. He had sent to Barcelona for the +necessary accouterments for these men and for the dismounted British +dragoons. The accouterments had been sent from Barcelona to the nearest +port on the seacoast, and by continually urging on the local carriers +the earl had, in nine days after leaving San Matteo, collected them in +readiness at his depot at Castillon, and thus raised his little band +of horse to nearly a thousand men. These he dispersed at once among the +well affected towns of the neighborhood, whose walls would render them +safe from the attack of an enemy unsupported by artillery, moving them +constantly from place to place, partly to accustom them to their new +duties, partly to confuse the enemy as to their numbers. + + + +CHAPTER X: AN ADVENTURE IN THE MOUNTAINS + + +"Mr. Stillwell," the earl said, a few days after his arrival at +Castillon, "will you take twenty dragoons and ride out to the village of +Estrella? The district round it is extremely hostile, and they prevent +supplies being brought in from that direction. Get hold of the principal +men in the place, and tell them that if I hear any more complaints of +hostility in that neighborhood I will send out a regiment of horse, +burn their village, and ravage all the country. I don't think you need +apprehend any opposition; but of course you will keep a good lookout." + +"Am I to return tonight, sir?" + +"Let that depend upon your reception. If the inhabitants show a fairly +good disposition, or if you see that at any rate there is a considerable +section of the population well disposed to the cause, stay there for +the night, and in the morning make a wide circuit through the district +before returning. If you perceive a strong hostile feeling it were best +not to sleep there; with so small a force you would be liable to a night +attack." + +Twenty minutes later Jack rode off with his party, having first obtained +directions from the natives as to the best road to Estrella. The village +was but some fifteen miles off, and lay in the center of a fertile +district on the other side of a range of lofty hills. The road they were +traversing ran through the hills by a narrow and very steep valley. + +"This would be a nasty place to be attacked," Jack said to the sergeant, +who was riding just behind him. + +"It would, indeed, sir; and if they were to set some of those stones +arolling they would soon knock our horses off their legs." + +A mile or two further on the road again descended and the valley opened +to a fertile country. Another half hour's sharp riding brought them into +Estrella. Their coming had probably been signaled, for the inhabitants +evinced no sudden alarm as the little troop rode along the principal +street. The women stood at the doors of the houses to look at them, the +men were gathered in little knots at the corners; but all were unarmed, +and Jack saw at once that there was no intention of offering resistance. +He alighted at the door of the village inn, and in a few minutes two or +three of the chief men in the village presented themselves. + +"The English general," Jack said, "has heard that the people of your +neighborhood are hostile, and that those who would pass through with +animals and stores for the army are prevented from doing so. He bids me +say that he does not wish to war with the people of this country so long +as they are peaceful. Those who take up arms he will meet with arms; but +so long as they interfere not with him he makes no inquiry as to whether +their wishes are for King Charles or Philip of Anjou; but if they evince +an active hostility he will be forced to punish them. You know how +Marshal Tesse has massacred unarmed citizens whom he deemed hostile, and +none could blame the English general did he carry out reprisals; but +it will grieve him to have to do so. He has therefore sent me with this +small troop to warn you that if the people of this village and district +interfere in any way with his friends, or evince signs of active +hostility, he will send a regiment of horse with orders to burn the +village to the ground, and to lay all the district bare." + +"Your general has been misinformed," the principal man in the place +said. "There are, it is true, some in the district who hold for Philip +of Anjou; but the population are well disposed to King Charles, and this +village is ready to furnish any supplies that the English may require. +If your honor will give me a list of these I will do my best to have +them in readiness by tomorrow morning, and I trust that you will honor +us by stopping here till then." + +Jack hesitated; he did not much like the appearance of the man or the +tone of humility in which he spoke; still, as he offered to furnish +supplies, he thought it well to accept the same. + +"What horses could you let us have?" he asked. + +"We could supply ten horses," the man said, "fit for cavalry, four +wagons of grain, and twenty barrels of wine." + +"Very well," Jack said; "if these are ready by tomorrow morning I will +accept them as an earnest of your goodwill, and now I require food for +my men." + +"That shall be ready for them in an hour," the man replied. + +Jack now gave orders to the sergeant that the girths to the saddles +should be loosened, and the horses fastened in readiness for service in +the street close to the inn. Four men were then posted as pickets at the +distance of a quarter of a mile on each side of the village. Corn was +brought for the horses. The women and children gathered round to gaze at +the foreign soldiers, and Jack was convinced that there was at any rate +no intention to effect a surprise while he remained in the village. In +an hour the dinner was served, and there was no reason to complain of +the quantity or quality of the provisions. + +An hour after dinner the troop again mounted and took a detour of some +miles through the district, passing through several other villages, in +none of which were the slightest signs of hostility met with. + +"Sergeant," Jack said, after they had returned to Estrella, "everything +looks very quiet and peaceful; but, considering what we have heard +of the feeling in this district, it seems to me that it is almost too +peaceful. I can't help feeling somewhat uneasy. When it gets dark +divide the troop into two parties; keep one constantly under arms; place +sentries in pairs at each end of the village, and keep a most vigilant +watch. Do not let the others scatter to the quarters the mayor has +provided; but let all lie down here in the inn ready to turn out at a +moment's notice. They are a treacherous lot, these Spaniards, and we +cannot be too strictly on our guard." + +The night passed, however, without an incident, and in the morning, the +five wagons with grain and wine, and eight horses, were brought in. + +Jack, rather ashamed of his suspicions on the previous night, thanked +the mayor warmly. Eight of the troopers took each a led horse. The four +countrymen in charge of the wagons shouted to their oxen, and the party +moved out from Estrella. + +"There are very few men about the village, Mr. Stilwell," the sergeant +said, as Jack reined back his horse to speak to him. "Did you notice +that, sir?" + +"Yes," Jack said; "I did notice it; for except a few old men and boys, +there were none but women and children gathered round or standing at +their door. There were plenty of men about yesterday; but perhaps they +have all gone up to work in the fields; however, we will keep our eyes +open. You had best ride forward, sergeant, to the two men in front and +tell them to keep a sharp lookout." + +They were proceeding only at a slow walk in order to keep pace with the +wagons, and it was an hour and a half after leaving Estrella before they +entered the hills. + +Jack noticed that although many women and girls could be seen working in +the fields, not a man was in sight. + +"It is curious, sergeant, that there are no men about, and I can't help +thinking that all is not right. Do you take four men with you and ride +straight on through that nasty narrow valley we noticed as we came. Keep +a sharp lookout on both sides, for there are rocks enough on those hills +to hide an army." + +Jack halted the detachment when the scouting party went forward. In +three quarters of an hour the sergeant returned with his men, saying +that he had ridden right through the valley and could see no signs of +life whatever. + +"Very well, sergeant, then we will proceed. But we will do so in groups. +If we are to be attacked in that valley, we could make no fight of it +were we ten times as many as we are; and if we must be caught, they +shall have as few of us as possible; therefore, let a corporal with four +men go on a good quarter of a mile ahead, so that he will be past the +worst part before the next body enter. Then do you take ten men and go +next. I will follow you at the same distance with the other five men and +the wagons. Order the corporal if attacked to ride through if possible; +if not, to fall back to you. Do you do the same. If you are nearly +through the valley when you are attacked, dash straight forward. I shall +see what is going on, and will turn and ride back with my party, and +making a sweep round through the flat country find my way back by some +other road. In that case by no possibility can they get more than a few +of us." + +These orders, which were well calculated to puzzle a concealed enemy, +were carried out. The corporal's party were just disappearing round +a turn at the upper end of the valley when the main body under the +sergeant entered it. Jack was not quite so far behind, and halted as he +entered the valley to allow those who preceded him to get through before +he proceeded. They were still some two hundred yards from the further +end when a shot was heard, and in an instant men appeared from behind +every rock, and the hillside was obscured with smoke as upward of two +hundred guns were fired almost simultaneously. Then there was a deep +rumbling noise, and the rocks came bounding down from above. + +The sergeant carried out Jack's orders. At the flash of the first gun +he set off with his men at a gallop; and so quick and sudden was the +movement that but few of the bullets touched them, and the rocks for +the most part thundered down in their rear. Two or three horses and men +were, however, struck down and crushed by the massive rocks; but the +rest of the party got through the pass in safety and joined their +comrades who had preceded them. They rode on for a short distance +further, and then there was a halt, and wounds were examined and +bandaged. + +"It is well that we came as we did," the sergeant said to his corporal; +"if we had been all together, with the wagons blocking up the road, not +a man Jack of us would have escaped alive. What an escape it has been! +the whole hillside seemed coming down on us." + +"What will Mr. Stilwell do, sergeant?" + +"He said he should ride back into the plain and take some other way +round," the sergeant replied; "but I fear he won't find it so easy. +Fellows who would lay such an ambush as that are pretty sure to have +taken steps to cut off the retreat of any who might escape and ride +back. I am sure I hope he will get out of it, for he is a good officer, +and as pleasant a young fellow as one can want to serve under; besides, +there are five of our chaps with him." + +Jack had halted his men the instant the first shot was fired. "Shall I +shoot these fellows, sir?" one of the troopers asked, drawing his pistol +and pointing it at the head of one of the peasants leading a yoke of +oxen. + +"No," Jack said; "they are unarmed; besides, they are plucky fellows for +risking their lives on such a venture. There! the sergeant's troop have +got through; but there are two or three of them down. Come along, lads, +we must ride back, and there is no time to lose. Keep well together, and +in readiness to charge if I give the word. It is likely enough our turn +may come next." + +They rode on without interruption at full gallop till they neared the +lower end of the valley. Then Jack drew up his horse. Across the road +and the ground on each side extended a dozen carts, the oxen being taken +out, and the carts placed end to end so as to form a barricade. A number +of men were standing behind them. + +"I expected something of this sort," muttered Jack. He looked at the +hills on either side, but they were too steep to ride up on horseback; +and as to abandoning the animals and taking to the hills on foot, it +was not to be thought of, for the active peasants would easily overtake +them. + +"We must ride straight forward," he said; "there is no other way out of +it. There is level ground enough for a horse to pass round the left of +the wagons. Ride for that point as hard as you can, and when you are +through keep straight forward for a quarter of a mile till we are +together again. Now!" + +Giving his horse the spur, Jack dashed off at full speed, followed +closely by the troopers. As they approached the line guns flashed out +from the wagons, and the bullets sang thickly round them; but they were +going too fast to be an easy mark, and the peasants, after firing their +guns, seeing the point for which they were making, ran in a body to +oppose them, armed with pitch forks and ox goads; few of them had, +however, reached the spot when Jack and his troopers dashed up. There +was a short sharp struggle, and then, leaving five or six of the +peasants dead on the ground, the troopers burst through and rode +forward. One man only had been lost in the passage, shot through the +head as he approached the gap. + +"So far we are safe," Jack said, "and as I expect every man in the +country round was engaged in that ambush, we need not hurry for the +present. The question is, Which way to go?" + +This was indeed a difficult point to settle, for Jack was wholly +ignorant of the country. He had made inquiries as to the way to +Estrella, but knew nothing of any other roads leading from that village, +and indeed, for aught he knew, the road by which he had come might be +the only one leading to the south through the range of hills. + +"We will turn west," he said, after a moment's thought, "and keep along +near the foot of the hills till we come to another road crossing them." + +So saying, he set forward at an easy trot across the fields of maize and +wheat stubble, vineyards, and occasionally orchards. For upward of two +hours Jack led the way, but they saw no signs of a road, and he observed +with uneasiness that the plain was narrowing fast and the hills on the +left trending to meet those on the right and form an apparently unbroken +line ahead. + +The horses were showing signs of fatigue, and Jack drew rein on somewhat +rising ground and looked anxiously round. If, as it seemed, there was no +break in the bills ahead, it would be necessary to retrace their steps, +and long ere this the defenders of the ravine would have returned to +their homes, and learned from the men at the carts that a small party +had escaped. As the women in the fields would be able to point out the +way they had taken, the whole population would be out in pursuit of +them. Looking round Jack saw among some trees to his right what appeared +to be a large mansion, and resolved at once to go there. + +"The horses must have food and a rest," he said, "before we set out +again; and though it's hardly probable, as the peasants are so hostile, +that the owner of this place is friendly, I would even at the worst +rather fall into the hands of a gentleman than into those of these +peasants, who would certainly murder us in cold blood." + +Thus saying, he rode toward the mansion, whose owner must, he thought as +he approached it, be a man of importance, for it was one of the finest +country residences he had seen in Spain. He rode up to the front door +and dismounted and rang at the bell. A man opened the door, and looked +with surprise and alarm at the English uniforms. He would have shut the +door again, but Jack put his shoulder to it and pushed it open. + +"What means this insolence?" he said sternly, drawing his pistol. "Is +your master in?" + +"No, senor," the man stammered, "the count is from home." + +"Is your mistress in?" + +The man hesitated. + +"I will see," he said. + +"Look here, sir," Jack said. "Your mistress is in, and unless you lead +me straight to her I will put a bullet through your head." + +Several other men servants had now come up, but the four troopers had +also entered. The Spaniards looked at each other irresolutely. + +"Now, sirrah," Jack said, raising his pistol, "are you going to obey +me?" + +The Spaniard, seeing Jack would execute his threat unless obeyed, turned +sullenly and led the way to a door. He opened it and entered. + +"Madam the countess," he said, "an English officer insists on seeing +you." + +Jack followed him in. A lady had just risen from her seat. + +"I must apologize, madam," he began, and then stopped in surprise, while +at the same moment a cry of astonishment broke from the lady. + +"Senor Stilwell!" she cried. "Oh! how glad I am to see you! but--but--" +And she stopped. + +"But how do I come here, countess, you would ask? I come here by +accident, and had certainly no idea that I should find you, or that this +mansion belonged to your husband. You told me when I saw you last, a +fortnight before I left Barcelona, that you were going away to your seat +in the country. You told me its name, too, and were good enough to say +that you hoped when this war was over that I would come and visit you; +but, in truth, as this is not a time for visiting, I had put the matter +out of my mind." + +"And do you belong, then," the countess asked, "to the party who we +heard yesterday had arrived at Estrella? If so--" And she stopped again. + +"If so, how have I escaped, you would ask? By good fortune and the speed +of my horse." + +"What will the count say?" the countess exclaimed. "How will he ever +forgive himself? Had he known that our preserver was with that party he +would have cut off his right hand before he would have--" + +"Led his tenants to attack us. He could not tell, countess, and now +I hope that you will give your retainers orders to treat my men with +hospitality. At present my four troopers and your men are glowering +at each other in the hall like wolves and dogs ready to spring at each +other's throats." + +The countess at once went out into the hall. The servants had now armed +themselves, and, led by the majordomo, were standing in readiness to +attack the dragoons on the termination of the colloquy between the +officer and their mistress. + +"Lay aside your arms, men," the countess said imperiously. "These men +are the count's guests. Enrico, do you not recognize this gentleman?" + +The majordomo turned, and, at once dropping his musket, ran across, and, +falling on his knees, pressed Jack's hand to his lips. The servants, who +had at first stood in irresolute astonishment at their mistress' order, +no longer hesitated, but placed their arms against the wall. + +"This," the majordomo said to them, rising to his feet, "is the noble +English lord who saved the lives of the count and countess and my young +master from the mob at Barcelona, as I have often told you." + +This explained the mystery. The servants saluted Jack with profound +respect, for all were deeply attached to the count and countess, and had +often thrilled with fury and excitement over the majordomo's relation of +that terrible scene at Barcelona. + +Jack in a few words explained to the troopers the reason of the change +in their position. The dragoons put up their swords, and were soon on +the best terms with the retainers in the great kitchen, while Jack and +the countess chatted over the events which had happened since they last +parted. + +"I shall always tremble when I think of today," the countess said. "What +a feeling mine would have been all my life had our preserver been killed +by my servants! I should never have recovered it. It is true it +would have been an accident, and yet the possibility should have been +foreseen. The count knew you were with the Earl of Peterborough, and the +whole English army should have been sacred in his eyes for your sake; +but I suppose he never thought of it any more than I did. Of course +every one knows that we belong to Philip's party. It was for that, that +the mob at Barcelona would have killed us; but my husband does not talk +much, and when he left Barcelona no objection was raised. He did not +intend to take part in the war, and he little thought at that time that +an enemy would ever come so far from Barcelona; but yesterday, when a +message came that a small party of the enemy had entered the valley, and +that the peasants had prepared an ambuscade for them on their return, +and that they hoped that the count their master would himself come +and lead them to annihilate the heretics, the simple man agreed, never +thinking that you might be among them. What will his feelings be when, +he learns it!" + +Late in the afternoon the count arrived. One of the servants who had +been on the lookout informed the countess of his approach. + +"I will go myself to meet him," she said. "Do you stay here, senor, +where you can hear." + +The count rode up at full speed, and as the door opened ran hastily in. + +"What has happened, Nina?" he exclaimed anxiously. "I have had a great +fright. We have been following a small party of the enemy who escaped +us from Estrella, and just now a woman returning from work in the fields +told us she had seen five strange soldiers ride up here and enter." + +"They are here," the countess answered complacently. "They are at +present our guests." + +"Our guests!" the count exclaimed, astonished "What are you saying, +Nina? The enemies of our country our guests! In what a position have you +placed me! I have two hundred armed men just behind. I left them to ride +on when I heard the news, being too anxious to go at their pace, and now +you tell me that these men of whom they are in search are our guests! +What am I to say or do? You amaze me altogether." + +"What would you have me do?" the countess said. "Could I refuse +hospitality to wearied men who asked it, Juan?" she continued, changing +her tone. "You have to thank Providence indeed that those men came to +our door instead of falling into the hands of your peasants." + +"To thank Providence!" the count repeated, astonished. + +"Come with me and you will see why." + +She led the way into the room, her husband following her. The count gave +a cry as his eye fell upon Jack, and every vestige of color left his +face. + +"Mary, mother of heaven!" he said in a broken voice, "I thank thee that +I have been saved from a crime which would have imbittered all my life. +Oh, senor, is it thus we meet, thus, when I have been hunting blindly +for the blood of the man to whom I owe so much?" + +"Happily there is no harm done, count," Jack said, advancing with +outstretched hand; "you were doing what you believed to be your duty, +attacking the enemy of your country. Had you killed me you would have +been no more to blame than I should, did a chance shot of mine slay you +when fighting in the ranks of the soldiers of Philip." + +The count was some time before he could respond to Jack's greeting, +so great was his emotion at the thought of the escape he had had from +slaying the preserver of his wife and child. As soon as he recovered +himself he hurried out to meet the peasants, whose shouts could be heard +as they approached the castle. He soon returned and bade his servants +take a cask of wine into the courtyard behind the house, with what bread +and meat there might be in the larder. + +"You had no trouble with them, I hope?" Jack asked. + +"None whatever," the count said. "As soon as I told them the +circumstances under which you saved the life of the countess, my boy, +and myself, their only wish was to see you and express their gratitude; +they are simple fellows, these peasants, and if fairly treated greatly +attached to their lords." + +"It's a pity their treatment of the prisoners is so savage," Jack said +dryly. + +"They are savage," the count said, "but you must remember that the +history of Spain is one long story of war and bloodshed. They draw +knives on each other on the slightest provocation, and in their +amusements, as you know, there is nothing that in their eyes can rival +a bullfight; it is little wonder, then, that in war they are savage and, +as you would say, even bloodthirsty. This is not so in regular warfare. +Whatever may have been the conduct of some of our irregulars, none have +ever alleged that Spanish troops are less inclined to give quarter to +conquered foes than others; but in this rough irregular warfare each +peasant fights on his own account as against a personal enemy, and as +he would expect and would meet with little mercy if he fell into the +enemy's hands, so he grants no mercy to those who fall into his. Indeed, +after the brutal treatment which Marshal Tesse has, I am ashamed to say, +dealt out to those who opposed him, you can scarcely blame peasants for +acting as they see civilized soldiers do." + +A short time afterward Jack went out with the count into the courtyard, +and was received with the most hearty and cordial greeting by the men +who were an hour before thirsting for his blood. Among them was the +village mayor. + +"Ah, sir," he said, "why did you not tell us that you had saved the +life of our lord and lady? You should have had all the horses in the +district, and as many wagons of wine and grain as we could collect. We +are all in despair that we should have attacked our lord's preserver." + +"I could not tell you," Jack said, "because I was in ignorance that the +Count de Minas was your lord; had I known it I should have assuredly +gone straight to him." + +"We shall never forgive ourselves," the man said, "for having killed +four of your honor's soldiers." + +"I am sorry that it was so," Jack said, "but I cannot blame you; and I +am sorry that we on our part must have killed as many of yours." + +"Six," the mayor replied. "Yes, poor fellows, but the count will see to +their widows and orphans, he has promised us as much. I drink to your +health, senor," and all present joined in the shout, "Long live the +preserver of the count and countess!" + +Jack and the count now returned to the house, and the next morning, +after a cordial adieu to the host and hostess, he rode back with his men +to Castillon. + +"Welcome back, Mr. Stilwell," the general said as he entered; "I have +been very uneasy about you. Your men returned at noon yesterday and told +me of the ambush in which they had been beset. Your arrangements were +excellent except for your own safety. How did you manage to get out? +By the way, I was astonished by the arrival here an hour since of the +horses and wagons. The men who brought them could give me no account of +it, except that the Mayor of Estrella returned late yesterday evening +and ordered them to set out before daybreak. It seemed to me a perfect +mystery. I suspected at first that the wine was poisoned, and ordered +the men who brought it to drink some at once, but as they did so without +hesitation or sign of fear, I concluded that I was mistaken. However, I +have kept them captive pending news from you to enlighten me." + +"I am not surprised you were astonished, sir, but the matter was simple +enough;" and then Jack related the circumstances which had befallen +them. + +"Bravo!" the earl said; "for once, Mr. Stilwell, a good action has had +its reward, which, so far as my experience goes, is an exception." + +The earl at once called in a sergeant and ordered the release of the men +who had brought the horses and wagons, and gave ten gold pieces to be +distributed among them. Jack also went out and begged them to give his +compliments and thanks to the mayor. + +"I am heartily glad the adventure ended as it did," the earl said when +he returned, "for, putting aside the regret I should have felt at your +loss, it would have been a difficult business for me to undertake, with +my present force, to chastise the men who attacked you, who must be bold +and determined fellows, and capable of realizing the advantages of this +mountainous country. If all Spaniards would do as much it would tax the +power of the greatest military nation to subdue them; and yet I could +hardly have suffered such a check without endeavoring to avenge it; so +altogether, Mr. Stilwell, we must congratulate ourselves that the affair +ended as it did. In any case you would have been in no way to blame, for +your dispositions throughout appear to have been excellent, and marked +alike with prudence and boldness." + + + +CHAPTER XI: VALENCIA + + +While occupied in preparing for his advance, the general sent letter +after letter to Valencia, bidding the citizens to keep up their courage, +and promising to hasten to the relief of that city. Ordering Jack to +continue the correspondence in his name, so as to delude both friends +and foes that he was still at Castillon, he took post secretly and +hurried away back to Tortosa to see after reinforcements. He still +doubted whether the Spanish troops, which the king had promised should +be at his disposal for the campaign in Valencia, had got into motion, +and in case they had not done so he determined to post to Colonel Wills +and bring up that officer with his brigade. + +At Vinaroz he found that the Spanish troops had already entered +Valencia, and that some of the militia of that province and of Catalonia +were also in motion to join him. He therefore concentrated his little +force at Castillon, to which place he returned as rapidly as he had +left it. When it was assembled it consisted of a thousand horse and two +thousand infantry, being one English and three Spanish battalions of +regulars. Besides these were about three hundred armed peasants, whom +the earl thought it better not to join with his army, and therefore +quartered them at Almenara. + +Although he had accomplished marvels, there was yet much to do. The Duke +of Arcos had succeeded the Conde de las Torres in the chief command, the +latter having been superseded after his signal failures. The duke had +ten thousand men placed under his orders, of whom some thirty-five +hundred were in possession of the strong town of Murviedro, which +covered the approach to Valencia, while with the main body he marched +upon Valencia and commenced the siege of that city. The magistrates, +knowing that they could expect but little mercy should the town be +taken, made vigorous preparations for defense, and dispatched some +messengers to Peterborough imploring him to come to their assistance. He +was now in readiness to do so, and on the 1st of February marched from +Castillon with his army. + +Having unlimited powers, the earl, before starting, presented to his two +aides de camp commissions as captains, as a reward for the services they +had rendered. + +Although so inferior in numbers the little army advanced toward Valencia +with an absolute confidence of victory. The successes gained by their +leader with a handful of cavalry over an army of seven thousand men had +been so astounding that his troops believed him capable of effecting +anything that he undertook. They had seen him ride off from San Matteo +with his little body of horse upon what seemed an impossible enterprise; +they had met him again after having conquered half a province; and if he +had accomplished this with such scanty means, what was not possible now +when he had three thousand men at his disposal? + +But the earl trusted fully as much to his talents in the way of +deceiving the enemy as to his power of defeating them by open force +in the field. His eccentric genius appeared to revel in the mendacious +statements by which he deceived and puzzled both friend and foe; and +although the spreading of a certain amount of false news for the purpose +of deceiving an enemy has always been considered as a legitimate means +of warfare, Peterborough altogether exceeded the usual limits, and +appeared to delight in inventing the most complicated falsehoods from +the mere love of mischief. At times Jack was completely bewildered +by his general, so rapid were the changes of plans, so changeable his +purposes, so fantastic and eccentric his bearing and utterances. That +his military genius was astonishing no one can for a moment question, +but it was the genius rather of a knight errant than of the commander of +great armies. + +As a partisan leader Peterborough is without a rival in history. Whether +he would have succeeded equally well as the commander of great armies he +had never an opportunity of proving, but it is more than doubtful. Rapid +changes of plan, shifting and uncertain movements, may lead to wonderful +successes when but a small body of troops have to be set in motion, but +would cause endless confusion and embarrassment with a large army, which +can only move in accordance with settled plans and deliberate purpose. + +It must be said, however, that this most eccentric of generals proved +upon many occasions, as at the siege of Barcelona, that he was capable +of adapting himself to circumstances, and it is possible that had he +ever been placed in command of a great army he would have laid aside his +flightiness and eccentricity, his love for theatrical strokes and hair +breadth adventures, and would have exhibited a steadfast military genius +which would have placed his name in the annals of British history on a +par with those of Wellington and Marlborough. Never did he exhibit +his faculty for ingenious falsehood more remarkably than at Murviedro, +where, indeed, a great proportion of his inventions appear to have been +prompted rather by a spirit of malice than by any military necessity. + +Murviedro was the Saguntum of the Romans, one of the strongest cities +in Spain. The force there was commanded by Brigadier General Mahony, an +officer of Irish descent. He had under him five hundred regular cavalry +and a battalion of eight hundred trained infantry; the rest of his force +consisted of Spanish militia. The town itself was fairly strong and +contained a large population. It was separated from a wide plain by a +river, on the banks of which redoubts mounted with artillery had been +thrown up. + +Here the Valencian road wound through a pass, above which, on the +crest of a lofty overhanging hill, were the ruins of ancient Saguntum. +Peterborough had no artillery save a few Spanish field guns; the enemy's +position was formidable both by formation and art, and his force was +altogether inadequate for an attack upon it. So hopeless did the attempt +appear to be that Peterborough's officers were unanimous in the opinion +that it would be better to make a wide circuit and avoid the place, and +to march directly upon Valencia and give battle to the Duke of Arcos +under its walls. Peterborough, however, simply told them to wait and see +what would come of it, and in the mean time he continued to bewilder his +foes by the most surprising romances. + +His agents were for the most part a few sharp witted dragoons, and some +peasants whose fidelity was secured by their families being held as +hostages. He had already contrived to bewilder the division of Las +Torres before it reached the main body under the Duke of Arcos. A spy +in his pay had informed the Spanish general that the British were close +upon him, and he had accordingly at once broken up his camp and marched +all night. + +In the morning the spy again presented himself and stated that the +British were pushing on over the mountains to his left to occupy an +important point and to cut off his retreat to the Valencian plains. As +it seemed absolutely impossible that they could have pressed forward +so quickly, Las Torres refused to credit the story. The spy, as if +indignant at his truth being doubted, pledged himself at the hazard of +his life to give proof of the assertion to any officer who might be sent +to ascertain it. + +Two officers in plain clothes were accordingly sent with him in the +direction where he stated the English to be; but when they stopped for +refreshment at a village on the way they were suddenly pounced upon by +a picket of English dragoons, who had been sent there for the purpose. +After a time the spy pretended to the two officers that he had made the +guard drunk and that they could now make their escape, and leading them +stealthily to the stable showed them two of the dragoons lying in an +apparently drunken sleep. Three horses were quietly led out of the +stable, and the three men rode off, some of the dragoons making a show +of pursuit. + +This incident, of course, established the credit of the spy. Las Torres +was convinced that his retreat was really threatened, and hurried on +again with all speed, while all this time the English army was really +many miles away near Murviedro. Other dragoons were induced to feign +desertion, while some permitted themselves to be taken prisoners, and as +each vied with the others in the extravagance of his false information, +the Spanish generals were utterly bewildered by the contradictory nature +of the lies that reached them. + +While Las Torres was hastening away at full speed to join the Duke of +Arcos, Peterborough was occupied in fooling Mahony. That officer was a +distant relation of Lady Peterborough, and the earl sent to demand an +interview with him, naming a small hill near the town for the purpose. +When the time for the interview approached the earl disposed his army +so as to magnify their numbers as much as possible. Some were posted +as near the town as they could venture along the pass; others were kept +marching on the lower slopes of the hills, their numbers increased in +appearance by masses of the armed peasantry being mingled with them. + +Mahony having received the earl's word for his safety rode out to the +appointed place to meet him, accompanied by several of the principal +Spanish officers. Peterborough first used every persuasion to induce +Mahony to enter the service of King Charles, but the Irish officer +refused to entertain the tempting offers which he made. Peterborough +then changed his tone, and said with an air of kindly frankness: + +"The Spaniards have used such severities and cruelties at Villa Real as +to oblige me to retaliate. I am willing to spare a town if under your +protection. I know that you cannot pretend to defend it with the horse +you have, which will be so much more useful in another place if joined +with the troops of Arcos to obstruct my passing the plains of Valencia. +I am confident that you will soon quit Murviedro, which I can as little +prevent as you can hinder me from taking the town. The inhabitants +there must be exposed to the most abject miseries, and I can in no way +preserve it but by being bound in a capitulation, which I am willing to +give you if I have the assurance of the immediate surrender of the place +this very night. Some cases are so apparent that I need not dissemble. +I know you will immediately send to the Duke of Arcos to march to the +Carthusian convent and meet him there with the body of horse under your +command." + +The earl further offered, in the same apparent spirit of frankness, to +show Mahony all his troops and artillery, as well as the large resources +he had upon the sea, which was only six miles off. Mahony was entirely +deceived by the manner of the man he regarded as a relative, and +laughingly acknowledged that he had, in case of necessity, intended to +fall back with his cavalry upon the Duke of Arcos. The interview ended +by Mahony retiring to the town, agreeing to send back an answer in half +an hour. At the end of that time he sent out a capitulation by a Spanish +officer. + +Had Peterborough's scheme ended here he would not have exceeded the +bounds of what is regarded as a fair method of deceiving an enemy, +but his subsequent proceedings were absolutely indefensible, and are, +indeed, almost incredible on the part of the man who in some respects +carried the point of honor almost to an extreme. His notion, no doubt, +was to paralyze the action of the enemy by exciting suspicions of +treachery among their leaders, but the means which he took to do so were +base and unworthy in the extreme. + +He began with the Spanish officer who had brought the capitulation, +giving him a garbled account of his interview with Mahony, and then +endeavoring to bribe him to desert to the Austrian cause, insinuating +that he had succeeded by this means with Mahony. As the earl expected, +he failed to induce the Spaniard to desert, but he succeeded in his +purpose of filling his mind with suspicions of treachery on the part of +Mahony. + +Mahony had conducted the negotiations in a manner worthy of a loyal +and skillful officer; he had stipulated not to leave the town till one +o'clock in the morning, and that Peterborough should not pass the river +until that hour. + +This he had arranged in order to allow the Duke of Arcos time to reach +the plains, where he was to be joined by the horse from Murviedro. But +Peterborough's machinations had been effectual; the Spanish officer, on +his return, informed his countrymen that Mahony had betrayed them, and +the troops and populace became enraged against the unfortunate Irishman +and threatened his life. Peterborough, who, in spite of his perverted +notions of honor, would not on any account have passed the river before +the time stipulated, heard the neighing of horses in the town and +supposed that some of the troops were leaving it. In order, therefore, +to create suspicion and confusion among the enemy, he ordered a body +of men near the river to fire straggling shots as if small parties were +engaged at the outposts. + +Mahony hearing these sounds sent word that whatever collision might have +occurred it was the result of no breach of the terms of capitulation +on his part, and that, depending implicitly on the honor of an English +general, he could not believe that any foul play could take place. +Peterborough sent back his compliments by the officer who brought the +message, with expressions of gratification at the good understanding +which prevailed between them, and at the same time he proposed that +Mahony, for the security of the inhabitants of Murviedro, and to prevent +his troops being molested as they retired from the town, should permit +a regiment of English dragoons to cross the river and to form a guard +at the gates, offering at the same time to deliver up a number of his +officers as hostages to the Spanish for the loyal fulfillment of the +terms. + +In an evil hour for himself Mahony consented to the proposal. When +the Spaniards saw Peterborough's dragoons advancing without opposition +through the difficult pass, and up to the very gates of the town, their +suspicions of the treachery of their leader became a certainty. The +Spanish officers each got his company or troop together as quickly as +possible and hurried across the plain to the camp of the duke, where +they spread a vague but general panic. The officers accused Mahony +of treachery to the Spanish general, and the national jealousy of +foreigners made their tale easily believed; but Peterborough had taken +another step to secure the success of his diabolical plan against the +honor of his wife's relative. + +He made choice of two Irish dragoons, and persuaded them by bribes +and promises of promotion to undertake the dangerous part of false +deserters, and to tell the tale with which he furnished them. They +accordingly set out and rode straight to the camp of the Duke of Arcos +and gave themselves up to the outposts, by whom they were led before +the Spanish general. Questioned by him, they repeated the story they had +been taught. + +The statement was that they had been sitting drinking wine together +under some rocks on the hillside, close to where the conference was +held, and that Peterborough and Mahony, walking apart from the others, +came near to where they were sitting, but did not notice them, and that +they saw the earl deliver five thousand pistoles to Mahony, and heard +him promise to make him a major general in the English army, and to give +him the command of ten thousand Irish Catholics which were being raised +for the service of King Charles. They said that they were content to +receive no reward, but to be shot as spies if Mahony himself did not +give proof of treachery by carrying out his arrangements with the earl, +by sending a messenger requesting the duke to march that night across +the plain toward Murviedro to the Carthusian convent, where everything +would be arranged for their destruction by a strong ambush of British +troops. + +Scarcely had the men finished their story when an aide de camp galloped +in from Mahony with the very proposition which they had reported that +he would make. Arcos had now no doubt whatever of Mahony's treason, +and instead of complying with his request, which was obviously the best +course to have been pursued, as the junction of the two armies would +thereby have been completed, the duke broke up his camp without delay +and fell back in exactly the opposite direction. + +This was exactly what Peterborough had been scheming to bring about. +Mahony, with his cavalry, having delivered over the town, marched to the +Carthusian convent, and there, finding themselves unsupported, rode on +to the spot where the duke had been encamped, and finding that his army +was gone, followed it. On overtaking it Mahony was instantly arrested +and sent a prisoner to Madrid. + +It is satisfactory to know that he succeeded in clearing himself from +the charge of treachery, was promoted to the rank of major general, and +was sent back with Las Torres, who was ordered to supersede the Duke of +Arcos. + +The success of the earl's stratagem had been complete. Without the loss +of a single man he had obtained possession of Murviedro, and had spread +such confusion and doubt into the enemy's army that, although more than +three times his own force, it was marching away in all haste, having +abandoned the siege of Valencia, which city he could now enter with his +troops. The success was a wonderful one; but it is sad to think that +it was gained by such a treacherous and dastardly maneuver, which might +have cost a gallant officer--who was, moreover, a countryman and distant +connection of the earl--his honor and his life. + +The next day the earl entered the city of Valencia in triumph. The whole +population crowded into the streets. The houses were decorated with +flags and hangings. The church bells pealed out their welcome, and amid +the shouts of the people below and the waving of handkerchiefs from the +ladies at the balconies, he rode through the streets to the town hall, +where all the principal personages were assembled, followed by the +little army with which he had performed what appeared to have been an +impossible undertaking. + +After their incessant labors during the past two months, the rest at +Valencia was most grateful to the troops. The city is celebrated as +being one of the gayest and most delightful in all Spain. Its situation +is lovely, standing within a mile and a half of the sea, in a rich plain +covered with vines, olives, and other fruit trees, while beyond the +plains rise the mountains, range after range, with the higher summits +covered with snow. The people, at all times pleasure loving, gave +themselves up to fetes and rejoicings for some time after the entrance +of the army that had saved them from such imminent danger, and all vied +in hospitality to the earl and his officers. + +King Charles, astonished and delighted at Peterborough's success, +appointed him captain general of all his forces, and gave him the power +of appointing and removing all governors and other public servants, as +he might consider necessary for the good of the cause, while from London +the earl received a dispatch appointing him plenipotentiary at the court +of King Charles. + +Here as at Barcelona the earl entered with almost boyish animation into +the gayety of which he was the center. With the priests and ladies he +was an especial favorite, having won the former by the outward respect +which he paid to their religion, and by the deference he exhibited +toward themselves. + +Valencia prided itself on being one of the holiest cities in Spain, and +no other town could boast of the connection of so many saints or +the possession of so many relics. The priesthood were numerous and +influential. Religious processions were constantly passing through +the streets, and in the churches the services were conducted with the +greatest pomp and magnificence. + +Peterborough, knowing the value of the alliance and assistance of +the priests, spared no pains to stand well with the Church, revenging +himself for the outward deference he paid to it by the bitterest sarcasm +and jeers in his letters to his friends at home. Believing nothing +himself, the gross superstition which he saw prevailing round him was +an argument in favor of his own disbelief in holy things, and he did not +fail to turn it to advantage. + +With the ladies his romantic adventures, his extraordinary bravery, +his energy and endurance, his brilliant wit, his polished manner, his +courtesy and devotion, rendered him an almost mythical hero; and the +fair Valencians were to a woman his devoted admirers and adherents. + +But, while apparently absorbed in pleasure, Peterborough's energy never +slumbered for a moment. His position was still one of extreme danger. +The force of Las Torres, seven thousand strong, recovering from their +panic, had, a day or two after he entered the town, returned and taken +post on some hills near it, preparatory to recommencing the siege. Four +thousand Castilians were marching to their support by the road leading +through Fuente de la Higuera, while at Madrid, within an easy distance, +lay the overwhelming forces of the main army under Marshal Tesse.. To +cope with these forces he had but his little army in the town, amounting +to but three thousand men, deficient in artillery, ammunition, and +stores of all kinds. + +Had Marshal Tesse marched at once to join Las Torres Peterborough's +little force must have been crushed; but the court of King Philip +decided to dispatch the marshal against Barcelona. Fortunately +Peterborough was well informed by the country people of everything that +was passing, for in every town and village there were men or women who +sent him news of all that was going on in their neighborhood. + +It was but a week after they entered Valencia that the earl, happening +to pass close by Jack Stilwell at a brilliant ball, paused for a moment +and said: + +"Get away from this in half an hour, find Graham, and bring him with you +to my quarters. Before you go find Colonel Zinzendorf and tell him +to have two hundred men ready to mount at half past one. He is here +somewhere. If you find he has left you must go round to the barracks. +Tell him the matter is to be kept an absolute secret. I know," the earl +said gallantly to the lady on his arm and to Jack's partner, "we can +trust you two ladies to say nothing of what you have heard. It is indeed +grief and pain to myself and Captain Stilwell to tear ourselves away +from such society, and you may be sure that none but the most pressing +necessity could induce me to do it." + +Jack at once led his partner to a seat and set out on the search for +Graham and the colonel of dragoons. He was some time finding them both, +and it was already past one when the three issued together from the +palace where the fete was held, and hurried off, the two young officers +to Peterborough's quarters, the colonel to his barracks. + +The earl was already in his chamber. He had slipped away unobserved from +the ball, and had climbed the wall of the garden, to avoid being noticed +passing out of the entrance. His great wig and court uniform were thrown +aside, and he was putting on the plain uniform which he used on service +when his aides de camp entered. + +"Get rid of that finery and gold lace," he said as they entered. "You +have to do a forty mile ride before morning. I have received glorious +news. One of my partners told me that she had, just as she was starting +for the ball, received a message from a cousin saying that a vessel had +come into port from Genoa with sixteen brass twenty-four pounder +guns, and a quantity of ammunition and stores, to enable Las Torres to +commence the siege. The stores were landed yesterday, and carts were +collected from the country round in readiness for a start at daybreak +this morning. As these things will be even more useful to us than to +the Spaniards, I mean to have them now. Be as quick as you can. I have +already ordered your horses to be brought round with mine." + +In five minutes they were in the saddle and rode quickly to the cavalry +barracks. The streets were still full of people; but the earl in his +simple uniform passed unnoticed through them. The dragoons were already +mounted when they reached the barracks. + +"We will go out at the back gate, colonel," the earl said. "Take the +most quiet streets by the way, and make for the west gate. Break your +troop up into four parties, and let them go by different routes, so that +any they meet will suppose they are merely small bodies going out to +relieve the outposts. If it was suspected that I was with you, and that +an expedition was on foot, the Spaniards would hear it in an hour. Loyal +as the population are here, there must be many adherents of Philip among +them, and Las Torres no doubt has his spies as well as we have." + +The earl's orders were carried out, and half an hour later the four +parties again assembled at a short distance outside the city gates. +Peterborough placed himself at their head and rode directly for the sea. + +"The Spaniards are sure to have outposts placed on all the roads leading +inland," he said to Colonel Zinzendorf, "and the Spanish irregulars will +be scattered all over the country; but I do not suppose they will have +any down as far as the seashore." + +When they reached the coast they followed a small road running along its +margin. Two or three miles further they turned off and rode inland till +they struck a main road, so as to avoid following all the windings of +the coast. They now pushed on at a sharp trot, and just at four o'clock +came down upon the little port. + +Its streets were cumbered with country carts, and as the dragoons dashed +into the place a few shots were fired by some Spanish soldiers belonging +to a small detachment which had been sent by Las Torres to act as a +convoy for the guns and stores, and who were sleeping on the pavement +or scattered among the houses in readiness for a start at daybreak. +The resistance soon ceased. Before entering the place Peterborough had +placed a cordon of dragoons in a semicircle round it to prevent any one +passing out. + +No time was lost; the carts were already loaded, and a troop of cavalry +horses stood picketed by the guns. These were soon harnessed up, and the +few other horses in the place were seized to prevent any one riding off +with the news. The order was given to the peasants to start their carts, +and in ten minutes after their entering the place the convoy was on its +way with its long row of carts laden with ammunition and its sixteen +guns. + +The cordon of dragoons was still left round the town, the officer in +command being ordered to allow no one to pass for an hour and a half, +after which time he was to gallop on with his men to overtake the +convoy, as by that time it would be no longer possible for any one to +carry the news to Las Torres in time for him to put his troops into +motion to cut off the convoy from Valencia. The journey back took much +longer than the advance, for the carts, drawn for the most part by +bullocks, made but slow progress. Three hours after the convoy started +the dragoons left behind overtook them. When within three miles of the +town, they were met by a small party of the enemy's Spanish militia; but +these were at once scattered by a charge of the dragoons, and the convoy +proceeded without further molestation until just at noon it entered the +gates of Valencia, where the astonishment and delight of the inhabitants +at its appearance were unbounded. + +In a few hours the cannon were all mounted in position on the ramparts, +adding very much to the defensive power of the town, which was now safe +for a time from any attempt at a siege by Las Torres, whose plans would +be entirely frustrated by the capture of the artillery intended for the +siege. + +But Peterborough was not yet contented. The junction of the four +thousand Castilians, of whose approach he had heard, with Las Torres +would raise the force under that general to a point which would enable +him to blockade the town pending the arrival of artillery for siege +works; and no sooner had the earl returned to his quarters, after seeing +the cannon placed upon the walls, than he began his preparations for +another expedition. He ordered Colonel Zinzendorf to march quietly out +of the city at eight o'clock with four hundred of his dragoons, and four +hundred British and as many Spanish infantry were to join him outside +the walls. The colonels of these three bodies were ordered to say +nothing of their intended movement, and to issue no orders until within +half an hour of the time named. At the same hour the rest of the troops +were to march to the walls and form a close cordon round them, so as to +prevent any one from letting himself down by a rope and taking the news +that an expedition was afoot to Las Torres. + +At a few minutes past eight, eight hundred foot and four hundred horse +assembled outside the gates, and Peterborough took the command. His +object was to crush the Castilians before they could effect a junction +with Las Torres. In order to do this it would be necessary to pass close +by the Spanish camp, which covered the road by which the reinforcements +were advancing to join them. + +In perfect silence the party moved forward and marched to a ford +across the river Xucar, a short distance only below the Spanish camp. +Peterborough rode at their head, having by his side a Spanish gentleman +acquainted with every foot of the country. They forded the river without +being observed, and then, making as wide a circuit as possible round the +camp, came down upon the road without the alarm being given; then they +pushed forward, and after three hours' march came upon the Castilians at +Fuente de la Higuera. The surprise was complete. The Spaniards, knowing +that the Spanish army lay between them and the town, had taken no +precautions, and the British were in possession of the place before they +were aware of their danger. + +There was no attempt at resistance beyond a few hasty shots. The +Castilians were sleeping wrapped up in their cloaks around the place, +and on the alarm they leaped up and fled wildly in all directions. +In the darkness great numbers got away, but six hundred were taken +prisoners. An hour was spent in collecting and breaking the arms left +behind by the fugitives, and the force, with their prisoners in their +midst, then started back on their return march. The circuit of the +Spanish camp was made, and the ford passed as successfully as before, +and just as daylight was breaking the little army marched into Valencia. + +The news rapidly spread, and the inhabitants hurried into the streets, +unable at first to credit the news that the Castilian army, whose +approach menaced the safety of the town, was destroyed. The movement of +the troops on the previous night to the ramparts and the absence of the +greater part of the officers from the festivities had occasioned +some comment; but as none knew that an expedition had set out, it was +supposed that the earl had received news from his spies that Las Torres +intended to attempt a sudden night attack, and the people would have +doubted the astonishing news they now received had it not been for the +presence of the six hundred Castilian prisoners. + +These two serious misadventures caused Las Torres to despair of success +against a town defended by so energetic and enterprising a commander as +Peterborough, and he now turned his thoughts toward the small towns of +Sueca and Alcira. Below these towns and commanded by their guns was the +important bridge of Cullera, by which by far the greater portion of +the supplies for the town was brought in from the country. Las Torres +therefore determined to seize these places, which were distant about +fifteen miles from his camp, and so to straiten the town for provisions. + +As usual, Peterborough's spies brought him early intelligence of the +intended movement, and the orders issued by Las Torres were known to the +earl a few hours later. It needed all his activity to be in time. Five +hundred English and six hundred Spanish infantry, and four hundred +horse, were ordered to march with all speed to the threatened towns; +and, pushing on without a halt, the troops reached them half an hour +before the Spanish force appeared on the spot. On finding the two towns +strongly occupied by the British, Las Torres abandoned his intention and +drew off his troops. + +A portion of the Spanish army were cantoned in a village only some +two miles from Alcira, and a few days later Peterborough determined to +surprise it, and for that purpose marched out at night from Valencia +with an English force of a thousand men, and reached the spot intended +at daybreak as he had arranged. The Spanish garrison of Alcira, also +about a thousand strong, had orders to sally out and attack the village +at the same hour. The Spaniards also arrived punctually, but just as +they were preparing to burst upon the unconscious enemy, who were four +thousand strong, they happened to come upon a picket of twenty horse. An +unaccountable panic seized them; they broke their ranks and fled in such +utter confusion that many of the terror stricken soldiers killed each +other. The picket aroused the enemy, who quickly fell into their ranks, +and Peterborough, seeing that it would be madness to attack them with +his wearied and unsupported force, reluctantly ordered a retreat, which +he conducted in perfect order and without the loss of a man. + +This was Peterborough's only failure; with this exception every one of +his plans had proved successful, and he only failed here from trusting +for once to the cooperation of his wholly unreliable Spanish allies. +After this nothing was done on either side for several weeks. + +The campaign had been one of the most extraordinary ever accomplished, +and its success was due in no degree to chance, but solely to the +ability of Peterborough himself. Wild as many of his schemes appeared, +they were always planned with the greatest care. He calculated upon +almost every possible contingency, and prepared for it. He never +intrusted to others that which he could do himself, and he personally +commanded every expedition even of the most petty kind. + +His extraordinary physical powers of endurance enabled him to support +fatigue and to carry out adventure, which would have prostrated most +other men. The highest praise, too, is due to the troops, who proved +themselves worthy of such a leader. Their confidence in their chief +inspired them with a valor equal to his own. They bore uncomplainingly +the greatest hardships and fatigues, and engaged unquestioningly +in adventures and exploits against odds which made success appear +absolutely hopeless. The hundred and fifty dragoons who followed the +Earl of Peterborough to the conquest of Valencia deserve a place side by +side with the greatest heroes of antiquity. + + + +CHAPTER XII: IRREGULAR WARFARE + + +From the moment that the news of the loss of Barcelona had reached +Madrid, Philip of Anjou had labored strenuously to collect a force +sufficient to overwhelm his enemies. He had, moreover, written urgently +to Louis XIV for assistance, and although France was at the moment +obliged to make strenuous efforts to show a front to Marlborough and his +allies, who had already at Blenheim inflicted a disastrous defeat +upon her, Louis responded to the appeal. Formidable French armies were +assembled at Saragossa and Roussillon, while a fleet of twelve ships of +the line, under the command of the Count of Toulouse, sailed to blockade +Barcelona, and the Duke of Berwick, one of the ablest generals of the +day, was sent to head the southern army. + +In January the French army of Catalonia, under Marshal Tesse, reached +Saragossa, where the arrogance and brutality of the marshal soon excited +a storm of hatred among the Aragonese. The towns resisted desperately +the entry of the French troops; assassinations of officers and men were +matters of daily occurrence, and the savage reprisals adopted by the +marshal, instead of subduing, excited the Spaniards to still fiercer +resistance. But savage and cruel as was the marshal, he was in no haste +to meet the enemy in the field, and Philip, who was with him, had the +greatest difficulty in getting him to move forward. + +It was in the last week of February that the news reached the Earl of +Peterborough that Marshal Tesse had left Saragossa, and was marching +toward Lerida. This was two days after the unsuccessful attempt to +surprise the enemy's camp near Alcira; and, menaced as Valencia was by a +force greatly superior to his own, he could not leave the city, which in +his absence would speedily have succumbed to the attack of Las Torres. +He walked quickly up and down his room for some minutes and then said: + +"Captain Stilwell, I cannot leave here myself, but I will send you +to the Marquis of Cifuentes. You have shown the greatest activity and +energy with me, and I do not doubt that you will do equally well when +acting independently. I will give you a letter to the marquis, saying +that you are one of my most trusted and valued officers, and begging him +to avail himself to the fullest of your energy and skill. I shall +tell him that at present I am tied here, but that when the enemy reach +Barcelona, I shall at all hazards march hence and take post in their +rear and do what I can to prevent their carrying on the siege. In the +mean time I beg him to throw every obstacle in the way of their advance, +to hold every pass to the last, to hang on their rear, attack baggage +trains, and cut off stragglers. He cannot hope to defeat Tesse, but he +may wear out and dispirit his men by constant attacks. You speak Spanish +fluently enough now, and will be able to advise and suggest. Remember, +every day that Tesse is delayed gives so much time to the king to put +Barcelona in a state of defense. With my little force I cannot do much +even when I come. The sole hope of Barcelona is to hold out until a +fleet arrives from England. If the king would take my advice I will +guarantee that he shall be crowned in Madrid in two months; but those +pig headed Germans who surround him set him against every proposition I +make. You had better start tonight as soon as it gets dark, and take a +mounted guide with you who knows the country thoroughly. + +"It will be a change for you, from the pleasures of Valencia to a +guerrilla warfare in the mountains in this inclement season, Stilwell," +Graham said as they left the general. "I don't think I should care about +your mission. I own I have enjoyed myself in Valencia, and I have lost +my heart a dozen times since we arrived." + +"I have not lost mine at all," Jack said laughing, "and I am sick of all +these balls and festivities. I was not brought up to it, you know, and +rough as the work may be I shall prefer it to a long stay here." + +"Yes," Graham agreed, "I should not care for a long stay, but you may be +quite certain the earl will not remain inactive here many weeks. He is +waiting to see how things go, and the moment the game is fairly opened +you may be sure he will be on the move." + +"Yes, I don't suppose you will be very long after me," Jack said; +"still, I am not sorry to go." + +At seven o'clock in the evening Jack set out, taking with him two +dragoons as orderlies, the earl having suggested that he should do so. + +"Always do a thing yourself if it is possible, Captain Stilwell; but +there are times when you must be doing something else, and it is as well +to have some one that you can rely upon; besides, the orderlies will +give you additional importance in the eyes of the peasants. Most of the +men have picked up some Spanish, but you had better pick out two of my +orderlies who are best up in it." + +Jack had spent the afternoon in making a round of calls at the houses +where he had been entertained, and after the exchange of adieus, +ceremonial speeches, and compliments, he was heartily glad when the +gates closed behind him and he set out on his journey. As the road +did not pass anywhere near the Spanish camp there was little fear of +interruption in the way. The guide led them by little frequented tracks +across the hills, and by morning they were far on their road. + +They were frequently obliged to make detours to avoid towns and villages +favorable to King Philip. Why one town or village should take one side, +and the next the other, was inexplicable to Jack, but it was so, and +throughout the country this singular anomaly existed. It could be +accounted for by a variety of causes. A popular mayor or a powerful +landed proprietor, whose sympathies were strong with one side or the +other, would probably be followed by the townspeople or peasants. The +influence of the priests, too, was great, and this also was divided. +However it was, the fact remained that, as with Villa Real and Nules, +neighboring towns were frequently enthusiastically in favor of opposite +parties. As Jack had seen all the dispatches and letters which poured +in to the earl, he knew what were the circumstances which prevailed in +every town and village. He knew to what residences of large proprietors +he could ride up with an assurance of welcome, and those which must be +carefully avoided. + +In some parts of the journey, where the general feeling was hostile, +Jack adopted the tactics of his general, riding boldly into the village +with his two dragoons clattering behind him, summoning the head men +before him, and peremptorily ordering that provisions and forage should +be got together for the five hundred horsemen who might be expected to +come in half an hour. The terror caused by Peterborough's raids was +so great that the mere sight of the English uniform was sufficient to +insure obedience, and without any adventure of importance Jack and his +companions rode on, until, on the third day after leaving Valencia, +they approached Lerida. Groups of armed peasants hurrying in the same +direction were now overtaken. These saluted Jack with shouts of welcome, +and he learned that, on the previous day, Marshal Tesse with his army +had crossed from Arragon into Catalonia, and that the alarm bells had +been rung throughout the district. + +From the peasants Jack learned where the Count of Cifuentes would be +found. It was in a village among the hills, to the left of the line +by which the enemy were advancing. It was toward this place that the +peasants were hastening. Jack had frequently met the count at the siege +of Barcelona, and had taken a strong liking for the gallant and dashing +Spanish nobleman. The village was crowded with peasants armed with all +sorts of weapons--rough, hardy, resolute men, determined to defend their +country to the last against the invaders. A shout of satisfaction arose +as Jack and his two troopers rode in, and at the sound the count himself +appeared at the door of the principal house in the village. + +"Ah, Senor Stilwell," he said, "this in an unexpected pleasure. I +thought that you were with the earl in Valencia." + +"So I have been, count, but he has sent me hither with a dispatch for +you, and, as you will see by its contents, places me for awhile at your +disposal." + +"I am pleased indeed to hear it," the count said; "but pray, senor--" + +"Captain, count," Jack said with a smile, "for to such rank the earl has +been pleased to promote me as a recognition for such services as I was +able to perform in his campaign against Valencia." + +"Ah," the count said, "you earned it well. Every man in that wonderful +force deserved promotion. It was an almost miraculous adventure, and +recalled the feats of the Cid. Truly the days of chivalry are not +passed; your great earl has proved the contrary." + +They had now entered the house, and, after pouring out a cup of wine +for Jack after the fatigue of his ride, the count opened the dispatch of +which Jack was the bearer. + +"It is well." he said when he had read it. "As you see for yourself I am +already preparing to carry out the first part, for the alarm bells have +been ringing out from every church tower in this part of Catalonia, and +in another twenty-four hours I expect six thousand peasants will be +out. But, as the earl says, I have no hope with such levies as these of +offering any effectual opposition to the advance of the enemy. + +"The Miquelets cannot stand against disciplined troops. They have +no confidence in themselves, and a thousand Frenchmen could rout six +thousand of them; but as irregulars they can be trusted to fight. You +shall give me the advantage of your experience and wide knowledge, and +we will dispute every pass, cut off their convoys, and harass them. I +warrant that they will have to move as a body, for it will go hard with +any party who may be detached from the rest." + +"I fear, count, you must not rely in any way upon my knowledge," Jack +said. "I am a very young officer, though I have had the good fortune to +be promoted to the rank of captain." + +"Age goes for nothing in this warfare," the count said. "The man of +seventy and the boy of fifteen who can aim straight from behind a rock +are equally welcome. It is not a deep knowledge of military science that +will be of any use to us here. What is wanted is a quick eye, a keen +spirit, and courage. These I know that you have, or you would never have +won the approbation of the Earl of Peterborough, who is, of all men, +the best judge on such matters. Now I will order supper to be got ready +soon, as it must, I am sure, be long since you had food. While it is +being prepared I will, with your permission, go out and inspect the +new arrivals. Fortunately, ten days ago, foreseeing that Tesse would +probably advance by this line, I sent several wagon loads of provisions +to this village, and a store of ammunition." + +Jack accompanied the count into the street of the village. The latter +went about among the peasants with a kindly word of welcome to each, +giving them the cheering news that though the great English general was +occupied in Valencia, he had promised that, when the time came, he would +come with all haste to the defense of Barcelona, and in the mean time +he had sent an officer of his own staff to assist him to lead the noble +Catalans in the defense of their country. On the steps of the church the +priest, with half a dozen willing assistants, was distributing food from +the wagons to the peasants. + +"Don't open the ammunition wagon tonight," the count said. "The men must +not take as much as they like, but the ammunition must be served out +regularly, for a Catalan will never believe that he has too much powder, +and if left alone the first comers would load themselves with it, and +the supply would run short before all are provided." + +The count then entered the church, where a party of men were occupied +in putting down a thick layer of straw. Here as many as could find room +were to sleep, the others sheltering in the houses and barns, for the +nights were still very cold among the hills. Having seen that all was +going on well, the count returned to his quarters, where a room had been +assigned to Jack's two dragoons, and the sound of loud laughter from +within showed that they were making themselves at home with the inmates. + +A well cooked repast was soon on the table, and to this Jack and his +host did full justice. + +"This wine is excellent; surely it does not grow on these hills!" + +"No," the count said, laughing. "I am ready to run the risk of being +killed, but I do not want to be poisoned, so I sent up a score or two +of flasks from my own cellars. The vineyards of Cifuentes are reckoned +among the first in this part of Spain. And now," he said, when they had +finished and the table had been cleared, "we will take a look at the map +and talk over our plans. The enemy leave Lerida tomorrow. I have already +ordered that the whole country along their line of march shall be +wasted, that all stores of corn, wine, and forage which cannot be +carried off shall be destroyed, and that every horse and every head +of cattle shall be driven away. I have also ordered the wells to be +poisoned." + +Jack looked grave. "I own that I don't like that," he said. + +"I do not like it myself," the count replied; "but if an enemy invades +your country you must oppose him by all means. Water is one of the +necessaries of life, and as one can't carry off the wells one must +render them useless; but I don't wish to kill in this way, and have +given strict orders that in every case where poison is used, a placard, +with a notice that it has been done, shall be affixed to the wells." + +"In that case," Jack said, "I quite approve of what you have done, +count; the wells then simply cease to exist as sources of supply." + +"I wish I could poison all the running streams too," the count said; +"but unfortunately they are beyond us, and there are so many little +streams caused by the melting snow on the hills that I fear we shall not +be able greatly to straiten the enemy. At daybreak tomorrow I will mount +with you, and we will ride some twenty miles along the road and select +the spots where a sturdy resistance can best be made. By the time we get +back here most of the peasants who are coming will have assembled. These +we will form into bands, some to hold the passes and to dispute the +advance, others to hang upon the skirts and annoy them incessantly, some +to close in behind, cut off wagons that break down or lag by the way, +and to prevent, if possible, any convoys from the rear from joining +them." + +This programme was carried out. Several spots were settled on where an +irregular force could oppose a stout resistance to trained troops, and +points were fixed upon where breastworks should be thrown up, walls +utilized, and houses loopholed and placed in a state of defense. + +It was late in the afternoon before they rode again into the village. +The gathering of peasants was now very largely increased, and extended +over the fields for some distance round the place. The count at once +gave orders that all should form up in regular order according to the +villages from which they came. When this was done he divided them into +four groups. + +The first, two thousand strong, was intended to hold the passes; two +others, each one thousand strong, were to operate upon the flanks of the +enemy; and a fourth, of the same strength, to act in its rear. + +"Now, Captain Stilwell," he said, "will you take the command of +whichever of these bodies you choose?" + +"I thank you, count, for the offer," Jack said, "but I will take no +command whatever. In the first place, your Catalans would very strongly +object to being led by a foreigner, especially by one so young and +unknown as myself. In the second place, I would rather, with your +permission, remain by your side. You will naturally command the force +that opposes the direct attack, and, as the bulk of the fighting +will fall on them, I should prefer being there. I will act as your +lieutenant." + +"Well, since you choose it, perhaps it is best so," the count said. +"These peasants fight best their own way. They are given to sudden +retreats, but they rally quickly and return again to the fight, and they +will probably fight better under their own local leaders than under a +stranger. You will see they have no idea of fighting in a body; the men +of each village will fight together and act independently of the rest. +Many of them, you see, are headed by priests, not a few of whom have +brought rifles with them. These will generally lead their own villagers, +and their authority is far greater than that which any layman could +obtain over them. I must appoint a leader to each body to direct their +general movements; the village chiefs will do the rest." + +While the count had been absent several other gentlemen of good family +had arrived in the village, some marching in with the peasants on their +estates. Three of these were appointed to lead the three bands destined +for the flank and rear attacks. The next three hours were devoted to the +distribution of provisions and ammunition, each man taking four days' +supply of the former, and receiving sufficient powder and bullets for +forty rounds of the latter. All were ordered to be in readiness to march +two hours before daybreak. + +The count then retired to his quarters, and there pointed out on the map +to the three divisional leaders the spots where he intended to make a +stand, and gave them instructions as to their respective shares of the +operations. Their orders were very general. They were to post their men +on the side hills, and as much behind cover as possible, to keep up a +galling fire at the column, occasionally to show in threatening masses +as if about to charge down, so as to cause as much alarm and confusion +as possible, and, should at any point the nature of the ground favor +it, they were to dash down upon the baggage train and to hamstring the +horses, smash the wheels, and create as much damage as they could, and +to fall back upon the approach of a strong body of the enemy. Those in +the rear were to press closely up so as to necessitate a strong force +being kept there to oppose them. But their principal duties were to hold +the passes, and to prevent any convoys, unless very strongly guarded, +from reaching the enemy from his base at Saragossa. + +After these instructions had been given supper was spread, and some +fifteen or twenty of the principal persons who had joined were invited +by the count, and a pleasant evening was spent. + +It was interesting to Jack to observe the difference between this +gathering and that which had taken place in the Earl of Peterborough's +quarters on the evening before the attack on San Matteo. There, although +many considered that the prospects of success on the following day were +slight indeed, all was merriment and mirth. The whole party were in the +highest spirits, and the brilliant wit of the earl, and his reckless +spirit of fun, had kept the party in continual laughter. + +The tone on the contrary at the present gathering was quiet and almost +stiff. These grave Catalan nobles, fresh from their country estates, +contrasted strongly with the more lively and joyous inhabitants of +Valencia. Each addressed the other with ceremony, and listened with +grave attention to the remarks of each speaker in turn. + +During the whole evening nothing approaching to a joke was made, there +was scarcely a smile upon the countenance of any present; and yet the +tone of courtliness and deference to the opinions of each other, the +grave politeness, the pride with which each spoke of his country, their +enthusiasm in the cause, and the hatred with which they spoke of the +enemy, impressed Jack very favorably; and though, as he said to himself +when thinking it over, the evening had certainly not been a lively one, +it had by no means been unpleasant. + +Two hours before daybreak the bell of the church gave the signal. As +the men had only to rise to their feet, shake themselves, take up their +arms, and sling their bags of provisions round their necks, it was but a +few minutes before they were formed up in order. The count saw the three +divisions file off silently in the darkness, and then, placing himself +at the head of the main body, led the way toward the spot which he and +Jack had selected for opposing the march of Tesse's invading column. + +Daylight was just breaking when they reached it, and the count ordered +the men to pile their arms and at once to set to work. The road, which +had been winding along in a valley, here mounted a sharp rise, on the +very brow of which stood a hamlet of some twenty houses. It had already +been deserted by the inhabitants, and the houses were taken possession +of by the workers. Those facing the brow of the hill were loopholed, +as were the walls along the same line. Men were set to work to build a +great barricade across the road, and to run breastworks of stones right +and left from the points where the walls ended along the brow. Other +parties loopholed the houses and walls of the village, and formed +another barricade across the road at the other end. With two thousand +men at work these tasks were soon carried out; and the count then led +the men down the hill, whose face was covered with loose stones, and set +them to work piling these in lines one above another. + +At ten o'clock in the morning the work was complete. The count told +the men off by parties, each of which were to hold one of the lines of +stones; each party was, as the French charged, to retire up the hill and +join that at the line above, so that their resistance would become more +and more obstinate till the village itself was reached. Here a stand was +to be made as long as possible. If the column advanced only by the road, +every house was to be held; if they spread out in line so as to overlap +the village on both sides, a rapid retreat was to be made when the +bugler by the count's side gave the signal. + +The men sat down to breakfast in their allotted places, quiet, grave, +and stern; and again the contrast with the laughter and high spirits +which prevail among English soldiers, when fighting is expected, struck +Jack very forcibly. + +"They would make grand soldiers if properly trained, these grave, +earnest looking men," he said to himself. "They look as if they could +endure any amount of fatigue and hardship; and although they don't take +things in the same cheerful light our men do, no one can doubt their +courage. I can quite understand now the fact that the Spanish infantry +was once considered the finest in Europe. If they only had leaders and +discipline Spain would not want any foreign aid; her own people would be +more than a match for any army the French could send across the northern +frontier." + +The meal was scarcely finished when, at the end of the valley, some +three miles away, a cloud of dust was seen to rise with the sparkle of +the sun on arms and accouterments. + +"There are Tesse's cavalry!" the count exclaimed. "Another half hour +will cause a transformation in this quiet valley." + +The head of the column came on but slowly, the cavalry regiment forming +it accommodating their pace to that of the infantry and baggage wagons +in the rear. Slowly they moved on, until the bottom of the valley +appeared covered with a moving mass extending from the end, three +miles away, to within half a mile of the foot of the hill on which the +Spaniards were posted. Suddenly from the hillsides on the left puffs of +smoke darted out, and instantly a similar fire was opened on the right. + +"They are at work at last," Jack exclaimed as the rattle of musketry +sounded loud and continuous. "I wondered when they were going to begin." + +"I told them to let the column pass nearly to the head of the valley +before they opened fire," the count said. "Had they begun soon after the +enemy entered the valley, they would have left all their baggage behind +under a guard, and the infantry would have been free to attack the hills +at once. Now they are all crowded up in the valley--horse, foot, and +baggage. The wounded horses will become unmanageable, and there is sure +to be confusion, though perhaps not panic. See, they are answering our +fire! They might as well save their powder, for they are only throwing +away ammunition by firing away at the hillside." + +This indeed was the case; for Jack, although in the course of the +morning he had frequently watched the hillside for signs of the other +parties, had not made out the slightest movement, so completely were the +men hidden behind rocks and bushes. + +Strong bodies of infantry were thrown out by Tesse on both flanks, +and these began to climb the hills, keeping up a heavy fire at their +concealed foe, while the main column continued its way. + +Not a shot was fired by the Spanish until the head of the column was +within a hundred yards of the foot of the rise, and then from the whole +face of the hill a heavy fire was opened. The enemy recoiled, and for a +time there was great confusion near the head of the column; an officer +of high rank dashed up, and the troops formed out into a line across the +whole width of the valley and then moved forward steadily; so heavy were +their losses, however, that they presently came to a standstill. But +reinforcements coming up, they again pressed forward, firing as they +went. + +Not until they were within twenty yards did the Miquelets lining the +lower wall of rocks leave their post, and, covered by the smoke, gain +with little loss the line next above them. Slowly the enemy won their +way uphill, suffering heavily as they did so, and continually being +reinforced from the rear. At the last wall the peasants, gathered now +together, maintained a long resistance; and it was not until fully four +thousand of the enemy were brought up that the position was seriously +threatened. Then their leader, seeing that they would sustain very heavy +loss if the enemy carried the wall by assault, ordered his trumpeter to +sound the retreat. It was at once obeyed, and by the time the French had +crossed the wall the peasants had already passed out at the other end of +the village. + +As the French cavalry had not been able to pass the lower walls there +was no pursuit. The peasants rallied after a rapid flight of a mile. +Their loss had been small, while that of the French had been very +considerable; and the marshal halted his troops round the village for +the day. + +The result of the fighting added to the resolution of the peasants, +and as soon as the French continued their route the next morning the +fighting began again. It was a repetition of that of the preceding day. +The enemy had to contest every foot of the ground, and were exposed to +a galling fire along the whole line of their march. Many times they made +desperate efforts to drive the peasants from the hillsides; sometimes +they were beaten back with heavy loss, and when they succeeded it was +only to find the positions they attacked deserted and their active +defenders already beyond musket fire. At night they had no respite; the +enemy swarmed round their camp, shot down the sentries, and attacked +with such boldness that the marshal was obliged to keep a large number +of his men constantly under arms. + +At last, worn out by fatigue and fighting, the weary army emerged from +the hills into the wide valleys, where their cavalry were able to act, +and the ground no longer offered favorable positions of defense to +the peasantry. Seeing the uselessness of further attacks, the Count of +Cifuentes drew off his peasants; and Tesse marched on to Barcelona and +effected a junction with the troops from Roussillon under the Duke de +Noailles, who had come down by the way of Gerona. The town was at once +invested on the land side; while the Count of Toulouse, with thirty +French ships, blockaded it from the sea. + + + +CHAPTER XIII: THE FRENCH CONVOY + + +A report having arrived at the camp of the Count of Cifuentes that the +peasants around Saragossa had risen in insurrection, Jack thought that +he should be doing more good by discovering the truth of the rumor, and +by keeping the earl informed of the state of things in the enemy's rear, +than by remaining with the count. He hesitated whether he should take +his two orderlies with him, but as they were well mounted he decided +that they should accompany him, as they would add to his authority, and +would, in case of need, enable him the better to assume the position of +an officer riding in advance of a considerable force. + +After a hearty adieu from the Count of Cifuentes, he started soon after +daybreak. After riding for some hours, just as he reached the top of a +rise, up which he had walked his horse, one of the orderlies, who were +riding a few paces behind him, rode up. + +"I think, Captain Stilwell," he said, "I hear the sound of firing. Brown +thinks he hears it too." + +Jack reined in his horse. + +"I hear nothing," he said, after a pause of a minute. + +"I don't hear it now, sir," the man said. "I think it came down on a +puff of wind.. If you wait a minute or two I think you will hear it." + +Jack waited another two minutes, and then was about to resume his +journey, when suddenly a faint sound came upon the wind. + +"You are right, Thompson," he exclaimed, "that's firing, sure enough. It +must be a convoy attacked by peasants." + +He touched his horse with the spur and galloped forward. Two miles +further on, crossing the brow, they saw, half a mile ahead of them in +the dip of the valley, a number of wagons huddled together. On either +side of the road men were lying, and the spurts of smoke that rose from +these, as well as from the wagons, proved that they were still stoutly +defending themselves. A light smoke rose from every bush and rock on the +hillsides around, showing how numerous were the assailants. Leaving +the road, Jack galloped toward the hill. Presently several balls came +singing round them. + +"They think we are French, sir," one of the troopers said. "I guess they +don't know much about uniforms." + +Jack drew out a white handkerchief and waved it as he rode forward, +shouting as he did, "English, English." The fire ceased, and the little +party soon reached the spot where the peasants were lying thickly in +their ambushes. + +"I am an English officer," Jack said as he leaped from his horse. "Where +is your leader?" + +"There is one of them," a peasant said, pointing to a priest, who, with +a long musket in his hand, rose from behind a log. + +"Reverend father," Jack said, "I have come from the Earl of Peterborough +with a mission to understand how matters go in Arragon, and to ascertain +what force would be likely to join him in this province against the +invader." + +"You see for yourself how things go," the priest said. "I am glad to +see an officer of the great Earl of Peterborough, whose exploits +have excited the admiration of all Spain. To whom have I the honor of +speaking?" + +"I am Captain Stilwell, one of the earl's aides de camp; and you, +father?" + +"I am Ignacio Bravos, the humble padre of the village of San Aldephonso. +And now, Captain Stilwell, if you will excuse me till we make an end of +these accursed Frenchmen, afterward I will be at your service." + +For another two hour's the conflict continued. Jack saw that the fire +of the defenders of the wagons was decreasing, and he was not surprised +when a white handkerchief was raised on the top of a bayonet and waved +in the air in token of desire to parley. A shout of exultation rose from +the Spaniards. The priest showed himself on the hillside. + +"Do you surrender?" he shouted. + +"We surrender the wagons," an officer called back, "on condition that we +are allowed to march off with our arms without molestation." + +A shout of refusal rose from the peasants, and the firing was instantly +renewed. Jack went and sat down by the side of the priest. + +"Father," he said, "it were best to give these men the terms they ask. +War is not massacre." + +"Quite so, my son," the priest replied coolly. "That is what you should +have told Marshal Tesse. It is he who has chosen to make it massacre. +Why, man, he has shot and hung hundreds in cold blood in and around +Saragossa, has burned numerous villages in the neighborhood, and put +man, woman, and child to the sword." + +"Then, if this be so, father, I should say, by all means hang Marshal +Tesse when you catch him, but do not punish the innocent for the guilty. +You must remember that these men have been taken away from their +homes in France, and forced to fight in quarrels in which they have no +concern. Like yourself, they are Catholics. Above all, remember how many +scores of villages are at present at the mercy of the French. If the +news comes to the marshal that you have refused quarter to his soldiers, +he will have a fair excuse for taking vengeance on such of your +countrymen as may be in his power." + +"There is something in that," the priest said. "For myself I have no +pity, not a scrap of it, for these Frenchmen, nor would you have, had +you seen as much of their doings as I have, nor do I think that any +retribution that we might deal out to the men could increase Tesse's +hatred and ferocity toward us." + +"Still, it might serve as an excuse," Jack urged. "Remember the eyes +of Europe are upon this struggle, and that the report of wholesale +slaughter of your enemies will not influence public opinion in your +favor." + +"Public opinion goes for nothing," the priest said shortly. + +"Pardon me, father," Jack replied. "The English and Dutch and the Duke +of Savoy are all fighting in your favor, and we may even boast that had +it not been for the Earl of Peterborough and the allies the chains of +France would be riveted firmly round your necks. You will tell me, no +doubt, that they are fighting for their own political ends, and from no +true love for the Spanish people. That may be so, but you must remember +that although governments begin wars it is the people who carry them on. +Let the people of England and Holland hear, as they will hear, of the +brutal ferocity of the French marshal on a defenseless people, and their +sympathies will be strongly with you. They will urge their governments +to action, and vote willingly the necessary sums for carrying on the +war. Let them hear that with you too war is massacre, that you take no +prisoners, and kill all that fall into your hands, and, believe me, the +public will soon grow sick of the war carried on with such cruelty on +both sides." + +"You are right, my son," the priest said frankly. "Young as you are, you +have seen more of the world than I, who, since I left the University of +Salamanca, have never been ten miles from my native village. I will do +what I can to put a stop to this matter. But I am not solely in command +here. I lead my own village, but there are the men of a score of +villages lying on these hills. But I will summon all the chiefs to a +council now." + +The priest called half a dozen of the peasants to him, and dispatched +them with orders to bring all the other leaders to take part in a +council with an English officer who had arrived from the great Earl of +Peterborough. + +In half an hour some twenty men were assembled in a little hollow on the +hillside, where they were sheltered from the fire of the French. Four +or five of these were priests. There were two or three innkeepers. The +remainder were small landed proprietors. Father Ignacio first addressed +them. He stated that the English officer had come on a mission from the +earl, and had arrived accidentally while the fight was going on, and +that he was of opinion that the French offer of surrender should be +accepted. A murmur of dissent went round the circle. + +"I was at first of your opinion," the priest said, "but the reasons +which this English officer has given me in support of his advice have +brought me round to his way of thinking. I will leave him to state them +to you." + +Jack now rose to his feet, and repeated the arguments which he had used +to the priest. He gathered from the faces of his hearers that, although +some were convinced that mercy would be the best policy, others were +still bent upon revenge. Father Ignacio then, in language which he +thought best suited to touch his hearers, repeated Jack's arguments, +urging very strongly the vengeance which the French marshal would be +sure to take upon the Spanish population of the country through which he +was passing when he heard the news. + +"Besides," Jack said, when he had finished, "you must remember you have +not conquered the enemy yet. I see the officer has withdrawn all his men +among the wagons, where their shelter will be nearly as good as yours. +They have, doubtless, abundant stores of ammunition in those wagons, +together with food and wine, and if you force them to fight to the last +man they can hold out for a very long time, and will inflict a heavy +loss upon your men before they are overcome." + +"But why should they take their weapons with them?" one of the men said; +"they will be useful to us. Why should we let them carry them away to +kill more Spaniards?" + +"The reason why I would let them take their arms is this," Jack said. +"Unless they march away armed you will not be able to restrain your +followers, who will be likely to break any convention you may make and +to massacre them without mercy. As to the arms being used again against +you, I will put the officers under their parole that they and their men +shall not take any further part in the war until they are exchanged for +an equal number of prisoners taken by the French." + +"Who would trust to a Frenchman's word?" a man asked scoffingly. + +"I would trust to a French officer's word as much as to that of an +English officer," Jack replied. "You would expect them to trust to your +word that they should be safe if they laid down their arms; and yet, as +you know, you might not be able to keep it. Better a thousand times +that a handful of French officers and men should be allowed to join the +enemy's ranks than that the national honor of Spain should be soiled by +a massacre perpetrated just after a surrender." + +"The Englishman is right," Father Ignacio said positively. "Let us waste +no further words on it. Besides, I have a reason of my own. I started +before daybreak without breakfast and have got nothing but a piece of +dry bread with me. If we don't accept these fellows' surrender we may +be on the hillside all night, and I told my servant that I should have +a larded capon and a flask of my best wine for dinner. That is an +argument, my sons, which I am sure comes home to you all; and remember, +if we accept the surrender we shall soon quench our thirst on the good +wine which, I doubt not, is contained in some of the barrels I see down +yonder." + +There was a hearty laugh and the question was settled; and it was +arranged at once that Father Ignacio, one of the other leaders, and Jack +should treat with the enemy. The other leaders hurried away to their +respective sections to order them to cease firing when a white flag was +raised; and, having given them twenty minutes to get to their several +posts, a white handkerchief was waved in the air. The Spanish fire +ceased at once, and as soon as the French perceived the flag they also +stopped firing. + +"We are coming down, three of us, to discuss matters with you," Father +Ignacio shouted out. + +The three accordingly descended the hill, and when within a short +distance of the wagons were met by the officer in command of the convoy +and two others. + +"We have come to discuss the terms of your surrender," Jack said. "I am +Captain Stilwell, one of Lord Peterborough's aides de camp. You see your +position is desperate." + +"Not quite desperate," the French officer replied; "we have plenty of +ammunition and abundance of provisions, and can hold out for a long +time, till rescue comes." + +"There is little chance of rescue," Jack said. "Your marshal has his +hands full where he is; and even did he hear of your situation and +detach a force back to your rescue, neither of which he is likely to do, +that force would have to fight every foot of its way, and assuredly not +arrive in time. Nor is there any more chance of your receiving succor +from the rear. You have made a gallant defense, sir, and might perhaps +hold out for many hours yet; but of what use is it sacrificing the lives +of your men in a vain resistance?" + +"What is your proposal?" the officer asked. + +"We propose," Jack said, "to allow you to march out with your arms and +five rounds of ammunition to each man, on you and your officers giving +me your parole to consider yourselves and your men as prisoners of war, +and not to serve again until exchanged." + +The terms were far better than the French officer had looked for. + +"I may tell you," Father Ignacio said, "that for these terms you are +indebted solely to this English officer. Had it depended upon us only, +rest assured that no one of you would have gone away alive." + +"You will understand," Jack said, "that you will be allowed to take your +arms solely as a protection against the peasants, who have been justly +enraged by the brutal atrocities of your general. You know well that +even could their leaders here obtain from their followers a respect for +the terms of surrender, your men would be massacred in the first village +through which they passed were they deprived of their arms. My friends +here are desirous that no stigma of massacre shall rest upon the Spanish +honor, and they have therefore agreed to allow your men to keep their +arms for purposes of defense on their return march." + +After a few words with his fellow officers the commander of the convoy +agreed to the terms. "You will, however," he said, "permit me to +take with me one or more wagons, as may be required, to carry off my +wounded?" + +This was at once agreed to, and in ten minutes the two companies of +French infantry were in readiness to march. There were forty wounded +in the wagons, and twenty-seven dead were left behind them. The French +officer in command, before marching off, thanked Jack very heartily for +his interference on their behalf. + +"I tell you frankly, Captain Stilwell," he said, "that I had no hopes +whatever that I or any of my men would leave the ground alive, for these +Spaniards invariably massacre prisoners who fall into their hands. I +could not have left my wounded behind me; and even if I had resolved +to do so, the chances of our fighting our way back in safety would have +been small indeed. We owe you our lives, sir; and should it ever be in +the power of Major Ferre to repay the debt, you may rely upon me." + +"I trust that the fortune of war may never place me in a position when I +may need to recall your promise," Jack said, smiling; "but should it do +so, I will not fail to remind you if I get a chance." + +All was now ready for the march. Two wagons which had been hastily +emptied were, with the wounded men, placed in the center, and the +French, numbering now less than a hundred, started on their march. The +Spanish peasants remained in their places on the hillside till they had +departed, as the leaders had agreed that it was better they should be +kept away from the vicinity of the French, as a quarrel would be +certain to take place did they come to close quarters. The peasants +were indignant at what they deemed the escape of their enemies; but the +desire of plunder soon overcame other considerations, and as soon as the +French had marched off they poured down from the hills. Their leaders, +however, restrained them from indiscriminate plundering. There were in +all eighty-seven wagons loaded with wine, corn, flour, and provisions +for the use of the army. + +An equal division was made of these among the various bands of peasants +in proportion to their strength. A few casks of wine were broached. The +peasants then buried their own dead--who were very few in number, so +securely had they been sheltered in their hiding places--and then the +force broke up, each party marching with its proportion of wagons back +to its village. + +"Now, Signor Capitano," Father Ignacio said, "I trust that you will come +home with me. My village is six miles away, and I will do my best to +make you comfortable. Hitherto you have seen me only as a man of war. I +can assure you that I am much more estimable in my proper character as a +man of peace. And let me tell you, my cook is excellent; the wine of +the village is famous in the province, and I have some in my cellars ten +years old." + +"I cannot resist such a number of good arguments," Jack said, smiling, +"and till tomorrow morning I am at your service; but I warn you that +my appetite just at present is ravenous, and that my two dragoons +are likely to make a serious inroad upon the larders of your village, +however well supplied." + +"They will be welcome," the priest said, "and I guarantee the larders +will prove sufficiently well stocked. Fortunately, although nearly every +village in the neighborhood has been raided by the French, owing to our +good fortune and the interposition of the blessed San Aldephonso our +village has escaped a visit." + +The party under Father Ignacio soon turned off from the main road, and, +with the six wagons which fell to their share, journeyed along a. rough +country road until they reached the village. Father Ignacio sat on the +leading wagon, and Jack rode alongside chatting with him. The priest was +a stout built man, with a good humored countenance and merry twinkle of +the eye, and Jack wondered what could have been the special wrong that +induced him to take up a musket and lead his flock to the attack of a +French convoy. + +"Katherine!" he shouted as the wagon stopped in front of his house and +a buxom serving woman appeared at the door, "dinner as quickly as +possible, for we are starving; and let it be not only quick, but +plentiful. Lay a cover for this gentleman, who will dine with me; and +prepare an ample supply of food in the kitchen for these two English +soldiers, who have come across the sea to fight for the good cause. + +"And now," he said to Jack, "while dinner is preparing I must distribute +the spoil." + +The wagons were unloaded and their contents divided among the men who +had take a part in the expedition, his flock insisting upon the padre +taking a bountiful share. + +The mules and bullocks in the wagons were similarly divided, in this +case one being given to each family; for there were but thirty animals, +while the fighting contingent from the village had numbered nearly +eighty men. There were five or six animals over when the division had +been made, and these were given, in addition to their proper share, to +the families of three men who had been killed in the fight. + +"Now, my sons," the padre said when all was done, "take your axes and +fall upon the wagons. A wagon is a thing to swear by. Every man knows +his own goods; and should the French ever visit our village again these +wagons might cost us dear. Therefore let them be made into firewood as +quickly as possible, and let them all be consumed before other fuel is +touched. And now, capitano, I think that Katherine will be ready for +us." + +So saying he led the way back into his house. A capital meal was +provided, and Jack found that the priest had by no means over praised +either his cook or his cellar. After the meal was over and the two had +drawn their chairs up to the hearth, on which was blazing brightly some +wood which Jack recognized as forming part of one of the wagons, and the +priest had placed on a small table close at hand a large flask which he +had himself gone into the cellar to fetch, Jack said: + +"How is it, father, that, as you told me, you have seen such acts +of brutality on the part of the French as to cause you to wage a war +without mercy against them, when, as you say, they have never penetrated +to your village? Your reasons must be strong, for your profession is a +peaceful one. You do not look like a man who would rush into deeds of +violence for their own sake, and your cook and your cellar offer you +strong inducements to remain at home." + +"That is so, my son," the priest said with a laugh. "I am, as you may +see, an easygoing man, well contented with my lot, and envy not the +Bishop of Toledo; but you know it is said that even a worm will turn, +and so you have seen the peaceful priest enacting the part of the +bloodthirsty captain. But, my son,"--and his face grew grave now--"you +can little imagine the deeds which the ferocious Tesse has enacted +here in Arragon. When warring with you English the French behave like +a civilized nation; when warring with us Spanish peasants, who have no +means of making our wrongs known to the world, they behave worse than +a horde of brutal savages. But I will tell you the circumstances which +have driven me to place myself at the head of my parishioners, to wage a +war of extermination with the French, and to deny mercy to every one of +that accursed nation who may fall into my hands. I have a brother--or +rather I should say I had one--a well to do farmer who lived at a +village some six miles from Saragossa. He had an only daughter, who was +to be married to the son of a neighboring proprietor. A handsome, high +spirited lad he was, and devoted to Nina. They were to have been married +some three months ago, and they wrote to me to go over to perform the +ceremony. + +"I went; the wedding day arrived, and all was ready. It was a holiday in +the village, for both were favorites. The bride was dressed; the village +maidens and men were all in their best; the procession was about to set +out, when a troop of dragoons rode suddenly in from Saragossa. A shot +or two had been fired at them as they rode through a wood. When they +arrived they dismounted, and the commander ordered the principal men +of the village to be brought to him. My brother and the father of the +bridegroom were among them. + +"'My troops have been fired at,' the Frenchman said, 'and I hold you +responsible.' + +"'It was no one from this village,' my brother said; 'we have a wedding +here, and not a soul is absent.' + +"'I care not,' the officer said; 'we have been fired at, and we shall +give the people of this district a lesson.' + +"So without another word he turned to his soldiers and ordered them to +fire the village from end to end. + +"'It is outrageous,' my brother said, and the others joined him in the +cry. I, too, implored him to pause before having such an order carried +into execution. His only reply was to give the order to his men. + +"The six principal men were seized at once, were set with their backs +against the wall of a house, and shot." + +"You cannot mean it!" Jack exclaimed indignantly. "Surely such an +outrage could never be perpetrated by civilized soldiers?" + +"I saw it done," the priest said bitterly. "I tried to throw myself +between the victims and their murderers, but I was held back by force +by the soldiers. Imagine the scene if you can--the screaming women, the +outburst of vain fury among the men, The bridegroom, in his despair +at seeing his father murdered, seized a stick and rushed at the French +officer; but he, drawing a pistol, shot him dead, and the soldiers +poured a volley into his companions, killing some eight or ten others. +Resistance was hopeless. Those who were unwounded fled; those who fell +were bayoneted on the spot. I took my niece's arm and led her quietly +away. Even the French soldiers drew back before us. You should have seen +her face. Madre de Dios! I see it now--I see it always. She died that +night. Not one word passed her lips from the moment when her father and +her affianced husband fell dead before her eyes. An hour later the troop +rode off, and the people stole back to bury their dead among the ashes +of what had been their homes. I went to Saragossa after reading the +funeral service over them. I saw Tesse and told him of the scene I +had witnessed, and demanded vengeance. He laughed in my face. Senor, I +persisted, and he got angry and told me that, were it not for my cloth, +he would hang me from the steeple. I called down Heaven's curse upon +him, and left him and came home. Do you wonder, senor, that I found it +hard to spare those Frenchmen for whom you pleaded? Do you wonder that +I, a man of peace, lead out my villagers to slaughter our enemy?" + +"I do not, indeed!" Jack exclaimed warmly. "Such acts as these would +stir the blood of the coldest into fire; and, priest or no priest, a man +would be less than a man who did not try to take vengeance for so foul a +deed. Have many massacres of this sort been perpetrated?" + +"Many," the priest replied, "and in no case has any redress been +obtained by the relatives of the victims." + +"And throughout all Arragon, does the same hatred of the French +prevail?" + +"Everywhere," the priest said. + +"Then King Charles would meet with an enthusiastic welcome here!" + +"I do not say that," the priest answered. "He would be well received, +doubtless, simply because he is the enemy of the French; but for +himself, no. We Arragonese cannot for the life of us see why we should +be ruled over by a foreigner; and in some respects a German king is even +less to be desired than a French one. The connection between the two +Latin nations is naturally closer than between us and the Germans, and +a French king would more readily adapt himself to our ways than would a +stiff and thick headed German. + +"Apart from the recent doings of the French army Arragon would have +preferred Philip to Charles. Moreover, Charles is looked upon as the +choice of the Catalans and Valencians, and why should the men of Arragon +take the king others have chosen? No, King Charles will doubtless be +received well because he appears as the enemy of the French; but you +will not find that the people of Arragon will make any great sacrifices +in his behalf. Let a French army enter our province again, every man +will rise in arms against it; but there will be little disposition to +raise troops to follow King Charles beyond the limits of the province. +Castile is strong for Philip; the jealousy there of the Catalans is even +greater than here, and the fact that Arragon will go with Catalonia and +Valencia will only render the Castilians more earnest in the cause of +Philip. There have been several skirmishes already between bands of our +Miquelets and those of Castile, and the whole country along the border +is greatly disturbed." + +"It is a pity that Spaniards cannot agree among themselves as to who +shall be king." + +"Ah, my son, but it will be very long yet before. Spaniards agree upon +any point. It is a mistake to think of us as one nation. We are half +a dozen nations under one king. If you are asked your nationality, +you reply an Englishman. If you ask a Spaniard, he will reply, I am +a Castilian or a Catalan, an Arragonese or Biscayan--never I am a +Spaniard. We hate each other as you Scotchmen and Englishmen hated each +other a hundred years back, and even now regard yourselves as different +peoples. What connection is there between the hardy mountaineer of the +northern provinces and the easygoing peasant of Valencia or Andalusia? +Nothing. Consequently, if one part of Spain declares for one man as a +king, you may be sure that the other will declare against him. + +"As long as we had great men, Spaniards, for our kings--and the descent +went in the regular way from father to son--things went smoothly, +because no pretender could have a shadow of claim. As between two +foreign princes, each man has a right to choose for himself. Were there +any Spaniard with a shadow of claim, all parties would rally round him; +but, unfortunately, this is not so; and I foresee an epoch of war and +trouble before the matter is settled. For myself, I tell you I would not +give that flask of wine were I able to put the crown upon the head of +one or other of these foreigners. Let whoever gets the crown govern well +and strongly, tax my villagers lightly, and interfere in no way with our +privileges, and I shall be well content, and such you will find is the +opinion of most men in Spain. And now, tell me if there is aught that I +can do for you. You say you must be on your way by daybreak. Tell me +in which direction you journey, and it will be hard if I cannot find +a friend there with whom my introduction will insure you a hearty +welcome." + +"If you can tell me where are the largest gatherings of Miquelets, I +can tell you which way I shall ride," Jack replied. "My mission is to +ascertain what aid the king can rely upon in this province." + +"Three days ago there were many thousands of men under arms," the priest +replied; "by tonight there will be less than as many hundreds. The day +Tesse crossed the frontier with his army the greater portion of the +bands went to their homes, and their arms will be laid aside until the +news comes that the French army is on its return from Barcelona. I +fancy there is but little chance of our seeing King Charles among us. +In another day or two Tesse will be before Barcelona; and joined, as he +will be there, by the French army marching down from Roussillon, he will +make quick work of that town, and King Charles will have the choice of +going to Valencia to be hunted shortly thence, or of sailing away again +from the country in your ships." + +"It would seem like it," Jack agreed; "but you are reckoning without the +Earl of Peterborough." + +"Your English general must be a wonder," the priest said, "a marvel; but +he cannot accomplish impossibilities. What can he do with two or +three thousand trained troops against twenty thousand veteran French +soldiers?" + +"I cannot tell what he will do," Jack laughed; "but you may rely upon +it that he will do something, and I would take fair odds that he will +somehow or other save Barcelona and rid Catalonia of its invaders." + +"That I judge to be altogether impossible," the priest replied. +"Anything that man could do I am ready to admit that your general +is capable of; but I do not judge this to be within the range of +possibilities. If you will take my advice, my son, you will not linger +here, but will ride for Valencia and embark on board your ships with him +when the time comes." + +"We shall see," Jack said, laughing. "I have faith in the improbable. It +may not be so very long before I drop in again to drink another flask +of your wine on my way through Arragon with King Charles on his march +toward Madrid." + +"If you do, my son, I will produce a bottle of wine to which this is +but ditch water. I have three or four stored away in my cellar which I +preserve for great occasions. They are the remains of the cellar of my +predecessor, as good a judge of wine as ever lived. It is forty years +since he laid them by, and they were, he said, the best vintage he had +ever come across. Had the good old man died ten years earlier, what +a heritage would have been mine! but in his later years he was not so +saving as it behooves a good man to be, and indulged in them on minor +occasions; consequently, but two dozen remained when I succeeded to the +charge twenty years ago. I, too, was not sufficiently chary of them to +begin with, and all but six bottles were drunk in the first ten years. +Since then I have been as stingy as a miser, and but two bottles have +been opened." + +"I hope, father, that you have laid in a similar supply for whomsoever +may come after you." + +"Surely I have, my son. Fifteen years ago I had a hogshead of the +finest vintage in the neighborhood bricked up in my cellar. I had an +inscription placed on the wall by which, should I be taken suddenly, my +successor may know of the store that awaits him. At present you would +not find the inscription did you search for it; for when those troubles +began I filled up the letters in the stone with mortar, and gave the +wall two or three coats of whitewash. I did not choose to run any risk +of my grand wine going down the throats of thirsty French soldiers. It +would be an act of sacrilege. When matters are settled, and we are at +peace again, I will pick out the mortar from the letters; but not till +then. I have often reflected since how short sighted it was not to have +stowed away another hogshead for my own consumption. It would have been +something to have looked forward to in my declining years." + +"Ah, father, who knows what may happen before that? The wall may fall +down, and then naturally you would wish to see whether the wine is in +as good a condition as it should be. Besides, you will say to yourself, +why, when my successor left me but a miserable two dozen of that grand +wine of his, should I bequeath a whole hogshead to him who may come +after me, and who, moreover, may be so bad a judge of wine that he will +value my treasure no more than an equal quantity of the rough country +vintage?" + +"Avaunt, tempter!" the priest said, laughing. "But," he added more +seriously, "you have frightened me. I never thought of that. I have +always pictured my successor as a man who would appreciate good wine +as I do myself. Truly, it would be a terrible misfortune did he not +do so--a veritable throwing of pearls before swine. Now that you have +presented this dreadful idea it will be ever in my mind. I shall no +longer think of my hogshead with unmixed satisfaction." + +"The idea is a terrible one, truly," Jack said gravely, "and to prevent +it I would advise you when the time of peace arrives to open your +cave, to bottle off your wine, and to secure its being appreciated by +indulging in it yourself on special occasions and holidays, taking care +always to leave a store equal to, or even superior to, that which you +yourself inherited." + +"I will think it over, my son, and it may be that I shall take your +advice. Such a misfortune as that which you have suggested is too +terrible to think of." + +"It is so, father, terrible indeed; and I feel confident that you will +do the best in your power to prevent the possibility of its occurrence. +Besides, you know, wine may be kept even too long. I judge you not to be +more than forty-five now; with so good a cook and so good a cellar you +may reasonably expect to live to the age of eighty; there is, therefore, +plenty of time for you to lay in another hogshead to mature for your +successor." + +The priest burst into a roar of laughter, in which Jack joined him. + +"Your reasoning powers are admirable," he said when he recovered his +gravity, "and you have completely convinced me. An hour ago if it had +been suggested to me that I should open that cellar I should have viewed +the proposal with horror; now it seems to me that it is the very best +thing that could be done for all parties, including the wine itself." + +There was some further chat as to the course which Jack would follow in +the morning, and he decided finally to ride to the borders of Castile +in order that he might learn as much as possible as to the feeling +of people in that province. Father Ignacio gave him a letter of +introduction to the priest in charge of a village a mile or two within +the border of Arragon, and the next morning Jack started at daybreak, +after a hearty adieu from his host, who insisted on rising to see him +off. + + + +CHAPTER XIV: A PRISONER + + +Jack, with his two troopers, rode away from the hospitable cottage of +the priest in high spirits. He determined to avoid Saragossa, as he +was not charged with any direct mission from the earl, and wished, +therefore, to avoid any official intercourse with the leaders of the +province. As soon as the marshal had marched, the people there had +risen, had driven out the small French garrison left, and had resumed +the management of their own affairs. Jack learned, however, that the +city had not formally declared for King Charles. As the priest had told +him would be the case, Jack encountered no bodies of armed men during +the day; the country had a peaceful aspect, the peasants were working +in the fields, and at the villages through which he passed the English +uniforms excited a feeling of curiosity rather than of interest. He +stopped at several of these and entered into conversation with the +inhabitants. He found everywhere an intense hatred of the French +prevailing, while but little interest was evinced in the respective +claims of Charles and Philip. + +After a very long ride he arrived, at nightfall, near the spot to which +he was bound. In this neighborhood he observed a greater amount of +watchfulness and preparation than had prevailed elsewhere. The men, for +the most part, remained in their villages, and went about armed. Jack +learned that an inroad by the Miquelets of Castile was deemed probable, +and that it was thought possible that another French force might follow +Tesse from Madrid to Barcelona. + +It was late in the evening before Jack reached his destination, where, +on his presenting his letter of introduction, he was most heartily +received by the priest. + +"Father Ignacio tells me," he said when he had read it, "that you are +not only to be welcomed as an officer of the great English general, but +that you are in every way deserving of friendship; he adds, too, that +you are a first rate judge of wine, and that you can be trusted as an +adviser upon knotty and difficult matters." + +Jack laughed. "I only gave the good father my advice upon two points," +he said; "the first was the admitting to terms of surrender of a body +of French troops with whom he was engaged in battle when I arrived; the +second was upon the important question of broaching or not broaching a +hogshead of particularly good wine." + +"If you advised that the hogshead should be broached," the priest said, +smiling, "I can warrant that my good brother Ignacio followed your +advice, and can well understand the respect in which he seems to hold +your judgment. But do not let us stand talking here. + +"Your men will find a stable behind the house where they can stand the +horses. Alas! it is uninhabited at present, for my mule, the gentlest +and best in the province, was requisitioned--which is another word for +stolen--by the French as they passed through. My faithful beast! I miss +her every hour of the day, and I doubt not that she misses me still +more sorely. Tell me, senor, my brother Ignacio writes me that he has +captured many animals from the French--was Margaretta among them? She +was a large mule, and in good condition; indeed, there was some flesh on +her bones. She was a dark chestnut with a white star on the forehead, +a little white on her fore feet, and white below the hocks on the hind +legs; she had a soft eye, and a peculiar twist in jerking her tail." + +The manner of the priest was so earnest that Jack repressed a smile with +difficulty. + +"I did notice among the mules in one of the wagons one marked somewhat +similarly to your description, and, if I mistake not, it, with another, +fell to the share of the good priest; but I cannot say that it had much +flesh upon its bones; indeed, it was in very poor case. Nor did I notice +that its eyes were particularly soft, or that there was any peculiarity +in the twitching of its tail." + +"It may be Margaretta," the priest said with some excitement; "the poor +beast would naturally lose flesh in the hands of the French, while as to +the switch in the tail, it was a sign of welcome which she gave me when +I took an apple or a piece of bread into her stable, and she would +not be likely so to greet strangers. I will lose no time in writing to +Ignacio to inquire further into the matter. Verily, it seems to me as if +the saint had sent you specially here as a bearer of this good news." + +Jack spent a pleasant evening with the priest, and learned much as +to the state of things upon the frontier. The priest represented the +Castilians as bitterly opposed to the claims of Charles; they had no +grievances against the French, who had behaved with strict discipline in +that province, and had only commenced their excesses upon crossing +the frontier into Arragon. This they regarded, though wrongfully, as a +hostile country; for, previous to their arrival, the people there had +taken no part either way in the struggle, but the overbearing manner +of Tesse, and the lax discipline of his troops, had speedily caused an +intense feeling of irritation. Resistance had been offered to foraging +parties of the French army, and the terrible vengeance which had been +taken by Tesse for these acts had roused the whole province in a flame +of insurrection. + +"There are several bodies of French cavalry across the frontier," the +priest said; "occasionally they make flying raids into Arragon, but, as +you see, the people are armed, and prepared, and ready to give them a +hot reception. The Castilians are like ourselves; if at any time an army +should march in this direction against Madrid, the Miquelets will oppose +them just as we should oppose the French, but they will not leave their +homes to interfere with us, for they know well enough that did they +do so we also should cross the line, and fire and destruction would +be carried through all the villages on both sides of the border. So +at present there is nothing to fear from Castile, but if your English +general were to drive the French out of the country, he would have hard +work ere he overcame the resistance of that province." + +Just as day was breaking the next morning Jack was aroused by shouts in +the streets, followed by the heavy trampling of horse. He sprang from +the bed and threw on his cloak; as he was buckling on his sword one of +the dragoons rushed into his room. + +"We are surrounded, sir! I have just looked out, and there are French +cavalry all round the house." + +As he spoke there was a tremendous knocking at the door. The priest ran +into the room. "We are betrayed," he said; "some one must have carried +away the news last night of your arrival here, and it has come to the +ears of the French cavalry on the other side. I ordered some men out +last night to watch the road across the border, but the enemy must have +ridden too fast for them to get here first." + +"It cannot be helped," Jack said; "you had best open the door, or they +will break it in in another minute. Make no resistance, lads," he said +to the dragoons, for the second orderly had now joined them; "lay your +swords down on the bed; we are caught this time, and must make our +escape when we can. It is better, anyhow, to have fallen into the hands +of the French than of the Spanish." + +The sound of the knocking had ceased now, and there was a trampling and +clamor of voices as the French soldiers poured into the house. Steps +were heard ascending the stairs, the door opened, and the priest, +accompanied by a French officer and followed by a number of soldiers, +entered the room. + +"You are my prisoner, sir," the French officer said. + +"I am afraid there is no doubt of that," Jack said, speaking in Spanish; +"here is my sword, sir. These two men are my orderlies, and, of course, +also surrender. You will observe that we are all in uniform, that we are +taken on the soil of Arragon, and that I am here in pursuance of my duty +as an officer of the English army." + +"You are alone?" the officer asked. + +"Yes," Jack said; "there are, so far as I know, no other British but +ourselves in Arragon." + +"Then we were misinformed," the officer said; "the news was received +last night that the Earl of Peterborough was himself here; and although +it was but in the afternoon that we had heard that your general was at +Valencia, his movements are so swift and erratic that, if we heard of +him in Portugal one hour we should not be surprised to find him here the +next." He stopped as shots were heard fired in the streets. + +"You must excuse ceremony, sir," he said, "and mount at once with your +men and accompany me. In ten minutes we shall have the whole country +buzzing round us like wasps; and now that the object of my ride is +accomplished, I don't wish to throw away my men's lives." + +The horses were saddled without loss of time, and in two or three +minutes Jack was trotting down the village in the midst of the French +cavalry amid a scathing fire from behind the houses and walls. + +The French officer rode at the head of his troop till well beyond the +village, then reining in his horse, joined his prisoner. + +"And now," he asked, "whom have I the honor of capturing?" + +"I am Captain Stilwell," Jack replied, "one of the Earl of +Peterborough's aides de camp." + +"I am Captain de Courcy," the French officer said; "happily, although +the French and English have taken opposite sides on this question, we +can esteem and honor each other as brave and civilized adversaries. As +for these Spanish scoundrels, they are no better than banditti; they +murder us in our beds, they poison our wine, they as often as not burn +us alive if we fall into their hands; they are savages, neither more nor +less; and why Philip of Anjou, who could have had all the pleasures of +life as a prince of the blood at Versailles, should covet the kingship +of this country, passes my understanding. And now tell me about that +paladin, your general. Peste, what a man! And you are one of his aides +de camp? Why, if he drags you about everywhere with him, you must lead +the life of a dog." + +"When I last heard of the general he was at Valencia," Jack said. "But +that was ten days since." + +"Ten days!" the Frenchman said; "then by now he may be in London, or in +Rome, or at Paris." + +"With the wind favoring him he might be at Rome, but he could scarcely +have arrived at either London or Paris." + +"There is no saying," the French officer laughed. "Has he not three +leagued boots, and can he not step from mountain to mountain? Does he +not fly through a storm on a broomstick? Can he not put on a cap and +make himself invisible? For I can tell you that our soldiers credit him +with all these powers. Can he not, by waving his hand, multiply three +hundred men into an army, spread them over a wide extent of country, and +then cause them to sink into the ground and disappear? Our soldiers are +convinced that he is in league with the evil one, even if he be not the +gentlemen in black himself." + +Jack joined in the laugh. "He is a wonderful man," he said, "though he +cannot do all you credit him with. But he is absolutely tireless, and +can do without sleep for any time; and yet to look at him no one would +think that he was in any way a strong man. He is small, thin, and worn +looking--in fact, almost insignificant in appearance, were it not for +his keen eye and a certain lofty expression of face. My post is no +sinecure, I can assure you, for the general expects all to be able to +do as well as himself. But with a chief who never spares himself all are +willing to do their best. Extreme as has been the labor of the troops, +severe as have been their hardships, you will never hear a grumble; the +men have most implicit confidence in him, and are ready to go anywhere +and do anything he orders them." + +"He is a marvel," the French officer said. "The way he took Barcelona, +and then, with a handful of men, hunted our armies out of Catalonia and +Valencia, was wonderful; and though it was at our cost, and not a little +to our discredit, there is not an officer in the army but admires your +general. Fortunately I was not in Barcelona when you laid siege to it, +but I was with Las Torres afterward when you were driving us about like +sheep. I shall never forget that time. We never knew when to expect an +attack, what force was opposed to us, or from what direction you would +come. I laugh now, but it was no joke then." + +Three hours' riding took them into the little town from which the French +cavalry had started in the middle of the night. On arriving there the +French officer at once sent off a trooper to Madrid, reporting the +prisoners he had taken, and forty-eight hours later he received orders +to himself conduct his prisoners to Madrid. + +Upon arriving there Jack was at once taken before the Duke of Berwick, +who received him courteously, and asked him many questions concerning +the force under the earl, the intentions of Barcelona to resist the +two French armies now hurrying before it. To these questions Jack gave +cautious answers. As to matters concerning which he was sure that the +French must have accurate information, he replied frankly. Fortunately +he was, as he truly said, in entire ignorance as to the plans of the +earl, and as to Barcelona, he knew nothing whatever of what had taken +place there from the day when he suddenly left with Peterborough. + +"I would place you on your parole with pleasure," the duke said, "but I +tell you frankly that in the present excited state of public feeling +I do not think it will be safe for you to move through the streets +unprotected. So many of our officers have been murdered in Saragossa +and other places that the lower class of Spaniards would think it a +meritorious action to take vengeance on an English officer. Of course I +am well aware that the English have nothing to do with these atrocities, +but the people in general are not able to draw nice distinctions. I +shall send you to France on the first opportunity, to remain there till +exchanged." + +"Thank you, sir," Jack said; "I should prefer not being put on my +parole, for I shall certainly escape if I have the opportunity. I should +tell you, sir, that I have ridden through Arragon, and though I do not +wish to excuse the murders perpetrated by the Spaniards, I must tell +you that I cannot blame them; for, horrible as are their deeds, they are +simply acts of retaliation for the abominable atrocities which +Marshal Tesse allows and encourages his troops to perpetrate upon the +population. I have the highest respect, sir, for the French nation, +but if I were the Earl of Peterborough, and Marshal Tesse fell into my +hands, I would hand him over to the Spaniards to be torn in pieces as he +deserves." + +"You speak boldly, sir," the duke said sternly. + +"I feel what I say, sir," Jack replied. "I think it well that you, +a general high in command under the French king, should know the +atrocities perpetrated in his name by this man upon defenseless people. +I could tell you, sir, a score of stories which I heard in Arragon, +although I was but two days there, of massacre and murder which would +make your blood run cold. I confess that personally I have no greater +interest in King Charles than in King Philip. I have seen so much of +the Austrian and his advisers that I believe that if the Earl of +Peterborough were to seat him on his throne here tomorrow, he would be +driven from the country a fugitive before many weeks were over; but in +the same way I am convinced that Philip of Anjou will never be accepted +by the Spanish as their king if his cause be stained by such atrocities +as those carried out by Marshal Tesse in his name." + +The duke then asked Jack if he had any objections to state the +particular object for which he was sent into Arragon by his general; and +Jack was glad to be able to say truthfully that the earl knew nothing +of his being there, he having sent him simply to assist the Count of +Cifuentes in barring the advance of the French army into Catalonia, and +that when he had carried out that order he had ridden into Arragon on +his own account, in order that he might, on his return to the earl, be +able to give him an accurate description of the state of affairs in that +province. + +"Then so far as you know, Captain Stilwell, the Earl of Peterborough +is still at Valencia, and has no intention of leaving that province at +present." + +"I can say truly, sir, that so far as I know the general had no +intention of leaving Valencia; but as his decisions are generally taken +instantaneously, and are a surprise to all about him, I should be sorry +to assert that the earl remained in Valencia a quarter of an hour after +I quitted the city." + +"It matters little," the duke said, "the affair is rapidly approaching +an end. Barcelona must surrender as soon as Tesse and the Duke de +Noailles appear before it; the breaches are open, and there are not +a thousand men in garrison. Barcelona once fallen, the cause of the +Austrian is lost. Your general is already watched by an army four times +as strong as his own, and the twenty thousand men under the marshal will +compel him to take to his ships, and will stamp out the last embers +of the insurrection. You agree with me, do you not?" he asked as Jack +remained silent. + +"Well, sir, it seems that it must be as you say, and I have only to +reply that you have not reckoned upon the Earl of Peterborough. What he +will do I do not pretend to say, but knowing him as I do, I can say that +he will give you trouble. I don't think that anything can be considered +as a certainty in which you have the Earl of Peterborough to reckon +with." + +"He is a great man," the duke said--"a great man, and has performed +marvels; but there is a limit to the possibilities which one man can +perform, and here that limit is passed. I shall give orders, Captain +Stilwell, that your imprisonment is made as little disagreeable as +possible, and that you have everything you require." + +Jack expressed his thanks and retired. On leaving the room he was again +taken charge of by Captain do Courcy and four of his troopers, and was +conducted by him to the citadel. + +The quarters assigned to Jack were by no means uncomfortable. A good +meal was placed before him, and after he had finished it the governor +of the citadel called upon him and told him that he was at liberty to go +where he would within the walls, and that any wishes he might express +he would do his best to comply with. Jack at once availed himself of his +liberty by going out into the courtyard and thence on to the walls of +the citadel. It was a strongly fortified and gloomy building, which has +now ceased to exist. It covered a considerable portion of ground, and +had at one time been a royal residence; the walls were strong and high, +and sentries were placed on them at short intervals. + +Jack saw at once there was little possibility of escape thence, and +decided that he might as well abandon any idea of evasion for the +present, and would trust to luck in escaping from his escort on the road +to the frontier, or, if no opportunity then presented itself, from his +prison in France. A week after his arrival he was surprised by being +told that an officer wished to see him, and a minute later Major Ferre +entered the apartment. + +"I only arrived an hour ago," he said, "and learned that you were +prisoner here. Who would have thought when we parted last, and you +gave me my liberty, that on my arrival here I should find that you had +already been a week a prisoner? Horses' legs move faster than men's, you +see." + +"It is the fortune of war," Jack said, smiling. "I am glad to see that +you got out of Arragon safely." + +"It was thanks to your seeing that we were provided with ammunition," +the major said. "The peasants swarmed round us hotly more than once, and +it was the fact that we had our arms and were ready to use them, quite +as much as my assurances that we were prisoners on parole, and had +promised not to serve in Spain until exchanged, that kept them from +making an attack upon us; as it was we nearly came to blows several +times. I marched that day till the men were ready to drop, and camped at +a distance from a road in a lonely place. I dared not scatter my men +in a village. The next day we kept steadily on and crossed the frontier +into Castile, pretty well worn out, just at nightfall. I had to give my +men two days' halt before we could go further, and we have since come by +easy stages, which accounts for your being here so long before us. And +now, is there anything that I can do for you? If there is, command my +service to the utmost. I shall see the duke this afternoon, and shall +tell him that I and my party are indebted to you for our lives. It is +well for me that he is in command here instead of the marshal; he is a +gentleman, and will respect the parole I gave for myself and my men; +if it had been Tesse I might have had trouble, for as likely as not he +would have scoffed at my promise, and ordered me and my men back to the +front again, and then I should have been placed in a nice fix." + +"The best thing you could do for me," Jack said, "would be to suggest +to the marshal that he should exchange me against you. If he will let +me take my two troopers I would throw in all your men. There will be no +occasion to arrange it with our general; you gave your word to me, and +I can give it you back again. As I am of no use to him, and you are, I +should think he would consent." + +"I should think so too," Major Ferre said, "and should be delighted, on +both our accounts, if it could be managed." + +Three hours later the major returned in high spirits. + +"I have arranged the matter," he said, "and we are both free men. You +can't stir out of here at present, because it would not be safe for +you to go about Madrid; but I have orders to march tomorrow morning, +in command of a convoy, to join Las Torres outside Valencia, so you can +ride with me till we get near the town, and then join your people." + +Jack was delighted, and the next morning set out with the convoy. His +appearance, as he rode by the side of Major Ferre with his two orderlies +behind him, excited the greatest surprise and curiosity in the various +towns and villages through which they passed. The journey was a pleasant +one, Major Ferre exerting himself in every way to make it as pleasant +as possible. After four days' journey the convoy arrived within sight +of Valencia. When they came to a place where the roads forked the major +said: + +"That is your way, my dear Stilwell. I hope that some day the fortunes +of war will throw us together again, in some pleasant position where +we can renew our friendship. Two miles on is a ford across the river, +where, as the peasants tell me, two of your vedettes are posted; another +hour's ride will take you to Valencia." + +With a hearty goodby on both sides, Jack and his two dragoons rode off, +and soon astonished the English vedettes by their appearance on the +opposite bank of the river. A few words in English convinced the +soldiers that it was no trick that was being played with them, and Jack +rode across the ford and then galloped on to Valencia. + +"Well, Captain Stilwell," the earl said as Jack entered his apartment, +"what news do you bring me from Barcelona? I hear that Tesse has +invested the town." + +"My last news is from Madrid, general," Jack said; "I have had to stay a +week in that city." + +And he then proceeded to relate the series of events which had happened +from the time he joined the Count of Cifuentes. + +"I know I exceeded my duty, general," he said when he finished, "in +going up into Arragon without orders; but I felt that I was of little +use with the count, who handles the Miquelets well, and I thought that +you would be glad of trustworthy information of the state of feeling in +Arragon, and perhaps of Castile." + +"You were quite right," the earl said, "and have done exceedingly +well. Yours has been an adventure after my own heart, and you have just +arrived here in time, for I am on the point of starting to do what I can +to harass the besiegers of Barcelona." + + + +CHAPTER XV: THE RELIEF OF BARCELONA + + +Although for months it was evident that the French were preparing to +make a great effort to recapture Barcelona, Charles and his German +advisers had done nothing whatever to place the city in the position to +resist a siege. The fortifications remained just as they had been when +Peterborough had captured the city. The breaches which had been made by +the English cannon were still open, and even that in the all important +citadel of Montjuich remained as it had been left by the explosion of +the magazine. + +Not until Tesse was pressing down from Lerida and de Noailles from +Roussillon did the king awake to his danger. Orders were sent out to +recall all the troops who were within reach, the country people were set +to work collecting provisions, and the king made an urgent appeal to +the citizens to aid in repairing the fortifications. The appeal was +responded to; the whole male population took up arms, even priests and +friars enrolling themselves in the ranks. The women and children were +formed into companies, and all Barcelona labored in carrying materials +and in repairing the breaches. The king had received a letter from +Peterborough proposing the plan of which he had spoken to his aides de +camp, and which, had it been carried out, would have changed the fate +of Spain. His suggestion was that Charles should at once make his way by +sea to Portugal, which, as the blockade had not then commenced, he could +have easily done, there to put himself at the head of the allied army, +twenty-six thousand strong, and march straight upon Madrid. This could +have been done with a certainty of success, for the west of Spain and +the capital had been denuded of troops for the invasion of Catalonia and +Valencia, and no more than two thousand men could have been collected to +oppose the invaders. + +"If your majesty will undertake to do this," wrote the earl, "I will +undertake to maintain the province here, and perhaps to open a way to +Madrid." + +But now, as before, this bold but really safe counsel was overruled by +Charles' German courtiers and he resolved to remain in Barcelona and +wait a siege. + +As soon as Peterborough received the answer, he left a small garrison in +Valencia, and marched away with all the force he could collect, which, +however, numbered only two thousand foot and six hundred horse, while +de Noailles had no less than twenty thousand gathered round Barcelona. +Peterborough moved rapidly across the country, pushing forward at +the utmost speed of the troops till he arrived within two leagues of +Barcelona, and took up a strong position among the mountains, where he +was at once joined by the Count of Cifuentes and his peasant army. + +"Ah, count," the earl said as he rode into his camp, "I am glad to see +you again. You did not succeed in stopping Tesse, but by all accounts +you mauled him handsomely. And now, what are our prospects?" + +"Indeed, sir, they are not over bright, and I do not see that we can +effect much to aid the king. My men will fight well enough, as Captain +Stilwell has witnessed, when they choose their position and shoot behind +shelter, but they would be of no use whatever in a regular action; and +as to advancing into the plain to give battle with you against twenty +thousand regular troops, they would not attempt it, even if you were to +join your orders to mine." + +"We will not ask them, count," Peterborough said. "I know the Miquelets +by this time. They are admirable for irregular war, but worse than +useless for anything else. All we will ask of them, count, is to scatter +in strong bodies over the hills, to guard every road, and cut off any +parties of the enemy who may venture to go out to gather provisions or +forage. If they can manage occasionally to threaten an attack upon the +French camp, so much the better." + +The next morning a strong body of the French took post round Montjuich, +and at nine o'clock a force of infantry, supported by two squadrons of +horse, attempted to carry the western outworks by storm. This was the +weakest part of the citadel, and was manned by only a hundred men of +Colonel Hamilton's regiment, who had arrived the night before, having in +two days ridden seventy miles on mules. + +As the French advanced they received them with great determination, +and poured in so sharp a fire that the assailants speedily retired with +considerable loss. As they fell back the English threw up their caps and +raised loud shouts, which so exasperated the enemy that they reformed +and returned several times to the assault, but only to be repulsed as +on their first attempt. This was a sharp check to the French, who had +expected to find the place guarded only by the usual garrison of forty +Spaniards. + +When the sound of firing was heard in the town the whole garrison turned +out and marched to support Montjuich, only twelve men being left behind +for a guard to the king. This repulse of the first attempt of the enemy +raised the spirits of the townsmen, and bands of them ventured beyond +the walls, and, sheltering in the gardens and groves, maintained a +strong fire upon the French. + +Finding that Barcelona was not to be taken as easily as they had +expected, the French generals extended their camp so as to completely +surround the town. On their side the citizens were not inactive, and, +sallying out, managed to cut off and drive in a flock of seven hundred +of the enemy's sheep and twelve of their mules. + +The following night the besieged sustained a severe loss by the +treacherous surrender, by its commander, of Fort Redonda, which stood +on the seashore and commanded the landing. The enemy at once profited by +this advantage and began landing their provisions, guns, and ammunition. +This misfortune was, however, balanced by the enterprise of Brigadier +Generals Lord Donegal and Sentiman, with two English and two newly +raised Catalan battalions. They received the king's orders to return +to Barcelona too late to reach the town before its investment, but now +managed, under cover of night, to elude the enemy and enter the city in +safety. + +When the enemy received news of the success of this attempt they closed +in their left wing to the eastward, in hopes of preventing further +reinforcements from entering the town. But they had not reckoned upon +the Earl of Peterborough, who had received news that the garrison of +Gerona, after evacuating that town on the approach of the army of the +Duke de Noailles, had embarked in small boats and were about to attempt +a landing near Barcelona, on the north side. On the receipt of the +news he started as night fell with his whole force from his camp in the +mountains, and having, after a march of nearly twenty miles, arrived at +the spot named for the debarkation just as the boats were nearing the +shore, and having escorted the Gerona men past the enemy's outpost +and into the town, without the loss of a man, he again retired to the +mountains. These accessions of strength raised the force of troops in +the besieged town to upward of three thousand. + +The next day a case of treason was discovered among the Spaniards in the +garrison of Montjuich. A boy confessed that he had been hired by one +of these men to put out all the gun matches, and to throw the priming +powder out of the matchlocks that night. He was told to do this on the +weakest side of the works, where the attack would probably be made. + +The discovery of this intended treason, following so closely on that at +Fort Redonda, excited suspicions of the loyalty of the Spanish Governor +of Montjuich, and he was superseded and the Earl of Donegal appointed to +the command. For the next six days the French continued to raise battery +after battery around Montjuich. Lord Donegal made some gallant sallies +and several times drove the besiegers from their works, but in each case +they returned in such overwhelming force that he was obliged to abandon +the positions he had won and to fall back into the citadel. + +The Miquelets, of whom there were many in the town, aided the besieged +by harassing the French. Every night they stole into their camp, +murdered officers in their tents, carried off horses, slew sentries, and +kept the enemy in a perpetual state of watchfulness. + +At eight o'clock on the morning of the 15th of April the besiegers made +a furious attack on the western outwork of Montjuich, having ascertained +that it was defended only by a party of one of the newly raised Spanish +regiments. They captured the post without difficulty, the Spaniards +flying at the first assault, but on the inner ramparts they were met by +Donegal and his grenadiers, and a desperate struggle took place which +lasted for two hours. + +The English fought with the greatest obstinacy, and frequently flung +back among their assailants the grenades which the latter showered among +them, before they had time to explode, Lord Donegal himself setting the +men the example. But though able to prevent the French from advancing +further, the English could not recover the outpost which the Spaniards +had abandoned, and the French formed intrenchments and mounted a battery +upon it. + +In spite of the continued fire which the besiegers now poured in upon +it from all sides, Lord Donegal held out bravely. The little force under +his command was much reduced in numbers, and so worn out by constant +exertion and loss of sleep that men frequently fell asleep while under +arms under the heaviest fire. The besiegers were not idle in other +directions. Several mortar vessels moved close in shore and threw shells +into the town, while the batteries poured in red hot shot. This spread +great alarm throughout the town. The people could be hardly induced to +continue working on the defenses, and many took refuge in cellars or +in the churches. Ammunition began to fail, and despair was taking +possession of the defenders, when, at two o'clock in the morning of the +21st, a galley ran safely into the harbor bearing a supply of powder and +encouraging messages from Lord Peterborough. + +Three days later he managed to throw a body of Neapolitan troops into +the town, embarking them in boats at Matero, a small port a few miles to +the northeast of the town. He sent them close along the shore in order +to pass the enemy's fleet, if possible, unobserved. They found, however, +that a line of boats had been drawn across the harbor to blockade the +entrance. They attacked the boats, and after a sharp fight, which lasted +over an hour, four hundred men succeeded in forcing their way through, +and the rest returned to Matero in safety. + +Peterborough now determined to endeavor to relieve the town by the +desperate expedient of attacking the enemy's camp with his little force. +In order to do this with any prospect of success it was necessary to +warn the king of his intentions, so that the garrison of the town could +issue out and attack the enemy at the same moment from their side. He +committed the dispatch to Captain Graham, who succeeded in making his +way through the enemy's lines to the city. The king agreed to join in a +combined attack, and, having arranged all his plans, gave the dispatch +to Graham to carry back to the earl. + +On the way out he was less successful than he had been in entering. He +was seized upon by a body of French before he could destroy the paper. +Tesse was accordingly warned of the earl's plans, and at the hour +appointed for the attack drew up his army in order of battle. +Peterborough was ready to advance, and the besieged were all in arms on +the ramparts, but seeing that the enemy were fully prepared the project +was abandoned, and the troops returned to their quarters. + +But the fall of Montjuich was at hand. The besiegers secretly massed +a large force in the trenches. At midday on the 22d a salvo of four +mortars gave the signal. The French rushed in with loud shouts and +effected a complete surprise. Before the troops could get under arms two +bastions were captured. + +So sudden was the affair that many of the English officers, hearing the +firing, ran out from the keep, and seeing some foreign troops drawn up +in the works joined them, concluding that they were Dutch, and were +only undeceived by finding themselves taken prisoners. The men were so +confused by the loss of many of the officers that, had the French pushed +in at once, they would have been able to carry the main body of the +works with but little resistance. They halted, however, in the bastions +they had won. The next morning the people of Barcelona, headed by their +priests, sallied out to effect the relief of Montjuich, but were easily +driven back by the besiegers. The little garrison of the castle sallied +out to meet their friends, but when these retreated to the town they had +to fight their way back to the castle, which they regained with great +difficulty, the gallant Earl of Donegal and many of his officers being +killed. + +Finding that their position was now desperate, the remnant of the +British troops abandoned the castle they had so stoutly defended, and +succeeded in making their way safely into the city. Tesse now pushed on +the siege of the town with vigor. Batteries of heavy guns were raised +opposite the newly mended breaches, and so close did he plant his guns +to the walls that the artillery of the besieged could not be depressed +sufficiently to play upon them, while so heavy a fire of infantry +was kept up upon the walls that their defenders were unable to reply +effectively with their musketry. + +The walls crumbled rapidly, and the defenders busied themselves +in raising inner defenses behind the breaches. Had the French been +commanded by an enterprising general there is little doubt that they +could have carried the town by assault, but Tesse, in his over caution, +waited until success was a certainty. The alarm in Barcelona was great, +and the king sent messenger after messenger to Peterborough to urge him +to come to his relief; but, daring as was the earl when he considered +success to be possible, he would not venture his little force upon +an enterprise which was, he felt, hopeless, and he knew that the only +possible relief for the city was the arrival of the English fleet. + +Early in March Admiral Sir John Leake and Baron Wassenaer had sailed +from Lisbon with the combined fleet in accordance with Peterborough's +orders; but the wind was contrary, and it was fully six weeks after +starting that they reached the Straits, where they were joined by +Captain Price with a small squadron, on board of which were two English +regiments. It was not until the 24th of April that they sailed from +Gibraltar. + +On reaching Altea they received news that another squadron had sailed +from Lisbon to join them, and in spite of the warm remonstrances of +General Stanhope, who commanded the troops on board, the Dutch and +English admirals determined to await the arrival of the reinforcements +before sailing to give battle to the fleet of the Count of Toulouse +before Barcelona. + +On the 3d of April Sir George Byng arrived at Altea with some ships +from Ireland, and the next day Commodore Walker, with the squadron from +Lisbon, also arrived; but the wind was now contrary, and although the +fleet set sail, for three days they made no progress whatever, and each +hour so wasted rendered the position of the besieged at Barcelona more +and more desperate. While lying at Altea General Stanhope had sent a +message to Lord Peterborough telling him that he would use every means +in his power to hasten Sir John Leake's movements, and that he would +give him timely notice of the approach of the fleet. + +He said that as it was of the utmost importance that the enemy should +remain in ignorance of the approaching succors, his messenger should +carry only a half sheet of blank paper, so that if he were taken by the +enemy they would learn nothing from his dispatch. When the fleet +sailed he sent off a second messenger, who got safely to the earl, and +delivered his blank dispatch. With the exception of his aide de camp, +who was always in his confidence, he told no one the meaning of this +blank dispatch, and his officers were surprised when orders were issued +for the little army at once to prepare for a night march. Officers +and men had, however, most implicit confidence in their general, and, +doubting not that some daring enterprise was at hand, they started in +high spirits. + +All through the night they marched in a southwesterly direction over the +hills, and at daybreak reached the little seaport of Sitjes, some seven +leagues from Barcelona. Ordering the wearied soldiers to encamp behind +some low hills, the indefatigable general rode with Jack Stilwell into +the little port, and at once, by offering large rewards, set the sailors +and fishermen at work to collect the boats, barges, and fishing smacks +along the neighboring coast, and to bring them to Sitjes. + +In two days he had succeeded in collecting a sufficient number to carry +the whole force. The news of the work upon which the general was engaged +soon spread among the force and caused the greatest astonishment. Jack +Stilwell was overwhelmed with questions as to the intentions of the +general. + +"What on earth are we going to do next, Stilwell?" one of the colonels +said to him. "We are all ready, you know, to do anything that the chief +bids us, but for the life of us no one can make this business out. The +only possible thing seems to be that the chief intends to attack the +French fleet, and desperate as many of his exploits have been, they +would be as nothing to that. Even the earl could surely not expect that +fifteen hundred men in fishing boats and barges could attack a fleet of +some thirty men of war. The idea seems preposterous, and yet one does +not see what else he can have got in his head." + +"Of course, colonel," Jack said, laughing, "you do not expect me to tell +you what are the general's plans. You may be quite sure that, whatever +they are, there is nothing absolutely impossible about them, for you +know that although the general may undertake desperate things, he never +attempts anything that has not at least a possibility of success; in +fact, as you know, he has never yet failed in any enterprise that he has +undertaken." + +"That is true enough," the colonel said; "and yet for the life of me +I cannot make out what else he can be thinking of. Certainly to attack +Toulouse would be madness, and yet there is no one else to attack." + +"Well, colonel, I can only say that time will show, and I don't think +you will have to wait very long before you know as much about it as I +do." + +Jack was right in this, for on the night of the second day the earl +called his officers together, and informed them that he was waiting +to join the English fleet, which might at any moment come in sight. As +hitherto nothing had been known about the arrival of reinforcements, the +news excited the greatest joy. The earl had hoped that at daybreak the +fleet would be in sight, and as soon as it was light he mounted a hill +which gave him a wide view over the sea, but to his deep disappointment +not a sail appeared above the horizon. Knowing the desperate state of +the garrison at Barcelona, and that at any hour he might receive +news that an assault had been delivered and the city captured, +his disappointment at the delay in the appearance of the fleet was +unbounded. + +The roar of the distant guns around Barcelona came distinctly to his +ears, and he was almost wild with impatience and anxiety. On reaching +the shore again he found that a fast sailing felucca had just come in +from Barcelona. She had managed to evade the blockading fleet, and bore +an urgent letter from the king, praying Peterborough to come to his +assistance. The earl did not hesitate a moment, but determined to set +sail at once to find the fleet, and to bring it on to Barcelona with all +speed. + +The astonishment and dismay of his officers at the news that their +general was about to leave them and embark on such an enterprise were +very great, but the earl explained to the leaders the reasons for his +anxiety to gain the fleet. His commission appointed him to the command +at sea as well as on land, and on joining the fleet he would be its +admiral in chief. He feared that at the sight of so powerful an armament +the Count of Toulouse would at once decline battle and make for France. +He determined, therefore, to advance only with a force considerably +inferior to that of the French, in which case Toulouse, rather than +abandon the siege of Barcelona just when success seemed assured, would +sail out and give battle. + +Should he do so the earl, however inferior his force, had no doubts as +to obtaining victory. Accompanied only by Jack Stillwell and by Captain +Humphrey, who had taken the place of Graham, he embarked on board the +little felucca and put to sea. The weather was cold and stormy, and the +master of the boat did not like putting out far from shore; but the earl +was peremptory, and the felucca stood well out to sea. Night came on +without any signs of the fleet being discovered. The hours of darkness +passed slowly, for the boat was undecked and afforded no shelter, and +the heavy seas which broke over her kept all on board wetted to the +skin. + +At daybreak, to their great joy, they perceived a British man of war +approaching. They at once made for her, and found she was the Leopard, +commanded by Captain Price. The astonishment of that officer, and of all +on board, was unbounded at being boarded at break of day almost out of +sight of land from an open boat by the admiral of all the fleets. The +earl's stay on board was but a short one. As soon as he had learned the +whereabout of the rest of the fleet, and given instructions to Captain +Price, he again embarked in the felucca, and sailed for Sitjes. + +The joy of the troops was great at the return of their general, for the +night had been so stormy that there were great fears for his safety; but +he was not to remain with them long, for, having given orders that the +whole disposable force, about fourteen hundred men, should embark in the +boats before daybreak next morning, and follow the fleet to Barcelona, +he again with his aides de camp took his place in the felucca and sailed +for the fleet. + +In the middle of the night he came across them, and boarding the Prince +George, hoisted his flag as admiral of the fleet on the maintop, and +took the command. He then sent a boat to Sir John Leake to acquaint +him with his orders and intentions, and another boat to advise General +Stanhope of his arrival; but the darkness delayed the delivery of these +messages till nearly morning, and when day appeared the whole fleet was +amazed at seeing the flag of the admiral in chief flying on the Prince +George. The wind was strong and favorable, and the fleet crowded on +all sail; but when within about eighteen miles of Barcelona one of +the French lookout ships sighted them, and made a signal to a consort +further along. She in turn passed on the news until it reached the +Count of Toulouse, who, without waiting to ascertain the strength of +the approaching squadron, at once signaled to his fleet to weigh anchor, +and, putting to sea, sailed for France. + +The disappointment of the earl was great, as he had fully calculated +upon gaining a great naval battle in sight of the city he had come to +relieve. On the afternoon of the 8th of May the leading vessels anchored +off Barcelona, and preparations were at once made for the landing of the +troops. The first to set foot on shore were the earl's veteran troops, +who had according to his orders accompanied the fleet from Sitjes. The +succor was welcome, indeed; the breaches were no longer defensible, and +an assault was hourly expected. The king himself came down to receive +the earl and his army; the city went wild with joy. + +For a few days the French made a show of carrying on the siege. They +were still enormously superior in force; but the energy and skill of +Peterborough counterbalanced the inequality. He worked day and night +in superintending the works of defense, and in placing the troops in +readiness for the expected assault. Philip and many of his officers +were still in favor of an attack upon the city; but Tesse as usual was +opposed to anything like vigorous measures, and his views were adopted +by a council of war. + +At one o'clock on the morning of the 11th of May the besiegers broke +up their camp, and in great confusion made their way toward the French +frontier, for Tesse preferred even the ignominy of falling back into +France with his unsuccessful and dispirited army to retracing his steps +toward Saragossa, where his devastations and cruelty had caused the +whole population to rise in insurrection as soon as his army had passed +into Catalonia. Besides which, he had received news that Peterborough +had caused every pass and town on his way to the west to be fortified +and held by the Miquelets. Philip accompanied the retreating army to +Roussillon. The downfall of his hopes had been utter and complete. But +a few weeks before it had seemed that Spain was his, and that the forces +at his disposal were ample to crush out the insurrection in Barcelona, +and to sweep into the sea the handful of the invaders. But all his plans +had been baffled, all his hopes brought to naught by the genius and +energy of one man, in spite of that man being thwarted at every turn by +the imbecile German coterie who surrounded the king, and by the jealousy +and ill will of his fellow generals. + +Bad news met the fugitive at Roussillon. There he heard that his +countrymen had suffered a disastrous defeat at Ramillies; that nearly +all the Netherlands had been wrested from France; that a heavy defeat +had been inflicted upon her at Turin, and that Italy was well nigh lost. +It needed, indeed, but the smallest amount of unanimity, enterprise, and +confidence on the part of the advisers and generals of King Charles to +have placed him securely and permanently upon the throne of Spain. + +When the flight of the besieging army was discovered after daybreak by +the besieged, they poured out from Barcelona into the deserted camp. All +the ordnance and stores of the French had been abandoned. Two hundred +heavy brass guns, thirty mortars, and a vast quantity of shot, shells, +and intrenching tools, three thousand barrels of powder, ten thousand +sacks of corn, and a vast quantity of provisions and stores were found +left behind in the camp. Tesse had left, too, all his sick and wounded +with a letter to the Earl of Peterborough begging him to see that they +were well cared for. + +The news of the hasty retreat of Marshal Tesse from before Barcelona +caused a shock of surprise throughout Europe. In France it had never +been doubted that Barcelona would fall, and as to the insurrection, it +was believed that it could be trampled out without difficulty by +the twenty-five thousand French veterans whom the marshal had at +his disposal. As to the handful of British troops whose exploits had +occasioned such astonishment, none had supposed for a moment that they +would be able to effect anything when opposed to so overwhelming a force +of the disciplined troops of France. + +Peterborough himself had hardly hoped to save Barcelona, but, unlike +his enemies, he had not considered that the fall of that city would +necessarily entail the final defeat of the cause for which he fought. +While busying himself with the marches and achievements of the troops +under his command, he had never ceased to take measures to provide for +the future. His marches and counter marches had made him thoroughly +acquainted with the country, and he had won the entire confidence of the +people. + +He had, therefore, taken measures that even if Barcelona fell Philip +should not march back again to his capital. From the day Tesse advanced +he had had thousands of the country people at work, under the direction +of a few of his own officers, rendering each of the three roads by which +the French army could march from Barcelona to Madrid impracticable. +Gorges were blocked with vast masses of rock rolled down from the +mountain side at spots where the road wound along on the face of +precipices; and where it had only been made by blasting, it was by +similar means entirely destroyed. Bridges were broken down, every castle +and town on the lines of retreat placed in a state of defense, and the +cattle and provisions driven off to places of safety. + +Thus while the earl was himself engaged in the most perilous adventures, +he neglected nothing that the most prudent and cautious general could +have suggested to insure the success of his plans. Even when affairs +looked most unpromising in Barcelona the earl wrote cheerfully to the +Duke of Savoy, saying that the circumstances were much better than +were generally supposed; and that the French officers, ignorant of the +situation of the country, would be astonished at the difficulties that +would be opposed to them on advancing even after success; and that if +the siege were raised they would be forced to abandon Spain, while all +the western frontier would be clear for the progress of Lord Galway and +Das Minas to Madrid. + +A few days after the retreat of Marshal Tesse, to Jack's great pleasure +Graham came into Barcelona. He had, in the confusion of the retreat, had +little difficulty in slipping away from his captors. His only danger had +been from the peasantry, at whose hands he had narrowly escaped death, +as they took him for a French officer; but, upon being convinced by his +assurances that he was an Englishman and an aide de camp of the Earl of +Peterborough, they had provided him with a horse to make his way back to +Barcelona. + + + +CHAPTER XVI: INGRATITUDE + + +Barcelona rescued, Peterborough at once urged the king to march upon +Madrid and have himself proclaimed king in his capital. There was no +force which could oppose his advance, and Lord Galway and the Portuguese +could move unresisted from the west and meet him there. But it was a +long time before Charles and his counselors would listen to his advice; +and although at last they agreed to follow it, their resolution was +short. In the first place, they determined to leave so large a force +to garrison Catalonia that the army available for the advance on Madrid +would be very seriously weakened--fifteen hundred English and eleven +hundred Spaniards were to be left at Barcelona, sixteen hundred English +and Dutch and fifteen hundred Spanish at Gerona, eight hundred and fifty +Spanish and Dutch at Lerida, and five hundred Spanish at Tortosa. + +This left but sixty-five hundred men available for service in the field, +and even this number was subsequently diminished by the vacillating +Charles to forty-five hundred. + +As Peterborough wrote to Lord Halifax: "We have saved kingdoms in spite +of the king, who would abandon them, and we have waged more dangerous +war with ministers than with enemies. Lord Galway and the Portuguese +generals pass all understanding." + +No wonder the earl was astounded by the incompetence of Lord Galway and +the Portuguese generals. They had twenty thousand men, while to oppose +them there were but five thousand under the Duke of Berwick; and yet +after entering Spain they fell back, without doing anything, into +Portugal--their retreat beginning on the 11th of May, the day on which +Philip retreated from Barcelona. So that on the opposite side of Spain +two large armies simultaneously retired before others vastly weaker than +themselves. When the news of Tesse's retreat to France reached Portugal +they again advanced. Berwick was too weak to oppose them, and on the +25th of June the advance guard of the allies occupied Madrid, and there +proclaimed Charles as king. + +Had Galway and his colleagues now shown the slightest energy, and moved +against Berwick's little force, with which was Philip himself, they +could have driven them across the frontier without striking a blow, +and the French cause would have been lost in Spain; but, having reached +Madrid, they remained there doing absolutely nothing--leaving ample +time to Philip to repair his misfortunes, receive aid from France, and +recommence the campaign with vigor. As Peterborough wrote indignantly to +General Stanhope: "Their halt is as fatal as was Hannibal's at Capua." + +As soon as the movement upon Madrid had been decided upon, Peterborough +sailed with the English and Dutch infantry to Valencia, where he was +received with enthusiasm by the inhabitants. He at once set to work to +raise a regiment of dragoons, and organized them in three weeks. The +very day they were mounted he marched them upon Castile. During this +time not only had Lord Galway made no movement, but he had joined in +the German intrigue by which Charles was induced to abandon the plan of +marching to his capital under the escort of Peterborough. + +The allied generals at Madrid were indeed basely jealous of the +brilliant conqueror of Catalonia and Valencia. His deeds had thrown +theirs entirely into the shade. With utterly insufficient means he had +done everything; with ample means they had effected nothing, and had +only been enabled to enter Madrid by the fact that he had drawn off the +army which had successfully opposed them. + +After incessant labor in organizing his force, the earl sent two +thousand men, under the command of Lieutenant General Wyndham, to +besiege the towns of Requena and Cuenca--two places of some strength +which blocked the road between Valencia and Madrid. + +Wyndham easily accomplished the task; and the road being thus secured, +Peterborough wrote to Charles that "nothing remained to hinder him +from entering Madrid with even a small escort of horse." The earl had +everything prepared along the road for the passage of the king; but +although he wrote over and over again urging him not to delay, Charles +refused to stir, and told General Stanhope (who backed Peterborough's +entreaties) that he had "no becoming equipment with which to enter his +capital." + +"Sire," the English general exclaimed in indignant astonishment, "our +William the Third entered London in a hackney, with a cloak bag behind +it, and was made king not many weeks after." + +A month after the date originally settled Charles set out and proceeded +to Taragona, but then, to the astonishment of the English general and +envoy, they learned he had altered his mind and taken the route to +Saragossa. When he heard the news, Peterborough sent couriers day after +day with urgent letters to the king. He prevailed upon a deputation of +the Valencian nobility to follow with the same purpose, and transmitted +the opinion of a council of war, which was unanimous in entreating +the king to stay his steps. The king again hesitated, and was about to +follow Peterborough's advice, when a French officer in the Portuguese +service arrived from Galway and Das Minas, again urging him to move by +the route which they had suggested. + +Charles again hesitated, the Count of Cifuentes (who was with him) gave +his advice in favor of the Saragossa route, and the king decided on that +line. + +On the 26th of July the earl summoned a council of war, including the +Governor of Valencia, two Spanish generals, and his own officers. They +agreed unanimously that Peterborough should march his army to Madrid or +join the army in Portugal, as circumstances might require. Just before +they started letters came in from the king desiring that Peterborough +should send the forces under his command either to relieve the Duke of +Savoy or to capture the Balearic Isles. + +The earl declined to follow this ungrateful suggestion, which was +manifestly intended by Charles and his advisers, English, Portuguese, +and German, to send away from his kingdom the man who had won it for +him. Being fortunately independent of orders, Peterborough marched for +Castile, as he and the council of war had previously determined. + +Charles was not long in regretting that he had not followed Lord +Peterborough's advice. Instead of the triumphant procession from +Saragossa to Madrid, which he had been promised, he was met with the +most determined opposition. + +Every town and village in the center and south of Spain rose against +him; Salamanca and Toledo declared for Philip, and Andalusia raised +eighteen thousand men. The troops of Las Torres from Valencia, and +those who had retreated under Tesse to Roussillon, had joined Berwick at +Xadraque, and Philip had placed himself at the head of this formidable +army. Charles was obliged to send in the utmost haste to ask the Earl of +Peterborough to extricate him from the position in which he had placed +himself by neglecting his advice. + +The earl instantly complied with the request, and marching with all +speed overtook the king on the 4th of August at Pastrina, and thence +on the following day escorted him in safety to the army of Portugal at +Guadalaxara. + +The total strength of the united allied army was eighteen thousand +men--a force inferior, indeed, to that with which Berwick confronted +them; and that portion brought by Lord Galway and the Portuguese General +Das Minas was not to be relied upon, having fallen into a state of great +indiscipline owing to the tedious delays, the frequent retreats, and the +long inactivity to which it had been subjected by the incompetence of +its leaders. That this was so was evident by the fact that the day after +the king's arrival the French made a partial attack, and many of the +allied battalions at once fell into complete confusion. But this was not +the greatest drawback to the efficiency of the allied army; they were +paralyzed by the dissensions of their commanders--Galway, Das Minas, +and the Dutch Count de Noyelles. Each and all declined to acknowledge +Peterborough as commander in chief. The earl then offered to waive his +own rights entirely and to fight as a simple volunteer, and that Das +Minas, Lord Galway, and the Dutch general should each command their own +forces, receiving their orders from the king. + +This offer was, however, refused by the three generals. The partisans +of the various leaders shared their animosity. The English troops of +Peterborough claiming, and justly, that Catalonia and Valencia had been +gained and won by him, and that to him alone the king owed his crown, +were furious that those who had shown naught but incapacity from +the commencement of the campaign should now refuse to recognize his +authority. While the disputes continued Berwick had nearly succeeded in +surprising Galway, and a disastrous defeat had only been prevented +by the gallant defense made by Lord Tyrawley of an outpost which he +commanded, and which he held for two hours against all the efforts of +the French, and so gave time for the army to make a hasty retreat. + +The army was, moreover, straitened by want of provisions; Lord Galway +and his colleagues had made no arrangements whatever for its supply. +Day and night the German favorites of the king, who had ruined their +master's cause by dissuading him from following the advice of Lord +Peterborough, now labored with the king still further to destroy his +confidence in Peterborough; and finding himself treated coldly by the +ungrateful monarch, who owed everything to him, opposed at every turn by +the other generals, and seeing that his presence was worse than useless, +Peterborough announced his intention of obeying the orders from Queen +Anne, dated the 12th of June, and repeated on the 17th, to proceed to +the assistance of the Duke of Savoy. + +On the same evening a council of war was held. The king formally laid +Peterborough's announcement before the generals, who, delighted to get +rid of their rival, unanimously recommended that he should depart. + +On the 11th of August, full of mortification and disgust at the +treatment that he had experienced and the base ingratitude of the king, +Peterborough rode from the camp at Guadalaxara. As if to humiliate him +as far as possible, he was given only an escort of eighty dragoons, +although there were serious difficulties to be encountered on the road +to Valencia. His two favorite aides de camp, Stilwell and Graham, were +the only officers who accompanied him. It is satisfactory to know that +from the moment of the earl's departure misfortune and disaster fell +upon the fortunes of King Charles, and that the crown which he had +received from the English earl was wrested from his unworthy grasp. +Peterborough had gone but a short distance when he heard that all his +baggage, consisting of eight wagon loads and of the value of eight +thousand pounds sterling, had fallen into the hands of the enemy. When +he left Valencia to extricate the king from his difficulties he had +ordered it to be sent after him to Guadalaxara. When it arrived at +Cuenca, General Wyndham, who commanded there, forwarded it with a small +escort; but it was attacked while passing through the town of Huete by a +party of the Duke of Berwick's troopers. + +The earl was furious at the news. Not only were all his personal +effects, jewels, and uniforms lost, but his spare horses, carriages, +and mules. Upon making inquiry he found that the troopers of Berwick had +been aided by the inhabitants of Huete, who had given information to the +troopers and shared in the plunder. His first impulse was to burn +the town to the ground, and as when he arrived there he was joined by +Wyndham's force, he had ample power to do so. + +He immediately summoned the magistrates and clergy to meet him, and told +them in decided terms that they must find his baggage and the rogues +that had stolen it. After making a search in the town they were able +to find but a small portion of it. They then offered to pay him ten +thousand pistoles for his loss, or any other sum which he might choose +to name; but the earl, with that singular generosity which formed so +marked a part of his character, declined the offer, and said: + +"I see you are honest gentlemen; for my part I will sit content with my +loss if you will bring all the corn of the district to the army." + +The townspeople were delighted at this clemency, as corn was much more +easy to procure than money, and it was accordingly sent to Lord Galway's +camp, where it sufficed to supply the whole army for six weeks. + +This was an act of almost unparalleled magnanimity and generosity to the +generals whose jealousy and machinations had driven him from the army; +but the earl was so satisfied at thus heaping coals of fire upon the +heads of his rivals that he continued his journey in the highest state +of good humor in spite of the loss which he had suffered, and which, as +he was by no means rich, was a very considerable one. He took with him +Killigrew's dragoons and sent on Wyndham's brigade to join Lord Galway. +On the way he encountered several adventures. + +One night when he arrived at the little town of Campillo, he heard of a +barbarous massacre that had that day been perpetrated in a neighboring +village upon a small detachment of English soldiers, who had just been +discharged from the hospital at Cuenca, and were proceeding under the +command of an officer to join Wyndham's battalion of the guards, to +which they belonged. They had slept at the village, and were marching +out unconscious of danger, when a shot in the back killed their officer, +and the peasants at once rushed in upon the men and killed several of +them, together with their wives who had accompanied them. The rest were +dragged up a hill near the village, and then one by one thrown down a +deep pit. + +No sooner did the earl hear of the outrage than he ordered the trumpets +to sound to horse. The dragoons, who, weary with their long march, had +just unsaddled, turned out wondering at the order; but when they heard +what had happened, they mounted with an impatience for vengeance equal +to that of their general. Arriving at the village they found, to their +great disappointment, that the murderers had fled, and that hardly any +of the inhabitants remained. They found, however, hidden in the church, +the clothes of some of the murdered guardsmen. The sacristan of the +church was alleged by the inhabitants, who were narrowly examined, to +have taken an active part in the slaughter, and the earl ordered him to +be hung up at once to the knocker of his own door. The troops then rode +up to the top of the hill, and the earl and his aides de camp dismounted +at the edge of the pit. They had procured a rope at the village, +although the inhabitants insisted that no one could be found alive, as +the pit, which was a disused one, was of vast depth. + +"Is any one alive down there?" the earl shouted. + +"Yes, yes," a voice cried a short distance below them. "Thank God +friends have come; but help me quickly, for I cannot hold on much +longer." + +Jack seized the rope and twisted one end round his body. Several of the +soldiers lowered him down, and some twenty feet below the edge he came +upon the man who had spoken. As he fell he had caught some bushes which +grew in the side of the old pit, and having managed to find a ledge +on which to place his feet, had maintained his grasp in this perilous +position the whole day. As the rope was amply strong enough to hold two, +Jack clasped his arms around the man's body and called to those above to +haul up. They were soon at the surface. + +The soldier, who had fainted when he found himself in safety, was laid +down and brandy poured down his throat, and Jack, to his astonishment +and satisfaction, recognized in him his old friend Sergeant Edwards. He +did not wait, however, for him to recover sensibility, but at once told +the troopers to lower him again to the end of the rope. This they did, +and Jack then shouted several times, but received no answer. He then +dropped a small stone he had brought down with him, but no sound came +back in return, and, satisfied that none of the soldiers could have +survived the fall, for he was already more than sixty feet below the +surface, he shouted to those above to draw him up. He found that Edwards +had now recovered his senses, and was giving to the earl a detailed +account of the massacre, which so exasperated him that he gave orders +that the village should be burned to the ground, a command which +was willingly carried out by the troopers. Edwards was delighted at +recognizing Jack, and when, after the destruction of the village, the +party rode back to Campillo for the night, the two old friends had a +long chat as to the events which had happened since they last parted at +Barcelona. + +"Is it true, sir, that the general has resigned his command?" + +"Quite true, Edwards." + +"And is he going home, sir?" + +"No; he will sail to aid the Duke of Savoy; at least that is the present +intention; but I should not be surprised if he is in England ere many +months are over." + +"Well, sir, I should like to get my discharge and go home too; being +chucked down that pit has given me a regular sickness of campaigning +among these savages. Talk about pirates, Captain Stilwell, why, I +had rather fall among pirates any day than among these bloodthirsty +wretches. Calls themselves Christians too! The pirates wasn't +hypocrites, in that way, anyhow; they didn't bow down on their knees +before every little trumpery doll stuck up by the wayside, and then go +and cut a man's throat afterward--it was all fair and square with them. +Anyways, it don't matter to me, as I see, whether they has King Charles +or King Philip to rule over them; I wishes him joy of the job, whichever +it may be; but I don't see no call to be risking my life in being shot, +or chucked down pits, or stabbed in my bed, for such a lot of varmint +any longer. I have served my full time, and can take my pension; +besides, I have got something like a thousand pounds stowed away in a +snug hiding place near Barcelona." + +"You have, Edwards? I am glad to hear it; I had no idea you were such a +rich man." + +"It's prize money, sir, lawful earned prize money, though I don't know +between ourselves as the colonel would have approved of it; so I stowed +it away and says nothing till I gets a chance to lift it before I set +sail. It's been rather worrying me in case we should be ordered to take +ship at some other port." + +"Well, but how did you get it, Edwards?" + +"Well, sir, I know that I can tell you, 'cause I am sure it won't go no +further. Just afore the French came down to besiege Barcelona I was +up with the brigade at Lerida. The people were pretty much divided up +there, but the news as the French was coming to drive us into the sea +made the folks as was against us very bold. The sentries had to be +doubled at night, for lots of our men were found stabbed, and it was +dangerous to go about outside the town except in parties. Well, sir, +Sergeant Adams of ours, as smart a soldier as ever wore pigtail, had +fallen in love with the daughter of an innkeeper at a place four miles +from Lerida. + +"It wasn't much of a village, but there was a big convent close by, one +of the richest in Spain, they said. The girl was fond of Adams, and had +agreed, so he told me, to cut and run when the regiment marched away, +and to be spliced to him. I rather tried to dissuade him from the +affair, for, as I pointed out, how would a Spanish woman get on in +barracks with the other sergeants' wives, specially if she was as pretty +as the whole lot put together? However, of course, he wouldn't listen to +that--no chap ever does when he's downright in love; so he asked me +one afternoon if I would go out with him and Sergeant Saunders to the +village, so that while we were having our glass he could manage to get a +few words with the girl to arrange about her joining him, for the French +were only two or three marches away, and we might have to fall back any +day. + +"I didn't much like the job, for it was a risky business three of us +going so far; but he pointed out that we needn't start till it got dark, +so nobody would see us till we got to the village, and we needn't stay +there above a quarter of an hour, and could be off before any one who +meant mischief could find out that we were alone; besides, hitherto +the people there had always been friendly, for, being just the right +distance for a walk, and the wine there being good, our fellows went +over there a good deal: so the long and short of it was we went. + +"We got there all right, and walked into the wine shop as usual and sat +down and called for wine. There were half a dozen fellows sitting there +drinking. They were talking aloud when we entered, but stopped at once +as we came in, and looked as men do when you come across them just as +they are saying something as is no good about you. We passed the word as +usual, and were soon chatting with them. They didn't seem very free and +friendly, and asked several questions about the French army, and whether +we had any troops coming up to help us hold Lerida. I said we expected +five or six thousand in a day or two, which seemed rather to take them +by surprise. + +"Well, presently Adams got up quietly and went out of the door, and I +knew he was going round to the back to meet his girl. I had seen a look +pass atween them when she brought in our wine. We went on talking quiet +for some time; four or five other men dropped in, and some of them got +talking together in low tones, and I began to wish we were well out of +it, and to wonder how much longer Adams was going to be before he came +back. Suddenly we heard a loud scream, and Manola--that was the girl's +name--came rushing in from behind. 'He's killed him,' she screamed, and +she fell down as if she had been killed too. As I heard afterward, her +old rascal of a father had for some time suspected something was up +between her and Adams, and when he missed him had stolen out behind and +came upon them just as he was kissing her and saying goodby. Then he +whipped his knife out, and before Adams had time to turn round, stabbed +him in the back, and the sergeant fell dead without a word. + +"Close behind the girl rushed in the innkeeper, swearing and cursing and +calling us heretics, and dogs, and robbers, and every other bad kind of +name. The men got up and began to stamp and shout, and seeing that it +was no time for argument I said to Saunders, 'We had best make a bolt of +it, Bill.' So we out swords and made a dash for the inner door, for they +had closed in at the other with their knives out. We got safely through +the house. Just outside the back door we came upon the body of Adams. We +stopped a moment and turned him over to see if he was dead, but it was +all up with him. + +"It didn't take a moment to look; but, before it was done, they were +upon us, both from behind and running round from the front of the house. +We cut and slashed for a moment and then bolted with them at our heels. +We got separated in a minute. I turned in among some bushes and lost +Saunders. I heard afterward he was killed before he had run fifty yards. +Luckily they missed me for the moment, and I lay down among the bushes +and thought it over. The whole village was up by this time, as I could +hear by the shouts; and after thinking it over I concluded that there +was no chance of my making my way back to Lerida, and that my best plan +would be to go up to the convent and ask for shelter there. I knew well +enough that once inside I should be safe from the peasants. + +"Well, I crawled along for some distance. Half a dozen times they +was nigh stumbling over me as they searched about in the gardens and +vineyards; but at last I made my way safe up to the convent and rang +at the bell. Presently the little window in the door opened, and a monk +said, 'Who is there?' I kept out of his sight and said in Spanish: 'A +fugitive who seeks sanctuary.' Thinking I was only somebody who had +stabbed three or four men in a row, the monk opened the door. He gave +an exclamation when he saw my uniform when I entered, and would have +slammed the door in my face; but I pushed in. Then he gave a shout, +and five or six other monks came running up and set up a jabbering, and +stood staring at me as if I had been a wild beast. Then they wanted to +turn me out; but I wouldn't budge, and as I had my sword still in my +hand they didn't know what to do. + +"At last some chap in authority came down. He talked to me and tried to +persuade me to leave; but I said, 'No, I claim sanctuary;' and as they +were ready to give sanctuary to the worst of murderers, I didn't see as +they could deny it to me who had committed no crime whatever. He went +away and came back again after some time, and then told me to sheath my +sword and follow him. This I did, and he led the way to a sort of cell +where there were some rushes laid on a stone bed, and told me that I +could remain there. + +"Thinking it was all right I lay down and went to sleep, but was +presently woke by half a dozen monks, who were tying my hands and feet +with cords. It was no use struggling, so I lay quiet; and when they +had done, they carried me away, took me some distance, and went down a +flight of stairs; a door was unlocked, and then I was pitched down +on the ground as if I had been a log of wood. I didn't move much that +night. + +"In the morning there was just enough light came through a little slit +high up in the wall to show me that I was in a place about six feet +square. It was perfectly bare, without as much as a bit of straw to +lie on. Presently two monks came in. One of them untied the cords which +fastened my hands. They placed some black bread and a jug of water by +me, and then went out again. There they kept me for six days. At the +end of that time they told me to come along with them. I had, of course, +taken the cords off my legs when I had got my hands free, and I followed +them, wondering what was to come next. I was taken to the door of the +convent, and there I saw a party of French troopers, to whom the monks +handed me over. I mounted behind one of them, and was taken to Marshal +Tesse's camp near Lerida, and a couple of days afterward sent back to +Saragossa. + +"I didn't stop long in the prison there, for the next day the people +rose, turned the French from the citadel, and opened the prison doors +and let out all the prisoners. They made a good deal of me, as I was +the only Englishman there, supplied me with money and clean clothes, and +provided me with a guide and a mule to take me by round about byroads +so that I should avoid the French army. I put my regimentals in a bag, +which I carried behind me, and at last got down to Barcelona the very +day before the French arrived there. + +"I found my regiment already there. I got a rare blowing up from the +colonel for having gone out from Lerida without leave; but as he said he +thought I had been punished enough already, and bore a good character, +he overlooked it, of which I was glad enough, I can tell you, for I +expected nothing less than reduction to the ranks. + +"Well, after Lord Peterborough arrived with the fleet, and the French +bolted as hard as they could to France, Wyndham's brigade went up again +to Lerida. I got chatting the affair over with Jack Thompson, who was +General Wyndham's servant, and we agreed between us that we would give +those monks a fright, and perhaps get some compensation out of them. So +we got hold of four of Killigrew's dragoons, who, when they heard what +was wanted, was ready enough for the spree. So one day when General +Wyndham had gone off with a party for the day, Thompson borrowed his hat +and plumes and his cloak, and hiding them up, went out of camp with me +to a place a quarter of a mile away, where the four troopers with two +spare horses were waiting for us. Thompson put on the general's hat and +cloak, and mounted one horse, while I got on the other, and away we rode +out to the village. + +"First of all we went to the inn and seized the innkeeper. Manola wasn't +there, and I never heard what became of her--whether her father had sent +her to a convent or killed her, I don't know. However, we held a court +regular. Thompson he was the judge, and I gave evidence as to the +innkeeper having murdered poor Adams, and Thompson sentenced him to +death, and we hung him up over his door. When we had set that job right +we went to the convent and rang the bell. They opened quick enough this +time. + +"'Tell the prior,' Thompson said, 'that the Earl of Peterborough is +here, and desires to see him instantly.' + +"Mighty frightened the monk looked, I can tell you, as he went off to +give the message, and came back in a minute, asking Thompson to follow +him. We all dismounted. Two of the troopers stopped to look after the +horses, and the others with drawn swords followed Thompson and me. We +were shown into the prior's room, which was fit for a prince. The prior +looked mighty pale, and so did two or three other chaps who were with +him. + +"'Look here,' Thompson said in an angry tone of voice, 'I am the Earl of +Peterborough, and I hear from this man, Sergeant Edwards, of the king's +regiment of grenadiers, that he was basely and treacherously made a +prisoner by you; that he was confined in an underground cell and fed +with bread and water for a week, and then handed over to the French. +Now, sir, I give you an hour to clear out with all your gang from this +convent, which I intend to destroy. You will remain in the courtyard as +prisoners. You will then be tried for this treacherous act against one +of the King of England's guards, and all found to have had a hand in the +proceeding will be hung.' + +"Well, sir, you may just guess the fright they were in. They knew that +the earl was just the sort of man to carry his threat into execution, +and they thought their last day was come. You never saw such a set of +cowardly wretches in your life. I am blessed if they didn't go down on +their knees and howl. At last Thompson began to think he had worked them +up enough, and he said stern: + +"'Well, I am disposed to have mercy, and if in half an hour you pay down +the sum of five thousand pounds as a ransom for the convent and your +wretched lives I will be merciful.' + +"Then there was a fresh howling. They swore by all the saints that such +a sum as five thousand pounds was never heard of. Thompson gradually +dropped his demands to three thousand; still they swore they hadn't got +it, and he said sternly to one of the troopers: + +"'Ride back and fetch up the regiment which is a mile outside the +village.' + +"Then there was more howling, and at last they offered to give seven +hundred pounds, which was all the money which they had in the treasury, +and to make it up in precious stones. After a deal of haggling Thompson +consented, and I believe if he had stood out for three times as much +he would have got it, for the convent was rich in relics, and no end of +precious offerings were stored away in their chests; however, he didn't +wish to push matters too far, and in half an hour they brought the +money, and a handful of diamonds and rubies, and things they had picked +out of their settings in the vases and crucifixes and vestments, and +what not. + +"We didn't know if they were real or not; but Thompson told them he +should give them to a jeweler to value, and if he found they had cheated +him by giving him false stones he would come back and hang the lot of +them. So off we rode again. + +"When we got back to Lerida we took two or three of the stones to a +jeweler and found that they were all right. Then we divided the swag +into three parts as we had agreed. Thompson took one, I took another, +and the other was divided among the four troopers, who were not running +such a risk as we were. I never heard anything more about the matter, +as far as I was concerned, though there was a row. The prior heard that +Peterborough had never been near Lerida, and came over and saw General +Wyndham. + +"Killigrew's dragoons were paraded, but the prior couldn't spot any +of them. We had chosen four fair fellows, and they had all darkened +themselves a bit before they went. Luckily the prior did not say +anything about me. I expect he was afraid that when Wyndham heard how +I had been treated there he might have inflicted a fresh fine on the +convent; however, I was not there at the time, for I had a touch of +fever the day after the affair, and made myself out a bit worse than I +was, and so got sent down to Barcelona, where I buried my share of the +plunder four or five inches deep in a corner of the hospital yard. As +to Thompson, there wasn't any reason why suspicion should fall upon him. +Soon after I got back to my regiment I got ill again and was left in a +hospital at Cuenca, and had a narrow escape of it this morning." + +"It was a risky business," Jack said, "and it would have gone very hard +with you and Thompson if you had been found out." + +"So it would, sir. I knew that; but you see, it was only right and just +those fellows should pay for their treatment of me. If I had laid the +case before General Wyndham, no doubt he would have punished them +just as severe as I did, only the fine would have gone into the army +treasury, instead of going to the right person." + +"I am afraid, Edwards, that you have not got rid of those loose notions +of morality you picked up among the pirates," Jack said, smiling. + +"Perhaps not, Captain Stilwell. You see, bad habits stick to a man; but +I have done with them now. When I get back to England I shall buy a snug +public house at Dover, and with that and my pension I shall be in clover +for the rest of my life." + +It was not until the voyage home that Jack, after obtaining a promise of +secrecy, related to the earl the liberty which had been taken with +his name. It was just a freak after Peterborough's heart, and he was +immensely amused. + +"The rascals!" he said, "they deserved hanging, every one of them; but +the story is a capital one, and I should like to have been there myself +to have seen the fright of the prior and his assistants. They richly +deserved what befell them and more for betraying sanctuary. If it had +been a scoundrel who had cut his wife's throat, and stabbed half a dozen +men, they would have refused to give him up to the civil power, and +would have stood on the rights of sanctuary of the Church. I think they +were let off very easily. Let me see, is not that the same fellow that +I exchanged into the grenadiers at Gibraltar at your request, for his +conduct in that business of the mutiny on board your ship?" + +"The same man, sir. He has led a queer life. He was a sailor originally, +and was taken by pirates and forced to join them, and had a narrow +escape of being hung when the vessel he sailed in was captured by an +English cruiser; but his life was spared, and he was drafted into the +army, and he is a willing and faithful soldier of the queen, and really +a worthy fellow." + +"He is evidently an arrant old scamp, Stilwell. Still, as long as +we recruit our army as we do, we cannot look for morality as well as +bravery, and I dare say your fellow is no worse than the rest. If you +ever run against him in London you must bring him to me, and I will hear +his story from his own lips." + + + +CHAPTER XVII: HOME + + +Upon the arrival of the Earl of Peterborough at Valencia he was received +with the profoundest sympathy and respect by the people, who were filled +with indignation at the treatment which the man whose daring and genius +had freed Catalonia and Valencia of the French had received at the hands +of their ungrateful monarch. Finding that a portion of the fleet had +been ordered to the West Indies, the earl was obliged to abandon his +project of capturing Minorca and then carrying substantial aid to the +Duke of Savoy. He, however, went to Genoa, and there borrowed a hundred +thousand pounds, which he brought back to Valencia and sent to the king +for the use of the army. + +The cause of Charles was already well nigh desperate. Castile was lost, +and the enemy were pressing forward to recover Catalonia and Valencia. +Affairs were in the utmost state of confusion. Peterborough's rivals +having got rid of him now quarreled among themselves, or their only bond +of union was their mutual hatred of the earl. + +The king himself, while he pretended to flatter him, wrote letters +behind his back to England bringing all sorts of accusations against +him, and succeeded in obtaining an order for his return. Before leaving +he implored the king and his generals to avoid a battle, which would +probably be disastrous, and to content themselves with a defensive war +until Eugene of Savoy and the Duke of Marlborough broke the power of +France elsewhere. His opinion was overruled, and the result was the +disastrous battle of Almanza, in which the hopes of Charles of Austria +of obtaining the crown of Spain were finally crushed. + +Peterborough embarked on the 14th of May on board the Resolution, man of +war, commanded by his second son Henry. + +The Resolution was accompanied by two frigates, the Enterprise and the +Milford Haven. The King of Spain's envoy to the court of Savoy also +sailed in the Resolution. The earl took with him his two aides de camp, +who were both too indignant at the treatment which their chief had +received to desire to remain with the army in Spain. The little squadron +sailed first for Barcelona, where it only remained a few hours, and then +set sail for Italy. + +On the fifth day at sea they fell in with a French fleet of six men +of war. Two carried eighty guns, two seventy, one sixty-eight, and the +other fifty-eight. The Resolution was a slow sailer, and the French, who +at once gave chase, gained rapidly upon her. As resistance against such +overwhelming odds seemed hopeless, Peterborough determined to go with +the Spanish envoy and the state papers on board the Enterprise. There +was little time for reflection. A small boat was lowered, and the earl, +with a hasty adieu to his son, Jack, and Graham, descended the ship's +side with the Spanish envoy and rowed away to the Enterprise. + +"We are fated to see the inside of a French prison, after all," Jack +said to Graham. + +"I don't know, Stilwell. We have both been in their hands once, and +did not stay there long. I can hardly believe that our luck's going to +desert us at last." + +"I don't see much chance of our escape this time, Graham. Six ships +against one are too great odds even for English sailors. The smallest of +them carries as many guns as we do, and once a prisoner on board a ship +there is no slipping away." + +"We are not prisoners yet, Jack, and I don't think that Mordaunt will +strike his flag without a struggle, though they are six to one. He is +just his father over again as far as courage goes." + +"Well, I hope, anyhow, the earl will get away," Jack said. "If it hadn't +been for all those state papers he is burdened with I am sure he would +have stuck to the Resolution and fought it out. It would be just +the kind of desperate adventure to suit him. See, he has reached the +Enterprise, and she and the Milford Haven are spreading every sail; but +although they will leave us behind I question whether they will outsail +the French. They are coming up fast." + +"It will soon be dark," Graham said, "and they may be able to slip away. +You may be sure the French will attend to us first, as being the most +valuable prize." + +"Well, gentlemen," Captain Mordaunt said, coming up to them, "you are +going to have a piece of new experience. I know you have been through +some apparently hopeless conflicts on land with my father, but I don't +think you have ever seen a sea fight." + +"Are you going to fight them all, sir?" Jack asked. + +"I am going to try," the captain said. "My orders were to go to Leghorn, +and to Leghorn I mean to go if the ship floats; but I tell you honestly +I do not think there is much chance of our getting there. Still, as long +as the ship floats, the British flag will float over her." + +"Is there anything we can do, sir?" Jack asked. "We shall be happy +to serve as volunteers in any capacity in which you think we may be +useful." + +"Until it comes to boarding I fear that you cannot help," the +captain said, "except by walking about between decks and cheering and +inspiriting the men. The presence of officers looking cool and confident +among them always does good. If the enemy try to board us you shall +fight by my side." + +The two fastest sailing French vessels were so close when night fell +that it was hopeless to try to evade them either by changing the ship's +course or by lowering the sails. At ten o'clock they were less than a +mile astern, one on either quarter. The ship had long since been ready +for action, and the men were now called to the guns; but the enemy did +not open fire, but could, by the night glasses, be seen somewhat +to shorten sail so as to keep about the same distance behind the +Resolution. + +"Cowardly dogs," the young captain said, "they do not mean to fight +until the whole of their consorts come up. However, we ought not to +grumble, as every hour takes us so much nearer port." + +He then ordered the men to lie down by the guns and get what sleep they +could until the enemy opened fire. Jack and Graham, finding that there +was nothing to be done, threw themselves into their hammocks, and slept +till five o'clock in the morning. They were then aroused, and went on +deck. The six French ships had now all come up, and were coming on in a +body. + +"Good morning, gentlemen," the young captain said gayly. "We have a fine +morning for our amusement. I wish the wind would freshen a little more +so as to take this lubberly old ship faster through the water." + +At six o'clock the leading vessel of the French squadron opened fire, +and at the signal her consorts all followed her example. Some of them +were now almost abreast of the Resolution, and the iron shower tore +through her sails and cut her rigging. She answered with a broadside +from both sides, and the battle commenced in earnest. + +In all the annals of British seamanship there is no more heroic story +than that of the fight between the Resolution and the six French men of +war. From six in the morning until half past three in the afternoon she +maintained the unequal contest, still keeping on under full sail toward +her port, only yawing occasionally to pour a broadside into one or other +of her foes. They were now running along the coast, and the peasants on +the distant hills must have watched with astonishment the unequal fight +as the vessels pressed on past them. By half past three the Resolution +was little more than a wreck. Her sails were riddled with holes, many +of her spars shot away, her sides ragged and torn, and many of her +crew killed, but the remainder of the crew still fought their guns +unflinchingly. + +"We can do no more," Captain Mordaunt said to Jack. "The carpenter has +just reported that the mainmast is so seriously injured that at any +moment it may go over the side. It is impossible to hope any longer to +reach Leghorn, but my ship I am determined they shall not have." + +So saying, he gave orders to the first lieutenant, and the vessel's head +was suddenly turned straight toward the shore. The French, astonished at +so desperate a course, did not venture to follow her, and the Resolution +threaded her way through the dangerous reefs till at last she brought up +with a sudden crash which sent her tottering mainmast over the side. + +The French advanced cautiously until nearing the reefs, and then opened +a distant fire, which the Resolution did not return. The captain ordered +the exhausted crew from their guns, a strong allowance of grog was +served out, and after a meal the men felt again ready for work. Jack +and his companion were at dinner with the captain, when the officer in +charge of the deck reported that the French ships were lowering their +boats. + +"Let the men rest as long as possible, Mr. Darwin, but when you see the +boats fairly on their way toward us beat to quarters." + +A few minutes later the roll of the drums was heard. "Now, gentlemen, we +will go on deck," the captain said, "since they will not let us alone. +But if their ships could not take us I do not think that their boats +will have much chance." + +Dusk was closing in when they went on deck and saw all the boats of the +six French men of war, crowded with men, rowing in a line toward them. +The captain gave the order for the men to load with grape. As soon as +the French flotilla came well within range the word was given, and a +storm of balls swept their line. + +Several of the boats were sunk at once, the others paused to pick up +their comrades from the water, and then again dashed forward; but by +this time the guns were again loaded, and the hail of iron again crashed +into them. With splendid bravery the French still advanced until close +to the ship. Then Captain Mordaunt ordered all the lower deck guns to +be run in and the ports closed, and the crew to come on deck. While some +worked the upper guns, others kept up a heavy fire of musketry upon the +boats, which swarmed round the ship. + +Again and again the French made determined efforts to board, but they +were unable to climb the lofty sides of the ship. At length, after +suffering terrible loss, the French sailors gave up the attempt and +rowed sullenly off to their ships, covered by the darkness from the +English fire. Captain Mordaunt took off his cap and gave the signal, +and a hearty cheer arose from the crew. The night passed quietly, +the terribly diminished crew lay down as they stood by the guns, in +readiness to repel another attack, should it be attempted. The next +morning one of the French eighty gun ships got under way, and, with +merely a rag of canvas shown, and her boats rowing ahead and sounding +to find a channel through the reefs, gradually made her way toward the +Resolution. + +"Well, gentlemen," the captain said, "I think you will agree with me +that nothing further can be done. The ship is already half full of +water, the magazine is flooded, and the whole of the powder wetted. +The ship is a wreck, and I should be only throwing away the men's lives +uselessly by attempting further resistance." + +The officers thoroughly agreed, and with the greatest coolness the +captain gave his orders for the abandonment of the vessel. Although the +French man of war had now opened fire, all the wounded, the whole of +the crew, the flags, papers, and everything of value were placed in the +boats, and the vessel was then set on fire in a dozen places. + +After superintending everything personally, and making sure that the +fire had obtained such a hold that it could not be extinguished, Captain +Mordaunt ordered the officers to descend into the boats. Just as he +was about to leave the deck himself, the last man on board the ship, +a cannon shot from the French man of war struck him in the leg. The +officers ran back and raised him from the deck. + +"It might have been worse," he said cheerfully. "Now, gentlemen, will +you carry me down and place me in my gig, and then take your boats as +arranged? Be careful, as you row toward shore, to keep the Resolution +between you and the Frenchman's guns." + +Everything was done steadily and in order, and the survivors of the crew +of the Resolution reached the shore without further loss. The Resolution +was now in a blaze from end to end, and by eleven o'clock she was burned +to the water's edge. Mordaunt and his crew were kindly received by the +people of the country. As the captain himself would not be able to move +for some time, Jack and Graham said adieu to him and posted to Turin, +where the earl had told them that he should go direct from Leghorn. + +They arrived before him, but twenty-four hours after they had reached +the capital of Savoy the earl arrived. He had already heard rumors of +the desperate fight between the Resolution and the enemy, and that his +son had been wounded. His aides de camp were now able to assure him +that, although serious, Captain Mordaunt's wounds were not likely to be +fatal, and Peterborough was delighted with the narrative of the gallant +achievement of his son. Shortly afterward an imperative order for his +return reaching the earl, he set out for England through Germany with +his two aides de camp. Peterborough was suffering from illness caused by +the immense exertions he had made through the campaign, and traveled but +slowly. He visited many of the German courts, and went for a few days to +the camp of Charles of Sweden in Saxony. + +After this, by special invitation, he journeyed to the camp of the Duke +of Marlborough at Genappes, where he was received with much honor by the +great commander. He presented to him his two aides de camp. + +"They have, my lord duke," he said, "been my faithful friends throughout +the whole campaign in Spain, they have shared all my dangers, and any +credit I may have gained is due in no small degree to their zeal and +activity. It is unlikely that I shall again command an army in the +field, and therefore I would recommend them to you. They will accompany +me to England, for they, too, need a rest, after their exertions; after +that I trust that they may be sent out to fight under your orders, and +I trust that you will keep them in your eye, and will give them the +advantage of your protection and favor." + +The duke promised to do so, and, after a few days' stay in the camp, the +earl with his two followers started for England, where he arrived on the +20th of August, 1707, nearly two years to a day from the date when he +had appeared, with a force under his command, before Barcelona. But +the campaign itself, so far as he was concerned, had lasted less than +a year, as it was in August, 1706, that he rode into Valencia, after +having been deprived of his command. + +In that year he exhibited military qualities which have never been +surpassed. Daring to the point of extreme rashness where there was a +possibility of success, he was prudent and cautious in the extreme when +prudence was more necessary than daring. With absurdly insufficient +means he all but conquered Spain for Charles of Austria, and would have +succeeded in doing so altogether had he not, from first to last, +been thwarted and hampered by jealousy, malignity, stupidity, and +irresolution on the part of the king, his courtiers, and the generals +who should have been the earl's assistants, but who were his rivals, +detractors, and enemies. + +It must be owned that Peterborough owed this opposition in some degree +to himself. He was impatient of fools, and took no pains to conceal his +contempt and dislike for those whose intellects were inferior to his +own. His independence of spirit and eccentricity of manner set the +formal German and Spanish advisers of the king against him, and although +adored by the officers and men who served under him, he made almost +every man of rank approaching his own who came in contact with him his +personal enemy. Among the bulk of the Spanish people of the provinces in +which he warred he was beloved as well as admired, and even to this day +legends of the brilliant and indefatigable English general are still +current among the people of Catalonia and Valencia. No man ever served +the cause to which he devoted himself with greater zeal and sincerity. +He was lavish of his own private means in its interest, and, even when +his advice and opinion were most slighted, he was ready to sacrifice +himself, his rank, and dignity to the good of the cause. Had he had +the good fortune to command an army of his own countrymen unfettered by +others, it is probable that he would have gained a renown equal to that +of the greatest commanders the world has known. + +The great services which he had rendered were warmly felt and +acknowledged by the people of England on his return, and the attempts +of his enemies to undermine his reputation were confuted by the +papers which he brought back with him. For a time Peterborough took a +considerable part in politics, and his acrimony in debate so enraged +his enemies that his conduct during the war in Spain was called into +question. A debate on the subject took place. In this he successfully +defended himself from the attacks made against him, and a formal vote of +thanks to him was passed. + +Some years afterward he retired altogether from public life, and +privately married Miss Anastasia Robinson, his first wife having died +many years before. Miss Robinson was a singer of the highest repute, of +the most amiable character, and kindest disposition. There was no reason +why the match should not have been publicly acknowledged, as the lady +was held in universal esteem; but, with his usual eccentricity, the earl +insisted on the marriage being kept a secret, and did not announce it +until on his death bed in the year 1735. Lady Peterborough lived in +profound retirement, universally beloved and honored, to the age of +eighty-eight. + +Upon arriving in London Jack stayed for a few days with his friend +Graham, whose family lived there. The earl had told the young officer +that he would introduce them to the queen, but, on their calling by +appointment on him at his hotel on the third day after their arrival in +town, Peterborough said: + +"You had best go about your own business for a time; the queen is out of +temper. The ears of ministers have been poisoned by lying letters from +my enemies in Spain, but it will all come right in time. As you know, I +have papers which will clear me of every charge that their malignity may +invent. When I am in favor again I will let you know, and will present +you to the queen and minister of war; at any rate, you will like a rest +at home before you set out for the Netherlands, so there will be plenty +of time." + +The next day Jack took his place on the coach for Southampton. He +arrived there after fourteen hours' journey, and put up at a hotel for +the night. The next morning he dressed himself with greater care than +usual, and started for the well remembered shop in the High Street. He +knocked at the private door, and inquired if Mistress Anthony were in. + +"Will you say that a gentleman whom she knows wishes to speak to her?" + +Jack was shown into the parlor, and in a minute or two Mrs. Anthony +appeared, looking a little flustered at hearing that a grand looking +officer wished to see her. Jack advanced toward her with a smile. + +"Why, Jack!" she exclaimed with a scream of delight, "is it you?" and +the good woman threw her arms round his neck and kissed him as if he had +been her own son. + +"Of course we got your letters," she said, "telling us how you had been +made an officer and then a captain. The last letter we had from you was +from Italy; telling us about that great sea fight, and that you were +coming home, but that's eight months ago. We knew you were with my +Lord Peterborough, and we saw in the Intelligencer about his being in +Germany, and last week they said he had come home. We were talking about +you only yesterday, and wondering whether you would come down to see us, +and whether you would know us now you had grown such a fine gentleman, +and being written about in Lord Peterborough's dispatches, and +accustomed to all sorts of grand society." + +"You knew I would," Jack said; "why, where should I go if not here? And +Alice is quite well, I hope, and grown quite a woman." + +"Not quite a woman yet, Jack, but getting on." She opened the door and +called Alice, and in a minute the girl ran down. Her mother saw that she +had guessed who the caller was, for she had smoothed her hair and put on +a bright ribbon which her mother had not seen for three years, and which +Jack himself had given her. She paused a moment shyly at the door, for +this young officer, in all the glories of the staff uniform, was a very +grand figure in her eyes. + +"How do you do, Cousin Jack?" she said, coming forward, with a bright +color and outstretched hand. + +"How are you, Cousin Alice?" Jack said, mimicking her tone; "why, you +little goose," he exclaimed, catching her in his arms and kissing her, +"you don't suppose I am going to be satisfied with shaking your hand +after being nearly three years away." + +"Oh, but you are so big, Jack, and so grand, it seems different +altogether." + +"You are bigger than you were, Alice, but it does not seem in the least +different to me." + +"Well, I thought you would be quite changed, Jack, and quite different, +now you are a captain, and famous, and all that, and you have seen so +many grand ladies in all the countries you have traveled that--that--" +And she hesitated. + +"Well, go on," Jack said gravely. + +"Well, then, that you would have forgotten all about me." + +"Then you are a very bad little girl, Alice, and not half so good as I +thought you were, for you must have a very bad opinion of me, indeed, if +you thought all that of me." + +"I don't think I quite thought so, Jack. Well, I told myself it was only +natural it should be so." + +"We will argue that out presently," Jack said; "and now, where is Mr. +Anthony?" + +"I will call him, Jack," Mrs. Anthony said. "You have no ill feeling, I +hope, toward him, for you know he really has been very sorry about the +part he took in getting you away, and has blamed himself over and over +again." + +"I never have had," Jack said; "it has been the best thing that ever +happened to me. If I had had my own way I should still be working before +the mast instead of being a captain in the army." + +Mr. Anthony was soon called in from the store. At first he was a little +awkward and shy, but Jack's heartiness soon put him at his ease. + +Jack stayed a fortnight at Southampton, and then, on the receipt of +a letter from the Earl of Peterborough, went up to town, where he was +presented to the queen and afterward to the minister of war by the earl. + +A week later he and Graham sailed for the Netherlands and joined the +army of the Duke of Marlborough, and served under that great commander +until, three years later, the war was brought to a conclusion. They were +attached to the staff of one of the generals of division. + +The duke kept his promise to the Earl of Peterborough, and kept his eye +on the young officers. Both distinguished themselves in the hard fought +battles in Belgium, and the end of the war found them both colonels. +There being no prospect of further wars the army was greatly reduced, +and Jack was retired on half pay, and as soon as matters were arranged +in London he again made his way down to Southampton, and at once asked +Mr. Anthony's permission to pay his addresses to his daughter. + +The ex mayor consented with delight, and, as Alice herself offered +no objection, matters were speedily arranged. Jack's half pay was +sufficient for them to live on comfortably, and Mr. Anthony, in his +gratification at a marriage which he considered did him great honor, +presented her with a handsome sum at her wedding, and the young couple +settled down in a pretty house a short distance out of Southampton. + +Jack was never called out again for active service, and lived in the +neighborhood of Southampton until the end of his long life, buying a +small estate there, when, at the death of Mr. Anthony, the handsome +fortune which the cloth merchant had made came to his daughter, subject +to an annuity to Mrs. Anthony, who took up her abode for the rest of +her life with her son-in-law, her daughter, and their children. For many +years Colonel Stilwell sat in parliament as member for Southampton, and +maintained a warm friendship with his ancient commander until the death +of the latter, in 1735. + +THE END. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bravest of the Brave, by G. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Bravest of the Brave + or, with Peterborough in Spain + +Author: G. A. Henty + +Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7318] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 11, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE *** + + + + +This eBook was produced by Martin Robb + + + + +The Bravest of the Brave; +or, With Peterborough in Spain, +by G. A. Henty. + + + +PREFACE + + +My Dear Lads: + +There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completely +fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. His +career as a general was a brief one, extending only over little more +than a year, and yet in that time he showed a genius for warfare +which has never been surpassed, and performed feats of daring worthy +of taking their place among those of the leaders of chivalry. + +The fact that they have made so slight a mark upon history is due +to several reasons. In the first place, they were overshadowed +by the glory and successes of Marlborough; they were performed in +a cause which could scarcely be said to be that of England, and in +which the public had a comparatively feeble interest; the object, +too, for which he fought was frustrated, and the war was an +unsuccessful one, although from no fault on his part. + +But most of all, Lord Peterborough failed to attain that place in +the list of British worthies to which his genius and his bravery +should have raised him, because that genius was directed by no +steady aim or purpose. Lord Peterborough is, indeed, one of the +most striking instances in history of genius and talent wasted, and +a life thrown away by want of fixed principle and by an inability +or unwillingness to work with other men. He quarreled in turn with +every party and with almost every individual with whom he came in +contact; and while he himself was constantly changing his opinions, +he was intolerant of all opinions differing from those which he +at the moment held, and was always ready to express in the most +open and offensive manner his contempt and dislike for those who +differed from him. His eccentricities were great; he was haughty +and arrogant, hasty and passionate; he denied his God, quarreled +with his king, and rendered himself utterly obnoxious to every +party in the state. + +And yet there was a vast amount of good in this strange man. He +was generous and warm hearted to a fault, kind to those in station +beneath him, thoughtful and considerate for his troops, who adored +him, cool in danger, sagacious in difficulties, and capable at +need of evincing a patience and calmness wholly at variance with +his ordinary impetuous character. Although he did not scruple to +carry deception, in order to mislead an enemy, to a point vastly +beyond what is generally considered admissible in war, he was true +to his word and punctiliously honorable in the ordinary affairs of +life. + +For the historical events I have described, and for the details of +Peterborough's conduct and character, I have relied chiefly upon +the memoir of the earl written by Mr. C. Warburton, and published +some thirty years ago. + + + +CHAPTER I: THE WAR OF THE SUCCESSION + + +"He is an idle vagabond!" the mayor of the good town of Southampton +said, in high wrath--"a ne'er do well, and an insolent puppy; +and as to you, Mistress Alice, if I catch you exchanging words with +him again, ay, or nodding to him, or looking as if in any way you +were conscious of his presence, I will put you on bread and water, +and will send you away for six months to the care of my sister +Deborah, who will, I warrant me, bring you to your senses." + +The Mayor of Southampton must have been very angry indeed when he +spoke in this way to his daughter Alice, who in most matters had +her own way. Especially did it show that he was angry, since he +so spoke in the presence of Mistress Anthony, his wife, who was +accustomed to have a by no means unimportant share in any decision +arrived at respecting family matters. + +She was too wise a woman, however, to attempt to arrest the torrent +in full flood, especially as it was a matter on which her husband +had already shown a very unusual determination to have his own way. +She therefore continued to work in silence, and paid no attention +to the appealing glance which her daughter, a girl of fourteen, cast +toward her. But although she said nothing, her husband understood +in her silence an unuttered protest. + +"It is no use your taking that scamp's part, Mary, in this matter. +I am determined to have my own way, and the townspeople know well +that when Richard Anthony makes up his mind, nothing will move +him." + +"I have had no opportunity to take his part, Richard," his wife +said quietly; "you have been storming without interruption since +you came in five minutes ago, and I have not uttered a single word." + +"But you agree with me, Mary--you cannot but agree with me--that +it is nothing short of a scandal for the daughter of the Mayor of +Southampton to be talking to a penniless young rogue like that at +the garden gate." + +"Alice should not have met him there," Mistress Anthony said; +"but seeing that she is only fourteen years old, and the boy only +sixteen, and he her second cousin, I do not see that the matter is +so very shocking." + +"In four more years, Mistress Anthony," the mayor said profoundly, +"he will be twenty, and she will be eighteen." + +"So I suppose, Richard; I am no great head at a figures, but even +I can reckon that. But as at present they are only fourteen and +sixteen, I repeat that I do not see that it matters--at least +not so very much. Alice, do you go to your room, and remain there +till I send for you." + +The girl without a word rose and retired. In the reign of King +William the Third implicit obedience was expected of children. + +"I think, Richard," Mrs. Anthony went on when the door closed behind +her daughter, "you are not acting quite with your usual wisdom in +treating this matter in so serious a light, and in putting ideas +into the girl's head which would probably never have entered there +otherwise. Of course Alice is fond of Jack. It is only natural +that she should be, seeing that he is her second cousin, and that +for two years they have lived together under this roof." + +"I was a fool, Mistress Anthony," the mayor said angrily, "ever to +yield to your persuasions in that matter. It was unfortunate, of +course, that the boy's father, the husband of your Cousin Margaret, +should have been turned out of his living by the Sectarians, +as befell thousands of other clergymen besides him. It was still +more unfortunate that when King Charles returned he did not get +reinstated; but, after all, that was Margaret's business and not +mine; and if she was fool enough to marry a pauper, and he well nigh +old enough to be her father--well, as I say, it was no business +of mine." + +"He was not a pauper, Richard, and you know it; and he made enough +by teaching to keep him and Margaret comfortably till he broke +down and died three years ago, and poor Margaret followed him to +the grave a year later. He was a good man--in every way a good +man." + +"Tut, tut! I am not saying he wasn't a good man. I am only saying +that, good or bad, it was no business of mine; and then nothing +will do but I must send for the boy and put him in my business. And +a nice mess he made of it--an idler, more careless apprentice, +no cloth merchant, especially one who stood well with his fellow +citizens, and who was on the highway to becoming mayor of his native +city, was ever crossed with." + +"I think he was hardly as bad as that, Richard. I don't think you +were ever quite fair to the boy." + +"Not fair, Mary! I am surprised at you. In what way was I not quite +fair?" + +"I don't think you meant to be unfair, Richard; but you see you +were a little--just a little--prejudiced against him from the +first; because, instead of jumping at your offer to apprentice him +to your trade, he said he should like to be a sailor." + +"Quite enough to prejudice me, too, madam. Why, there are scores of +sons of respectable burgesses of this town who would jump at such +an offer; and here this penniless boy turns up his nose at it." + +"It was foolish, no doubt, Richard; but you see the boy had been +reading the lives of admirals and navigators--he was full of life +and spirit--and I believe his father had consented to his going +to sea." + +"Full of life and spirit, madam!" the mayor repeated more angrily +than before; "let me tell you it is these fellows who are full +of life and adventure who come to the gallows. Naturally I was +offended; but as I had given you my word I kept to it. Every man +in Southampton knows that the word of Richard Anthony is as good as +his bond. I bound him apprentice, and what comes of it? My foreman, +Andrew Carson, is knocked flat on his back in the middle of the +shop." + +Mrs. Anthony bit her lips to prevent herself from smiling. + +"We will not speak any more about that, Richard," she said; "because, +if we did, we should begin to argue. You know it is my opinion, +and always has been, that Carson deliberately set you against the +boy; that he was always telling you tales to his disadvantage; +and although I admit that the lad was very wrong to knock him down +when he struck him, I think, my dear, I should have done the same +had I been in his place." + +"Then, madam," Mr. Anthony said solemnly, "you would have deserved +what happened to him--that you should be turned neck and crop +into the street." + +Mrs. Anthony gave a determined nod of her head--a nod which +signified that she should have a voice on that point. However, +seeing that in her husband's present mood it was better to say no +more, she resumed her work. + +While this conversation had been proceeding, Jack Stilwell, who +had fled hastily when surprised by the mayor as he was talking to +his daughter at the back gate of the garden, had made his way down +to the wharves, and there, seating himself upon a pile of wood, +had stared moodily at the tract of mud extending from his feet to +the strip of water far away. His position was indeed an unenviable +one. As Mrs. Anthony had said, his father was a clergyman of the +Church of England, the vicar of a snug living in Lincolnshire, but +he had been cast out when the Parliamentarians gained the upper +hand, and his living was handed over to a Sectarian preacher. +When, after years of poverty, King Charles came to the throne, the +dispossessed minister thought that as a matter of course he should +be restored to his living; but it was not so. As in hundreds of +other cases the new occupant conformed at once to the new laws, +and the Rev. Thomas Stilwell, having no friends or interest, was, +like many another clergyman, left out in the cold. + +But by this time he had settled at Oxford--at which university he +had been educated--and was gaining a not uncomfortable livelihood +by teaching the sons of citizens. Late in life he married Margaret +Ullathorpe, who, still a young woman, had, during a visit to some +friends at Oxford, made his acquaintance. In spite of the disparity +of years the union was a happy one. One son was born to them, and +all had gone well until a sudden chill had been the cause of Mr. +Stilwell's death, his wife surviving him only one year. Her death +took place at Southampton, where she had moved after the loss of +her husband, having no further tie at Oxford, and a week later Jack +Stilwell found himself domiciled at the house of Mr. Anthony. + +It was in vain that he represented to the cloth merchant that his +wishes lay toward a seafaring life, and that although his father +had wished him to go into the ministry, he had given way to his +entreaties. Mr. Anthony sharply pooh poohed the idea, and insisted +that it was nothing short of madness to dream of such a thing when +so excellent an opportunity of learning a respectable business was +open to him. + +At any other time Jack would have resisted stoutly, and would have +run away and taken his chance rather than agree to the proposition; +but he was broken down by grief at his mother's death. Incapable of +making a struggle against the obstinacy of Mr. Anthony, and scarce +caring what became of himself, he signed the deed of apprenticeship +which made him for five years the slave of the cloth merchant. Not +that the latter intended to be anything but kind, and he sincerely +believed that he was acting for the good of the boy in taking him +as his apprentice; but as Jack recovered his spirits and energy, he +absolutely loathed the trade to which he was bound. Had it not been +for Mistress Anthony and Alice he would have braved the heavy pains +and penalties which in those days befell disobedient apprentices, +and would have run away to sea; but their constant kindness, and +the fact that his mother with her dying breath had charged him +to regard her cousin as standing in her place, prevented him from +carrying the idea which he often formed into effect. + +In the shop his life was wretched. He was not stupid, as his master +asserted; for indeed in other matters he was bright and clever, +and his father had been well pleased with the progress he made with +his studies; but, in the first place; he hated his work, and, in +the second, every shortcoming and mistake was magnified and made +the most of by the foreman, Andrew Carson. This man had long looked +to be taken into partnership, and finally to succeed his master, +seeing that the latter had no sons, and he conceived a violent +jealousy of Jack Stilwell, in whose presence, as a prime favorite +of Mistress Anthony and of her daughter, he thought he foresaw an +overthrow of his plans. + +He was not long in effecting a breach between the boy and his +master--for Jack's carelessness and inattention gave him plenty of +opportunities--and Mr. Anthony ere long viewed the boy's errors +as acts of willful disobedience. This state of things lasted for two +years until the climax came, when, as Mr. Anthony had said to his +wife, Jack, upon the foreman attempting to strike him, had knocked +the latter down in the shop. + +Mr. Anthony's first impulse was to take his apprentice before +the justices and to demand condign punishment for such an act of +flagrant rebellion; but a moment's reflection told him that Jack, +at the end of his punishment, would return to his house, where +his wife would take his part as usual, and the quarrels which had +frequently arisen on his account would be more bitter than before. + +It was far better to get rid of him at once, and he accordingly +ordered him from the shop, tore up his indenture before his eyes, +and bade him never let him see his face again. For the first few +hours Jack was delighted at his freedom. He spent the day down on +the wharves talking to the fishermen and sailors. There were no +foreign bound ships in the port, and he had no wish to ship on board +a coaster; he therefore resolved to wait until a vessel sailing +for foreign ports should leave. + +He had no money; but a few hours after he left the shop Mrs. +Anthony's maid found him on the wharf, and gave him a letter from +her mistress. In this was inclosed a sum of money sufficient to +last him for some time, and an assurance that she did not share +her husband's anger against him. + +"I have no doubt, my dear Jack," she said, "that in time I could +heal the breach and could arrange for you to come back again, +but I think perhaps it is better as it is. You would never make a +clothier, and I don't think you would ever become Mayor of Southampton. +I know what your wishes are, and I think that you had better follow +them out. Alice is heartbroken over the affair, but I assure her +that it will all turn out for the best. I cannot ask you to come +up to the house; but whenever you have settled on anything leave +a note with Dorothy for me, and I will come down with Alice to see +you and say goodby to you. I will see that you do not go without +a proper outfit." + +It was to deliver this letter that Jack had gone up to the back +gate; and seeing Alice in the garden they had naturally fallen +into conversation at the gate, when the mayor, looking out from +the window of his warehouse, happened to see them, and went out in +the greatest wrath to put a stop to the conversation. + +Jack had indeed found a ship; she had come in from Holland with +cloth and other merchandise, and was after she was discharged to +sail for the colonies with English goods. She would not leave the +port for some weeks; but he had seen the captain, who had agreed +to take him as ship's boy. Had the mayor been aware that his late +apprentice was on the point of leaving he would not have interfered +with his intention; but as he had peremptorily ordered that his +name was not to be mentioned before him, and as Mrs. Anthony had +no motive in approaching the forbidden subject, the mayor remained +in ignorance that Jack was about to depart on a distant voyage. + +One day, on going down to the town hail, he found an official letter +waiting him; it was an order from government empowering justices +of the peace to impress such men as they thought fit, with the only +restriction that men entitled to vote for members of parliament were +exempted. This tremendous power had just been legalized by an act +of parliament. A more iniquitous act never disgraced our statutes, +for it enabled justices of the peace to spite any of their poorer +neighbors against whom they had a grudge, and to ship them off to +share in the hardships of Marlborough's campaign in Germany and +the Low Countries, or in the expedition now preparing for Spain. + +At that time the army was held in the greatest dislike by the +English people. The nation had always been opposed to a standing +force, and it was only now that the necessities of the country +induced them to tolerate it. It was, however, recruited almost +entirely from reckless and desperate men. Criminals were allowed +to commute sentences of imprisonment for service in the army, and +the gates of the prisons were also opened to insolvent debtors +consenting to enlist. But all the efforts of the recruiting sergeants, +aided by such measures as these, proved insufficient to attract +a sufficient number of men to keep up the armies at the required +strength. + +Pressing had always existed to a certain extent; but it had been +carried on secretly, and was regarded as illegal. Therefore, as +men must be had, the law giving justices the authority and power +to impress any men they might select, with the exception of those +who possessed a vote for members of parliament, was passed with +the approval of parties on both sides of the House of Commons. + +There was indeed great need for men. England had allied herself with +Austria and Holland in opposition to France, the subject of dispute +being the succession to the crown of Spain, England's feelings in +the matter being further imbittered by the recognition by Louis +XIV of the Pretender as King of England. Therefore, although her +interests were not so deeply engaged in the question as to the +succession to the throne of Spain as were those of the continental +powers, she threw herself into the struggle with ardor. + +The two claimants to the throne of Spain were the Archduke Charles, +second son of Leopold, Emperor of Austria, and Philip, Duke of +Anjou, a younger grandson of Louis. On the marriage of the French +king with Maria Theresa, the sister of Charles II of Spain, she +had formally renounced all claims to the succession, but the French +king had nevertheless continued from time to time to bring them +forward. Had these rights not been renounced Philip would have had +the best claim to the Spanish throne, the next of kin after him +being Charles of Austria. + +During the later days of the King of Spain all Europe had looked on +with the most intense interest at the efforts which the respective +parties made for their candidates. Whichever might succeed to the +throne the balance of power would be destroyed; for either Austria +and Spain united, or France and Spain united, would be sufficient +to overawe the rest of the Continent. Louis XIV lulled the fears +of the Austrian party by suggesting a treaty of partition to the +Dutch states and William the Third of England. + +By this treaty it was agreed that the Archduke Charles was to be +acknowledged successor to the crowns of Spain, the Indies, and the +Netherlands; while the dauphin, as the eldest son of Maria Theresa, +should receive the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, with the Spanish +province of Guipuscoa and the duchy of Milan, in compensation of +his abandonment of other claims. When the conditions of this treaty +became known they inspired natural indignation in the minds of the +people of the country which had thus been arbitrarily allotted, +and the dying Charles of Spain was infuriated by this conspiracy +to break up and divide his dominion. His jealousy of France would +have led him to select the Austrian claimant; but the emperor's +undisguised greed for a portion of the Spanish empire, and the +overbearing and unpleasant manner of the Austrian ambassador in +the Spanish court, drove him to listen to the overtures of Louis, +who had a powerful ally in Cardinal Portocarrero, Archbishop of +Toledo, whose influence was all powerful with the king. The cardinal +argued that the grandson of Maria Theresa could not be bound by +her renunciation, and also that it had only been made with a view +to keep separate the French and Spanish monarchies, and that if a +descendant of hers, other than the heir to the throne of France, +were chosen, this condition would be carried out. + +Finally, he persuaded Charles, a month before his death, to sign +a will declaring Philip, Duke of Anjou, grandson of his brother in +law Louis XIV, sole heir of the Spanish empire. The will was kept +secret till the death of the king, and was then publicly proclaimed. +Louis accepted the bequest in favor of his grandson, and Philip +was declared king in Spain and her dependencies. + +The greatest indignation was caused in England, Holland, and +the empire at this breach by the King of France of the treaty of +partition, of which he himself had been the author. England and +Holland were unprepared for war, and therefore bided their time, +but Austria at once commenced hostilities by directing large bodies +of troops, under Prince Eugene, into the duchy of Milan, and by +inciting the Neapolitans to revolt. The young king was at first +popular in Spain, but Cardinal Portocarrero, who exercised the +real power of the state, by his overbearing temper, his avarice, +and his shameless corruption, speedily alienated the people from +their monarch. Above all, the cardinal was supposed to be the tool +of the French king, and to represent the policy which had for its +object the dismemberment of the Spanish monarchy and the aggrandizement +of France. + +That Louis had such designs was undoubted, and, if properly managed +and bribed, Portocarrero would have been a pliant instrument +in his hands; but the cardinal was soon estranged by the constant +interference by the French agents in his own measures of government, +and therefore turned against France that power of intrigue which +he had recently used in her favor. He pretended to be devoted to +France, and referred even the most minute details of government +to Paris for approbation, with the double view of disgusting Louis +with the government of Spain and of enraging the Spanish people at +the constant interference of Louis. + +Philip, however, found a new and powerful ally in the hearts of +the people by his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the Duke +of Savoy--a beautiful girl of fourteen years old, who rapidly +developed into a graceful and gifted woman, and became the darling +of the Spanish people, and whose intellect, firmness, and courage +guided and strengthened her weak but amiable husband. For a time the +power of Spain and France united overshadowed Europe, the trading +interests of England and Holland were assailed, and a French army +assembled close to the Flemish frontier. + +The indignation of the Dutch overcame their fears, and they yielded +to the quiet efforts which King William was making, and combined +with England and Austria in a grand alliance against France, the +object of the combination being to exclude Louis from the Netherlands +and West Indies, and to prevent the union of the crowns of France +and Spain upon the same head. King William might not have obtained +from the English parliament a ratification of the alliance had +not Louis just at this moment acknowledged the son of the ex-king +James as king of England. This insult roused the spirit of the +English people, the House of Commons approved the triple alliance, +and voted large supplies. King William died just after seeing his +favorite project successful, and was succeeded by Queen Anne, who +continued his policy. The Austrian Archduke Charles was recognized +by the allies as King of Spain, and preparation made for war. + +An English army was landed near Cadiz; but the Spaniards showed +no signs of rising in favor of Charles, and, after bringing great +discredit on themselves and exciting the animosity of the Spaniards +by gross misconduct, the English army embarked again. Some treasure +ships were captured, and others sunk in the harbor of Vigo, but the +fleet was no more effective than the army. Admiral Sir John Munden +was cashiered for treachery or cowardice on the coast of Spain, and +four captains of vessels in the gallant Benbow's West India fleet +were either dismissed or shot for refusing to meet the enemy and +for abandoning their chief. + +In 1703 little was done in the way of fighting, but the allies +received an important addition of strength by the accession of +Portugal to their ranks. In 1704 the allies made an attempt upon +the important city of Barcelona. It was believed that the Catalans +would have declared for Charles; but the plot by which the town +was to be given up to him was discovered on the eve of execution, +and the English force re-embarked on their ships. Their success +was still less on the side of Portugal, where the Duke of Berwick, +who was in command of the forces of King Philip, defeated the English +and Dutch under the Duke of Schomberg and captured many towns. + +The Portuguese rendered the allies but slight assistance. These +reverses were, however, balanced by the capture of Gibraltar on +the 21st of June by the fleet under Sir George Rooke, and a small +land force under Prince George of Hesse. Schomberg was recalled +and Lord Galway took the command; but he succeeded no better than +his predecessor, and affairs looked but badly for the allies, when +the Duke of Marlborough, with the English and allied troops in +Germany, inflicted the first great check upon the power and ambition +of Louis XIV by the splendid victory of Blenheim. + +This defeat of the French had a disastrous effect upon the fortunes +of Philip. He could no longer hope for help from his grandfather, +for Louis was now called upon to muster his whole strength on his +eastern frontier for the defense of his own dominion, and Philip +was forced to depend upon his partisans in Spain only. The partisans +of Charles at once took heart. The Catalans had never been warm in +the cause of Philip; the crowns of Castile, Arragon, and Catalonia +had only recently been united, and dangerous jealousy existed between +these provinces. The Castilians were devoted adherents of Philip, +and this in itself was sufficient to set Catalonia and Arragon +against him. + +The English government had been informed of this growing discontent +in the north of Spain, and sent out an emissary to inquire into +the truth of the statement. As his report confirmed all that they +had heard, it was decided in the spring of 1705 to send out an +expedition which was to effect a landing in Catalonia, and would, +it was hoped, be joined by all the people of that province and +Arragon. By the efforts and patronage of the Duchess of Marlborough, +who was all powerful with Queen Anne, the Earl of Peterborough was +named to the command of the expedition. + +The choice certainly appeared a singular one, for hitherto the +earl had done nothing which would entitle him to so distinguished +a position. Charles Mordaunt was the eldest son of John Lord Mordaunt, +Viscount Avalon, a brave and daring cavalier, who had fought heart +and soul for Charles, and had been tried by Cromwell for treason, +and narrowly escaped execution. On the restoration, as a reward for +his risk of life and fortune, and for his loyalty and ability, he +was raised to the peerage. + +His son Charles inherited none of his father's steadfastness. +Brought up in the profligate court of Charles the Second he became +an atheist, a scoffer at morality, and a republican. At the same time +he had many redeeming points. He was brilliant, witty, energetic, +and brave. He was generous and strictly honorable to his word. He +was filled with a burning desire for adventure, and, at the close +of 1674, when in his seventeenth year, he embarked in Admiral +Torrington's ship, and proceeded to join as a volunteer Sir John +Narborough's fleet in the Mediterranean, in order to take part in +the expedition to restrain and revenge the piratical depredations +of the barbarous states of Tripoli and Algiers. + +He distinguished himself on the 14th of January, 1675, in an attack +by the boats of the fleet upon four corsair men o' war moored under +the very guns of the castle and fort of Tripoli. The exploit was a +successful one, the ships were all burned, and most of their crews +slain. Another encounter with the fleet of Tripoli took place in +February, when the pirates were again defeated, and the bey forced +to grant all the English demands. + +In 1677 the fleet returned to England, and with it Mordaunt, who +had during his absence succeeded to his father's title and estates, +John Lord Mordaunt having died on the 5th of June, 1675. Shortly +after his return to England Lord Mordaunt, though still but twenty +years old, married a daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser. But his +spirit was altogether unsuited to the quiet enjoyment of domestic +life, and at the end of September, 1678, he went out as a volunteer +in his majesty's ship Bristol, which was on the point of sailing +for the Mediterranean to take part in an expedition fitting out +for the relief of Tangier, then besieged by the Moors. Nothing, +however, came of the expedition, and Mordaunt returned to England +in the autumn of 1679. + +In June, 1680, he again sailed for Tangier with a small expedition +commanded by the Earl of Plymouth. The expedition succeeded in throwing +themselves into the besieged town, and continued the defense with +vigor, and Mordaunt again distinguished himself; but he soon wearied +of the monotony of a long siege, and before the end of the year found +opportunity to return to England, where he plunged into politics +and became one of the leaders of the party formed to exclude the +Duke of York from the throne. + +Although a close friend of Lord Russell and Algernon Sidney he had +fortunately for himself not been admitted to the fatal privilege +of their private councils, and therefore escaped the fate which +befell them. He continued his friendship with them to the last, +and accompanied Algernon Sidney to the scaffold. But even while +throwing himself heart and soul into politics he was continually +indulging in wild freaks which rendered him the talk of the town. + +On the accession of King James he made his first speech in the +House of Peers against a standing army, and distinguished himself +alike by the eloquence and violence of his language. He was now +under the displeasure of the court, and his profuse generosity had +brought him into pecuniary trouble. In 1686, therefore, he quitted +England with the professed intention of accepting a command in the +Dutch fleet then about to sail for the West Indies, When he arrived +in Holland, however, he presented himself immediately to the Prince +of Orange, and first among the British nobility boldly proposed to +William an immediate invasion of England. He pushed his arguments +with fiery zeal, urged the disaffection of all classes, the hatred +of the Commons, the defection of the Lords, the alarm of the Church, +and the wavering loyalty of the army. + +William, however, was already informed of these facts, and was not +to be hurried. Mordaunt remained with him till, on the 20th of +October, 1688, he sailed for England. The first commission that King +William signed in England was the appointment of Lord Mordaunt as +lieutenant colonel of horse, and raising a regiment he rendered +good service at Exeter. As soon as the revolution was completed, +and William and Mary ascended the throne, Mordaunt was made a privy +councilor and one of the lords of the bedchamber, and in April, +1689, he was made first commissioner of the treasury, and advanced +to the dignity of Earl of Monmouth. In addition to the other offices +to which he was appointed he was given the colonelcy of the regiment +of horse guards. + +His conduct in office showed in brilliant contrast to that of the +men with whom he was placed. He alone was free from the slightest +suspicion of corruption and venality, and he speedily made enemies +among his colleagues by the open contempt which he manifested for +their gross corruption. + +Although he had taken so prominent a part in bringing King William +to England, Monmouth soon became mixed up in all sorts of intrigues +and plots. He was already tired of the reign of the Dutch king, +and longed for a commonwealth. He was constantly quarreling with +his colleagues, and whenever there was a debate in the House of +Lords Monmouth took a prominent part on the side of the minority. +In 1692 he went out with his regiment of horse guards to Holland, +and fought bravely at the battle of Steenkirk. The campaign was a +failure, and in October he returned to England with the king. + +For two years after this he lived quietly, devoting his principal +attention to his garden and the society of wits and men of letters. +Then he again appeared in parliament, and took a leading part in +the movement in opposition to the crown, and inveighed in bitter +terms against the bribery of persons in power by the East India +Company, and the venality of many members of parliament and even +the ministry. His relations with the king were now of the coldest +kind, and he became mixed up in a Jacobite plot. How far he was +guilty in the matter was never proved. Public opinion certainly +condemned him, and by a vote of the peers he was deprived of all +his employments and sent to the Tower. The king, however, stood +his friend, and released him at the end of the session. + +In 1697, by the death of his uncle, Charles became Earl +of Peterborough, and passed the next four years in private life, +emerging only occasionally to go down to the House of Peers and +make fiery onslaughts upon abuses and corruption. In the course of +these years, both in parliament and at court, he had been sometimes +the friend, sometimes the opponent of Marlborough; but he had the +good fortune to be a favorite of the duchess, and when the time came +that a leader was required for the proposed expedition to Spain, +she exerted herself so effectually that she procured his nomination. + +Hitherto his life had been a strange one. Indolent and energetic +by turns, restless and intriguing, quarreling with all with whom +he came in contact, burning with righteous indignation against +corruption and misdoing, generous to a point which crippled his +finances seriously, he was a puzzle to all who knew him, and had he +died at this time he would only have left behind him the reputation +of being one of the most brilliant, gifted, and honest, but at the +same time one of the most unstable, eccentric, and ill regulated +spirits of his time. + + + +CHAPTER II: IMPRESSED + + +When the Mayor of Southampton opened the official document empowering +and requesting him to obtain recruits for the queen's service he +was not greatly pleased. This sort of thing would give a good deal +of trouble, and would assuredly not add to his popularity. He saw +at once that he would be able to oblige many of his friends by +getting rid of people troublesome to them, but with this exception +where was he to find the recruits the queen required? There were, +of course, a few never do wells in the town who could be packed +off, to the general satisfaction of the inhabitants, but beyond +this every one taken would have friends and relations who would +cry out and protest. + +It was likely to be a troublesome business, and the mayor threw +down the paper on the table before him. Then suddenly his expression +changed. He had been thinking of obliging his friends by sending +off persons troublesome to them, but he had not thought of his own +case. Here was the very thing; he would send off this troublesome +lad to fight for the queen; and whether he went to the Low Countries +under Marlborough, or to Spain with this new expedition which was +being prepared, it was very unlikely that he would ever return to +trouble him. + +He was only sixteen, indeed, but he was strong and well grown, and +much fitter for service than many of those who would be sent. If +the young fellow stopped here he would always be a trouble, and +a bone of contention between himself and his wife. Besides, for +Alice's sake, it was clearly his duty to get the fellow out of the +way. Girls, Mr. Anthony considered, were always falling in love +with the very last people in the world with whom they should do so, +and out of sheer contrariety it was more than possible that Alice +might take a fancy for this penniless vagabond, and if she did Mrs. +Anthony was fool enough to support her in her folly. + +Of course there would be trouble with his wife when she found what +had happened to the lad--for the mayor did not deceive himself +for a moment by the thought that he would be able to conceal from +his wife the cause of Jack's absence; he was too well aware of +Mrs. Anthony's power of investigation. Still, after it was done it +could not be undone, and it was better to have one domestic storm +than a continuation of foul weather. + +Calling in his clerk the mayor read over to him the order he had +received, and bade him turn to the court book and make out a list +of the names of forty young men who had been charged before him +with offenses of drunkenness, assault, battery and rioting. + +"When you have made up the list, Johnson, you will go round to the +aldermen and inform them of the order that I have received from +the government, and you can tell them that if there are any persons +they know of whom they consider that Southampton would be well rid, +if they will send the names to me I will add them to the list. Bid +them not to choose married men, if it can be avoided, for the town +would be burdened with the support of their wives and families. +Another ten names will do. The letter which accompanies the order +says that from my well known zeal and loyalty it is doubted not +that Southampton will furnish a hundred men, but if I begin with +fifty that will be well enough, and we can pick out the others at +our leisure." + +By the afternoon the list was filled up. One of the aldermen had +inserted the name of a troublesome nephew, another that of a foreman +with whom he had had a dispute about wages, and who had threatened +to proceed against him in the court. Some of the names were inserted +from mere petty spite; but with scarce an exception the aldermen +responded to the invitation of the mayor, and placed on the list +the name of some one whom they, or Southampton, would be the better +without. + +When the list was completed the mayor struck out one of the first +names inserted by his clerk and inserted that of John Stilwell in +its place. His instructions were that he was to notify to an officer, +who would arrive with a company of soldiers on the following day, +the names of those whom he deemed suitable for the queen's service. +The officer after taking them was to embark them on board one of +the queen's cutters, which would come round from Portsmouth for +the purpose, and would convey them to Dover, where a camp was being +formed and the troops assembling. + +Upon the following day the company marched into the town, and the +officer in command, having seen his men billeted among the citizens, +called upon the mayor. + +"Well, Mr. Mayor," he said, "I hope you have a good list of recruits +for me. I don't want to be waiting here, for I have to go on a +similar errand to other towns. It is not a job I like, I can tell +you, but it is not for me to question orders." + +"I have a list of fifty men, all active and hearty fellows, who +will make good soldiers," the mayor said. + +"And of whom, no doubt, Southampton will be well rid," the officer +said with a laugh. "Truly, I pity the Earl of Peterborough, for +he will have as rough a body of soldiers as ever marched to war. +However, it is usually the case that the sort of men who give +trouble at home are just those who, when the time comes, make the +best fighters. I would rather have half a dozen of your reckless +blades, when the pinch comes, than a score of honest plowboys. How +do you propose that I shall take them?" + +"That I will leave entirely to you," the mayor said; "here is a +list of the houses where they lodge. I will place the town watch +at your disposal to show you the way and to point out the men to +you." + +"That will be all I shall require," the officer said; "but you can +give me a list of those who are most likely to give trouble. These +I will pounce upon and get on board ship first of all. When they +are secured I will tell my men off in parties, each with one of +your constables to point out the men, and we will pick them up so +many every evening. It is better not to break into houses and seize +them; for, although we are acting legally and under the authority +of act of parliament, it is always as well to avoid giving cause +of complaint, which might tend to excite a feeling against the war +and make the government unpopular, and which, moreover, might do +you harm with the good citizens, and do me harm with those above +me. I am sure you agree with me." + +"Quite so, quite so," the mayor said hastily; "you speak very +prudently and well, sir. I hope you will honor me by taking up your +abode in my house during your stay here; but may I ask you not to +allow my wife, who is inquisitive by nature, to see the list with +which I furnish you? Women are ever meddling in matters which +concern them not." + +"I understand," the officer said with a wink, "there are names on +the list of which your wife would not approve. I have known the +same thing happen before. But never fear, the list shall be kept +safe; and, indeed, it were better that nothing were said of my +business in the town, for if this get abroad, some of those whose +conscience may tell them that they will be likely to be chosen for +service might very well slip off and be out of the way until they +hear that I and my men have left." + +Two days later, when, as the evening was falling, Jack Stilwell was +walking up from the wharf, where he had been watching the unlading +of the vessel in which he was to sail, he came upon a group of +four or five soldiers standing at a corner. Then a voice, which he +recognized as that of the foreman, Richard Carson, said: + +"That is your man, officer;" and the soldiers made a sudden rush +upon him. + +Taken by surprise he nevertheless struggled desperately, but a heavy +blow with a staff fell on the back of his head, and for a time he +knew nothing more. When he recovered his consciousness he was lying +almost in complete darkness, but by the faint gleam of the lantern +he discovered that he was in the hold of a ship. Several other +men were sitting or laying near him. Some of them were cursing and +swearing, others were stanching the blood which flowed from various +cuts and gashes. + +"What does all this mean ?" he asked as he somewhat recovered +himself. + +"It means," said one, "that we are pressed to serve as soldiers. +I made a fight for it, and just as they had got the handcuffs on +some citizens came up and asked what was doing, and the sergeant +said, 'It is quite legal. We hold the mayor's warrant to impress +this man for service in the army; there is a constable here who +will tell you we are acting on authority, and if any interfere it +will be worse for them.'" + +Jack heard the news in silence. So, he had been pressed by a warrant +of the mayor, he was the victim of the spite of his late employer. +But his thoughts soon turned from this by the consciousness that +his shirt and clothes were soaked with blood, and putting his hand +to the back of his head he found a great lump from which the blood +was still slowly flowing. Taking off his neck handkerchief he bound +it round his head and then lay down again. He tried to think, but +his brain was weak and confused, and he presently fell into a sound +sleep, from which he was not aroused by the arrival of another +batch of prisoners. + +It was morning when he awoke, and he found that he had now nearly +twenty companions in captivity. Some were walking up and down like +caged animals, others were loudly bewailing their fate, some sat +moody and silent, while some bawled out threats of vengeance against +those they considered responsible for their captivity. A sentry +with a shouldered musket was standing at the foot of the steps, +and from time to time some sailors passed up and down. Jack went +up to one of these. + +"Mate," he said, "could you let us have a few buckets of water +down here? In the first place we are parched with thirst, and in +the second we may as well try to get off some of the blood which, +from a good many of us, has been let out pretty freely." + +"Well, you seem a reasonable sort of chap," the sailor said, "and +to take things coolly. That's the way, my lad; when the king, or +the queen now--it's all the same thing--has once got his hand +on you it's of no use kicking against it. I have been pressed twice +myself, so I know how you feel. Here, mates," he said to two of +the other sailors, "lend a hand and get a bucket of fresh water and +a pannikin, and half a dozen buckets of salt water, and let these +lads have a drink and a wash." + +It was soon done. The prisoners were all glad of the drink, but +few cared to trouble about washing. Jack, however, took possession +of a bucket, stripped to the waist, and had a good wash. The salt +water made his wound smart, but he continued for half an hour +bathing it, and at the end of that time felt vastly fresher and +better. Then he soaked his shirt in the water, and as far as possible +removed the broad stains of blood which stiffened it. Then he wrung +it out and hung it up to dry, and, putting on his coat, sat down +and thought matters over. + +He had never had the idea of entering the army, for the measures +taken to fill the ranks rendered the military service distasteful +in the extreme to the English people. Since the days of Agincourt +the English army had never gained any brilliant successes abroad, +and there was consequently none of that national pride which now +exists in its bravery and glorious history. + +Still, Jack reflected, it did not make much difference to him +whether he became a soldier or a sailor. He had longed to see the +world, to share in deeds of adventure, and, above all, to escape +from the dreary drudgery of the clothier's shop. These objects +would be attained as well in the army as in the navy; and, indeed, +now that he thought of it, he preferred the active service which +he would see under Marlborough or Peterborough to the monotony +of a long sea voyage. At any rate, it was clear that remonstrance +or resistance were vain. He as well as others were aware of the +law which had just been passed, giving magistrates the power of +impressing soldiers for the service, and he felt, therefore, that +although his impressment had no doubt been dictated by the private +desire of the mayor to get him out of the way, it was yet strictly +legal, and that it would be useless his making any protest against +it. He resolved, therefore, to make the best of things, and to +endeavor to win the goodwill of his officers by prompt and cheerful +acquiescence in the inevitable. + +Presently some sailors brought down a tray with a number of hunks +of black bread, a large pot filled with a sort of broth, and a score +of earthenware mugs. Jack at once dipped one of the mugs into the +pot, and, taking a hunk of bread, sat down to his breakfast. A few +others followed his example, but most of them were too angry or +too dispirited to care about eating; and, indeed, it seemed to them +that their refusal to partake of the meal was a sort of protest +against their captivity. + +Half an hour afterward the sailors removed the food; and many of +those who had refused to touch it soon regretted bitterly that they +had not done so, for as the time went on hunger began to make itself +felt. It was evening before the next meal, consisting of black +bread and a great piece of salt beef, was brought down. This time +there were no abstentions. As the evening wore on fresh batches +of prisoners were brought in, until, by midnight, the number was +raised to fifty. Many of them had been seriously knocked about in +their capture, and Jack, who had persuaded his friend the sailor +to bring down three or four more buckets of salt water, did his +best, by bathing and bandaging their wounds, to put them at their +ease. + +In the morning he could see who were his companions in misfortune. +Many of them he knew by sight as loafers on the wharves and +as troublesome or riotous characters. Three or four were men of +different type. There were two or three respectable mechanics-- +men who had had, at various times, drawn upon them the dislikes of +the great men of the town by insisting on their rights; and there +were two idle young fellows of a higher class, who had vexed their +friends beyond endurance. + +Presently the officer in charge of the recruiting party, who had +now come on board, came down into the hold. He was at once assailed +with a storm of curses and angry remonstrances. + +"Look here, my lads," he said, raising his hand for silence, "it is +of no use your going on like this, and I warn you that the sooner +you make up your minds that you have got to serve her majesty the +better for you, because that you have got to do it is certain. You +have all been impressed according to act of parliament, and there +is no getting out of it. It's your own fault that you got those +hard knocks that I see the marks of, and you will get more if you +give any more trouble. Now, those who choose to agree at once to +serve her majesty can come on deck." + +Jack at once stepped forward. + +"I am ready to serve, sir," he said. + +"That's right," the officer replied heartily; "you are a lad of +spirit, I can see, and will make a good soldier. You look young +yet, but that's all in your favor; you will be a sergeant at an age +when others are learning their recruit drill. Now, who's the next?" + +Some half dozen of the others followed Jack's example, but the rest +were still too sore and angry to be willing to do anything voluntarily. + +Jack leaped lightly up on deck and looked round; the cutter was +already under weigh, and with a gentle breeze was running along +the smooth surface of Southampton waters; the ivy covered ruins of +Netley Abbey were abreast of them, and behind was the shipping of +the port. + +"Well, young un," an old sergeant said, "so I suppose you have +agreed to serve the queen?" + +"As her majesty was so pressing," Jack replied with a smile, "you +see I had no choice in the matter." + +"That's right," the sergeant said kindly; "always keep up your +spirits, lad. Care killed a cat, you know. You are one of the right +sort, I can see, but you are young to be pressed. How old are you?" + +"Sixteen," Jack replied. + +"Then they had no right to take you," the sergeant said; "seventeen's +the earliest age, and as a rule soldiers ain't much good till they +are past twenty. You would have a right to get off if you could prove +your age; but of course you could not do that without witnesses or +papers, and it's an old game for recruits who look young to try to +pass as under age." + +"I shan't try," Jack answered; "I have made up my mind to it now, +and there's an end to it. But why ain't soldiers any good till they +are past twenty, sergeant? As far as I can see, boys are just as +brave as men." + +"Just as brave, my lad, and when it comes to fighting the young +soldier is very often every bit as good as the old one; but they +can't stand fatigue and hardship like old soldiers. A boy will +start out on as long a walk as a man can take, but he can't keep +it up day after day. When it comes to long marches, to sleeping on +the ground in the wet, bad food, and fever from the marshes, the +young soldier breaks down, the hospital gets full of boys, and they +just die off like flies, while the older men pull through." + +"You are a Job's comforter, I must say," Jack said with a laugh; +"but I must hope that I shan't have long marches, and bad food, +and damp weather, and marsh fever till I get a bit older." + +"I don't want to discourage you," the sergeant remarked, "and you +know there are young soldiers and young soldiers. There are the +weedy, narrow chested chaps as seems to be made special for filling +a grave; and there is the sturdy, hardy young chap, whose good +health and good spirits carries him through. That's your sort, I +reckon. Good spirits is the best medicine in the world; it's worth +all the doctors and apothecaries in the army. But how did you come +to be pressed? it's generally the ne'er do well and idle who get +picked out as food for powder. That doesn't look your sort, or I'm +mistaken." + +"I hope not," Jack said. "I am here because I am a sort of cousin +of the Mayor of Southampton. He wanted me to serve in his shop. I +stood it for a time, but I hated it, and at last I had a row with his +foreman and knocked him down, so I was kicked out into the streets; +and I suppose he didn't like seeing me about, and so took this +means of getting rid of me. He needn't have been in such a hurry, +for if he had waited a few days I should have gone, for I had +shipped as a boy on board of a ship about to sail for the colonies." + +"In that case, my lad, you have no reason for ill will against this +precious relation of yours, for he has done you a good turn while +meaning to do you a bad un. The life of a boy on board a ship +isn't one to be envied, I can tell you; he is at every one's beck +and call, and gets more kicks than halfpence. Besides, what comes +of it? You get to be a sailor, and, as far as I can see, the life +of a sailor is the life of a dog. Look at the place where he sleeps +--why, it ain't as good as a decent kennel. Look at his food-- +salt meat as hard as a stone, and rotten biscuit that a decent dog +would turn up his nose at; his time is never his own--wet or dry, +storm or calm, he's got to work when he's told. And what's he got +to look forward to? A spree on shore when his voyage is done, and +then to work again. Why, my lad, a soldier's life is a gentleman's +life in comparison. Once you have learned your drill and know your +duty you have an easy time of it. Most of your time's your own. +When you are on a campaign you eat, drink, and are jolly at other +folks' expense; and if you do get wet when you are on duty, you +can generally manage to turn in dry when you are relieved. It's not +a bad life, my boy, I can tell you; and if you do your duty well, +and you are steady, and civil, and smart, you are sure to get your +stripes, especially if you can read and write, as I suppose you +can." + +Jack nodded with a half smile. + +"In that case," the sergeant said, "you may even in time get to +be an officer. I can't read nor write--not one in twenty can-- +but those as can, of course, has a better chance of promotion if +they distinguish themselves. I should have got it last year in the +Low Country, and Marlborough himself said, 'Well done!' when I, +with ten rank and file, held a bridge across a canal for half an +hour against a company of French. He sent for me after it was over, +but when he found I couldn't read or write he couldn't promote +me; but he gave me a purse of twenty guineas, and I don't know but +what that suited me better, for I am a deal more comfortable as +a sergeant than I should have been as an officer; but you see, if +you had been in my place up you would have gone." + +The wind fell in the afternoon, and the cutter dropped her anchor +as the tide was running against her. At night Jack Stilwell and the +others who had accepted their fate slept with the troops on board +instead of returning to rejoin their companions in the hold. Jack +was extremely glad of the change, as there was air and ventilation, +whereas in the hold the atmosphere had been close and oppressive. +He was the more glad next morning when he found that the wind, +which had sprung up soon after midnight, was freshening fast, and +was, as one of the sailors said, likely to blow hard before long. +The cutter was already beginning to feel the effect of the rising +sea, and toward the afternoon was pitching in a lively way and +taking the sea over her bows. + +"You seem to enjoy it, young un," the sergeant said as Jack, holding +on by a shroud, was facing the wind regardless of the showers of spray +which flew over him. "Half our company are down with seasickness, +and as for those chaps down in the fore hold they must be having +a bad time of it, for I can hear them groaning and cursing through +the bulkhead. The hatchway has been battened down for the last +three hours." + +"I enjoy it," Jack said; "whenever I got a holiday at Southampton +I used to go out sailing. I knew most of the fishermen there; they +were always ready to take me with them as an extra hand. When do +you think we shall get to Dover?" + +"She is walking along fast," the sergeant said; "we shall be there +tomorrow morning. We might be there before, but the sailors say that +the skipper is not likely to run in before daylight, and before it +gets dark he will shorten sail so as not to get there before." + +The wind increased until it was blowing a gale; but the cutter was +a good sea boat, and being in light trim made good weather of it. +However, even Jack was pleased when he felt a sudden change in +the motion of the vessel, and knew that she was running into Dover +harbor. + +Morning was just breaking, and the hatchways being removed the +sergeant shouted down to the pressed men that they could come on +deck. It was a miserable body of men who crawled up in answer to +the summons, utterly worn out and exhausted with the seasickness, +the closeness of the air, and the tossing and buffeting of the last +eighteen hours; many had scarce strength to climb the ladder. + +All the spirit and indignation had been knocked out of them--they +were too miserable and dejected to utter a complaint. The sergeant +ordered his men to draw up some buckets of water, and told the +recruits to wash themselves and make themselves as decent as they +could, and the order was sharply enforced by the captain when he +came on deck. + +"I would not march through the streets of Dover with such a filthy, +hang dog crew," he said; "why, the very boys would throw mud +at you. Come, do what you can to make yourselves clean, or I will +have buckets of water thrown over you. I would rather take you on +shore drenched to the skin than in that state. You have brought it +entirely on yourselves by your obstinacy. Had you enlisted at once +without further trouble you would not have suffered as you have." + +The fresh air and cold water soon revived even the most exhausted +of the new recruits, and as soon as all had been made as presentable +as circumstances would admit of, the order was given to land. The +party were formed on the quay, four abreast, the soldiers forming +the outside line, and so they marched through Dover, where but yet +a few people were up and stirring, to the camp formed just outside +the walls of the castle. The colonel of the regiment met them as +they marched in. + +"Well, Captain Lowther, you have had a rough time of it, I reckon. +I thought the whole camp was going to be blown away last night. +These are the recruits from Southampton, I suppose?" + +"Yes, colonel, what there is left of them; they certainly had a +baddish twelve hours of it." + +"Form them in line," the colonel said, "and let me have a look at +them. They are all ready and willing to serve her majesty, I hope," +he added with a grim smile. + +"They are all ready, no doubt," Captain Lowther replied; "as to +their willingness I can't say so much. Some half dozen or so agreed +at once to join without giving any trouble, foremost among them +that lad at the end of the line, who, Sergeant Edwards tells me, +is a fine young fellow and likely to do credit to the regiment; +the rest chose to be sulky, and have suffered for it by being kept +below during the voyage. However, I think all their nonsense is +knocked out of them now." + +The colonel walked along the line and examined the men. + +"A sturdy set of fellows," he said to the captain, "when they have +got over their buffeting. Now, my lads," he went on, addressing the +men, "you have all been pressed to serve her majesty in accordance +with act of parliament, and though some of you may not like it +just at present, you will soon get over that and take to it kindly +enough. I warn you that the discipline will be strict. In a newly +raised regiment like this it is necessary to keep a tight hand, +but if you behave yourselves and do your duty you will not find +the life a hard one. + +"Remember, it's no use any of you thinking of deserting; we have +got your names and addresses, so you couldn't go home if you did; +and you would soon be brought back wherever you went, and you know +pretty well what's the punishment for desertion without my telling +you. That will do." + +No one raised a voice in reply--each man felt that his position +was hopeless, for, as the colonel said, they had been legally +impressed. They were first taken before the adjutant, who rapidly +swore them in, and they were then set to work, assisted by some +more soldiers, in pitching tents. Clothes were soon served out to +them and the work of drill commenced at once. + +Each day brought fresh additions to the force, and in a fortnight +its strength was complete. Jack did not object to the hard drill +which they had to go through, and which occupied them from morning +till night, for the colonel knew that on any day the regiment might +receive orders to embark, and he wanted to get it in something +like shape before setting sail. Jack did, however, shrink from +the company in which he found himself. With a few exceptions the +regiment was made up of wild and worthless fellows, of whom the +various magistrates had been only too glad to clear their towns, +and mingled with these were the sweepings of the jails, rogues and +ruffians of every description. The regiment might eventually be +welded into a body of good soldiers, but at present discipline had +not done its work, and it was simply a collection of reckless men, +thieves, and vagabonds. + + + +CHAPTER III: A DOMESTIC STORM + + +Great was the surprise of Dame Anthony when, on sending down her +servant with a letter to Jack Stilwell, the woman returned, saying +that he had left his lodging two days before and had not returned. +All his things had been left behind, and it was evident that when +he went out he had no intention of leaving. The woman of the house +said that Master Stilwell was a steady and regular lodger, and that +she could not but think something had happened to him. Of course +she didn't know, but all the town were talking of the men who had +been taken away by the press gang, and she thought they must have +clapped hands on her lodger. + +Dame Anthony at once jumped at that conclusion. The pressing of fifty +men had indeed made a great stir in the town during the last two +days. The mayor's office had been thronged by angry women complaining +of their husbands or sons being dragged away; and the mayor had +been the object of many threats and much indignation, and had the +evening before returned home bespattered with mud, having been pelted +on his way from the town hall by the women, and having only been +saved from more serious assaults by the exertions of the constables. + +Dame Anthony had been surprised that her husband had taken these +things so quietly. Some of the women had indeed been seized and +set in the stocks, but the mayor had made light of the affair, and +had altogether seemed in an unusually good state of temper. Dame +Anthony at once connected this with Jack's disappearance. She knew +that the list had been made out by the mayor, and the idea that +her husband had taken this means of getting rid of Jack, and that +he was exulting over the success of his scheme, flashed across her. +As the mayor was away at the town hall she was forced to wait till +his return to dinner; but no sooner had the meal been concluded +and Andrew Carson and the two assistants had left the table than +she began: + +"Richard, I want to look at the list of the men who were pressed." + +The request scarcely came as a surprise upon the clothier. He had +made up his mind that his wife would be sure sooner or later to +discover that Jack was missing, and would connect his disappearance +with the operations of the press gang. + +"What do you want to see that for?" he asked shortly. + +"I want to see who have been taken," his wife said. "There is no +secret about it, I suppose?" + +"No, there is no secret," the mayor replied. "According to the +act of parliament and the request of her majesty's minister I drew +up a list of fifty of the most useless and disreputable of the +inhabitants of this town, and I rejoice to say that the place is +rid of them all. The respectable citizens are all grateful to me +for the manner in which I have fulfilled the task laid upon me, and +as to the clamor of a few angry women, it causes me not a moment's +annoyance." + +"I don't know why you are telling me all this, Richard," his wife +said calmly. "I did not cast any reflections as to the manner in +which you made your choice. I only said I wished to see the list." + +"I do not see that the list concerns you," the mayor said. "Why do +you wish to see it?" + +"I wish to see it, Richard, because I suspect that the name of my +Cousin Jack Stilwell is upon it." + +"Oh, mother!" cried Alice, who had been listening in surprise to +the conversation, suddenly starting to her feet; "you don't mean +that they have pressed Jack to be a soldier." + +"Leave the room, Alice," her father said angrily. "This is no +concern of a child like you." When the door closed behind the girl +he said to his wife: + +"Naturally his name is in the list. I selected fifty of the most +worthless fellows in Southampton, and his name was the first which +occurred to me. What then?" + +"Then I tell you, Richard," Dame Anthony said, rising, "that you +are a wretch, a mean, cowardly, cruel wretch. You have vented your +spite upon Jack, whom I love as if he were my own son, because he +would not put up with the tyranny of your foreman and yourself. +You may be Mayor of Southampton, you may be a great man in your +own way, but I call you a mean, pitiful fellow. I won't stay in +the house with you an hour longer. The wagon for Basingstoke comes +past at three o'clock, and I shall go and stay with my father and +mother there, and take Alice with me." + +"I forbid you to do anything of the sort," the mayor said pompously. + +"You forbid!" Dame Anthony cried. "What do I care for your forbidding? +If you say a word I will go down the town and join those who pelted +you with mud last night. A nice spectacle it would be for the worthy +Mayor of Southampton to be pelted in the street by a lot of women +led by his own wife. You know me, Richard. You know when I say I +will do a thing I will do it." + +"I will lock you up in your own room, woman." + +"You won't," Dame Anthony said scornfully. "I would scream out of +the window till I brought the whole town round. No, Mr. Mayor. You +have had your own way, and I am going to have mine. Go and tell the +town if you like that your wife has left you because you kidnapped +her cousin, the boy she loved. You tell your story and I will tell +mine. Why, the women in the town would hoot you, and you wouldn't +dare show your face in the streets. You insist, indeed! Why, you +miserable little man, my fingers are tingling now. Say another word +to me and I will box your ears till you won't know whether you are +standing on your head or your heels." + +The mayor was a small man, while Dame Anthony, although not above +the usual height, was plump and strong; and her crestfallen spouse +felt that she was capable of carrying her threat into execution. He +therefore thought it prudent to make no reply, and his angry wife +swept from the room. + +It was some time before the mayor descended to his shop. In the +interval he had thought the matter over, and had concluded that +it would be best for him to let his wife have her way. Indeed, he +did not see how he could do otherwise. + +He had expected a storm, but not such a storm as this. Never before +in his fifteen years of married life had he seen his wife in such +a passion, and there was no saying whether she would not carry all +her threats into execution if he interfered with her now. No. It +would be better to let her go. The storm would blow over in time. +It was natural enough for her to go over and stay a few weeks with +her people, and in time, of course, she would come back again. After +all, he had got rid of Jack, and this being so, he could afford for +awhile to put up with the absence of his wife. It was unpleasant, +of course, very unpleasant, to be called such names, but as no +one had heard them but himself it did not so much matter. Perhaps, +after all, it was the best thing that could happen that she should +take it into her head to go away for a time. In her present mood +she would not make things comfortable at home, and, of course, his +daughter would side with her mother. + +Accordingly, when the carrier's wagon stopped at the door the mayor +went out with a pleasant countenance, and saw that the boxes were +safely placed in it, and that his wife was comfortably seated on +some shawls spread over a heap of straw. His attention, however, +received neither thanks nor recognition from Dame Anthony, while +Alice, whose face was swollen with crying, did not speak a word. +However, they were seated well under the cover of the wagon, and +could not be seen by the few people standing near; and as the mayor +continued till the wagon started speaking cheerfully, and giving +them all sorts of injunctions as to taking care of themselves on +the way, he flattered himself that no one would have an idea that +the departure was anything but an amicable one. + +A week later a letter arrived for Dame Anthony and the mayor at +once recognized the handwriting of Jack Stilwell. He took it up to +his room, and had a considerable debate with himself as to whether +he would open it or not. The question was, What did the boy say? +If he wrote full of bitter complaints as to his treatment, the +receipt of the letter by his wife would only make matters worse, +and in that case it would be better to destroy the letter as well +as any others which might follow it, and so put an end to all +communication, for it was unlikely that the boy would ever return +to England. + +Accordingly he opened the letter, and after reading it through, laid +it down with a feeling of something like relief. It was written in a +cheerful spirit. Jack began by saying that he feared Dame Anthony +and Alice would have been anxious when they heard that he was +missing from his lodgings. + +"I have no doubt, my dear cousin, you will have guessed what has +befallen me, seeing that so many have been taken away in the same +way. I don't think that my late master acted handsomely in thus +getting rid of me; for, as the list was made up by him, it was of +course his doing. But you will please tell him from me that I feel +no grudge against him. In the first place, he did not know I was +going away to sea, and it must naturally have angered him to see +one known to be connected with him hanging about Southampton doing +nothing. Besides, I know that he always meant kindly by me. He +took me in when I had nowhere to go, he gave me my apprenticeship +without fee, and, had it not been that my roving spirit rendered +me disinclined for so quiet a life, he would doubtless have done +much for me hereafter. Thus thinking it over, it seems to me but +reasonable that he should have been angered at my rejection of the +benefits he intended for me. + +"In the next place, it may be that his action in shipping me +off as a soldier may in the end prove to be for my welfare. Had +I carried out my intention and gone as a sailor, a sailor I might +have remained all my life. It seems to me that as a soldier my +chances are larger. Not only shall I see plenty of fighting and +adventure, which accords well with my spirit, but it seems to me +--and a sergeant who has shown me much kindness says that it is +so--that there are fair chances of advancement. The soldiers are +for the great part disorderly and ignorant men; and, as I mean to +be steady and obedient so as to gain the goodwill of the officers, +and as I have received a good education from my dear father, I hope +in time to come to be regarded as one somewhat different from the +common herd; and if I get an opportunity of distinguishing myself, +and do not get killed by a Spanish bullet or pike thrust, or by the +fevers which they say are not uncommon, then it is possible I may +come back at the end of the war with some honor and credit, and, +the sergeant said, may even obtain advancement to the rank of an +officer. Therefore my late master, having done me many good turns, +may perhaps find that this last one--even though he intended it +not--is the best of all. Will you make my respects to him, dear +cousin, and tell him that I feel no grudge or ill will against him? +Will you give my love to my Cousin Alice? Tell her that I will bring +her home some rare keepsakes from Spain should they fall in my way; +and you know I will do the same for yourself, who have always been +so good and kind to me." + +"The boy is not a bad boy," the mayor said, well pleased as he laid +down the letter. "It may be that I have judged him too harshly, +seeing that he set himself against what was best for his welfare. +Still, one cannot expect men's heads on boys' shoulders, and he +writes dutifully and properly. I believe it is the fault of Andrew +Carson, who was forever edging me on by reports of the boy's +laziness and carelessness. He certainly has a grudge against him, +and he assuredly exceeded his place and authority when he lifted +his hand against my wife's cousin. It seems to me truly that I have +acted somewhat hastily and wrong headedly in the matter. I shall +give Master Carson notice that at the end of a month I shall require +his services no longer--the fellow puts himself too forward. That +will please Mary; she never liked him, and women in these matters +of likes and dislikes are shrewder than we are. Perhaps when she +hears that he is going, and reads this letter, which I will forward +to her by the carrier, she may come back to me. I certainly miss +her sorely, and the household matters go all wrong now that she +is away. She ought not to have said things to me; but no wise man +thinks anything of what a woman says when she's angry; and now that +I think things over, it certainly seems to me that she had some +sort of warrant for her words. Yes, I certainly don't know what +can have come over me, unless it was that fellow, Andrew Carson. +Richard Anthony has not been considered a bad fellow else he would +never have become the Mayor of Southampton; and for fifteen years +Mary and I have got on very well together, save for the little +disputes which have arisen from her over masterful disposition. But +she is a good wife--none could wish for better--though she is +given to flame out at what she considers unrighteous dealings; but +every woman has her faults, and every man too as far as that goes, +and upon the whole few of them have less than Mary. I will write +to her at once." + +The mayor was not a man to delay when his mind was once made up, +and sitting down at a writing desk he wrote as follows: + +"DEAR WIFE: I inclose a letter which has come for you from your +Cousin Jack. I opened it, and you will think poorly of me when I tell +you that had it been filled with complaints of me, as I expected, +it would not have come to your hands; for your anger against me +is fierce enough without the adding of fresh fuel thereto. But the +lad, as you will see, writes in quite another strain, and remembers +former kindnesses rather than late injuries. His letter has put it +into my head to think matters over, and in a different spirit from +that in which I had previously regarded it, and I have come to the +conclusion that I have acted wrongly; first, that I did not make +allowances enough for the boy; second, that I insisted on keeping +him to a trade he disliked; third, that I have given too willing +an ear to what Andrew Carson has said against the boy; lastly, that +I took such means of freeing myself from him. I today give Andrew +Carson notice to quit my service--a matter in which I have hitherto +withstood you. I am willing to forget the words which you spoke to +me in anger, seeing that there was some foundation for them, and +that when a woman is in a passion her tongue goes further than she +means. + +"Now, as I am ready to put this on one side, I trust that you also +will put aside your anger at my having obtained the pressing for +a soldier of your cousin. You can see for yourself by his writing +that he does not desire that any enmity shall arise out of the +manner of his going. For fifteen years we have lived in amity, and +I see not why, after this cloud passes away, we should not do so +again. + +"I miss you sorely. Things go badly with us since you have gone. +The food is badly cooked, and the serving indifferent. If you will +write to tell me that you are willing to come back, and to be a +loving and dutiful wife again, I will make me a holiday and come +over to Basingstoke to fetch you and Alice home again. I am writing +to Jack and sending him five guineas, for which he will no doubt +find a use in getting things suitable for the adventure upon which +he is embarked, for the payment of her majesty to her soldiers does +not permit of the purchase of many luxuries. On second thoughts I +have resolved to pay Andrew Carson his month's wages, and to let +him go at once. So that if you return you will not find one here +against whom you have always been set, and who is indeed in no +small way the author of the matters which have come between us, +save only as touching the impressment, of which I own that I must +take the blame solely upon myself. Give my love to Alice, and say +that she must keep up her spirits, and look forward to the time +when her Cousin Jack shall come back to her after the killing of +many Spaniards." + +Having signed and carefully sealed this letter, with that from Jack +inclosed within it, the mayor then proceeded to write the following +to the young soldier: + +"MY DEAR COUSIN JACK: I have read the letter which you sent to my +wife, and it is written in a very proper and dutiful strain. Your +departure has caused trouble between my wife and me; but this I +hope will pass away after she has read and considered your letter. +She carried matters so far that she is at present with your Cousin +Alice at the house of her parents at Basingstoke. Having read your +letter, I write to tell you that I feel that I am not without blame +toward you. I did not see it myself until the manner of your letter +opened my eyes to the fact. I have misunderstood you, and, being +bent on carrying out my own inclinations, made not enough allowance +for yours. Were you here now I doubt not that in future we should +get on better together; but as that cannot be, I can only say that +I recognize the kind spirit in which you wrote, and that I trust +that in future we shall be good friends. I inclose you an order +for five guineas on a tradesman in Dover with whom I have dealings. +There are many little things that you may want to buy for your +voyage to supplement the pay which you receive. Andrew Carson is +leaving my service. I think that it is he greatly who came between +us, and has brought things to the pass which I cannot but regret." + +A week later the cloth merchant's shop in the High Street was +shut up, and the mayor, having appointed a deputy for the week he +purposed to be absent, took his place in the stage for Basingstoke, +when a complete reconciliation was effected between him and his +wife. + +The starting of the expedition was delayed beyond the intended +time, for the government either could not or would not furnish the +required funds, and the Earl of Peterborough was obliged to borrow +considerable sums of money, and to involve himself in serious +pecuniary embarrassments to remedy the defects, and to supply as +far as possible the munition and stores necessary for the efficiency +of the little force he had been appointed to command. It consisted +of some three thousand English troops, who were nearly all raw and +undisciplined, and a brigade, two thousand strong, of Dutch soldiers. + +Early in May the regiment to which Jack Stilwell belonged marched +for Portsmouth, where the rest of the expedition were assembled, +and embarked on board the transports lying at Spithead, and on the +22d of the month set sail for St. Helens, where they were joined on +the following day by their general, who embarked with his suit on +board the admiral's ship. On the 24th the fleet sailed for Lisbon. + +Fond as Jack was of the sea, he did not find the change an agreeable +one. On shore the constant drill and steady work had fully occupied +the men, and had left them but little time for grumbling. On board +ship things were different. In those days there was but little +of the strict discipline which is now maintained on board a troop +ship. It was true that the vessels in which the expedition was being +carried belonged to the royal navy; but even here the discipline was +but lax. There were many good sailors on board; but the bulk of the +crew had been pressed into the service as harshly and tyrannically +as were the soldiers themselves, and the grumblers of one class +found ready sympathizers among the others. + +The captain was a young man of good family who had obtained his +appointment solely by interest, and who, although he would have +fought his ship bravely in an action with the enemy, took but little +interest in the regular work, leaving such matters entirely in the +hands of his first lieutenant. The military officers were all new +to their work. On shore they had had the support which the presence +of a considerable number of veteran troops in garrison in the castle +gave them; but they now ceased to struggle against the difficulty +of keeping up discipline among a large number of raw and insubordinate +recruits, relying upon bringing them into order and discipline +when they got them ashore in a foreign country. Beyond, therefore, +a daily parade, and half an hour's drill in the handling of their +firelocks, they interfered but little with the men. + +Sergeant Edwards with twenty of his men had at the last minute, +to Jack's great satisfaction, been drafted into the regiment, and +accompanied them on their voyage. + +"Ay, they are a rough lot," the sergeant said in answer to an +observation of Jack as to the grumbling of the men after they had +been at sea a few days; "but what can you expect when you take men +from their homes against their will, pick out the worst characters +in each town, make up their number with jail birds, and then pack +them off to sea before they have got into shape? There's nothing +tries men more than a sea voyage. Here they are packed up as close +as herrings, with scarcely room to move about, with nothing to do, +and with food which a dog would turn up his nose to eat. Naturally +they get talking together, and grumbling over their wrongs till +they work themselves up. + +"I wish the voyage was over. It wouldn't matter if we had a good +steady old crew, but more than half of them have been pressed; many +of them are landsmen who have been carried off just as you were. +No doubt they would all fight toughly enough if a Frenchman hove +in view, but the captain couldn't rely on them in a row on board. +As long as the fleet keeps together it's all right enough. Here +are nine vessels, and no one on board one knows what's going on in +the others, but if the captain of any one of them were to hoist a +signal that a mutiny had broken out on board, the others would be +round her with their portholes opened ready to give her a dose of +round shot in no time." + +"But you don't think that it is really likely that we shall have +any trouble, sergeant?" + +"There won't be any trouble if, as I am telling you, the weather +holds fine and the fleet keeps together; but if there's a gale and +the ships get scattered, no one can't say what might come of it." + +"I can't think how they could be so mad as to get up a mutiny," +Jack said; "why, even supposing they did take the ship, what would +they do with it?" + +"Them's questions as has been asked before, my lad, and there's +sense and reason in them, but you knows as well as I that there's +many a craft sailing the seas under the black flag. There isn't a +ship as puts to sea but what has half a dozen hands on board who +have been in slavers, and who are full of tales of islands where +everything grows without the trouble of putting a spade in the +ground, where all sorts of strange fruit can be had for the picking, +and where the natives are glad enough to be servants or wives, as +the case may be, to whites. It's just such tales as these as leads +men away, and I will warrant there's a score at least among the crew +of the Caesar who are telling such tales to any who will listen to +them. Well, you see, it's a tempting story enough to one as knows +no better. On the one side there is a hard life, with bad food and +the chance of being shot at, and the sartainty of being ordered +about and not being able to call your life your own. On the other +side is a life of idleness and pleasure, of being your own master, +and, if you want something which the islands can't afford you, why, +there's just a short cruise and then back you come with your ship +filled up with plunder. I don't say as it's not tempting; but +there's one thing agin it, and the chaps as tells these yarns don't +say much about that." + +"What is it, sergeant?" + +"It's just the certainty of a halter or a bloody grave sooner or +later. The thing goes on for some time, and then, when merchant ship +after merchant ship is missing, there are complaints at home, and +out comes a ship or two with the queen's pennant at the head, and +then either the pirate ship gets caught at sea and sunk or captured, +or there's a visit to the little island, and a short shrift for +those found there. + +"No, I don't think it can pay, my lad, even at its best. It's jolly +enough for awhile, maybe, for those whose hearts are so hard that +they think nothing of scuttling a ship with all on board, or of +making the crew and passengers walk the plank in cold blood. Still +even they must know that it can't last, and that there's a gallows +somewhere waiting for them. Still, you see, they don't think of +all that when a chap is atelling them of these islands, and how +pleasant the life is there, and how easy it would be to do for the +officers, and take the command of the ship and sail away. Two or +three chaps as makes up their mind for it will poison a whole crew +in no time." + +"You speak as if you knew all about it." + +"I know a good deal about it," the sergeant replied gravely. "It's +a tale as there ain't many as knows; but you are a sort of lad as +one can trust, and so I don't mind if I tell it you. Though you +wouldn't think it, I have sailed under the black flag myself." + +"You, sergeant!" Jack exclaimed incredulously; "do you mean to say +you have been a pirate?" + +"Just that, my boy. I don't look like it, do I? There ain't +nothing buccaneering about my cut. I looks just what I am, a tough +old sergeant in a queen's regiment; but for all that I have been +a pirate. The yarn is a long one, and I can't tell it you now, +because just at present, you see, I have got to go below to look +after the dinners of the company, but the first time as we can +get an opportunity for a quiet talk I will tell it you. But don't +you go away and think till then as I was a pirate from choice. I +shouldn't like you to think that of me; there ain't never no saying +at sea what may happen. I might tumble overboard tonight and get +drowned, or one of the convoy might run foul of us and sink us, and +tomorrow you might be alive and I might be dead, and I shouldn't +like you to go on thinking all your life as that Sergeant Edwards +had been a bloody pirate of his own free will. So you just bear in +mind, till I tells you the whole story, as how it was forced upon +me. Mind, I don't say as how I hadn't the choice of death or that, +and maybe had you been in my place you would have chosen death; +but, you see, I had never been brought up as you were. I had had no +chances to speak of, and being only just about your age, I didn't +like the thought of dying, so you see I took to it, making up my +mind secret at the same time that the first chance I had I would +slip away from them. I won't tell you more now, I hain't time; but +just you bear that in mind, in case of anything happening, that if +Sergeant Edwards once sailed under the black flag, he didn't do it +willing." + +The sergeant now hurried below, leaving Jack wondering over what +he had heard. Some days elapsed before the story was told, for a +few hours later the sky clouded over and the wind rose, and before +next morning the vessel was laboring heavily under double reefed +topsails. The soldiers were all kept below, and there was no +possibility of anything like a quiet talk. The weather had hitherto +been so fine and the wind so light that the vessels had glided +over the sea almost without motion, and very few indeed of those on +board had experienced anything of the usual seasickness; but now, +in the stifling atmosphere between decks, with the vessel rolling +and plunging heavily, the greater part were soon prostrate +with seasickness, and even Jack, accustomed to the sea as he was, +succumbed to the unpleasantness of the surroundings. + +On the second day of the storm Sergeant Edwards, who had been on +deck to make a report to the captain of the company, was eagerly +questioned on his return below on the condition of the weather. + +"It's blowing about as hard as it can be," he said, "and she rolls +fit to take the masts out of her. There don't seem no chance of +the gale breaking, and none of the other ships of the fleet are +in sight. That's about all I have to tell you, except that I told +the captain that if he didn't get the hatches lifted a little we +should be all stifled down here. He says if there's a bit of a lull +he will ask them to give us a little fresh air, and in the mean +time he says that any who are good sailors may go up on deck, but +it will be at their own risk, for some of the seas go pretty nearly +clean over her." + + + +CHAPTER IV: THE SERGEANT'S YARN + + +Jack Stilwell and a few of the other men availed themselves of the +permission to escape for a time from the stifling atmosphere below, +and made their way on deck. For a time the rush of the wind and the +wild confusion of the sea almost bewildered them. Masses of water +were rushing along the deck, and each time she rolled the waves +seemed as if they would topple over the bulwarks. Several of the +party turned and went below again at once, but Jack, with a few +others, waited their opportunity and, making a rush across the +deck, grasped the shrouds and there hung on. Jack soon recovered +from his first confusion and was able to enjoy the grandeur of the +scene. + +Small as was the canvas she was showing, the vessel was traveling +fast through the waves, sometimes completely burying her head under +a sea; then as she rose again the water rushed aft knee deep, and +Jack had as much as he could do to prevent himself being carried +off his feet. Fortunately all loose articles had long since been +swept overboard, otherwise the risk of a broken limb from their +contact would have been serious. + +In a quarter of an hour even Jack had had enough of it and went +below, and, having changed his drenched clothes, slung his hammock +and turned in. The next day the gale began to abate, and by evening +the wind had nearly died away, although the vessel was rolling as +heavily as before among the great masses of water which rolled in +from the Atlantic. + +The hatchways, however, were now removed, and all below ordered on +deck, and after awhile a party was told off to sluice down their +quarters below. The men were all weakened by their confinement, but +their spirits soon rose, and there was ere long plenty of laughter +at the misfortunes which befell those who tried to cross the deck, +for the ship was rolling so heavily that it was impossible for a +landsman to keep his feet without holding on. + +The next morning, although a heavy swell was still rolling, the +ship assumed her normal aspect. The sailors had removed all trace +of disorder above, clothes were hung out to dry, and, as the ship +was still far too unsteady to allow of walking exercise, the soldiers +sat in groups on the deck, laughing and chatting and enjoying the +warm sun whose rays streamed down upon them. Seeing Sergeant Edwards +standing alone looking over the bulwark, Jack made his way up to +him. + +"It has been a sharp blow," the sergeant said, "and I am glad it's +over; the last four days have been enough to sicken one of the sea +for life. I suppose you think this is a good opportunity for my +yarn." + +"That is just what I was thinking, sergeant." + +"Very well, then, my lad, here goes. I was born at Poole. My people +were all in the seafaring line, and it was only natural that, as +soon as I got old enough to stand kicking, I was put on board a +coaster plying between Poole and London. It was pretty rough, but +the skipper wasn't a bad kind of fellow when he was sober. I stuck +to that for three years, and then the old craft was wrecked on +Shoreham beach. Fortunately she was driven up so far that we were +able to drop over the bowsprit pretty well beyond the reach of +the waves, but there was no getting the Eliza off. It was no great +loss, for she would have had to be broken up as firewood in another +year or two. About six hours out of every twenty-four I was taking +my turn at spells at the pump. + +"Now the Eliza was cast away, I had to look out for another ship. +I had had enough of coasters, so instead of going home I tramped +it up to London. Having got a berth on board a foreign bound vessel +I made two voyages out to Brazil and back. A fine country is the +Brazils, but the Portuguese ain't the fellows to make much out of +it. Little undersized chaps, they are all chatter and jabber, and +when they used to come alongside to unload, it were jest for all +the world like so many boatfuls of monkeys. + +"Well, I starts for my third voyage, being by this time about sixteen +or seventeen. We got out to Rio right enough; but we couldn't get +a full cargo back, and the captain determined to cruise among the +West Indy Islands and fill up his ship. We were pretty nigh full +when one morning the lookout hailed that there were two vessels +just coming out of an inlet in an island we were passing some three +miles on the weather bow. + +"The captain was soon on deck with his glass, and no sooner did he +make them out than he gave orders to clap every sail on her. We +hadn't a very smart crew, but there are not many British ships ever +made sail faster than we did then. The men just flew about, for it +needed no glass to show that the two vessels which came creeping +out from among trees weren't customers as one wanted to talk to +on the high seas. The one was a brig, the other a schooner. They +carried lofty spars ever so much higher than an honest trader could +want; and quick as we had got up our sails, they had got their +canvas spread as soon as we had. + +"The ship was a fast sailer, but it didn't need half an hour to +show that they had the legs of us. So the skipper called the crew +aft. 'Now, my lads,' he said, 'you see those two vessels astern. I +don't think it needs any telling from me as to what they are. They +might be Spaniards or they might be French, or they might be native +traders, but we are pretty well sure they ain't anything of the +kind. They are pirates--I guess the same two vessels I heard them +talking about down at Rio. They have been doing no end of damage +there. There were pretty nigh a dozen ships missing, and they put +them all down to them. However, a couple of English frigates had +come into Rio, and hearing what had happened had gone out to chase +them. They hadn't caught them, and the Brazilians thought that they +had shifted their quarters and gone for a cruise in other latitudes. + +"'The description they gave of them answered to these two--a brig +and a schooner, with low hulls and tall spars. One of them carries +ten guns, the other two on each side, and a heavy piece mounted on +a swivel amidship. It was said that before they went down to Brazil +they had been carrying on their games among the West India Islands, +and had made it so hot for themselves that they had been obliged +to move off from there. It was like enough that, now the hue and +cry after them had abated, they would return to their old quarters. + +"'Well, my lads, I needn't tell you what we have to expect if they +take us. Every man Jack will either get his throat cut or be forced +to walk the plank. So we will fight her to the last; for if the +worst comes to the worst, it's better to be killed fighting like +men than to be murdered in cold blood. However, I hope it won't +come to that. We carry twelve guns, and they are heavier metal +than most merchantmen have on board. We are more than a match for +either of them alone; and if we can manage to cripple one, we can +beat the other off. + +"'At any rate we will try our best. Thank God we have no women on +board, and only ourselves to think of! Now, my lads, cast the guns +loose and get the ammunition on deck; run two of the guns aft and +train them over the stern. As soon as they come within range we +will try and knock some spars out of them. Now, boys, give three +cheers for the old flag, and we will swear together it shall never +come down while there's one of us to fight the ship.' + +"The men gave three cheers and then went off to their quarters +at the guns. They were quiet and grave, and it was easy enough to +see that they did not like the prospect. An Englishman always goes +into action, as far as I have seen, with a light heart and a joke +on his lips when he's fighting against Frenchmen or Spaniards or +any other foe, but it's a different thing when it's a pirate he +has to deal with. Every man knows then that it's a case of life or +death, and that he's got to win or die. The enemy made no secret +of what they were, for when they got within a mile of us two black +flags ran up to their mastheads. + +"The captain he trained one of the stern chasers hisself, and the +first mate took the other. They fired at the same moment, both +aiming at the schooner, which was getting the nearest to us. They +were good shots both of them. The mate's ball struck the water some +twenty yards in front of her forefoot, and smashed her bow planking +some three feet above the waterline; while the captain's struck +her bulwark, tore along her deck, and went out astern, doing some +damage by the way, I reckon. + +"We could see there was some confusion on board. They hadn't +reckoned that we carried such heavy metal, and our luck in getting +both shots on board must have surprised them. Then her bow paid +off, there was a puff of smoke amidship, and a ball from the long +swivel gun buzzed overhead, passing through our mainsail without +touching mast or stay. + +"So far we had the best of it, and the men looked more cheerful +than they had done from the first moment when the pirates showed +from among the trees. After that we kept up a fire from the stern +guns as fast as we could load. I could not see myself what damage +we were doing, for I was kept hard at work carrying ammunition. +Presently the broadside guns began to fire too, and taking the +chance for a look round I saw that the pirates had separated, and +were coming up one on each side of us. + +"So far they had not fired a shot after the first. I suppose they +didn't want to lose ground by yawing, but as they came abreast of +us they both opened fire. Our chaps fought their guns well, and +I expect the pirates found they were not getting much the best of +it; for one of them made a signal, and they both closed in to board. +We hadn't had much luck after our first shot. We had hulled them +over and over again and spotted their sails with shot. Many of +their ropes were hanging loose, but we hadn't succeeded in crippling +them, although almost every shot had been aimed at the masts; for +every man knew that our only chance was to bring them down. + +"As they came up close to us they poured in a volley of grape, and +a minute later they grated alongside and a crowd of men swarmed on +board over the bulwarks. Our fellows fought to the last, but the +odds were five to one against them. The skipper had been killed +by a grapeshot, but the mate he led the men; and if fighting could +have saved us the ship would not have been captured. But it was no +use. In two minutes every man had been cut down or disarmed. I had +laid about me with a cutlass till I got a lick over my head with +a boarding pike which knocked my senses out of me. + +"When I opened my eyes I was hauled up to my feet and put alongside +the mate and six others, all of whom was bleeding more or less. +The rest had all been chucked overboard at once. In a minute or +two the captain of one of the pirates, a little dapper Frenchman, +came up to us. 'You have fought your ship well,' he said to the +mate, 'and have killed several of my officers and men; but I bear +you no malice, and if you are ready to ship with me I will spare +your life.' 'I would rather die a hundred times!' the mate said. The +pirate said nothing, but just nodded, and four of his men seized +the mate and flung him over the bulwarks. The same question was +asked of each of the men; but each in turn refused, and an end was +made of them. I was the last. + +"'Now, my boy,' the captain said, 'I hope you won't be stupid like +those pig headed fellows. What do you say--good treatment and a +free life on the sea, or the sharks?' + +"Well, lad, if my turn hadn't been last I would have said 'no' +like the others. I wouldn't have shown the white feather before +any of my shipmates; but they had gone--there wasn't one to cast +a reproachful look at me or to taunt me with cowardice. I just +stood alone; there weren't no one to back me up in choosing to die +rather than to serve, and so I says, 'I will join you, captain.' I +don't say I was right, lad; I don't say I didn't act as a coward; +but I think most young chaps with my bringing up, and placed as +I was, would have done the same. There's many as would have said +'no' if they had had comrades and friends looking on, but I don't +think there's many as would have said 'no' if they had stood all +alone as I did. + +"I can't say as I blame myself much about that business, though I +have thought it over many a score of times; but anyhow, from the +first I made up my mind that at the very first chance I would get +away from them. I knew the chance wasn't likely to come for some +time--still there it was; and during all the black scenes I took +part in on board that ship I was always telling myself that I was +there against my will. + +"It was the brig as I was to go in. And as soon as that little +matter of the crew was settled all hands set to work to shift the +cargo from the ship aboard the pirates. Wonderful quick they did +it too; and when I thought how long that cargo had taken to get on +board, it was wonderful how soon they whipped it out of her. When +they had stripped her of all they thought worth taking, they ran +one of the cannon to the open hatch, loaded it and crammed it full +of balls to the muzzle; then they pointed it down the hold and +fired it, and were soon on board their own craft. + +"The charge must have torn a great hole in the ship's bottom, for +I could see she was settling down in the water before we had left +her five minutes, and in a quarter of an hour she gave a sudden +lurch and sank. As I was in for it now, I knew the best thing was +to put a good face on it, so I lent a hand at shifting the cargo +and did my best to seem contented. We sailed off in company, and in +the morning when I came on deck I found the two craft riding side +by side in a land locked harbor. + +"A few minutes later the boats were lowered and the work of getting +the cargo on shore began. It was clear enough that this was the +pirates' headquarters; for there were lots of huts built on the +sloping sides of the inlet, and a number of men and women stood +gathered on the shore to receive us as we landed. The women were of +all countries, English and French, Dutch, Spaniards, and Portuguese, +with a good sprinkling of dark skinned natives. All the white women +had been taken prisoners at some time or other from vessels which +had fallen into the pirates' hands, and though most of them must +have been miserable enough at heart, poor creatures, they all made +a show of being glad to see the men back again. It was but a week, +I learned, since the pirates had sailed, and it was considered +a great stroke of luck that they should so soon have effected a +capture. + +"No one attended to me, but I worked hard all day with the others +rowing backward and forward between the shore and the ship. When +it became dusk they knocked off work, and the men went off to their +huts, for it seemed that each of them had a wife, brown skinned or +white. Seeing that nobody paid any attention to me, I went off to +the little captain, who was making his way up to a hut of a better +class than the others. + +"'What is to become of me, captain?' I asked. 'Ah! I had not thought +of you,' he said; 'well, you can go up with me and get some supper, +and you can have a blanket and sleep on my veranda for tonight; we +will see where you can be lodged in the morning.' I followed him +into his house, and was astonished as I entered at the luxury of +the apartment, which far exceeded anything I had ever seen before. +The plank walls were concealed by hangings of light green silk, +a rich carpet covered the floor, the furniture was most handsome +and massive, and had no doubt been intended for the palace of the +Spanish governor of some of the islands. A pair of candelabra of +solid silver stood on the table, and the white candles in them, +which had just been lighted, threw a soft glow of light over the +room and lighted up the table, on which was a service, also of solid +silver, with vases and, lovely flowers. A young woman rose from a +couch as he entered: 'I have been expecting you for the last half +hour, Eugene. You have worked longer than usual this evening; if +the fish are spoiled you must not blame Zoe.' + +"The speaker was a tall and very handsome woman, and I now understood +how it was that my captor spoke such excellent English. There was +a deep expression of melancholy on her face, but she smiled when +speaking to the pirate, and her tone was one of affection. + +"'I have brought home a countryman of yours, Ellen. I forgot to +allot him quarters until it was too late, so please give him over +to the care of Zoe and ask her to give him some supper and a blanket; +he will sleep in the veranda.' + +"The first look which the woman gave me as the captain spoke made +me wish that instead of speaking to the captain I had lain down +fasting under a tree, there was so much contempt and horror in +it; then, as I suppose she saw I was but a boy, it changed, and +it seemed to me that she pitied me from her heart; however, she +clapped her hands and a negress entered. She said something to her +in Spanish, and the old woman beckoned me to follow her, and I was +soon sitting in front of a better meal than I had tasted for many +a month, perhaps the best meal I had tasted in my life. + +"As she couldn't speak English there was no talking with the old +woman. She gave me a tumbler of stiff rum and water to drink with +my supper, and after I had done she handed me a blanket, took me +out into the veranda, pointed to the side where I should get the +sea breeze, and left me. I smoked a pipe or two and then went to +sleep. I was awakened in the morning by some one coming along the +veranda, and, sitting up, saw the lady I had seen the night before. +'So you are English?' she said. 'Yes, ma'am,' says I, touching my +hat sailor fashion. 'Are you lately from home?' she asked. 'Not +very late, ma'am,' says I; 'we went to Rio first, and not filling +up there were cruising about picking up a cargo when--' and I +stopped, not knowing, you see, how I should put it. 'Are there any +more of you?' she asked after awhile in a low sort of voice. 'No, +ma'am,' says I; 'I am the only one.' 'I did not ask,' she said +almost in a whisper, and I could see her face was 'most as white +as a sheet, 'I never ask. And so you have joined them?' 'Yes,' says +I, 'I couldn't help it, ma'am. I was the last, you see; if there +had been any one else to have encouraged me I should have said no, +but being alone--' 'Don't excuse yourself, poor boy,' she said; +'don't think I blame you. Who am I that I should blame any one? It +is little I can do for you, but if you should want anything I will +do my best to befriend you.' I heard the captain's voice calling. +Suddenly she put her finger to her lips, as a hint to me to hold +my tongue, and off she went. + +"I don't know whether the captain's wife spoke to him about me or +not, but at any rate he didn't tell me off to any of the huts, but +kept me at the house. I used to go down in the day to work with +the other men unloading the ship and stowing away the stores, but +they only worked for a few hours morning and evening, lying in +hammocks slung under the trees during the heat of the day. I made +myself useful about the house, helped the old woman to chop wood, +drew water for her, attended to the plants in the little garden +round the house, trained the creepers up the veranda, and lent a +hand at all sorts of odd jobs, just as a sailor will do. + +"When, ten days after we arrived, the ships got ready for another +cruise, I was afraid they would take me with them, and I lay awake +at nights sweating as I thought over the fearful deeds I should +have to take part in; but the captain gave me no orders, and to +my delight the men embarked and the ships sailed away without me. +I found there were some forty men left behind, whose duty it was +to keep a sharp lookout and man the batteries they had got at the +entrance to the cove in case any of our cruisers came in sight. + +"The man who was in command was a Spaniard, a sulky, cruel looking +scoundrel. However, he didn't have much to do with me; I took my +turn at the lookout with the rest of them, and besides that there +was nothing to do. The men on shore had all been in one or other of +the ships when I was taken; for I found there were about a hundred +and sixty of them, and a quarter stayed at home by turns, changing +after each cruise, whether it was a long or short one. + +"The captain's wife often spoke to me now; she would come out and +sit in the veranda while I was at work. She asked me what part I +came from, and where I had sailed, and what friends I had at home. +But she never said a word to me about the capture of the ship. +She always looked sad now, while she had been cheerful and bright +while the captain was on shore. In time she got quite friendly with +me, and one day she said, 'Peter, you will have to go to sea next +time, what will you do?' + +"'I must do as the others do, God forgive me,' says I; 'but don't +think, ma'am, as ever I shall do it willing. It may be years +before I gets a chance, but if ever I does I shall make a run for +it, whatever the risk may be. I speaks free to you, ma'am, for I +feel sure as you won't say a word to no man, for it would cost me +my life if they thought that I wasn't with them willing.' + +"'I will not tell any one, Peter, you may be sure,' she said; 'but +I do not think you will ever have a chance of getting away--no +one ever does who once comes here.' + +"Well, in time, lad, she lets out bit by bit a little about herself. +She had been on her way out to join her father, who was an officer +of the East Indy Company, when the ship was taken by the pirates. +The men was all killed, but she and some other women was taken +on board the pirate and at last brought there. The French captain +took a fancy to her from the first, and after she had been there +a year brought a Spanish priest they captured on board a ship and +he married them. The pirates seemed to think it was a joke, and +lots of them followed the captain's example and got married to the +women there. What they did with the priest afterward, whether they +cut his throat or landed him in some place thousands of miles away, +or entered him on board ship, is more nor I know. + +"There's no doubt the captain's wife was fond of her husband; pirate +as he was, he had not behaved so bad to her--but except when he +was with her she was always sad. + +"She had an awful horror of the life he led, and with this was +a terror lest he should fall into the hands of a cruiser, for she +knew that if he hadn't the good luck to be killed in the fight, +he would be tried and hung at the nearest port. It was a kind of +mixed feeling, you see; she would have given everything to be free +from the life she was leading, and yet even had she had the chance +she would not have left her husband. I believe he had promised her +to give it up, but she must have knowed that he never would do it; +besides, if he had slipped away from the ship at any place where +they touched he could not have got her away, and her life would +have paid for his desertion. + +"But I don't think he would have gone if he could, for, quiet and +nice as he was when at home, he was a demon at sea. Ruffians and +scoundrels as were his crew, the boldest of them were afraid of +him. It was not a word and a blow, but a word and a pistol shot +with him; and if it hadn't been that he was a first rate seaman, +that he fought his ships splendidly, and that there was no one who +could have kept any show of order or discipline had he not been +there, I don't believe they would have put up with him for a day. + +"Well, lad, I sailed with them for three voyages. I won't tell you +what I saw and heard, but it was years before I could sleep 'well +at night, but would start up in a cold sweat with those scenes +before my eyes and those screams ringing in my ears. I can say that +I never took the life of a man or woman. Of course I had to help +to load the cannon, and when the time for boarding came would wave +my cutlass and fire my pistols with the best of them; but I took +good care never to be in the front line, and the others were too +busy with their bloody doings to notice what share I took in them. + +"We had been out about a fortnight on my third voyage, and the +schooner and brig were lying in a little bay when we saw what we +took to be a large merchant ship coming along. She was all painted +black, her rigging was badly set up, her sails were dirty and some +of them patched, she was steering east, and seemed as if she was +homeward bound after a long voyage. Off we went in pursuit, thinking +we had got a prize. She clapped on more sail, but we came up to +her hand over hand. She opened fire with two eight pounders over +her stern. We didn't waste a shot in reply, but ranged up alongside, +one on each beam. Then suddenly her sides seemed to open, fifteen +ports on each side went up, and her deck swarmed with men. + +"A yell of dismay went up from the schooner which I was on. In +a moment a flash of fire ran along the frigate's broadside; there +was a crash of timber, and the schooner shook as if she had struck +on a rock. There was a cry, 'We are sinking!' Some made a wild +rush for the boats, others in their despair jumped overboard, some +cursed and swore like madmen and shook their fists at the frigate. +It seemed no time when another broadside came. + +"Down came the foremast, crushing half a dozen men as she fell. +Her deck was nearly level with the water now. I climbed over the +wreck of the foremast, and run out along the bowsprit. I looked +round just as I leaped. The pirate captain was standing at the +wheel. He had a pistol to his head, and I saw the flash, and he +fell. Then I dived off and swam under water as hard as I could to +get away from the sinking ship. When I came up I looked round. I +just saw the flutter of a black flag above the water and she was +gone. I was a good swimmer, and got rid of my shoes and jacket, +and made up my mind for a long swim, for the frigate was too busy +with the brig for any one to pay attention to us, but it did not +take long to finish it. + +"In five minutes it was over. The brig lay dismasted, and scarce +a dozen men out of the forty she carried were alive to throw down +their arms on deck and cry that they surrendered. Then the frigate's +boats were lowered; two rowed in our direction, while two put off +to the brig. There were only nine of us picked up, for from the +first broadside till we sank a heavy musketry fire had been poured +down upon the deck, and as we were not more than fifty yards away +from the frigate, the men had been just mowed down. We were all +ironed as soon as we were brought on board. After that we were +brought up one by one and questioned. + +"'You are young to be engaged in such work as this,' the captain +said when my turn came. + +"'I was forced into it against my will, sir,' I said. + +"'Yes,' the captain said, 'I suppose so; that's the story each of +the prisoners tells. How long have you been with them?' + +"'Less than six months, sir.' + +"'How old are you?' + +"'I am not seventeen yet. I was boy on board the Jane and William. +We were taken by the pirates on our way back from Rio, and all +except me killed or thrown overboard.' + +"'And you bought your life by agreeing to sail with them, I suppose?' +the captain said contemptuously. + +"'I did, sir,' I said; 'but I was the last they asked; all the +others had gone, and there warn't no one to back me up.' + +"'Well, boy, you know what your fate will be,' the captain said; +'there's no mercy for pirates.' + +"The next day the captain sent for me again, and I took heart a +little, for I thought if they had made up their minds to hang me +they wouldn't have questioned me. + +"'Look here, lad,' the captain said; 'you are the youngest of the +prisoners, and less steeped in crime than any here, therefore I +will at once make you an offer. If you will direct us to the lair +of the pirates, I promise your life shall be spared.' + +"'I don't know the latitude and longitudes sir,' I said, 'and I +doubt if any besides the captain and one or two others do, but I +know pretty well whereabout it is. We always set sail at night and +came in at night, and none was allowed on deck except the helmsman +and two or three old hands till morning; but when I was ashore and +on duty at the lookout I noticed three trees growing together just +at the edge of the cliff at the point where it was highest, two +miles away from the entrance to the cove. They were a big un and +two little uns, and I feel sure if I were to see them again I should +know them.' + +"'Very well,' the captain said, 'I shall make for port at once, +and hand over the prisoners to the Spanish authorities, then I will +start on a cruise with you, and see if we can find your trees.' + +"From the description I could give him of the islands we passed +after we had been at sea a few hours, and the time it took us to +sail from them to some known points, the captain was able to form +a sort of idea as to which group of islands it belonged to, and +when he had reached port and got rid of his prisoners, all of whom +were garroted--that's a sort of strangling, you know--by the +Spaniards, a week afterward, we set out again on our search for +the island." + + + +CHAPTER V: THE PIRATE HOLD + + +"The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she +had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, +it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the +captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow +the ship's boats out of the water. As to the frigate getting in, +I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the +entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in. I was not in irons +now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can +tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me. + +"For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after +island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the +three trees. + +"'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near +me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back +word I was to go to the captain. + +"You are sure those are the trees?' + +"'Quite sure, sir.' + +"'They answer to your description certainly,' the captain said. +'Keep her away, master, I don't want them to think we are steering +for the island.' + +"The ship's course was altered, and she sailed along parallel with +the coast. + +"'I beg your pardon, sir,' I said, touching my hat, 'but they have +got some wonderful good glasses up at the lookout, and if I might +make so bold I should say that they will make out that we have got +a lot more men on deck than a merchant ship would carry.' + +"'You are right, lad,' the captain said, and he at once gave orders +that all hands with the exception of half a dozen should sit down +under the bulwarks or go below. The captain and first lieutenant +kept a sharp lookout through their glasses until we had passed the +end of the island. I pointed out to them the exact position of the +cove, but it was so shut in that even when I showed where it was, +it was as much as they could do to make it out. + +"'Now, lad, do you know of any other landing places on the other +side of the island?' + +"'No, sir, and I don't believe there is any,' says I. I know +the captain said to me the first day I was on shore, 'It's no use +your thinking of making a bolt, for there ain't no other place but +this where you could get to sea--not though you had twenty boats +waiting to take you off.' I expect that's why they chose it. Anyhow, +there never was any watch kept up on shore, though. I have no doubt +there was many a one who had been pressed into pirating just as I +was, to save their lives, would have made off had they seen ever +such a little chance of getting away. + +"'Just come into the cabin with me,' says he; 'I want you to show +me exactly where are these batteries, and the position of the +village on shore.' + +"The first lieutenant came too, and I drew them out a chart as well +as I could, showing them the position of things, and told them that +every evening a boom was floated across the entrance. + +"'What sentries are there on at night?' + +"'Four, sir; two close down to the water, one each side of the +cove, and two in the batteries at the top. That's the watch, but +besides there are six men sleep in each of the other batteries, +and six in each of the batteries inside.' + +"'Tell me more about the place and the life you led there,' the +captain said, 'and then I shall understand the position of things +better.' + +"So I spun him a regular yarn about the place and the people. I +told him about the captain's wife, and she being an English woman, +and how she was taken, which indeed was the way of most of the +women there. + +"'I suppose that a good many of the men were pressed too,' the +captain said. + +"'I expects so, sir; but when we were together on guard or on board +a ship I noticed we never talked of such things. It seemed to me as +if every one was trying to forget the past, and I think that made +them more brutal and bloody minded than they would have been. Every +one was afraid of every one else guessing as he wasn't contented, +and was wanting to get away, and so each carried on as bad as he +could.' + +"'I dare say you are right, lad; it must be a terrible position +for a man to be in; but you see the law can make no distinctions. +If it wasn't thoroughly understood that if a man took up the life +of a pirate, whether willingly or unwillingly, he would assuredly +be executed if he was caught, we should have the sea swarming with +pirates. Now, lad, you know how this boom was fastened; can you +suggest any way that we could get over it or loosen it without +giving the alarm?' + +"'There is no way, sir. One end is fastened by a big chain which +is fixed to a great shackle which is let into a hole in the rock +and fastened in there with lead; that's the fixed end of the boom. +The other end, which is swung backward and forward when the ships +go in port, has got a big chain too. It goes under an iron bar +which is bent, and the two ends fastened in a rock. When they want +to fix the boom the end of the chain is passed under this iron loop +and then fastened to some blocks and ropes worked from the battery +above, and the end of the chain is drawn up tight there, so that +there is no loosing the chain till that battery is taken.' + +"'And you say the guns of the lower batteries at the inner point +sweep the entrance?' + +"'They do, sir. There are ten of them on each side, twelve pounder +carronades, which are always charged, and crammed up to the muzzle +with bullets and nails and bits of iron. The batteries on the top +of the cliff at the entrance are the heaviest metal. They have got +twenty guns in each of them. They are loaded with round shot to +keep a vessel from approaching, though of course they could fire +grape into any boats they saw coming in.' + +"'This does not seem an easy business by any means, Mr. Earnshaw,' +the captain said. + +"'It does not, sir,' the lieutenant agreed in a dubisome sort of +way; 'but no doubt it can be done, sir--no doubt it can be done.' + +"'Yes, but how?' the captain asked. 'You will be in command of the +boats, Mr. Earnshaw, and it will never do to attack such a place +as that without some sort of plan.' + +"'What is the boom like, my lad?' the lieutenant asked; 'is it +lashed together?' + +"'No, it is a solid spar,' I said. 'The entrance is not more than +forty feet wide, and the boom is part of the mainmast of a big +ship.' + +"'It seems to me,' said the lieutenant, 'that the only way to get +at it would be to go straight at the boom, the two lightest boats +to go first. The men must get on the spar and pull the boats over, +and then make a dash for the batteries; the heavy boats can follow +them.' + +"'It would never do, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'You forget +there are twelve guns loaded to the muzzle with grape and musketballs +all trained upon a point only forty feet across. Would it be possible +to land just outside the boom, lad, on one or both sides, and to +keep along the edge, or wade in the water to the batteries?' + +"'No, sir, the rock goes straight up from the water both sides.' + +"'Well, the two sentries, how do they get down to the water's edge?' + +"'They are let down by rope from above, sir, and the rope is hauled +up as soon as they are down.' + +"'This is a deuce of a place, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'We +must do nothing hastily in this matter, or we shall only be throwing +away the lives of a lot of men, and failing in our object. I was +intending to sail on and not return for a week, for no doubt they +will be specially vigilant for a time after seeing a large ship pass +them. As it is, I will return tonight to the back of the island, +and will there leave the cutter and my gig. You will be in charge +of the cutter, and Mr. Escombe will take the gig. I shall then sail +away again before daylight; for although from what the lad said +there is no watch kept on that side of the island, it cannot be more +than three miles across, and any of the men or women might stroll +across or might from any high point in the island obtain a view that +way. You will make a thorough survey of all that side. The cliffs +certainly seem, so far as we could see them as we left the island, +as perpendicular as they are on the side we passed; but there may +be some place easier than another--some place where, by setting +our wits to work, we may make a shift to climb up. Get into the +island I will, if I have to blast a flight of steps up the cliff.' + +"'I will do my best to find a place, sir,' the lieutenant said; +'and, if there isn't one, I will make one.' + +"The lieutenant told me that I was to accompany him in the cutter, +and all was got ready for the trip. Water and a week's rations +of food were placed on board the boats; for in that climate there +was no saying when a gale might spring up, or how long the vessel +might be before she got back to pick up the boats. + +"When we were fairly out of sight of the island we lay to till +it got dusk, and then her head was pointed back again. There was +scarce a breath of wind stirring, and the vessel went through the +water so slowly that a couple of hours later the captain ordered +the boats to be lowered, for he saw that if the wind didn't freshen +the ship could not get to the island, much less get away again, +before daylight. The oars were got out and off we started, and +after four hours' steady rowing, the lieutenant, who was steering +by compass, made out the land looming high above us. Another quarter +of an hour's row and we dropped our grapnels close to the foot of +the cliffs, and the men were told to get a sleep as well as they +could till morning. + +"As soon as it was daylight we were off again and rowed to the end +of the island; for, as Mr. Earnshaw said to the third lieutenant, +we had best begin at the end and do the work thoroughly. When we +got to the point we turned and rowed back, keeping about two hundred +yards from the cliff, so that we could see well up. They were about +a hundred feet high--sometimes a little less, sometimes a good +bit more, and they went as straight up from the water's edge as +the cliffs at Dover, only there weren't no beach. It was deep water +right up to the foot. + +"We went along very slowly, the men only just dipping their oars +into the water, and all of us watching every foot of the cliffs. +Sometimes we would stop altogether while the officers talked over +the possibility of any one climbing up at some place where the water +trickling down from the top had eaten away the face a little; but +not a goat in the world could have climbed up them, not to say men. +So we kept on till we got to the other end of the island, which +must have been five miles long. Not a place could we see. + +"'Unless we are going to do as the captain said--blast steps up +the face of that rock--I don't believe it's to be done,' Lieutenant +Earnshaw said to Mr. Escombe. 'Well, there's nothing to do, lads, +but to row in and drop your grapnels again and wait till we see +the ship's lights tonight.' + +"Although we rowed in to within an oar's length of the cliff, +there was eight fathoms of water when we dropped the grapnels. We +had been lying there an hour when the third lieutenant said: + +"'I should think, Mr. Earnshaw, that if we were to bring the pinnace +with that four pounder gun in the bow and up end it, and with a +small charge fire a ball with a rope fastened to it up into that +clump of trees we saw just about the middle of the island, it might +get caught.' + +"'So it might, Escombe, and the idea is a good one; but I doubt +whether there's a man on board ship could climb a rope swinging +like that against the face of those cliffs.' + +"'He might if we used a knotted rope,' Mr. Escombe said. + +"'I wouldn't mind making a try, yer honor,' one of the sailors +said, and half a dozen others volunteered their readiness to make +the attempt. + +"'I will put it to the captain,' Mr. Earnshaw said; 'if he agrees, as +you were the first to volunteer, Jones, you shall have the chance.' + +"The day was dead calm, so was the night that followed it; and +although we rowed back to the end of the island from which we had +come, no lights were to be seen that night. + +"The next day passed slowly. The sun was hot; but toward evening +the lieutenant gave permission for the men to bathe; but warned +us that no man must go far from the boats, because there might be +sharks about. However, we didn't see none, and we enjoyed the dip, +and were in better humor still when we found that a light breeze +was springing up. It might have been about midnight when the men on +watch made out a light to seaward, and we weren't long in getting +up our grapnels and sitting our oars. In half an hour we were on +board, and were soon sailing away from the island again. + +"The next night in we came again, and I saw that the third +lieutenant's plan was going to be adopted; in fact, I guessed so +before; for the sail makers had been at work with two light ropes +making a rope ladder, and the ship's smith had got some empty +shells on deck, and had made a shift to screw some iron eyes into +them for fixing ropes to. The gun was taken out of the pinnace +and a little mortar fixed in her, and half a dozen ropes, each a +hundred fathoms long, had knots put in them every two feet. + +"The launch and the two cutters were lowered as well as the pinnace +this time, and the crews were armed with cutlass and pistol. I +went with them as before, as I should be wanted to guide them when +they got near the village. It was a bright starlight night without +haze, so that when we got close we could make out the outline of +the cliffs, and could see the thick wood growing on the top. When +we got within about a hundred yards of the cliffs the boat stopped +rowing. + +"'Don't use more powder than you can help, gunner,' Mr. Earnshaw +said. 'In the first place, we don't want to do more than carry out +the rope to its full length; in the next place, we don't want to +make more noise than we can help. What wind there is is fortunately +blowing seaward, and being so close under the cliff the sound will +be echoed back. At the same time the less noise the better.' + +"'I will begin with very little, sir. If the ball don't go to the +top of the cliff I shall put a trifle more into the gun next time; +it's better to make a mistake on the right side.' + +"A small quantity of powder was put in the mortar, which was only +a four inch one. Then a wad was put in, and a shell with one of +the knotted ropes fastened to it dropped in the top. The rope had +been coiled in a tub so as to run out easily. The gunner applied +the match. There was a dull report, and every man held his breath +to listen. There was a thud high up on the cliff and then a splash. + +"'A few feet short of the top, I should say, gunner. You must put +in more next time, for the shell must go well up over the trees +and drop among them; otherwise it won't catch.' + +"The gunner by the light of the lantern measured out half as much +powder again as he had used before, and then fired. This time we +heard no sound till there was a faint splash in the water. + +"'The rope's gone, sir,' the gunner said, looking into the tub. +'There was a little too much this time.' + +"'I don't think so,' Mr. Escombe said. 'I think that splash was the +end of the rope touching the water. In that case it will be just +right, a hundred feet up the cliffs, and five hundred feet among +the trees. No fear of the rope coming back to us.' + +"It took us a quarter of an hour's search in the dark to find the +rope; but at last we came upon it, and sure enough there was only +four or five fathoms in the water. + +"'Now, Jones,' Mr. Earnshaw said, 'it's your turn. Put that light +line over your shoulders, and when you get to the top haul on it +till you get up the rope ladder, and fasten that to a stout trunk +and give a low hail. We will hold the rope as steady as we can +below while you mount.' + +"'Ay, ay, sir,' said the man, who was an active young chap; 'I will +be up there in a jiffy.' + +"We fastened the lower end round one of the thwarts of the boat, +and then he began to climb. It was near five minutes before he got +to the top, for there were some nasty places where the cliff jutted +out, and the rope was hard against it; but presently the shaking +ceased, and a minute later the light line was hauled tight. There +was a low cheer in the boats, and then up went the rope ladder. A +minute or two later there was a hail from the top. + +"'All taut, sir.' + +"'I will go first,' Mr. Earnshaw said. + +"Accordingly up he went, and one by one we followed, each waiting +for the signal that the one before him had got up, till all had gone +except the two told off as boat watch. Then the men of the launch +and cutters followed, and in about two hours they were all at the +top, and a lantern was shown to tell the ship we were there. + +"We started at once across the island, Mr. Earnshaw keeping the +line by a pocket compass. It was rough work, though, and at last +the lieutenant said: + +"'We make such a noise going through the bushes that we had better +wait till daylight, so just halt where you are, lads.' + +"As soon as the first ray of light showed we were off again, and +an hour later reached the edge of the slope down to the cove. + +"'Now, remember,' the lieutenant said, 'that no woman is to be hurt. +All the men who resist are to be shot or cut down; but you are to +take prisoners all who throw down their arms. Some of them may be +able to prove themselves less guilty than the rest. At any rate, +there is no fear of the Spanish authorities being too merciful. +These pirates have been the scourge of these seas for the last six +years.' + +"Well, lad, there ain't much more to tell you. We took them completely +by surprise, and the men in the village were all knocked down and +bound, without firing a shot. The men in the batteries tried to +slew their guns round, but we didn't give 'em time. They fought +desperately, for they knew what their doom was, and there weren't +any prisoners taken there. As soon as the village was taken I went +straight with Mr. Escombe to the captain's house. His wife was +standing at the door, and she gave a little cry as she saw the British +uniforms, and ran a step or two to meet us, then she stopped, and +her arms dropped by her side. + +"'What! you, Peter!' she said as we came up. 'Is it you who led +them here?' + +"'Yes, ma'am, it was me,' says I, 'and the best thing I could do +for you, for you could not wish to stay here all your life with +just the people that are here.' + +"'But what has happened?' she said. 'How is it you are here? What +has become of the schooner?' + +"'The schooner is sunk, ma'am, and the brig is captured.' + +"'And my husband?' + +"'Well, ma'am, don't you take on, but your husband went down with +the schooner.' + +"She tottered, and I thought she would have fallen, but Mr. Escombe +put his arm round her and led her to the house and left her there, +putting two sailors on guard to see as she wasn't disturbed. An +hour or two later the frigate was off the cove, and the captain +landed. We stopped a week there, and carried off all there was worth +taking; and I tell you there was enough to give every man Jack on +board a handsome share of prize money when the things came to be +sold afterward. + +"Money, there was lots of it, all stored away in what they called +the treasure house, for money was no good there. Jewels and ornaments, +watches, and the things which they uses in them Catholic churches, +and all kinds of valuable things, and stores of silks and velvets +and all kinds of materials; and as to wine and such like, there +was enough to have lasted them for years, for from first to last +it was shown afterward that those fellows must have captured more +nor fifty vessels. Why they shouldn't have stopped ashore and enjoyed +what they got was a mystery to me. But I suppose they couldn't do +without excitement, and though every man talked of the time when +the treasure would be divided and they were to scatter, I don't +suppose as one ever expected as the time would really come. + +"Well, arter everything was on board, and the women and children, +the place was burned, and we sailed for the nearest Spanish port. +We had had a sort of court martial on board the frigate, and two or +three young chaps like myself, and two men as was proved to have +been captured in the pirates' last cruise, and who hadn't been +to sea with them or taken part in any of their bloody doings, was +kept on board ship, and the rest was handed over to the Spanish +authorities. Most of them was garroted, and a few was condemned +to work on the roads for life. I and the others was taken back to +England in the frigate, whose foreign time was up, and when we got +to Portsmouth we was drafted into a regiment there, and lucky we +thought ourselves to get off so easy. The captain's wife and some +of the other white women came home to England on board the frigate. +She was very low at first, but she brightened up a good deal toward +the end of the voyage, which lasted two months. She grieved over +her husband, you see, but she couldn't but have felt that it was +all for the best. I heard afterward as how two years after she +married Mr. Earnshaw, who by that time had got to be a captain. +So that, you see, my lad, is how I came to fight under the black +flag first and then to be a soldier of the queen. I didn't mean it +to be sich a long yarn, but when I once began it all came back to +me, and you see, I haven't spoken of it for years. You don't think +altogether as I was very wrong, I hope." + +"I thank you very much for your story, sergeant," Jack replied. "I +only wish it had been longer; and although it's very easy to say +that a man ought to die rather than consent to be a pirate, I don't +think there are many lads who would choose death if they were placed +as you were." + +"I am glad you think that, young un; it's always been a sore point +with me, I have done my duty since, and no one can say as he's ever +seen Sergeant Edwards show the white feather. But the thought that +that once I did not act as a brave man would have done has always +troubled me." + +The next day, as the sea went down, and the recruits recovered from +the effects of the confinement and sickness, they again began to +talk among themselves. The fact that all the other vessels of the +fleet were out of sight naturally encouraged them. Jack observed, +however, that the call to parade on deck was answered with more +quickness than before, and the exercises were gone through with +a painstaking steadiness greater than had been shown since the +embarkation. When the men were dismissed from parade Jack remarked +this to the sergeant. + +"Ay, ay, lad, I noticed it too," the sergeant said, shaking his +head, "and in my opinion it's a bad sign. They want to throw the +officers off their guard. It's a pity you have been seen talking +so much to me, because, of course, they won't say anything when you +are listening; but one or two of the men who came into the regiment +with me have dropped a word as they happened to pass this morning +that they wanted to have a word if they could get one without being +noticed, so I hope to hear a little more tonight." + +That evening, before going below, Jack had an hour's talk with +Sergeant Edwards. + +"It's just as I thought," the latter said, "they've got an idea +of seizing the ship. The men I spoke of managed to get a few words +with me this evening. They don't know anything about piracy. All +they have heard is that there is a proposal to seize the ship and +to carry her into one of the northern ports of Spain, where the +men will land and give up their arms to the Spanish authorities, +and then either disperse and make their way home by twos and threes +as best they can, or they will take service with the King of Spain, +who, they think, will pay them a deal better than the English +government. + +"A part of the crew are in the scheme. These, the men tell me, do +not intend to land, but only tell the others that they shall sail +away. That's about what I thought would be. The greater part of these +fellows only wants to get quickly home again, while the sailors, +who may want to go abuccaneering, would not care about having the +soldiers with them. I shall give a hint to the captain of my company +tonight as to what is going on, but I don't much expect he will +pay any attention to it. Officers never believe these things till +it is too late, and you see I can't give them any names yet or +prove what I say; besides, likely enough, any inquiry set on foot +would only bring the matter to a head. We must wait till we know +something sure. + +"You keep your ears open, my boy, and your eyes too, and I will do +the same. If it comes, and you see a chance of warning the captain +of the ship or the first lieutenant in time, you do it; but don't +you do it if you don't think there's time enough, or if you can't +do it without being seen. If it's too late, and you are found +out, they would just chuck you overboard or knock you on the head, +and you will have done no good after all, and perhaps only caused +bloodshed. Like enough, if matters go quietly, there won't be no +bloodshed, and the officers and those who stick to them will just +be turned adrift in the boats, or maybe handed over to the Spanish +at the port they go into as prisoners." + +Jack promised to follow the sergeant's instructions, and went +below. He thought that the men were unusually quiet, and taking +his blanket--for although some of the soldiers slept in hammocks, +the majority lay on the deck wrapped in their blankets--he lay +down by the side of a gun whose port had been opened to admit air +between decks. After thinking the matter over for some time, and +wondering what would be the end of it, he dropped off into a light +sleep. + +Presently he was aroused by a confused sound. Looking round cautiously, +he saw by the dim light of the lantern that most of the men were +on their feet. Some of them were taking down their firearms from +the arm racks; small groups were stooping over some of the sleeping +figures; and to the mast, close to which one of the lanterns hung, +two or three men were bound, and two soldiers with pikes were standing +by them. The crisis, then, had come, and Jack at once proceeded to +carry out the plan he had thought out after he lay down. + +Very quietly he crawled out through the porthole, and then raised +himself and stood on the muzzle of the gun. There he could reach +the foot of the shrouds of the foremast, which happened to be +immediately above the port. He swung himself up, and, placing his +hands on the edge of the bulwark, cautiously looked over. + +At present all was quiet there; the signal from below had not been +given, and the troops on deck--for, owing to the numbers on board, +one fourth were always on deck in fine weather--were standing +about or sitting in groups. Keeping his feet on the ledge which +ran round level with the deck, and his fingers on the top of the +bulwark, Jack managed to edge his way aft until he reached the +line of the quarterdeck. Here the line of the bulwark ceased, the +cabins of the officers rising, as was usual in those days, in a +double tier high about the waist. + +The nearest porthole, which was open, was but three feet long, and +Jack, reaching forward, put one hand in it and continued his way. +The porthole was but just large enough for him to squeeze through. +Looking in before he attempted it he saw an officer asleep immediately +below him. It was the ensign of his own company. Leaning in he +touched him gently. After one or two attempts, the young officer +opened his eyes, saying, "What is it? It's not morning yet." + +"Hush, sir," Jack said earnestly; "I am Jack Stilwell of your +company. There is a mutiny, sir, forward. Please help me in, I want +to warn the captain of the ship, and he will know what to do." + +The young officer leaped from his bunk and assisted Jack to enter. + +"I will come with you," he said, hastily dragging on his trousers +and coat. "Are you sure of what you say?" + +"Quite sure, sir; the noncommissioned officers are bound; it may +begin at any moment." + +The ensign led the way to the captain's cabin, which he opened and +entered without ceremony. + +"What is it?" the captain exclaimed. The ensign said who he was, +and Jack repeated his story. + +"The dogs!" the captain said, "we will teach them a lesson. Let me +see, the second lieutenant is on duty; rouse all the other officers;" +and he himself assisted them to do so. In a minute or two they were +gathered hastily attired, with sword and pistol, in the captain's +cabin. + +"Do you, Mr. Hartwell," the captain said, addressing the first +lieutenant, "go below and rouse the boatswain and petty officers, +and bid them get together all the men they can depend upon, arm them +quietly, and be ready to rush on deck the instant a stir is heard +forward among the soldiers. Any man who disobeys orders, shoot him +instantly. Do you, sir," he said to the second officer, "go to the +magazine with four of the midshipmen, open it and bring up charges +of grape for the guns on the quarterdeck. Be as quick as you can. +Now, gentlemen, the rest of us will make our way up quietly, one +by one, to the quarterdeck. Go well aft, so that the men in the +waist will not notice you. Directly the cartridges come up we will +load the guns, and be in readiness to slew them across the deck; +and in the mean time, if they should attack before we are ready, +we must hold the ladders to the last." + +One by one the officers stole out from the cabin with bare feet, +and made their way up to the quarterdeck, until some thirty of +them were gathered there, being all the officers of the regiment, +the naval officers, and midshipmen. The night was a dark one, and +this was accomplished without the movement being noticed by any of +those in the waist of the ship. + + + +CHAPTER VI: A COMMISSION + + +The moments passed slowly and anxiously, for if the mutineers +were to pour up from below before the cartridges arrived and the +lieutenant had got the petty officers and men on whom they could +rely ready for action, it was improbable that the officers would +be able successfully to oppose the rush of the men, armed as these +would be with matchlock and pike. + +The mutineers, however, believing that there was no occasion to +hurry, were quietly carrying out their intentions. The noncommissioned +officers had all been seized, tied, and placed under sentries, +whose orders were to pike them if they uttered a word. A strong +guard had been placed at the foot of the gangway to prevent any of +the soldiers who were not in the plan from going on deck and giving +the alarm. The muskets were not loaded, as on embarkation all ball +cartridges had, as usual, been stowed away in the magazine; but +they reckoned upon obtaining possession of this at the first rush. +The ringleaders proceeded to form the men in fours, so that they +could pour on to the deck in military order. The men of each company +were told off to separate work. Two companies were to clear the +decks, where, on their appearance, they would be joined by their +comrades there, and to overpower any sailors who might offer +resistance. + +Another company was to run down and secure the magazine, and, breaking +it open, to serve out cartridges to all. Two other companies were +to rush aft and overpower the officers; the sixth and seventh were +to form round the head of the hatchway leading to the decks where +the sailors slept, and to allow only those to come on deck who +had entered into the plot. The other three companies were already +on deck. The arrangements were excellent, but the care taken in +preparing for them, and the necessity for doing this in silence lest +the stir should be heard and an alarm be given on deck, occupied +time which the officers were turning to advantage. + +As soon as the captain and naval men had gained the quarterdeck they +threw off the lashings of the guns, and had all in readiness for +running them in and taking them aft to the edge of the quarterdeck. +There was a deep sensation of relief as one after another the +midshipmen joined them, each carrying three cartridges of grape, +and followed by the gunner with four more. The lieutenant was to +stay below to lead the sailors on to the deck. + +The gunner brought a message saying that all was well. Many of +the sailors were found to have turned into their hammocks without +undressing, and to have hand pikes or cutlasses concealed beneath +the clothes. These, however, had been surprised and taken without +the slightest noise; as, on finding a lantern on one side of their +heads and a pistol on the other, each had submitted without the +slightest resistance. All these had been sent down to the hold +below, and a guard placed over them. The guns were loaded and the +whole of the officers divided among them in readiness to run them +forward. Four or five minutes passed, then a shout was heard forward +and a low rush of many feet. + +In an instant the four guns on the quarterdeck were run across. +While this was being done there was a clashing of swords, shouts, +and a noise of conflict heard forward, and at the same time a +loud cheer arose, while from the after hatchway a dark body of men +rushed up on to the deck and formed across it. Some midshipmen, +who had been told off for the duty, ran up from the officers' cabin +with lighted lanterns, which were ranged along at the edge of the +quarterdeck. + +There was a rush aft of the mutineers, but these recoiled astonished +at the sight of the pikes which confronted them, and the line of +sailors four deep across the deck, while at the same moment the +light of the lanterns showed them the officers on the quarterdeck, +and the four guns pointed threateningly toward them. For a moment +a silence of astonishment and dismay succeeded the uproar which +had preceded it, then the captain's voice was heard: + +"Down with your arms, you mutinous dogs, or I will blow you into +the air. It is useless to resist. We are prepared for you, and you +are without ammunition. Throw down the arms on the decks, every +man of you, before I count three, or I fire. One--two--" + +There was a loud clattering of arms, mingled with shouts of--"We +surrender; don't fire, sir, don't fire." + +"It's all over," the captain said grimly. "Mr. Hartwell, march your +men forward, shoot any scoundrel instantly whom you find with arms +in his hands, collect all the weapons and bring them aft. + +"Now, Colonel Clifford," he said, turning to the officer in command +of the regiment, "if you go below with the officers, you can unloose +the noncommissioned officers; they will be able to point out to +you the ringleaders in this business. They had better be ironed +at once and put into the hold. You will have no more trouble now, +I fancy." + +In ten minutes the whole of the arms had been collected and stored +up, the noncommissioned officers had pointed out some twenty of the +ringleaders, and these were safely in irons below, while a strong +guard of armed sailors was placed between decks to see that there +was no renewal of insubordinate conduct. There was, however, no +fear of this; the men were thoroughly cowed and humiliated by the +failure of their plan, and each was occupied only in hoping that +he had not been sufficiently conspicuous to be handed over in the +morning to join the prisoners below. + +There was no more sleep that night on board the ship. After +breakfast two courts martial were held, the one by the naval, the +other by the military officers. The latter sentenced two men, who +were convicted on the testimony of the noncommissioned officers as +having been the leaders, to be hung, and the sentence was at once +carried out. The regiment was formed in close order on deck unarmed +and witnessed the execution of their comrades, who were hung up to +the extremities of the main yard. The other prisoners were sentenced +to two hundred lashes apiece--a punishment which was, according +to the ideas of the time, very lenient, such a punishment being +frequently administered for comparatively trifling offenses, and +the prisoners considered themselves fortunate in escaping hanging, +for which, indeed, they had prepared themselves. + +Previous to the administration of their punishment the colonel +addressed the men, and told them that all the ringleaders had been +found guilty and sentenced to death, but that the members of the +court martial had agreed with him that, considering the youth and +inexperience of the offenders and the whole circumstances of the +case, it would be possible to remit the death sentence, confident +that the prisoners and the whole of the regiment would recognize +the leniency with which they had been treated, and would return to +their duty with a firm and hearty determination to do all in their +power to atone for their misconduct, and to show themselves true +and worthy soldiers of the queen. If this was the case, no further +notice would be taken of the error; but at the same time he warned +them that he had by him a long list of men who had taken a prominent +part in the affair, and that the first time any of these misconducted +themselves they might be well assured that no mercy would be shown +to them. + +The naval court martial showed no greater severity than that +administered by the military officers. The vessel was short handed, +and moreover the officers did not wish the stigma to attach to +the ship of a serious mutiny among the crew. Had any of these been +hung, the matter must have been reported; but as none of the crew +had absolutely taken part in the rising, however evident it was +that they intended to do so, no sentences of death were passed. +But a number of the men were sentenced to be flogged more or less +severely, those who had but lately been pressed getting off with +comparatively light punishments, while the heaviest sentences were +passed on the older hands concerned in the affair. + +The arms of the troops continued to be kept under a strong guard +until, ten days later, the rest of the fleet were seen, just as +the northern point of Portugal was made out. A few hours later the +fleet was united; and the next day, the wind dying entirely away, +Colonel Clifford proceeded in a boat to the flagship to report to +the Earl of Peterborough the mutiny which had taken place in his +regiment, and its successful suppression. + +Immediately the mutiny had been put down Jack Stilwell had stolen +away and rejoined the soldiers forward; and although there was +much wonder among the men as to how the affair had been discovered, +none suspected him of having betrayed them, and believed that the +officers must have been warned by some word incautiously let drop +in their hearing. Only to Sergeant Edwards did Jack reveal what +had taken place. + +"Do you know, lad, I guessed as you had had a hand in the business +somehow. When I was standing tied up against the mast I had to keep +my mouth shut; but I had the use of my eyes, and I could not make +you out among them. I might have missed you, of course; but your +company was formed up close to where I was standing, and I thought +I should have seen you if you had been there. I could not think +what had become of you; but when the men came pouring down again +without their arms, and I heard them cursing and swearing because +the sailors and the officers and all was found in readiness to +receive them, it somehow came to my mind as that you was at the +bottom of it--though how, I could not for the life of me make +out, for I knew you had gone below when I did." + +"I wish, sergeant, that when you are examined, as you will be about +this affair, you will ask Captain Curtis to ask the colonel not to +let it be known publicly that it was I who warned him, for my life +would be unbearable among the men if they knew it. And if it didn't +happen before, it would be certain that the first time we went into +action I should get a bullet in my back." + +"You are right there, my lad. I will tell the captain. You may be +sure your conduct won't be overlooked; but at present, as you say, +the less said about it the better." + +An hour after Colonel Clifford had gone on board the flagship the +boat returned with orders that Private Stilwell, of D Company, was +to go back with them. The order was given to Captain Curtis, who +sent first for Sergeant Edwards. + +"Go forward, sergeant, and tell Stilwell that he is to go on board +the flagship. No doubt the colonel has spoken to the general. Tell +the lad apart, and let him make his way aft here to the gangway +quietly, so that he won't be noticed. If any of the men happen to +see him going off in the boat, they may suppose that the colonel +has only sent for some man who can write; and naturally if the +captain had ordered me to choose a man, I should have picked him +out." + +On reaching the deck of the flagship Jack was conducted to the +admiral's cabin. At the head of the table was seated a man whom +Jack recognized at once, from the description he had heard of him, +as the Earl of Peterborough. He was small and very spare in person, +his features were pleasant, his nose somewhat prominent, his eye +lively and penetrating. He had laid aside the immense wig which, +in accordance with the custom, he wore when abroad or at court in +England; and Jack saw his hair, which was light brown and somewhat +scanty. The admiral of the fleet sat next to him; for although +Peterborough had the command of the expedition both at land and sea, +an admiral was in command of the fleet under him. Colonel Clifford +was seated on the earl's left, and several other naval and military +officers were at the table. + +"Well, young man," Peterborough said, "Colonel Clifford has been +telling us that it is due to you that I have not a regiment the +less under my orders, and that her majesty has not lost a ship from +the list of her navy. He says that the whole thing was so quickly +done that he has not been able to learn the full particulars from +you, and that he has abstained from questioning you because you +did not wish any suspicion to be excited among the men of the part +you played in it. Now, please to tell me the whole history of the +affair." + +Jack thereupon related how his suspicions had been aroused by +Sergeant Edwards, who was only waiting for sufficient opportunity +and a certainty of information to divulge the plot to the officers. +He then related his awaking as the mutiny began, and the steps he +had taken to warn the officers. When he had done, the earl said: + +"You have acted smartly and well, young man; you have shown +promptness, courage, and fidelity. You speak above your rank. What +is your parentage?" + +"My father was a clergyman, sir," Jack said, "but being dispossessed +of his living in the troubles, could not make his case known on +the return of King Charles; but he supported himself by teaching, +and gave me such education as he could, in hope that I too should +enter the ministry. But my thoughts did not incline that way; and +when he died, and also my mother, I thought of going to sea, when +it happened that I was pressed for a soldier. And seeing that it +was so, I made up my mind to make the best of things." + +"And you have done so, young man; and right glad am I that your +education and parentage are such that I can reward you as I should +wish. I give you a discharge now from your regiment and appoint +you ensign. You will at present form one of my staff; and glad am +I to have so dashing and able a young officer ready to hand for +any perilous service I may require." + +On the 20th of June the fleet sailed up the Tagus. + +Jack had not returned on board his ship. + +"Better stop here," the earl said. "If you went back, and they +heard you were promoted, likely enough some of them might toss you +overboard on a dark night. We will set the tailors at once to work +to rig you up an undress uniform. You can get a full dress made +at Lisbon. Not that you will be wanting to wear that much, for we +have come out for rough work; still, when we ride triumphantly into +any town we have taken, it is as well to make a good impression +upon the Spanish donnas. And, say what they will, fine feathers go +a long way toward making fine birds. Do you write a good hand?" + +"I think I write a pretty fair one, sir." + +"That is good. I write a crabbed stick myself, and there's nothing +I hate more than writing; and as for these young gentlemen, I don't +think they will be of much use for that sort of thing. However, I +shan't have a great deal of it. But you shall act as my secretary +when necessary." + +The earl's orders to the tailors were peremptory to lose no time +in fitting Jack with an undress suit, and in twenty-four hours he +was able to join the mess of the young officers and volunteers who +accompanied the general. These were all young men of good family; +and having heard how Jack had saved the ship from mutiny, they +received him among them with great heartiness, which was increased +when they found that he was well educated and the son of a gentleman. + +It was a great satisfaction to Jack, that owing to the kindness +and generosity of the earl, he was able to pay his expenses at mess +and to live on equal terms with them; for the general had dropped +a purse with a hundred guineas into his hand, saying: + +"This will be useful to you, lad, for you must live like the other +officers. I owe it to you many times over for having saved me that +regiment, upon whose equipment and fitting out I had spent well +nigh a hundred times that sum." + +Some of the officers were but little older than Jack, and by the +time the ship dropped anchor in the Tagus he was quite at home with +them. + +"What a lovely city!" he said as he leaned over the bulwark and +looked at the town standing on the steep hills sloping down to the +river. + +"Yes, indeed," Graham, one of the young officers, agreed. "But +I fancy the Portuguese are but poor creatures. The Earl of Galway +writes in his dispatches that they are great at promises, but he +finds he can expect little assistance from them." + +"Have you any idea whether we are going to land here?" + +"No; wherever we land, you may be sure it won't be here. The Earl +of Galway has been here two or three months, and he has some good +regiments with him. Our chief would be losing his position did we +land here, as he has a separate command, and would of course be +under Galway if the forces were joined. The Dutch fleet is to be +here in a day or two, and the Archduke Charles sailed a fortnight +before we did; and as we have made a very slow voyage of it, he +ought to have been here long ago. What a talk there will be! What +with the archduke, and the Portuguese, and the Dutch, and the Prince +of Hesse Darmstadt, and the Earls of Galway and Peterborough, and +probably every one of them with his own ideas and opinions, it will +be hard to come to any arrangement. Besides there will be dispatches +from the British court, and the court of the Netherlands, and the +Austrian emperor, all of whom will probably differ as to what is +the best thing to be done. There will be a nice to do altogether. +There's one thing to be said, our chief can out talk them all; and +he can say such disagreeable things when he likes that he will be +likely to get his own way, if it's only to get rid of him. There +goes his boat into the water. What an impatient fellow he is, to +be sure." + +No sooner had Peterborough landed than he turned all his energies +to obtain the supplies which had been denied to him at home, and +after much difficulty he succeeded in borrowing a hundred thousand +pounds from a Jew named Curtisos on treasury bills on Lord Godolphin, +with the condition that the lender should be given the contract +for the supply of provisions and other requisites for the army. The +day that the earl had carried out this arrangement he returned on +board radiant. Hitherto he had been terribly out of temper, and +Jack, who had become his amanuensis, had written at his dictation +many very sharp notes to every one with whom he had come in contact. +As soon as he came on board he sent for Jack to his cabin. + +"Sit down, Mr. Stilwell. I have a dispatch for you to write to the +lord treasurer. I have got my money, so that difficulty is at an +end. It is glorious! I couldn't get a penny out of them before I +sailed, now I have got as much as I want. I would give a thousand +guineas out of my own pocket to see Godolphin's face when he reads +my dispatch, and finds that he's got to honor bills for a hundred +thousand pounds; it will be better than any comedy that ever was +acted. How the pompous old owl will fret and fume! But he will +have to find the money for all that. He can't begin the campaign by +dishonoring bills of her majesty's general, or no one would trust +us hereafter. You haven't seen my lord treasurer, Mr. Stilwell?" + +"No, sir, I have not been at court at all." + +"That's a pity," the earl said; "for you lose the cream of the +joke. Now, I shall go on shore tomorrow and get everything that +is wanted, and then the sooner we are off the better; we have been +here a fortnight, and I am sick of the place." + +Jack was by no means sick of Lisbon, for he enjoyed himself vastly. +The town was full of troops--English, Dutch, and Portuguese. +Of an evening there were fetes and galas of all kinds, and as the +earl always attended these, Jack and the other young officers were +permitted to go ashore either in full uniform to take part in the +fetes, or to enjoy themselves according to their fancies. + +As Graham had predicted, it was some time before any conclusion +was arrived at as to the destination of the fleet. Several councils +were held, but no decision was come to. Peterborough's orders were +so vague that he could use his own discretion. He had, indeed, been +recommended to prevail upon the Archduke Charles to accompany him +and to proceed to Italy, where he was to form a junction with Victor +Amadeus, Duke of Savoy, who was sorely pressed by the armies of +France. + +A messenger, however, arrived by sea with an order from the +queen that the fleet should proceed to the coast of Catalonia, in +consequence of information which had been sent to the British court +of the favorable disposition of the Catalans toward the Archduke +Charles. This was in accordance with the counsel which the Prince +of Hesse Darmstadt had been strenuously urging, and his recent +success in the capture and subsequent defense of Gibraltar gave +weight to his words and effaced the recollection of his failure +before Barcelona in the previous year. + +The final decision rested in a great measure with the Archduke +Charles, who at last decided to proceed with Lord Peterborough +and land upon the coast of Spain and test the disposition of his +Valencian and Catalan subjects. The reasons for Peterborough's +falling in with the decision to move on Barcelona are explained +in a dispatch which he dictated to Sir George Rooke on the 20th of +July. + +"Upon the letter of my Lord Godolphin and the secretary of state, +the King of Spain, his ministers, and my Lord Galway and myself have +concluded there was no other attempt to be made but upon Catalonia, +where all advices agree that six thousand men and twelve hundred +horse are ready expecting our arrival with a general goodwill of +all the people. The Portuguese have entirely refused to join in +any design against Cadiz, and by a copy of my Lord Galway's letter +you will find he is in an utter despair of their attempting anything +this year, and that by our instructions it will appear that there +is no other enterprise left for our choice." + +Peterborough's military force was, however, wholly insufficient +for such an enterprise. He prevailed upon Lord Galway to give him +a part of Lord Raby's and General Cunningham's regiments of English +dragoons, although the Portuguese strenuously opposed this being +done. Their conduct, indeed, at this time was very similar to that +which they adopted a hundred years later toward the Duke of Wellington, +throwing every conceivable obstacle in the English commander's way, +and opposing every plan of action which he suggested. Many of the +dragoons were without horses, but Lord Peterborough mounted them +on animals which he bought with some of the money he had procured +from Curtisos. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt went on ahead to Gibraltar to arrange +for a portion of the garrison to accompany the expedition. On the +28th of July the Archduke Charles embarked with Lord Peterborough +on board the Ranelagh, and an hour later the fleet put to sea. +Off Tangiers they were joined by the squadron under Sir Cloudesley +Shovel, and a few days later they reached the Bay of Gibraltar. + +Here they found that the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had arranged +that the battalion of the guards, with three other veteran regiments +that had borne part in the gallant defense of the fortress, were +to be embarked, and two of the newly raised corps Lord Peterborough +had brought out from England were to take their place in the garrison. +The regiment to which Jack had belonged was one of these. As soon +as he heard the news ho took the first opportunity of speaking to +the earl. + +"I have a favor to ask, sir." + +"What is that, lad?" + +"It is, sir, that Sergeant Edwards, who, if you remember, advised +me about warning the officers of the mutiny, should be transferred +to one of the regiments coming on board." + +"Certainly, my lad; I had not forgotten him. I truly wish that he +had sufficient education to give him a commission. I sent to inquire +of his colonel, but finding that he could not read or write, and +that he would be out of place among the officers, I could not do +it; but I will gladly take him with us on active service. It would +be hard on a good soldier to be left behind with that mutinous set +of rascals." + +Jack had already heard from Sergeant Edwards, whom he had met several +times on shore at Lisbon, and who had rejoiced most heartily at +his promotion, that Lord Peterborough had sent him, through the +colonel, a purse of fifty guineas as a reward for his conduct. + +Jack immediately proceeded in a boat to his old vessel, with an +order from the earl that the sergeant should be at once transferred +into one of the regiments coming on board. The sergeant was delighted, +for orders had already been received for the regiment to disembark +and form part of the garrison. + +An hour later the Archduke Charles landed, amid the thunder of the +guns of the fleet and fortress, for here for the first time he was +acknowledged as and received the honor due to the King of Spain. +There was but little delay--Lord Peterborough's energy hurried +every one else forward, and on the 5th of August the fleet again +put to sea, the king and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt accompanying +it. + +The winds were contrary, and it was not till the 11th that +they anchored in Altea Bay, at the mouth of the Guadalaviar, on +the Valencian coast. On the other side of the roadstead stood the +castle and village of Denia. The expedition was received with good +will by the people, who hated the ascendency of France at Madrid +and were bitterly jealous of Castile. + +As soon as the fleet anchored Peterborough caused a manifesto to be +distributed among the people disclaiming any idea of aggrandizement +on the part of Great Britain or her allies, or any intention of +injuring the persons or property of Spaniards who were the lawful +subjects of King Charles III. + +"We come," said he, "to free you from the insupportable yoke of the +government of foreigners, and from the slavery to which you have +been reduced and sold to France by ill designing persons." + +Several of the Spanish followers of the king landed to encourage +the people, among them General Basset y Ramos, an active officer +who was a Valencian by birth. The people rapidly assembled from the +surrounding country and lined the shore shouting "Long live King +Charles III!" + +Abundant supplies of provisions were sent off to the fleet, for +which, however, Peterborough insisted upon liberal payment being +made. + +A detachment of British infantry was landed to cover the operation of +watering the fleet. The insurrection spread rapidly, and a thousand +of the peasants seized the town of Denia for the king. A frigate and +two bomb vessels crossed the bay and threatened the castle. This, +although a magnificent pile of building, was but weakly fortified, +and after a few shots had been fired it surrendered, and General +Ramos with four hundred regular troops from the fleet landed and +took possession, and amid the enthusiasm of the population Charles +III was for the first time on Spanish ground proclaimed King of +Spain and of the Indies. + +The Earl of Peterborough now proposed a plan of the most brilliant +and daring kind, and had his advice been taken the war would probably +have terminated in a very short time, by securely seating Charles +III upon the Spanish throne. Madrid was distant but fifty leagues +from Altea Bay. Requena was the only town of strength that lay in +the way; the rich country would have afforded ample provision and +means of transport, and these the friendly portion of the people +would have placed at the disposal of the army. + +In the whole of Central Spain there was no force which could +oppose him. All the troops of Philip were either on the frontier +of Portugal or occupying the disaffected cities of the north. At +Madrid there were but a few troops of horse; in a week then, and +possibly without shedding a drop of blood, Charles might have been +proclaimed king in the capital of Spain. The plan was, of course, +not without danger. Marshal Tesse, with an overwhelming force, would +threaten the left of the advancing army, and the garrisons of the +northern cities, if united, could march with equal superiority of +force upon its right; but Tesse would be followed by Lord Galway +and the allied and Portuguese army, while Barcelona and the other +strongholds of Catalonia would rise if their garrisons were withdrawn. + +Even in the case of failure Peterborough could have retired safely +through Valencia and have re-embarked on board the fleet, or could +have marched to Gibraltar. The scheme was at once daring and judicious, +but the Archduke Charles was slow and timid, and was controlled by +the advice of his even slower and more cautious German advisers, +and neither argument nor entreaty on the part of Peterborough +could suffice to move him. The earl was in despair at so brilliant +an opportunity being thrown away, and expressed himself with the +greatest of bitterness in his letters home as to the impossibility +of carrying out movements when embarrassed by the presence of the +king and by the incapacity of the king's advisers. + +However, finding that nothing could be done he re-embarked his +troops, and the fleet sailed for Barcelona. It was not however, +thought probable that a successful attempt could be made upon +so strongly fortified a city, and it was determined that if upon +inspection the chances of success should appear slight, the fleet +and army should at once proceed, as originally intended, to the +assistance of the Duke of Savoy. + + + +CHAPTER VII: BARCELONA + + +The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important in +Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength. It is situated +on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although extensive, +were not very formidable against a strong army provided with a +siege train. To hold them fully required a much larger force than +was disposable for the defense. The garrison was, however, fully +equal in strength to the force of Peterborough, and should have +been able to defend the city against an army vastly exceeding their +own numbers. Ten bastions and some old towers protected the town +toward the north and east; between the city and the sea was a long +rampart with an unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, +standing on a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked +and guarded the walls of the city. + +From the center of the sea face a mole projected into the water, +guarding a small harbor. The country round the town was fertile +and beautiful, carefully cultivated and watered by streams flowing +from the neighboring mountains. At the distance of about a league +from the shore the land rises into an amphitheater of hills thickly +dotted with small towns, villages, and country seats. + +As soon as the allied fleet had anchored the garrison commenced a +cannonade from the mole and from a battery close to the sea upon +some of the transports nearest to the shore; but their shot did +not reach the vessels, and the fire soon ceased. The east wind, +however, proved more troublesome than the enemy's fire, and the +ships rolled heavily from the sea which came in from the east. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt with two frigates put into the harbor +of Mataro for the purpose of obtaining intelligence. He found +that in the neighboring town of Vich the people had risen for King +Charles, and putting himself in communication with their leaders he +advised them to march upon the coast and cooperate with the forces +about to land. On his way to rejoin the fleet the prince chased +two Neapolitan galleys, which managed to get safely into Barcelona. + +They had on board the Duke and Duchess of Popoli, M. d'Abary, +a French officer of distinction, and forty other young gentlemen, +partisans of the Duke d'Anjou, and destined for employment in +different parts of Spain. They were now, however, detained in the +city by the governor to assist in its defense. + +The first glance into the state of affairs gave the Earl of +Peterborough such an unfavorable impression that he at once objected +to the proposed attack. + +The governor, Don Francisco Velasco, was a brave and distinguished +officer, the garrison equaled his own force in numbers, the town +was well supplied with provisions and stores, and, in order to +add to the difficulties of the besiegers, orders had been given to +destroy all the forage in the surrounding country which could not +be conveyed within the walls. Any Austrian sympathies the inhabitants +might possess were effectually suppressed by the power and vigilance +of the governor. The besieging army was far too small to attempt +a blockade, while the chances of an assault upon an equal force +behind well armed defenses seemed almost desperate. + +The engineers declared that the difficulties of a regular siege +were enormous, if not insurmountable, and that the only vulnerable +point was covered by a bog, where the transport of cannon or the +formation of works would be impossible. Above all, the principal +hope of the expedition had failed. The adherents of Charles had +assured him that the whole country would rise in his favor on the +arrival of the fleet, and that the town itself would probably open +its gates to receive him. These promises had, like all others he +had received from his Spanish friends, proved delusive. Few of the +peasantry appeared to receive them on the coast, and these were +unarmed and without officers. + +The earl's instructions, although generally quite indefinite, were +stringent upon one point. He was on no account to make the slightest +alteration in the plans of the expedition, or to take any decisive +step for their accomplishment, without the advice of the council of +war. This would have been in any case embarrassing for a general; +in the present instance it was calculated altogether to cripple +him. There was but little harmony among the chief officers. The +English military officers were by no means on good terms with each +other, while the naval officers regarded almost as an insult Lord +Peterborough's being placed in command of them. The English hated +the German officers and despised the Dutch. Lord Peterborough himself +disliked almost all his associates, and entertained a profound +contempt for any one whose opinion might differ from that which he +at the moment might happen to hold. + +It was impossible that good could come from a council of war composed +of such jarring elements as these. However, Lord Peterborough's +instructions were positive, and on the 16th of August, 1705, he +convened a council of war on board the Britannia, consisting of +nine generals and a brigadier, with two colonels on the staff. The +king and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt were present, but took no +part in the deliberations. Singularly enough the council proved +unanimous in their opinion that Barcelona should not be attacked. +The reasons for the decision were drawn up and put on record. The +council pointed out all the difficulties which existed, and declared +the strength of the allied army to be only nineteen battalions of +foot and two cavalry regiments, of whom no more than seven thousand +men were fit for action, and only one hundred and twenty dragoon +horses had survived the voyage in serviceable condition. + +The decision of the council was most opposed to the hopes and wishes +of Charles and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and they addressed +letters of strong remonstrance to Lord Peterborough, urging that +to abandon the expedition at this juncture would be alike fatal to +the common cause and discreditable to the British arms. + +Meanwhile, however, the greater part of the troops had landed +without opposition; but the sea broke with such force on the beach +that much difficulty had been experienced in getting ashore. The +landing place had been well chosen by Lord Peterborough and Sir +Cloudesley Shovel. It was about two miles east of the city, near a +place called Badalona, and close to the mouth of the little river +Basoz. The transports were moored in as close as possible, and the +boats of the fleet carried three thousand men ashore each trip. + +In five hours fifteen battalions were landed without the loss of +a man. A strong natural position about a mile from the city was +chosen for the encampment; its left rested on the sea, its right +was covered by several abrupt hills and defiles through which the +river Basoz flowed. The front was, however, much extended, but +this mattered the less, as the people from the neighboring villages +began to assemble when the landing took place, and welcomed the +allies of King Charles with joy. A number of these were employed +by Lord Peterborough in guarding the advanced posts and covering +the numerous roads leading from the city toward the camp. + +On the 22d another council of war was held at the Dutch General +Schratenbach's quarters in the camp to consider two letters of the +king, in which he again urged the allied generals to attack the +city. He proposed that a battery of fifty guns should be erected +to breach the wall between two of the bastions, and that the whole +strength of the army should be thrown upon an assault. He acknowledged +the force of the several objections to the attack, but urged that +in such a case vigorous action was the safest. He dwelt upon the +ruin that must fall upon such of his subjects as had declared for +him if abandoned to their fate, and concluded by declaring that he +at least would not desert them. + +The appeal failed to move any of the council with the exception of +Peterborough himself, and he alone voted, although in opposition to +his own judgment, in compliance with the king's plan. Notwithstanding +the adverse decision of the council the horses and dragoons were +landed on the 24th. + +On the 25th, the 26th, and the 28th the council again assembled to +deliberate upon an earnest request of the king that they should +attempt the siege for a period of eighteen days. The first decision was +adverse, two only voting with Lord Peterborough for the siege. At +the second council, his influence succeeded in obtaining a majority; +but at the third, they agreed to abandon the attempt, even the +commander in chief concurring. + +The cause of this sudden reversal of their opinion was that none of +the workmen whom they had demanded from the leaders of the Catalan +peasantry had appeared, and they felt it impossible to carry on +the works and erect the siege batteries without such assistance. +Nevertheless the peasantry gave effectual aid in landing the artillery, +tents, ammunition, and stores. On the 28th the king landed amid a +great concourse of people, who received him with every demonstration +of enthusiasm, and he could with difficulty make his way through +them to the camp prepared for him near San Martino. + +The presence of the king on shore added to the difficulties of +the situation. He and his following of German courtiers complained +bitterly of the disinclination of the allies to undertake the siege, +while the allies were incensed against those who reproached them +for not undertaking impossibilities. Dissension spread between the +allies themselves, and the Dutch general declared that he would +disobey the orders of the commander in chief rather than vainly +sacrifice his men. + +Peterborough was driven nearly out of his mind by the reproaches and +recrimination to which he was exposed, and the quarrels which took +place around him. He was most anxious to carry out his instructions, +and as far as possible to defer to the opinion of Charles, but he +was also bound by the decisions of the councils of war, which were +exactly opposite to the wishes of the king. + +The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt enraged him by insisting that fifteen +hundred disorderly peasants whom he had raised were an army, and +should be paid as regular soldiers from the military chest, while +they would submit to no discipline and refused to labor in the +trenches, and an open rupture took place, when the prince, in his +vexation at the results of the councils of war, even went so far +as to accuse the earl of having used secret influence to thwart +the enterprise. + +To add to the difficulties of the commander in chief the English +troops were loud in their complaints against him for having landed +and committed them to this apparently hopeless enterprise; but they +nevertheless clamored to be led against the town, that they might +not be said to have "come like fools and gone like cowards." + +Lord Peterborough confided his trouble and vexation freely to his +young secretary. Jack was sincerely attached to his generous and +eccentric chief, and the general was gratified by the young officer's +readiness at all times and hours to come to him and write from his +dictation the long letters and dispatches which he sent home. He +saw, too, that he was thoroughly trustworthy, and could be relied +upon to keep absolute silence as to the confidences which he made +him. + +In the midst of all these quarrels and disputes the siege was carried +on in a languid manner. A battery of fifty heavy guns, supplied +by the ships and manned by seamen, was placed upon a rising ground +flanked by two deep ravines, and on several of the adjacent hills +batteries of light field guns had been raised. Three weeks were +consumed in these comparatively unimportant operations, and no +real advance toward the capture of the place had been effected. +Something like a blockade, however, had been established, for the +Catalan peasants guarded vigilantly every approach to the town. + +The officers of the fleet were no less discontented than their +brethren on shore at the feeble conduct of the siege, and had they +been consulted they would have been in favor of a direct attack +upon the city with scaling ladders, as if they had been about to +board a hostile ship. But Peterborough and his officers were well +aware that such an attack against a city defended by a superior force +would be simple madness, and even an attack by regular approaches, +with the means and labor at their disposal, would have had no chance +of success. But while all on shore and in the fleet were chafing +at the slowness and hopelessness of the siege, Jack Stilwell was +alone aware that the commander in chief did not share in the general +despair of any good arising from the operations. + +Lord Peterborough had little communication with the other generals; +but, alone in his tent with Jack and an interpreter, he occupied +himself from morning till night in examining peasants and spies +as to every particular of the fortifications of the city, of the +ground near to the walls, and of the habits and proceedings of the +garrison. At last he resolved upon an attempt which, in its daring +and enterprise, is almost without parallel. Indeed its only hope +of success lay in its boldness, for neither friend nor foe could +anticipate that it would be attempted. It was no less than the +surprise of the citadel of Montjuich. + +This formidable stronghold covered the weakest part of the defenses, +that toward the southwest, and far exceeded in strength any other +part of the lines. It had been most skillfully designed. The ditches +were deep, and the walls firm; the outworks skillfully planned; the +batteries well armed, and the inner defenses formidable in themselves. +It was, in fact, by far the strongest point in the position of +the besieged. Standing on a commanding height, it was abundantly +capable of defense even against a regular siege, and its reduction +was always regarded as a most formidable enterprise, to be undertaken +at leisure after the capture of the town. Its only weakness lay in +the fact that surrounding it on every side were numerous ravines +and hollows, which would afford concealment to an assailant, and +that trusting to the extraordinary strength of their position the +garrison of Montjuich might neglect proper precautions. + +One morning before daybreak the earl, accompanied only by Jack +and a native guide, left the camp on foot, having laid aside their +uniforms and put on the attire of peasants, so that the glitter +of their accouterments might not attract the attention of the +enemy's outposts. Making a long detour they approached the castle, +and ascending one of the ravines gained a point where, themselves +unseen, they could mark all particulars of the fortifications. +Having carried out his purpose the earl returned to camp with his +companion without his absence having been observed. The observations +which Peterborough had made confirmed the reports of the peasants, +that the garrison kept but a negligent watch, and he at once resolved +upon making the attempt; but to none of his most intimate friends +did he give the slightest hint of his intentions. + +To disguise his views he called councils of war both in the camp +and fleet, wherein it was resolved, with his full consent, that the +siege of Barcelona should be abandoned, and that the army should +be immediately re-embarked and conveyed to Italy. Accordingly the +heavy artillery was conveyed on board ship, the warlike stores +collected, and the troops warned to be ready for embarkation. +A storm of reproaches was poured upon the earl by Charles and his +courtiers. The officers of the fleet protested openly, declaring +that an assault ought to be attempted, and that it was too late in +the season to attempt operations elsewhere. + +To Jack's surprise his commander, usually so hasty, irritable, +and passionate, bore with the greatest calmness and patience the +reproaches and accusations to which he was exposed. No one dreamed +that behind these preparations for embarkation any plan of attack +was hidden. + +On the 13th of September the army received orders to embark on the +morrow, while within the town the garrison and the inhabitants, who +were, or pretended to be, well affected to the Bourbons held high +rejoicing at the approaching departure. + +On the afternoon of that day a detachment of English and Dutch +troops twelve hundred strong was ordered to assemble in the allied +camp for the purpose, as was supposed, of covering the embarkation. +Scaling ladders and everything necessary for an assault had already +been privately prepared by the Catalan peasants under Peterborough's +instructions. + +About six o'clock in the evening four hundred grenadiers of the +party assembled under the command of Hon. Colonel Southwell, and +were ordered to march by the Serria road, as if en route to Taragona +to meet the fleet and embark in that harbor. The remainder of the +detachment followed in support at some little distance. At nightfall +the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt was surprised by Lord Peterborough's +entrance into his quarters. Since their rupture all intercourse +had ceased between them. + +"I have determined," the earl said, "to make this night an attack +upon the enemy. You may now, if you please, be a judge of our +behavior, and see whether my officers and soldiers really deserve +the bad character which you of late have so readily imputed to them." +He then explained that the troops were already on their march to +Montjuich. + +The prince immediately ordered his horse, and the two gallant but +impulsive and singular men rode off, followed only by Jack Stillwell +and the prince's aide de camp. At ten o'clock they overtook the +troops, and Peterborough ordered a total change of route, he himself +leading. + +The roads were winding, narrow, and difficult. For a great part of +the way there was only room for the men to march in single file. +The night was very dark, and the detachment many hours on the march, +so that daylight was just breaking when they reached the foot of +the hill on which the fort of Montjuich stood. + +The troops under Peterborough's command now perceived the object +of their march, and imagined that they would be led to the attack +before the day had fairly broke; but the general had well considered +the subject, and had determined to avoid the risk and confusion of +a night assault. He called his officers together and explained to +them why he did not mean to attack till broad daylight. + +His examination of the place had shown him that the ditches could +be crossed, no palisades or barriers having been erected. He had +noticed, too, that the inner works were not sufficiently high to +enable their guns properly to command the outer works should these +be carried by an enemy. He had therefore determined to carry the +outworks by assault, judging that if he captured them the inner +works could not long resist. In case of a reverse, or to enable +him to take advantage of success, he told them that he had ordered +Brigadier General Stanhope to march during the night with a thousand +infantry and the handful of cavalry to a convent lying halfway +between the camp and the city, and there to hold himself in reserve. + +Peterborough now silently and coolly completed his arrangements +for the assault. He divided the body of troops into three parties; +the first of these, two hundred and eighty strong, were to attack +the bastion facing the town, which was the strongest part of the +defense. He himself and the Prince of Hesse accompanied this party. +A lieutenant and thirty men formed the advance, a captain and fifty +more were the support, and the remaining two hundred men were to +form in the rear. + +The orders were that they should push forward in spite of the enemy's +fire, leap into the ditch, drive the garrison before them, and if +possible enter the works with them; but, if not, to obtain at least +a firm footing on the outer defenses. The second party, similar +in strength and formation, under the command of the Hon. Colonel +Southwell, were to attack an unfinished demibastion on the extreme +western point of the fort and furthermost from the town. The +remainder of the little force, under a Dutch colonel, were to be +held in reserve, and to assist wherever they might be most useful. +They occupied a position somewhat in rear of and halfway between +the two parties who were to make the assault. + +Soon after daylight Peterborough gave the order to advance, and in +the highest spirits, and in excellent order, the soldiers pushed +up the hill toward the fort. Some irregular Spanish troops were the +first to perceive them. These fired a hasty volley at the British +troops as they ascended the crest and then retreated into the +fort. Seizing their arms the garrison rushed to the ramparts and +manned them in time to receive the assailants with a sharp fire. +The grenadiers who formed the leading party did not hesitate for +a moment, but leaped into the unfinished ditch, clambered up the +outer rampart, and with pike and bayonet attacked the defenders. + +The captain's detachment speedily joined them. The defenders gave +way, broke, and fled, and in wild confusion both parties rushed into +the bastion. Peterborough and the prince with their two hundred men +followed them quickly and in perfect order, and were soon masters +of the bastion. The earl at once set his men to work to throw up +a breastwork to cover them from the guns of the inner works; and +as there was plenty of materials collected just at this spot for +the carrying out of some extensive repairs, they were able to put +themselves under cover before the enemy opened fire upon them. + +The attention of the garrison was wholly occupied by this sudden +and unexpected attack, and the Prince della Torrella, a Neapolitan +officer in temporary command of the fort, ordered all his force +to oppose the assailants. This was what Peterborough had expected. +He at once sent orders to Colonel Southwell to commence his attack +upon the now almost undefended west bastion. The order was promptly +obeyed. At the first rush the ditch was passed, the rampart gained, +the outer walls scaled, and three guns taken without the loss of +a man. + +The defenders hastened at once to meet this new danger. They +opened a heavy fire upon the British, and sallying out, endeavored +to retake the outer rampart with the bayonet. A desperate contest +ensued; but though many of the English officers and soldiers fell, +they would not yield a foot of the position they had captured. +Colonel Southwell, a man of great personal strength and daring, +was in the struggle three times surrounded by the enemy; but each +time he cut his way out in safety. + +The sally was at last repulsed, and the English intrenched their +position and turned their captured guns against the fort. While +both the assaulting columns were occupied in intrenching themselves +there was a lull in the battle. The besieged could not venture to +advance against either, as they would have been exposed to the fire +of the other, and to the risk of a flank attack. + +Peterborough exerted himself to the utmost. He ordered up the +thousand men under General Stanhope and made prodigious exertions to +get some guns and mortars into position upon the newly won ramparts. + +Great was the consternation and astonishment in Barcelona when +a loud roar of musketry broke out round the citadel, and Velasco, +the governor, was thunderstruck to find himself threatened in this +vital point by an enemy whose departure he had, the evening before, +been celebrating. The assembly was sounded, and the church bells +pealed out the alarm. + +The troops ran to their places of assembly, the fortifications round +the town were manned, and a body of four hundred mounted grenadiers +under the Marquis de Risbourg hurried off to the succor of Montjuich. +The earl had been sure that such a movement would be made. He could +not spare men from his own scanty force to guard the roads between +the city and the castle, but he had posted a number of the armed +Spanish peasants who were in the pay of the army in a narrow gorge, +where, with hardly any risk to themselves, they might easily have +prevented the horsemen from passing. The peasants, however, fired +a hurried volley and then fled in all directions. + +Lord Peterborough learned a lesson here which he never forgot, +namely, that these Spanish irregulars, useful as they might be in +harassing an enemy or pursuing a beaten foe, were utterly untrustworthy +in any plan of combined action. The succor, therefore, reached +Montjuich in safety; two hundred of the men dismounted and entered +the fort; the remainder, leading their horses, returned to Barcelona. + +The Marquis de Risbourg had no sooner entered the fort and taken +the command than he adopted a stratagem which nearly proved fatal +to the English hopes of success. He ordered his men to shout "Long +live Charles the Third !" and threw open the gates of the fort as +if to surrender. The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, who commanded at +this point, was completely deceived, and he ordered Colonel Allen +to advance with two hundred and fifty men, while he himself followed +with a company in reserve, believing that the Spanish garrison had +declared for King Charles. + +The British advanced eagerly and in some disorder into the ditch, +when a terrible fire of musketry was suddenly opened upon them from +the front and flank. In vain they tried to defend themselves; the +brave prince was struck down by a mortal wound while endeavoring +to encourage them, and was carried to the rear, and Allen and two +hundred men were taken prisoners. The prince expired a few minutes +later before there was time for a doctor to examine his wound. + +Peterborough, who had come up just at the end of the struggle, +remained with him till he died, and then hurried off to retrieve +the fortune of the day, which, during these few minutes, had greatly +changed. Velasco had dispatched three thousand men, as fast as they +could be got together, to follow Risbourg's dragoons to the succor +of the fort, and these were already in sight. But this was not all. +One of the strange panics which occasionally attack even the best +troops had seized the British in the bastion. + +Without any apparent cause, without a shot being fired at them +from the fort, they fell into confusion. Their commander, Lord +Charlemont, shared the panic, and gave orders for a retreat. The +march soon became a rout, and the men fled in confusion from the +position which they had just before so bravely won. + +Captain Carleton, a staff officer, disengaged himself from the throng +of fugitives and rode off to inform the earl, who was reconnoitering +the approaching Spaniards, of what had taken place. Peterborough at +once turned his horse, and, followed by Carleton and Jack Stilwell, +galloped up the hill. He drew his sword and threw away the scabbard +as he met the troops, already halfway down the hill, and, dismounting, +shouted to them: + +"I am sure all brave men will follow me. Will you bear the infamy +of having deserted your post and forsaken your general?" + +The appeal was not in vain. Ashamed of their late panic the +fugitives halted, faced about, and pressed after him up the hill, +and, on reaching the top, found that, strangely enough, the garrison +had not discovered that the bastion had been abandoned, for in +their retreat the English were hidden from the sight of those in +the inner works. + +The Marquis de Risbourg, instead of following up his advantage, had +at once left Montjuich at the side near the city, taking Colonel +Allen and the prisoners with him, and pushed on toward Barcelona. +Halfway down he met the reinforcement of three thousand men. The +prisoners, on being questioned, informed the Spanish commander that +Lord Peterborough and the Prince of Hesse led the attack in person. + +Thereupon the officer commanding the reinforcements concluded that +the whole of the allied army was round the castle, and that he +would be risking destruction if he pushed on. He therefore turned +and marched back to the city. Had he continued his way Peterborough's +force must have been destroyed, as Stanhope had not yet come up, +and he had with him only the little force with which he had marched +out from camp, of whom more than a fourth were already captured or +slain. Such are the circumstances upon which the fate of battles +and campaigns depend. + + + +CHAPTER VIII: A TUMULT IN THE CITY + + +As the Spanish column retired to Barcelona under the idea that the +whole English army was on the hill, the Miquelets, as the armed bands +of peasants were called, swarmed down from the hills. Incapable of +withstanding an attack by even a small force, they were in their +element in harassing a large one in retreat. Halfway between Montjuich +and the town was the small fort of San Bertram. The garrison, seeing +the column in retreat toward the town, pursued by the insurgent +peasantry, feared that they themselves would be cut off, and so +abandoned their post and joined the retreat. + +The peasants at once took possession of San Bertram, where there +were five light guns. As soon as the news reached Peterborough he +called together two hundred men and led them down to the little +fort. Ropes were fastened to the guns, and with forty men to each +gun these were quickly run up the hill and placed in position in +the captured bastions. So quickly was this done that in less than +an hour from the abandonment of San Bertram by the Spanish the guns +had opened fire upon Montjuich. + +While the troops worked these five guns and the three captured in +Southwell's first attack Jack Stilwell was sent off on horseback +at full speed with an order for the landing of the heavy guns and +mortars from the fleet. The news of the attack on Montjuich and +the retreat of the Spanish column spread with rapidity through the +country, and swarms of armed peasants flocked in. These the earl +dispersed among the ravines and groves round the city, so as to +prevent any parties from coining out to ascertain what was going +on round Montjuich, and to mask the movements of the besiegers. + +Velasco appeared paralyzed by the energy and daring of his opponent, +and although he had in hand a force equal if not superior to that +which Peterborough could dispose of, he allowed two days to pass +without attempting to relieve Montjuich. In those two days wonders had +been performed by the soldiers and sailors, who toiled unweariedly +in dragging the heavy guns from the landing place to the hill +of Montjuich. The light cannon of the besiegers had had but little +effect upon the massive walls of the fortress, and the Prince +Caraccioli held out for two days even against the heavier metal of +the mortars and siege guns that were quickly brought to bear upon +him. + +On the 17th, however, Colonel Southwell by a well aimed shot brought +the siege to a close. He noticed that a small chapel within the +fort appeared to be specially guarded by the besieged, and ordered +a Dutch sergeant of artillery, who was working a heavy mortar, to +try to drop a shell upon it. The artilleryman made several attempts, +but each time missed the mark. Colonel Southwell undertook the +management of the mortar himself, and soon succeeded in dropping a +shell upon the roof of the building, which proved, as he had suspected, +to be in use as a magazine. There was a tremendous explosion, the +chapel was shattered into fragments, Caraccioli and three other +officers were killed, and a great breach was blown in the main +rampart. + +A loud cheer broke from the besiegers, and Colonel Southwell at once +put himself at the head of the men in the trenches and advanced to +storm the breach before the enemy could recover from their confusion. +The disastrous effects of the explosion had, however, scared all +idea of further resistance out of the minds of the defenders, who +at once rushed out of the works and called out that they surrendered, +the senior surviving officer and his companions delivering up their +swords to Colonel Southwell, and begging that protection might at +once be given to their soldiers from the Miquelets, whose ferocity +was as notorious then as it was a hundred years afterward. + +Peterborough appointed Colonel Southwell governor of Montjuich, and +at once turned his attention to the city. The brilliant result of +the attack on the citadel had silenced all murmurs and completely +restored Lord Peterborough's authority. Soldiers and sailors vied +with each other in their exertions to get the guns into position, +and the Miquelets, largely increased in number, became for once +orderly and active, and labored steadily in the trenches. + +The main army conducted the attack from the side at which it +had been originally commenced, while General Stanhope, his force +considerably increased by troops from the main body, conducted the +attack from the side of Montjuich. Four batteries of heavy guns and +two of mortars soon opened fire upon the city, while the smaller +vessels of the fleet moved close in to the shore and threw shot +and shell into the town. + +A breach was soon effected in the rampart, and Velasco was summoned +to surrender; but he refused to do so, although his position had +become almost desperate. The disaffection of the inhabitants was +now openly shown. The soldiers had lost confidence and heart, and +the loyalty of many of them was more than doubtful. The governor +arrested many of the mutinous soldiers and hostile citizens, and +turned numbers of them out of the city. + +On the 3d of October the English engineers declared the breach on +the side of Montjuich to be practicable, and Peterborough himself +wrote to the governor offering honorable terms of capitulation, but +declaring that if these were rejected he would not renew his offer. + +Velasco again refused. He had erected a formidable intrenchment +within the breach, and had sunk two mines beneath the ruins in +readiness to blow the assailing columns into the air. + +The guns again opened fire, and in a very short time a Dutch +artillery officer threw two shells upon the intrenchment and almost +destroyed it, while a third fell on the breach itself, and crashing +through the rubbish fired Velasco's two mines and greatly enlarged +the breach. The earl could now have carried the town by storm had +he chosen, but with his usual magnanimity to the vanquished he +again wrote to Velasco and summoned him to surrender. + +The governor had now no hope of a successful resistance, and he +therefore agreed to surrender in four days should no relief arrive. +The terms agreed upon were that the garrison should march out with +all the honors of war, and should be transported by sea to San +Felix, and escorted thence to Gerona; but as a few hours later the +news arrived that Gerona had declared for King Charles, Velasco +requested to be conveyed to Rosas instead. The capitulation was +signed on the 9th of October, and the garrison were preparing to +march out on the 14th, when, in the English camp, the sound of a +tumult in the city was heard. + +"Quick, Stilwell!" the earl cried, running out of his tent, "to +horse! The rascals inside are breaking out into a riot, and there +will be a massacre unless I can put a stop to it." + +The earl leaped on to his horse, called to a few orderly dragoons +who were at hand to accompany him, and ordered that four companies +of grenadiers should follow as quickly as possible. + +Galloping at full speed Peterborough soon arrived at the gate of +San Angelo, and ordered the Spanish guard to open it. This they did +without hesitation, and followed by his little party he rode into +the city. All was uproar and confusion. The repressive measures +which the governor had been obliged to take against the disaffected +had added to the Catalan hatred of the French, and the Austrian +party determined to have vengeance upon the governor. A report was +circulated that he intended to carry away with him a number of the +principal inhabitants in spite of the articles of capitulation. +This at once stirred up the people to fury, and they assailed and +plundered the houses of the French and of the known partisans of +the Duke d'Anjou. + +They then turned upon the governor and garrison. The latter dispersed +through the city, and, unprepared for attack, would speedily have +been massacred had not their late enemy been at hand to save them. +Peterborough, with his little party of dragoons, rode through +the streets exhorting, entreating, and commanding the rioters to +abstain. When, as in some cases, the mob refused to listen to him, +and continued their work, the dragoons belabored them heartily +with the flats of their swords; and the surprise caused by seeing +the British uniforms in their midst, and their ignorance of how +many of the British had entered, did more even than the efforts of +the dragoons to allay the tumult. Many ladies of quality had taken +refuge in the convent, and Peterborough at once placed a guard over +this. + +Dashing from street to street, unattended even by his dragoons, +Peterborough came upon a lady and gentleman struggling with the +mob, who were about to ill treat them. He charged into the thick +of the tumult. + +His hat had been lost in the fray, and the mob, not recognizing +the strange figure as the redoubted English general, resisted, and +one discharged a musket at him at a distance of a few feet, but +the ball passed through his periwig without touching the head under +it. + +Fortunately two or three of his dragoons now rode up, and he was +able to carry the lady and gentleman to their house hard by, when, +to his satisfaction, he found that the gentleman he had saved was +the Duke of Popoli, and the lady his wife, celebrated as one of +the most beautiful women in Europe. + +Jack Stilwell had soon after they entered the town become separated +from his general. Seeing a mob gathered before a house in a side +street, and hearing screams, he turned off and rode into the middle +of the crowd. Spurring his horse and making him rear, he made his +way through them to the door, and then leaping off, drawing as he +did so a pistol from his holster, he ran upstairs. + +It was a large and handsomely furnished house. On the first floor +was a great corridor. A number of men were gathered round a doorway. +Within he heard the clashing of steel and the shouts of men in +conflict. Bursting his way in through the doorway he entered the +room. + +In a corner, at the furthest end, crouched a lady holding a little +boy in her arms. Before her stood a Spanish gentleman, sword in +hand. A servant, also armed, stood by him. They were hard pressed, +for six or eight men with swords and pikes were cutting and thrusting +at them. Three servants lay dead upon the ground, and seven or eight +of the townspeople were also lying dead or wounded. Jack rushed +forward, and with his pistol shot the man who appeared to be +the leader of the assailants, and then, drawing his sword, placed +himself before the gentleman and shouted to the men to lay down +their arms. The latter, astounded at the appearance of an English +officer, drew back. Seeing he was alone, they would, however, have +renewed the attack, but Jack ran to the window and opened it, and +shouted as if to some soldiers below. + +The effect was instantaneous. The men dropped upon their knees, and +throwing down their arms begged for mercy. Jack signified that he +granted it, and motioned to them to carry off their dead and wounded +comrades. Some of the men in the corridor came in to aid them in +so doing. Jack, sword in hand, accompanied them to the door, and +saw them out of the house. Then he told a boy to hold his horse, +and closing the door returned upstairs. He found the gentleman +sitting on a chair exhausted, while his wife, crying partly from +relief, partly from anxiety, was endeavoring to stanch the blood +which flowed from several wounds. + +Jack at once aided her in the task, and signed to the servant +to bring something to drink. The man ran to a buffet and produced +some cordials. Jack filled a glass and placed it at the lips of +the wounded man, who, after drinking it, gradually recovered his +strength. + +"My name, sir," he said, "is Count Julian de Minas, and I owe you +my life and that of my wife and child. To whom am I indebted so +much?" + +Jack did not, of course, understand his words, but the title caught +his ear, and he guessed that the Spaniard was introducing himself. + +"My name is Stilwell," Jack said; "I am one of General Peterborough's +aides de camp. I am very glad to be of assistance; and now, seeing +you are so far recovered, I must leave you, for there is much to +do in the town, and the general has entered with only a few troops. +I think you need not fear any return on the part of these ruffians. +The English troops will enter the town in the coarse of a few +hours." + +So saying Jack immediately hurried away, and mounting his horse +rode off to find the general. + +The news that Lord Peterborough and the English had entered spread +rapidly through the city, and the rioters, fearing to excite the +wrath of the man who in a few hours would be master of the town, +scattered to their homes, and when all was quiet Peterborough again +rode off to the camp with his troops and there waited quietly until +the hour appointed for the capitulation. The Spanish then marched +out, and the earl entered with a portion of his troops. + +He at once issued a proclamation that if any person had any lawful +grievances against the late governor they should go to the town +house and lay them in proper form, and that he would see that +justice was done. An hour later some of the principal inhabitants +waited upon him, and asked which churches he desired to have for +the exercise of his religion. He replied: + +"Wherever I have my quarters I shall have conveniency enough +to worship God, and as for the army they will strictly follow the +rules of war, and perform divine service among themselves without +giving any offense to any one." + +This answer gave great satisfaction to the people, as the French had +spread a report among them that the Protestants, if they captured +the town, would take their churches from them. + +In the evening the earl gave a great banquet, at which he entertained +all the people of distinction of both parties, and his courtesy and +affability at once won for him the confidence of all with whom he +came in contact. The next day the shops were all opened, the markets +filled, and there were no signs that the tranquillity of Barcelona had +ever been disturbed. Soon after breakfast Jack, who was quartered +in the governor's palace with the general, was informed that a +gentleman wished to speak to him, and the Count de Minas was shown +in. He took Jack's hand and bowed profoundly. As conversation was +impossible Jack told his orderly to fetch one of the interpreters +attached to the general. + +"I tried to come last night," the count said, "but I found that I +was too weak to venture out. I could not understand what you said +when you went away so suddenly, but I guessed that it was the call +of duty. I did not know your name, but inquiring this morning who +were the officers that entered with the general yesterday, I was +told that his aide de camp, Lieutenant Stilwell, was alone with +him. That is how I found you. And now, let me again thank you for +the immense service you have rendered me and my wife and child. +Remember, henceforth the life of the Count de Minas and all that +he possesses is at your service." + +When the interpreter had translated this, Jack said in some +confusion, "I am very glad, count, to have been of service to you. +It was a piece of good fortune, indeed, on my part that I happened +so providentially to ride along at the right moment. I was about +this morning to do myself the honor of calling to inquire how the +countess and yourself were after the terrible scene of yesterday." + +"The countess prayed me to bring you round to her," the count said. +"Will you do me the honor of accompanying me now?" + +Jack at once assented, and, followed by the interpreter, proceeded +with the count to his house. The room into which the count led him +was not that in which the fray had taken place the day before. The +countess rose as they entered, and Jack saw that, though still pale +and shaken by the events of the previous day, she was a singularly +beautiful woman. + +"Ah, senor," she said, advancing to meet him, and taking his hand +and laying it against her heart, "how can I thank you for the +lives of my husband and my boy! One more minute and you would have +arrived too late. It seemed to me as if heaven had opened and an +angel had come to our aid when you entered." + +Jack colored up hotly as the interpreter translated the words. If +he had expressed his thoughts he would have said, "Please don't +make any more fuss about it;" but he found that Spanish courtesy +required much more than this, so he answered: + +"Countess, the moment was equally fortunate to me, and I shall +ever feel grateful that I have been permitted to be of service to +so beautiful a lady." + +The countess smiled as Jack's words were translated. + +"I did not know that you English were flatterers," she said. "They +told us that you were uncouth islanders, but I see that they have +calumniated you." + +"I hope some day," Jack said, "that I shall be able to talk to you +without the aid of an interpreter. It is very difficult to speak +when every word has to be translated." + +For a quarter of an hour the conversation was continued, the count +and countess asking questions about England. At the end of that +time Jack thought he might venture to take his leave. The count +accompanied him to the door, and begged him to consider his house +as his own, and then with many bows on each side Jack made his way +into the street. + +"Confound all this Spanish politeness!" he muttered to himself; +"it's very grand and stately, I have no doubt, but it's a horrible +nuisance; and as to talking through an interpreter, it's like +repeating lessons, only worse. I should like to see a man making a +joke through an interpreter, and waiting to see how it told. I must +get up a little Spanish as soon as possible. The earl has picked +up a lot already, and there will be no fun to be had here in Spain +unless one can make one's self understood." + +The next day there were rumors current that the population were +determined to take vengeance upon Velasco. The earl marched eight +hundred men into the town, placed the governor in their center and +escorted him to the shore, and so took him safely on board a ship. +He was conveyed, by his own desire, to Alicante, as the revolt had +spread so rapidly through Catalonia that Rosas was now the only +town which favored the cause of the Duke d'Anjou. + +The capture of Barcelona takes its place as one of the most brilliant +feats in military history, and reflects extraordinary credit upon +its general, who exhibited at once profound prudence, faithful +adherence to his sovereign's orders, patience and self command +under the ill concealed hatred of many of those with whom he had +to cooperate--the wrong headedness of the king, the insolence of +the German courtiers, the supineness of the Dutch, the jealousy of +his own officers, and the open discontent of the army and navy-- +and a secrecy marvelously kept up for many weary and apparently +hopeless days. + +On the 28th of October King Charles made his public entry into +Barcelona, and for some days the city was the scene of continual +fetes. The whole province rose in his favor, and the gentlemen +of the district poured into the town to offer their homage to the +king. Only about one thousand men of the Spanish garrison had to +be conveyed to Rosas in accordance with the terms of capitulation, +the rest of the troops taking the oath of allegiance to King Charles +and being incorporated with the allied army. + +Jack Stilwell entered into the festivities with the enjoyment of +youth. The officers of the allied army were made much of by the +inhabitants, and Jack, as one of the general's aides de camp, was +invited to every fete and festivity. The Count de Minas introduced +him to many of the leading nobles of the city as the preserver of +his life; but his inability to speak the language deprived him of +much of the pleasure which he would otherwise have obtained, and, +like many of the other officers, he set to work in earnest to acquire +some knowledge of it. In one of the convents were some Scottish +monks, and for three or four hours every morning Jack worked +regularly with one of them. + +Although Lord Peterborough threw himself heart and soul into the +festivities, he worked with equal ardor at the military preparations. +But here, as before, his plans for energetic action were thwarted +by the Germans and Dutch. At last, however, his energy, aided by +the active spirit of the king, prevailed, and preparations were +made for the continuance of the campaign. The season was so late +that no further operations could be undertaken by sea, and the +allied fleet therefore sailed for England and Holland, leaving +four English and two Dutch frigates in support of the land forces +at Barcelona. + +Garrisons of regular troops were dispatched to the various towns +which had either declared for the king or had been captured by the +Miquelets headed by the Marquis of Cifuentes, engineer officers +being also sent to put them in a state of defense. Of these Tortosa +was, from its position, the most important, as it commanded the +bridge of boats on the Ebro, the main communication between Aragon +and Valencia. To this town two hundred dragoons and one thousand +foot were sent under Colonel Hans Hamilton. The king turned his +attention to the organization of the Spanish army. He formed a +regiment of five hundred dragoons for his bodyguard, mounting them +upon the horses of the former garrison, while from these troops, +swelled by levies from the province, he raised six powerful battalions +of infantry. He excited, however, a very unfavorable feeling among +the Spaniards by bestowing all the chief commands in these corps +upon his German followers. + +But while the conquest of Barcelona had brought the whole of Catalonia +to his side, the cause of King Charles was in other parts of Spain +less flourishing. Lord Galway and General Fagel had been beaten +by Marshal Tesse before Badajos, and the allied army had retreated +into Portugal, leaving the French and Spanish adherents of Philip +free to turn their whole attention against the allies in Catalonia. + +Weary weeks passed on before Lord Peterborough could overcome the +apathy and obstinacy of the Germans and Dutch. At a council of war +held on the 30th of December Peterborough proposed to divide the +army, that he in person would lead half of it to aid the insurrection +which had broken out in Valencia, and that the other half should +march into Aragon; but Brigadier General Conyngham and the Dutch +General Schratenbach strongly opposed this bold counsel, urging +that the troops required repose after their labors, and that their +numbers were hardly sufficient to guard the province they had won. +Such arguments drove Peterborough almost to madness; the troops had, +in fact, gone through no hard work during the siege of Barcelona, +and two months and a half had elapsed since that city surrendered. +Moreover, far from being reinvigorated from rest, they were suffering +from illness caused by inactivity in an unhealthy country. + +Already all the benefits derivable from the gallant capture of +Barcelona had been lost. The enemy had recovered from the surprise +and dismay excited by that event. The friendly and wavering, who +would at once have risen had the king boldly advanced after his +striking success, had already lost heart and become dispirited by +the want of energy displayed in his after proceedings, and from +all parts of Spain masses of troops were moving to crush the allies +and stamp out the insurrection. + +In Valencia only had the partisans of Charles gained considerable +advantages. In the beginning of December Colonel Nebot, commanding +a regiment of Philip's dragoons, declared for Charles, and, +accompanied by four hundred of his men, entered the town of Denia, +where the people and Basset, the governor, at once declared for +Charles. + +On the 11th Nebot and Basset attacked the little town of Xabea, +garrisoned by five hundred Biscayans, and carried it, and the same +night took Oliva and Gandia. The next day they pushed on through +Alzira, where they were joined by many of the principal inhabitants, +and a detachment of the dragoons under Nebot's brother, Alexander, +surprised and routed three troops of the enemy's horse, captured +their convoy of ammunition, and pursued them to the very gates of +Valencia. + +On the night of the 15th the main body marched from Alzira, +and appeared next morning before Valencia and summoned the town +to surrender. The Marquis de Villa Garcia refused, but Alexander +Nebot put himself at the head of his dragoons and galloped up to +the gates shouting "Long live the king!" The inhabitants overpowered +the guard at the gate and threw it open and Valencia was taken. +When the news of these reverses reached Madrid the Conde de las +Torres, a veteran officer who had seen much service in the wars +of Italy, marched from Madrid in all haste to prevent if possible +the junction of the forces of Catalonia with the Valencians. + +He at once marched upon San Matteo, which lay on the main line of +communication, and commenced a vigorous siege of that city. The +king received the news on the 18th of January, 1706, and wrote at +once to Peterborough, urging him to go to the relief of San Matteo, +but giving him no troops whatever to assist him in his enterprise; +and Peterborough's difficulties were increased by General Conyngham, +who commanded a brigade at Fraga, hastily falling back upon Lerida +upon hearing exaggerated rumors of the strength of the enemy. + +Peterborough, however, did not hesitate a moment, but mounting his +horse, and accompanied only by his aides de camp, Jack Stilwell +and Lieutenant Graham, rode for Tortosa. Changing his horse at +the various towns through which he passed, and riding almost night +and day, he reached Tortosa on the 4th, and at once summoned the +magnates of the town to give information as to the real state of +things. He then found, to his astonishment, that the details which +the king had sent him respecting the force of the enemy were entirely +incorrect. Charles had written that they were two thousand strong, +and that sixteen thousand peasants were in arms against them, +whereas Las Torres had with him seven thousand good troops, and +not a single peasant had taken up arms. + +General Killigrew, who now commanded the two hundred dragoons and +the thousand British infantry at Tortosa, together with his officers, +considered that under such circumstances it was absolutely hopeless +to attempt any movement for the relief of San Matteo; but Peterborough +did not hesitate a moment, and only said to his officers: + +"Unless I can raise that siege our affairs are desperate, and +therefore capable only of desperate remedies. Be content; let me +try my fortune, whether I cannot by diligence and surprise effect +that which by downright force is apparently impracticable." + +The officers had unbounded confidence in their general, and although +the enterprise appeared absolutely hopeless, they at once agreed to +undertake it. Accordingly the three weak English regiments marched +from Tortosa under Killigrew, and the next day the earl followed with +the dragoons and a party of Miquelets, and overtook the infantry +that night. The next morning he broke up his little army into +small detachments in order that they might march more rapidly, +and, dividing the Miquelets among them as guides, ordered them to +assemble at Fraiguesa, two leagues from San Matteo. + +The advance was admirably managed. Small parties of dragoons and +Miquelets went on ahead along each of the roads to occupy the passes +among the hills. When arrived at these points they had strict orders +to let no one pass them until the troops appeared in sight, when +the advance again pushed forward and secured another position for +the same purpose. + +Thus no indication of his coming preceded him; and the troops +arriving together with admirable punctuality before Fraiguesa, the +place was taken by surprise, and guards were at once mounted on +its gates, with orders to prevent any one from leaving the town on +any excuse whatever. Thus while the English force were within two +leagues of San Matteo, Las Torres remained in absolute ignorance +that any hostile force was advancing against him. Graham and Jack +were nearly worn out by the exertions which they had undergone +with their indefatigable general. They had ridden for three days +and nights almost without sleep, and on their arrival at Tortosa +were engaged unceasingly in carrying out their chief's instructions, +in making preparations for the advance, and in obtaining every +possible information as to the country to be traversed. + +Both the young officers had now begun to speak Spanish. A residence +of four months in the country, constant communication with the +natives, and two months and a half steady work with an instructor +had enabled them to make great progress, and they were now able to +communicate without difficulty with the Spaniards with whom they +came in contact. + + + +CHAPTER IX: THE ADVANCE INTO VALENCIA + + +The Earl of Peterborough had not satisfied himself with depriving +the enemy of all information as to his advance. He took steps to +confuse and alarm them by false news. By means of large bribes he +prevailed upon two peasants to carry each a copy of the same letter +to Colonel Jones, who commanded in San Matteo. He took the further +step of insuring their loyalty by arresting their families as +hostages, and, moreover, took care that they should know nothing as +to the real state of things that they could report if treacherously +inclined. + +He arranged that one of them should go in first and, passing through +the besiegers' lines, should arouse their suspicions, and should +then, when arrested, give up the letter concealed upon him, and +should also betray the route by which his companion was endeavoring +to reach the city, so that the second messenger would also be +captured and his letter be taken. The letters were as follows: + +"To COLONEL JONES: You will hardly believe yourself what this +letter informs you of, if it come safe to you; and though I have +taken the best precaution, it will do little prejudice if it falls +into the enemy's hands, since they shall see and feel my troops +almost as soon as they can receive intelligence, should it be +betrayed to them. The end for which I venture it to you is that +you may prepare to open the furthest gate toward Valencia, and have +four thousand Miquelets ready, who will have the employment they +love and are fit for, the pursuing and pillaging a flying enemy. The +country is as one can wish for their entire destruction. Be sure, +upon the first appearance of our troops and the first discharge of +our artillery, you answer with an English halloo, and take to the +mountains on the heights with all your men. The Conde de las Torres +must take the plains, the hills on the left being almost impassable, +and secured by five or six thousand of the country people. But +what will gall him most will be the whole regiment of Nebot, which +revolted to us near Valencia, is likewise among us. + +"I was eight days ago myself in Barcelona, and I believe the Conde +de las Torres must have so good intelligence from thence that he +cannot be ignorant of it. What belongs to my own troops and my own +resolutions I can easily keep from them, though nothing else. You +know the force I have, and the multitudes that are gathering from +all parts against us, so I am forced to put the whole into this +action, which must be decided to give any hopes to our desperate +game. By nine or ten, within an hour after you can receive this, +you will discover us on the tops of the hills, not two cannon shot +from their camp. + +"The advantages of the sea are inconceivable, and have contributed +to bring about what you could never expect to see, a force almost +equal to the enemy in number, and you know that less would do our +business. Besides, never men were so transported as to be brought +in such secrecy so near an enemy. I have near six thousand men +locked up this night within the walls of Traguera. I do not expect +you will believe it till you see them. + +"You know we had a thousand foot and two hundred dragoons in Tortosa. +Wills and a thousand foot English and Dutch came down the Ebro in +boats, and I embarked a thousand more at Tarragona when I landed at +Vinaroz, and the artillery from thence I brought in country carts. +It was easy to assemble the horse. Zinzendorf and Moras are as good +as our own, and with our English dragoons make up in all near two +thousand. But the whole depends upon leaving them a retreat without +interruption. + +"Dear Jones, prove a good dragoon, be diligent and alert, and preach +the welcome doctrine to your Miquelets, plunder without danger. + +"Your friend, PETERBOROUGH." + +The two letters fell into the hands of Las Torres, and so artfully +had the capture been contrived, that it never occurred to him to +doubt the truth of these mendacious documents. Orders were instantly +given to prepare for a march, and almost at the same time two events +occurred in the siege works which caused confusion of the troops. +Several mines had been unskillfully sunk and charged; one of +these prematurely exploded and destroyed forty of the workmen. The +remaining mines Colonel Jones contrived to swamp by turning the +course of a brook into them, thus rendering them harmless. While the +troops were confused with these disasters, the news of the contents +of the intercepted letters spread through the camp, causing a +general panic; and almost immediately afterward the advance guard +of Peterborough's force were seen, according to the promise contained +in the letters, on the crests of the hills. + +By able management the twelve hundred men were made to appear +vastly more numerous than they were. The dragoons showed in various +parties at different points of the hilltops, and, after pausing as +if to reconnoiter the camp, galloped back as if to carry information +to a main body behind; while the infantry availed themselves of +the wooded and uneven ground to conceal their weakness. It seemed, +indeed, to the enemy that the tops of all the hills and the +avenues of approach were covered by advancing columns. Las Torres, +unsuspicious of stratagem, was now convinced that his position was +one of extreme danger, while confusion reigned in the camp. The +tents were hastily struck, the guns spiked, and in a few minutes +the Spanish army started along the Valencia road in a retreat which +might almost be called a flight. + +Colonel Jones, seeing the confusion that reigned, instantly sallied +from the town with his whole force in pursuit, and followed Las +Torres for nearly two leagues to Penasol, inflicting a loss of +nearly three hundred men upon the Spaniards; while Peterborough on +the other side marched his force through the abandoned intrenchments +and into the town. Scarcely halting, however, he made a show of +pursuit as far as Albocazer, but always keeping to the hills with +such caution that in case the enemy should learn his weakness, +his retreat would still be secured. While on the march a courier +overtook him with two dispatches--the one from King Charles, the +other from the English resident with the court at Barcelona. + +The king told him that he would be obliged to countermand the +reinforcements he had promised him for the relief of San Matteo, +in consequence of the unfavorable state of affairs elsewhere. It, +however, conveyed to Peterborough something which he valued more +than reinforcements, namely, full power to act in accordance with +his own discretion. The dispatch from the British resident told +him that news had come that the Duke of Berwick, with the main army +of France, freed by the retreat of Lord Galway from all trouble on +the western side of Spain, was in full march for Catalonia. + +The Prince of Serclaes, with four thousand men, watched the small +garrison at Lerida; the Duke of Noailles, with eight thousand French +troops from Roussillon, threatened Catalonia on a third side; while +Philip and Marshal Tesse had collected ten thousand men at Madrid. +The letter concluded with the words: "There is nothing here but +distrust, discontent, and despair." + +The responsibility left by the king's letter upon Peterborough was +great indeed. On the one hand, if he did not return to the defense +of Catalonia, the king might be exposed to imminent danger; and, +on the other, if he repassed the Ebro he might be accused of having +left Valencia and its loyal inhabitants to their fate, and would +have forfeited all the advantages that his audacity and skill had +already gained. + +His difficulties in any case were enormous. His infantry were +marching almost barefooted; they were clothed in rags. The season +was inclement, the country mountainous and rough, and the horses +of the dragoons so exhausted that they could scarcely carry their +riders. In obedience to his instructions, here, as at Tortosa, he +assembled his officers in a council of war and asked their opinion. +They were unanimous in saying that, with the small and exhausted +force under his orders, no further operation could be undertaken +for the conquest of Valencia, but that the little army should post +itself in such a position as might afford the greatest facility +for protecting the king. + +Peterborough had thus on one side not only the difficulty of the +position, but the opinion of the council of war against a further +advance; but on the other hand he knew the anxiety of the king that +help should be given to the Valencians. He therefore announced to +his officers a resolution as desperate as that ever formed by a +sane man. He had listened gravely and in silence while the officers +gave their opinion, and then ordered that the footsore infantry, +with a few of the horse, should march back to Vinaroz, a little +town on the seaside a day's journey from Tortosa, where in case +of necessity they might embark in boats and be taken off to the +ships. Then, to the stupefaction of his officers, he announced his +intention of himself proceeding with the remaining dragoons, about +a hundred and fifty in number, to conquer the province of Valencia! + +In vain the officers remonstrated, the earl was firm. The council +then broke up, and the troops prepared for their march in opposite +directions. + +The parting of Peterborough and his officers was very sad, for they +doubted not it was a final one. + +"I will yet endeavor," he said, "however our circumstances seem +desperate, to secure the kingdom of Valencia; and since the king has +thought conquest possible in this present case, he cannot complain +of my motions, however rash they might appear. I am resolved, +therefore, never to repass the Ebro without positive orders from +him." + +Before starting the earl wrote to Charles and explained fully +his intentions. It is evident from the tone of his letter that +Peterborough did not expect to survive this extraordinary expedition. +The language is grave and firm, and, though respectful, full of +stronger remonstrance and more homely advice than often reaches +kings. It concluded: + +"I have had but little share in your councils. If our advance had +been approved, if your majesty had trusted us . . . if your majesty +had permitted me to march into the kingdom of Valencia, when I so +earnestly desired it, without making me stay under pretense of the +march of imaginary troops; if your majesty would have believed me +on that occasion, your majesty would have had this time not only +a viceroy of Valencia but the kingdom. With what force I have I am +going to march straight to Valencia. I can take no other measures, +leaving the rest to Providence. The time lost (so much against my +inclination) exposes me to a sacrifice, at least I will perish with +honor, and as a man deserving a better fate." + +The earl now again sent orders to one thousand Spanish foot and +three hundred horse, which had before been nominally placed at +his disposal, but had never moved from the town in which they were +garrisoned, to follow him into Valencia; and at the same time he +wrote to Colonel Wills to march immediately with a like number of +English horse and foot to his assistance. + +The king, on the receipt of Peterborough's letter, issued positive +and peremptory orders that the Spanish troops were at once to be set +in motion. Colonel Wills wrote in reply that an important action +had taken place at San Esteban de Litera on the 26th and 27th +of January, between General Conyngham with his brigade and the +Chevalier d'Asfeldt, in which, after a bloody contest, the French +were driven from the field with a heavy loss of killed, wounded, and +prisoners, the allies had also suffered serious loss, and General +Conyngham had received a mortal wound. The command, therefore, had +devolved upon himself. + +Having seen the infantry march off, Peterborough, attended only by +his two aides de camp, took his place at the head of his handful of +cavalry and proceeded on his desperate enterprise--an enterprise +the most extraordinary that has ever taken place between enemies +of an equal degree of civilization. It was a war of a general with +a small escort, but literally without an army, against able officers +with thousands of disciplined troops and numerous defensible towns +and positions, against enormous difficulties of country, against +want and fatigue in every shape, and above all, against hope itself. + +And yet no one who had witnessed that little body march off would +have supposed that they were entering upon what seemed an impossible +expedition--an expedition from which none could come back alive. +Worn out and sorry as was the appearance of the horses, ragged and +dirty that of their riders, the latter were in high spirits. The +contagion of the extraordinary energy and audacity of their chief +had spread among them; they had an absolute confidence in his genius, +and they entered upon the romantic enterprise with the ardor of +schoolboys. + +Not less was the spirit of the two young aides de camp. Before +starting the earl had offered them the option of marching away with +the infantry. + +"It is not that I doubt your courage, lads, for I marked you both +under fire at Montjuich, but the fatigues will be terrible. You +have already supported, in a manner which has surprised me, the +work which you have undergone. You have already borne far more than +your full share of the hardships of the campaign, and I have, in +my dispatches, expressed a very strong opinion to the government as +to the value of the services you have rendered. You are both very +young, and I should be sorry to see your lives sacrificed in such +an enterprise as that I am undertaking, and shall think no less of +you if you elect now to have a period of rest." + +The young men had, however, so firmly and emphatically declined to +leave him that the earl had accepted their continued service. + +The cavalry, instead of keeping in a compact body, were broken up +into parties of ten, all of whom followed different roads, spreading, +through every hamlet they passed, the news that a great army, of +which they were the forerunners, was following hotly behind. So that +should any peasants favorable to Philip's cause carry the news to +Las Torres, that general would be forced to believe that he was +being pursued by a veritable army. Many stragglers of the retreating +force were picked up and handed over to the peasantry to be sent +as prisoners into Catalonia. + +For the most part the little parties of cavalry were well received +by the populace; the majority of Valencians were in favor of King +Charles, and that night, when they halted, the weary horses obtained +ample supplies of grain and forage, and the troopers were made +welcome to the best the villages afforded. + +A few extra horses were purchased by Peterborough during the day, +and it was well for his aides de camp that it was so, for scarcely +had they finished their meal than Peterborough ordered them again +into the saddle. They were to ride by crossroads right and left to +the villages where the different detachments had been ordered to +halt, and to tell them the routes marked out for them by which they +would again concentrate at midday, so as to ride in comparatively +strong force through a small town on the main road, whence news +might, not improbably, be sent on to Las Torres. After that they +were again to disperse and pervade the country. + +Jack and Graham carried out these orders, taking guides from each +village through which they passed to the next, and it was near midnight +before they had finished their work. At four in the morning every +detachment was in motion, and at noon the troop was again concentrated. +Here the earl learned that a detachment of the enemy had remained +behind at Alcala, and, instead of carrying out his previous plan, +he rode straight with the whole of his dragoons to that town. When +he approached it he divided his force into three bodies, which +entered the place simultaneously by different gates, and the Spanish +detachment, two hundred strong, at once laid down their arms. + +Evening was now approaching, and as the horses and dragoons were +utterly worn out, Peterborough halted for the night. He at once +called together the principal inhabitants, and informed them that +he required all the horses in the town, with such saddlery as they +could obtain, to be collected and forwarded for his use to a point +he named. + +The next morning the march was continued. Las Torres had continued +his flight, and this was hastened when he heard of the capture of +Alcala. He pushed through the town of Borriol and hastened on to +Villa Real, a town strongly favorable to King Charles. It opened +its gates, however, on the solemn promise of Las Torres to respect +the life and property of the inhabitants; but no sooner had his +troops entered than he gave the order for a general massacre and +the sack of the town. This ferocious order was executed, and very +few of the inhabitants escaped with their lives. + +The following day, on the news coming in from various points in +his rear that the enemy were pressing after him, he marched his +dispirited army to Nules, where the inhabitants were well affected. In +answer to his appeal a thousand of the citizens enrolled themselves +and undertook to defend the town till the last against the English. +Having assured himself of their earnestness Las Torres inspected +the muster, and, having viewed all the dispositions for defense, +continued his flight. Nules was fortified by strong walls flanked +with towers, the fortifications were in an excellent state of defense, +and the town could have resisted a siege by a considerable army. + +On arriving at Villa Real the British were horrified at the hideous +massacre which had taken place. They went from house to house and +found everywhere the bodies of the slaughtered inhabitants, and the +ardor of the dragoons was, if possible, heightened by the sight. +They made but a short stay here and then galloped on to Nules. As +they neared the town a fire of musketry was opened from the walls, +but, wholly disregarding this, the earl at the head of his men +dashed up to the gates and demanded, in an imperious tone, that +the principal inhabitants should assemble and hold parley with him. + +The boldness of the earl's manner and the imperative tone in which +he spoke so astonished the citizens on the walls that they ceased +firing, and sent for their magistrates and priests. When these +assembled on the wall Peterborough told them in an angry tone that +he gave them only six minutes for deliberation, and that if they +offered the slightest resistance he would repeat at Nules the +massacre which Las Torres had carried out at Villa Real. He added +that, unless they instantly surrendered, he would blow down their +walls the moment his artillery and engineers arrived. The terror +stricken magistrates at once summoned the town council, and, upon +their repeating Peterborough's terrible threats, it was resolved +at once to surrender, and the six minutes had scarcely elapsed +when the gates fell back on their hinges, and Peterborough and his +dragoons entered the town in triumph. + +Here the wearied band enjoyed a rest for some days, Peterborough +spreading the alarm, which his presence excited, by giving orders +that great quantities of provisions and forage should be brought +in from all directions for the supply of the large army which he +stated to be following at his heels. As it never occurred to any +one that he could be pursuing an army of seven thousand men through +a hostile country with only a handful of dragoons, his statements +were not doubted. The requisitions were complied with, and provisions +and stores poured into the town. + +Las Torres at Almenara, where he had again perpetrated a horrible +massacre, heard the news of great preparations that Peterborough +was making for the supply of his army, and considering his position +to be unsafe again retreated hastily. + +At Nules two hundred horses were found and at once appropriated +for the use of the army. With a portion of his force Peterborough +rode out to Castillon de la Plana, an open town of some size, +where the people were well affected to the Austrian cause. Here he +secured four hundred more horses, at the same time assuring both +friends and foes that his army was driving the enemy out of the +kingdom. On entering Nules, Peterborough had sent orders for Lord +Barrymore's regiment of British infantry, at that time under the +command of Colonel Pierce, to march from Vinaroz, where they had +been sent with the rest of the infantry from San Matteo to Oropesa, +a town about nine miles from Castillon, where he had collected all +the horses he had obtained during his march. + +When the news reached Nules of the arrival of this regiment +at Oropesa, Lord Peterborough at once rode over. The regiment was +formed up for his inspection; it had marched with the greatest speed, +and the men were worn out and footsore with their long tramp over +the stony hills. After inspecting them the earl paid them a high +compliment upon their past achievements, and concluded by expressing +his wish that they had but horses and accouterments to try whether +a corps of so high a character would maintain their reputation in +the novelty of mounted service. + +The joke of their eccentric general seemed but a poor one to the +footsore and almost shoeless men, but they were astonished when Jack +rode forward and presented to each of the officers a commission, +which he had drawn out in the earl's name, as cavalry officers. +Their astonishment was changed to delight when Peterborough marched +them to the brow of the hill where they stood, and they saw eight +bodies of horses drawn up in order ready for their eight companies. +Among these were set apart three good chargers for each captain, +two for lieutenants, and one for cornets. He ordered the regiment +to mount, and, immensely amused at their sudden elevation to the +cavalry service, the troops rode back to the town. + +From the moment when he started from San Matteo Peterborough had, +in spite of his incessant exertions and multifarious cares, been +quietly making preparations for this event. He had sent to Barcelona +for the necessary accouterments for these men and for the dismounted +British dragoons. The accouterments had been sent from Barcelona +to the nearest port on the seacoast, and by continually urging on +the local carriers the earl had, in nine days after leaving San +Matteo, collected them in readiness at his depot at Castillon, +and thus raised his little band of horse to nearly a thousand men. +These he dispersed at once among the well affected towns of the +neighborhood, whose walls would render them safe from the attack +of an enemy unsupported by artillery, moving them constantly from +place to place, partly to accustom them to their new duties, partly +to confuse the enemy as to their numbers. + + + +CHAPTER X: AN ADVENTURE IN THE MOUNTAINS + + +"Mr. Stillwell," the earl said, a few days after his arrival +at Castillon, "will you take twenty dragoons and ride out to the +village of Estrella? The district round it is extremely hostile, +and they prevent supplies being brought in from that direction. +Get hold of the principal men in the place, and tell them that if I +hear any more complaints of hostility in that neighborhood I will +send out a regiment of horse, burn their village, and ravage all +the country. I don't think you need apprehend any opposition; but +of course you will keep a good lookout." + +"Am I to return tonight, sir?" + +"Let that depend upon your reception. If the inhabitants show a +fairly good disposition, or if you see that at any rate there is a +considerable section of the population well disposed to the cause, +stay there for the night, and in the morning make a wide circuit +through the district before returning. If you perceive a strong +hostile feeling it were best not to sleep there; with so small a +force you would be liable to a night attack." + +Twenty minutes later Jack rode off with his party, having first +obtained directions from the natives as to the best road to Estrella. +The village was but some fifteen miles off, and lay in the center +of a fertile district on the other side of a range of lofty hills. +The road they were traversing ran through the hills by a narrow +and very steep valley. + +"This would be a nasty place to be attacked," Jack said to the +sergeant, who was riding just behind him. + +"It would, indeed, sir; and if they were to set some of those stones +arolling they would soon knock our horses off their legs." + +A mile or two further on the road again descended and the valley +opened to a fertile country. Another half hour's sharp riding brought +them into Estrella. Their coming had probably been signaled, for +the inhabitants evinced no sudden alarm as the little troop rode +along the principal street. The women stood at the doors of the +houses to look at them, the men were gathered in little knots at +the corners; but all were unarmed, and Jack saw at once that there +was no intention of offering resistance. He alighted at the door +of the village inn, and in a few minutes two or three of the chief +men in the village presented themselves. + +"The English general," Jack said, "has heard that the people of +your neighborhood are hostile, and that those who would pass through +with animals and stores for the army are prevented from doing so. +He bids me say that he does not wish to war with the people of +this country so long as they are peaceful. Those who take up arms +he will meet with arms; but so long as they interfere not with him +he makes no inquiry as to whether their wishes are for King Charles +or Philip of Anjou; but if they evince an active hostility he will +be forced to punish them. You know how Marshal Tesse has massacred +unarmed citizens whom he deemed hostile, and none could blame the +English general did he carry out reprisals; but it will grieve him +to have to do so. He has therefore sent me with this small troop to +warn you that if the people of this village and district interfere +in any way with his friends, or evince signs of active hostility, +he will send a regiment of horse with orders to burn the village +to the ground, and to lay all the district bare." + +"Your general has been misinformed," the principal man in the +place said. "There are, it is true, some in the district who hold +for Philip of Anjou; but the population are well disposed to King +Charles, and this village is ready to furnish any supplies that the +English may require. If your honor will give me a list of these I +will do my best to have them in readiness by tomorrow morning, and +I trust that you will honor us by stopping here till then." + +Jack hesitated; he did not much like the appearance of the man or +the tone of humility in which he spoke; still, as he offered to +furnish supplies, he thought it well to accept the same. + +"What horses could you let us have?" he asked. + +"We could supply ten horses," the man said, "fit for cavalry, four +wagons of grain, and twenty barrels of wine." + +"Very well," Jack said; "if these are ready by tomorrow morning I +will accept them as an earnest of your goodwill, and now I require +food for my men." + +"That shall be ready for them in an hour," the man replied. + +Jack now gave orders to the sergeant that the girths to the saddles +should be loosened, and the horses fastened in readiness for +service in the street close to the inn. Four men were then posted +as pickets at the distance of a quarter of a mile on each side of the +village. Corn was brought for the horses. The women and children +gathered round to gaze at the foreign soldiers, and Jack was convinced +that there was at any rate no intention to effect a surprise while +he remained in the village. In an hour the dinner was served, and +there was no reason to complain of the quantity or quality of the +provisions. + +An hour after dinner the troop again mounted and took a detour +of some miles through the district, passing through several other +villages, in none of which were the slightest signs of hostility +met with. + +"Sergeant," Jack said, after they had returned to Estrella, +"everything looks very quiet and peaceful; but, considering what +we have heard of the feeling in this district, it seems to me that +it is almost too peaceful. I can't help feeling somewhat uneasy. +When it gets dark divide the troop into two parties; keep one +constantly under arms; place sentries in pairs at each end of the +village, and keep a most vigilant watch. Do not let the others +scatter to the quarters the mayor has provided; but let all lie +down here in the inn ready to turn out at a moment's notice. They +are a treacherous lot, these Spaniards, and we cannot be too strictly +on our guard." + +The night passed, however, without an incident, and in the morning, +the five wagons with grain and wine, and eight horses, were brought +in. + +Jack, rather ashamed of his suspicions on the previous night, thanked +the mayor warmly. Eight of the troopers took each a led horse. The +four countrymen in charge of the wagons shouted to their oxen, and +the party moved out from Estrella. + +"There are very few men about the village, Mr. Stilwell," the +sergeant said, as Jack reined back his horse to speak to him. "Did +you notice that, sir?" + +"Yes," Jack said; "I did notice it; for except a few old men and +boys, there were none but women and children gathered round or +standing at their door. There were plenty of men about yesterday; +but perhaps they have all gone up to work in the fields; however, +we will keep our eyes open. You had best ride forward, sergeant, +to the two men in front and tell them to keep a sharp lookout." + +They were proceeding only at a slow walk in order to keep pace with +the wagons, and it was an hour and a half after leaving Estrella +before they entered the hills. + +Jack noticed that although many women and girls could be seen +working in the fields, not a man was in sight. + +"It is curious, sergeant, that there are no men about, and I can't +help thinking that all is not right. Do you take four men with you +and ride straight on through that nasty narrow valley we noticed +as we came. Keep a sharp lookout on both sides, for there are rocks +enough on those hills to hide an army." + +Jack halted the detachment when the scouting party went forward. +In three quarters of an hour the sergeant returned with his men, +saying that he had ridden right through the valley and could see +no signs of life whatever. + +"Very well, sergeant, then we will proceed. But we will do so in +groups. If we are to be attacked in that valley, we could make no +fight of it were we ten times as many as we are; and if we must be +caught, they shall have as few of us as possible; therefore, let +a corporal with four men go on a good quarter of a mile ahead, so +that he will be past the worst part before the next body enter. +Then do you take ten men and go next. I will follow you at the same +distance with the other five men and the wagons. Order the corporal +if attacked to ride through if possible; if not, to fall back to +you. Do you do the same. If you are nearly through the valley when +you are attacked, dash straight forward. I shall see what is going +on, and will turn and ride back with my party, and making a sweep +round through the flat country find my way back by some other road. +In that case by no possibility can they get more than a few of us." + +These orders, which were well calculated to puzzle a concealed +enemy, were carried out. The corporal's party were just disappearing +round a turn at the upper end of the valley when the main body +under the sergeant entered it. Jack was not quite so far behind, +and halted as he entered the valley to allow those who preceded +him to get through before he proceeded. They were still some two +hundred yards from the further end when a shot was heard, and in +an instant men appeared from behind every rock, and the hillside +was obscured with smoke as upward of two hundred guns were fired +almost simultaneously. Then there was a deep rumbling noise, and +the rocks came bounding down from above. + +The sergeant carried out Jack's orders. At the flash of the first +gun he set off with his men at a gallop; and so quick and sudden +was the movement that but few of the bullets touched them, and the +rocks for the most part thundered down in their rear. Two or three +horses and men were, however, struck down and crushed by the massive +rocks; but the rest of the party got through the pass in safety +and joined their comrades who had preceded them. They rode on for +a short distance further, and then there was a halt, and wounds +were examined and bandaged. + +"It is well that we came as we did," the sergeant said to his +corporal; "if we had been all together, with the wagons blocking +up the road, not a man Jack of us would have escaped alive. What an +escape it has been! the whole hillside seemed coming down on us." + +"What will Mr. Stilwell do, sergeant?" + +"He said he should ride back into the plain and take some other +way round," the sergeant replied; "but I fear he won't find it so +easy. Fellows who would lay such an ambush as that are pretty sure +to have taken steps to cut off the retreat of any who might escape +and ride back. I am sure I hope he will get out of it, for he is +a good officer, and as pleasant a young fellow as one can want to +serve under; besides, there are five of our chaps with him." + +Jack had halted his men the instant the first shot was fired. +"Shall I shoot these fellows, sir ?" one of the troopers asked, +drawing his pistol and pointing it at the head of one of the peasants +leading a yoke of oxen. + +"No," Jack said; "they are unarmed; besides, they are plucky fellows +for risking their lives on such a venture. There! the sergeant's +troop have got through; but there are two or three of them down. +Come along, lads, we must ride back, and there is no time to lose. +Keep well together, and in readiness to charge if I give the word. +It is likely enough our turn may come next." + +They rode on without interruption at full gallop till they neared +the lower end of the valley. Then Jack drew up his horse. Across +the road and the ground on each side extended a dozen carts, the +oxen being taken out, and the carts placed end to end so as to form +a barricade. A number of men were standing behind them. + +"I expected something of this sort," muttered Jack. He looked at +the hills on either side, but they were too steep to ride up on +horseback; and as to abandoning the animals and taking to the hills +on foot, it was not to be thought of, for the active peasants would +easily overtake them. + +"We must ride straight forward," he said; "there is no other way +out of it. There is level ground enough for a horse to pass round +the left of the wagons. Ride for that point as hard as you can, +and when you are through keep straight forward for a quarter of a +mile till we are together again. Now!" + +Giving his horse the spur, Jack dashed off at full speed, followed +closely by the troopers. As they approached the line guns flashed +out from the wagons, and the bullets sang thickly round them; but +they were going too fast to be an easy mark, and the peasants, after +firing their guns, seeing the point for which they were making, ran +in a body to oppose them, armed with pitch forks and ox goads; few +of them had, however, reached the spot when Jack and his troopers +dashed up. There was a short sharp struggle, and then, leaving +five or six of the peasants dead on the ground, the troopers burst +through and rode forward. One man only had been lost in the passage, +shot through the head as he approached the gap. + +"So far we are safe," Jack said, "and as I expect every man in the +country round was engaged in that ambush, we need not hurry for +the present. The question is, Which way to go?" + +This was indeed a difficult point to settle, for Jack was wholly +ignorant of the country. He had made inquiries as to the way to +Estrella, but knew nothing of any other roads leading from that +village, and indeed, for aught he knew, the road by which he had +come might be the only one leading to the south through the range +of hills. + +"We will turn west," he said, after a moment's thought, "and keep +along near the foot of the hills till we come to another road +crossing them." + +So saying, he set forward at an easy trot across the fields of +maize and wheat stubble, vineyards, and occasionally orchards. For +upward of two hours Jack led the way, but they saw no signs of a +road, and he observed with uneasiness that the plain was narrowing +fast and the hills on the left trending to meet those on the right +and form an apparently unbroken line ahead. + +The horses were showing signs of fatigue, and Jack drew rein on +somewhat rising ground and looked anxiously round. If, as it seemed, +there was no break in the bills ahead, it would be necessary to +retrace their steps, and long ere this the defenders of the ravine +would have returned to their homes, and learned from the men +at the carts that a small party had escaped. As the women in the +fields would be able to point out the way they had taken, the whole +population would be out in pursuit of them. Looking round Jack saw +among some trees to his right what appeared to be a large mansion, +and resolved at once to go there. + +"The horses must have food and a rest," he said, "before we set +out again; and though it's hardly probable, as the peasants are +so hostile, that the owner of this place is friendly, I would even +at the worst rather fall into the hands of a gentleman than into +those of these peasants, who would certainly murder us in cold +blood." + +Thus saying, he rode toward the mansion, whose owner must, he thought +as he approached it, be a man of importance, for it was one of the +finest country residences he had seen in Spain. He rode up to the +front door and dismounted and rang at the bell. A man opened the +door, and looked with surprise and alarm at the English uniforms. +He would have shut the door again, but Jack put his shoulder to it +and pushed it open. + +"What means this insolence?" he said sternly, drawing his pistol. +"Is your master in?" + +"No, senor," the man stammered, "the count is from home." + +"Is your mistress in?" + +The man hesitated. + +"I will see," he said. + +"Look here, sir," Jack said. "Your mistress is in, and unless you +lead me straight to her I will put a bullet through your head." + +Several other men servants had now come up, but the four troopers +had also entered. The Spaniards looked at each other irresolutely. + +"Now, sirrah," Jack said, raising his pistol, "are you going to +obey me?" + +The Spaniard, seeing Jack would execute his threat unless obeyed, +turned sullenly and led the way to a door. He opened it and entered. + +"Madam the countess," he said, "an English officer insists on seeing +you." + +Jack followed him in. A lady had just risen from her seat. + +"I must apologize, madam," he began, and then stopped in surprise, +while at the same moment a cry of astonishment broke from the lady. + +"Senor Stilwell!" she cried. "Oh! how glad I am to see you! but-- +but--" And she stopped. + +"But how do I come here, countess, you would ask? I come here by +accident, and had certainly no idea that I should find you, or that +this mansion belonged to your husband. You told me when I saw you +last, a fortnight before I left Barcelona, that you were going away +to your seat in the country. You told me its name, too, and were +good enough to say that you hoped when this war was over that I +would come and visit you; but, in truth, as this is not a time for +visiting, I had put the matter out of my mind." + +"And do you belong, then," the countess asked, "to the party who we +heard yesterday had arrived at Estrella? If so--" And she stopped +again. + +"If so, how have I escaped, you would ask? By good fortune and the +speed of my horse." + +"What will the count say?" the countess exclaimed. "How will he +ever forgive himself? Had he known that our preserver was with that +party he would have cut off his right hand before he would have +--" + +"Led his tenants to attack us. He could not tell, countess, and +now I hope that you will give your retainers orders to treat my +men with hospitality. At present my four troopers and your men are +glowering at each other in the hall like wolves and dogs ready to +spring at each other's throats." + +The countess at once went out into the hall. The servants had +now armed themselves, and, led by the majordomo, were standing in +readiness to attack the dragoons on the termination of the colloquy +between the officer and their mistress. + +"Lay aside your arms, men," the countess said imperiously. "These +men are the count's guests. Enrico, do you not recognize this +gentleman?" + +The majordomo turned, and, at once dropping his musket, ran across, +and, falling on his knees, pressed Jack's hand to his lips. The +servants, who had at first stood in irresolute astonishment at +their mistress' order, no longer hesitated, but placed their arms +against the wall. + +"This," the majordomo said to them, rising to his feet, "is the +noble English lord who saved the lives of the count and countess +and my young master from the mob at Barcelona, as I have often told +you." + +This explained the mystery. The servants saluted Jack with profound +respect, for all were deeply attached to the count and countess, +and had often thrilled with fury and excitement over the majordomo's +relation of that terrible scene at Barcelona. + +Jack in a few words explained to the troopers the reason of the +change in their position. The dragoons put up their swords, and were +soon on the best terms with the retainers in the great kitchen, while +Jack and the countess chatted over the events which had happened +since they last parted. + +"I shall always tremble when I think of today," the countess said. +"What a feeling mine would have been all my life had our preserver +been killed by my servants! I should never have recovered it. It +is true it would have been an accident, and yet the possibility +should have been foreseen. The count knew you were with the Earl +of Peterborough, and the whole English army should have been sacred +in his eyes for your sake; but I suppose he never thought of it +any more than I did. Of course every one knows that we belong to +Philip's party. It was for that, that the mob at Barcelona would +have killed us; but my husband does not talk much, and when he left +Barcelona no objection was raised. He did not intend to take part +in the war, and he little thought at that time that an enemy would +ever come so far from Barcelona; but yesterday, when a message came +that a small party of the enemy had entered the valley, and that +the peasants had prepared an ambuscade for them on their return, +and that they hoped that the count their master would himself come +and lead them to annihilate the heretics, the simple man agreed, +never thinking that you might be among them. What will his feelings +be when, he learns it!" + +Late in the afternoon the count arrived. One of the servants who +had been on the lookout informed the countess of his approach. + +"I will go myself to meet him," she said. "Do you stay here, senor, +where you can hear." + +The count rode up at full speed, and as the door opened ran hastily +in. + +"What has happened, Nina?" he exclaimed anxiously. "I have had +a great fright. We have been following a small party of the enemy +who escaped us from Estrella, and just now a woman returning from +work in the fields told us she had seen five strange soldiers ride +up here and enter." + +"They are here," the countess answered complacently. "They are at +present our guests." + +"Our guests!" the count exclaimed, astonished "What are you saying, +Nina? The enemies of our country our guests! In what a position +have you placed me! I have two hundred armed men just behind. I +left them to ride on when I heard the news, being too anxious to +go at their pace, and now you tell me that these men of whom they +are in search are our guests! What am I to say or do? You amaze me +altogether." + +"What would you have me do?" the countess said. "Could I refuse +hospitality to wearied men who asked it, Juan?" she continued, +changing her tone. "You have to thank Providence indeed that those +men came to our door instead of falling into the hands of your +peasants." + +"To thank Providence!" the count repeated, astonished. + +"Come with me and you will see why." + +She led the way into the room, her husband following her. The count +gave a cry as his eye fell upon Jack, and every vestige of color +left his face. + +"Mary, mother of heaven!" he said in a broken voice, "I thank thee +that I have been saved from a crime which would have imbittered +all my life. Oh, senor, is it thus we meet, thus, when I have been +hunting blindly for the blood of the man to whom I owe so much?" + +"Happily there is no harm done, count," Jack said, advancing with +outstretched hand; "you were doing what you believed to be your +duty, attacking the enemy of your country. Had you killed me you +would have been no more to blame than I should, did a chance shot +of mine slay you when fighting in the ranks of the soldiers of +Philip." + +The count was some time before he could respond to Jack's greeting, +so great was his emotion at the thought of the escape he had had +from slaying the preserver of his wife and child. As soon as he +recovered himself he hurried out to meet the peasants, whose shouts +could be heard as they approached the castle. He soon returned and +bade his servants take a cask of wine into the courtyard behind +the house, with what bread and meat there might be in the larder. + +"You had no trouble with them, I hope?" Jack asked. + +"None whatever," the count said. "As soon as I told them the +circumstances under which you saved the life of the countess, my +boy, and myself, their only wish was to see you and express their +gratitude; they are simple fellows, these peasants, and if fairly +treated greatly attached to their lords." + +"It's a pity their treatment of the prisoners is so savage," Jack +said dryly. + +"They are savage," the count said, "but you must remember that the +history of Spain is one long story of war and bloodshed. They draw +knives on each other on the slightest provocation, and in their +amusements, as you know, there is nothing that in their eyes can +rival a bullfight; it is little wonder, then, that in war they are +savage and, as you would say, even bloodthirsty. This is not so in +regular warfare. Whatever may have been the conduct of some of our +irregulars, none have ever alleged that Spanish troops are less +inclined to give quarter to conquered foes than others; but in this +rough irregular warfare each peasant fights on his own account as +against a personal enemy, and as he would expect and would meet +with little mercy if he fell into the enemy's hands, so he grants +no mercy to those who fall into his. Indeed, after the brutal +treatment which Marshal Tesse has, I am ashamed to say, dealt out +to those who opposed him, you can scarcely blame peasants for acting +as they see civilized soldiers do." + +A short time afterward Jack went out with the count into the courtyard, +and was received with the most hearty and cordial greeting by the +men who were an hour before thirsting for his blood. Among them +was the village mayor. + +"Ah, sir," he said, "why did you not tell us that you had saved +the life of our lord and lady? You should have had all the horses +in the district, and as many wagons of wine and grain as we could +collect. We are all in despair that we should have attacked our +lord's preserver." + +"I could not tell you," Jack said, "because I was in ignorance +that the Count de Minas was your lord; had I known it I should have +assuredly gone straight to him." + +"We shall never forgive ourselves," the man said, "for having killed +four of your honor's soldiers." + +"I am sorry that it was so," Jack said, "but I cannot blame you; and +I am sorry that we on our part must have killed as many of yours." + +"Six," the mayor replied. "Yes, poor fellows, but the count will +see to their widows and orphans, he has promised us as much. I +drink to your health, senor," and all present joined in the shout, +"Long live the preserver of the count and countess!" + +Jack and the count now returned to the house, and the next morning, +after a cordial adieu to the host and hostess, he rode back with +his men to Castillon. + +"Welcome back, Mr. Stilwell," the general said as he entered; "I have +been very uneasy about you. Your men returned at noon yesterday and +told me of the ambush in which they had been beset. Your arrangements +were excellent except for your own safety. How did you manage to +get out? By the way, I was astonished by the arrival here an hour +since of the horses and wagons. The men who brought them could give +me no account of it, except that the Mayor of Estrella returned late +yesterday evening and ordered them to set out before daybreak. It +seemed to me a perfect mystery. I suspected at first that the wine +was poisoned, and ordered the men who brought it to drink some +at once, but as they did so without hesitation or sign of fear, I +concluded that I was mistaken. However, I have kept them captive +pending news from you to enlighten me." + +"I am not surprised you were astonished, sir, but the matter was +simple enough ;" and then Jack related the circumstances which had +befallen them. + +"Bravo!" the earl said; "for once, Mr. Stilwell, a good action has +had its reward, which, so far as my experience goes, is an exception." + +The earl at once called in a sergeant and ordered the release of +the men who had brought the horses and wagons, and gave ten gold +pieces to be distributed among them. Jack also went out and begged +them to give his compliments and thanks to the mayor. + +"I am heartily glad the adventure ended as it did," the earl said +when he returned, "for, putting aside the regret I should have felt +at your loss, it would have been a difficult business for me to +undertake, with my present force, to chastise the men who attacked +you, who must be bold and determined fellows, and capable of realizing +the advantages of this mountainous country. If all Spaniards would +do as much it would tax the power of the greatest military nation +to subdue them; and yet I could hardly have suffered such a check +without endeavoring to avenge it; so altogether, Mr. Stilwell, we +must congratulate ourselves that the affair ended as it did. In any +case you would have been in no way to blame, for your dispositions +throughout appear to have been excellent, and marked alike with +prudence and boldness." + + + +CHAPTER XI: VALENCIA + + +While occupied in preparing for his advance, the general sent +letter after letter to Valencia, bidding the citizens to keep up +their courage, and promising to hasten to the relief of that city. +Ordering Jack to continue the correspondence in his name, so as +to delude both friends and foes that he was still at Castillon, he +took post secretly and hurried away back to Tortosa to see after +reinforcements. He still doubted whether the Spanish troops, which +the king had promised should be at his disposal for the campaign +in Valencia, had got into motion, and in case they had not done so +he determined to post to Colonel Wills and bring up that officer +with his brigade. + +At Vinaroz he found that the Spanish troops had already entered +Valencia, and that some of the militia of that province and of +Catalonia were also in motion to join him. He therefore concentrated +his little force at Castillon, to which place he returned as rapidly +as he had left it. When it was assembled it consisted of a thousand +horse and two thousand infantry, being one English and three Spanish +battalions of regulars. Besides these were about three hundred +armed peasants, whom the earl thought it better not to join with +his army, and therefore quartered them at Almenara. + +Although he had accomplished marvels, there was yet much to do. +The Duke of Arcos had succeeded the Conde de las Torres in the +chief command, the latter having been superseded after his signal +failures. The duke had ten thousand men placed under his orders, +of whom some thirty-five hundred were in possession of the strong +town of Murviedro, which covered the approach to Valencia, while +with the main body he marched upon Valencia and commenced the siege +of that city. The magistrates, knowing that they could expect but +little mercy should the town be taken, made vigorous preparations +for defense, and dispatched some messengers to Peterborough imploring +him to come to their assistance. He was now in readiness to do so, +and on the 1st of February marched from Castillon with his army. + +Having unlimited powers, the earl, before starting, presented to +his two aides de camp commissions as captains, as a reward for the +services they had rendered. + +Although so inferior in numbers the little army advanced toward +Valencia with an absolute confidence of victory. The successes +gained by their leader with a handful of cavalry over an army of +seven thousand men had been so astounding that his troops believed +him capable of effecting anything that he undertook. They had seen +him ride off from San Matteo with his little body of horse upon +what seemed an impossible enterprise; they had met him again after +having conquered half a province; and if he had accomplished this +with such scanty means, what was not possible now when he had three +thousand men at his disposal? + +But the earl trusted fully as much to his talents in the way +of deceiving the enemy as to his power of defeating them by open +force in the field. His eccentric genius appeared to revel in the +mendacious statements by which he deceived and puzzled both friend +and foe; and although the spreading of a certain amount of false +news for the purpose of deceiving an enemy has always been considered +as a legitimate means of warfare, Peterborough altogether exceeded +the usual limits, and appeared to delight in inventing the most +complicated falsehoods from the mere love of mischief. At times +Jack was completely bewildered by his general, so rapid were the +changes of plans, so changeable his purposes, so fantastic and +eccentric his bearing and utterances. That his military genius was +astonishing no one can for a moment question, but it was the genius +rather of a knight errant than of the commander of great armies. + +As a partisan leader Peterborough is without a rival in history. +Whether he would have succeeded equally well as the commander +of great armies he had never an opportunity of proving, but it is +more than doubtful. Rapid changes of plan, shifting and uncertain +movements, may lead to wonderful successes when but a small body of +troops have to be set in motion, but would cause endless confusion +and embarrassment with a large army, which can only move in accordance +with settled plans and deliberate purpose. + +It must be said, however, that this most eccentric of generals +proved upon many occasions, as at the siege of Barcelona, that he +was capable of adapting himself to circumstances, and it is possible +that had he ever been placed in command of a great army he would +have laid aside his flightiness and eccentricity, his love for +theatrical strokes and hair breadth adventures, and would have +exhibited a steadfast military genius which would have placed his +name in the annals of British history on a par with those of Wellington +and Marlborough. Never did he exhibit his faculty for ingenious +falsehood more remarkably than at Murviedro, where, indeed, a great +proportion of his inventions appear to have been prompted rather +by a spirit of malice than by any military necessity. + +Murviedro was the Saguntum of the Romans, one of the strongest +cities in Spain. The force there was commanded by Brigadier General +Mahony, an officer of Irish descent. He had under him five hundred +regular cavalry and a battalion of eight hundred trained infantry; +the rest of his force consisted of Spanish militia. The town itself +was fairly strong and contained a large population. It was separated +from a wide plain by a river, on the banks of which redoubts mounted +with artillery had been thrown up. + +Here the Valencian road wound through a pass, above which, on +the crest of a lofty overhanging hill, were the ruins of ancient +Saguntum. Peterborough had no artillery save a few Spanish field +guns; the enemy's position was formidable both by formation and art, +and his force was altogether inadequate for an attack upon it. So +hopeless did the attempt appear to be that Peterborough's officers +were unanimous in the opinion that it would be better to make a wide +circuit and avoid the place, and to march directly upon Valencia +and give battle to the Duke of Arcos under its walls. Peterborough, +however, simply told them to wait and see what would come of it, +and in the mean time he continued to bewilder his foes by the most +surprising romances. + +His agents were for the most part a few sharp witted dragoons, and +some peasants whose fidelity was secured by their families being +held as hostages. He had already contrived to bewilder the division +of Las Torres before it reached the main body under the Duke of +Arcos. A spy in his pay had informed the Spanish general that the +British were close upon him, and he had accordingly at once broken +up his camp and marched all night. + +In the morning the spy again presented himself and stated that the +British were pushing on over the mountains to his left to occupy +an important point and to cut off his retreat to the Valencian +plains. As it seemed absolutely impossible that they could have +pressed forward so quickly, Las Torres refused to credit the story. +The spy, as if indignant at his truth being doubted, pledged himself +at the hazard of his life to give proof of the assertion to any +officer who might be sent to ascertain it. + +Two officers in plain clothes were accordingly sent with him in the +direction where he stated the English to be; but when they stopped +for refreshment at a village on the way they were suddenly pounced +upon by a picket of English dragoons, who had been sent there for +the purpose. After a time the spy pretended to the two officers +that he had made the guard drunk and that they could now make their +escape, and leading them stealthily to the stable showed them two +of the dragoons lying in an apparently drunken sleep. Three horses +were quietly led out of the stable, and the three men rode off, +some of the dragoons making a show of pursuit. + +This incident, of course, established the credit of the spy. Las +Torres was convinced that his retreat was really threatened, and +hurried on again with all speed, while all this time the English +army was really many miles away near Murviedro. Other dragoons were +induced to feign desertion, while some permitted themselves to be +taken prisoners, and as each vied with the others in the extravagance +of his false information, the Spanish generals were utterly bewildered +by the contradictory nature of the lies that reached them. + +While Las Torres was hastening away at full speed to join the Duke +of Arcos, Peterborough was occupied in fooling Mahony. That officer +was a distant relation of Lady Peterborough, and the earl sent to +demand an interview with him, naming a small hill near the town for +the purpose. When the time for the interview approached the earl +disposed his army so as to magnify their numbers as much as possible. +Some were posted as near the town as they could venture along the +pass; others were kept marching on the lower slopes of the hills, +their numbers increased in appearance by masses of the armed +peasantry being mingled with them. + +Mahony having received the earl's word for his safety rode out +to the appointed place to meet him, accompanied by several of the +principal Spanish officers. Peterborough first used every persuasion +to induce Mahony to enter the service of King Charles, but the +Irish officer refused to entertain the tempting offers which he +made. Peterborough then changed his tone, and said with an air of +kindly frankness: + +"The Spaniards have used such severities and cruelties at Villa +Real as to oblige me to retaliate. I am willing to spare a town +if under your protection. I know that you cannot pretend to defend +it with the horse you have, which will be so much more useful in +another place if joined with the troops of Arcos to obstruct my +passing the plains of Valencia. I am confident that you will soon +quit Murviedro, which I can as little prevent as you can hinder +me from taking the town. The inhabitants there must be exposed to +the most abject miseries, and I can in no way preserve it but by +being bound in a capitulation, which I am willing to give you if +I have the assurance of the immediate surrender of the place this +very night. Some cases are so apparent that I need not dissemble. +I know you will immediately send to the Duke of Arcos to march to +the Carthusian convent and meet him there with the body of horse +under your command." + +The earl further offered, in the same apparent spirit of frankness, +to show Mahony all his troops and artillery, as well as the large +resources he had upon the sea, which was only six miles off. +Mahony was entirely deceived by the manner of the man he regarded +as a relative, and laughingly acknowledged that he had, in case of +necessity, intended to fall back with his cavalry upon the Duke of +Arcos. The interview ended by Mahony retiring to the town, agreeing +to send back an answer in half an hour. At the end of that time he +sent out a capitulation by a Spanish officer. + +Had Peterborough's scheme ended here he would not have exceeded the +bounds of what is regarded as a fair method of deceiving an enemy, +but his subsequent proceedings were absolutely indefensible, and +are, indeed, almost incredible on the part of the man who in some +respects carried the point of honor almost to an extreme. His +notion, no doubt, was to paralyze the action of the enemy by exciting +suspicions of treachery among their leaders, but the means which +he took to do so were base and unworthy in the extreme. + +He began with the Spanish officer who had brought the capitulation, +giving him a garbled account of his interview with Mahony, and +then endeavoring to bribe him to desert to the Austrian cause, +insinuating that he had succeeded by this means with Mahony. As the +earl expected, he failed to induce the Spaniard to desert, but he +succeeded in his purpose of filling his mind with suspicions of +treachery on the part of Mahony. + +Mahony had conducted the negotiations in a manner worthy of a loyal +and skillful officer; he had stipulated not to leave the town till +one o'clock in the morning, and that Peterborough should not pass +the river until that hour. + +This he had arranged in order to allow the Duke of Arcos time +to reach the plains, where he was to be joined by the horse from +Murviedro. But Peterborough's machinations had been effectual; the +Spanish officer, on his return, informed his countrymen that Mahony +had betrayed them, and the troops and populace became enraged against +the unfortunate Irishman and threatened his life. Peterborough, +who, in spite of his perverted notions of honor, would not on any +account have passed the river before the time stipulated, heard +the neighing of horses in the town and supposed that some of the +troops were leaving it. In order, therefore, to create suspicion +and confusion among the enemy, he ordered a body of men near the +river to fire straggling shots as if small parties were engaged at +the outposts. + +Mahony hearing these sounds sent word that whatever collision +might have occurred it was the result of no breach of the terms +of capitulation on his part, and that, depending implicitly on the +honor of an English general, he could not believe that any foul +play could take place. Peterborough sent back his compliments by the +officer who brought the message, with expressions of gratification +at the good understanding which prevailed between them, and +at the same time he proposed that Mahony, for the security of the +inhabitants of Murviedro, and to prevent his troops being molested +as they retired from the town, should permit a regiment of English +dragoons to cross the river and to form a guard at the gates, +offering at the same time to deliver up a number of his officers +as hostages to the Spanish for the loyal fulfillment of the terms. + +In an evil hour for himself Mahony consented to the proposal. +When the Spaniards saw Peterborough's dragoons advancing without +opposition through the difficult pass, and up to the very gates of +the town, their suspicions of the treachery of their leader became +a certainty. The Spanish officers each got his company or troop +together as quickly as possible and hurried across the plain to +the camp of the duke, where they spread a vague but general panic. +The officers accused Mahony of treachery to the Spanish general, +and the national jealousy of foreigners made their tale easily +believed; bat Peterborough had taken another step to secure the +success of his diabolical plan against the honor of his wife's +relative. + +He made choice of two Irish dragoons, and persuaded them by bribes +and promises of promotion to undertake the dangerous part of false +deserters, and to tell the tale with which he furnished them. They +accordingly set out and rode straight to the camp of the Duke of +Arcos and gave themselves up to the outposts, by whom they were +led before the Spanish general. Questioned by him, they repeated +the story they had been taught. + +The statement was that they had been sitting drinking wine together +under some rocks on the hillside, close to where the conference +was held, and that Peterborough and Mahony, walking apart from the +others, came near to where they were sitting, but did not notice +them, and that they saw the earl deliver five thousand pistoles to +Mahony, and heard him promise to make him a major general in the +English army, and to give him the command of ten thousand Irish +Catholics which were being raised for the service of King Charles. +They said that they were content to receive no reward, but to be +shot as spies if Mahony himself did not give proof of treachery by +carrying out his arrangements with the earl, by sending a messenger +requesting the duke to march that night across the plain toward +Murviedro to the Carthusian convent, where everything would be +arranged for their destruction by a strong ambush of British troops. + +Scarcely had the men finished their story when an aide de camp +galloped in from Mahony with the very proposition which they had +reported that he would make. Arcos had now no doubt whatever of +Mahony's treason, and instead of complying with his request, which +was obviously the best course to have been pursued, as the junction +of the two armies would thereby have been completed, the duke broke +up his camp without delay and fell back in exactly the opposite +direction. + +This was exactly what Peterborough had been scheming to bring about. +Mahony, with his cavalry, having delivered over the town, marched +to the Carthusian convent, and there, finding themselves unsupported, +rode on to the spot where the duke had been encamped, and finding +that his army was gone, followed it. On overtaking it Mahony was +instantly arrested and sent a prisoner to Madrid. + +It is satisfactory to know that he succeeded in clearing himself +from the charge of treachery, was promoted to the rank of major +general, and was sent back with Las Torres, who was ordered to +supersede the Duke of Arcos. + +The success of the earl's stratagem had been complete. Without the +loss of a single man he had obtained possession of Murviedro, and +had spread such confusion and doubt into the enemy's army that, +although more than three times his own force, it was marching away +in all haste, having abandoned the siege of Valencia, which city he +could now enter with his troops. The success was a wonderful one; +but it is sad to think that it was gained by such a treacherous +and dastardly maneuver, which might have cost a gallant officer-- +who was, moreover, a countryman and distant connection of the earl +--his honor and his life. + +The next day the earl entered the city of Valencia in triumph. The +whole population crowded into the streets. The houses were decorated +with flags and hangings. The church bells pealed out their welcome, +and amid the shouts of the people below and the waving of handkerchiefs +from the ladies at the balconies, he rode through the streets to +the town hall, where all the principal personages were assembled, +followed by the little army with which he had performed what appeared +to have been an impossible undertaking. + +After their incessant labors during the past two months, the rest +at Valencia was most grateful to the troops. The city is celebrated +as being one of the gayest and most delightful in all Spain. Its +situation is lovely, standing within a mile and a half of the sea, +in a rich plain covered with vines, olives, and other fruit trees, +while beyond the plains rise the mountains, range after range, with +the higher summits covered with snow. The people, at all times +pleasure loving, gave themselves up to fetes and rejoicings for +some time after the entrance of the army that had saved them from +such imminent danger, and all vied in hospitality to the earl and +his officers. + +King Charles, astonished and delighted at Peterborough's success, +appointed him captain general of all his forces, and gave him the +power of appointing and removing all governors and other public +servants, as he might consider necessary for the good of the +cause, while from London the earl received a dispatch appointing +him plenipotentiary at the court of King Charles. + +Here as at Barcelona the earl entered with almost boyish animation +into the gayety of which he was the center. With the priests and +ladies he was an especial favorite, having won the former by the +outward respect which he paid to their religion, and by the deference +he exhibited toward themselves. + +Valencia prided itself on being one of the holiest cities in Spain, +and no other town could boast of the connection of so many saints +or the possession of so many relics. The priesthood were numerous +and influential. Religious processions were constantly passing through +the streets, and in the churches the services were conducted with +the greatest pomp and magnificence. + +Peterborough, knowing the value of the alliance and assistance of +the priests, spared no pains to stand well with the Church, revenging +himself for the outward deference he paid to it by the bitterest +sarcasm and jeers in his letters to his friends at home. Believing +nothing himself, the gross superstition which he saw prevailing +round him was an argument in favor of his own disbelief in holy +things, and he did not fail to turn it to advantage. + +With the ladies his romantic adventures, his extraordinary bravery, +his energy and endurance, his brilliant wit, his polished manner, +his courtesy and devotion, rendered him an almost mythical hero; +and the fair Valencians were to a woman his devoted admirers and +adherents. + +But, while apparently absorbed in pleasure, Peterborough's energy +never slumbered for a moment. His position was still one of extreme +danger. The force of Las Torres, seven thousand strong, recovering +from their panic, had, a day or two after he entered the town, returned +and taken post on some hills near it, preparatory to recommencing +the siege. Four thousand Castilians were marching to their support +by the road leading through Fuente de la Higuera, while at Madrid, +within an easy distance, lay the overwhelming forces of the main +army under Marshal Tesse.. To cope with these forces he had but +his little army in the town, amounting to but three thousand men, +deficient in artillery, ammunition, and stores of all kinds. + +Had Marshal Tesse marched at once to join Las Torres Peterborough's +little force must have been crushed; but the court of King Philip +decided to dispatch the marshal against Barcelona. Fortunately +Peterborough was well informed by the country people of everything +that was passing, for in every town and village there were men or +women who sent him news of all that was going on in their neighborhood. + +It was but a week after they entered Valencia that the earl, happening +to pass close by Jack Stilwell at a brilliant ball, paused for a +moment and said: + +"Get away from this in half an hour, find Graham, and bring him +with you to my quarters. Before you go find Colonel Zinzendorf and +tell him to have two hundred men ready to mount at half past one. +He is here somewhere. If you find he has left you must go round to +the barracks. Tell him the matter is to be kept an absolute secret. +I know," the earl said gallantly to the lady on his arm and to +Jack's partner, "we can trust you two ladies to say nothing of what +you have heard. It is indeed grief and pain to myself and Captain +Stilwell to tear ourselves away from such society, and you may be +sure that none but the most pressing necessity could induce me to +do it." + +Jack at once led his partner to a seat and set out on the search for +Graham and the colonel of dragoons. He was some time finding them +both, and it was already past one when the three issued together +from the palace where the fete was held, and hurried off, the +two young officers to Peterborough's quarters, the colonel to his +barracks. + +The earl was already in his chamber. He had slipped away unobserved +from the ball, and had climbed the wall of the garden, to avoid +being noticed passing out of the entrance. His great wig and court +uniform were thrown aside, and he was putting on the plain uniform +which he used on service when his aides de camp entered. + +"Get rid of that finery and gold lace," he said as they entered. +"You have to do a forty mile ride before morning. I have received +glorious news. One of my partners told me that she had, just as she +was starting for the ball, received a message from a cousin saying +that a vessel had come into port from Genoa with sixteen brass +twenty-four pounder guns, and a quantity of ammunition and stores, +to enable Las Torres to commence the siege. The stores were landed +yesterday, and carts were collected from the country round in +readiness for a start at daybreak this morning. As these things +will be even more useful to us than to the Spaniards, I mean to +have them now. Be as quick as you can. I have already ordered your +horses to be brought round with mine." + +In five minutes they were in the saddle and rode quickly to the +cavalry barracks. The streets were still full of people; but the earl +in his simple uniform passed unnoticed through them. The dragoons +were already mounted when they reached the barracks. + +"We will go out at the back gate, colonel," the earl said. "Take +the most quiet streets by the way, and make for the west gate. +Break your troop up into four parties, and let them go by different +routes, so that any they meet will suppose they are merely small +bodies going out to relieve the outposts. If it was suspected that +I was with you, and that an expedition was on foot, the Spaniards +would hear it in an hour. Loyal as the population are here, there +must be many adherents of Philip among them, and Las Torres no +doubt has his spies as well as we have." + +The earl's orders were carried out, and half an hour later the +four parties again assembled at a short distance outside the city +gates. Peterborough placed himself at their head and rode directly +for the sea. + +"The Spaniards are sure to have outposts placed on all the roads +leading inland," he said to Colonel Zinzendorf, "and the Spanish +irregulars will be scattered all over the country; but I do not +suppose they will have any down as far as the seashore." + +When they reached the coast they followed a small road running +along its margin. Two or three miles further they turned off and +rode inland till they struck a main road, so as to avoid following +all the windings of the coast. They now pushed on at a sharp trot, +and just at four o'clock came down upon the little port. + +Its streets were cumbered with country carts, and as the dragoons +dashed into the place a few shots were fired by some Spanish soldiers +belonging to a small detachment which had been sent by Las Torres +to act as a convoy for the guns and stores, and who were sleeping +on the pavement or scattered among the houses in readiness for a +start at daybreak. The resistance soon ceased. Before entering the +place Peterborough had placed a cordon of dragoons in a semicircle +round it to prevent any one passing out. + +No time was lost; the carts were already loaded, and a troop of +cavalry horses stood picketed by the guns. These were soon harnessed +up, and the few other horses in the place were seized to prevent any +one riding off with the news. The order was given to the peasants +to start their carts, and in ten minutes after their entering the +place the convoy was on its way with its long row of carts laden +with ammunition and its sixteen guns. + +The cordon of dragoons was still left round the town, the officer +in command being ordered to allow no one to pass for an hour and a +half, after which time he was to gallop on with his men to overtake +the convoy, as by that time it would be no longer possible for +any one to carry the news to Las Torres in time for him to put his +troops into motion to cut off the convoy from Valencia. The journey +back took much longer than the advance, for the carts, drawn for +the most part by bullocks, made but slow progress. Three hours +after the convoy started the dragoons left behind overtook them. +When within three miles of the town, they were met by a small party +of the enemy's Spanish militia; but these were at once scattered by +a charge of the dragoons, and the convoy proceeded without further +molestation until just at noon it entered the gates of Valencia, where +the astonishment and delight of the inhabitants at its appearance +were unbounded. + +In a few hours the cannon were all mounted in position on the +ramparts, adding very much to the defensive power of the town, +which was now safe for a time from any attempt at a siege by Las +Torres, whose plans would be entirely frustrated by the capture of +the artillery intended for the siege. + +But Peterborough was not yet contented. The junction of the four +thousand Castilians, of whose approach he had heard, with Las +Torres would raise the force under that general to a point which +would enable him to blockade the town pending the arrival of +artillery for siege works; and no sooner had the earl returned to +his quarters, after seeing the cannon placed upon the walls, than +he began his preparations for another expedition. He ordered Colonel +Zinzendorf to march quietly out of the city at eight o'clock with +four hundred of his dragoons, and four hundred British and as many +Spanish infantry were to join him outside the walls. The colonels +of these three bodies were ordered to say nothing of their intended +movement, and to issue no orders until within half an hour of the +time named. At the same hour the rest of the troops were to march +to the walls and form a close cordon round them, so as to prevent +any one from letting himself down by a rope and taking the news +that an expedition was afoot to Las Torres. + +At a few minutes past eight, eight hundred foot and four hundred +horse assembled outside the gates, and Peterborough took the command. +His object was to crush the Castilians before they could effect a +junction with Las Torres. In order to do this it would be necessary +to pass close by the Spanish camp, which covered the road by which +the reinforcements were advancing to join them. + +In perfect silence the party moved forward and marched to a ford +across the river Xucar, a short distance only below the Spanish +camp. Peterborough rode at their head, having by his side a Spanish +gentleman acquainted with every foot of the country. They forded +the river without being observed, and then, making as wide a circuit +as possible round the camp, came down upon the road without the +alarm being given; then they pushed forward, and after three hours' +march came upon the Castilians at Fuente de la Higuera. The surprise +was complete. The Spaniards, knowing that the Spanish army lay between +them and the town, had taken no precautions, and the British were +in possession of the place before they were aware of their danger. + +There was no attempt at resistance beyond a few hasty shots. The +Castilians were sleeping wrapped up in their cloaks around the place, +and on the alarm they leaped up and fled wildly in all directions. +In the darkness great numbers got away, but six hundred were taken +prisoners. An hour was spent in collecting and breaking the arms +left behind by the fugitives, and the force, with their prisoners +in their midst, then started back on their return march. The circuit +of the Spanish camp was made, and the ford passed as successfully +as before, and just as daylight was breaking the little army marched +into Valencia. + +The news rapidly spread, and the inhabitants hurried into the +streets, unable at first to credit the news that the Castilian army, +whose approach menaced the safety of the town, was destroyed. The +movement of the troops on the previous night to the ramparts and +the absence of the greater part of the officers from the festivities +had occasioned some comment; but as none knew that an expedition had +set out, it was supposed that the earl had received news from his +spies that Las Torres intended to attempt a sudden night attack, and +the people would have doubted the astonishing news they now received +had it not been for the presence of the six hundred Castilian +prisoners. + +These two serious misadventures caused Las Torres to despair of +success against a town defended by so energetic and enterprising +a commander as Peterborough, and he now turned his thoughts toward +the small towns of Sueca and Alcira. Below these towns and commanded +by their guns was the important bridge of Cullera, by which by far +the greater portion of the supplies for the town was brought in +from the country. Las Torres therefore determined to seize these +places, which were distant about fifteen miles from his camp, and +so to straiten the town for provisions. + +As usual, Peterborough's spies brought him early intelligence of +the intended movement, and the orders issued by Las Torres were +known to the earl a few hours later. It needed all his activity to +be in time. Five hundred English and six hundred Spanish infantry, +and four hundred horse, were ordered to march with all speed to +the threatened towns; and, pushing on without a halt, the troops +reached them half an hour before the Spanish force appeared on the +spot. On finding the two towns strongly occupied by the British, +Las Torres abandoned his intention and drew off his troops. + +A portion of the Spanish army were cantoned in a village only some +two miles from Alcira, and a few days later Peterborough determined +to surprise it, and for that purpose marched out at night from +Valencia with an English force of a thousand men, and reached the +spot intended at daybreak as he had arranged. The Spanish garrison +of Alcira, also about a thousand strong, had orders to sally out and +attack the village at the same hour. The Spaniards also arrived +punctually, but just as they were preparing to burst upon the +unconscious enemy, who were four thousand strong, they happened to +come upon a picket of twenty horse. An unaccountable panic seized +them; they broke their ranks and fled in such utter confusion +that many of the terror stricken soldiers killed each other. The +picket aroused the enemy, who quickly fell into their ranks, and +Peterborough, seeing that it would be madness to attack them with +his wearied and unsupported force, reluctantly ordered a retreat, +which he conducted in perfect order and without the loss of a man. + +This was Peterborough's only failure; with this exception every one +of his plans had proved successful, and he only failed here from +trusting for once to the cooperation of his wholly unreliable +Spanish allies. After this nothing was done on either side for +several weeks. + +The campaign had been one of the most extraordinary ever +accomplished, and its success was due in no degree to chance, but +solely to the ability of Peterborough himself. Wild as many of his +schemes appeared, they were always planned with the greatest care. +He calculated upon almost every possible contingency, and prepared +for it. He never intrusted to others that which he could do himself, +and he personally commanded every expedition even of the most petty +kind. + +His extraordinary physical powers of endurance enabled him to support +fatigue and to carry out adventure, which would have prostrated +most other men. The highest praise, too, is due to the troops, +who proved themselves worthy of such a leader. Their confidence in +their chief inspired them with a valor equal to his own. They bore +uncomplainingly the greatest hardships and fatigues, and engaged +unquestioningly in adventures and exploits against odds which made +success appear absolutely hopeless. The hundred and fifty dragoons +who followed the Earl of Peterborough to the conquest of Valencia +deserve a place side by side with the greatest heroes of antiquity. + + + +CHAPTER XII: IRREGULAR WARFARE + + +From the moment that the news of the loss of Barcelona had reached +Madrid, Philip of Anjou had labored strenuously to collect a force +sufficient to overwhelm his enemies. He had, moreover, written +urgently to Louis XIV for assistance, and although France was at +the moment obliged to make strenuous efforts to show a front to +Marlborough and his allies, who had already at Blenheim inflicted +a disastrous defeat upon her, Louis responded to the appeal. Formidable +French armies were assembled at Saragossa and Roussillon, while a +fleet of twelve ships of the line, under the command of the Count +of Toulouse, sailed to blockade Barcelona, and the Duke of Berwick, +one of the ablest generals of the day, was sent to head the southern +army. + +In January the French army of Catalonia, under Marshal Tesse, reached +Saragossa, where the arrogance and brutality of the marshal soon +excited a storm of hatred among the Aragonese. The towns resisted +desperately the entry of the French troops; assassinations of +officers and men were matters of daily occurrence, and the savage +reprisals adopted by the marshal, instead of subduing, excited the +Spaniards to still fiercer resistance. But savage and cruel as was +the marshal, he was in no haste to meet the enemy in the field, and +Philip, who was with him, had the greatest difficulty in getting +him to move forward. + +It was in the last week of February that the news reached the Earl +of Peterborough that Marshal Tesse had left Saragossa, and was +marching toward Lerida. This was two days after the unsuccessful +attempt to surprise the enemy's camp near Alcira; and, menaced as +Valencia was by a force greatly superior to his own, he could not +leave the city, which in his absence would speedily have succumbed +to the attack of Las Torres. He walked quickly up and down his room +for some minutes and then said: + +"Captain Stilwell, I cannot leave here myself, but I will send you +to the Marquis of Cifuentes. You have shown the greatest activity +and energy with me, and I do not doubt that you will do equally +well when acting independently. I will give you a letter to the +marquis, saying that you are one of my most trusted and valued +officers, and begging him to avail himself to the fullest of your +energy and skill. I shall tell him that at present I am tied here, +but that when the enemy reach Barcelona, I shall at all hazards +march hence and take post in their rear and do what I can to prevent +their carrying on the siege. In the mean time I beg him to throw +every obstacle in the way of their advance, to hold every pass to +the last, to hang on their rear, attack baggage trains, and cut +off stragglers. He cannot hope to defeat Tesse, but he may wear +out and dispirit his men by constant attacks. You speak Spanish +fluently enough now, and will be able to advise and suggest. Remember, +every day that Tesse is delayed gives so much time to the king to +put Barcelona in a state of defense. With my little force I cannot +do much even when I come. The sole hope of Barcelona is to hold +out until a fleet arrives from England. If the king would take +my advice I will guarantee that he shall be crowned in Madrid in +two months; but those pig headed Germans who surround him set him +against every proposition I make. You had better start tonight as +soon as it gets dark, and take a mounted guide with you who knows +the country thoroughly. + +"It will be a change for you, from the pleasures of Valencia +to a guerrilla warfare in the mountains in this inclement season, +Stilwell," Graham said as they left the general. "I don't think +I should care about your mission. I own I have enjoyed myself in +Valencia, and I have lost my heart a dozen times since we arrived." + +"I have not lost mine at all," Jack said laughing, "and I am sick +of all these balls and festivities. I was not brought up to it, +you know, and rough as the work may be I shall prefer it to a long +stay here." + +"Yes," Graham agreed, "I should not care for a long stay, but you +may be quite certain the earl will not remain inactive here many +weeks. He is waiting to see how things go, and the moment the game +is fairly opened you may be sure he will be on the move." + +"Yes, I don't suppose you will be very long after me," Jack said; +"still, I am not sorry to go." + +At seven o'clock in the evening Jack set out, taking with him two +dragoons as orderlies, the earl having suggested that he should do +so. + +"Always do a thing yourself if it is possible, Captain Stilwell; +but there are times when you must be doing something else, and it +is as well to have some one that you can rely upon; besides, the +orderlies will give you additional importance in the eyes of the +peasants. Most of the men have picked up some Spanish, but you had +better pick out two of my orderlies who are best up in it." + +Jack had spent the afternoon in making a round of calls at the +houses where he had been entertained, and after the exchange of +adieus, ceremonial speeches, and compliments, he was heartily glad +when the gates closed behind him and he set out on his journey. +As the road did not pass anywhere near the Spanish camp there was +little fear of interruption in the way. The guide led them by little +frequented tracks across the hills, and by morning they were far +on their road. + +They were frequently obliged to make detours to avoid towns and +villages favorable to King Philip. Why one town or village should +take one side, and the next the other, was inexplicable to Jack, but +it was so, and throughout the country this singular anomaly existed. +It could be accounted for by a variety of causes. A popular mayor +or a powerful landed proprietor, whose sympathies were strong with +one side or the other, would probably be followed by the townspeople +or peasants. The influence of the priests, too, was great, and this +also was divided. However it was, the fact remained that, as with +Villa Real and Nules, neighboring towns were frequently enthusiastically +in favor of opposite parties. As Jack had seen all the dispatches +and letters which poured in to the earl, he knew what were the +circumstances which prevailed in every town and village. He knew +to what residences of large proprietors he could ride up with an +assurance of welcome, and those which must be carefully avoided. + +In some parts of the journey, where the general feeling was hostile, +Jack adopted the tactics of his general, riding boldly into the +village with his two dragoons clattering behind him, summoning +the head men before him, and peremptorily ordering that provisions +and forage should be got together for the five hundred horsemen +who might be expected to come in half an hour. The terror caused +by Peterborough's raids was so great that the mere sight of the +English uniform was sufficient to insure obedience, and without +any adventure of importance Jack and his companions rode on, until, +on the third day after leaving Valencia, they approached Lerida. +Groups of armed peasants hurrying in the same direction were now +overtaken. These saluted Jack with shouts of welcome, and he learned +that, on the previous day, Marshal Tesse with his army had crossed +from Arragon into Catalonia, and that the alarm bells had been rung +throughout the district. + +From the peasants Jack learned where the Count of Cifuentes would +be found. It was in a village among the hills, to the left of the +line by which the enemy were advancing. It was toward this place +that the peasants were hastening. Jack had frequently met the count +at the siege of Barcelona, and had taken a strong liking for the +gallant and dashing Spanish nobleman. The village was crowded with +peasants armed with all sorts of weapons--rough, hardy, resolute +men, determined to defend their country to the last against the +invaders. A shout of satisfaction arose as Jack and his two troopers +rode in, and at the sound the count himself appeared at the door +of the principal house in the village. + +"Ah, Senor Stilwell," he said, "this in an unexpected pleasure. I +thought that you were with the earl in Valencia." + +"So I have been, count, but he has sent me hither with a dispatch +for you, and, as you will see by its contents, places me for awhile +at your disposal." + +"I am pleased indeed to hear it," the count said; "but pray, senor +--" + +"Captain, count," Jack said with a smile, "for to such rank the earl +has been pleased to promote me as a recognition for such services +as I was able to perform in his campaign against Valencia." + +"Ah," the count said, "you earned it well. Every man in that wonderful +force deserved promotion. It was an almost miraculous adventure, +and recalled the feats of the Cid. Truly the days of chivalry are +not passed; your great earl has proved the contrary." + +They had now entered the house, and, after pouring out a cup of +wine for Jack after the fatigue of his ride, the count opened the +dispatch of which Jack was the bearer. + +"It is well." he said when he had read it. "As you see for yourself +I am already preparing to carry out the first part, for the alarm +bells have been ringing out from every church tower in this part of +Catalonia, and in another twenty-four hours I expect six thousand +peasants will be out. But, as the earl says, I have no hope with +such levies as these of offering any effectual opposition to the +advance of the enemy. + +"The Miquelets cannot stand against disciplined troops. They have +no confidence in themselves, and a thousand Frenchmen could rout six +thousand of them; but as irregulars they can be trusted to fight. +You shall give me the advantage of your experience and wide knowledge, +and we will dispute every pass, cut off their convoys, and harass +them. I warrant that they will have to move as a body, for it will +go hard with any party who may be detached from the rest." + +"I fear, count, you must not rely in any way upon my knowledge," +Jack said. "I am a very young officer, though I have had the good +fortune to be promoted to the rank of captain." + +"Age goes for nothing in this warfare," the count said. "The man +of seventy and the boy of fifteen who can aim straight from behind +a rock are equally welcome. It is not a deep knowledge of military +science that will be of any use to us here. What is wanted is a quick +eye, a keen spirit, and courage. These I know that you have, or you +would never have won the approbation of the Earl of Peterborough, +who is, of all men, the best judge on such matters. Now I will +order supper to be got ready soon, as it must, I am sure, be long +since you had food. While it is being prepared I will, with your +permission, go out and inspect the new arrivals. Fortunately, ten +days ago, foreseeing that Tesse would probably advance by this +line, I sent several wagon loads of provisions to this village, +and a store of ammunition." + +Jack accompanied the count into the street of the village. The +latter went about among the peasants with a kindly word of welcome to +each, giving them the cheering news that though the great English +general was occupied in Valencia, he had promised that, when the time +came, he would come with all haste to the defense of Barcelona, and +in the mean time he had sent an officer of his own staff to assist +him to lead the noble Catalans in the defense of their country. +On the steps of the church the priest, with half a dozen willing +assistants, was distributing food from the wagons to the peasants. + +"Don't open the ammunition wagon tonight," the count said. "The +men must not take as much as they like, but the ammunition must +be served out regularly, for a Catalan will never believe that he +has too much powder, and if left alone the first comers would load +themselves with it, and the supply would run short before all are +provided." + +The count then entered the church, where a party of men were occupied +in putting down a thick layer of straw. Here as many as could find +room were to sleep, the others sheltering in the houses and barns, +for the nights were still very cold among the hills. Having seen +that all was going on well, the count returned to his quarters, where +a room had been assigned to Jack's two dragoons, and the sound of +loud laughter from within showed that they were making themselves +at home with the inmates. + +A well cooked repast was soon on the table, and to this Jack and +his host did full justice. + +"This wine is excellent; surely it does not grow on these hills!" + +"No," the count said, laughing. "I am ready to run the risk of being +killed, but I do not want to be poisoned, so I sent up a score or +two of flasks from my own cellars. The vineyards of Cifuentes are +reckoned among the first in this part of Spain. And now," he said, +when they had finished and the table had been cleared, "we will take +a look at the map and talk over our plans. The enemy leave Lerida +tomorrow. I have already ordered that the whole country along their +line of march shall be wasted, that all stores of corn, wine, and +forage which cannot be carried off shall be destroyed, and that +every horse and every head of cattle shall be driven away. I have +also ordered the wells to be poisoned." + +Jack looked grave. "I own that I don't like that," he said. + +"I do not like it myself," the count replied; "but if an enemy +invades your country you must oppose him by all means. Water is one +of the necessaries of life, and as one can't carry off the wells +one must render them useless; but I don't wish to kill in this +way, and have given strict orders that in every case where poison +is used, a placard, with a notice that it has been done, shall be +affixed to the wells." + +"In that case," Jack said, "I quite approve of what you have done, +count; the wells then simply cease to exist as sources of supply." + +"I wish I could poison all the running streams too," the count +said; "but unfortunately they are beyond us, and there are so many +little streams caused by the melting snow on the hills that I fear +we shall not be able greatly to straiten the enemy. At daybreak +tomorrow I will mount with you, and we will ride some twenty miles +along the road and select the spots where a sturdy resistance can +best be made. By the time we get back here most of the peasants +who are coming will have assembled. These we will form into bands, +some to hold the passes and to dispute the advance, others to +hang upon the skirts and annoy them incessantly, some to close in +behind, cut off wagons that break down or lag by the way, and to +prevent, if possible, any convoys from the rear from joining them." + +This programme was carried out. Several spots were settled on +where an irregular force could oppose a stout resistance to trained +troops, and points were fixed upon where breastworks should be thrown +up, walls utilized, and houses loopholed and placed in a state of +defense. + +It was late in the afternoon before they rode again into the +village. The gathering of peasants was now very largely increased, +and extended over the fields for some distance round the place. +The count at once gave orders that all should form up in regular +order according to the villages from which they came. When this +was done he divided them into four groups. + +The first, two thousand strong, was intended to hold the passes; two +others, each one thousand strong, were to operate upon the flanks +of the enemy; and a fourth, of the same strength, to act in its +rear. + +"Now, Captain Stilwell," he said, "will you take the command of +whichever of these bodies you choose?" + +"I thank you, count, for the offer," Jack said, "but I will take +no command whatever. In the first place, your Catalans would very +strongly object to being led by a foreigner, especially by one so +young and unknown as myself. In the second place, I would rather, +with your permission, remain by your side. You will naturally command +the force that opposes the direct attack, and, as the bulk of the +fighting will fall on them, I should prefer being there. I will +act as your lieutenant." + +"Well, since you choose it, perhaps it is best so," the count said. +"These peasants fight best their own way. They are given to sudden +retreats, but they rally quickly and return again to the fight, +and they will probably fight better under their own local leaders +than under a stranger. You will see they have no idea of fighting +in a body; the men of each village will fight together and act +independently of the rest. Many of them, you see, are headed by +priests, not a few of whom have brought rifles with them. These +will generally lead their own villagers, and their authority is far +greater than that which any layman could obtain over them. I must +appoint a leader to each body to direct their general movements; +the village chiefs will do the rest." + +While the count had been absent several other gentlemen of good +family had arrived in the village, some marching in with the peasants +on their estates. Three of these were appointed to lead the three +bands destined for the flank and rear attacks. The next three hours +were devoted to the distribution of provisions and ammunition, each +man taking four days' supply of the former, and receiving sufficient +powder and bullets for forty rounds of the latter. All were ordered +to be in readiness to march two hours before daybreak. + +The count then retired to his quarters, and there pointed out on +the map to the three divisional leaders the spots where he intended +to make a stand, and gave them instructions as to their respective +shares of the operations. Their orders were very general. They were +to post their men on the side hills, and as much behind cover as +possible, to keep up a galling fire at the column, occasionally +to show in threatening masses as if about to charge down, so as to +cause as much alarm and confusion as possible, and, should at any +point the nature of the ground favor it, they were to dash down upon +the baggage train and to hamstring the horses, smash the wheels, +and create as much damage as they could, and to fall back upon the +approach of a strong body of the enemy. Those in the rear were to +press closely up so as to necessitate a strong force being kept +there to oppose them. But their principal duties were to hold the +passes, and to prevent any convoys, unless very strongly guarded, +from reaching the enemy from his base at Saragossa. + +After these instructions had been given supper was spread, and +some fifteen or twenty of the principal persons who had joined were +invited by the count, and a pleasant evening was spent. + +It was interesting to Jack to observe the difference between this +gathering and that which had taken place in the Earl of Peterborough's +quarters on the evening before the attack on San Matteo. There, +although many considered that the prospects of success on the +following day were slight indeed, all was merriment and mirth. The +whole party were in the highest spirits, and the brilliant wit of +the earl, and his reckless spirit of fun, had kept the party in +continual laughter. + +The tone on the contrary at the present gathering was quiet and +almost stiff. These grave Catalan nobles, fresh from their country +estates, contrasted strongly with the more lively and joyous +inhabitants of Valencia. Each addressed the other with ceremony, +and listened with grave attention to the remarks of each speaker +in turn. + +During the whole evening nothing approaching to a joke was made, +there was scarcely a smile upon the countenance of any present; and +yet the tone of courtliness and deference to the opinions of each +other, the grave politeness, the pride with which each spoke of his +country, their enthusiasm in the cause, and the hatred with which +they spoke of the enemy, impressed Jack very favorably; and though, +as he said to himself when thinking it over, the evening had +certainly not been a lively one, it had by no means been unpleasant. + +Two hours before daybreak the bell of the church gave the signal. +As the men had only to rise to their feet, shake themselves, take +up their arms, and sling their bags of provisions round their necks, +it was but a few minutes before they were formed up in order. The +count saw the three divisions file off silently in the darkness, +and then, placing himself at the head of the main body, led the +way toward the spot which he and Jack had selected for opposing +the march of Tesse's invading column. + +Daylight was just breaking when they reached it, and the count +ordered the men to pile their arms and at once to set to work. +The road, which had been winding along in a valley, here mounted a +sharp rise, on the very brow of which stood a hamlet of some twenty +houses. It had already been deserted by the inhabitants, and the +houses were taken possession of by the workers. Those facing the +brow of the hill were loopholed, as were the walls along the same +line. Men were set to work to build a great barricade across the +road, and to run breastworks of stones right and left from the +points where the walls ended along the brow. Other parties loopholed +the houses and walls of the village, and formed another barricade +across the road at the other end. With two thousand men at work +these tasks were soon carried out; and the count then led the men +down the hill, whose face was covered with loose stones, and set +them to work piling these in lines one above another. + +At ten o'clock in the morning the work was complete. The count +told the men off by parties, each of which were to hold one of the +lines of stones; each party was, as the French charged, to retire +up the hill and join that at the line above, so that their resistance +would become more and more obstinate till the village itself was +reached. Here a stand was to be made as long as possible. If the +column advanced only by the road, every house was to be held; if +they spread out in line so as to overlap the village on both sides, +a rapid retreat was to be made when the bugler by the count's side +gave the signal. + +The men sat down to breakfast in their allotted places, quiet, +grave, and stern; and again the contrast with the laughter and +high spirits which prevail among English soldiers, when fighting +is expected, struck Jack very forcibly. + +"They would make grand soldiers if properly trained, these grave, +earnest looking men," he said to himself. "They look as if they +could endure any amount of fatigue and hardship; and although they +don't take things in the same cheerful light our men do, no one +can doubt their courage. I can quite understand now the fact that +the Spanish infantry was once considered the finest in Europe. +If they only had leaders and discipline Spain would not want any +foreign aid; her own people would be more than a match for any army +the French could send across the northern frontier." + +The meal was scarcely finished when, at the end of the valley, +some three miles away, a cloud of dust was seen to rise with the +sparkle of the sun on arms and accouterments. + +"There are Tesse's cavalry!" the count exclaimed. "Another half +hour will cause a transformation in this quiet valley." + +The head of the column came on but slowly, the cavalry regiment +forming it accommodating their pace to that of the infantry and +baggage wagons in the rear. Slowly they moved on, until the bottom of +the valley appeared covered with a moving mass extending from the +end, three miles away, to within half a mile of the foot of the hill +on which the Spaniards were posted. Suddenly from the hillsides on +the left puffs of smoke darted out, and instantly a similar fire +was opened on the right. + +"They are at work at last," Jack exclaimed as the rattle of musketry +sounded loud and continuous. "I wondered when they were going to +begin." + +"I told them to let the column pass nearly to the head of the +valley before they opened fire," the count said. "Had they begun +soon after the enemy entered the valley, they would have left all +their baggage behind under a guard, and the infantry would have +been free to attack the hills at once. Now they are all crowded up +in the valley--horse, foot, and baggage. The wounded horses will +become unmanageable, and there is sure to be confusion, though +perhaps not panic. See, they are answering our fire! They might as +well save their powder, for they are only throwing away ammunition +by firing away at the hillside." + +This indeed was the case; for Jack, although in the course of the +morning he had frequently watched the hillside for signs of the +other parties, had not made out the slightest movement, so completely +were the men hidden behind rocks and bushes. + +Strong bodies of infantry were thrown out by Tesse on both flanks, +and these began to climb the hills, keeping up a heavy fire at +their concealed foe, while the main column continued its way. + +Not a shot was fired by the Spanish until the head of the column +was within a hundred yards of the foot of the rise, and then from +the whole face of the hill a heavy fire was opened. The enemy +recoiled, and for a time there was great confusion near the head +of the column; an officer of high rank dashed up, and the troops +formed out into a line across the whole width of the valley and +then moved forward steadily; so heavy were their losses, however, +that they presently came to a standstill. But reinforcements coming +up, they again pressed forward, firing as they went. + +Not until they were within twenty yards did the Miquelets lining the +lower wall of rocks leave their post, and, covered by the smoke, +gain with little loss the line next above them. Slowly the enemy won +their way uphill, suffering heavily as they did so, and continually +being reinforced from the rear. At the last wall the peasants, +gathered now together, maintained a long resistance; and it was +not until fully four thousand of the enemy were brought up that the +position was seriously threatened. Then their leader, seeing that +they would sustain very heavy loss if the enemy carried the wall +by assault, ordered his trumpeter to sound the retreat. It was at +once obeyed, and by the time the French had crossed the wall the +peasants had already passed out at the other end of the village. + +As the French cavalry had not been able to pass the lower walls +there was no pursuit. The peasants rallied after a rapid flight +of a mile. Their loss had been small, while that of the French had +been very considerable; and the marshal halted his troops round +the village for the day. + +The result of the fighting added to the resolution of the peasants, +and as soon as the French continued their route the next morning the +fighting began again. It was a repetition of that of the preceding +day. The enemy had to contest every foot of the ground, and were +exposed to a galling fire along the whole line of their march. +Many times they made desperate efforts to drive the peasants from +the hillsides; sometimes they were beaten back with heavy loss, and +when they succeeded it was only to find the positions they attacked +deserted and their active defenders already beyond musket fire. +At night they had no respite; the enemy swarmed round their camp, +shot down the sentries, and attacked with such boldness that the +marshal was obliged to keep a large number of his men constantly +under arms. + +At last, worn out by fatigue and fighting, the weary army emerged +from the hills into the wide valleys, where their cavalry were +able to act, and the ground no longer offered favorable positions +of defense to the peasantry. Seeing the uselessness of further +attacks, the Count of Cifuentes drew off his peasants; and Tesse +marched on to Barcelona and effected a junction with the troops +from Roussillon under the Duke de Noailles, who had come down by +the way of Gerona. The town was at once invested on the land side; +while the Count of Toulouse, with thirty French ships, blockaded +it from the sea. + + + +CHAPTER XIII: THE FRENCH CONVOY + + +A report having arrived at the camp of the Count of Cifuentes +that the peasants around Saragossa had risen in insurrection, Jack +thought that he should be doing more good by discovering the truth +of the rumor, and by keeping the earl informed of the state of +things in the enemy's rear, than by remaining with the count. He +hesitated whether he should take his two orderlies with him, but as +they were well mounted he decided that they should accompany him, +as they would add to his authority, and would, in case of need, +enable him the better to assume the position of an officer riding +in advance of a considerable force. + +After a hearty adieu from the Count of Cifuentes, he started soon +after daybreak. After riding for some hours, just as he reached +the top of a rise, up which he had walked his horse, one of the +orderlies, who were riding a few paces behind him, rode up. + +"I think, Captain Stilwell," he said, "I hear the sound of firing. +Brown thinks he hears it too." + +Jack reined in his horse. + +"I hear nothing," he said, after a pause of a minute. + +"I don't hear it now, sir," the man said. "I think it came down on +a puff of wind.. If you wait a minute or two I think you will hear +it." + +Jack waited another two minutes, and then was about to resume his +journey, when suddenly a faint sound came upon the wind. + +"You are right, Thompson," he exclaimed, "that's firing, sure +enough. It must be a convoy attacked by peasants." + +He touched his horse with the spur and galloped forward. Two miles +further on, crossing the brow, they saw, half a mile ahead of them +in the dip of the valley, a number of wagons huddled together. On +either side of the road men were lying, and the spurts of smoke +that rose from these, as well as from the wagons, proved that they +were still stoutly defending themselves. A light smoke rose from +every bush and rock on the hillsides around, showing how numerous +were the assailants. Leaving the road, Jack galloped toward the +hill. Presently several balls came singing round them. + +"They think we are French, sir," one of the troopers said. "I guess +they don't know much about uniforms." + +Jack drew out a white handkerchief and waved it as he rode forward, +shouting as he did, "English, English." The fire ceased, and the +little party soon reached the spot where the peasants were lying +thickly in their ambushes. + +"I am an English officer," Jack said as he leaped from his horse. +"Where is your leader?" + +"There is one of them," a peasant said, pointing to a priest, who, +with a long musket in his hand, rose from behind a log. + +"Reverend father," Jack said, "I have come from the Earl of +Peterborough with a mission to understand how matters go in Arragon, +and to ascertain what force would be likely to join him in this +province against the invader." + +"You see for yourself how things go," the priest said. "I am glad +to see an officer of the great Earl of Peterborough, whose exploits +have excited the admiration of all Spain. To whom have I the honor +of speaking?" + +"I am Captain Stilwell, one of the earl's aides de camp; and you, +father?" + +"I am Ignacio Bravos, the humble padre of the village of San +Aldephonso. And now, Captain Stilwell, if you will excuse me till +we make an end of these accursed Frenchmen, afterward I will be at +your service." + +For another two hour's the conflict continued. Jack saw that the +fire of the defenders of the wagons was decreasing, and he was +not surprised when a white handkerchief was raised on the top of a +bayonet and waved in the air in token of desire to parley. A shout +of exultation rose from the Spaniards. The priest showed himself +on the hillside. + +"Do you surrender?" he shouted. + +"We surrender the wagons," an officer called back, "on condition +that we are allowed to march off with our arms without molestation." + +A shout of refusal rose from the peasants, and the firing was +instantly renewed. Jack went and sat down by the side of the priest. + +"Father," he said, "it were best to give these men the terms they +ask. War is not massacre." + +"Quite so, my son," the priest replied coolly. "That is what you +should have told Marshal Tesse. It is he who has chosen to make it +massacre. Why, man, he has shot and hung hundreds in cold blood +in and around Saragossa, has burned numerous villages in the +neighborhood, and put man, woman, and child to the sword." + +"Then, if this be so, father, I should say, by all means hang +Marshal Tesse when you catch him, but do not punish the innocent +for the guilty. You must remember that these men have been taken +away from their homes in France, and forced to fight in quarrels +in which they have no concern. Like yourself, they are Catholics. +Above all, remember how many scores of villages are at present at +the mercy of the French. If the news comes to the marshal that you +have refused quarter to his soldiers, he will have a fair excuse +for taking vengeance on such of your countrymen as may be in his +power." + +"There is something in that," the priest said. "For myself I have +no pity, not a scrap of it, for these Frenchmen, nor would you have, +had you seen as much of their doings as I have, nor do I think that +any retribution that we might deal out to the men could increase +Tesse's hatred and ferocity toward us." + +"Still, it might serve as an excuse," Jack urged. "Remember the eyes +of Europe are upon this struggle, and that the report of wholesale +slaughter of your enemies will not influence public opinion in your +favor." + +"Public opinion goes for nothing," the priest said shortly. + +"Pardon me, father," Jack replied. "The English and Dutch and the +Duke of Savoy are all fighting in your favor, and we may even boast +that had it not been for the Earl of Peterborough and the allies +the chains of France would be riveted firmly round your necks. +You will tell me, no doubt, that they are fighting for their own +political ends, and from no true love for the Spanish people. That +may be so, but you must remember that although governments begin +wars it is the people who carry them on. Let the people of England +and Holland hear, as they will hear, of the brutal ferocity of the +French marshal on a defenseless people, and their sympathies will +be strongly with you. They will urge their governments to action, +and vote willingly the necessary sums for carrying on the war. +Let them hear that with you too war is massacre, that you take no +prisoners, and kill all that fall into your hands, and, believe +me, the public will soon grow sick of the war carried on with such +cruelty on both sides." + +"You are right, my son," the priest said frankly. "Young as you +are, you have seen more of the world than I, who, since I left the +University of Salamanca, have never been ten miles from my native +village. I will do what I can to put a stop to this matter. But +I am not solely in command here. I lead my own village, but there +are the men of a score of villages lying on these hills. But I will +summon all the chiefs to a council now." + +The priest called half a dozen of the peasants to him, and dispatched +them with orders to bring all the other leaders to take part in a +council with an English officer who had arrived from the great Earl +of Peterborough. + +In half an hour some twenty men were assembled in a little hollow +on the hillside, where they were sheltered from the fire of the +French. Four or five of these were priests. There were two or three +innkeepers. The remainder were small landed proprietors. Father +Ignacio first addressed them. He stated that the English officer +had come on a mission from the earl, and had arrived accidentally +while the fight was going on, and that he was of opinion that the +French offer of surrender should be accepted. A murmur of dissent +went round the circle. + +"I was at first of your opinion," the priest said, "but the reasons +which this English officer has given me in support of his advice +have brought me round to his way of thinking. I will leave him to +state them to you." + +Jack now rose to his feet, and repeated the arguments which he +had used to the priest. He gathered from the faces of his hearers +that, although some were convinced that mercy would be the best +policy, others were still bent upon revenge. Father Ignacio then, +in language which he thought best suited to touch his hearers, +repeated Jack's arguments, urging very strongly the vengeance which +the French marshal would be sure to take upon the Spanish population +of the country through which he was passing when he heard the news. + +"Besides," Jack said, when he had finished, "you must remember you +have not conquered the enemy yet. I see the officer has withdrawn +all his men among the wagons, where their shelter will be nearly as +good as yours. They have, doubtless, abundant stores of ammunition +in those wagons, together with food and wine, and if you force them +to fight to the last man they can hold out for a very long time, +and will inflict a heavy loss upon your men before they are overcome." + +"But why should they take their weapons with them?" one of the men +said; "they will be useful to us. Why should we let them carry them +away to kill more Spaniards?" + +"The reason why I would let them take their arms is this," Jack +said. "Unless they march away armed you will not be able to restrain +your followers, who will be likely to break any convention you may +make and to massacre them without mercy. As to the arms being used +again against you, I will put the officers under their parole that +they and their men shall not take any further part in the war until +they are exchanged for an equal number of prisoners taken by the +French." + +"Who would trust to a Frenchman's word?" a man asked scoffingly. + +"I would trust to a French officer's word as much as to that of an +English officer," Jack replied. "You would expect them to trust to +your word that they should be safe if they laid down their arms; +and yet, as you know, you might not be able to keep it. Better +a thousand times that a handful of French officers and men should +be allowed to join the enemy's ranks than that the national honor +of Spain should be soiled by a massacre perpetrated just after a +surrender." + +"The Englishman is right," Father Ignacio said positively. "Let us +waste no further words on it. Besides, I have a reason of my own. +I started before daybreak without breakfast and have got nothing +but a piece of dry bread with me. If we don't accept these fellows' +surrender we may be on the hillside all night, and I told my servant +that I should have a larded capon and a flask of my best wine for +dinner. That is an argument, my sons, which I am sure comes home +to you all; and remember, if we accept the surrender we shall soon +quench our thirst on the good wine which, I doubt not, is contained +in some of the barrels I see down yonder." + +There was a hearty laugh and the question was settled; and it was +arranged at once that Father Ignacio, one of the other leaders, and +Jack should treat with the enemy. The other leaders hurried away +to their respective sections to order them to cease firing when +a white flag was raised; and, having given them twenty minutes to +get to their several posts, a white handkerchief was waved in the +air. The Spanish fire ceased at once, and as soon as the French +perceived the flag they also stopped firing. + +"We are coming down, three of us, to discuss matters with you," +Father Ignacio shouted out. + +The three accordingly descended the hill, and when within a short +distance of the wagons were met by the officer in command of the +convoy and two others. + +"We have come to discuss the terms of your surrender," Jack said. +"I am Captain Stilwell, one of Lord Peterborough's aides de camp. +You see your position is desperate." + +"Not quite desperate," the French officer replied; "we have plenty +of ammunition and abundance of provisions, and can hold out for a +long time, till rescue comes." + +"There is little chance of rescue," Jack said. "Your marshal has +his hands full where he is; and even did he hear of your situation +and detach a force back to your rescue, neither of which he is +likely to do, that force would have to fight every foot of its way, +and assuredly not arrive in time. Nor is there any more chance of +your receiving succor from the rear. You have made a gallant defense, +sir, and might perhaps hold out for many hours yet; but of what +use is it sacrificing the lives of your men in a vain resistance?" + +"What is your proposal?" the officer asked. + +"We propose," Jack said, "to allow you to march out with your arms +and five rounds of ammunition to each man, on you and your officers +giving me your parole to consider yourselves and your men as +prisoners of war, and not to serve again until exchanged." + +The terms were far better than the French officer had looked for. + +"I may tell you," Father Ignacio said, "that for these terms you +are indebted solely to this English officer. Had it depended upon us +only, rest assured that no one of you would have gone away alive." + +"You will understand," Jack said, "that you will be allowed to take +your arms solely as a protection against the peasants, who have +been justly enraged by the brutal atrocities of your general. You +know well that even could their leaders here obtain from their +followers a respect for the terms of surrender, your men would +be massacred in the first village through which they passed were +they deprived of their arms. My friends here are desirous that no +stigma of massacre shall rest upon the Spanish honor, and they have +therefore agreed to allow your men to keep their arms for purposes +of defense on their return march." + +After a few words with his fellow officers the commander of the +convoy agreed to the terms. "You will, however," he said, "permit +me to take with me one or more wagons, as may be required, to carry +off my wounded?" + +This was at once agreed to, and in ten minutes the two companies +of French infantry were in readiness to march. There were forty +wounded in the wagons, and twenty-seven dead were left behind them. +The French officer in command, before marching off, thanked Jack +very heartily for his interference on their behalf. + +"I tell you frankly, Captain Stilwell," he said, "that I had no hopes +whatever that I or any of my men would leave the ground alive, for +these Spaniards invariably massacre prisoners who fall into their +hands. I could not have left my wounded behind me; and even if +I had resolved to do so, the chances of our fighting our way back +in safety would have been small indeed. We owe you our lives, sir; +and should it ever be in the power of Major Ferre to repay the +debt, you may rely upon me." + +"I trust that the fortune of war may never place me in a position +when I may need to recall your promise," Jack said, smiling; "but +should it do so, I will not fail to remind you if I get a chance." + +All was now ready for the march. Two wagons which had been hastily +emptied were, with the wounded men, placed in the center, and the +French, numbering now less than a hundred, started on their march. +The Spanish peasants remained in their places on the hillside till +they had departed, as the leaders had agreed that it was better they +should be kept away from the vicinity of the French, as a quarrel +would be certain to take place did they come to close quarters. +The peasants were indignant at what they deemed the escape of their +enemies; but the desire of plunder soon overcame other considerations, +and as soon as the French had marched off they poured down from the +hills. Their leaders, however, restrained them from indiscriminate +plundering. There were in all eighty-seven wagons loaded with wine, +corn, flour, and provisions for the use of the army. + +An equal division was made of these among the various bands of +peasants in proportion to their strength. A few casks of wine were +broached. The peasants then buried their own dead--who were very +few in number, so securely had they been sheltered in their hiding +places--and then the force broke up, each party marching with +its proportion of wagons back to its village. + +"Now, Signor Capitano," Father Ignacio said, "I trust that you will +come home with me. My village is six miles away, and I will do my +best to make you comfortable. Hitherto you have seen me only as a +man of war. I can assure you that I am much more estimable in my +proper character as a man of peace. And let me tell you, my cook +is excellent; the wine of the village is famous in the province, +and I have some in my cellars ten years old." + +"I cannot resist such a number of good arguments," Jack said, +smiling, "and till tomorrow morning I am at your service; but I +warn you that my appetite just at present is ravenous, and that my +two dragoons are likely to make a serious inroad upon the larders +of your village, however well supplied." + +"They will be welcome," the priest said, "and I guarantee the larders +will prove sufficiently well stocked. Fortunately, although nearly +every village in the neighborhood has been raided by the French, +owing to our good fortune and the interposition of the blessed San +Aldephonso our village has escaped a visit." + +The party under Father Ignacio soon turned off from the main road, +and, with the six wagons which fell to their share, journeyed +along a. rough country road until they reached the village. Father +Ignacio sat on the leading wagon, and Jack rode alongside chatting +with him. The priest was a stout built man, with a good humored +countenance and merry twinkle of the eye, and Jack wondered what +could have been the special wrong that induced him to take up a +musket and lead his flock to the attack of a French convoy. + +"Katherine!" he shouted as the wagon stopped in front of his house +and a buxom serving woman appeared at the door, "dinner as quickly +as possible, for we are starving; and let it be not only quick, +but plentiful. Lay a cover for this gentleman, who will dine with +me; and prepare an ample supply of food in the kitchen for these +two English soldiers, who have come across the sea to fight for +the good cause. + +"And now," he said to Jack, "while dinner is preparing I must +distribute the spoil." + +The wagons were unloaded and their contents divided among the men +who had take a part in the expedition, his flock insisting upon +the padre taking a bountiful share. + +The mules and bullocks in the wagons were similarly divided, in +this case one being given to each family; for there were but thirty +animals, while the fighting contingent from the village had numbered +nearly eighty men. There were five or six animals over when the +division had been made, and these were given, in addition to their +proper share, to the families of three men who had been killed in +the fight. + +"Now, my sons," the padre said when all was done, "take your axes +and fall upon the wagons. A wagon is a thing to swear by. Every man +knows his own goods; and should the French ever visit our village +again these wagons might cost us dear. Therefore let them be made +into firewood as quickly as possible, and let them all be consumed +before other fuel is touched. And now, capitano, I think that +Katherine will be ready for us." + +So saying he led the way back into his house. A capital meal +was provided, and Jack found that the priest had by no means over +praised either his cook or his cellar. After the meal was over +and the two had drawn their chairs up to the hearth, on which was +blazing brightly some wood which Jack recognized as forming part +of one of the wagons, and the priest had placed on a small table +close at hand a large flask which he had himself gone into the +cellar to fetch, Jack said: + +"How is it, father, that, as you told me, you have seen such acts +of brutality on the part of the French as to cause you to wage a +war without mercy against them, when, as you say, they have never +penetrated to your village? Your reasons must be strong, for your +profession is a peaceful one. You do not look like a man who would +rush into deeds of violence for their own sake, and your cook and +your cellar offer you strong inducements to remain at home." + +"That is so, my son," the priest said with a laugh. "I am, as you +may see, an easygoing man, well contented with my lot, and envy +not the Bishop of Toledo; but you know it is said that even a worm +will turn, and so you have seen the peaceful priest enacting the +part of the bloodthirsty captain. But, my son,"--and his face grew +grave now--"you can little imagine the deeds which the ferocious +Tesse has enacted here in Arragon. When warring with you English +the French behave like a civilized nation; when warring with us +Spanish peasants, who have no means of making our wrongs known to +the world, they behave worse than a horde of brutal savages. But +I will tell you the circumstances which have driven me to place +myself at the head of my parishioners, to wage a war of extermination +with the French, and to deny mercy to every one of that accursed +nation who may fall into my hands. I have a brother--or rather I +should say I had one--a well to do farmer who lived at a village +some six miles from Saragossa. He had an only daughter, who was +to be married to the son of a neighboring proprietor. A handsome, +high spirited lad he was, and devoted to Nina. They were to have +been married some three months ago, and they wrote to me to go over +to perform the ceremony. + +"I went; the wedding day arrived, and all was ready. It was a holiday +in the village, for both were favorites. The bride was dressed; +the village maidens and men were all in their best; the procession +was about to set out, when a troop of dragoons rode suddenly in +from Saragossa. A shot or two had been fired at them as they rode +through a wood. When they arrived they dismounted, and the commander +ordered the principal men of the village to be brought to him. My +brother and the father of the bridegroom were among them. + +"'My troops have been fired at,' the Frenchman said, 'and I hold +you responsible.' + +"'It was no one from this village,' my brother said; 'we have a +wedding here, and not a soul is absent.' + +"'I care not,' the officer said; 'we have been fired at, and we +shall give the people of this district a lesson.' + +"So without another word he turned to his soldiers and ordered them +to fire the village from end to end. + +"'It is outrageous,' my brother said, and the others joined him in +the cry. I, too, implored him to pause before having such an order +carried into execution. His only reply was to give the order to +his men. + +"The six principal men were seized at once, were set with their +backs against the wall of a house, and shot." + +"You cannot mean it!" Jack exclaimed indignantly. "Surely such an +outrage could never be perpetrated by civilized soldiers?" + +"I saw it done," the priest said bitterly. "I tried to throw myself +between the victims and their murderers, but I was held back by +force by the soldiers. Imagine the scene if you can--the screaming +women, the outburst of vain fury among the men, The bridegroom, +in his despair at seeing his father murdered, seized a stick and +rushed at the French officer; but he, drawing a pistol, shot him +dead, and the soldiers poured a volley into his companions, killing +some eight or ten others. Resistance was hopeless. Those who were +unwounded fled; those who fell were bayoneted on the spot. I took +my niece's arm and led her quietly away. Even the French soldiers +drew back before us. You should have seen her face. Madre de Dios! +I see it now--I see it always. She died that night. Not one word +passed her lips from the moment when her father and her affianced +husband fell dead before her eyes. An hour later the troop rode +off, and the people stole back to bury their dead among the ashes +of what had been their homes. I went to Saragossa after reading the +funeral service over them. I saw Tesse and told him of the scene +I had witnessed, and demanded vengeance. He laughed in my face. +Senor, I persisted, and he got angry and told me that, were it +not for my cloth, he would hang me from the steeple. I called down +Heaven's curse upon him, and left him and came home. Do you wonder, +senor, that I found it hard to spare those Frenchmen for whom you +pleaded? Do you wonder that I, a man of peace, lead out my villagers +to slaughter our enemy?" + +"I do not, indeed!" Jack exclaimed warmly. "Such acts as these would +stir the blood of the coldest into fire; and, priest or no priest, +a man would be less than a man who did not try to take vengeance +for so foul a deed. Have many massacres of this sort been perpetrated?" + +"Many," the priest replied, "and in no case has any redress been +obtained by the relatives of the victims." + +"And throughout all Arragon, does the same hatred of the French +prevail?" + +"Everywhere," the priest said. + +"Then King Charles would meet with an enthusiastic welcome here!" + +"I do not say that," the priest answered. "He would be well received, +doubtless, simply because he is the enemy of the French; but for +himself, no. We Arragonese cannot for the life of us see why we +should be ruled over by a foreigner; and in some respects a German +king is even less to be desired than a French one. The connection +between the two Latin nations is naturally closer than between us +and the Germans, and a French king would more readily adapt himself +to our ways than would a stiff and thick headed German. + +"Apart from the recent doings of the French army Arragon would have +preferred Philip to Charles. Moreover, Charles is looked upon as +the choice of the Catalans and Valencians, and why should the men +of Arragon take the king others have chosen? No, King Charles will +doubtless be received well because he appears as the enemy of the +French; but you will not find that the people of Arragon will make +any great sacrifices in his behalf. Let a French army enter our +province again, every man will rise in arms against it; but there +will be little disposition to raise troops to follow King Charles +beyond the limits of the province. Castile is strong for Philip; +the jealousy there of the Catalans is even greater than here, and +the fact that Arragon will go with Catalonia and Valencia will only +render the Castilians more earnest in the cause of Philip. There +have been several skirmishes already between bands of our Miquelets +and those of Castile, and the whole country along the border is +greatly disturbed." + +"It is a pity that Spaniards cannot agree among themselves as to +who shall be king." + +"Ah, my son, but it will be very long yet before. Spaniards agree +upon any point. It is a mistake to think of us as one nation. +We are half a dozen nations under one king. If you are asked your +nationality, you reply an Englishman. If you ask a Spaniard, he +will reply, I am a Castilian or a Catalan, an Arragonese or Biscayan +--never I am a Spaniard. We hate each other as you Scotchmen and +Englishmen hated each other a hundred years back, and even now +regard yourselves as different peoples. What connection is there +between the hardy mountaineer of the northern provinces and the +easygoing peasant of Valencia or Andalusia? Nothing. Consequently, +if one part of Spain declares for one man as a king, you may be +sure that the other will declare against him. + +"As long as we had great men, Spaniards, for our kings--and the +descent went in the regular way from father to son--things went +smoothly, because no pretender could have a shadow of claim. As +between two foreign princes, each man has a right to choose for +himself. Were there any Spaniard with a shadow of claim, all parties +would rally round him; but, unfortunately, this is not so; and I +foresee an epoch of war and trouble before the matter is settled. +For myself, I tell you I would not give that flask of wine were +I able to put the crown upon the head of one or other of these +foreigners. Let whoever gets the crown govern well and strongly, tax +my villagers lightly, and interfere in no way with our privileges, +and I shall be well content, and such you will find is the opinion +of most men in Spain. And now, tell me if there is aught that I +can do for you. You say you must be on your way by daybreak. Tell +me in which direction you journey, and it will be hard if I cannot +find a friend there with whom my introduction will insure you a +hearty welcome." + +"If you can tell me where are the largest gatherings of Miquelets, +I can tell you which way I shall ride," Jack replied. "My mission +is to ascertain what aid the king can rely upon in this province." + +"Three days ago there were many thousands of men under arms," the +priest replied; "by tonight there will be less than as many hundreds. +The day Tesse crossed the frontier with his army the greater portion +of the bands went to their homes, and their arms will be laid +aside until the news comes that the French army is on its return +from Barcelona. I fancy there is but little chance of our seeing +King Charles among us. In another day or two Tesse will be before +Barcelona; and joined, as he will be there, by the French army +marching down from Roussillon, he will make quick work of that +town, and King Charles will have the choice of going to Valencia +to be hunted shortly thence, or of sailing away again from the +country in your ships." + +"It would seem like it," Jack agreed; "but you are reckoning without +the Earl of Peterborough." + +"Your English general must be a wonder," the priest said, "a marvel; +but he cannot accomplish impossibilities. What can he do with two +or three thousand trained troops against twenty thousand veteran +French soldiers?" + +"I cannot tell what he will do," Jack laughed; "but you may rely +upon it that he will do something, and I would take fair odds that +he will somehow or other save Barcelona and rid Catalonia of its +invaders." + +"That I judge to be altogether impossible," the priest replied. +"Anything that man could do I am ready to admit that your general +is capable of; but I do not judge this to be within the range of +possibilities. If you will take my advice, my son, you will not +linger here, but will ride for Valencia and embark on board your +ships with him when the time comes." + +"We shall see," Jack said, laughing. "I have faith in the improbable. +It may not be so very long before I drop in again to drink another +flask of your wine on my way through Arragon with King Charles on +his march toward Madrid." + +"If you do, my son, I will produce a bottle of wine to which this +is but ditch water. I have three or four stored away in my cellar +which I preserve for great occasions. They are the remains of the +cellar of my predecessor, as good a judge of wine as ever lived. +It is forty years since he laid them by, and they were, he said, +the best vintage he had ever come across. Had the good old man +died ten years earlier, what a heritage would have been mine! but +in his later years he was not so saving as it behooves a good man +to be, and indulged in them on minor occasions; consequently, but +two dozen remained when I succeeded to the charge twenty years ago. +I, too, was not sufficiently chary of them to begin with, and all +but six bottles were drunk in the first ten years. Since then I have +been as stingy as a miser, and but two bottles have been opened." + +"I hope, father, that you have laid in a similar supply for whomsoever +may come after you." + +"Surely I have, my son. Fifteen years ago I had a hogshead of +the finest vintage in the neighborhood bricked up in my cellar. I +had an inscription placed on the wall by which, should I be taken +suddenly, my successor may know of the store that awaits him. At +present you would not find the inscription did you search for it; +for when those troubles began I filled up the letters in the stone +with mortar, and gave the wall two or three coats of whitewash. +I did not choose to run any risk of my grand wine going down the +throats of thirsty French soldiers. It would be an act of sacrilege. +When matters are settled, and we are at peace again, I will pick +out the mortar from the letters; but not till then. I have often +reflected since how short sighted it was not to have stowed away +another hogshead for my own consumption. It would have been something +to have looked forward to in my declining years." + +"Ah, father, who knows what may happen before that? The wall may +fall down, and then naturally you would wish to see whether the +wine is in as good a condition as it should be. Besides, you will +say to yourself, why, when my successor left me but a miserable two +dozen of that grand wine of his, should I bequeath a whole hogshead +to him who may come after me, and who, moreover, may be so bad a +judge of wine that he will value my treasure no more than an equal +quantity of the rough country vintage?" + +"Avaunt, tempter!" the priest said, laughing. "But," he added more +seriously, "you have frightened me. I never thought of that. I have +always pictured my successor as a man who would appreciate good +wine as I do myself. Truly, it would be a terrible misfortune did +he not do so--a veritable throwing of pearls before swine. Now +that you have presented this dreadful idea it will be ever in my +mind. I shall no longer think of my hogshead with unmixed satisfaction." + +"The idea is a terrible one, truly," Jack said gravely, "and to +prevent it I would advise you when the time of peace arrives to +open your cave, to bottle off your wine, and to secure its being +appreciated by indulging in it yourself on special occasions and +holidays, taking care always to leave a store equal to, or even +superior to, that which you yourself inherited." + +"I will think it over, my son, and it may be that I shall take your +advice. Such a misfortune as that which you have suggested is too +terrible to think of." + +"It is so, father, terrible indeed; and I feel confident that you +will do the best in your power to prevent the possibility of its +occurrence. Besides, you know, wine may be kept even too long. I +judge you not to be more than forty-five now; with so good a cook +and so good a cellar you may reasonably expect to live to the age +of eighty; there is, therefore, plenty of time for you to lay in +another hogshead to mature for your successor." + +The priest burst into a roar of laughter, in which Jack joined him. + +"Your reasoning powers are admirable," he said when he recovered +his gravity, "and you have completely convinced me. An hour ago if +it had been suggested to me that I should open that cellar I should +have viewed the proposal with horror; now it seems to me that it is +the very best thing that could be done for all parties, including +the wine itself." + +There was some further chat as to the course which Jack would +follow in the morning, and he decided finally to ride to the borders +of Castile in order that he might learn as much as possible as to +the feeling of people in that province. Father Ignacio gave him a +letter of introduction to the priest in charge of a village a mile +or two within the border of Arragon, and the next morning Jack started +at daybreak, after a hearty adieu from his host, who insisted on +rising to see him off. + + + +CHAPTER XIV: A PRISONER + + +Jack, with his two troopers, rode away from the hospitable cottage +of the priest in high spirits. He determined to avoid Saragossa, +as he was not charged with any direct mission from the earl, +and wished, therefore, to avoid any official intercourse with the +leaders of the province. As soon as the marshal had marched, the +people there had risen, had driven out the small French garrison +left, and had resumed the management of their own affairs. Jack +learned, however, that the city had not formally declared for +King Charles. As the priest had told him would be the case, Jack +encountered no bodies of armed men during the day; the country had +a peaceful aspect, the peasants were working in the fields, and at +the villages through which he passed the English uniforms excited +a feeling of curiosity rather than of interest. He stopped at several +of these and entered into conversation with the inhabitants. He +found everywhere an intense hatred of the French prevailing, while +but little interest was evinced in the respective claims of Charles +and Philip. + +After a very long ride he arrived, at nightfall, near the spot +to which he was bound. In this neighborhood he observed a greater +amount of watchfulness and preparation than had prevailed elsewhere. +The men, for the most part, remained in their villages, and went +about armed. Jack learned that an inroad by the Miquelets of Castile +was deemed probable, and that it was thought possible that another +French force might follow Tesse from Madrid to Barcelona. + +It was late in the evening before Jack reached his destination, +where, on his presenting his letter of introduction, he was most +heartily received by the priest. + +"Father Ignacio tells me," he said when he had read it, "that you +are not only to be welcomed as an officer of the great English +general, but that you are in every way deserving of friendship; he +adds, too, that you are a first rate judge of wine, and that you +can be trusted as an adviser upon knotty and difficult matters." + +Jack laughed. "I only gave the good father my advice upon two +points," he said; "the first was the admitting to terms of surrender +of a body of French troops with whom he was engaged in battle when +I arrived; the second was upon the important question of broaching +or not broaching a hogshead of particularly good wine." + +"If you advised that the hogshead should be broached," the priest +said, smiling, "I can warrant that my good brother Ignacio followed +your advice, and can well understand the respect in which he seems +to hold your judgment. But do not let us stand talking here. + +"Your men will find a stable behind the house where they can stand +the horses. Alas! it is uninhabited at present, for my mule, the +gentlest and best in the province, was requisitioned--which is +another word for stolen--by the French as they passed through. +My faithful beast! I miss her every hour of the day, and I doubt +not that she misses me still more sorely. Tell me, senor, my brother +Ignacio writes me that he has captured many animals from the French +--was Margaretta among them? She was a large mule, and in good +condition; indeed, there was some flesh on her bones. She was a dark +chestnut with a white star on the forehead, a little white on her +fore feet, and white below the hocks on the hind legs; she had a +soft eye, and a peculiar twist in jerking her tail." + +The manner of the priest was so earnest that Jack repressed a smile +with difficulty. + +"I did notice among the mules in one of the wagons one marked +somewhat similarly to your description, and, if I mistake not, it, +with another, fell to the share of the good priest; but I cannot +say that it had much flesh upon its bones; indeed, it was in very +poor case. Nor did I notice that its eyes were particularly soft, +or that there was any peculiarity in the twitching of its tail." + +"It may be Margaretta," the priest said with some excitement; "the +poor beast would naturally lose flesh in the hands of the French, +while as to the switch in the tail, it was a sign of welcome which +she gave me when I took an apple or a piece of bread into her +stable, and she would not be likely so to greet strangers. I will +lose no time in writing to Ignacio to inquire further into the matter. +Verily, it seems to me as if the saint had sent you specially here +as a bearer of this good news." + +Jack spent a pleasant evening with the priest, and learned much as +to the state of things upon the frontier. The priest represented +the Castilians as bitterly opposed to the claims of Charles; they +had no grievances against the French, who had behaved with strict +discipline in that province, and had only commenced their excesses +upon crossing the frontier into Arragon. This they regarded, though +wrongfully, as a hostile country; for, previous to their arrival, +the people there had taken no part either way in the struggle, +but the overbearing manner of Tesse, and the lax discipline of +his troops, had speedily caused an intense feeling of irritation. +Resistance had been offered to foraging parties of the French army, +and the terrible vengeance which had been taken by Tesse for these +acts had roused the whole province in a flame of insurrection. + +"There are several bodies of French cavalry across the frontier," +the priest said; "occasionally they make flying raids into Arragon, +but, as you see, the people are armed, and prepared, and ready to +give them a hot reception. The Castilians are like ourselves; if +at any time an army should march in this direction against Madrid, +the Miquelets will oppose them just as we should oppose the French, +but they will not leave their homes to interfere with us, for they +know well enough that did they do so we also should cross the line, +and fire and destruction would be carried through all the villages +on both sides of the border. So at present there is nothing to fear +from Castile, but if your English general were to drive the French +out of the country, he would have hard work ere he overcame the +resistance of that province." + +Just as day was breaking the next morning Jack was aroused by +shouts in the streets, followed by the heavy trampling of horse. +He sprang from the bed and threw on his cloak; as he was buckling +on his sword one of the dragoons rushed into his room. + +"We are surrounded, sir! I have just looked out, and there are +French cavalry all round the house." + +As he spoke there was a tremendous knocking at the door. The priest +ran into the room. "We are betrayed," he said; "some one must have +carried away the news last night of your arrival here, and it has +come to the ears of the French cavalry on the other side. I ordered +some men out last night to watch the road across the border, but +the enemy must have ridden too fast for them to get here first." + +"It cannot be helped," Jack said; "you had best open the door, or +they will break it in in another minute. Make no resistance, lads," +he said to the dragoons, for the second orderly had now joined +them; "lay your swords down on the bed; we are caught this time, +and must make our escape when we can. It is better, anyhow, to have +fallen into the hands of the French than of the Spanish." + +The sound of the knocking had ceased now, and there was a trampling +and clamor of voices as the French soldiers poured into the house. +Steps were heard ascending the stairs, the door opened, and the +priest, accompanied by a French officer and followed by a number +of soldiers, entered the room. + +"You are my prisoner, sir," the French officer said. + +"I am afraid there is no doubt of that," Jack said, speaking in +Spanish; "here is my sword, sir. These two men are my orderlies, +and, of course, also surrender. You will observe that we are all +in uniform, that we are taken on the soil of Arragon, and that I +am here in pursuance of my duty as an officer of the English army." + +"You are alone?" the officer asked. + +"Yes," Jack said; "there are, so far as I know, no other British +but ourselves in Arragon." + +"Then we were misinformed," the officer said; "the news was received +last night that the Earl of Peterborough was himself here; and +although it was but in the afternoon that we had heard that your +general was at Valencia, his movements are so swift and erratic that, +if we heard of him in Portugal one hour we should not be surprised +to find him here the next." He stopped as shots were heard fired +in the streets. + +"You must excuse ceremony, sir," he said, "and mount at once with +your men and accompany me. In ten minutes we shall have the whole +country buzzing round us like wasps; and now that the object of my +ride is accomplished, I don't wish to throw away my men's lives." + +The horses were saddled without loss of time, and in two or three +minutes Jack was trotting down the village in the midst of the French +cavalry amid a scathing fire from behind the houses and walls. + +The French officer rode at the head of his troop till well beyond +the village, then reining in his horse, joined his prisoner. + +"And now," he asked, "whom have I the honor of capturing?" + +"I am Captain Stilwell," Jack replied, "one of the Earl of +Peterborough's aides de camp." + +"I am Captain de Courcy," the French officer said; "happily, +although the French and English have taken opposite sides on this +question, we can esteem and honor each other as brave and civilized +adversaries. As for these Spanish scoundrels, they are no better +than banditti; they murder us in our beds, they poison our wine, +they as often as not burn us alive if we fall into their hands; +they are savages, neither more nor less; and why Philip of Anjou, +who could have had all the pleasures of life as a prince of the +blood at Versailles, should covet the kingship of this country, +passes my understanding. And now tell me about that paladin, your +general. Peste, what a man! And you are one of his aides de camp? +Why, if he drags you about everywhere with him, you must lead the +life of a dog." + +"When I last heard of the general he was at Valencia," Jack said. +"But that was ten days since." + +"Ten days!" the Frenchman said; "then by now he may be in London, +or in Rome, or at Paris." + +"With the wind favoring him he might be at Rome, but he could +scarcely have arrived at either London or Paris." + +"There is no saying," the French officer laughed. "Has he not three +leagued boots, and can he not step from mountain to mountain? Does +he not fly through a storm on a broomstick? Can he not put on a cap +and make himself invisible? For I can tell you that our soldiers +credit him with all these powers. Can he not, by waving his hand, +multiply three hundred men into an army, spread them over a wide +extent of country, and then cause them to sink into the ground and +disappear? Our soldiers are convinced that he is in league with +the evil one, even if he be not the gentlemen in black himself." + +Jack joined in the laugh. "He is a wonderful man," he said, "though +he cannot do all you credit him with. But he is absolutely tireless, +and can do without sleep for any time; and yet to look at him no +one would think that he was in any way a strong man. He is small, +thin, and worn looking--in fact, almost insignificant in appearance, +were it not for his keen eye and a certain lofty expression of face. +My post is no sinecure, I can assure you, for the general expects +all to be able to do as well as himself. But with a chief who +never spares himself all are willing to do their best. Extreme as +has been the labor of the troops, severe as have been their hardships, +you will never hear a grumble; the men have most implicit confidence +in him, and are ready to go anywhere and do anything he orders +them." + +"He is a marvel," the French officer said. "The way he took +Barcelona, and then, with a handful of men, hunted our armies out +of Catalonia and Valencia, was wonderful; and though it was at our +cost, and not a little to our discredit, there is not an officer in +the army but admires your general. Fortunately I was not in Barcelona +when you laid siege to it, but I was with Las Torres afterward +when you were driving us about like sheep. I shall never forget +that time. We never knew when to expect an attack, what force was +opposed to us, or from what direction you would come. I laugh now, +but it was no joke then." + +Three hours' riding took them into the little town from which the +French cavalry had started in the middle of the night. On arriving +there the French officer at once sent off a trooper to Madrid, +reporting the prisoners he had taken, and forty-eight hours later +he received orders to himself conduct his prisoners to Madrid. + +Upon arriving there Jack was at once taken before the Duke of +Berwick, who received him courteously, and asked him many questions +concerning the force under the earl, the intentions of Barcelona +to resist the two French armies now hurrying before it. To these +questions Jack gave cautious answers. As to matters concerning +which he was sure that the French must have accurate information, +he replied frankly. Fortunately he was, as he truly said, in entire +ignorance as to the plans of the earl, and as to Barcelona, he knew +nothing whatever of what had taken place there from the day when +he suddenly left with Peterborough. + +"I would place you on your parole with pleasure," the duke said, +"but I tell you frankly that in the present excited state of public +feeling I do not think it will be safe for you to move through the +streets unprotected. So many of our officers have been murdered in +Saragossa and other places that the lower class of Spaniards would +think it a meritorious action to take vengeance on an English +officer. Of course I am well aware that the English have nothing to +do with these atrocities, but the people in general are not able +to draw nice distinctions. I shall send you to France on the first +opportunity, to remain there till exchanged." + +"Thank you, sir," Jack said; "I should prefer not being put on my +parole, for I shall certainly escape if I have the opportunity. I +should tell you, sir, that I have ridden through Arragon, and though +I do not wish to excuse the murders perpetrated by the Spaniards, +I must tell you that I cannot blame them; for, horrible as are +their deeds, they are simply acts of retaliation for the abominable +atrocities which Marshal Tesse allows and encourages his troops to +perpetrate upon the population. I have the highest respect, sir, +for the French nation, but if I were the Earl of Peterborough, +and Marshal Tesse fell into my hands, I would hand him over to the +Spaniards to be torn in pieces as he deserves." + +"You speak boldly, sir," the duke said sternly. + +"I feel what I say, sir," Jack replied. "I think it well that you, +a general high in command under the French king, should know the +atrocities perpetrated in his name by this man upon defenseless +people. I could tell you, sir, a score of stories which I heard in +Arragon, although I was but two days there, of massacre and murder +which would make your blood run cold. I confess that personally +I have no greater interest in King Charles than in King Philip. I +have seen so much of the Austrian and his advisers that I believe +that if the Earl of Peterborough were to seat him on his throne +here tomorrow, he would be driven from the country a fugitive +before many weeks were over; but in the same way I am convinced +that Philip of Anjou will never be accepted by the Spanish as their +king if his cause be stained by such atrocities as those carried +out by Marshal Tesse in his name." + +The duke then asked Jack if he had any objections to state the +particular object for which he was sent into Arragon by his general; +and Jack was glad to be able to say truthfully that the earl knew +nothing of his being there, he having sent him simply to assist the +Count of Cifuentes in barring the advance of the French army into +Catalonia, and that when he had carried out that order he had +ridden into Arragon on his own account, in order that he might, on +his return to the earl, be able to give him an accurate description +of the state of affairs in that province. + +"Then so far as you know, Captain Stilwell, the Earl of Peterborough +is still at Valencia, and has no intention of leaving that province +at present." + +"I can say truly, sir, that so far as I know the general had no +intention of leaving Valencia; but as his decisions are generally +taken instantaneously, and are a surprise to all about him, I should +be sorry to assert that the earl remained in Valencia a quarter of +an hour after I quitted the city." + +"It matters little," the duke said, "the affair is rapidly approaching +an end. Barcelona must surrender as soon as Tesse and the Duke de +Noailles appear before it; the breaches are open, and there are +not a thousand men in garrison. Barcelona once fallen, the cause of +the Austrian is lost. Your general is already watched by an army +four times as strong as his own, and the twenty thousand men under +the marshal will compel him to take to his ships, and will stamp +out the last embers of the insurrection. You agree with me, do you +not?" he asked as Jack remained silent. + +"Well, sir, it seems that it must be as you say, and I have only +to reply that you have not reckoned upon the Earl of Peterborough. +What he will do I do not pretend to say, but knowing him as I do, +I can say that he will give you trouble. I don't think that anything +can be considered as a certainty in which you have the Earl of +Peterborough to reckon with." + +"He is a great man," the duke said--"a great man, and has performed +marvels; but there is a limit to the possibilities which one man +can perform, and here that limit is passed. I shall give orders, +Captain Stilwell, that your imprisonment is made as little disagreeable +as possible, and that you have everything you require." + +Jack expressed his thanks and retired. On leaving the room he was +again taken charge of by Captain do Courcy and four of his troopers, +and was conducted by him to the citadel. + +The quarters assigned to Jack were by no means uncomfortable. A +good meal was placed before him, and after he had finished it the +governor of the citadel called upon him and told him that he was at +liberty to go where he would within the walls, and that any wishes +he might express he would do his best to comply with. Jack at once +availed himself of his liberty by going out into the courtyard and +thence on to the walls of the citadel. It was a strongly fortified +and gloomy building, which has now ceased to exist. It covered a +considerable portion of ground, and had at one time been a royal +residence; the walls were strong and high, and sentries were placed +on them at short intervals. + +Jack saw at once there was little possibility of escape thence, +and decided that he might as well abandon any idea of evasion for +the present, and would trust to luck in escaping from his escort +on the road to the frontier, or, if no opportunity then presented +itself, from his prison in France. A week after his arrival he was +surprised by being told that an officer wished to see him, and a +minute later Major Ferre entered the apartment. + +"I only arrived an hour ago," he said, "and learned that you were +prisoner here. Who would have thought when we parted last, and you +gave me my liberty, that on my arrival here I should find that you +had already been a week a prisoner? Horses' legs move faster than +men's, you see." + +"It is the fortune of war," Jack said, smiling. "I am glad to see +that you got out of Arragon safely." + +"It was thanks to your seeing that we were provided with ammunition," +the major said. "The peasants swarmed round us hotly more than +once, and it was the fact that we had our arms and were ready to +use them, quite as much as my assurances that we were prisoners +on parole, and had promised not to serve in Spain until exchanged, +that kept them from making an attack upon us; as it was we nearly +came to blows several times. I marched that day till the men were +ready to drop, and camped at a distance from a road in a lonely +place. I dared not scatter my men in a village. The next day we +kept steadily on and crossed the frontier into Castile, pretty well +worn out, just at nightfall. I had to give my men two days' halt +before we could go further, and we have since come by easy stages, +which accounts for your being here so long before us. And now, +is there anything that I can do for you? If there is, command my +service to the utmost. I shall see the duke this afternoon, and +shall tell him that I and my party are indebted to you for our +lives. It is well for me that he is in command here instead of the +marshal; he is a gentleman, and will respect the parole I gave for +myself and my men; if it had been Tesse I might have had trouble, +for as likely as not he would have scoffed at my promise, and +ordered me and my men back to the front again, and then I should +have been placed in a nice fix." + +"The best thing you could do for me," Jack said, "would be to +suggest to the marshal that he should exchange me against you. If +he will let me take my two troopers I would throw in all your men. +There will be no occasion to arrange it with our general; you gave +your word to me, and I can give it you back again. As I am of no +use to him, and you are, I should think he would consent." + +"I should think so too," Major Ferre said, "and should be delighted, +on both our accounts, if it could be managed." + +Three hours later the major returned in high spirits. + +"I have arranged the matter," he said, "and we are both free men. +You can't stir out of here at present, because it would not be safe +for you to go about Madrid; but I have orders to march tomorrow +morning, in command of a convoy, to join Las Torres outside Valencia, +so you can ride with me till we get near the town, and then join +your people." + +Jack was delighted, and the next morning set out with the convoy. +His appearance, as he rode by the side of Major Ferre with his two +orderlies behind him, excited the greatest surprise and curiosity +in the various towns and villages through which they passed. The +journey was a pleasant one, Major Ferre exerting himself in every +way to make it as pleasant as possible. After four days' journey +the convoy arrived within sight of Valencia. When they came to a +place where the roads forked the major said: + +"That is your way, my dear Stilwell. I hope that some day the +fortunes of war will throw us together again, in some pleasant +position where we can renew our friendship. Two miles on is a +ford across the river, where, as the peasants tell me, two of your +vedettes are posted; another hour's ride will take you to Valencia." + +With a hearty goodby on both sides, Jack and his two dragoons rode +off, and soon astonished the English vedettes by their appearance +on the opposite bank of the river. A few words in English convinced +the soldiers that it was no trick that was being played with them, +and Jack rode across the ford and then galloped on to Valencia. + +"Well, Captain Stilwell," the earl said as Jack entered his +apartment, "what news do you bring me from Barcelona? I hear that +Tesse has invested the town." + +"My last news is from Madrid, general," Jack said; "I have had to +stay a week in that city." + +And he then proceeded to relate the series of events which had +happened from the time he joined the Count of Cifuentes. + +"I know I exceeded my duty, general," he said when he finished, +"in going up into Arragon without orders; but I felt that I was +of little use with the count, who handles the Miquelets well, and +I thought that you would be glad of trustworthy information of the +state of feeling in Arragon, and perhaps of Castile." + +"You were quite right," the earl said, "and have done exceedingly +well. Yours has been an adventure after my own heart, and you have +just arrived here in time, for I am on the point of starting to do +what I can to harass the besiegers of Barcelona." + + + +CHAPTER XV: THE RELIEF OF BARCELONA + + +Although for months it was evident that the French were preparing +to make a great effort to recapture Barcelona, Charles and his +German advisers had done nothing whatever to place the city in the +position to resist a siege. The fortifications remained just as +they had been when Peterborough had captured the city. The breaches +which had been made by the English cannon were still open, and even +that in the all important citadel of Montjuich remained as it had +been left by the explosion of the magazine. + +Not until Tesse was pressing down from Lerida and de Noailles from +Roussillon did the king awake to his danger. Orders were sent out +to recall all the troops who were within reach, the country people +were set to work collecting provisions, and the king made an urgent +appeal to the citizens to aid in repairing the fortifications. The +appeal was responded to; the whole male population took up arms, +even priests and friars enrolling themselves in the ranks. The +women and children were formed into companies, and all Barcelona +labored in carrying materials and in repairing the breaches. The +king had received a letter from Peterborough proposing the plan of +which he had spoken to his aides de camp, and which, had it been +carried out, would have changed the fate of Spain. His suggestion +was that Charles should at once make his way by sea to Portugal, +which, as the blockade had not then commenced, he could have +easily done, there to put himself at the head of the allied army, +twenty-six thousand strong, and march straight upon Madrid. This +could have been done with a certainty of success, for the west of +Spain and the capital had been denuded of troops for the invasion +of Catalonia and Valencia, and no more than two thousand men could +have been collected to oppose the invaders. + +"If your majesty will undertake to do this," wrote the earl, "I +will undertake to maintain the province here, and perhaps to open +a way to Madrid." + +But now, as before, this bold but really safe counsel was overruled +by Charles' German courtiers and he resolved to remain in Barcelona +and wait a siege. + +As soon as Peterborough received the answer, he left a small garrison +in Valencia, and marched away with all the force he could collect, +which, however, numbered only two thousand foot and six hundred +horse, while de Noailles had no less than twenty thousand gathered +round Barcelona. Peterborough moved rapidly across the country, +pushing forward at the utmost speed of the troops till he arrived +within two leagues of Barcelona, and took up a strong position +among the mountains, where he was at once joined by the Count of +Cifuentes and his peasant army. + +"Ah, count," the earl said as he rode into his camp, "I am glad to +see you again. You did not succeed in stopping Tesse, but by all +accounts you mauled him handsomely. And now, what are our prospects?" + +"Indeed, sir, they are not over bright, and I do not see that we +can effect much to aid the king. My men will fight well enough, +as Captain Stilwell has witnessed, when they choose their position +and shoot behind shelter, but they would be of no use whatever in +a regular action; and as to advancing into the plain to give battle +with you against twenty thousand regular troops, they would not +attempt it, even if you were to join your orders to mine." + +"We will not ask them, count," Peterborough said. "I know the +Miquelets by this time. They are admirable for irregular war, but +worse than useless for anything else. All we will ask of them, +count, is to scatter in strong bodies over the hills, to guard +every road, and cut off any parties of the enemy who may venture +to go out to gather provisions or forage. If they can manage +occasionally to threaten an attack upon the French camp, so much +the better." + +The next morning a strong body of the French took post round +Montjuich, and at nine o'clock a force of infantry, supported by +two squadrons of horse, attempted to carry the western outworks by +storm. This was the weakest part of the citadel, and was manned by +only a hundred men of Colonel Hamilton's regiment, who had arrived +the night before, having in two days ridden seventy miles on mules. + +As the French advanced they received them with great determination, +and poured in so sharp a fire that the assailants speedily retired +with considerable loss. As they fell back the English threw up +their caps and raised loud shouts, which so exasperated the enemy +that they reformed and returned several times to the assault, but +only to be repulsed as on their first attempt. This was a sharp +check to the French, who had expected to find the place guarded +only by the usual garrison of forty Spaniards. + +When the sound of firing was heard in the town the whole garrison +turned out and marched to support Montjuich, only twelve men being +left behind for a guard to the king. This repulse of the first +attempt of the enemy raised the spirits of the townsmen, and bands +of them ventured beyond the walls, and, sheltering in the gardens +and groves, maintained a strong fire upon the French. + +Finding that Barcelona was not to be taken as easily as they had +expected, the French generals extended their camp so as to completely +surround the town. On their side the citizens were not inactive, +and, sallying out, managed to cut off and drive in a flock of seven +hundred of the enemy's sheep and twelve of their mules. + +The following night the besieged sustained a severe loss by the +treacherous surrender, by its commander, of Fort Redonda, which +stood on the seashore and commanded the landing. The enemy at once +profited by this advantage and began landing their provisions, +guns, and ammunition. This misfortune was, however, balanced by the +enterprise of Brigadier Generals Lord Donegal and Sentiman, with +two English and two newly raised Catalan battalions. They received +the king's orders to return to Barcelona too late to reach the town +before its investment, but now managed, under cover of night, to +elude the enemy and enter the city in safety. + +When the enemy received news of the success of this attempt they +closed in their left wing to the eastward, in hopes of preventing +further reinforcements from entering the town. But they had not +reckoned upon the Earl of Peterborough, who had received news that +the garrison of Gerona, after evacuating that town on the approach +of the army of the Duke de Noailles, had embarked in small boats +and were about to attempt a landing near Barcelona, on the north +side. On the receipt of the news he started as night fell with +his whole force from his camp in the mountains, and having, after +a march of nearly twenty miles, arrived at the spot named for the +debarkation just as the boats were nearing the shore, and having +escorted the Gerona men past the enemy's outpost and into the town, +without the loss of a man, he again retired to the mountains. These +accessions of strength raised the force of troops in the besieged +town to upward of three thousand. + +The next day a case of treason was discovered among the Spaniards +in the garrison of Montjuich. A boy confessed that he had been +hired by one of these men to put out all the gun matches, and to +throw the priming powder out of the matchlocks that night. He was +told to do this on the weakest side of the works, where the attack +would probably be made. + +The discovery of this intended treason, following so closely on that +at Fort Redonda, excited suspicions of the loyalty of the Spanish +Governor of Montjuich, and he was superseded and the Earl of +Donegal appointed to the command. For the next six days the French +continued to raise battery after battery around Montjuich. Lord +Donegal made some gallant sallies and several times drove the +besiegers from their works, but in each case they returned in such +overwhelming force that he was obliged to abandon the positions he +had won and to fall back into the citadel. + +The Miquelets, of whom there were many in the town, aided the +besieged by harassing the French. Every night they stole into their +camp, murdered officers in their tents, carried off horses, slew +sentries, and kept the enemy in a perpetual state of watchfulness. + +At eight o'clock on the morning of the 15th of April the besiegers +made a furious attack on the western outwork of Montjuich, having +ascertained that it was defended only by a party of one of the +newly raised Spanish regiments. They captured the post without +difficulty, the Spaniards flying at the first assault, but on the +inner ramparts they were met by Donegal and his grenadiers, and a +desperate struggle took place which lasted for two hours. + +The English fought with the greatest obstinacy, and frequently flung +back among their assailants the grenades which the latter showered +among them, before they had time to explode, Lord Donegal himself +setting the men the example. But though able to prevent the French +from advancing further, the English could not recover the outpost +which the Spaniards had abandoned, and the French formed intrenchments +and mounted a battery upon it. + +In spite of the continued fire which the besiegers now poured in +upon it from all sides, Lord Donegal held out bravely. The little +force under his command was much reduced in numbers, and so worn +out by constant exertion and loss of sleep that men frequently fell +asleep while under arms under the heaviest fire. The besiegers were +not idle in other directions. Several mortar vessels moved close +in shore and threw shells into the town, while the batteries poured +in red hot shot. This spread great alarm throughout the town. The +people could he hardly induced to continue working on the defenses, +and many took refuge in cellars or in the churches. Ammunition +began to fail, and despair was taking possession of the defenders, +when, at two o'clock in the morning of the 21st, a galley ran +safely into the harbor bearing a supply of powder and encouraging +messages from Lord Peterborough. + +Three days later he managed to throw a body of Neapolitan troops +into the town, embarking them in boats at Matero, a small port a +few miles to the northeast of the town. He sent them close along the +shore in order to pass the enemy's fleet, if possible, unobserved. +They found, however, that a line of boats had been drawn across +the harbor to blockade the entrance. They attacked the boats, and +after a sharp fight, which lasted over an hour, four hundred men +succeeded in forcing their way through, and the rest returned to +Matero in safety. + +Peterborough now determined to endeavor to relieve the town by the +desperate expedient of attacking the enemy's camp with his little +force. In order to do this with any prospect of success it was +necessary to warn the king of his intentions, so that the garrison +of the town could issue out and attack the enemy at the same moment +from their side. He committed the dispatch to Captain Graham, who +succeeded in making his way through the enemy's lines to the city. +The king agreed to join in a combined attack, and, having arranged +all his plans, gave the dispatch to Graham to carry back to the +earl. + +On the way out he was less successful than he had been in entering. +He was seized upon by a body of French before he could destroy the +paper. Tesse was accordingly warned of the earl's plans, and at the +hour appointed for the attack drew up his army in order of battle. +Peterborough was ready to advance, and the besieged were all in +arms on the ramparts, but seeing that the enemy were fully prepared +the project was abandoned, and the troops returned to their quarters. + +But the fall of Montjuich was at hand. The besiegers secretly +massed a large force in the trenches. At midday on the 22d a salvo +of four mortars gave the signal. The French rushed in with loud +shouts and effected a complete surprise. Before the troops could +get under arms two bastions were captured. + +So sudden was the affair that many of the English officers, hearing +the firing, ran out from the keep, and seeing some foreign troops +drawn up in the works joined them, concluding that they were Dutch, +and were only undeceived by finding themselves taken prisoners. +The men were so confused by the loss of many of the officers that, +had the French pushed in at once, they would have been able to +carry the main body of the works with but little resistance. They +halted, however, in the bastions they had won. The next morning +the people of Barcelona, headed by their priests, sallied out to +effect the relief of Montjuich, but were easily driven back by the +besiegers. The little garrison of the castle sallied out to meet +their friends, but when these retreated to the town they had to +fight their way back to the castle, which they regained with great +difficulty, the gallant Earl of Donegal and many of his officers +being killed. + +Finding that their position was now desperate, the remnant of the +British troops abandoned the castle they had so stoutly defended, +and succeeded in making their way safely into the city. Tesse now +pushed on the siege of the town with vigor. Batteries of heavy guns +were raised opposite the newly mended breaches, and so close did +he plant his guns to the walls that the artillery of the besieged +could not be depressed sufficiently to play upon them, while +so heavy a fire of infantry was kept up upon the walls that their +defenders were unable to reply effectively with their musketry. + +The walls crumbled rapidly, and the defenders busied themselves +in raising inner defenses behind the breaches. Had the French been +commanded by an enterprising general there is little doubt that +they could have carried the town by assault, but Tesse, in his +over caution, waited until success was a certainty. The alarm in +Barcelona was great, and the king sent messenger after messenger +to Peterborough to urge him to come to his relief; but, daring as +was the earl when he considered success to be possible, he would +not venture his little force upon an enterprise which was, he felt, +hopeless, and he knew that the only possible relief for the city +was the arrival of the English fleet. + +Early in March Admiral Sir John Leake and Baron Wassenaer had sailed +from Lisbon with the combined fleet in accordance with Peterborough's +orders; but the wind was contrary, and it was fully six weeks after +starting that they reached the Straits, where they were joined by +Captain Price with a small squadron, on board of which were two +English regiments. It was not until the 24th of April that they +sailed from Gibraltar. + +On reaching Altea they received news that another squadron had sailed +from Lisbon to join them, and in spite of the warm remonstrances of +General Stanhope, who commanded the troops on board, the Dutch and +English admirals determined to await the arrival of the reinforcements +before sailing to give battle to the fleet of the Count of Toulouse +before Barcelona. + +On the 3d of April Sir George Byng arrived at Altea with some ships +from Ireland, and the next day Commodore Walker, with the squadron +from Lisbon, also arrived; but the wind was now contrary, and +although the fleet set sail, for three days they made no progress +whatever, and each hour so wasted rendered the position of the +besieged at Barcelona more and more desperate. While lying at Altea +General Stanhope had sent a message to Lord Peterborough telling +him that he would use every means in his power to hasten Sir John +Leake's movements, and that he would give him timely notice of the +approach of the fleet. + +He said that as it was of the utmost importance that the enemy +should remain in ignorance of the approaching succors, his messenger +should carry only a half sheet of blank paper, so that if he were +taken by the enemy they would learn nothing from his dispatch. When +the fleet sailed he sent off a second messenger, who got safely to +the earl, and delivered his blank dispatch. With the exception of +his aide de camp, who was always in his confidence, he told no one +the meaning of this blank dispatch, and his officers were surprised +when orders were issued for the little army at once to prepare +for a night march. Officers and men had, however, most implicit +confidence in their general, and, doubting not that some daring +enterprise was at hand, they started in high spirits. + +All through the night they marched in a southwesterly direction over +the hills, and at daybreak reached the little seaport of Sitjes, +some seven leagues from Barcelona. Ordering the wearied soldiers to +encamp behind some low hills, the indefatigable general rode with +Jack Stilwell into the little port, and at once, by offering large +rewards, set the sailors and fishermen at work to collect the +boats, barges, and fishing smacks along the neighboring coast, and +to bring them to Sitjes. + +In two days he had succeeded in collecting a sufficient number to +carry the whole force. The news of the work upon which the general +was engaged soon spread among the force and caused the greatest +astonishment. Jack Stilwell was overwhelmed with questions as to +the intentions of the general. + +"What on earth are we going to do next, Stilwell?" one of the +colonels said to him. "We are all ready, you know, to do anything +that the chief bids us, but for the life of us no one can make this +business out. The only possible thing seems to be that the chief +intends to attack the French fleet, and desperate as many of his +exploits have been, they would be as nothing to that. Even the earl +could surely not expect that fifteen hundred men in fishing boats +and barges could attack a fleet of some thirty men of war. The idea +seems preposterous, and yet one does not see what else he can have +got in his head." + +"Of course, colonel," Jack said, laughing, "you do not expect me +to tell you what are the general's plans. You may be quite sure +that, whatever they are, there is nothing absolutely impossible +about them, for you know that although the general may undertake +desperate things, he never attempts anything that has not at least +a possibility of success; in fact, as you know, he has never yet +failed in any enterprise that he has undertaken." + +"That is true enough," the colonel said; "and yet for the life of +me I cannot make out what else he can be thinking of. Certainly to +attack Toulouse would be madness, and yet there is no one else to +attack." + +"Well, colonel, I can only say that time will show, and I don't +think you will have to wait very long before you know as much about +it as I do." + +Jack was right in this, for on the night of the second day the +earl called his officers together, and informed them that he was +waiting to join the English fleet, which might at any moment come +in sight. As hitherto nothing had been known about the arrival of +reinforcements, the news excited the greatest joy. The earl had +hoped that at daybreak the fleet would be in sight, and as soon +as it was light he mounted a hill which gave him a wide view over +the sea, but to his deep disappointment not a sail appeared above +the horizon. Knowing the desperate state of the garrison at Barcelona, +and that at any hour he might receive news that an assault had been +delivered and the city captured, his disappointment at the delay +in the appearance of the fleet was unbounded. + +The roar of the distant guns around Barcelona came distinctly to +his ears, and he was almost wild with impatience and anxiety. On +reaching the shore again he found that a fast sailing felucca had +just come in from Barcelona. She had managed to evade the blockading +fleet, and bore an urgent letter from the king, praying Peterborough +to come to his assistance. The earl did not hesitate a moment, but +determined to set sail at once to find the fleet, and to bring it +on to Barcelona with all speed. + +The astonishment and dismay of his officers at the news that their +general was about to leave them and embark on such an enterprise +were very great, but the earl explained to the leaders the reasons +for his anxiety to gain the fleet. His commission appointed him to +the command at sea as well as on land, and on joining the fleet he +would be its admiral in chief. He feared that at the sight of so +powerful an armament the Count of Toulouse would at once decline +battle and make for France. He determined, therefore, to advance +only with a force considerably inferior to that of the French, in +which case Toulouse, rather than abandon the siege of Barcelona +just when success seemed assured, would sail out and give battle. + +Should he do so the earl, however inferior his force, had no doubts +as to obtaining victory. Accompanied only by Jack Stillwell and by +Captain Humphrey, who had taken the place of Graham, he embarked +on board the little felucca and put to sea. The weather was cold +and stormy, and the master of the boat did not like putting out +far from shore; but the earl was peremptory, and the felucca stood +well out to sea. Night came on without any signs of the fleet being +discovered. The hours of darkness passed slowly, for the boat was +undecked and afforded no shelter, and the heavy seas which broke +over her kept all on board wetted to the skin. + +At daybreak, to their great joy, they perceived a British man +of war approaching. They at once made for her, and found she was +the Leopard, commanded by Captain Price. The astonishment of that +officer, and of all on board, was unbounded at being boarded at +break of day almost out of sight of land from an open boat by the +admiral of all the fleets. The earl's stay on board was but a short +one. As soon as he had learned the whereabout of the rest of the +fleet, and given instructions to Captain Price, he again embarked +in the felucca, and sailed for Sitjes. + +The joy of the troops was great at the return of their general, +for the night had been so stormy that there were great fears for +his safety; but he was not to remain with them long, for, having +given orders that the whole disposable force, about fourteen hundred +men, should embark in the boats before daybreak next morning, and +follow the fleet to Barcelona, he again with his aides de camp took +his place in the felucca and sailed for the fleet. + +In the middle of the night he came across them, and boarding the +Prince George, hoisted his flag as admiral of the fleet on the +maintop, and took the command. He then sent a boat to Sir John +Leake to acquaint him with his orders and intentions, and another +boat to advise General Stanhope of his arrival; but the darkness +delayed the delivery of these messages till nearly morning, and when +day appeared the whole fleet was amazed at seeing the flag of the +admiral in chief flying on the Prince George. The wind was strong +and favorable, and the fleet crowded on all sail; but when within +about eighteen miles of Barcelona one of the French lookout ships +sighted them, and made a signal to a consort further along. She +in turn passed on the news until it reached the Count of Toulouse, +who, without waiting to ascertain the strength of the approaching +squadron, at once signaled to his fleet to weigh anchor, and, +putting to sea, sailed for France. + +The disappointment of the earl was great, as he had fully calculated +upon gaining a great naval battle in sight of the city he had come +to relieve. On the afternoon of the 8th of May the leading vessels +anchored off Barcelona, and preparations were at once made for +the landing of the troops. The first to set foot on shore were the +earl's veteran troops, who had according to his orders accompanied +the fleet from Sitjes. The succor was welcome, indeed; the breaches +were no longer defensible, and an assault was hourly expected. The +king himself came down to receive the earl and his army; the city +went wild with joy. + +For a few days the French made a show of carrying on the siege. +They were still enormously superior in force; but the energy and +skill of Peterborough counterbalanced the inequality. He worked day +and night in superintending the works of defense, and in placing +the troops in readiness for the expected assault. Philip and many +of his officers were still in favor of an attack upon the city; +but Tesse as usual was opposed to anything like vigorous measures, +and his views were adopted by a council of war. + +At one o'clock on the morning of the 11th of May the besiegers +broke up their camp, and in great confusion made their way toward +the French frontier, for Tesse preferred even the ignominy of +falling back into France with his unsuccessful and dispirited army +to retracing his steps toward Saragossa, where his devastations and +cruelty had caused the whole population to rise in insurrection as +soon as his army had passed into Catalonia. Besides which, he had +received news that Peterborough had caused every pass and town +on his way to the west to be fortified and held by the Miquelets. +Philip accompanied the retreating army to Roussillon. The downfall +of his hopes had been utter and complete. But a few weeks before it +had seemed that Spain was his, and that the forces at his disposal +were ample to crush out the insurrection in Barcelona, and to +sweep into the sea the handful of the invaders. But all his plans +had been baffled, all his hopes brought to naught by the genius +and energy of one man, in spite of that man being thwarted at every +turn by the imbecile German coterie who surrounded the king, and +by the jealousy and ill will of his fellow generals. + +Bad news met the fugitive at Roussillon. There he heard that his +countrymen had suffered a disastrous defeat at Ramillies; that +nearly all the Netherlands had been wrested from France; that a +heavy defeat had been inflicted upon her at Turin, and that Italy +was well nigh lost. It needed, indeed, but the smallest amount of +unanimity, enterprise, and confidence on the part of the advisers +and generals of King Charles to have placed him securely and +permanently upon the throne of Spain. + +When the flight of the besieging army was discovered after daybreak +by the besieged, they poured out from Barcelona into the deserted +camp. All the ordnance and stores of the French had been abandoned. +Two hundred heavy brass guns, thirty mortars, and a vast quantity +of shot, shells, and intrenching tools, three thousand barrels of +powder, ten thousand sacks of corn, and a vast quantity of provisions +and stores were found left behind in the camp. Tesse had left, too, +all his sick and wounded with a letter to the Earl of Peterborough +begging him to see that they were well cared for. + +The news of the hasty retreat of Marshal Tesse from before Barcelona +caused a shock of surprise throughout Europe. In France it had never +been doubted that Barcelona would fall, and as to the insurrection, +it was believed that it could be trampled out without difficulty +by the twenty-five thousand French veterans whom the marshal had +at his disposal. As to the handful of British troops whose exploits +had occasioned such astonishment, none had supposed for a moment +that they would be able to effect anything when opposed to so +overwhelming a force of the disciplined troops of France. + +Peterborough himself had hardly hoped to save Barcelona, but, +unlike his enemies, he had not considered that the fall of that city +would necessarily entail the final defeat of the cause for which he +fought. While busying himself with the marches and achievements of +the troops under his command, he had never ceased to take measures +to provide for the future. His marches and counter marches had +made him thoroughly acquainted with the country, and he had won +the entire confidence of the people. + +He had, therefore, taken measures that even if Barcelona fell +Philip should not march back again to his capital. From the day +Tesse advanced he had had thousands of the country people at work, +under the direction of a few of his own officers, rendering each of +the three roads by which the French army could march from Barcelona +to Madrid impracticable. Gorges were blocked with vast masses of +rock rolled down from the mountain side at spots where the road +wound along on the face of precipices; and where it had only been +made by blasting, it was by similar means entirely destroyed. +Bridges were broken down, every castle and town on the lines of +retreat placed in a state of defense, and the cattle and provisions +driven off to places of safety. + +Thus while the earl was himself engaged in the most perilous +adventures, he neglected nothing that the most prudent and cautious +general could have suggested to insure the success of his plans. +Even when affairs looked most unpromising in Barcelona the earl +wrote cheerfully to the Duke of Savoy, saying that the circumstances +were much better than were generally supposed; and that the French +officers, ignorant of the situation of the country, would be +astonished at the difficulties that would be opposed to them on +advancing even after success; and that if the siege were raised they +would be forced to abandon Spain, while all the western frontier +would be clear for the progress of Lord Galway and Das Minas to +Madrid. + +A few days after the retreat of Marshal Tesse, to Jack's great +pleasure Graham came into Barcelona. He had, in the confusion of the +retreat, had little difficulty in slipping away from his captors. +His only danger had been from the peasantry, at whose hands he had +narrowly escaped death, as they took him for a French officer; but, +upon being convinced by his assurances that he was an Englishman +and an aide de camp of the Earl of Peterborough, they had provided +him with a horse to make his way back to Barcelona. + + + +CHAPTER XVI: INGRATITUDE + + +Barcelona rescued, Peterborough at once urged the king to march +upon Madrid and have himself proclaimed king in his capital. There +was no force which could oppose his advance, and Lord Galway and +the Portuguese could move unresisted from the west and meet him +there. But it was a long time before Charles and his counselors +would listen to his advice; and although at last they agreed to +follow it, their resolution was short. In the first place, they +determined to leave so large a force to garrison Catalonia that the +army available for the advance on Madrid would be very seriously +weakened--fifteen hundred English and eleven hundred Spaniards +were to be left at Barcelona, sixteen hundred English and Dutch and +fifteen hundred Spanish at Gerona, eight hundred and fifty Spanish +and Dutch at Lerida, and five hundred Spanish at Tortosa. + +This left but sixty-five hundred men available for service in the +field, and even this number was subsequently diminished by the +vacillating Charles to forty-five hundred. + +As Peterborough wrote to Lord Halifax: "We have saved kingdoms in +spite of the king, who would abandon them, and we have waged more +dangerous war with ministers than with enemies. Lord Galway and +the Portuguese generals pass all understanding." + +No wonder the earl was astounded by the incompetence of Lord Galway +and the Portuguese generals. They had twenty thousand men, while to +oppose them there were but five thousand under the Duke of Berwick; +and yet after entering Spain they fell back, without doing anything, +into Portugal--their retreat beginning on the 11th of May, the day +on which Philip retreated from Barcelona. So that on the opposite +side of Spain two large armies simultaneously retired before others +vastly weaker than themselves. When the news of Tesse's retreat to +France reached Portugal they again advanced. Berwick was too weak +to oppose them, and on the 25th of June the advance guard of the +allies occupied Madrid, and there proclaimed Charles as king. + +Had Galway and his colleagues now shown the slightest energy, and +moved against Berwick's little force, with which was Philip himself, +they could have driven them across the frontier without striking +a blow, and the French cause would have been lost in Spain; but, +having reached Madrid, they remained there doing absolutely nothing +--leaving ample time to Philip to repair his misfortunes, receive +aid from France, and recommence the campaign with vigor. As +Peterborough wrote indignantly to General Stanhope: "Their halt is +as fatal as was Hannibal's at Capua." + +As soon as the movement upon Madrid had been decided upon, Peterborough +sailed with the English and Dutch infantry to Valencia, where he +was received with enthusiasm by the inhabitants. He at once set to +work to raise a regiment of dragoons, and organized them in three +weeks. The very day they were mounted he marched them upon Castile. +During this time not only had Lord Galway made no movement, but he +had joined in the German intrigue by which Charles was induced to +abandon the plan of marching to his capital under the escort of +Peterborough. + +The allied generals at Madrid were indeed basely jealous of the +brilliant conqueror of Catalonia and Valencia. His deeds had thrown +theirs entirely into the shade. With utterly insufficient means he +had done everything; with ample means they had effected nothing, +and had only been enabled to enter Madrid by the fact that he had +drawn off the army which had successfully opposed them. + +After incessant labor in organizing his force, the earl sent two +thousand men, under the command of Lieutenant General Wyndham, +to besiege the towns of Requena and Cuenca--two places of some +strength which blocked the road between Valencia and Madrid. + +Wyndham easily accomplished the task; and the road being thus +secured, Peterborough wrote to Charles that "nothing remained to +hinder him from entering Madrid with even a small escort of horse." +The earl had everything prepared along the road for the passage +of the king; but although he wrote over and over again urging him +not to delay, Charles refused to stir, and told General Stanhope +(who backed Peterborough's entreaties) that he had "no becoming +equipment with which to enter his capital." + +"Sire," the English general exclaimed in indignant astonishment, +"our William the Third entered London in a hackney, with a cloak +bag behind it, and was made king not many weeks after." + +A month after the date originally settled Charles set out and +proceeded to Taragona, but then, to the astonishment of the English +general and envoy, they learned he had altered his mind and taken +the route to Saragossa. When he heard the news, Peterborough sent +couriers day after day with urgent letters to the king. He prevailed +upon a deputation of the Valencian nobility to follow with the same +purpose, and transmitted the opinion of a council of war, which +was unanimous in entreating the king to stay his steps. The king +again hesitated, and was about to follow Peterborough's advice, +when a French officer in the Portuguese service arrived from Galway +and Das Minas, again urging him to move by the route which they +had suggested. + +Charles again hesitated, the Count of Cifuentes (who was with +him) gave his advice in favor of the Saragossa route, and the king +decided on that line. + +On the 26th of July the earl summoned a council of war, including +the Governor of Valencia, two Spanish generals, and his own officers. +They agreed unanimously that Peterborough should march his army to +Madrid or join the army in Portugal, as circumstances might require. +Just before they started letters came in from the king desiring +that Peterborough should send the forces under his command either +to relieve the Duke of Savoy or to capture the Balearic Isles. + +The earl declined to follow this ungrateful suggestion, which was +manifestly intended by Charles and his advisers, English, Portuguese, +and German, to send away from his kingdom the man who had won +it for him. Being fortunately independent of orders, Peterborough +marched for Castile, as he and the council of war had previously +determined. + +Charles was not long in regretting that he had not followed Lord +Peterborough's advice. Instead of the triumphant procession from +Saragossa to Madrid, which he had been promised, he was met with +the most determined opposition. + +Every town and village in the center and south of Spain rose against +him; Salamanca and Toledo declared for Philip, and Andalusia raised +eighteen thousand men. The troops of Las Torres from Valencia, +and those who had retreated under Tesse to Roussillon, had joined +Berwick at Xadraque, and Philip had placed himself at the head of +this formidable army. Charles was obliged to send in the utmost +haste to ask the Earl of Peterborough to extricate him from the +position in which he had placed himself by neglecting his advice. + +The earl instantly complied with the request, and marching with +all speed overtook the king on the 4th of August at Pastrina, and +thence on the following day escorted him in safety to the army of +Portugal at Guadalaxara. + +The total strength of the united allied army was eighteen thousand +men--a force inferior, indeed, to that with which Berwick confronted +them; and that portion brought by Lord Galway and the Portuguese +General Das Minas was not to be relied upon, having fallen into a +state of great indiscipline owing to the tedious delays, the frequent +retreats, and the long inactivity to which it had been subjected +by the incompetence of its leaders. That this was so was evident +by the fact that the day after the king's arrival the French made +a partial attack, and many of the allied battalions at once fell +into complete confusion. But this was not the greatest drawback +to the efficiency of the allied army; they were paralyzed by the +dissensions of their commanders--Galway, Das Minas, and the Dutch +Count de Noyelles. Each and all declined to acknowledge Peterborough +as commander in chief. The earl then offered to waive his own rights +entirely and to fight as a simple volunteer, and that Das Minas, +Lord Galway, and the Dutch general should each command their own +forces, receiving their orders from the king. + +This offer was, however, refused by the three generals. The partisans +of the various leaders shared their animosity. The English troops +of Peterborough claiming, and justly, that Catalonia and Valencia +had been gained and won by him, and that to him alone the king +owed his crown, were furious that those who had shown naught but +incapacity from the commencement of the campaign should now refuse +to recognize his authority. While the disputes continued Berwick +had nearly succeeded in surprising Galway, and a disastrous defeat +had only been prevented by the gallant defense made by Lord Tyrawley +of an outpost which he commanded, and which he held for two hours +against all the efforts of the French, and so gave time for the +army to make a hasty retreat. + +The army was, moreover, straitened by want of provisions; Lord +Galway and his colleagues had made no arrangements whatever for +its supply. Day and night the German favorites of the king, who +had ruined their master's cause by dissuading him from following +the advice of Lord Peterborough, now labored with the king still +further to destroy his confidence in Peterborough; and finding himself +treated coldly by the ungrateful monarch, who owed everything to +him, opposed at every turn by the other generals, and seeing that +his presence was worse than useless, Peterborough announced his +intention of obeying the orders from Queen Anne, dated the 12th +of June, and repeated on the 17th, to proceed to the assistance of +the Duke of Savoy. + +On the same evening a council of war was held. The king formally +laid Peterborough's announcement before the generals, who, delighted +to get rid of their rival, unanimously recommended that he should +depart. + +On the 11th of August, full of mortification and disgust at +the treatment that he had experienced and the base ingratitude of +the king, Peterborough rode from the camp at Guadalaxara. As if +to humiliate him as far as possible, he was given only an escort +of eighty dragoons, although there were serious difficulties to +be encountered on the road to Valencia. His two favorite aides de +camp, Stilwell and Graham, were the only officers who accompanied +him. It is satisfactory to know that from the moment of the earl's +departure misfortune and disaster fell upon the fortunes of King +Charles, and that the crown which he had received from the English +earl was wrested from his unworthy grasp. Peterborough had gone +but a short distance when he heard that all his baggage, consisting +of eight wagon loads and of the value of eight thousand pounds +sterling, had fallen into the hands of the enemy. When he left +Valencia to extricate the king from his difficulties he had ordered +it to be sent after him to Guadalaxara. When it arrived at Cuenca, +General Wyndham, who commanded there, forwarded it with a small +escort; but it was attacked while passing through the town of Huete +by a party of the Duke of Berwick's troopers. + +The earl was furious at the news. Not only were all his personal +effects, jewels, and uniforms lost, but his spare horses, carriages, +and mules. Upon making inquiry he found that the troopers of +Berwick had been aided by the inhabitants of Huete, who had given +information to the troopers and shared in the plunder. His first +impulse was to burn the town to the ground, and as when he arrived +there he was joined by Wyndham's force, he had ample power to do +so. + +He immediately summoned the magistrates and clergy to meet him, +and told them in decided terms that they must find his baggage and +the rogues that had stolen it. After making a search in the town +they were able to find but a small portion of it. They then offered +to pay him ten thousand pistoles for his loss, or any other sum +which he might choose to name; but the earl, with that singular +generosity which formed so marked a part of his character, declined +the offer, and said: + +"I see you are honest gentlemen; for my part I will sit content +with my loss if you will bring all the corn of the district to the +army." + +The townspeople were delighted at this clemency, as corn was much +more easy to procure than money, and it was accordingly sent to +Lord Galway's camp, where it sufficed to supply the whole army for +six weeks. + +This was an act of almost unparalleled magnanimity and generosity +to the generals whose jealousy and machinations had driven him from +the army; but the earl was so satisfied at thus heaping coals of +fire upon the heads of his rivals that he continued his journey +in the highest state of good humor in spite of the loss which he +had suffered, and which, as he was by no means rich, was a very +considerable one. He took with him Killigrew's dragoons and sent +on Wyndham's brigade to join Lord Galway. On the way he encountered +several adventures. + +One night when he arrived at the little town of Campillo, he heard +of a barbarous massacre that had that day been perpetrated in a +neighboring village upon a small detachment of English soldiers, +who had just been discharged from the hospital at Cuenca, and +were proceeding under the command of an officer to join Wyndham's +battalion of the guards, to which they belonged. They had slept +at the village, and were marching out unconscious of danger, when +a shot in the back killed their officer, and the peasants at once +rushed in upon the men and killed several of them, together with +their wives who had accompanied them. The rest were dragged up a +hill near the village, and then one by one thrown down a deep pit. + +No sooner did the earl hear of the outrage than he ordered the +trumpets to sound to horse. The dragoons, who, weary with their long +march, had just unsaddled, turned out wondering at the order; but +when they heard what had happened, they mounted with an impatience +for vengeance equal to that of their general. Arriving at the village +they found, to their great disappointment, that the murderers had +fled, and that hardly any of the inhabitants remained. They found, +however, hidden in the church, the clothes of some of the murdered +guardsmen. The sacristan of the church was alleged by the inhabitants, +who were narrowly examined, to have taken an active part in the +slaughter, and the earl ordered him to be hung up at once to the +knocker of his own door. The troops then rode up to the top of the +hill, and the earl and his aides de camp dismounted at the edge +of the pit. They had procured a rope at the village, although the +inhabitants insisted that no one could be found alive, as the pit, +which was a disused one, was of vast depth. + +"Is any one alive down there?" the earl shouted. + +"Yes, yes," a voice cried a short distance below them. "Thank God +friends have come; but help me quickly, for I cannot hold on much +longer." + +Jack seized the rope and twisted one end round his body. Several +of the soldiers lowered him down, and some twenty feet below the +edge he came upon the man who had spoken. As he fell he had caught +some bushes which grew in the side of the old pit, and having +managed to find a ledge on which to place his feet, had maintained +his grasp in this perilous position the whole day. As the rope was +amply strong enough to hold two, Jack clasped his arms around the +man's body and called to those above to haul up. They were soon at +the surface. + +The soldier, who had fainted when he found himself in safety, +was laid down and brandy poured down his throat, and Jack, to his +astonishment and satisfaction, recognized in him his old friend +Sergeant Edwards. He did not wait, however, for him to recover +sensibility, but at once told the troopers to lower him again to +the end of the rope. This they did, and Jack then shouted several +times, but received no answer. He then dropped a small stone he +had brought down with him, but no sound came back in return, and, +satisfied that none of the soldiers could have survived the fall, +for he was already more than sixty feet below the surface, he +shouted to those above to draw him up. He found that Edwards had +now recovered his senses, and was giving to the earl a detailed +account of the massacre, which so exasperated him that he gave +orders that the village should be burned to the ground, a command +which was willingly carried out by the troopers. Edwards was +delighted at recognizing Jack, and when, after the destruction of +the village, the party rode back to Campillo for the night, the +two old friends had a long chat as to the events which had happened +since they last parted at Barcelona. + +"Is it true, sir, that the general has resigned his command?" + +"Quite true, Edwards." + +"And is he going home, sir?" + +"No; he will sail to aid the Duke of Savoy; at least that is the +present intention; but I should not be surprised if he is in England +ere many months are over." + +"Well, sir, I should like to get my discharge and go home too; being +chucked down that pit has given me a regular sickness of campaigning +among these savages. Talk about pirates, Captain Stilwell, why, I +had rather fall among pirates any day than among these bloodthirsty +wretches. Calls themselves Christians too! The pirates wasn't +hypocrites, in that way, anyhow; they didn't bow down on their +knees before every little trumpery doll stuck up by the wayside, +and then go and cut a man's throat afterward--it was all fair +and square with them. Anyways, it don't matter to me, as I see, +whether they has King Charles or King Philip to rule over them; +I wishes him joy of the job, whichever it may be; but I don't see +no call to be risking my life in being shot, or chucked down pits, +or stabbed in my bed, for such a lot of varmint any longer. I have +served my full time, and can take my pension; besides, I have got +something like a thousand pounds stowed away in a snug hiding place +near Barcelona." + +"You have, Edwards? I am glad to hear it; I had no idea you were +such a rich man," + +"It's prize money, sir, lawful earned prize money, though I don't +know between ourselves as the colonel would have approved of it; +so I stowed it away and says nothing till I gets a chance to lift +it before I set sail. It's been rather worrying me in case we should +be ordered to take ship at some other port." + +"Well, but how did you get it, Edwards?" + +"Well, sir, I know that I can tell you, 'cause I am sure it won't +go no further. Just afore the French came down to besiege Barcelona +I was up with the brigade at Lerida. The people were pretty much +divided up there, but the news as the French was coming to drive +us into the sea made the folks as was against us very bold. The +sentries had to be doubled at night, for lots of our men were found +stabbed, and it was dangerous to go about outside the town except +in parties. Well, sir, Sergeant Adams of ours, as smart a soldier +as ever wore pigtail, had fallen in love with the daughter of an +innkeeper at a place four miles from Lerida. + +"It wasn't much of a village, but there was a big convent close by, +one of the richest in Spain, they said. The girl was fond of Adams, +and had agreed, so he told me, to cut and run when the regiment +marched away, and to be spliced to him. I rather tried to dissuade +him from the affair, for, as I pointed out, how would a Spanish +woman get on in barracks with the other sergeants' wives, specially +if she was as pretty as the whole lot put together? However, of +course, he wouldn't listen to that--no chap ever does when he's +downright in love; so he asked me one afternoon if I would go out +with him and Sergeant Saunders to the village, so that while we +were having our glass he could manage to get a few words with the +girl to arrange about her joining him, for the French were only +two or three marches away, and we might have to fall back any day. + +"I didn't much like the job, for it was a risky business three of +us going so far; but he pointed out that we needn't start till it +got dark, so nobody would see us till we got to the village, and +we needn't stay there above a quarter of an hour, and could be +off before any one who meant mischief could find out that we were +alone; besides, hitherto the people there had always been friendly, +for, being just the right distance for a walk, and the wine there +being good, our fellows went over there a good deal: so the long +and short of it was we went. + +"We got there all right, and walked into the wine shop as usual +and sat down and called for wine. There were half a dozen fellows +sitting there drinking. They were talking aloud when we entered, +but stopped at once as we came in, and looked as men do when you +come across them just as they are saying something as is no good +about you. We passed the word as usual, and were soon chatting with +them. They didn't seem very free and friendly, and asked several +questions about the French army, and whether we had any troops coming +up to help us hold Lerida. I said we expected five or six thousand +in a day or two, which seemed rather to take them by surprise. + +"Well, presently Adams got up quietly and went out of the door, +and I knew he was going round to the back to meet his girl. I had +seen a look pass atween them when she brought in our wine. We went +on talking quiet for some time; four or five other men dropped in, +and some of them got talking together in low tones, and I began to +wish we were well out of it, and to wonder how much longer Adams was +going to be before he came back. Suddenly we heard a loud scream, +and Manola--that was the girl's name--came rushing in from +behind. 'He's killed him,' she screamed, and she fell down as if +she had been killed too. As I heard afterward, her old rascal of +a father had for some time suspected something was up between her +and Adams, and when he missed him had stolen out behind and came +upon them just as he was kissing her and saying goodby. Then he +whipped his knife out, and before Adams had time to turn round, +stabbed him in the back, and the sergeant fell dead without a word. + +"Close behind the girl rushed in the innkeeper, swearing and +cursing and calling us heretics, and dogs, and robbers, and every +other bad kind of name. The men got up and began to stamp and shout, +and seeing that it was no time for argument I said to Saunders, +'We had best make a bolt of it, Bill.' So we out swords and made a +dash for the inner door, for they had closed in at the other with +their knives out. We got safely through the house. Just outside +the back door we came upon the body of Adams. We stopped a moment +and turned him over to see if he was dead, but it was all up with +him. + +"It didn't take a moment to look; but, before it was done, they were +upon us, both from behind and running round from the front of the +house. We cut and slashed for a moment and then bolted with them +at our heels. We got separated in a minute. I turned in among some +bushes and lost Saunders. I heard afterward he was killed before +he had run fifty yards. Luckily they missed me for the moment, and +I lay down among the bushes and thought it over. The whole village +was up by this time, as I could hear by the shouts; and after +thinking it over I concluded that there was no chance of my making +my way back to Lerida, and that my best plan would be to go up to +the convent and ask for shelter there. I knew well enough that once +inside I should be safe from the peasants. + +"Well, I crawled along for some distance. Half a dozen times they +was nigh stumbling over me as they searched about in the gardens +and vineyards; but at last I made my way safe up to the convent and +rang at the bell. Presently the little window in the door opened, +and a monk said, 'Who is there?' I kept out of his sight and said +in Spanish: 'A fugitive who seeks sanctuary.' Thinking I was only +somebody who had stabbed three or four men in a row, the monk opened +the door. He gave an exclamation when he saw my uniform when I +entered, and would have slammed the door in my face; but I pushed +in. Then he gave a shout, and five or six other monks came running +up and set up a jabbering, and stood staring at me as if I had +been a wild beast. Then they wanted to turn me out; but I wouldn't +budge, and as I had my sword still in my hand they didn't know what +to do. + +"At last some chap in authority came down. He talked to me and tried +to persuade me to leave; but I said, 'No, I claim sanctuary;' and +as they were ready to give sanctuary to the worst of murderers, I +didn't see as they could deny it to me who had committed no crime +whatever. He went away and came back again after some time, and +then told me to sheath my sword and follow him. This I did, and he +led the way to a sort of cell where there were some rushes laid on +a stone bed, and told me that I could remain there. + +"Thinking it was all right I lay down and went to sleep, but was +presently woke by half a dozen monks, who were tying my hands and +feet with cords. It was no use struggling, so I lay quiet; and +when they had done, they carried me away, took me some distance, +and went down a flight of stairs; a door was unlocked, and then I +was pitched down on the ground as if I had been a log of wood. I +didn't move much that night. + +"In the morning there was just enough light came through a little +slit high up in the wall to show me that I was in a place about +six feet square. It was perfectly bare, without as much as a bit +of straw to lie on. Presently two monks came in. One of them untied +the cords which fastened my hands. They placed some black bread and +a jug of water by me, and then went out again. There they kept me +for six days. At the end of that time they told me to come along +with them. I had, of course, taken the cords off my legs when I had +got my hands free, and I followed them, wondering what was to come +next. I was taken to the door of the convent, and there I saw +a party of French troopers, to whom the monks handed me over. I +mounted behind one of them, and was taken to Marshal Tesse's camp +near Lerida, and a couple of days afterward sent back to Saragossa. + +"I didn't stop long in the prison there, for the next day the people +rose, turned the French from the citadel, and opened the prison +doors and let out all the prisoners. They made a good deal of me, +as I was the only Englishman there, supplied me with money and +clean clothes, and provided me with a guide and a mule to take me +by round about byroads so that I should avoid the French army. I +put my regimentals in a bag, which I carried behind me, and at last +got down to Barcelona the very day before the French arrived there. + +"I found my regiment already there. I got a rare blowing up from +the colonel for having gone out from Lerida without leave; but as +he said he thought I had been punished enough already, and bore a +good character, he overlooked it, of which I was glad enough, I can +tell you, for I expected nothing less than reduction to the ranks. + +"Well, after Lord Peterborough arrived with the fleet, and the +French bolted as hard as they could to France, Wyndham's brigade +went up again to Lerida. I got chatting the affair over with Jack +Thompson, who was General Wyndham's servant, and we agreed between +us that we would give those monks a fright, and perhaps get some +compensation out of them. So we got hold of four of Killigrew's +dragoons, who, when they heard what was wanted, was ready enough +for the spree. So one day when General Wyndham had gone off with +a party for the day, Thompson borrowed his hat and plumes and his +cloak, and hiding them up, went out of camp with me to a place +a quarter of a mile away, where the four troopers with two spare +horses were waiting for us. Thompson put on the general's hat and +cloak, and mounted one horse, while I got on the other, and away +we rode out to the village. + +"First of all we went to the inn and seized the innkeeper. Manola +wasn't there, and I never heard what became of her--whether +her father had sent her to a convent or killed her, I don't know. +However, we held a court regular. Thompson he was the judge, and I +gave evidence as to the innkeeper having murdered poor Adams, and +Thompson sentenced him to death, and we hung him up over his door. +When we had set that job right we went to the convent and rang the +bell. They opened quick enough this time. + +"'Tell the prior,' Thompson said, 'that the Earl of Peterborough +is here, and desires to see him instantly.' + +"Mighty frightened the monk looked, I can tell you, as he went off +to give the message, and came back in a minute, asking Thompson to +follow him. We all dismounted. Two of the troopers stopped to look +after the horses, and the others with drawn swords followed Thompson +and me. We were shown into the prior's room, which was fit for a +prince. The prior looked mighty pale, and so did two or three other +chaps who were with him. + +"'Look here,' Thompson said in an angry tone of voice, 'I am the +Earl of Peterborough, and I hear from this man, Sergeant Edwards, +of the king's regiment of grenadiers, that he was basely and +treacherously made a prisoner by you; that he was confined in an +underground cell and fed with bread and water for a week, and then +handed over to the French. Now, sir, I give you an hour to clear +out with all your gang from this convent, which I intend to destroy. +You will remain in the courtyard as prisoners. You will then be +tried for this treacherous act against one of the King of England's +guards, and all found to have had a hand in the proceeding will be +hung.' + +"Well, sir, yon may just guess the fright they were in. They knew +that the earl was just the sort of man to carry his threat into +execution, and they thought their last day was come. You never saw +such a set of cowardly wretches in your life. I am blessed if they +didn't go down on their knees and howl. At last Thompson began to +think he had worked them up enough, and he said stern: + +"'Well, I am disposed to have mercy, and if in half an hour you pay +down the sum of five thousand pounds as a ransom for the convent +and your wretched lives I will be merciful.' + +"Then there was a fresh howling. They swore by all the saints that +such a sum as five thousand pounds was never heard of. Thompson +gradually dropped his demands to three thousand; still they swore +they hadn't got it, and he said sternly to one of the troopers: + +"'Ride back and fetch up the regiment which is a mile outside the +village.' + +"Then there was more howling, and at last they offered to give +seven hundred pounds, which was all the money which they had in +the treasury, and to make it up in precious stones. After a deal +of haggling Thompson consented, and I believe if he had stood out +for three times as much he would have got it, for the convent was +rich in relics, and no end of precious offerings were stored away +in their chests; however, he didn't wish to push matters too far, +and in half an hour they brought the money, and a handful of diamonds +and rubies, and things they had picked out of their settings in +the vases and crucifixes and vestments, and what not. + +"We didn't know if they were real or not; but Thompson told them +he should give them to a jeweler to value, and if he found they +had cheated him by giving him false stones he would come back and +hang the lot of them. So off we rode again. + +"When we got back to Lerida we took two or three of the stones to +a jeweler and found that they were all right. Then we divided the +swag into three parts as we had agreed. Thompson took one, I took +another, and the other was divided among the four troopers, who +were not running such a risk as we were. I never heard anything +more about the matter, as far as I was concerned, though there +was a row. The prior heard that Peterborough had never been near +Lerida, and came over and saw General Wyndham. + +"Killigrew's dragoons were paraded, but the prior couldn't spot any +of them. We had chosen four fair fellows, and they had all darkened +themselves a bit before they went. Luckily the prior did not say +anything about me. I expect he was afraid that when Wyndham heard +how I had been treated there he might have inflicted a fresh fine +on the convent; however, I was not there at the time, for I had +a touch of fever the day after the affair, and made myself out a +bit worse than I was, and so got sent down to Barcelona, where I +buried my share of the plunder four or five inches deep in a corner +of the hospital yard. As to Thompson, there wasn't any reason why +suspicion should fall upon him. Soon after I got back to my regiment +I got ill again and was left in a hospital at Cuenca, and had a +narrow escape of it this morning." + +"It was a risky business," Jack said, "and it would have gone very +hard with you and Thompson if you had been found out." + +"So it would, sir. I knew that; but you see, it was only right and +just those fellows should pay for their treatment of me. If I had +laid the case before General Wyndham, no doubt he would have punished +them just as severe as I did, only the fine would have gone into +the army treasury, instead of going to the right person." + +"I am afraid, Edwards, that you have not got rid of those loose +notions of morality you picked up among the pirates," Jack said, +smiling. + +"Perhaps not, Captain Stilwell. You see, bad habits stick to a man; +but I have done with them now. When I get back to England I shall +buy a snug public house at Dover, and with that and my pension I +shall be in clover for the rest of my life." + +It was not until the voyage home that Jack, after obtaining a +promise of secrecy, related to the earl the liberty which had been +taken with his name. It was just a freak after Peterborough's heart, +and he was immensely amused. + +"The rascals!" he said, "they deserved hanging, every one of them; +but the story is a capital one, and I should like to have been there +myself to have seen the fright of the prior and his assistants. They +richly deserved what befell them and more for betraying sanctuary. +If it had been a scoundrel who had cut his wife's throat, and +stabbed half a dozen men, they would have refused to give him up +to the civil power, and would have stood on the rights of sanctuary +of the Church. I think they were let off very easily. Let me see, +is not that the same fellow that I exchanged into the grenadiers +at Gibraltar at your request, for his conduct in that business of +the mutiny on board your ship?" + +"The same man, sir. He has led a queer life. He was a sailor +originally, and was taken by pirates and forced to join them, and +had a narrow escape of being hung when the vessel he sailed in was +captured by an English cruiser; but his life was spared, and he was +drafted into the army, and he is a willing and faithful soldier of +the queen, and really a worthy fellow." + +"He is evidently an arrant old scamp, Stilwell. Still, as long as +we recruit our army as we do, we cannot look for morality as well +as bravery, and I dare say your fellow is no worse than the rest. +If you ever run against him in London you must bring him to me, +and I will hear his story from his own lips." + + + +CHAPTER XVII: HOME + + +Upon the arrival of the Earl of Peterborough at Valencia he was +received with the profoundest sympathy and respect by the people, +who were filled with indignation at the treatment which the man whose +daring and genius had freed Catalonia and Valencia of the French had +received at the hands of their ungrateful monarch. Finding that a +portion of the fleet had been ordered to the West Indies, the earl +was obliged to abandon his project of capturing Minorca and then +carrying substantial aid to the Duke of Savoy. He, however, went +to Genoa, and there borrowed a hundred thousand pounds, which he +brought back to Valencia and sent to the king for the use of the +army. + +The cause of Charles was already well nigh desperate. Castile was +lost, and the enemy were pressing forward to recover Catalonia and +Valencia. Affairs were in the utmost state of confusion. Peterborough's +rivals having got rid of him now quarreled among themselves, or +their only bond of union was their mutual hatred of the earl. + +The king himself, while he pretended to flatter him, wrote letters +behind his back to England bringing all sorts of accusations against +him, and succeeded in obtaining an order for his return. Before +leaving he implored the king and his generals to avoid a battle, +which would probably be disastrous, and to content themselves with +a defensive war until Eugene of Savoy and the Duke of Marlborough +broke the power of France elsewhere. His opinion was overruled, +and the result was the disastrous battle of Almanza, in which the +hopes of Charles of Austria of obtaining the crown of Spain were +finally crushed. + +Peterborough embarked on the 14th of May on board the Resolution, +man of war, commanded by his second son Henry. + +The Resolution was accompanied by two frigates, the Enterprise and +the Milford Haven. The King of Spain's envoy to the court of Savoy +also sailed in the Resolution. The earl took with him his two aides +de camp, who were both too indignant at the treatment which their +chief had received to desire to remain with the army in Spain. The +little squadron sailed first for Barcelona, where it only remained +a few hours, and then set sail for Italy. + +On the fifth day at sea they fell in with a French fleet of six +men of war. Two carried eighty guns, two seventy, one sixty-eight, +and the other fifty-eight. The Resolution was a slow sailer, +and the French, who at once gave chase, gained rapidly upon her. +As resistance against such overwhelming odds seemed hopeless, +Peterborough determined to go with the Spanish envoy and the state +papers on board the Enterprise. There was little time for reflection. +A small boat was lowered, and the earl, with a hasty adieu to his +son, Jack, and Graham, descended the ship's side with the Spanish +envoy and rowed away to the Enterprise. + +"We are fated to see the inside of a French prison, after all," +Jack said to Graham. + +"I don't know, Stilwell. We have both been in their hands once, +and did not stay there long. I can hardly believe that our luck's +going to desert us at last." + +"I don't see much chance of our escape this time, Graham. Six +ships against one are too great odds even for English sailors. The +smallest of them carries as many guns as we do, and once a prisoner +on board a ship there is no slipping away." + +"We are not prisoners yet, Jack, and I don't think that Mordaunt +will strike his flag without a struggle, though they are six to +one. He is just his father over again as far as courage goes." + +"Well, I hope, anyhow, the earl will get away," Jack said. "If it +hadn't been for all those state papers he is burdened with I am +sure he would have stuck to the Resolution and fought it out. It +would be just the kind of desperate adventure to suit him. See, +he has reached the Enterprise, and she and the Milford Haven are +spreading every sail; but although they will leave us behind I +question whether they will outsail the French. They are coming up +fast." + +"It will soon be dark," Graham said, "and they may be able to slip +away. You may be sure the French will attend to us first, as being +the most valuable prize." + +"Well, gentlemen," Captain Mordaunt said, coming up to them, "you +are going to have a piece of new experience. I know you have been +through some apparently hopeless conflicts on land with my father, +but I don't think you have ever seen a sea fight." + +"Are you going to fight them all, sir?" Jack asked. + +"I am going to try," the captain said. "My orders were to go to +Leghorn, and to Leghorn I mean to go if the ship floats; but I tell +you honestly I do not think there is much chance of our getting +there. Still, as long as the ship floats, the British flag will +float over her." + +"Is there anything we can do, sir?" Jack asked. "We shall be happy +to serve as volunteers in any capacity in which you think we may +be useful." + +"Until it comes to boarding I fear that you cannot help," the +captain said, "except by walking about between decks and cheering +and inspiriting the men. The presence of officers looking cool and +confident among them always does good. If the enemy try to board +us you shall fight by my side." + +The two fastest sailing French vessels were so close when night +fell that it was hopeless to try to evade them either by changing +the ship's course or by lowering the sails. At ten o'clock they +were less than a mile astern, one on either quarter. The ship had +long since been ready for action, and the men were now called to +the guns; but the enemy did not open fire, but could, by the night +glasses, be seen somewhat to shorten sail so as to keep about the +same distance behind the Resolution. + +"Cowardly dogs," the young captain said, "they do not mean to fight +until the whole of their consorts come up. However, we ought not +to grumble, as every hour takes us so much nearer port." + +He then ordered the men to lie down by the guns and get what sleep +they could until the enemy opened fire. Jack and Graham, finding +that there was nothing to be done, threw themselves into their +hammocks, and slept till five o'clock in the morning. They were +then aroused, and went on deck. The six French ships had now all +come up, and were coming on in a body. + +"Good morning, gentlemen," the young captain said gayly. "We have +a fine morning for our amusement. I wish the wind would freshen +a little more so as to take this lubberly old ship faster through +the water." + +At six o'clock the leading vessel of the French squadron opened +fire, and at the signal her consorts all followed her example. Some +of them were now almost abreast of the Resolution, and the iron +shower tore through her sails and cut her rigging. She answered with +a broadside from both sides, and the battle commenced in earnest. + +In all the annals of British seamanship there is no more heroic +story than that of the fight between the Resolution and the six +French men of war. From six in the morning until half past three +in the afternoon she maintained the unequal contest, still keeping +on under full sail toward her port, only yawing occasionally to pour +a broadside into one or other of her foes. They were now running +along the coast, and the peasants on the distant hills must have +watched with astonishment the unequal fight as the vessels pressed +on past them. By half past three the Resolution was little more +than a wreck. Her sails were riddled with holes, many of her spars +shot away, her sides ragged and torn, and many of her crew killed, +but the remainder of the crew still fought their guns unflinchingly. + +"We can do no more," Captain Mordaunt said to Jack. "The carpenter +has just reported that the mainmast is so seriously injured that +at any moment it may go over the side. It is impossible to hope +any longer to reach Leghorn, but my ship I am determined they shall +not have." + +So saying, he gave orders to the first lieutenant, and the vessel's +head was suddenly turned straight toward the shore. The French, +astonished at so desperate a course, did not venture to follow her, +and the Resolution threaded her way through the dangerous reefs +till at last she brought up with a sudden crash which sent her +tottering mainmast over the side. + +The French advanced cautiously until nearing the reefs, and +then opened a distant fire, which the Resolution did not return. +The captain ordered the exhausted crew from their guns, a strong +allowance of grog was served out, and after a meal the men felt +again ready for work. Jack and his companion were at dinner with +the captain, when the officer in charge of the deck reported that +the French ships were lowering their boats. + +"Let the men rest as long as possible, Mr. Darwin, but when you +see the boats fairly on their way toward us beat to quarters." + +A few minutes later the roll of the drums was heard. "Now, gentlemen, +we will go on deck," the captain said, "since they will not let +us alone. But if their ships could not take us I do not think that +their boats will have much chance." + +Dusk was closing in when they went on deck and saw all the boats +of the six French men of war, crowded with men, rowing in a line +toward them. The captain gave the order for the men to load with +grape. As soon as the French flotilla came well within range the +word was given, and a storm of balls swept their line. + +Several of the boats were sunk at once, the others paused to pick +up their comrades from the water, and then again dashed forward; +but by this time the guns were again loaded, and the hail of iron +again crashed into them. With splendid bravery the French still +advanced until close to the ship. Then Captain Mordaunt ordered +all the lower deck guns to be run in and the ports closed, and the +crew to come on deck. While some worked the upper guns, others kept +up a heavy fire of musketry upon the boats, which swarmed round +the ship. + +Again and again the French made determined efforts to board, but +they were unable to climb the lofty sides of the ship. At length, +after suffering terrible loss, the French sailors gave up the attempt +and rowed sullenly off to their ships, covered by the darkness +from the English fire. Captain Mordaunt took off his cap and gave +the signal, and a hearty cheer arose from the crew. The night passed +quietly, the terribly diminished crew lay down as they stood by the +guns, in readiness to repel another attack, should it be attempted. +The next morning one of the French eighty gun ships got under way, +and, with merely a rag of canvas shown, and her boats rowing ahead +and sounding to find a channel through the reefs, gradually made +her way toward the Resolution. + +"Well, gentlemen," the captain said, "I think you will agree with +me that nothing further can be done. The ship is already half full +of water, the magazine is flooded, and the whole of the powder +wetted. The ship is a wreck, and I should be only throwing away +the men's lives uselessly by attempting further resistance." + +The officers thoroughly agreed, and with the greatest coolness the +captain gave his orders for the abandonment of the vessel. Although +the French man of war had now opened fire, all the wounded, the +whole of the crew, the flags, papers, and everything of value were +placed in the boats, and the vessel was then set on fire in a dozen +places. + +After superintending everything personally, and making sure that +the fire had obtained such a hold that it could not be extinguished, +Captain Mordaunt ordered the officers to descend into the boats. +Just as he was about to leave the deck himself, the last man on +board the ship, a cannon shot from the French man of war struck +him in the leg. The officers ran back and raised him from the deck. + +"It might have been worse," he said cheerfully. "Now, gentlemen, +will you carry me down and place me in my gig, and then take your +boats as arranged? Be careful, as you row toward shore, to keep +the Resolution between you and the Frenchman's guns." + +Everything was done steadily and in order, and the survivors of +the crew of the Resolution reached the shore without further loss. +The Resolution was now in a blaze from end to end, and by eleven +o'clock she was burned to the water's edge. Mordaunt and his crew +were kindly received by the people of the country. As the captain +himself would not be able to move for some time, Jack and Graham +said adieu to him and posted to Turin, where the earl had told them +that he should go direct from Leghorn. + +They arrived before him, but twenty-four hours after they had reached +the capital of Savoy the earl arrived. He had already heard rumors +of the desperate fight between the Resolution and the enemy, and +that his son had been wounded. His aides de camp were now able to +assure him that, although serious, Captain Mordaunt's wounds were +not likely to be fatal, and Peterborough was delighted with the +narrative of the gallant achievement of his son. Shortly afterward +an imperative order for his return reaching the earl, he set out +for England through Germany with his two aides de camp. Peterborough +was suffering from illness caused by the immense exertions he had +made through the campaign, and traveled but slowly. He visited +many of the German courts, and went for a few days to the camp of +Charles of Sweden in Saxony. + +After this, by special invitation, he journeyed to the camp of the +Duke of Marlborough at Genappes, where he was received with much +honor by the great commander. He presented to him his two aides de +camp. + +"They have, my lord duke," he said, "been my faithful friends +throughout the whole campaign in Spain, they have shared all my +dangers, and any credit I may have gained is due in no small degree +to their zeal and activity. It is unlikely that I shall again +command an army in the field, and therefore I would recommend them +to you. They will accompany me to England, for they, too, need +a rest, after their exertions; after that I trust that they may +be sent out to fight under your orders, and I trust that you will +keep them in your eye, and will give them the advantage of your +protection and favor." + +The duke promised to do so, and, after a few days' stay in the +camp, the earl with his two followers started for England, where he +arrived on the 20th of August, 1707, nearly two years to a day from +the date when he had appeared, with a force under his command, before +Barcelona. But the campaign itself, so far as he was concerned, had +lasted less than a year, as it was in August, 1706, that he rode +into Valencia, after having been deprived of his command. + +In that year he exhibited military qualities which have never been +surpassed. Daring to the point of extreme rashness where there +was a possibility of success, he was prudent and cautious in the +extreme when prudence was more necessary than daring. With absurdly +insufficient means he all but conquered Spain for Charles of Austria, +and would have succeeded in doing so altogether had he not, from +first to last, been thwarted and hampered by jealousy, malignity, +stupidity, and irresolution on the part of the king, his courtiers, +and the generals who should have been the earl's assistants, but +who were his rivals, detractors, and enemies. + +It must be owned that Peterborough owed this opposition in some +degree to himself. He was impatient of fools, and took no pains to +conceal his contempt and dislike for those whose intellects were +inferior to his own. His independence of spirit and eccentricity +of manner set the formal German and Spanish advisers of the king +against him, and although adored by the officers and men who served +under him, he made almost every man of rank approaching his own who +came in contact with him his personal enemy. Among the bulk of the +Spanish people of the provinces in which he warred he was beloved +as well as admired, and even to this day legends of the brilliant +and indefatigable English general are still current among the +people of Catalonia and Valencia. No man ever served the cause to +which he devoted himself with greater zeal and sincerity. He was +lavish of his own private means in its interest, and, even when his +advice and opinion were most slighted, he was ready to sacrifice +himself, his rank, and dignity to the good of the cause. Had he had +the good fortune to command an army of his own countrymen unfettered +by others, it is probable that he would have gained a renown equal +to that of the greatest commanders the world has known. + +The great services which he had rendered were warmly felt +and acknowledged by the people of England on his return, and the +attempts of his enemies to undermine his reputation were confuted +by the papers which he brought back with him. For a time Peterborough +took a considerable part in politics, and his acrimony in debate +so enraged his enemies that his conduct during the war in Spain was +called into question. A debate on the subject took place. In this +he successfully defended himself from the attacks made against him, +and a formal vote of thanks to him was passed. + +Some years afterward he retired altogether from public life, and +privately married Miss Anastasia Robinson, his first wife having +died many years before. Miss Robinson was a singer of the highest +repute, of the most amiable character, and kindest disposition. +There was no reason why the match should not have been publicly +acknowledged, as the lady was held in universal esteem; but, with +his usual eccentricity, the earl insisted on the marriage being +kept a secret, and did not announce it until on his death bed +in the year 1735. Lady Peterborough lived in profound retirement, +universally beloved and honored, to the age of eighty-eight. + +Upon arriving in London Jack stayed for a few days with his friend +Graham, whose family lived there. The earl had told the young +officer that he would introduce them to the queen, but, on their +calling by appointment on him at his hotel on the third day after +their arrival in town, Peterborough said: + +"You had best go about your own business for a time; the queen is +out of temper. The ears of ministers have been poisoned by lying +letters from my enemies in Spain, but it will all come right in +time. As you know, I have papers which will clear me of every charge +that their malignity may invent. When I am in favor again I will +let you know, and will present you to the queen and minister of +war; at any rate, you will like a rest at home before you set out +for the Netherlands, so there will be plenty of time." + +The next day Jack took his place on the coach for Southampton. He +arrived there after fourteen hours' journey, and put up at a hotel +for the night. The next morning he dressed himself with greater +care than usual, and started for the well remembered shop in the +High Street. He knocked at the private door, and inquired if Mistress +Anthony were in. + +"Will you say that a gentleman whom she knows wishes to speak to +her?" + +Jack was shown into the parlor, and in a minute or two Mrs. Anthony +appeared, looking a little flustered at hearing that a grand looking +officer wished to see her. Jack advanced toward her with a smile. + +"Why, Jack!" she exclaimed with a scream of delight, "is it you?" +and the good woman threw her arms round his neck and kissed him as +if he had been her own son. + +"Of course we got your letters," she said, "telling us how you had +been made an officer and then a captain. The last letter we had +from you was from Italy; telling us about that great sea fight, +and that you were coming home, but that's eight months ago. We knew +you were with my Lord Peterborough, and we saw in the Intelligencer +about his being in Germany, and last week they said he had come +home. We were talking about you only yesterday, and wondering +whether you would come down to see us, and whether you would know +us now you had grown such a fine gentleman, and being written about +in Lord Peterborough's dispatches, and accustomed to all sorts of +grand society." + +"You knew I would," Jack said; "why, where should I go if not here? +And Alice is quite well, I hope, and grown quite a woman." + +"Not quite a woman yet, Jack, but getting on." She opened the door +and called Alice, and in a minute the girl ran down. Her mother +saw that she had guessed who the caller was, for she had smoothed +her hair and put on a bright ribbon which her mother had not seen +for three years, and which Jack himself had given her. She paused +a moment shyly at the door, for this young officer, in all the +glories of the staff uniform, was a very grand figure in her eyes. + +"How do you do, Cousin Jack?" she said, coming forward, with a +bright color and outstretched hand. + +"How are you, Cousin Alice?" Jack said, mimicking her tone; "why, +you little goose," he exclaimed, catching her in his arms and +kissing her, "you don't suppose I am going to be satisfied with +shaking your hand after being nearly three years away." + +"Oh, but you are so big, Jack, and so grand, it seems different +altogether." + +"You are bigger than you were, Alice, but it does not seem in the +least different to me." + +"Well, I thought you would be quite changed, Jack, and quite +different, now you are a captain, and famous, and all that, and +you have seen so many grand ladies in all the countries you have +traveled that--that--" And she hesitated. + +"Well, go on," Jack said gravely. + +"Well, then, that you would have forgotten all about me." + +"Then you are a very bad little girl, Alice, and not half so good +as I thought you were, for you must have a very bad opinion of me, +indeed, if you thought all that of me." + +"I don't think I quite thought so, Jack. Well, I told myself it +was only natural it should be so." + +"We will argue that out presently," Jack said; "and now, where is +Mr. Anthony?" + +"I will call him, Jack," Mrs. Anthony said. "You have no ill +feeling, I hope, toward him, for you know he really has been very +sorry about the part he took in getting you away, and has blamed +himself over and over again." + +"I never have had," Jack said; "it has been the best thing that ever +happened to me. If I had had my own way I should still be working +before the mast instead of being a captain in the army." + +Mr. Anthony was soon called in from the store. At first he was a +little awkward and shy, but Jack's heartiness soon put him at his +ease. + +Jack stayed a fortnight at Southampton, and then, on the receipt +of a letter from the Earl of Peterborough, went up to town, where +he was presented to the queen and afterward to the minister of war +by the earl. + +A week later he and Graham sailed for the Netherlands and joined +the army of the Duke of Marlborough, and served under that great +commander until, three years later, the war was brought to a +conclusion. They were attached to the staff of one of the generals +of division. + +The duke kept his promise to the Earl of Peterborough, and kept +his eye on the young officers. Both distinguished themselves in the +hard fought battles in Belgium, and the end of the war found them +both colonels. There being no prospect of further wars the army +was greatly reduced, and Jack was retired on half pay, and as soon +as matters were arranged in London he again made his way down to +Southampton, and at once asked Mr. Anthony's permission to pay his +addresses to his daughter. + +The ex mayor consented with delight, and, as Alice herself offered +no objection, matters were speedily arranged. Jack's half pay was +sufficient for them to live on comfortably, and Mr. Anthony, in +his gratification at a marriage which he considered did him great +honor, presented her with a handsome sum at her wedding, and the +young couple settled down in a pretty house a short distance out +of Southampton. + +Jack was never called out again for active service, and lived in +the neighborhood of Southampton until the end of his long life, +buying a small estate there, when, at the death of Mr. Anthony, +the handsome fortune which the cloth merchant had made came to his +daughter, subject to an annuity to Mrs. Anthony, who took up her +abode for the rest of her life with her son-in-law, her daughter, +and their children. For many years Colonel Stilwell sat in parliament +as member for Southampton, and maintained a warm friendship with +his ancient commander until the death of the latter, in 1735. + +THE END. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bravest of the Brave, by G. A. 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Henty + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Bravest of the Brave + or, with Peterborough in Spain + +Author: G. A. Henty + +Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7318] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 11, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE *** + + + + +This eBook was produced by Martin Robb + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>The Bravest of the Brave;</h1> +<br><br> +<h2>or, With Peterborough in Spain,</h2> +<br><br> +<h3>by G. A. Henty.</h3> +<br><br><br><br> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I: THE WAR OF THE +SUCCESSION</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II: IMPRESSED</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III: A DOMESTIC STORM</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV: THE SERGEANT'S +YARN</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V: THE PIRATE HOLD</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI: A COMMISSION</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII: BARCELONA</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII: A TUMULT IN THE +CITY</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX: THE ADVANCE INTO +VALENCIA</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X: AN ADVENTURE IN THE +MOUNTAINS</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI: VALENCIA</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII: IRREGULAR +WARFARE</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII: THE FRENCH +CONVOY</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV: A PRISONER</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV: THE RELIEF OF +BARCELONA</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI: INGRATITUDE</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII: HOME</a></h3> + +<p>PREFACE</p> + +<p>My Dear Lads:</p> + +<p>There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so +completely fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of +Peterborough. His career as a general was a brief one, extending +only over little more than a year, and yet in that time he showed +a genius for warfare which has never been surpassed, and +performed feats of daring worthy of taking their place among +those of the leaders of chivalry.</p> + +<p>The fact that they have made so slight a mark upon history is +due to several reasons. In the first place, they were +overshadowed by the glory and successes of Marlborough; they were +performed in a cause which could scarcely be said to be that of +England, and in which the public had a comparatively feeble +interest; the object, too, for which he fought was frustrated, +and the war was an unsuccessful one, although from no fault on +his part.</p> + +<p>But most of all, Lord Peterborough failed to attain that place +in the list of British worthies to which his genius and his +bravery should have raised him, because that genius was directed +by no steady aim or purpose. Lord Peterborough is, indeed, one of +the most striking instances in history of genius and talent +wasted, and a life thrown away by want of fixed principle and by +an inability or unwillingness to work with other men. He +quarreled in turn with every party and with almost every +individual with whom he came in contact; and while he himself was +constantly changing his opinions, he was intolerant of all +opinions differing from those which he at the moment held, and +was always ready to express in the most open and offensive manner +his contempt and dislike for those who differed from him. His +eccentricities were great; he was haughty and arrogant, hasty and +passionate; he denied his God, quarreled with his king, and +rendered himself utterly obnoxious to every party in the +state.</p> + +<p>And yet there was a vast amount of good in this strange man. +He was generous and warm hearted to a fault, kind to those in +station beneath him, thoughtful and considerate for his troops, +who adored him, cool in danger, sagacious in difficulties, and +capable at need of evincing a patience and calmness wholly at +variance with his ordinary impetuous character. Although he did +not scruple to carry deception, in order to mislead an enemy, to +a point vastly beyond what is generally considered admissible in +war, he was true to his word and punctiliously honorable in the +ordinary affairs of life.</p> + +<p>For the historical events I have described, and for the +details of Peterborough's conduct and character, I have relied +chiefly upon the memoir of the earl written by Mr. C. Warburton, +and published some thirty years ago.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I: THE WAR OF +THE SUCCESSION</h1> + +<p>"He is an idle vagabond!" the mayor of the good town of +Southampton said, in high wrath -- "a ne'er do well, and an +insolent puppy; and as to you, Mistress Alice, if I catch you +exchanging words with him again, ay, or nodding to him, or +looking as if in any way you were conscious of his presence, I +will put you on bread and water, and will send you away for six +months to the care of my sister Deborah, who will, I warrant me, +bring you to your senses."</p> + +<p>The Mayor of Southampton must have been very angry indeed when +he spoke in this way to his daughter Alice, who in most matters +had her own way. Especially did it show that he was angry, since +he so spoke in the presence of Mistress Anthony, his wife, who +was accustomed to have a by no means unimportant share in any +decision arrived at respecting family matters.</p> + +<p>She was too wise a woman, however, to attempt to arrest the +torrent in full flood, especially as it was a matter on which her +husband had already shown a very unusual determination to have +his own way. She therefore continued to work in silence, and paid +no attention to the appealing glance which her daughter, a girl +of fourteen, cast toward her. But although she said nothing, her +husband understood in her silence an unuttered protest.</p> + +<p>"It is no use your taking that scamp's part, Mary, in this +matter. I am determined to have my own way, and the townspeople +know well that when Richard Anthony makes up his mind, nothing +will move him."</p> + +<p>"I have had no opportunity to take his part, Richard," his +wife said quietly; "you have been storming without interruption +since you came in five minutes ago, and I have not uttered a +single word."</p> + +<p>"But you agree with me, Mary -- you cannot but agree with me +-- that it is nothing short of a scandal for the daughter of the +Mayor of Southampton to be talking to a penniless young rogue +like that at the garden gate."</p> + +<p>"Alice should not have met him there," Mistress Anthony said; +"but seeing that she is only fourteen years old, and the boy only +sixteen, and he her second cousin, I do not see that the matter +is so very shocking."</p> + +<p>"In four more years, Mistress Anthony," the mayor said +profoundly, "he will be twenty, and she will be eighteen."</p> + +<p>"So I suppose, Richard; I am no great head at a figures, but +even I can reckon that. But as at present they are only fourteen +and sixteen, I repeat that I do not see that it matters -- at +least not so very much. Alice, do you go to your room, and remain +there till I send for you."</p> + +<p>The girl without a word rose and retired. In the reign of King +William the Third implicit obedience was expected of +children.</p> + +<p>"I think, Richard," Mrs. Anthony went on when the door closed +behind her daughter, "you are not acting quite with your usual +wisdom in treating this matter in so serious a light, and in +putting ideas into the girl's head which would probably never +have entered there otherwise. Of course Alice is fond of Jack. It +is only natural that she should be, seeing that he is her second +cousin, and that for two years they have lived together under +this roof."</p> + +<p>"I was a fool, Mistress Anthony," the mayor said angrily, +"ever to yield to your persuasions in that matter. It was +unfortunate, of course, that the boy's father, the husband of +your Cousin Margaret, should have been turned out of his living +by the Sectarians, as befell thousands of other clergymen besides +him. It was still more unfortunate that when King Charles +returned he did not get reinstated; but, after all, that was +Margaret's business and not mine; and if she was fool enough to +marry a pauper, and he well nigh old enough to be her father -- +well, as I say, it was no business of mine."</p> + +<p>"He was not a pauper, Richard, and you know it; and he made +enough by teaching to keep him and Margaret comfortably till he +broke down and died three years ago, and poor Margaret followed +him to the grave a year later. He was a good man -- in every way +a good man."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut! I am not saying he wasn't a good man. I am only +saying that, good or bad, it was no business of mine; and then +nothing will do but I must send for the boy and put him in my +business. And a nice mess he made of it -- an idler, more +careless apprentice, no cloth merchant, especially one who stood +well with his fellow citizens, and who was on the highway to +becoming mayor of his native city, was ever crossed with."</p> + +<p>"I think he was hardly as bad as that, Richard. I don't think +you were ever quite fair to the boy."</p> + +<p>"Not fair, Mary! I am surprised at you. In what way was I not +quite fair?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think you meant to be unfair, Richard; but you see +you were a little -- just a little -- prejudiced against him from +the first; because, instead of jumping at your offer to +apprentice him to your trade, he said he should like to be a +sailor."</p> + +<p>"Quite enough to prejudice me, too, madam. Why, there are +scores of sons of respectable burgesses of this town who would +jump at such an offer; and here this penniless boy turns up his +nose at it."</p> + +<p>"It was foolish, no doubt, Richard; but you see the boy had +been reading the lives of admirals and navigators -- he was full +of life and spirit -- and I believe his father had consented to +his going to sea."</p> + +<p>"Full of life and spirit, madam!" the mayor repeated more +angrily than before; "let me tell you it is these fellows who are +full of life and adventure who come to the gallows. Naturally I +was offended; but as I had given you my word I kept to it. Every +man in Southampton knows that the word of Richard Anthony is as +good as his bond. I bound him apprentice, and what comes of it? +My foreman, Andrew Carson, is knocked flat on his back in the +middle of the shop."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Anthony bit her lips to prevent herself from smiling.</p> + +<p>"We will not speak any more about that, Richard," she said; +"because, if we did, we should begin to argue. You know it is my +opinion, and always has been, that Carson deliberately set you +against the boy; that he was always telling you tales to his +disadvantage; and although I admit that the lad was very wrong to +knock him down when he struck him, I think, my dear, I should +have done the same had I been in his place."</p> + +<p>"Then, madam," Mr. Anthony said solemnly, "you would have +deserved what happened to him -- that you should be turned neck +and crop into the street."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Anthony gave a determined nod of her head -- a nod which +signified that she should have a voice on that point. However, +seeing that in her husband's present mood it was better to say no +more, she resumed her work.</p> + +<p>While this conversation had been proceeding, Jack Stilwell, +who had fled hastily when surprised by the mayor as he was +talking to his daughter at the back gate of the garden, had made +his way down to the wharves, and there, seating himself upon a +pile of wood, had stared moodily at the tract of mud extending +from his feet to the strip of water far away. His position was +indeed an unenviable one. As Mrs. Anthony had said, his father +was a clergyman of the Church of England, the vicar of a snug +living in Lincolnshire, but he had been cast out when the +Parliamentarians gained the upper hand, and his living was handed +over to a Sectarian preacher. When, after years of poverty, King +Charles came to the throne, the dispossessed minister thought +that as a matter of course he should be restored to his living; +but it was not so. As in hundreds of other cases the new occupant +conformed at once to the new laws, and the Rev. Thomas Stilwell, +having no friends or interest, was, like many another clergyman, +left out in the cold.</p> + +<p>But by this time he had settled at Oxford -- at which +university he had been educated -- and was gaining a not +uncomfortable livelihood by teaching the sons of citizens. Late +in life he married Margaret Ullathorpe, who, still a young woman, +had, during a visit to some friends at Oxford, made his +acquaintance. In spite of the disparity of years the union was a +happy one. One son was born to them, and all had gone well until +a sudden chill had been the cause of Mr. Stilwell's death, his +wife surviving him only one year. Her death took place at +Southampton, where she had moved after the loss of her husband, +having no further tie at Oxford, and a week later Jack Stilwell +found himself domiciled at the house of Mr. Anthony.</p> + +<p>It was in vain that he represented to the cloth merchant that +his wishes lay toward a seafaring life, and that although his +father had wished him to go into the ministry, he had given way +to his entreaties. Mr. Anthony sharply pooh poohed the idea, and +insisted that it was nothing short of madness to dream of such a +thing when so excellent an opportunity of learning a respectable +business was open to him.</p> + +<p>At any other time Jack would have resisted stoutly, and would +have run away and taken his chance rather than agree to the +proposition; but he was broken down by grief at his mother's +death. Incapable of making a struggle against the obstinacy of +Mr. Anthony, and scarce caring what became of himself, he signed +the deed of apprenticeship which made him for five years the +slave of the cloth merchant. Not that the latter intended to be +anything but kind, and he sincerely believed that he was acting +for the good of the boy in taking him as his apprentice; but as +Jack recovered his spirits and energy, he absolutely loathed the +trade to which he was bound. Had it not been for Mistress Anthony +and Alice he would have braved the heavy pains and penalties +which in those days befell disobedient apprentices, and would +have run away to sea; but their constant kindness, and the fact +that his mother with her dying breath had charged him to regard +her cousin as standing in her place, prevented him from carrying +the idea which he often formed into effect.</p> + +<p>In the shop his life was wretched. He was not stupid, as his +master asserted; for indeed in other matters he was bright and +clever, and his father had been well pleased with the progress he +made with his studies; but, in the first place; he hated his +work, and, in the second, every shortcoming and mistake was +magnified and made the most of by the foreman, Andrew Carson. +This man had long looked to be taken into partnership, and +finally to succeed his master, seeing that the latter had no +sons, and he conceived a violent jealousy of Jack Stilwell, in +whose presence, as a prime favorite of Mistress Anthony and of +her daughter, he thought he foresaw an overthrow of his +plans.</p> + +<p>He was not long in effecting a breach between the boy and his +master -- for Jack's carelessness and inattention gave him plenty +of opportunities -- and Mr. Anthony ere long viewed the boy's +errors as acts of willful disobedience. This state of things +lasted for two years until the climax came, when, as Mr. Anthony +had said to his wife, Jack, upon the foreman attempting to strike +him, had knocked the latter down in the shop.</p> + +<p>Mr. Anthony's first impulse was to take his apprentice before +the justices and to demand condign punishment for such an act of +flagrant rebellion; but a moment's reflection told him that Jack, +at the end of his punishment, would return to his house, where +his wife would take his part as usual, and the quarrels which had +frequently arisen on his account would be more bitter than +before.</p> + +<p>It was far better to get rid of him at once, and he +accordingly ordered him from the shop, tore up his indenture +before his eyes, and bade him never let him see his face again. +For the first few hours Jack was delighted at his freedom. He +spent the day down on the wharves talking to the fishermen and +sailors. There were no foreign bound ships in the port, and he +had no wish to ship on board a coaster; he therefore resolved to +wait until a vessel sailing for foreign ports should leave.</p> + +<p>He had no money; but a few hours after he left the shop Mrs. +Anthony's maid found him on the wharf, and gave him a letter from +her mistress. In this was inclosed a sum of money sufficient to +last him for some time, and an assurance that she did not share +her husband's anger against him.</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt, my dear Jack," she said, "that in time I +could heal the breach and could arrange for you to come back +again, but I think perhaps it is better as it is. You would never +make a clothier, and I don't think you would ever become Mayor of +Southampton. I know what your wishes are, and I think that you +had better follow them out. Alice is heartbroken over the affair, +but I assure her that it will all turn out for the best. I cannot +ask you to come up to the house; but whenever you have settled on +anything leave a note with Dorothy for me, and I will come down +with Alice to see you and say goodby to you. I will see that you +do not go without a proper outfit."</p> + +<p>It was to deliver this letter that Jack had gone up to the +back gate; and seeing Alice in the garden they had naturally +fallen into conversation at the gate, when the mayor, looking out +from the window of his warehouse, happened to see them, and went +out in the greatest wrath to put a stop to the conversation.</p> + +<p>Jack had indeed found a ship; she had come in from Holland +with cloth and other merchandise, and was after she was +discharged to sail for the colonies with English goods. She would +not leave the port for some weeks; but he had seen the captain, +who had agreed to take him as ship's boy. Had the mayor been +aware that his late apprentice was on the point of leaving he +would not have interfered with his intention; but as he had +peremptorily ordered that his name was not to be mentioned before +him, and as Mrs. Anthony had no motive in approaching the +forbidden subject, the mayor remained in ignorance that Jack was +about to depart on a distant voyage.</p> + +<p>One day, on going down to the town hail, he found an official +letter waiting him; it was an order from government empowering +justices of the peace to impress such men as they thought fit, +with the only restriction that men entitled to vote for members +of parliament were exempted. This tremendous power had just been +legalized by an act of parliament. A more iniquitous act never +disgraced our statutes, for it enabled justices of the peace to +spite any of their poorer neighbors against whom they had a +grudge, and to ship them off to share in the hardships of +Marlborough's campaign in Germany and the Low Countries, or in +the expedition now preparing for Spain.</p> + +<p>At that time the army was held in the greatest dislike by the +English people. The nation had always been opposed to a standing +force, and it was only now that the necessities of the country +induced them to tolerate it. It was, however, recruited almost +entirely from reckless and desperate men. Criminals were allowed +to commute sentences of imprisonment for service in the army, and +the gates of the prisons were also opened to insolvent debtors +consenting to enlist. But all the efforts of the recruiting +sergeants, aided by such measures as these, proved insufficient +to attract a sufficient number of men to keep up the armies at +the required strength.</p> + +<p>Pressing had always existed to a certain extent; but it had +been carried on secretly, and was regarded as illegal. Therefore, +as men must be had, the law giving justices the authority and +power to impress any men they might select, with the exception of +those who possessed a vote for members of parliament, was passed +with the approval of parties on both sides of the House of +Commons.</p> + +<p>There was indeed great need for men. England had allied +herself with Austria and Holland in opposition to France, the +subject of dispute being the succession to the crown of Spain, +England's feelings in the matter being further imbittered by the +recognition by Louis XIV of the Pretender as King of England. +Therefore, although her interests were not so deeply engaged in +the question as to the succession to the throne of Spain as were +those of the continental powers, she threw herself into the +struggle with ardor.</p> + +<p>The two claimants to the throne of Spain were the Archduke +Charles, second son of Leopold, Emperor of Austria, and Philip, +Duke of Anjou, a younger grandson of Louis. On the marriage of +the French king with Maria Theresa, the sister of Charles II of +Spain, she had formally renounced all claims to the succession, +but the French king had nevertheless continued from time to time +to bring them forward. Had these rights not been renounced Philip +would have had the best claim to the Spanish throne, the next of +kin after him being Charles of Austria.</p> + +<p>During the later days of the King of Spain all Europe had +looked on with the most intense interest at the efforts which the +respective parties made for their candidates. Whichever might +succeed to the throne the balance of power would be destroyed; +for either Austria and Spain united, or France and Spain united, +would be sufficient to overawe the rest of the Continent. Louis +XIV lulled the fears of the Austrian party by suggesting a treaty +of partition to the Dutch states and William the Third of +England.</p> + +<p>By this treaty it was agreed that the Archduke Charles was to +be acknowledged successor to the crowns of Spain, the Indies, and +the Netherlands; while the dauphin, as the eldest son of Maria +Theresa, should receive the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, with +the Spanish province of Guipuscoa and the duchy of Milan, in +compensation of his abandonment of other claims. When the +conditions of this treaty became known they inspired natural +indignation in the minds of the people of the country which had +thus been arbitrarily allotted, and the dying Charles of Spain +was infuriated by this conspiracy to break up and divide his +dominion. His jealousy of France would have led him to select the +Austrian claimant; but the emperor's undisguised greed for a +portion of the Spanish empire, and the overbearing and unpleasant +manner of the Austrian ambassador in the Spanish court, drove him +to listen to the overtures of Louis, who had a powerful ally in +Cardinal Portocarrero, Archbishop of Toledo, whose influence was +all powerful with the king. The cardinal argued that the grandson +of Maria Theresa could not be bound by her renunciation, and also +that it had only been made with a view to keep separate the +French and Spanish monarchies, and that if a descendant of hers, +other than the heir to the throne of France, were chosen, this +condition would be carried out.</p> + +<p>Finally, he persuaded Charles, a month before his death, to +sign a will declaring Philip, Duke of Anjou, grandson of his +brother in law Louis XIV, sole heir of the Spanish empire. The +will was kept secret till the death of the king, and was then +publicly proclaimed. Louis accepted the bequest in favor of his +grandson, and Philip was declared king in Spain and her +dependencies.</p> + +<p>The greatest indignation was caused in England, Holland, and +the empire at this breach by the King of France of the treaty of +partition, of which he himself had been the author. England and +Holland were unprepared for war, and therefore bided their time, +but Austria at once commenced hostilities by directing large +bodies of troops, under Prince Eugene, into the duchy of Milan, +and by inciting the Neapolitans to revolt. The young king was at +first popular in Spain, but Cardinal Portocarrero, who exercised +the real power of the state, by his overbearing temper, his +avarice, and his shameless corruption, speedily alienated the +people from their monarch. Above all, the cardinal was supposed +to be the tool of the French king, and to represent the policy +which had for its object the dismemberment of the Spanish +monarchy and the aggrandizement of France.</p> + +<p>That Louis had such designs was undoubted, and, if properly +managed and bribed, Portocarrero would have been a pliant +instrument in his hands; but the cardinal was soon estranged by +the constant interference by the French agents in his own +measures of government, and therefore turned against France that +power of intrigue which he had recently used in her favor. He +pretended to be devoted to France, and referred even the most +minute details of government to Paris for approbation, with the +double view of disgusting Louis with the government of Spain and +of enraging the Spanish people at the constant interference of +Louis.</p> + +<p>Philip, however, found a new and powerful ally in the hearts +of the people by his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the +Duke of Savoy -- a beautiful girl of fourteen years old, who +rapidly developed into a graceful and gifted woman, and became +the darling of the Spanish people, and whose intellect, firmness, +and courage guided and strengthened her weak but amiable husband. +For a time the power of Spain and France united overshadowed +Europe, the trading interests of England and Holland were +assailed, and a French army assembled close to the Flemish +frontier.</p> + +<p>The indignation of the Dutch overcame their fears, and they +yielded to the quiet efforts which King William was making, and +combined with England and Austria in a grand alliance against +France, the object of the combination being to exclude Louis from +the Netherlands and West Indies, and to prevent the union of the +crowns of France and Spain upon the same head. King William might +not have obtained from the English parliament a ratification of +the alliance had not Louis just at this moment acknowledged the +son of the ex-king James as king of England. This insult roused +the spirit of the English people, the House of Commons approved +the triple alliance, and voted large supplies. King William died +just after seeing his favorite project successful, and was +succeeded by Queen Anne, who continued his policy. The Austrian +Archduke Charles was recognized by the allies as King of Spain, +and preparation made for war.</p> + +<p>An English army was landed near Cadiz; but the Spaniards +showed no signs of rising in favor of Charles, and, after +bringing great discredit on themselves and exciting the animosity +of the Spaniards by gross misconduct, the English army embarked +again. Some treasure ships were captured, and others sunk in the +harbor of Vigo, but the fleet was no more effective than the +army. Admiral Sir John Munden was cashiered for treachery or +cowardice on the coast of Spain, and four captains of vessels in +the gallant Benbow's West India fleet were either dismissed or +shot for refusing to meet the enemy and for abandoning their +chief.</p> + +<p>In 1703 little was done in the way of fighting, but the allies +received an important addition of strength by the accession of +Portugal to their ranks. In 1704 the allies made an attempt upon +the important city of Barcelona. It was believed that the +Catalans would have declared for Charles; but the plot by which +the town was to be given up to him was discovered on the eve of +execution, and the English force re-embarked on their ships. +Their success was still less on the side of Portugal, where the +Duke of Berwick, who was in command of the forces of King Philip, +defeated the English and Dutch under the Duke of Schomberg and +captured many towns.</p> + +<p>The Portuguese rendered the allies but slight assistance. +These reverses were, however, balanced by the capture of +Gibraltar on the 21st of June by the fleet under Sir George +Rooke, and a small land force under Prince George of Hesse. +Schomberg was recalled and Lord Galway took the command; but he +succeeded no better than his predecessor, and affairs looked but +badly for the allies, when the Duke of Marlborough, with the +English and allied troops in Germany, inflicted the first great +check upon the power and ambition of Louis XIV by the splendid +victory of Blenheim.</p> + +<p>This defeat of the French had a disastrous effect upon the +fortunes of Philip. He could no longer hope for help from his +grandfather, for Louis was now called upon to muster his whole +strength on his eastern frontier for the defense of his own +dominion, and Philip was forced to depend upon his partisans in +Spain only. The partisans of Charles at once took heart. The +Catalans had never been warm in the cause of Philip; the crowns +of Castile, Arragon, and Catalonia had only recently been united, +and dangerous jealousy existed between these provinces. The +Castilians were devoted adherents of Philip, and this in itself +was sufficient to set Catalonia and Arragon against him.</p> + +<p>The English government had been informed of this growing +discontent in the north of Spain, and sent out an emissary to +inquire into the truth of the statement. As his report confirmed +all that they had heard, it was decided in the spring of 1705 to +send out an expedition which was to effect a landing in +Catalonia, and would, it was hoped, be joined by all the people +of that province and Arragon. By the efforts and patronage of the +Duchess of Marlborough, who was all powerful with Queen Anne, the +Earl of Peterborough was named to the command of the +expedition.</p> + +<p>The choice certainly appeared a singular one, for hitherto the +earl had done nothing which would entitle him to so distinguished +a position. Charles Mordaunt was the eldest son of John Lord +Mordaunt, Viscount Avalon, a brave and daring cavalier, who had +fought heart and soul for Charles, and had been tried by Cromwell +for treason, and narrowly escaped execution. On the restoration, +as a reward for his risk of life and fortune, and for his loyalty +and ability, he was raised to the peerage.</p> + +<p>His son Charles inherited none of his father's steadfastness. +Brought up in the profligate court of Charles the Second he +became an atheist, a scoffer at morality, and a republican. At +the same time he had many redeeming points. He was brilliant, +witty, energetic, and brave. He was generous and strictly +honorable to his word. He was filled with a burning desire for +adventure, and, at the close of 1674, when in his seventeenth +year, he embarked in Admiral Torrington's ship, and proceeded to +join as a volunteer Sir John Narborough's fleet in the +Mediterranean, in order to take part in the expedition to +restrain and revenge the piratical depredations of the barbarous +states of Tripoli and Algiers.</p> + +<p>He distinguished himself on the 14th of January, 1675, in an +attack by the boats of the fleet upon four corsair men o' war +moored under the very guns of the castle and fort of Tripoli. The +exploit was a successful one, the ships were all burned, and most +of their crews slain. Another encounter with the fleet of Tripoli +took place in February, when the pirates were again defeated, and +the bey forced to grant all the English demands.</p> + +<p>In 1677 the fleet returned to England, and with it Mordaunt, +who had during his absence succeeded to his father's title and +estates, John Lord Mordaunt having died on the 5th of June, 1675. +Shortly after his return to England Lord Mordaunt, though still +but twenty years old, married a daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser. +But his spirit was altogether unsuited to the quiet enjoyment of +domestic life, and at the end of September, 1678, he went out as +a volunteer in his majesty's ship Bristol, which was on the point +of sailing for the Mediterranean to take part in an expedition +fitting out for the relief of Tangier, then besieged by the +Moors. Nothing, however, came of the expedition, and Mordaunt +returned to England in the autumn of 1679.</p> + +<p>In June, 1680, he again sailed for Tangier with a small +expedition commanded by the Earl of Plymouth. The expedition +succeeded in throwing themselves into the besieged town, and +continued the defense with vigor, and Mordaunt again +distinguished himself; but he soon wearied of the monotony of a +long siege, and before the end of the year found opportunity to +return to England, where he plunged into politics and became one +of the leaders of the party formed to exclude the Duke of York +from the throne.</p> + +<p>Although a close friend of Lord Russell and Algernon Sidney he +had fortunately for himself not been admitted to the fatal +privilege of their private councils, and therefore escaped the +fate which befell them. He continued his friendship with them to +the last, and accompanied Algernon Sidney to the scaffold. But +even while throwing himself heart and soul into politics he was +continually indulging in wild freaks which rendered him the talk +of the town.</p> + +<p>On the accession of King James he made his first speech in the +House of Peers against a standing army, and distinguished himself +alike by the eloquence and violence of his language. He was now +under the displeasure of the court, and his profuse generosity +had brought him into pecuniary trouble. In 1686, therefore, he +quitted England with the professed intention of accepting a +command in the Dutch fleet then about to sail for the West +Indies, When he arrived in Holland, however, he presented himself +immediately to the Prince of Orange, and first among the British +nobility boldly proposed to William an immediate invasion of +England. He pushed his arguments with fiery zeal, urged the +disaffection of all classes, the hatred of the Commons, the +defection of the Lords, the alarm of the Church, and the wavering +loyalty of the army.</p> + +<p>William, however, was already informed of these facts, and was +not to be hurried. Mordaunt remained with him till, on the 20th +of October, 1688, he sailed for England. The first commission +that King William signed in England was the appointment of Lord +Mordaunt as lieutenant colonel of horse, and raising a regiment +he rendered good service at Exeter. As soon as the revolution was +completed, and William and Mary ascended the throne, Mordaunt was +made a privy councilor and one of the lords of the bedchamber, +and in April, 1689, he was made first commissioner of the +treasury, and advanced to the dignity of Earl of Monmouth. In +addition to the other offices to which he was appointed he was +given the colonelcy of the regiment of horse guards.</p> + +<p>His conduct in office showed in brilliant contrast to that of +the men with whom he was placed. He alone was free from the +slightest suspicion of corruption and venality, and he speedily +made enemies among his colleagues by the open contempt which he +manifested for their gross corruption.</p> + +<p>Although he had taken so prominent a part in bringing King +William to England, Monmouth soon became mixed up in all sorts of +intrigues and plots. He was already tired of the reign of the +Dutch king, and longed for a commonwealth. He was constantly +quarreling with his colleagues, and whenever there was a debate +in the House of Lords Monmouth took a prominent part on the side +of the minority. In 1692 he went out with his regiment of horse +guards to Holland, and fought bravely at the battle of Steenkirk. +The campaign was a failure, and in October he returned to England +with the king.</p> + +<p>For two years after this he lived quietly, devoting his +principal attention to his garden and the society of wits and men +of letters. Then he again appeared in parliament, and took a +leading part in the movement in opposition to the crown, and +inveighed in bitter terms against the bribery of persons in power +by the East India Company, and the venality of many members of +parliament and even the ministry. His relations with the king +were now of the coldest kind, and he became mixed up in a +Jacobite plot. How far he was guilty in the matter was never +proved. Public opinion certainly condemned him, and by a vote of +the peers he was deprived of all his employments and sent to the +Tower. The king, however, stood his friend, and released him at +the end of the session.</p> + +<p>In 1697, by the death of his uncle, Charles became Earl of +Peterborough, and passed the next four years in private life, +emerging only occasionally to go down to the House of Peers and +make fiery onslaughts upon abuses and corruption. In the course +of these years, both in parliament and at court, he had been +sometimes the friend, sometimes the opponent of Marlborough; but +he had the good fortune to be a favorite of the duchess, and when +the time came that a leader was required for the proposed +expedition to Spain, she exerted herself so effectually that she +procured his nomination.</p> + +<p>Hitherto his life had been a strange one. Indolent and +energetic by turns, restless and intriguing, quarreling with all +with whom he came in contact, burning with righteous indignation +against corruption and misdoing, generous to a point which +crippled his finances seriously, he was a puzzle to all who knew +him, and had he died at this time he would only have left behind +him the reputation of being one of the most brilliant, gifted, +and honest, but at the same time one of the most unstable, +eccentric, and ill regulated spirits of his time.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II: +IMPRESSED</h1> + +<p>When the Mayor of Southampton opened the official document +empowering and requesting him to obtain recruits for the queen's +service he was not greatly pleased. This sort of thing would give +a good deal of trouble, and would assuredly not add to his +popularity. He saw at once that he would be able to oblige many +of his friends by getting rid of people troublesome to them, but +with this exception where was he to find the recruits the queen +required? There were, of course, a few never do wells in the town +who could be packed off, to the general satisfaction of the +inhabitants, but beyond this every one taken would have friends +and relations who would cry out and protest.</p> + +<p>It was likely to be a troublesome business, and the mayor +threw down the paper on the table before him. Then suddenly his +expression changed. He had been thinking of obliging his friends +by sending off persons troublesome to them, but he had not +thought of his own case. Here was the very thing; he would send +off this troublesome lad to fight for the queen; and whether he +went to the Low Countries under Marlborough, or to Spain with +this new expedition which was being prepared, it was very +unlikely that he would ever return to trouble him.</p> + +<p>He was only sixteen, indeed, but he was strong and well grown, +and much fitter for service than many of those who would be sent. +If the young fellow stopped here he would always be a trouble, +and a bone of contention between himself and his wife. Besides, +for Alice's sake, it was clearly his duty to get the fellow out +of the way. Girls, Mr. Anthony considered, were always falling in +love with the very last people in the world with whom they should +do so, and out of sheer contrariety it was more than possible +that Alice might take a fancy for this penniless vagabond, and if +she did Mrs. Anthony was fool enough to support her in her +folly.</p> + +<p>Of course there would be trouble with his wife when she found +what had happened to the lad -- for the mayor did not deceive +himself for a moment by the thought that he would be able to +conceal from his wife the cause of Jack's absence; he was too +well aware of Mrs. Anthony's power of investigation. Still, after +it was done it could not be undone, and it was better to have one +domestic storm than a continuation of foul weather.</p> + +<p>Calling in his clerk the mayor read over to him the order he +had received, and bade him turn to the court book and make out a +list of the names of forty young men who had been charged before +him with offenses of drunkenness, assault, battery and +rioting.</p> + +<p>"When you have made up the list, Johnson, you will go round to +the aldermen and inform them of the order that I have received +from the government, and you can tell them that if there are any +persons they know of whom they consider that Southampton would be +well rid, if they will send the names to me I will add them to +the list. Bid them not to choose married men, if it can be +avoided, for the town would be burdened with the support of their +wives and families. Another ten names will do. The letter which +accompanies the order says that from my well known zeal and +loyalty it is doubted not that Southampton will furnish a hundred +men, but if I begin with fifty that will be well enough, and we +can pick out the others at our leisure."</p> + +<p>By the afternoon the list was filled up. One of the aldermen +had inserted the name of a troublesome nephew, another that of a +foreman with whom he had had a dispute about wages, and who had +threatened to proceed against him in the court. Some of the names +were inserted from mere petty spite; but with scarce an exception +the aldermen responded to the invitation of the mayor, and placed +on the list the name of some one whom they, or Southampton, would +be the better without.</p> + +<p>When the list was completed the mayor struck out one of the +first names inserted by his clerk and inserted that of John +Stilwell in its place. His instructions were that he was to +notify to an officer, who would arrive with a company of soldiers +on the following day, the names of those whom he deemed suitable +for the queen's service. The officer after taking them was to +embark them on board one of the queen's cutters, which would come +round from Portsmouth for the purpose, and would convey them to +Dover, where a camp was being formed and the troops +assembling.</p> + +<p>Upon the following day the company marched into the town, and +the officer in command, having seen his men billeted among the +citizens, called upon the mayor.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Mayor," he said, "I hope you have a good list of +recruits for me. I don't want to be waiting here, for I have to +go on a similar errand to other towns. It is not a job I like, I +can tell you, but it is not for me to question orders."</p> + +<p>"I have a list of fifty men, all active and hearty fellows, +who will make good soldiers," the mayor said.</p> + +<p>"And of whom, no doubt, Southampton will be well rid," the +officer said with a laugh. "Truly, I pity the Earl of +Peterborough, for he will have as rough a body of soldiers as +ever marched to war. However, it is usually the case that the +sort of men who give trouble at home are just those who, when the +time comes, make the best fighters. I would rather have half a +dozen of your reckless blades, when the pinch comes, than a score +of honest plowboys. How do you propose that I shall take +them?"</p> + +<p>"That I will leave entirely to you," the mayor said; "here is +a list of the houses where they lodge. I will place the town +watch at your disposal to show you the way and to point out the +men to you."</p> + +<p>"That will be all I shall require," the officer said; "but you +can give me a list of those who are most likely to give trouble. +These I will pounce upon and get on board ship first of all. When +they are secured I will tell my men off in parties, each with one +of your constables to point out the men, and we will pick them up +so many every evening. It is better not to break into houses and +seize them; for, although we are acting legally and under the +authority of act of parliament, it is always as well to avoid +giving cause of complaint, which might tend to excite a feeling +against the war and make the government unpopular, and which, +moreover, might do you harm with the good citizens, and do me +harm with those above me. I am sure you agree with me."</p> + +<p>"Quite so, quite so," the mayor said hastily; "you speak very +prudently and well, sir. I hope you will honor me by taking up +your abode in my house during your stay here; but may I ask you +not to allow my wife, who is inquisitive by nature, to see the +list with which I furnish you? Women are ever meddling in matters +which concern them not."</p> + +<p>"I understand," the officer said with a wink, "there are names +on the list of which your wife would not approve. I have known +the same thing happen before. But never fear, the list shall be +kept safe; and, indeed, it were better that nothing were said of +my business in the town, for if this get abroad, some of those +whose conscience may tell them that they will be likely to be +chosen for service might very well slip off and be out of the way +until they hear that I and my men have left."</p> + +<p>Two days later, when, as the evening was falling, Jack +Stilwell was walking up from the wharf, where he had been +watching the unlading of the vessel in which he was to sail, he +came upon a group of four or five soldiers standing at a corner. +Then a voice, which he recognized as that of the foreman, Richard +Carson, said:</p> + +<p>"That is your man, officer;" and the soldiers made a sudden +rush upon him.</p> + +<p>Taken by surprise he nevertheless struggled desperately, but a +heavy blow with a staff fell on the back of his head, and for a +time he knew nothing more. When he recovered his consciousness he +was lying almost in complete darkness, but by the faint gleam of +the lantern he discovered that he was in the hold of a ship. +Several other men were sitting or laying near him. Some of them +were cursing and swearing, others were stanching the blood which +flowed from various cuts and gashes.</p> + +<p>"What does all this mean ?" he asked as he somewhat recovered +himself.</p> + +<p>"It means," said one, "that we are pressed to serve as +soldiers. I made a fight for it, and just as they had got the +handcuffs on some citizens came up and asked what was doing, and +the sergeant said, 'It is quite legal. We hold the mayor's +warrant to impress this man for service in the army; there is a +constable here who will tell you we are acting on authority, and +if any interfere it will be worse for them.'"</p> + +<p>Jack heard the news in silence. So, he had been pressed by a +warrant of the mayor, he was the victim of the spite of his late +employer. But his thoughts soon turned from this by the +consciousness that his shirt and clothes were soaked with blood, +and putting his hand to the back of his head he found a great +lump from which the blood was still slowly flowing. Taking off +his neck handkerchief he bound it round his head and then lay +down again. He tried to think, but his brain was weak and +confused, and he presently fell into a sound sleep, from which he +was not aroused by the arrival of another batch of prisoners.</p> + +<p>It was morning when he awoke, and he found that he had now +nearly twenty companions in captivity. Some were walking up and +down like caged animals, others were loudly bewailing their fate, +some sat moody and silent, while some bawled out threats of +vengeance against those they considered responsible for their +captivity. A sentry with a shouldered musket was standing at the +foot of the steps, and from time to time some sailors passed up +and down. Jack went up to one of these.</p> + +<p>"Mate," he said, "could you let us have a few buckets of water +down here? In the first place we are parched with thirst, and in +the second we may as well try to get off some of the blood which, +from a good many of us, has been let out pretty freely."</p> + +<p>"Well, you seem a reasonable sort of chap," the sailor said, +"and to take things coolly. That's the way, my lad; when the +king, or the queen now -- it's all the same thing -- has once got +his hand on you it's of no use kicking against it. I have been +pressed twice myself, so I know how you feel. Here, mates," he +said to two of the other sailors, "lend a hand and get a bucket +of fresh water and a pannikin, and half a dozen buckets of salt +water, and let these lads have a drink and a wash."</p> + +<p>It was soon done. The prisoners were all glad of the drink, +but few cared to trouble about washing. Jack, however, took +possession of a bucket, stripped to the waist, and had a good +wash. The salt water made his wound smart, but he continued for +half an hour bathing it, and at the end of that time felt vastly +fresher and better. Then he soaked his shirt in the water, and as +far as possible removed the broad stains of blood which stiffened +it. Then he wrung it out and hung it up to dry, and, putting on +his coat, sat down and thought matters over.</p> + +<p>He had never had the idea of entering the army, for the +measures taken to fill the ranks rendered the military service +distasteful in the extreme to the English people. Since the days +of Agincourt the English army had never gained any brilliant +successes abroad, and there was consequently none of that +national pride which now exists in its bravery and glorious +history.</p> + +<p>Still, Jack reflected, it did not make much difference to him +whether he became a soldier or a sailor. He had longed to see the +world, to share in deeds of adventure, and, above all, to escape +from the dreary drudgery of the clothier's shop. These objects +would be attained as well in the army as in the navy; and, +indeed, now that he thought of it, he preferred the active +service which he would see under Marlborough or Peterborough to +the monotony of a long sea voyage. At any rate, it was clear that +remonstrance or resistance were vain. He as well as others were +aware of the law which had just been passed, giving magistrates +the power of impressing soldiers for the service, and he felt, +therefore, that although his impressment had no doubt been +dictated by the private desire of the mayor to get him out of the +way, it was yet strictly legal, and that it would be useless his +making any protest against it. He resolved, therefore, to make +the best of things, and to endeavor to win the goodwill of his +officers by prompt and cheerful acquiescence in the +inevitable.</p> + +<p>Presently some sailors brought down a tray with a number of +hunks of black bread, a large pot filled with a sort of broth, +and a score of earthenware mugs. Jack at once dipped one of the +mugs into the pot, and, taking a hunk of bread, sat down to his +breakfast. A few others followed his example, but most of them +were too angry or too dispirited to care about eating; and, +indeed, it seemed to them that their refusal to partake of the +meal was a sort of protest against their captivity.</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterward the sailors removed the food; and many +of those who had refused to touch it soon regretted bitterly that +they had not done so, for as the time went on hunger began to +make itself felt. It was evening before the next meal, consisting +of black bread and a great piece of salt beef, was brought down. +This time there were no abstentions. As the evening wore on fresh +batches of prisoners were brought in, until, by midnight, the +number was raised to fifty. Many of them had been seriously +knocked about in their capture, and Jack, who had persuaded his +friend the sailor to bring down three or four more buckets of +salt water, did his best, by bathing and bandaging their wounds, +to put them at their ease.</p> + +<p>In the morning he could see who were his companions in +misfortune. Many of them he knew by sight as loafers on the +wharves and as troublesome or riotous characters. Three or four +were men of different type. There were two or three respectable +mechanics -- men who had had, at various times, drawn upon them +the dislikes of the great men of the town by insisting on their +rights; and there were two idle young fellows of a higher class, +who had vexed their friends beyond endurance.</p> + +<p>Presently the officer in charge of the recruiting party, who +had now come on board, came down into the hold. He was at once +assailed with a storm of curses and angry remonstrances.</p> + +<p>"Look here, my lads," he said, raising his hand for silence, +"it is of no use your going on like this, and I warn you that the +sooner you make up your minds that you have got to serve her +majesty the better for you, because that you have got to do it is +certain. You have all been impressed according to act of +parliament, and there is no getting out of it. It's your own +fault that you got those hard knocks that I see the marks of, and +you will get more if you give any more trouble. Now, those who +choose to agree at once to serve her majesty can come on +deck."</p> + +<p>Jack at once stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"I am ready to serve, sir," he said.</p> + +<p>"That's right," the officer replied heartily; "you are a lad +of spirit, I can see, and will make a good soldier. You look +young yet, but that's all in your favor; you will be a sergeant +at an age when others are learning their recruit drill. Now, +who's the next?"</p> + +<p>Some half dozen of the others followed Jack's example, but the +rest were still too sore and angry to be willing to do anything +voluntarily.</p> + +<p>Jack leaped lightly up on deck and looked round; the cutter +was already under weigh, and with a gentle breeze was running +along the smooth surface of Southampton waters; the ivy covered +ruins of Netley Abbey were abreast of them, and behind was the +shipping of the port.</p> + +<p>"Well, young un," an old sergeant said, "so I suppose you have +agreed to serve the queen?"</p> + +<p>"As her majesty was so pressing," Jack replied with a smile, +"you see I had no choice in the matter."</p> + +<p>"That's right," the sergeant said kindly; "always keep up your +spirits, lad. Care killed a cat, you know. You are one of the +right sort, I can see, but you are young to be pressed. How old +are you?"</p> + +<p>"Sixteen," Jack replied.</p> + +<p>"Then they had no right to take you," the sergeant said; +"seventeen's the earliest age, and as a rule soldiers ain't much +good till they are past twenty. You would have a right to get off +if you could prove your age; but of course you could not do that +without witnesses or papers, and it's an old game for recruits +who look young to try to pass as under age."</p> + +<p>"I shan't try," Jack answered; "I have made up my mind to it +now, and there's an end to it. But why ain't soldiers any good +till they are past twenty, sergeant? As far as I can see, boys +are just as brave as men."</p> + +<p>"Just as brave, my lad, and when it comes to fighting the +young soldier is very often every bit as good as the old one; but +they can't stand fatigue and hardship like old soldiers. A boy +will start out on as long a walk as a man can take, but he can't +keep it up day after day. When it comes to long marches, to +sleeping on the ground in the wet, bad food, and fever from the +marshes, the young soldier breaks down, the hospital gets full of +boys, and they just die off like flies, while the older men pull +through."</p> + +<p>"You are a Job's comforter, I must say," Jack said with a +laugh; "but I must hope that I shan't have long marches, and bad +food, and damp weather, and marsh fever till I get a bit +older."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to discourage you," the sergeant remarked, "and +you know there are young soldiers and young soldiers. There are +the weedy, narrow chested chaps as seems to be made special for +filling a grave; and there is the sturdy, hardy young chap, whose +good health and good spirits carries him through. That's your +sort, I reckon. Good spirits is the best medicine in the world; +it's worth all the doctors and apothecaries in the army. But how +did you come to be pressed? it's generally the ne'er do well and +idle who get picked out as food for powder. That doesn't look +your sort, or I'm mistaken."</p> + +<p>"I hope not," Jack said. "I am here because I am a sort of +cousin of the Mayor of Southampton. He wanted me to serve in his +shop. I stood it for a time, but I hated it, and at last I had a +row with his foreman and knocked him down, so I was kicked out +into the streets; and I suppose he didn't like seeing me about, +and so took this means of getting rid of me. He needn't have been +in such a hurry, for if he had waited a few days I should have +gone, for I had shipped as a boy on board of a ship about to sail +for the colonies."</p> + +<p>"In that case, my lad, you have no reason for ill will against +this precious relation of yours, for he has done you a good turn +while meaning to do you a bad un. The life of a boy on board a +ship isn't one to be envied, I can tell you; he is at every one's +beck and call, and gets more kicks than halfpence. Besides, what +comes of it? You get to be a sailor, and, as far as I can see, +the life of a sailor is the life of a dog. Look at the place +where he sleeps -- why, it ain't as good as a decent kennel. Look +at his food -- salt meat as hard as a stone, and rotten biscuit +that a decent dog would turn up his nose at; his time is never +his own -- wet or dry, storm or calm, he's got to work when he's +told. And what's he got to look forward to? A spree on shore when +his voyage is done, and then to work again. Why, my lad, a +soldier's life is a gentleman's life in comparison. Once you have +learned your drill and know your duty you have an easy time of +it. Most of your time's your own. When you are on a campaign you +eat, drink, and are jolly at other folks' expense; and if you do +get wet when you are on duty, you can generally manage to turn in +dry when you are relieved. It's not a bad life, my boy, I can +tell you; and if you do your duty well, and you are steady, and +civil, and smart, you are sure to get your stripes, especially if +you can read and write, as I suppose you can."</p> + +<p>Jack nodded with a half smile.</p> + +<p>"In that case," the sergeant said, "you may even in time get +to be an officer. I can't read nor write -- not one in twenty can +-- but those as can, of course, has a better chance of promotion +if they distinguish themselves. I should have got it last year in +the Low Country, and Marlborough himself said, 'Well done!' when +I, with ten rank and file, held a bridge across a canal for half +an hour against a company of French. He sent for me after it was +over, but when he found I couldn't read or write he couldn't +promote me; but he gave me a purse of twenty guineas, and I don't +know but what that suited me better, for I am a deal more +comfortable as a sergeant than I should have been as an officer; +but you see, if you had been in my place up you would have +gone."</p> + +<p>The wind fell in the afternoon, and the cutter dropped her +anchor as the tide was running against her. At night Jack +Stilwell and the others who had accepted their fate slept with +the troops on board instead of returning to rejoin their +companions in the hold. Jack was extremely glad of the change, as +there was air and ventilation, whereas in the hold the atmosphere +had been close and oppressive. He was the more glad next morning +when he found that the wind, which had sprung up soon after +midnight, was freshening fast, and was, as one of the sailors +said, likely to blow hard before long. The cutter was already +beginning to feel the effect of the rising sea, and toward the +afternoon was pitching in a lively way and taking the sea over +her bows.</p> + +<p>"You seem to enjoy it, young un," the sergeant said as Jack, +holding on by a shroud, was facing the wind regardless of the +showers of spray which flew over him. "Half our company are down +with seasickness, and as for those chaps down in the fore hold +they must be having a bad time of it, for I can hear them +groaning and cursing through the bulkhead. The hatchway has been +battened down for the last three hours."</p> + +<p>"I enjoy it," Jack said; "whenever I got a holiday at +Southampton I used to go out sailing. I knew most of the +fishermen there; they were always ready to take me with them as +an extra hand. When do you think we shall get to Dover?"</p> + +<p>"She is walking along fast," the sergeant said; "we shall be +there tomorrow morning. We might be there before, but the sailors +say that the skipper is not likely to run in before daylight, and +before it gets dark he will shorten sail so as not to get there +before."</p> + +<p>The wind increased until it was blowing a gale; but the cutter +was a good sea boat, and being in light trim made good weather of +it. However, even Jack was pleased when he felt a sudden change +in the motion of the vessel, and knew that she was running into +Dover harbor.</p> + +<p>Morning was just breaking, and the hatchways being removed the +sergeant shouted down to the pressed men that they could come on +deck. It was a miserable body of men who crawled up in answer to +the summons, utterly worn out and exhausted with the seasickness, +the closeness of the air, and the tossing and buffeting of the +last eighteen hours; many had scarce strength to climb the +ladder.</p> + +<p>All the spirit and indignation had been knocked out of them -- +they were too miserable and dejected to utter a complaint. The +sergeant ordered his men to draw up some buckets of water, and +told the recruits to wash themselves and make themselves as +decent as they could, and the order was sharply enforced by the +captain when he came on deck.</p> + +<p>"I would not march through the streets of Dover with such a +filthy, hang dog crew," he said; "why, the very boys would throw +mud at you. Come, do what you can to make yourselves clean, or I +will have buckets of water thrown over you. I would rather take +you on shore drenched to the skin than in that state. You have +brought it entirely on yourselves by your obstinacy. Had you +enlisted at once without further trouble you would not have +suffered as you have."</p> + +<p>The fresh air and cold water soon revived even the most +exhausted of the new recruits, and as soon as all had been made +as presentable as circumstances would admit of, the order was +given to land. The party were formed on the quay, four abreast, +the soldiers forming the outside line, and so they marched +through Dover, where but yet a few people were up and stirring, +to the camp formed just outside the walls of the castle. The +colonel of the regiment met them as they marched in.</p> + +<p>"Well, Captain Lowther, you have had a rough time of it, I +reckon. I thought the whole camp was going to be blown away last +night. These are the recruits from Southampton, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, colonel, what there is left of them; they certainly had +a baddish twelve hours of it."</p> + +<p>"Form them in line," the colonel said, "and let me have a look +at them. They are all ready and willing to serve her majesty, I +hope," he added with a grim smile.</p> + +<p>"They are all ready, no doubt," Captain Lowther replied; "as +to their willingness I can't say so much. Some half dozen or so +agreed at once to join without giving any trouble, foremost among +them that lad at the end of the line, who, Sergeant Edwards tells +me, is a fine young fellow and likely to do credit to the +regiment; the rest chose to be sulky, and have suffered for it by +being kept below during the voyage. However, I think all their +nonsense is knocked out of them now."</p> + +<p>The colonel walked along the line and examined the men.</p> + +<p>"A sturdy set of fellows," he said to the captain, "when they +have got over their buffeting. Now, my lads," he went on, +addressing the men, "you have all been pressed to serve her +majesty in accordance with act of parliament, and though some of +you may not like it just at present, you will soon get over that +and take to it kindly enough. I warn you that the discipline will +be strict. In a newly raised regiment like this it is necessary +to keep a tight hand, but if you behave yourselves and do your +duty you will not find the life a hard one.</p> + +<p>"Remember, it's no use any of you thinking of deserting; we +have got your names and addresses, so you couldn't go home if you +did; and you would soon be brought back wherever you went, and +you know pretty well what's the punishment for desertion without +my telling you. That will do."</p> + +<p>No one raised a voice in reply -- each man felt that his +position was hopeless, for, as the colonel said, they had been +legally impressed. They were first taken before the adjutant, who +rapidly swore them in, and they were then set to work, assisted +by some more soldiers, in pitching tents. Clothes were soon +served out to them and the work of drill commenced at once.</p> + +<p>Each day brought fresh additions to the force, and in a +fortnight its strength was complete. Jack did not object to the +hard drill which they had to go through, and which occupied them +from morning till night, for the colonel knew that on any day the +regiment might receive orders to embark, and he wanted to get it +in something like shape before setting sail. Jack did, however, +shrink from the company in which he found himself. With a few +exceptions the regiment was made up of wild and worthless +fellows, of whom the various magistrates had been only too glad +to clear their towns, and mingled with these were the sweepings +of the jails, rogues and ruffians of every description. The +regiment might eventually be welded into a body of good soldiers, +but at present discipline had not done its work, and it was +simply a collection of reckless men, thieves, and vagabonds.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III: A +DOMESTIC STORM</h1> + +<p>Great was the surprise of Dame Anthony when, on sending down +her servant with a letter to Jack Stilwell, the woman returned, +saying that he had left his lodging two days before and had not +returned. All his things had been left behind, and it was evident +that when he went out he had no intention of leaving. The woman +of the house said that Master Stilwell was a steady and regular +lodger, and that she could not but think something had happened +to him. Of course she didn't know, but all the town were talking +of the men who had been taken away by the press gang, and she +thought they must have clapped hands on her lodger.</p> + +<p>Dame Anthony at once jumped at that conclusion. The pressing +of fifty men had indeed made a great stir in the town during the +last two days. The mayor's office had been thronged by angry +women complaining of their husbands or sons being dragged away; +and the mayor had been the object of many threats and much +indignation, and had the evening before returned home bespattered +with mud, having been pelted on his way from the town hall by the +women, and having only been saved from more serious assaults by +the exertions of the constables.</p> + +<p>Dame Anthony had been surprised that her husband had taken +these things so quietly. Some of the women had indeed been seized +and set in the stocks, but the mayor had made light of the +affair, and had altogether seemed in an unusually good state of +temper. Dame Anthony at once connected this with Jack's +disappearance. She knew that the list had been made out by the +mayor, and the idea that her husband had taken this means of +getting rid of Jack, and that he was exulting over the success of +his scheme, flashed across her. As the mayor was away at the town +hall she was forced to wait till his return to dinner; but no +sooner had the meal been concluded and Andrew Carson and the two +assistants had left the table than she began:</p> + +<p>"Richard, I want to look at the list of the men who were +pressed."</p> + +<p>The request scarcely came as a surprise upon the clothier. He +had made up his mind that his wife would be sure sooner or later +to discover that Jack was missing, and would connect his +disappearance with the operations of the press gang.</p> + +<p>"What do you want to see that for?" he asked shortly.</p> + +<p>"I want to see who have been taken," his wife said. "There is +no secret about it, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No, there is no secret," the mayor replied. "According to the +act of parliament and the request of her majesty's minister I +drew up a list of fifty of the most useless and disreputable of +the inhabitants of this town, and I rejoice to say that the place +is rid of them all. The respectable citizens are all grateful to +me for the manner in which I have fulfilled the task laid upon +me, and as to the clamor of a few angry women, it causes me not a +moment's annoyance."</p> + +<p>"I don't know why you are telling me all this, Richard," his +wife said calmly. "I did not cast any reflections as to the +manner in which you made your choice. I only said I wished to see +the list."</p> + +<p>"I do not see that the list concerns you," the mayor said. +"Why do you wish to see it?"</p> + +<p>"I wish to see it, Richard, because I suspect that the name of +my Cousin Jack Stilwell is upon it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother!" cried Alice, who had been listening in surprise +to the conversation, suddenly starting to her feet; "you don't +mean that they have pressed Jack to be a soldier."</p> + +<p>"Leave the room, Alice," her father said angrily. "This is no +concern of a child like you." When the door closed behind the +girl he said to his wife:</p> + +<p>"Naturally his name is in the list. I selected fifty of the +most worthless fellows in Southampton, and his name was the first +which occurred to me. What then?"</p> + +<p>"Then I tell you, Richard," Dame Anthony said, rising, "that +you are a wretch, a mean, cowardly, cruel wretch. You have vented +your spite upon Jack, whom I love as if he were my own son, +because he would not put up with the tyranny of your foreman and +yourself. You may be Mayor of Southampton, you may be a great man +in your own way, but I call you a mean, pitiful fellow. I won't +stay in the house with you an hour longer. The wagon for +Basingstoke comes past at three o'clock, and I shall go and stay +with my father and mother there, and take Alice with me."</p> + +<p>"I forbid you to do anything of the sort," the mayor said +pompously.</p> + +<p>"You forbid!" Dame Anthony cried. "What do I care for your +forbidding? If you say a word I will go down the town and join +those who pelted you with mud last night. A nice spectacle it +would be for the worthy Mayor of Southampton to be pelted in the +street by a lot of women led by his own wife. You know me, +Richard. You know when I say I will do a thing I will do it."</p> + +<p>"I will lock you up in your own room, woman."</p> + +<p>"You won't," Dame Anthony said scornfully. "I would scream out +of the window till I brought the whole town round. No, Mr. Mayor. +You have had your own way, and I am going to have mine. Go and +tell the town if you like that your wife has left you because you +kidnapped her cousin, the boy she loved. You tell your story and +I will tell mine. Why, the women in the town would hoot you, and +you wouldn't dare show your face in the streets. You insist, +indeed! Why, you miserable little man, my fingers are tingling +now. Say another word to me and I will box your ears till you +won't know whether you are standing on your head or your +heels."</p> + +<p>The mayor was a small man, while Dame Anthony, although not +above the usual height, was plump and strong; and her crestfallen +spouse felt that she was capable of carrying her threat into +execution. He therefore thought it prudent to make no reply, and +his angry wife swept from the room.</p> + +<p>It was some time before the mayor descended to his shop. In +the interval he had thought the matter over, and had concluded +that it would be best for him to let his wife have her way. +Indeed, he did not see how he could do otherwise.</p> + +<p>He had expected a storm, but not such a storm as this. Never +before in his fifteen years of married life had he seen his wife +in such a passion, and there was no saying whether she would not +carry all her threats into execution if he interfered with her +now. No. It would be better to let her go. The storm would blow +over in time. It was natural enough for her to go over and stay a +few weeks with her people, and in time, of course, she would come +back again. After all, he had got rid of Jack, and this being so, +he could afford for awhile to put up with the absence of his +wife. It was unpleasant, of course, very unpleasant, to be called +such names, but as no one had heard them but himself it did not +so much matter. Perhaps, after all, it was the best thing that +could happen that she should take it into her head to go away for +a time. In her present mood she would not make things comfortable +at home, and, of course, his daughter would side with her +mother.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, when the carrier's wagon stopped at the door the +mayor went out with a pleasant countenance, and saw that the +boxes were safely placed in it, and that his wife was comfortably +seated on some shawls spread over a heap of straw. His attention, +however, received neither thanks nor recognition from Dame +Anthony, while Alice, whose face was swollen with crying, did not +speak a word. However, they were seated well under the cover of +the wagon, and could not be seen by the few people standing near; +and as the mayor continued till the wagon started speaking +cheerfully, and giving them all sorts of injunctions as to taking +care of themselves on the way, he flattered himself that no one +would have an idea that the departure was anything but an +amicable one.</p> + +<p>A week later a letter arrived for Dame Anthony and the mayor +at once recognized the handwriting of Jack Stilwell. He took it +up to his room, and had a considerable debate with himself as to +whether he would open it or not. The question was, What did the +boy say? If he wrote full of bitter complaints as to his +treatment, the receipt of the letter by his wife would only make +matters worse, and in that case it would be better to destroy the +letter as well as any others which might follow it, and so put an +end to all communication, for it was unlikely that the boy would +ever return to England.</p> + +<p>Accordingly he opened the letter, and after reading it +through, laid it down with a feeling of something like relief. It +was written in a cheerful spirit. Jack began by saying that he +feared Dame Anthony and Alice would have been anxious when they +heard that he was missing from his lodgings.</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt, my dear cousin, you will have guessed what +has befallen me, seeing that so many have been taken away in the +same way. I don't think that my late master acted handsomely in +thus getting rid of me; for, as the list was made up by him, it +was of course his doing. But you will please tell him from me +that I feel no grudge against him. In the first place, he did not +know I was going away to sea, and it must naturally have angered +him to see one known to be connected with him hanging about +Southampton doing nothing. Besides, I know that he always meant +kindly by me. He took me in when I had nowhere to go, he gave me +my apprenticeship without fee, and, had it not been that my +roving spirit rendered me disinclined for so quiet a life, he +would doubtless have done much for me hereafter. Thus thinking it +over, it seems to me but reasonable that he should have been +angered at my rejection of the benefits he intended for me.</p> + +<p>"In the next place, it may be that his action in shipping me +off as a soldier may in the end prove to be for my welfare. Had I +carried out my intention and gone as a sailor, a sailor I might +have remained all my life. It seems to me that as a soldier my +chances are larger. Not only shall I see plenty of fighting and +adventure, which accords well with my spirit, but it seems to me +-- and a sergeant who has shown me much kindness says that it is +so -- that there are fair chances of advancement. The soldiers +are for the great part disorderly and ignorant men; and, as I +mean to be steady and obedient so as to gain the goodwill of the +officers, and as I have received a good education from my dear +father, I hope in time to come to be regarded as one somewhat +different from the common herd; and if I get an opportunity of +distinguishing myself, and do not get killed by a Spanish bullet +or pike thrust, or by the fevers which they say are not uncommon, +then it is possible I may come back at the end of the war with +some honor and credit, and, the sergeant said, may even obtain +advancement to the rank of an officer. Therefore my late master, +having done me many good turns, may perhaps find that this last +one -- even though he intended it not -- is the best of all. Will +you make my respects to him, dear cousin, and tell him that I +feel no grudge or ill will against him? Will you give my love to +my Cousin Alice? Tell her that I will bring her home some rare +keepsakes from Spain should they fall in my way; and you know I +will do the same for yourself, who have always been so good and +kind to me."</p> + +<p>"The boy is not a bad boy," the mayor said, well pleased as he +laid down the letter. "It may be that I have judged him too +harshly, seeing that he set himself against what was best for his +welfare. Still, one cannot expect men's heads on boys' shoulders, +and he writes dutifully and properly. I believe it is the fault +of Andrew Carson, who was forever edging me on by reports of the +boy's laziness and carelessness. He certainly has a grudge +against him, and he assuredly exceeded his place and authority +when he lifted his hand against my wife's cousin. It seems to me +truly that I have acted somewhat hastily and wrong headedly in +the matter. I shall give Master Carson notice that at the end of +a month I shall require his services no longer -- the fellow puts +himself too forward. That will please Mary; she never liked him, +and women in these matters of likes and dislikes are shrewder +than we are. Perhaps when she hears that he is going, and reads +this letter, which I will forward to her by the carrier, she may +come back to me. I certainly miss her sorely, and the household +matters go all wrong now that she is away. She ought not to have +said things to me; but no wise man thinks anything of what a +woman says when she's angry; and now that I think things over, it +certainly seems to me that she had some sort of warrant for her +words. Yes, I certainly don't know what can have come over me, +unless it was that fellow, Andrew Carson. Richard Anthony has not +been considered a bad fellow else he would never have become the +Mayor of Southampton; and for fifteen years Mary and I have got +on very well together, save for the little disputes which have +arisen from her over masterful disposition. But she is a good +wife -- none could wish for better -- though she is given to +flame out at what she considers unrighteous dealings; but every +woman has her faults, and every man too as far as that goes, and +upon the whole few of them have less than Mary. I will write to +her at once."</p> + +<p>The mayor was not a man to delay when his mind was once made +up, and sitting down at a writing desk he wrote as follows:</p> + +<p>"DEAR WIFE: I inclose a letter which has come for you from +your Cousin Jack. I opened it, and you will think poorly of me +when I tell you that had it been filled with complaints of me, as +I expected, it would not have come to your hands; for your anger +against me is fierce enough without the adding of fresh fuel +thereto. But the lad, as you will see, writes in quite another +strain, and remembers former kindnesses rather than late +injuries. His letter has put it into my head to think matters +over, and in a different spirit from that in which I had +previously regarded it, and I have come to the conclusion that I +have acted wrongly; first, that I did not make allowances enough +for the boy; second, that I insisted on keeping him to a trade he +disliked; third, that I have given too willing an ear to what +Andrew Carson has said against the boy; lastly, that I took such +means of freeing myself from him. I today give Andrew Carson +notice to quit my service -- a matter in which I have hitherto +withstood you. I am willing to forget the words which you spoke +to me in anger, seeing that there was some foundation for them, +and that when a woman is in a passion her tongue goes further +than she means.</p> + +<p>"Now, as I am ready to put this on one side, I trust that you +also will put aside your anger at my having obtained the pressing +for a soldier of your cousin. You can see for yourself by his +writing that he does not desire that any enmity shall arise out +of the manner of his going. For fifteen years we have lived in +amity, and I see not why, after this cloud passes away, we should +not do so again.</p> + +<p>"I miss you sorely. Things go badly with us since you have +gone. The food is badly cooked, and the serving indifferent. If +you will write to tell me that you are willing to come back, and +to be a loving and dutiful wife again, I will make me a holiday +and come over to Basingstoke to fetch you and Alice home again. I +am writing to Jack and sending him five guineas, for which he +will no doubt find a use in getting things suitable for the +adventure upon which he is embarked, for the payment of her +majesty to her soldiers does not permit of the purchase of many +luxuries. On second thoughts I have resolved to pay Andrew Carson +his month's wages, and to let him go at once. So that if you +return you will not find one here against whom you have always +been set, and who is indeed in no small way the author of the +matters which have come between us, save only as touching the +impressment, of which I own that I must take the blame solely +upon myself. Give my love to Alice, and say that she must keep up +her spirits, and look forward to the time when her Cousin Jack +shall come back to her after the killing of many Spaniards."</p> + +<p>Having signed and carefully sealed this letter, with that from +Jack inclosed within it, the mayor then proceeded to write the +following to the young soldier:</p> + +<p>"MY DEAR COUSIN JACK: I have read the letter which you sent to +my wife, and it is written in a very proper and dutiful strain. +Your departure has caused trouble between my wife and me; but +this I hope will pass away after she has read and considered your +letter. She carried matters so far that she is at present with +your Cousin Alice at the house of her parents at Basingstoke. +Having read your letter, I write to tell you that I feel that I +am not without blame toward you. I did not see it myself until +the manner of your letter opened my eyes to the fact. I have +misunderstood you, and, being bent on carrying out my own +inclinations, made not enough allowance for yours. Were you here +now I doubt not that in future we should get on better together; +but as that cannot be, I can only say that I recognize the kind +spirit in which you wrote, and that I trust that in future we +shall be good friends. I inclose you an order for five guineas on +a tradesman in Dover with whom I have dealings. There are many +little things that you may want to buy for your voyage to +supplement the pay which you receive. Andrew Carson is leaving my +service. I think that it is he greatly who came between us, and +has brought things to the pass which I cannot but regret."</p> + +<p>A week later the cloth merchant's shop in the High Street was +shut up, and the mayor, having appointed a deputy for the week he +purposed to be absent, took his place in the stage for +Basingstoke, when a complete reconciliation was effected between +him and his wife.</p> + +<p>The starting of the expedition was delayed beyond the intended +time, for the government either could not or would not furnish +the required funds, and the Earl of Peterborough was obliged to +borrow considerable sums of money, and to involve himself in +serious pecuniary embarrassments to remedy the defects, and to +supply as far as possible the munition and stores necessary for +the efficiency of the little force he had been appointed to +command. It consisted of some three thousand English troops, who +were nearly all raw and undisciplined, and a brigade, two +thousand strong, of Dutch soldiers.</p> + +<p>Early in May the regiment to which Jack Stilwell belonged +marched for Portsmouth, where the rest of the expedition were +assembled, and embarked on board the transports lying at +Spithead, and on the 22d of the month set sail for St. Helens, +where they were joined on the following day by their general, who +embarked with his suit on board the admiral's ship. On the 24th +the fleet sailed for Lisbon.</p> + +<p>Fond as Jack was of the sea, he did not find the change an +agreeable one. On shore the constant drill and steady work had +fully occupied the men, and had left them but little time for +grumbling. On board ship things were different. In those days +there was but little of the strict discipline which is now +maintained on board a troop ship. It was true that the vessels in +which the expedition was being carried belonged to the royal +navy; but even here the discipline was but lax. There were many +good sailors on board; but the bulk of the crew had been pressed +into the service as harshly and tyrannically as were the soldiers +themselves, and the grumblers of one class found ready +sympathizers among the others.</p> + +<p>The captain was a young man of good family who had obtained +his appointment solely by interest, and who, although he would +have fought his ship bravely in an action with the enemy, took +but little interest in the regular work, leaving such matters +entirely in the hands of his first lieutenant. The military +officers were all new to their work. On shore they had had the +support which the presence of a considerable number of veteran +troops in garrison in the castle gave them; but they now ceased +to struggle against the difficulty of keeping up discipline among +a large number of raw and insubordinate recruits, relying upon +bringing them into order and discipline when they got them ashore +in a foreign country. Beyond, therefore, a daily parade, and half +an hour's drill in the handling of their firelocks, they +interfered but little with the men.</p> + +<p>Sergeant Edwards with twenty of his men had at the last +minute, to Jack's great satisfaction, been drafted into the +regiment, and accompanied them on their voyage.</p> + +<p>"Ay, they are a rough lot," the sergeant said in answer to an +observation of Jack as to the grumbling of the men after they had +been at sea a few days; "but what can you expect when you take +men from their homes against their will, pick out the worst +characters in each town, make up their number with jail birds, +and then pack them off to sea before they have got into shape? +There's nothing tries men more than a sea voyage. Here they are +packed up as close as herrings, with scarcely room to move about, +with nothing to do, and with food which a dog would turn up his +nose to eat. Naturally they get talking together, and grumbling +over their wrongs till they work themselves up.</p> + +<p>"I wish the voyage was over. It wouldn't matter if we had a +good steady old crew, but more than half of them have been +pressed; many of them are landsmen who have been carried off just +as you were. No doubt they would all fight toughly enough if a +Frenchman hove in view, but the captain couldn't rely on them in +a row on board. As long as the fleet keeps together it's all +right enough. Here are nine vessels, and no one on board one +knows what's going on in the others, but if the captain of any +one of them were to hoist a signal that a mutiny had broken out +on board, the others would be round her with their portholes +opened ready to give her a dose of round shot in no time."</p> + +<p>"But you don't think that it is really likely that we shall +have any trouble, sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"There won't be any trouble if, as I am telling you, the +weather holds fine and the fleet keeps together; but if there's a +gale and the ships get scattered, no one can't say what might +come of it."</p> + +<p>"I can't think how they could be so mad as to get up a +mutiny," Jack said; "why, even supposing they did take the ship, +what would they do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Them's questions as has been asked before, my lad, and +there's sense and reason in them, but you knows as well as I that +there's many a craft sailing the seas under the black flag. There +isn't a ship as puts to sea but what has half a dozen hands on +board who have been in slavers, and who are full of tales of +islands where everything grows without the trouble of putting a +spade in the ground, where all sorts of strange fruit can be had +for the picking, and where the natives are glad enough to be +servants or wives, as the case may be, to whites. It's just such +tales as these as leads men away, and I will warrant there's a +score at least among the crew of the Caesar who are telling such +tales to any who will listen to them. Well, you see, it's a +tempting story enough to one as knows no better. On the one side +there is a hard life, with bad food and the chance of being shot +at, and the sartainty of being ordered about and not being able +to call your life your own. On the other side is a life of +idleness and pleasure, of being your own master, and, if you want +something which the islands can't afford you, why, there's just a +short cruise and then back you come with your ship filled up with +plunder. I don't say as it's not tempting; but there's one thing +agin it, and the chaps as tells these yarns don't say much about +that."</p> + +<p>"What is it, sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"It's just the certainty of a halter or a bloody grave sooner +or later. The thing goes on for some time, and then, when +merchant ship after merchant ship is missing, there are +complaints at home, and out comes a ship or two with the queen's +pennant at the head, and then either the pirate ship gets caught +at sea and sunk or captured, or there's a visit to the little +island, and a short shrift for those found there.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think it can pay, my lad, even at its best. It's +jolly enough for awhile, maybe, for those whose hearts are so +hard that they think nothing of scuttling a ship with all on +board, or of making the crew and passengers walk the plank in +cold blood. Still even they must know that it can't last, and +that there's a gallows somewhere waiting for them. Still, you +see, they don't think of all that when a chap is atelling them of +these islands, and how pleasant the life is there, and how easy +it would be to do for the officers, and take the command of the +ship and sail away. Two or three chaps as makes up their mind for +it will poison a whole crew in no time."</p> + +<p>"You speak as if you knew all about it."</p> + +<p>"I know a good deal about it," the sergeant replied gravely. +"It's a tale as there ain't many as knows; but you are a sort of +lad as one can trust, and so I don't mind if I tell it you. +Though you wouldn't think it, I have sailed under the black flag +myself."</p> + +<p>"You, sergeant!" Jack exclaimed incredulously; "do you mean to +say you have been a pirate?"</p> + +<p>"Just that, my boy. I don't look like it, do I? There ain't +nothing buccaneering about my cut. I looks just what I am, a +tough old sergeant in a queen's regiment; but for all that I have +been a pirate. The yarn is a long one, and I can't tell it you +now, because just at present, you see, I have got to go below to +look after the dinners of the company, but the first time as we +can get an opportunity for a quiet talk I will tell it you. But +don't you go away and think till then as I was a pirate from +choice. I shouldn't like you to think that of me; there ain't +never no saying at sea what may happen. I might tumble overboard +tonight and get drowned, or one of the convoy might run foul of +us and sink us, and tomorrow you might be alive and I might be +dead, and I shouldn't like you to go on thinking all your life as +that Sergeant Edwards had been a bloody pirate of his own free +will. So you just bear in mind, till I tells you the whole story, +as how it was forced upon me. Mind, I don't say as how I hadn't +the choice of death or that, and maybe had you been in my place +you would have chosen death; but, you see, I had never been +brought up as you were. I had had no chances to speak of, and +being only just about your age, I didn't like the thought of +dying, so you see I took to it, making up my mind secret at the +same time that the first chance I had I would slip away from +them. I won't tell you more now, I hain't time; but just you bear +that in mind, in case of anything happening, that if Sergeant +Edwards once sailed under the black flag, he didn't do it +willing."</p> + +<p>The sergeant now hurried below, leaving Jack wondering over +what he had heard. Some days elapsed before the story was told, +for a few hours later the sky clouded over and the wind rose, and +before next morning the vessel was laboring heavily under double +reefed topsails. The soldiers were all kept below, and there was +no possibility of anything like a quiet talk. The weather had +hitherto been so fine and the wind so light that the vessels had +glided over the sea almost without motion, and very few indeed of +those on board had experienced anything of the usual seasickness; +but now, in the stifling atmosphere between decks, with the +vessel rolling and plunging heavily, the greater part were soon +prostrate with seasickness, and even Jack, accustomed to the sea +as he was, succumbed to the unpleasantness of the +surroundings.</p> + +<p>On the second day of the storm Sergeant Edwards, who had been +on deck to make a report to the captain of the company, was +eagerly questioned on his return below on the condition of the +weather.</p> + +<p>"It's blowing about as hard as it can be," he said, "and she +rolls fit to take the masts out of her. There don't seem no +chance of the gale breaking, and none of the other ships of the +fleet are in sight. That's about all I have to tell you, except +that I told the captain that if he didn't get the hatches lifted +a little we should be all stifled down here. He says if there's a +bit of a lull he will ask them to give us a little fresh air, and +in the mean time he says that any who are good sailors may go up +on deck, but it will be at their own risk, for some of the seas +go pretty nearly clean over her."</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV: THE +SERGEANT'S YARN</h1> + +<p>Jack Stilwell and a few of the other men availed themselves of +the permission to escape for a time from the stifling atmosphere +below, and made their way on deck. For a time the rush of the +wind and the wild confusion of the sea almost bewildered them. +Masses of water were rushing along the deck, and each time she +rolled the waves seemed as if they would topple over the +bulwarks. Several of the party turned and went below again at +once, but Jack, with a few others, waited their opportunity and, +making a rush across the deck, grasped the shrouds and there hung +on. Jack soon recovered from his first confusion and was able to +enjoy the grandeur of the scene.</p> + +<p>Small as was the canvas she was showing, the vessel was +traveling fast through the waves, sometimes completely burying +her head under a sea; then as she rose again the water rushed aft +knee deep, and Jack had as much as he could do to prevent himself +being carried off his feet. Fortunately all loose articles had +long since been swept overboard, otherwise the risk of a broken +limb from their contact would have been serious.</p> + +<p>In a quarter of an hour even Jack had had enough of it and +went below, and, having changed his drenched clothes, slung his +hammock and turned in. The next day the gale began to abate, and +by evening the wind had nearly died away, although the vessel was +rolling as heavily as before among the great masses of water +which rolled in from the Atlantic.</p> + +<p>The hatchways, however, were now removed, and all below +ordered on deck, and after awhile a party was told off to sluice +down their quarters below. The men were all weakened by their +confinement, but their spirits soon rose, and there was ere long +plenty of laughter at the misfortunes which befell those who +tried to cross the deck, for the ship was rolling so heavily that +it was impossible for a landsman to keep his feet without holding +on.</p> + +<p>The next morning, although a heavy swell was still rolling, +the ship assumed her normal aspect. The sailors had removed all +trace of disorder above, clothes were hung out to dry, and, as +the ship was still far too unsteady to allow of walking exercise, +the soldiers sat in groups on the deck, laughing and chatting and +enjoying the warm sun whose rays streamed down upon them. Seeing +Sergeant Edwards standing alone looking over the bulwark, Jack +made his way up to him.</p> + +<p>"It has been a sharp blow," the sergeant said, "and I am glad +it's over; the last four days have been enough to sicken one of +the sea for life. I suppose you think this is a good opportunity +for my yarn."</p> + +<p>"That is just what I was thinking, sergeant."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, my lad, here goes. I was born at Poole. My +people were all in the seafaring line, and it was only natural +that, as soon as I got old enough to stand kicking, I was put on +board a coaster plying between Poole and London. It was pretty +rough, but the skipper wasn't a bad kind of fellow when he was +sober. I stuck to that for three years, and then the old craft +was wrecked on Shoreham beach. Fortunately she was driven up so +far that we were able to drop over the bowsprit pretty well +beyond the reach of the waves, but there was no getting the Eliza +off. It was no great loss, for she would have had to be broken up +as firewood in another year or two. About six hours out of every +twenty-four I was taking my turn at spells at the pump.</p> + +<p>"Now the Eliza was cast away, I had to look out for another +ship. I had had enough of coasters, so instead of going home I +tramped it up to London. Having got a berth on board a foreign +bound vessel I made two voyages out to Brazil and back. A fine +country is the Brazils, but the Portuguese ain't the fellows to +make much out of it. Little undersized chaps, they are all +chatter and jabber, and when they used to come alongside to +unload, it were jest for all the world like so many boatfuls of +monkeys.</p> + +<p>"Well, I starts for my third voyage, being by this time about +sixteen or seventeen. We got out to Rio right enough; but we +couldn't get a full cargo back, and the captain determined to +cruise among the West Indy Islands and fill up his ship. We were +pretty nigh full when one morning the lookout hailed that there +were two vessels just coming out of an inlet in an island we were +passing some three miles on the weather bow.</p> + +<p>"The captain was soon on deck with his glass, and no sooner +did he make them out than he gave orders to clap every sail on +her. We hadn't a very smart crew, but there are not many British +ships ever made sail faster than we did then. The men just flew +about, for it needed no glass to show that the two vessels which +came creeping out from among trees weren't customers as one +wanted to talk to on the high seas. The one was a brig, the other +a schooner. They carried lofty spars ever so much higher than an +honest trader could want; and quick as we had got up our sails, +they had got their canvas spread as soon as we had.</p> + +<p>"The ship was a fast sailer, but it didn't need half an hour +to show that they had the legs of us. So the skipper called the +crew aft. 'Now, my lads,' he said, 'you see those two vessels +astern. I don't think it needs any telling from me as to what +they are. They might be Spaniards or they might be French, or +they might be native traders, but we are pretty well sure they +ain't anything of the kind. They are pirates -- I guess the same +two vessels I heard them talking about down at Rio. They have +been doing no end of damage there. There were pretty nigh a dozen +ships missing, and they put them all down to them. However, a +couple of English frigates had come into Rio, and hearing what +had happened had gone out to chase them. They hadn't caught them, +and the Brazilians thought that they had shifted their quarters +and gone for a cruise in other latitudes.</p> + +<p>"'The description they gave of them answered to these two -- a +brig and a schooner, with low hulls and tall spars. One of them +carries ten guns, the other two on each side, and a heavy piece +mounted on a swivel amidship. It was said that before they went +down to Brazil they had been carrying on their games among the +West India Islands, and had made it so hot for themselves that +they had been obliged to move off from there. It was like enough +that, now the hue and cry after them had abated, they would +return to their old quarters.</p> + +<p>"'Well, my lads, I needn't tell you what we have to expect if +they take us. Every man Jack will either get his throat cut or be +forced to walk the plank. So we will fight her to the last; for +if the worst comes to the worst, it's better to be killed +fighting like men than to be murdered in cold blood. However, I +hope it won't come to that. We carry twelve guns, and they are +heavier metal than most merchantmen have on board. We are more +than a match for either of them alone; and if we can manage to +cripple one, we can beat the other off.</p> + +<p>"'At any rate we will try our best. Thank God we have no women +on board, and only ourselves to think of! Now, my lads, cast the +guns loose and get the ammunition on deck; run two of the guns +aft and train them over the stern. As soon as they come within +range we will try and knock some spars out of them. Now, boys, +give three cheers for the old flag, and we will swear together it +shall never come down while there's one of us to fight the +ship.'</p> + +<p>"The men gave three cheers and then went off to their quarters +at the guns. They were quiet and grave, and it was easy enough to +see that they did not like the prospect. An Englishman always +goes into action, as far as I have seen, with a light heart and a +joke on his lips when he's fighting against Frenchmen or +Spaniards or any other foe, but it's a different thing when it's +a pirate he has to deal with. Every man knows then that it's a +case of life or death, and that he's got to win or die. The enemy +made no secret of what they were, for when they got within a mile +of us two black flags ran up to their mastheads.</p> + +<p>"The captain he trained one of the stern chasers hisself, and +the first mate took the other. They fired at the same moment, +both aiming at the schooner, which was getting the nearest to us. +They were good shots both of them. The mate's ball struck the +water some twenty yards in front of her forefoot, and smashed her +bow planking some three feet above the waterline; while the +captain's struck her bulwark, tore along her deck, and went out +astern, doing some damage by the way, I reckon.</p> + +<p>"We could see there was some confusion on board. They hadn't +reckoned that we carried such heavy metal, and our luck in +getting both shots on board must have surprised them. Then her +bow paid off, there was a puff of smoke amidship, and a ball from +the long swivel gun buzzed overhead, passing through our mainsail +without touching mast or stay.</p> + +<p>"So far we had the best of it, and the men looked more +cheerful than they had done from the first moment when the +pirates showed from among the trees. After that we kept up a fire +from the stern guns as fast as we could load. I could not see +myself what damage we were doing, for I was kept hard at work +carrying ammunition. Presently the broadside guns began to fire +too, and taking the chance for a look round I saw that the +pirates had separated, and were coming up one on each side of +us.</p> + +<p>"So far they had not fired a shot after the first. I suppose +they didn't want to lose ground by yawing, but as they came +abreast of us they both opened fire. Our chaps fought their guns +well, and I expect the pirates found they were not getting much +the best of it; for one of them made a signal, and they both +closed in to board. We hadn't had much luck after our first shot. +We had hulled them over and over again and spotted their sails +with shot. Many of their ropes were hanging loose, but we hadn't +succeeded in crippling them, although almost every shot had been +aimed at the masts; for every man knew that our only chance was +to bring them down.</p> + +<p>"As they came up close to us they poured in a volley of grape, +and a minute later they grated alongside and a crowd of men +swarmed on board over the bulwarks. Our fellows fought to the +last, but the odds were five to one against them. The skipper had +been killed by a grapeshot, but the mate he led the men; and if +fighting could have saved us the ship would not have been +captured. But it was no use. In two minutes every man had been +cut down or disarmed. I had laid about me with a cutlass till I +got a lick over my head with a boarding pike which knocked my +senses out of me.</p> + +<p>"When I opened my eyes I was hauled up to my feet and put +alongside the mate and six others, all of whom was bleeding more +or less. The rest had all been chucked overboard at once. In a +minute or two the captain of one of the pirates, a little dapper +Frenchman, came up to us. 'You have fought your ship well,' he +said to the mate, 'and have killed several of my officers and +men; but I bear you no malice, and if you are ready to ship with +me I will spare your life.' 'I would rather die a hundred times!' +the mate said. The pirate said nothing, but just nodded, and four +of his men seized the mate and flung him over the bulwarks. The +same question was asked of each of the men; but each in turn +refused, and an end was made of them. I was the last.</p> + +<p>"'Now, my boy,' the captain said, 'I hope you won't be stupid +like those pig headed fellows. What do you say -- good treatment +and a free life on the sea, or the sharks?'</p> + +<p>"Well, lad, if my turn hadn't been last I would have said 'no' +like the others. I wouldn't have shown the white feather before +any of my shipmates; but they had gone -- there wasn't one to +cast a reproachful look at me or to taunt me with cowardice. I +just stood alone; there weren't no one to back me up in choosing +to die rather than to serve, and so I says, 'I will join you, +captain.' I don't say I was right, lad; I don't say I didn't act +as a coward; but I think most young chaps with my bringing up, +and placed as I was, would have done the same. There's many as +would have said 'no' if they had had comrades and friends looking +on, but I don't think there's many as would have said 'no' if +they had stood all alone as I did.</p> + +<p>"I can't say as I blame myself much about that business, +though I have thought it over many a score of times; but anyhow, +from the first I made up my mind that at the very first chance I +would get away from them. I knew the chance wasn't likely to come +for some time -- still there it was; and during all the black +scenes I took part in on board that ship I was always telling +myself that I was there against my will.</p> + +<p>"It was the brig as I was to go in. And as soon as that little +matter of the crew was settled all hands set to work to shift the +cargo from the ship aboard the pirates. Wonderful quick they did +it too; and when I thought how long that cargo had taken to get +on board, it was wonderful how soon they whipped it out of her. +When they had stripped her of all they thought worth taking, they +ran one of the cannon to the open hatch, loaded it and crammed it +full of balls to the muzzle; then they pointed it down the hold +and fired it, and were soon on board their own craft.</p> + +<p>"The charge must have torn a great hole in the ship's bottom, +for I could see she was settling down in the water before we had +left her five minutes, and in a quarter of an hour she gave a +sudden lurch and sank. As I was in for it now, I knew the best +thing was to put a good face on it, so I lent a hand at shifting +the cargo and did my best to seem contented. We sailed off in +company, and in the morning when I came on deck I found the two +craft riding side by side in a land locked harbor.</p> + +<p>"A few minutes later the boats were lowered and the work of +getting the cargo on shore began. It was clear enough that this +was the pirates' headquarters; for there were lots of huts built +on the sloping sides of the inlet, and a number of men and women +stood gathered on the shore to receive us as we landed. The women +were of all countries, English and French, Dutch, Spaniards, and +Portuguese, with a good sprinkling of dark skinned natives. All +the white women had been taken prisoners at some time or other +from vessels which had fallen into the pirates' hands, and though +most of them must have been miserable enough at heart, poor +creatures, they all made a show of being glad to see the men back +again. It was but a week, I learned, since the pirates had +sailed, and it was considered a great stroke of luck that they +should so soon have effected a capture.</p> + +<p>"No one attended to me, but I worked hard all day with the +others rowing backward and forward between the shore and the +ship. When it became dusk they knocked off work, and the men went +off to their huts, for it seemed that each of them had a wife, +brown skinned or white. Seeing that nobody paid any attention to +me, I went off to the little captain, who was making his way up +to a hut of a better class than the others.</p> + +<p>"'What is to become of me, captain?' I asked. 'Ah! I had not +thought of you,' he said; 'well, you can go up with me and get +some supper, and you can have a blanket and sleep on my veranda +for tonight; we will see where you can be lodged in the morning.' +I followed him into his house, and was astonished as I entered at +the luxury of the apartment, which far exceeded anything I had +ever seen before. The plank walls were concealed by hangings of +light green silk, a rich carpet covered the floor, the furniture +was most handsome and massive, and had no doubt been intended for +the palace of the Spanish governor of some of the islands. A pair +of candelabra of solid silver stood on the table, and the white +candles in them, which had just been lighted, threw a soft glow +of light over the room and lighted up the table, on which was a +service, also of solid silver, with vases and, lovely flowers. A +young woman rose from a couch as he entered: 'I have been +expecting you for the last half hour, Eugene. You have worked +longer than usual this evening; if the fish are spoiled you must +not blame Zoe.'</p> + +<p>"The speaker was a tall and very handsome woman, and I now +understood how it was that my captor spoke such excellent +English. There was a deep expression of melancholy on her face, +but she smiled when speaking to the pirate, and her tone was one +of affection.</p> + +<p>"'I have brought home a countryman of yours, Ellen. I forgot +to allot him quarters until it was too late, so please give him +over to the care of Zoe and ask her to give him some supper and a +blanket; he will sleep in the veranda.'</p> + +<p>"The first look which the woman gave me as the captain spoke +made me wish that instead of speaking to the captain I had lain +down fasting under a tree, there was so much contempt and horror +in it; then, as I suppose she saw I was but a boy, it changed, +and it seemed to me that she pitied me from her heart; however, +she clapped her hands and a negress entered. She said something +to her in Spanish, and the old woman beckoned me to follow her, +and I was soon sitting in front of a better meal than I had +tasted for many a month, perhaps the best meal I had tasted in my +life.</p> + +<p>"As she couldn't speak English there was no talking with the +old woman. She gave me a tumbler of stiff rum and water to drink +with my supper, and after I had done she handed me a blanket, +took me out into the veranda, pointed to the side where I should +get the sea breeze, and left me. I smoked a pipe or two and then +went to sleep. I was awakened in the morning by some one coming +along the veranda, and, sitting up, saw the lady I had seen the +night before. 'So you are English?' she said. 'Yes, ma'am,' says +I, touching my hat sailor fashion. 'Are you lately from home?' +she asked. 'Not very late, ma'am,' says I; 'we went to Rio first, +and not filling up there were cruising about picking up a cargo +when --' and I stopped, not knowing, you see, how I should put +it. 'Are there any more of you?' she asked after awhile in a low +sort of voice. 'No, ma'am,' says I; 'I am the only one.' 'I did +not ask,' she said almost in a whisper, and I could see her face +was 'most as white as a sheet, 'I never ask. And so you have +joined them?' 'Yes,' says I, 'I couldn't help it, ma'am. I was +the last, you see; if there had been any one else to have +encouraged me I should have said no, but being alone --' 'Don't +excuse yourself, poor boy,' she said; 'don't think I blame you. +Who am I that I should blame any one? It is little I can do for +you, but if you should want anything I will do my best to +befriend you.' I heard the captain's voice calling. Suddenly she +put her finger to her lips, as a hint to me to hold my tongue, +and off she went.</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether the captain's wife spoke to him about me +or not, but at any rate he didn't tell me off to any of the huts, +but kept me at the house. I used to go down in the day to work +with the other men unloading the ship and stowing away the +stores, but they only worked for a few hours morning and evening, +lying in hammocks slung under the trees during the heat of the +day. I made myself useful about the house, helped the old woman +to chop wood, drew water for her, attended to the plants in the +little garden round the house, trained the creepers up the +veranda, and lent a hand at all sorts of odd jobs, just as a +sailor will do.</p> + +<p>"When, ten days after we arrived, the ships got ready for +another cruise, I was afraid they would take me with them, and I +lay awake at nights sweating as I thought over the fearful deeds +I should have to take part in; but the captain gave me no orders, +and to my delight the men embarked and the ships sailed away +without me. I found there were some forty men left behind, whose +duty it was to keep a sharp lookout and man the batteries they +had got at the entrance to the cove in case any of our cruisers +came in sight.</p> + +<p>"The man who was in command was a Spaniard, a sulky, cruel +looking scoundrel. However, he didn't have much to do with me; I +took my turn at the lookout with the rest of them, and besides +that there was nothing to do. The men on shore had all been in +one or other of the ships when I was taken; for I found there +were about a hundred and sixty of them, and a quarter stayed at +home by turns, changing after each cruise, whether it was a long +or short one.</p> + +<p>"The captain's wife often spoke to me now; she would come out +and sit in the veranda while I was at work. She asked me what +part I came from, and where I had sailed, and what friends I had +at home. But she never said a word to me about the capture of the +ship. She always looked sad now, while she had been cheerful and +bright while the captain was on shore. In time she got quite +friendly with me, and one day she said, 'Peter, you will have to +go to sea next time, what will you do?'</p> + +<p>"'I must do as the others do, God forgive me,' says I; 'but +don't think, ma'am, as ever I shall do it willing. It may be +years before I gets a chance, but if ever I does I shall make a +run for it, whatever the risk may be. I speaks free to you, +ma'am, for I feel sure as you won't say a word to no man, for it +would cost me my life if they thought that I wasn't with them +willing.'</p> + +<p>"'I will not tell any one, Peter, you may be sure,' she said; +'but I do not think you will ever have a chance of getting away +-- no one ever does who once comes here.'</p> + +<p>"Well, in time, lad, she lets out bit by bit a little about +herself. She had been on her way out to join her father, who was +an officer of the East Indy Company, when the ship was taken by +the pirates. The men was all killed, but she and some other women +was taken on board the pirate and at last brought there. The +French captain took a fancy to her from the first, and after she +had been there a year brought a Spanish priest they captured on +board a ship and he married them. The pirates seemed to think it +was a joke, and lots of them followed the captain's example and +got married to the women there. What they did with the priest +afterward, whether they cut his throat or landed him in some +place thousands of miles away, or entered him on board ship, is +more nor I know.</p> + +<p>"There's no doubt the captain's wife was fond of her husband; +pirate as he was, he had not behaved so bad to her -- but except +when he was with her she was always sad.</p> + +<p>"She had an awful horror of the life he led, and with this was +a terror lest he should fall into the hands of a cruiser, for she +knew that if he hadn't the good luck to be killed in the fight, +he would be tried and hung at the nearest port. It was a kind of +mixed feeling, you see; she would have given everything to be +free from the life she was leading, and yet even had she had the +chance she would not have left her husband. I believe he had +promised her to give it up, but she must have knowed that he +never would do it; besides, if he had slipped away from the ship +at any place where they touched he could not have got her away, +and her life would have paid for his desertion.</p> + +<p>"But I don't think he would have gone if he could, for, quiet +and nice as he was when at home, he was a demon at sea. Ruffians +and scoundrels as were his crew, the boldest of them were afraid +of him. It was not a word and a blow, but a word and a pistol +shot with him; and if it hadn't been that he was a first rate +seaman, that he fought his ships splendidly, and that there was +no one who could have kept any show of order or discipline had he +not been there, I don't believe they would have put up with him +for a day.</p> + +<p>"Well, lad, I sailed with them for three voyages. I won't tell +you what I saw and heard, but it was years before I could sleep +'well at night, but would start up in a cold sweat with those +scenes before my eyes and those screams ringing in my ears. I can +say that I never took the life of a man or woman. Of course I had +to help to load the cannon, and when the time for boarding came +would wave my cutlass and fire my pistols with the best of them; +but I took good care never to be in the front line, and the +others were too busy with their bloody doings to notice what +share I took in them.</p> + +<p>"We had been out about a fortnight on my third voyage, and the +schooner and brig were lying in a little bay when we saw what we +took to be a large merchant ship coming along. She was all +painted black, her rigging was badly set up, her sails were dirty +and some of them patched, she was steering east, and seemed as if +she was homeward bound after a long voyage. Off we went in +pursuit, thinking we had got a prize. She clapped on more sail, +but we came up to her hand over hand. She opened fire with two +eight pounders over her stern. We didn't waste a shot in reply, +but ranged up alongside, one on each beam. Then suddenly her +sides seemed to open, fifteen ports on each side went up, and her +deck swarmed with men.</p> + +<p>"A yell of dismay went up from the schooner which I was on. In +a moment a flash of fire ran along the frigate's broadside; there +was a crash of timber, and the schooner shook as if she had +struck on a rock. There was a cry, 'We are sinking!' Some made a +wild rush for the boats, others in their despair jumped +overboard, some cursed and swore like madmen and shook their +fists at the frigate. It seemed no time when another broadside +came.</p> + +<p>"Down came the foremast, crushing half a dozen men as she +fell. Her deck was nearly level with the water now. I climbed +over the wreck of the foremast, and run out along the bowsprit. I +looked round just as I leaped. The pirate captain was standing at +the wheel. He had a pistol to his head, and I saw the flash, and +he fell. Then I dived off and swam under water as hard as I could +to get away from the sinking ship. When I came up I looked round. +I just saw the flutter of a black flag above the water and she +was gone. I was a good swimmer, and got rid of my shoes and +jacket, and made up my mind for a long swim, for the frigate was +too busy with the brig for any one to pay attention to us, but it +did not take long to finish it.</p> + +<p>"In five minutes it was over. The brig lay dismasted, and +scarce a dozen men out of the forty she carried were alive to +throw down their arms on deck and cry that they surrendered. Then +the frigate's boats were lowered; two rowed in our direction, +while two put off to the brig. There were only nine of us picked +up, for from the first broadside till we sank a heavy musketry +fire had been poured down upon the deck, and as we were not more +than fifty yards away from the frigate, the men had been just +mowed down. We were all ironed as soon as we were brought on +board. After that we were brought up one by one and +questioned.</p> + +<p>"'You are young to be engaged in such work as this,' the +captain said when my turn came.</p> + +<p>"'I was forced into it against my will, sir,' I said.</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' the captain said, 'I suppose so; that's the story each +of the prisoners tells. How long have you been with them?'</p> + +<p>"'Less than six months, sir.'</p> + +<p>"'How old are you?'</p> + +<p>"'I am not seventeen yet. I was boy on board the Jane and +William. We were taken by the pirates on our way back from Rio, +and all except me killed or thrown overboard.'</p> + +<p>"'And you bought your life by agreeing to sail with them, I +suppose?' the captain said contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"'I did, sir,' I said; 'but I was the last they asked; all the +others had gone, and there warn't no one to back me up.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, boy, you know what your fate will be,' the captain +said; 'there's no mercy for pirates.'</p> + +<p>"The next day the captain sent for me again, and I took heart +a little, for I thought if they had made up their minds to hang +me they wouldn't have questioned me.</p> + +<p>"'Look here, lad,' the captain said; 'you are the youngest of +the prisoners, and less steeped in crime than any here, therefore +I will at once make you an offer. If you will direct us to the +lair of the pirates, I promise your life shall be spared.'</p> + +<p>"'I don't know the latitude and longitudes sir,' I said, 'and +I doubt if any besides the captain and one or two others do, but +I know pretty well whereabout it is. We always set sail at night +and came in at night, and none was allowed on deck except the +helmsman and two or three old hands till morning; but when I was +ashore and on duty at the lookout I noticed three trees growing +together just at the edge of the cliff at the point where it was +highest, two miles away from the entrance to the cove. They were +a big un and two little uns, and I feel sure if I were to see +them again I should know them.'</p> + +<p>"'Very well,' the captain said, 'I shall make for port at +once, and hand over the prisoners to the Spanish authorities, +then I will start on a cruise with you, and see if we can find +your trees.'</p> + +<p>"From the description I could give him of the islands we +passed after we had been at sea a few hours, and the time it took +us to sail from them to some known points, the captain was able +to form a sort of idea as to which group of islands it belonged +to, and when he had reached port and got rid of his prisoners, +all of whom were garroted -- that's a sort of strangling, you +know -- by the Spaniards, a week afterward, we set out again on +our search for the island."</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V: THE PIRATE +HOLD</h1> + +<p>"The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she +had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, +it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the +captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow +the ship's boats out of the water. As to the frigate getting in, +I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the +entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in. I was not in irons +now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can +tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.</p> + +<p>"For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after +island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the +three trees.</p> + +<p>"'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing +near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought +back word I was to go to the captain.</p> + +<p>"You are sure those are the trees?'</p> + +<p>"'Quite sure, sir.'</p> + +<p>"'They answer to your description certainly,' the captain +said. 'Keep her away, master, I don't want them to think we are +steering for the island.'</p> + +<p>"The ship's course was altered, and she sailed along parallel +with the coast.</p> + +<p>"'I beg your pardon, sir,' I said, touching my hat, 'but they +have got some wonderful good glasses up at the lookout, and if I +might make so bold I should say that they will make out that we +have got a lot more men on deck than a merchant ship would +carry.'</p> + +<p>"'You are right, lad,' the captain said, and he at once gave +orders that all hands with the exception of half a dozen should +sit down under the bulwarks or go below. The captain and first +lieutenant kept a sharp lookout through their glasses until we +had passed the end of the island. I pointed out to them the exact +position of the cove, but it was so shut in that even when I +showed where it was, it was as much as they could do to make it +out.</p> + +<p>"'Now, lad, do you know of any other landing places on the +other side of the island?'</p> + +<p>"'No, sir, and I don't believe there is any,' says I. I know +the captain said to me the first day I was on shore, 'It's no use +your thinking of making a bolt, for there ain't no other place +but this where you could get to sea -- not though you had twenty +boats waiting to take you off.' I expect that's why they chose +it. Anyhow, there never was any watch kept up on shore, though. I +have no doubt there was many a one who had been pressed into +pirating just as I was, to save their lives, would have made off +had they seen ever such a little chance of getting away.</p> + +<p>"'Just come into the cabin with me,' says he; 'I want you to +show me exactly where are these batteries, and the position of +the village on shore.'</p> + +<p>"The first lieutenant came too, and I drew them out a chart as +well as I could, showing them the position of things, and told +them that every evening a boom was floated across the +entrance.</p> + +<p>"'What sentries are there on at night?'</p> + +<p>"'Four, sir; two close down to the water, one each side of the +cove, and two in the batteries at the top. That's the watch, but +besides there are six men sleep in each of the other batteries, +and six in each of the batteries inside.'</p> + +<p>"'Tell me more about the place and the life you led there,' +the captain said, 'and then I shall understand the position of +things better.'</p> + +<p>"So I spun him a regular yarn about the place and the people. +I told him about the captain's wife, and she being an English +woman, and how she was taken, which indeed was the way of most of +the women there.</p> + +<p>"'I suppose that a good many of the men were pressed too,' the +captain said.</p> + +<p>"'I expects so, sir; but when we were together on guard or on +board a ship I noticed we never talked of such things. It seemed +to me as if every one was trying to forget the past, and I think +that made them more brutal and bloody minded than they would have +been. Every one was afraid of every one else guessing as he +wasn't contented, and was wanting to get away, and so each +carried on as bad as he could.'</p> + +<p>"'I dare say you are right, lad; it must be a terrible +position for a man to be in; but you see the law can make no +distinctions. If it wasn't thoroughly understood that if a man +took up the life of a pirate, whether willingly or unwillingly, +he would assuredly be executed if he was caught, we should have +the sea swarming with pirates. Now, lad, you know how this boom +was fastened; can you suggest any way that we could get over it +or loosen it without giving the alarm?'</p> + +<p>"'There is no way, sir. One end is fastened by a big chain +which is fixed to a great shackle which is let into a hole in the +rock and fastened in there with lead; that's the fixed end of the +boom. The other end, which is swung backward and forward when the +ships go in port, has got a big chain too. It goes under an iron +bar which is bent, and the two ends fastened in a rock. When they +want to fix the boom the end of the chain is passed under this +iron loop and then fastened to some blocks and ropes worked from +the battery above, and the end of the chain is drawn up tight +there, so that there is no loosing the chain till that battery is +taken.'</p> + +<p>"'And you say the guns of the lower batteries at the inner +point sweep the entrance?'</p> + +<p>"'They do, sir. There are ten of them on each side, twelve +pounder carronades, which are always charged, and crammed up to +the muzzle with bullets and nails and bits of iron. The batteries +on the top of the cliff at the entrance are the heaviest metal. +They have got twenty guns in each of them. They are loaded with +round shot to keep a vessel from approaching, though of course +they could fire grape into any boats they saw coming in.'</p> + +<p>"'This does not seem an easy business by any means, Mr. +Earnshaw,' the captain said.</p> + +<p>"'It does not, sir,' the lieutenant agreed in a dubisome sort +of way; 'but no doubt it can be done, sir -- no doubt it can be +done.'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, but how?' the captain asked. 'You will be in command of +the boats, Mr. Earnshaw, and it will never do to attack such a +place as that without some sort of plan.'</p> + +<p>"'What is the boom like, my lad?' the lieutenant asked; 'is it +lashed together?'</p> + +<p>"'No, it is a solid spar,' I said. 'The entrance is not more +than forty feet wide, and the boom is part of the mainmast of a +big ship.'</p> + +<p>"'It seems to me,' said the lieutenant, 'that the only way to +get at it would be to go straight at the boom, the two lightest +boats to go first. The men must get on the spar and pull the +boats over, and then make a dash for the batteries; the heavy +boats can follow them.'</p> + +<p>"'It would never do, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. 'You +forget there are twelve guns loaded to the muzzle with grape and +musketballs all trained upon a point only forty feet across. +Would it be possible to land just outside the boom, lad, on one +or both sides, and to keep along the edge, or wade in the water +to the batteries?'</p> + +<p>"'No, sir, the rock goes straight up from the water both +sides.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, the two sentries, how do they get down to the water's +edge?'</p> + +<p>"'They are let down by rope from above, sir, and the rope is +hauled up as soon as they are down.'</p> + +<p>"'This is a deuce of a place, Mr. Earnshaw,' the captain said. +'We must do nothing hastily in this matter, or we shall only be +throwing away the lives of a lot of men, and failing in our +object. I was intending to sail on and not return for a week, for +no doubt they will be specially vigilant for a time after seeing +a large ship pass them. As it is, I will return tonight to the +back of the island, and will there leave the cutter and my gig. +You will be in charge of the cutter, and Mr. Escombe will take +the gig. I shall then sail away again before daylight; for +although from what the lad said there is no watch kept on that +side of the island, it cannot be more than three miles across, +and any of the men or women might stroll across or might from any +high point in the island obtain a view that way. You will make a +thorough survey of all that side. The cliffs certainly seem, so +far as we could see them as we left the island, as perpendicular +as they are on the side we passed; but there may be some place +easier than another -- some place where, by setting our wits to +work, we may make a shift to climb up. Get into the island I +will, if I have to blast a flight of steps up the cliff.'</p> + +<p>"'I will do my best to find a place, sir,' the lieutenant +said; 'and, if there isn't one, I will make one.'</p> + +<p>"The lieutenant told me that I was to accompany him in the +cutter, and all was got ready for the trip. Water and a week's +rations of food were placed on board the boats; for in that +climate there was no saying when a gale might spring up, or how +long the vessel might be before she got back to pick up the +boats.</p> + +<p>"When we were fairly out of sight of the island we lay to till +it got dusk, and then her head was pointed back again. There was +scarce a breath of wind stirring, and the vessel went through the +water so slowly that a couple of hours later the captain ordered +the boats to be lowered, for he saw that if the wind didn't +freshen the ship could not get to the island, much less get away +again, before daylight. The oars were got out and off we started, +and after four hours' steady rowing, the lieutenant, who was +steering by compass, made out the land looming high above us. +Another quarter of an hour's row and we dropped our grapnels +close to the foot of the cliffs, and the men were told to get a +sleep as well as they could till morning.</p> + +<p>"As soon as it was daylight we were off again and rowed to the +end of the island; for, as Mr. Earnshaw said to the third +lieutenant, we had best begin at the end and do the work +thoroughly. When we got to the point we turned and rowed back, +keeping about two hundred yards from the cliff, so that we could +see well up. They were about a hundred feet high -- sometimes a +little less, sometimes a good bit more, and they went as straight +up from the water's edge as the cliffs at Dover, only there +weren't no beach. It was deep water right up to the foot.</p> + +<p>"We went along very slowly, the men only just dipping their +oars into the water, and all of us watching every foot of the +cliffs. Sometimes we would stop altogether while the officers +talked over the possibility of any one climbing up at some place +where the water trickling down from the top had eaten away the +face a little; but not a goat in the world could have climbed up +them, not to say men. So we kept on till we got to the other end +of the island, which must have been five miles long. Not a place +could we see.</p> + +<p>"'Unless we are going to do as the captain said -- blast steps +up the face of that rock -- I don't believe it's to be done,' +Lieutenant Earnshaw said to Mr. Escombe. 'Well, there's nothing +to do, lads, but to row in and drop your grapnels again and wait +till we see the ship's lights tonight.'</p> + +<p>"Although we rowed in to within an oar's length of the cliff, +there was eight fathoms of water when we dropped the grapnels. We +had been lying there an hour when the third lieutenant said:</p> + +<p>"'I should think, Mr. Earnshaw, that if we were to bring the +pinnace with that four pounder gun in the bow and up end it, and +with a small charge fire a ball with a rope fastened to it up +into that clump of trees we saw just about the middle of the +island, it might get caught.'</p> + +<p>"'So it might, Escombe, and the idea is a good one; but I +doubt whether there's a man on board ship could climb a rope +swinging like that against the face of those cliffs.'</p> + +<p>"'He might if we used a knotted rope,' Mr. Escombe said.</p> + +<p>"'I wouldn't mind making a try, yer honor,' one of the sailors +said, and half a dozen others volunteered their readiness to make +the attempt.</p> + +<p>"'I will put it to the captain,' Mr. Earnshaw said; 'if he +agrees, as you were the first to volunteer, Jones, you shall have +the chance.'</p> + +<p>"The day was dead calm, so was the night that followed it; and +although we rowed back to the end of the island from which we had +come, no lights were to be seen that night.</p> + +<p>"The next day passed slowly. The sun was hot; but toward +evening the lieutenant gave permission for the men to bathe; but +warned us that no man must go far from the boats, because there +might be sharks about. However, we didn't see none, and we +enjoyed the dip, and were in better humor still when we found +that a light breeze was springing up. It might have been about +midnight when the men on watch made out a light to seaward, and +we weren't long in getting up our grapnels and sitting our oars. +In half an hour we were on board, and were soon sailing away from +the island again.</p> + +<p>"The next night in we came again, and I saw that the third +lieutenant's plan was going to be adopted; in fact, I guessed so +before; for the sail makers had been at work with two light ropes +making a rope ladder, and the ship's smith had got some empty +shells on deck, and had made a shift to screw some iron eyes into +them for fixing ropes to. The gun was taken out of the pinnace +and a little mortar fixed in her, and half a dozen ropes, each a +hundred fathoms long, had knots put in them every two feet.</p> + +<p>"The launch and the two cutters were lowered as well as the +pinnace this time, and the crews were armed with cutlass and +pistol. I went with them as before, as I should be wanted to +guide them when they got near the village. It was a bright +starlight night without haze, so that when we got close we could +make out the outline of the cliffs, and could see the thick wood +growing on the top. When we got within about a hundred yards of +the cliffs the boat stopped rowing.</p> + +<p>"'Don't use more powder than you can help, gunner,' Mr. +Earnshaw said. 'In the first place, we don't want to do more than +carry out the rope to its full length; in the next place, we +don't want to make more noise than we can help. What wind there +is is fortunately blowing seaward, and being so close under the +cliff the sound will be echoed back. At the same time the less +noise the better.'</p> + +<p>"'I will begin with very little, sir. If the ball don't go to +the top of the cliff I shall put a trifle more into the gun next +time; it's better to make a mistake on the right side.'</p> + +<p>"A small quantity of powder was put in the mortar, which was +only a four inch one. Then a wad was put in, and a shell with one +of the knotted ropes fastened to it dropped in the top. The rope +had been coiled in a tub so as to run out easily. The gunner +applied the match. There was a dull report, and every man held +his breath to listen. There was a thud high up on the cliff and +then a splash.</p> + +<p>"'A few feet short of the top, I should say, gunner. You must +put in more next time, for the shell must go well up over the +trees and drop among them; otherwise it won't catch.'</p> + +<p>"The gunner by the light of the lantern measured out half as +much powder again as he had used before, and then fired. This +time we heard no sound till there was a faint splash in the +water.</p> + +<p>"'The rope's gone, sir,' the gunner said, looking into the +tub. 'There was a little too much this time.'</p> + +<p>"'I don't think so,' Mr. Escombe said. 'I think that splash +was the end of the rope touching the water. In that case it will +be just right, a hundred feet up the cliffs, and five hundred +feet among the trees. No fear of the rope coming back to us.'</p> + +<p>"It took us a quarter of an hour's search in the dark to find +the rope; but at last we came upon it, and sure enough there was +only four or five fathoms in the water.</p> + +<p>"'Now, Jones,' Mr. Earnshaw said, 'it's your turn. Put that +light line over your shoulders, and when you get to the top haul +on it till you get up the rope ladder, and fasten that to a stout +trunk and give a low hail. We will hold the rope as steady as we +can below while you mount.'</p> + +<p>"'Ay, ay, sir,' said the man, who was an active young chap; 'I +will be up there in a jiffy.'</p> + +<p>"We fastened the lower end round one of the thwarts of the +boat, and then he began to climb. It was near five minutes before +he got to the top, for there were some nasty places where the +cliff jutted out, and the rope was hard against it; but presently +the shaking ceased, and a minute later the light line was hauled +tight. There was a low cheer in the boats, and then up went the +rope ladder. A minute or two later there was a hail from the +top.</p> + +<p>"'All taut, sir.'</p> + +<p>"'I will go first,' Mr. Earnshaw said.</p> + +<p>"Accordingly up he went, and one by one we followed, each +waiting for the signal that the one before him had got up, till +all had gone except the two told off as boat watch. Then the men +of the launch and cutters followed, and in about two hours they +were all at the top, and a lantern was shown to tell the ship we +were there.</p> + +<p>"We started at once across the island, Mr. Earnshaw keeping +the line by a pocket compass. It was rough work, though, and at +last the lieutenant said:</p> + +<p>"'We make such a noise going through the bushes that we had +better wait till daylight, so just halt where you are, lads.'</p> + +<p>"As soon as the first ray of light showed we were off again, +and an hour later reached the edge of the slope down to the +cove.</p> + +<p>"'Now, remember,' the lieutenant said, 'that no woman is to be +hurt. All the men who resist are to be shot or cut down; but you +are to take prisoners all who throw down their arms. Some of them +may be able to prove themselves less guilty than the rest. At any +rate, there is no fear of the Spanish authorities being too +merciful. These pirates have been the scourge of these seas for +the last six years.'</p> + +<p>"Well, lad, there ain't much more to tell you. We took them +completely by surprise, and the men in the village were all +knocked down and bound, without firing a shot. The men in the +batteries tried to slew their guns round, but we didn't give 'em +time. They fought desperately, for they knew what their doom was, +and there weren't any prisoners taken there. As soon as the +village was taken I went straight with Mr. Escombe to the +captain's house. His wife was standing at the door, and she gave +a little cry as she saw the British uniforms, and ran a step or +two to meet us, then she stopped, and her arms dropped by her +side.</p> + +<p>"'What! you, Peter!' she said as we came up. 'Is it you who +led them here?'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, ma'am, it was me,' says I, 'and the best thing I could +do for you, for you could not wish to stay here all your life +with just the people that are here.'</p> + +<p>"'But what has happened?' she said. 'How is it you are here? +What has become of the schooner?'</p> + +<p>"'The schooner is sunk, ma'am, and the brig is captured.'</p> + +<p>"'And my husband?'</p> + +<p>"'Well, ma'am, don't you take on, but your husband went down +with the schooner.'</p> + +<p>"She tottered, and I thought she would have fallen, but Mr. +Escombe put his arm round her and led her to the house and left +her there, putting two sailors on guard to see as she wasn't +disturbed. An hour or two later the frigate was off the cove, and +the captain landed. We stopped a week there, and carried off all +there was worth taking; and I tell you there was enough to give +every man Jack on board a handsome share of prize money when the +things came to be sold afterward.</p> + +<p>"Money, there was lots of it, all stored away in what they +called the treasure house, for money was no good there. Jewels +and ornaments, watches, and the things which they uses in them +Catholic churches, and all kinds of valuable things, and stores +of silks and velvets and all kinds of materials; and as to wine +and such like, there was enough to have lasted them for years, +for from first to last it was shown afterward that those fellows +must have captured more nor fifty vessels. Why they shouldn't +have stopped ashore and enjoyed what they got was a mystery to +me. But I suppose they couldn't do without excitement, and though +every man talked of the time when the treasure would be divided +and they were to scatter, I don't suppose as one ever expected as +the time would really come.</p> + +<p>"Well, arter everything was on board, and the women and +children, the place was burned, and we sailed for the nearest +Spanish port. We had had a sort of court martial on board the +frigate, and two or three young chaps like myself, and two men as +was proved to have been captured in the pirates' last cruise, and +who hadn't been to sea with them or taken part in any of their +bloody doings, was kept on board ship, and the rest was handed +over to the Spanish authorities. Most of them was garroted, and a +few was condemned to work on the roads for life. I and the others +was taken back to England in the frigate, whose foreign time was +up, and when we got to Portsmouth we was drafted into a regiment +there, and lucky we thought ourselves to get off so easy. The +captain's wife and some of the other white women came home to +England on board the frigate. She was very low at first, but she +brightened up a good deal toward the end of the voyage, which +lasted two months. She grieved over her husband, you see, but she +couldn't but have felt that it was all for the best. I heard +afterward as how two years after she married Mr. Earnshaw, who by +that time had got to be a captain. So that, you see, my lad, is +how I came to fight under the black flag first and then to be a +soldier of the queen. I didn't mean it to be sich a long yarn, +but when I once began it all came back to me, and you see, I +haven't spoken of it for years. You don't think altogether as I +was very wrong, I hope."</p> + +<p>"I thank you very much for your story, sergeant," Jack +replied. "I only wish it had been longer; and although it's very +easy to say that a man ought to die rather than consent to be a +pirate, I don't think there are many lads who would choose death +if they were placed as you were."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you think that, young un; it's always been a sore +point with me, I have done my duty since, and no one can say as +he's ever seen Sergeant Edwards show the white feather. But the +thought that that once I did not act as a brave man would have +done has always troubled me."</p> + +<p>The next day, as the sea went down, and the recruits recovered +from the effects of the confinement and sickness, they again +began to talk among themselves. The fact that all the other +vessels of the fleet were out of sight naturally encouraged them. +Jack observed, however, that the call to parade on deck was +answered with more quickness than before, and the exercises were +gone through with a painstaking steadiness greater than had been +shown since the embarkation. When the men were dismissed from +parade Jack remarked this to the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, lad, I noticed it too," the sergeant said, shaking +his head, "and in my opinion it's a bad sign. They want to throw +the officers off their guard. It's a pity you have been seen +talking so much to me, because, of course, they won't say +anything when you are listening; but one or two of the men who +came into the regiment with me have dropped a word as they +happened to pass this morning that they wanted to have a word if +they could get one without being noticed, so I hope to hear a +little more tonight."</p> + +<p>That evening, before going below, Jack had an hour's talk with +Sergeant Edwards.</p> + +<p>"It's just as I thought," the latter said, "they've got an +idea of seizing the ship. The men I spoke of managed to get a few +words with me this evening. They don't know anything about +piracy. All they have heard is that there is a proposal to seize +the ship and to carry her into one of the northern ports of +Spain, where the men will land and give up their arms to the +Spanish authorities, and then either disperse and make their way +home by twos and threes as best they can, or they will take +service with the King of Spain, who, they think, will pay them a +deal better than the English government.</p> + +<p>"A part of the crew are in the scheme. These, the men tell me, +do not intend to land, but only tell the others that they shall +sail away. That's about what I thought would be. The greater part +of these fellows only wants to get quickly home again, while the +sailors, who may want to go abuccaneering, would not care about +having the soldiers with them. I shall give a hint to the captain +of my company tonight as to what is going on, but I don't much +expect he will pay any attention to it. Officers never believe +these things till it is too late, and you see I can't give them +any names yet or prove what I say; besides, likely enough, any +inquiry set on foot would only bring the matter to a head. We +must wait till we know something sure.</p> + +<p>"You keep your ears open, my boy, and your eyes too, and I +will do the same. If it comes, and you see a chance of warning +the captain of the ship or the first lieutenant in time, you do +it; but don't you do it if you don't think there's time enough, +or if you can't do it without being seen. If it's too late, and +you are found out, they would just chuck you overboard or knock +you on the head, and you will have done no good after all, and +perhaps only caused bloodshed. Like enough, if matters go +quietly, there won't be no bloodshed, and the officers and those +who stick to them will just be turned adrift in the boats, or +maybe handed over to the Spanish at the port they go into as +prisoners."</p> + +<p>Jack promised to follow the sergeant's instructions, and went +below. He thought that the men were unusually quiet, and taking +his blanket -- for although some of the soldiers slept in +hammocks, the majority lay on the deck wrapped in their blankets +-- he lay down by the side of a gun whose port had been opened to +admit air between decks. After thinking the matter over for some +time, and wondering what would be the end of it, he dropped off +into a light sleep.</p> + +<p>Presently he was aroused by a confused sound. Looking round +cautiously, he saw by the dim light of the lantern that most of +the men were on their feet. Some of them were taking down their +firearms from the arm racks; small groups were stooping over some +of the sleeping figures; and to the mast, close to which one of +the lanterns hung, two or three men were bound, and two soldiers +with pikes were standing by them. The crisis, then, had come, and +Jack at once proceeded to carry out the plan he had thought out +after he lay down.</p> + +<p>Very quietly he crawled out through the porthole, and then +raised himself and stood on the muzzle of the gun. There he could +reach the foot of the shrouds of the foremast, which happened to +be immediately above the port. He swung himself up, and, placing +his hands on the edge of the bulwark, cautiously looked over.</p> + +<p>At present all was quiet there; the signal from below had not +been given, and the troops on deck -- for, owing to the numbers +on board, one fourth were always on deck in fine weather -- were +standing about or sitting in groups. Keeping his feet on the +ledge which ran round level with the deck, and his fingers on the +top of the bulwark, Jack managed to edge his way aft until he +reached the line of the quarterdeck. Here the line of the bulwark +ceased, the cabins of the officers rising, as was usual in those +days, in a double tier high about the waist.</p> + +<p>The nearest porthole, which was open, was but three feet long, +and Jack, reaching forward, put one hand in it and continued his +way. The porthole was but just large enough for him to squeeze +through. Looking in before he attempted it he saw an officer +asleep immediately below him. It was the ensign of his own +company. Leaning in he touched him gently. After one or two +attempts, the young officer opened his eyes, saying, "What is it? +It's not morning yet."</p> + +<p>"Hush, sir," Jack said earnestly; "I am Jack Stilwell of your +company. There is a mutiny, sir, forward. Please help me in, I +want to warn the captain of the ship, and he will know what to +do."</p> + +<p>The young officer leaped from his bunk and assisted Jack to +enter.</p> + +<p>"I will come with you," he said, hastily dragging on his +trousers and coat. "Are you sure of what you say?"</p> + +<p>"Quite sure, sir; the noncommissioned officers are bound; it +may begin at any moment."</p> + +<p>The ensign led the way to the captain's cabin, which he opened +and entered without ceremony.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" the captain exclaimed. The ensign said who he +was, and Jack repeated his story.</p> + +<p>"The dogs!" the captain said, "we will teach them a lesson. +Let me see, the second lieutenant is on duty; rouse all the other +officers;" and he himself assisted them to do so. In a minute or +two they were gathered hastily attired, with sword and pistol, in +the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>"Do you, Mr. Hartwell," the captain said, addressing the first +lieutenant, "go below and rouse the boatswain and petty officers, +and bid them get together all the men they can depend upon, arm +them quietly, and be ready to rush on deck the instant a stir is +heard forward among the soldiers. Any man who disobeys orders, +shoot him instantly. Do you, sir," he said to the second officer, +"go to the magazine with four of the midshipmen, open it and +bring up charges of grape for the guns on the quarterdeck. Be as +quick as you can. Now, gentlemen, the rest of us will make our +way up quietly, one by one, to the quarterdeck. Go well aft, so +that the men in the waist will not notice you. Directly the +cartridges come up we will load the guns, and be in readiness to +slew them across the deck; and in the mean time, if they should +attack before we are ready, we must hold the ladders to the +last."</p> + +<p>One by one the officers stole out from the cabin with bare +feet, and made their way up to the quarterdeck, until some thirty +of them were gathered there, being all the officers of the +regiment, the naval officers, and midshipmen. The night was a +dark one, and this was accomplished without the movement being +noticed by any of those in the waist of the ship.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI: A +COMMISSION</h1> + +<p>The moments passed slowly and anxiously, for if the mutineers +were to pour up from below before the cartridges arrived and the +lieutenant had got the petty officers and men on whom they could +rely ready for action, it was improbable that the officers would +be able successfully to oppose the rush of the men, armed as +these would be with matchlock and pike.</p> + +<p>The mutineers, however, believing that there was no occasion +to hurry, were quietly carrying out their intentions. The +noncommissioned officers had all been seized, tied, and placed +under sentries, whose orders were to pike them if they uttered a +word. A strong guard had been placed at the foot of the gangway +to prevent any of the soldiers who were not in the plan from +going on deck and giving the alarm. The muskets were not loaded, +as on embarkation all ball cartridges had, as usual, been stowed +away in the magazine; but they reckoned upon obtaining possession +of this at the first rush. The ringleaders proceeded to form the +men in fours, so that they could pour on to the deck in military +order. The men of each company were told off to separate work. +Two companies were to clear the decks, where, on their +appearance, they would be joined by their comrades there, and to +overpower any sailors who might offer resistance.</p> + +<p>Another company was to run down and secure the magazine, and, +breaking it open, to serve out cartridges to all. Two other +companies were to rush aft and overpower the officers; the sixth +and seventh were to form round the head of the hatchway leading +to the decks where the sailors slept, and to allow only those to +come on deck who had entered into the plot. The other three +companies were already on deck. The arrangements were excellent, +but the care taken in preparing for them, and the necessity for +doing this in silence lest the stir should be heard and an alarm +be given on deck, occupied time which the officers were turning +to advantage.</p> + +<p>As soon as the captain and naval men had gained the +quarterdeck they threw off the lashings of the guns, and had all +in readiness for running them in and taking them aft to the edge +of the quarterdeck. There was a deep sensation of relief as one +after another the midshipmen joined them, each carrying three +cartridges of grape, and followed by the gunner with four more. +The lieutenant was to stay below to lead the sailors on to the +deck.</p> + +<p>The gunner brought a message saying that all was well. Many of +the sailors were found to have turned into their hammocks without +undressing, and to have hand pikes or cutlasses concealed beneath +the clothes. These, however, had been surprised and taken without +the slightest noise; as, on finding a lantern on one side of +their heads and a pistol on the other, each had submitted without +the slightest resistance. All these had been sent down to the +hold below, and a guard placed over them. The guns were loaded +and the whole of the officers divided among them in readiness to +run them forward. Four or five minutes passed, then a shout was +heard forward and a low rush of many feet.</p> + +<p>In an instant the four guns on the quarterdeck were run +across. While this was being done there was a clashing of swords, +shouts, and a noise of conflict heard forward, and at the same +time a loud cheer arose, while from the after hatchway a dark +body of men rushed up on to the deck and formed across it. Some +midshipmen, who had been told off for the duty, ran up from the +officers' cabin with lighted lanterns, which were ranged along at +the edge of the quarterdeck.</p> + +<p>There was a rush aft of the mutineers, but these recoiled +astonished at the sight of the pikes which confronted them, and +the line of sailors four deep across the deck, while at the same +moment the light of the lanterns showed them the officers on the +quarterdeck, and the four guns pointed threateningly toward them. +For a moment a silence of astonishment and dismay succeeded the +uproar which had preceded it, then the captain's voice was +heard:</p> + +<p>"Down with your arms, you mutinous dogs, or I will blow you +into the air. It is useless to resist. We are prepared for you, +and you are without ammunition. Throw down the arms on the decks, +every man of you, before I count three, or I fire. One -- two +--"</p> + +<p>There was a loud clattering of arms, mingled with shouts of -- +"We surrender; don't fire, sir, don't fire."</p> + +<p>"It's all over," the captain said grimly. "Mr. Hartwell, march +your men forward, shoot any scoundrel instantly whom you find +with arms in his hands, collect all the weapons and bring them +aft.</p> + +<p>"Now, Colonel Clifford," he said, turning to the officer in +command of the regiment, "if you go below with the officers, you +can unloose the noncommissioned officers; they will be able to +point out to you the ringleaders in this business. They had +better be ironed at once and put into the hold. You will have no +more trouble now, I fancy."</p> + +<p>In ten minutes the whole of the arms had been collected and +stored up, the noncommissioned officers had pointed out some +twenty of the ringleaders, and these were safely in irons below, +while a strong guard of armed sailors was placed between decks to +see that there was no renewal of insubordinate conduct. There +was, however, no fear of this; the men were thoroughly cowed and +humiliated by the failure of their plan, and each was occupied +only in hoping that he had not been sufficiently conspicuous to +be handed over in the morning to join the prisoners below.</p> + +<p>There was no more sleep that night on board the ship. After +breakfast two courts martial were held, the one by the naval, the +other by the military officers. The latter sentenced two men, who +were convicted on the testimony of the noncommissioned officers +as having been the leaders, to be hung, and the sentence was at +once carried out. The regiment was formed in close order on deck +unarmed and witnessed the execution of their comrades, who were +hung up to the extremities of the main yard. The other prisoners +were sentenced to two hundred lashes apiece -- a punishment which +was, according to the ideas of the time, very lenient, such a +punishment being frequently administered for comparatively +trifling offenses, and the prisoners considered themselves +fortunate in escaping hanging, for which, indeed, they had +prepared themselves.</p> + +<p>Previous to the administration of their punishment the colonel +addressed the men, and told them that all the ringleaders had +been found guilty and sentenced to death, but that the members of +the court martial had agreed with him that, considering the youth +and inexperience of the offenders and the whole circumstances of +the case, it would be possible to remit the death sentence, +confident that the prisoners and the whole of the regiment would +recognize the leniency with which they had been treated, and +would return to their duty with a firm and hearty determination +to do all in their power to atone for their misconduct, and to +show themselves true and worthy soldiers of the queen. If this +was the case, no further notice would be taken of the error; but +at the same time he warned them that he had by him a long list of +men who had taken a prominent part in the affair, and that the +first time any of these misconducted themselves they might be +well assured that no mercy would be shown to them.</p> + +<p>The naval court martial showed no greater severity than that +administered by the military officers. The vessel was short +handed, and moreover the officers did not wish the stigma to +attach to the ship of a serious mutiny among the crew. Had any of +these been hung, the matter must have been reported; but as none +of the crew had absolutely taken part in the rising, however +evident it was that they intended to do so, no sentences of death +were passed. But a number of the men were sentenced to be flogged +more or less severely, those who had but lately been pressed +getting off with comparatively light punishments, while the +heaviest sentences were passed on the older hands concerned in +the affair.</p> + +<p>The arms of the troops continued to be kept under a strong +guard until, ten days later, the rest of the fleet were seen, +just as the northern point of Portugal was made out. A few hours +later the fleet was united; and the next day, the wind dying +entirely away, Colonel Clifford proceeded in a boat to the +flagship to report to the Earl of Peterborough the mutiny which +had taken place in his regiment, and its successful +suppression.</p> + +<p>Immediately the mutiny had been put down Jack Stilwell had +stolen away and rejoined the soldiers forward; and although there +was much wonder among the men as to how the affair had been +discovered, none suspected him of having betrayed them, and +believed that the officers must have been warned by some word +incautiously let drop in their hearing. Only to Sergeant Edwards +did Jack reveal what had taken place.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, lad, I guessed as you had had a hand in the +business somehow. When I was standing tied up against the mast I +had to keep my mouth shut; but I had the use of my eyes, and I +could not make you out among them. I might have missed you, of +course; but your company was formed up close to where I was +standing, and I thought I should have seen you if you had been +there. I could not think what had become of you; but when the men +came pouring down again without their arms, and I heard them +cursing and swearing because the sailors and the officers and all +was found in readiness to receive them, it somehow came to my +mind as that you was at the bottom of it -- though how, I could +not for the life of me make out, for I knew you had gone below +when I did."</p> + +<p>"I wish, sergeant, that when you are examined, as you will be +about this affair, you will ask Captain Curtis to ask the colonel +not to let it be known publicly that it was I who warned him, for +my life would be unbearable among the men if they knew it. And if +it didn't happen before, it would be certain that the first time +we went into action I should get a bullet in my back."</p> + +<p>"You are right there, my lad. I will tell the captain. You may +be sure your conduct won't be overlooked; but at present, as you +say, the less said about it the better."</p> + +<p>An hour after Colonel Clifford had gone on board the flagship +the boat returned with orders that Private Stilwell, of D +Company, was to go back with them. The order was given to Captain +Curtis, who sent first for Sergeant Edwards.</p> + +<p>"Go forward, sergeant, and tell Stilwell that he is to go on +board the flagship. No doubt the colonel has spoken to the +general. Tell the lad apart, and let him make his way aft here to +the gangway quietly, so that he won't be noticed. If any of the +men happen to see him going off in the boat, they may suppose +that the colonel has only sent for some man who can write; and +naturally if the captain had ordered me to choose a man, I should +have picked him out."</p> + +<p>On reaching the deck of the flagship Jack was conducted to the +admiral's cabin. At the head of the table was seated a man whom +Jack recognized at once, from the description he had heard of +him, as the Earl of Peterborough. He was small and very spare in +person, his features were pleasant, his nose somewhat prominent, +his eye lively and penetrating. He had laid aside the immense wig +which, in accordance with the custom, he wore when abroad or at +court in England; and Jack saw his hair, which was light brown +and somewhat scanty. The admiral of the fleet sat next to him; +for although Peterborough had the command of the expedition both +at land and sea, an admiral was in command of the fleet under +him. Colonel Clifford was seated on the earl's left, and several +other naval and military officers were at the table.</p> + +<p>"Well, young man," Peterborough said, "Colonel Clifford has +been telling us that it is due to you that I have not a regiment +the less under my orders, and that her majesty has not lost a +ship from the list of her navy. He says that the whole thing was +so quickly done that he has not been able to learn the full +particulars from you, and that he has abstained from questioning +you because you did not wish any suspicion to be excited among +the men of the part you played in it. Now, please to tell me the +whole history of the affair."</p> + +<p>Jack thereupon related how his suspicions had been aroused by +Sergeant Edwards, who was only waiting for sufficient opportunity +and a certainty of information to divulge the plot to the +officers. He then related his awaking as the mutiny began, and +the steps he had taken to warn the officers. When he had done, +the earl said:</p> + +<p>"You have acted smartly and well, young man; you have shown +promptness, courage, and fidelity. You speak above your rank. +What is your parentage?"</p> + +<p>"My father was a clergyman, sir," Jack said, "but being +dispossessed of his living in the troubles, could not make his +case known on the return of King Charles; but he supported +himself by teaching, and gave me such education as he could, in +hope that I too should enter the ministry. But my thoughts did +not incline that way; and when he died, and also my mother, I +thought of going to sea, when it happened that I was pressed for +a soldier. And seeing that it was so, I made up my mind to make +the best of things."</p> + +<p>"And you have done so, young man; and right glad am I that +your education and parentage are such that I can reward you as I +should wish. I give you a discharge now from your regiment and +appoint you ensign. You will at present form one of my staff; and +glad am I to have so dashing and able a young officer ready to +hand for any perilous service I may require."</p> + +<p>On the 20th of June the fleet sailed up the Tagus.</p> + +<p>Jack had not returned on board his ship.</p> + +<p>"Better stop here," the earl said. "If you went back, and they +heard you were promoted, likely enough some of them might toss +you overboard on a dark night. We will set the tailors at once to +work to rig you up an undress uniform. You can get a full dress +made at Lisbon. Not that you will be wanting to wear that much, +for we have come out for rough work; still, when we ride +triumphantly into any town we have taken, it is as well to make a +good impression upon the Spanish donnas. And, say what they will, +fine feathers go a long way toward making fine birds. Do you +write a good hand?"</p> + +<p>"I think I write a pretty fair one, sir."</p> + +<p>"That is good. I write a crabbed stick myself, and there's +nothing I hate more than writing; and as for these young +gentlemen, I don't think they will be of much use for that sort +of thing. However, I shan't have a great deal of it. But you +shall act as my secretary when necessary."</p> + +<p>The earl's orders to the tailors were peremptory to lose no +time in fitting Jack with an undress suit, and in twenty-four +hours he was able to join the mess of the young officers and +volunteers who accompanied the general. These were all young men +of good family; and having heard how Jack had saved the ship from +mutiny, they received him among them with great heartiness, which +was increased when they found that he was well educated and the +son of a gentleman.</p> + +<p>It was a great satisfaction to Jack, that owing to the +kindness and generosity of the earl, he was able to pay his +expenses at mess and to live on equal terms with them; for the +general had dropped a purse with a hundred guineas into his hand, +saying:</p> + +<p>"This will be useful to you, lad, for you must live like the +other officers. I owe it to you many times over for having saved +me that regiment, upon whose equipment and fitting out I had +spent well nigh a hundred times that sum."</p> + +<p>Some of the officers were but little older than Jack, and by +the time the ship dropped anchor in the Tagus he was quite at +home with them.</p> + +<p>"What a lovely city!" he said as he leaned over the bulwark +and looked at the town standing on the steep hills sloping down +to the river.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," Graham, one of the young officers, agreed. "But +I fancy the Portuguese are but poor creatures. The Earl of Galway +writes in his dispatches that they are great at promises, but he +finds he can expect little assistance from them."</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea whether we are going to land here?"</p> + +<p>"No; wherever we land, you may be sure it won't be here. The +Earl of Galway has been here two or three months, and he has some +good regiments with him. Our chief would be losing his position +did we land here, as he has a separate command, and would of +course be under Galway if the forces were joined. The Dutch fleet +is to be here in a day or two, and the Archduke Charles sailed a +fortnight before we did; and as we have made a very slow voyage +of it, he ought to have been here long ago. What a talk there +will be! What with the archduke, and the Portuguese, and the +Dutch, and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and the Earls of Galway +and Peterborough, and probably every one of them with his own +ideas and opinions, it will be hard to come to any arrangement. +Besides there will be dispatches from the British court, and the +court of the Netherlands, and the Austrian emperor, all of whom +will probably differ as to what is the best thing to be done. +There will be a nice to do altogether. There's one thing to be +said, our chief can out talk them all; and he can say such +disagreeable things when he likes that he will be likely to get +his own way, if it's only to get rid of him. There goes his boat +into the water. What an impatient fellow he is, to be sure."</p> + +<p>No sooner had Peterborough landed than he turned all his +energies to obtain the supplies which had been denied to him at +home, and after much difficulty he succeeded in borrowing a +hundred thousand pounds from a Jew named Curtisos on treasury +bills on Lord Godolphin, with the condition that the lender +should be given the contract for the supply of provisions and +other requisites for the army. The day that the earl had carried +out this arrangement he returned on board radiant. Hitherto he +had been terribly out of temper, and Jack, who had become his +amanuensis, had written at his dictation many very sharp notes to +every one with whom he had come in contact. As soon as he came on +board he sent for Jack to his cabin.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mr. Stilwell. I have a dispatch for you to write to +the lord treasurer. I have got my money, so that difficulty is at +an end. It is glorious! I couldn't get a penny out of them before +I sailed, now I have got as much as I want. I would give a +thousand guineas out of my own pocket to see Godolphin's face +when he reads my dispatch, and finds that he's got to honor bills +for a hundred thousand pounds; it will be better than any comedy +that ever was acted. How the pompous old owl will fret and fume! +But he will have to find the money for all that. He can't begin +the campaign by dishonoring bills of her majesty's general, or no +one would trust us hereafter. You haven't seen my lord treasurer, +Mr. Stilwell?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I have not been at court at all."</p> + +<p>"That's a pity," the earl said; "for you lose the cream of the +joke. Now, I shall go on shore tomorrow and get everything that +is wanted, and then the sooner we are off the better; we have +been here a fortnight, and I am sick of the place."</p> + +<p>Jack was by no means sick of Lisbon, for he enjoyed himself +vastly. The town was full of troops -- English, Dutch, and +Portuguese. Of an evening there were fetes and galas of all +kinds, and as the earl always attended these, Jack and the other +young officers were permitted to go ashore either in full uniform +to take part in the fetes, or to enjoy themselves according to +their fancies.</p> + +<p>As Graham had predicted, it was some time before any +conclusion was arrived at as to the destination of the fleet. +Several councils were held, but no decision was come to. +Peterborough's orders were so vague that he could use his own +discretion. He had, indeed, been recommended to prevail upon the +Archduke Charles to accompany him and to proceed to Italy, where +he was to form a junction with Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy, who +was sorely pressed by the armies of France.</p> + +<p>A messenger, however, arrived by sea with an order from the +queen that the fleet should proceed to the coast of Catalonia, in +consequence of information which had been sent to the British +court of the favorable disposition of the Catalans toward the +Archduke Charles. This was in accordance with the counsel which +the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had been strenuously urging, and +his recent success in the capture and subsequent defense of +Gibraltar gave weight to his words and effaced the recollection +of his failure before Barcelona in the previous year.</p> + +<p>The final decision rested in a great measure with the Archduke +Charles, who at last decided to proceed with Lord Peterborough +and land upon the coast of Spain and test the disposition of his +Valencian and Catalan subjects. The reasons for Peterborough's +falling in with the decision to move on Barcelona are explained +in a dispatch which he dictated to Sir George Rooke on the 20th +of July.</p> + +<p>"Upon the letter of my Lord Godolphin and the secretary of +state, the King of Spain, his ministers, and my Lord Galway and +myself have concluded there was no other attempt to be made but +upon Catalonia, where all advices agree that six thousand men and +twelve hundred horse are ready expecting our arrival with a +general goodwill of all the people. The Portuguese have entirely +refused to join in any design against Cadiz, and by a copy of my +Lord Galway's letter you will find he is in an utter despair of +their attempting anything this year, and that by our instructions +it will appear that there is no other enterprise left for our +choice."</p> + +<p>Peterborough's military force was, however, wholly +insufficient for such an enterprise. He prevailed upon Lord +Galway to give him a part of Lord Raby's and General Cunningham's +regiments of English dragoons, although the Portuguese +strenuously opposed this being done. Their conduct, indeed, at +this time was very similar to that which they adopted a hundred +years later toward the Duke of Wellington, throwing every +conceivable obstacle in the English commander's way, and opposing +every plan of action which he suggested. Many of the dragoons +were without horses, but Lord Peterborough mounted them on +animals which he bought with some of the money he had procured +from Curtisos.</p> + +<p>The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt went on ahead to Gibraltar to +arrange for a portion of the garrison to accompany the +expedition. On the 28th of July the Archduke Charles embarked +with Lord Peterborough on board the Ranelagh, and an hour later +the fleet put to sea. Off Tangiers they were joined by the +squadron under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and a few days later they +reached the Bay of Gibraltar.</p> + +<p>Here they found that the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had +arranged that the battalion of the guards, with three other +veteran regiments that had borne part in the gallant defense of +the fortress, were to be embarked, and two of the newly raised +corps Lord Peterborough had brought out from England were to take +their place in the garrison. The regiment to which Jack had +belonged was one of these. As soon as he heard the news ho took +the first opportunity of speaking to the earl.</p> + +<p>"I have a favor to ask, sir."</p> + +<p>"What is that, lad?"</p> + +<p>"It is, sir, that Sergeant Edwards, who, if you remember, +advised me about warning the officers of the mutiny, should be +transferred to one of the regiments coming on board."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my lad; I had not forgotten him. I truly wish that +he had sufficient education to give him a commission. I sent to +inquire of his colonel, but finding that he could not read or +write, and that he would be out of place among the officers, I +could not do it; but I will gladly take him with us on active +service. It would be hard on a good soldier to be left behind +with that mutinous set of rascals."</p> + +<p>Jack had already heard from Sergeant Edwards, whom he had met +several times on shore at Lisbon, and who had rejoiced most +heartily at his promotion, that Lord Peterborough had sent him, +through the colonel, a purse of fifty guineas as a reward for his +conduct.</p> + +<p>Jack immediately proceeded in a boat to his old vessel, with +an order from the earl that the sergeant should be at once +transferred into one of the regiments coming on board. The +sergeant was delighted, for orders had already been received for +the regiment to disembark and form part of the garrison.</p> + +<p>An hour later the Archduke Charles landed, amid the thunder of +the guns of the fleet and fortress, for here for the first time +he was acknowledged as and received the honor due to the King of +Spain. There was but little delay -- Lord Peterborough's energy +hurried every one else forward, and on the 5th of August the +fleet again put to sea, the king and the Prince of Hesse +Darmstadt accompanying it.</p> + +<p>The winds were contrary, and it was not till the 11th that +they anchored in Altea Bay, at the mouth of the Guadalaviar, on +the Valencian coast. On the other side of the roadstead stood the +castle and village of Denia. The expedition was received with +good will by the people, who hated the ascendency of France at +Madrid and were bitterly jealous of Castile.</p> + +<p>As soon as the fleet anchored Peterborough caused a manifesto +to be distributed among the people disclaiming any idea of +aggrandizement on the part of Great Britain or her allies, or any +intention of injuring the persons or property of Spaniards who +were the lawful subjects of King Charles III.</p> + +<p>"We come," said he, "to free you from the insupportable yoke +of the government of foreigners, and from the slavery to which +you have been reduced and sold to France by ill designing +persons."</p> + +<p>Several of the Spanish followers of the king landed to +encourage the people, among them General Basset y Ramos, an +active officer who was a Valencian by birth. The people rapidly +assembled from the surrounding country and lined the shore +shouting "Long live King Charles III!"</p> + +<p>Abundant supplies of provisions were sent off to the fleet, +for which, however, Peterborough insisted upon liberal payment +being made.</p> + +<p>A detachment of British infantry was landed to cover the +operation of watering the fleet. The insurrection spread rapidly, +and a thousand of the peasants seized the town of Denia for the +king. A frigate and two bomb vessels crossed the bay and +threatened the castle. This, although a magnificent pile of +building, was but weakly fortified, and after a few shots had +been fired it surrendered, and General Ramos with four hundred +regular troops from the fleet landed and took possession, and +amid the enthusiasm of the population Charles III was for the +first time on Spanish ground proclaimed King of Spain and of the +Indies.</p> + +<p>The Earl of Peterborough now proposed a plan of the most +brilliant and daring kind, and had his advice been taken the war +would probably have terminated in a very short time, by securely +seating Charles III upon the Spanish throne. Madrid was distant +but fifty leagues from Altea Bay. Requena was the only town of +strength that lay in the way; the rich country would have +afforded ample provision and means of transport, and these the +friendly portion of the people would have placed at the disposal +of the army.</p> + +<p>In the whole of Central Spain there was no force which could +oppose him. All the troops of Philip were either on the frontier +of Portugal or occupying the disaffected cities of the north. At +Madrid there were but a few troops of horse; in a week then, and +possibly without shedding a drop of blood, Charles might have +been proclaimed king in the capital of Spain. The plan was, of +course, not without danger. Marshal Tesse, with an overwhelming +force, would threaten the left of the advancing army, and the +garrisons of the northern cities, if united, could march with +equal superiority of force upon its right; but Tesse would be +followed by Lord Galway and the allied and Portuguese army, while +Barcelona and the other strongholds of Catalonia would rise if +their garrisons were withdrawn.</p> + +<p>Even in the case of failure Peterborough could have retired +safely through Valencia and have re-embarked on board the fleet, +or could have marched to Gibraltar. The scheme was at once daring +and judicious, but the Archduke Charles was slow and timid, and +was controlled by the advice of his even slower and more cautious +German advisers, and neither argument nor entreaty on the part of +Peterborough could suffice to move him. The earl was in despair +at so brilliant an opportunity being thrown away, and expressed +himself with the greatest of bitterness in his letters home as to +the impossibility of carrying out movements when embarrassed by +the presence of the king and by the incapacity of the king's +advisers.</p> + +<p>However, finding that nothing could be done he re-embarked his +troops, and the fleet sailed for Barcelona. It was not however, +thought probable that a successful attempt could be made upon so +strongly fortified a city, and it was determined that if upon +inspection the chances of success should appear slight, the fleet +and army should at once proceed, as originally intended, to the +assistance of the Duke of Savoy.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII: +BARCELONA</h1> + +<p>The city of Barcelona, one of the most populous and important +in Spain, is not naturally a place of great strength. It is +situated on a plain close to the sea, and its defenses, although +extensive, were not very formidable against a strong army +provided with a siege train. To hold them fully required a much +larger force than was disposable for the defense. The garrison +was, however, fully equal in strength to the force of +Peterborough, and should have been able to defend the city +against an army vastly exceeding their own numbers. Ten bastions +and some old towers protected the town toward the north and east; +between the city and the sea was a long rampart with an +unfinished ditch and covered way; while to the west, standing on +a lofty elevation, the castle of Montjuich overlooked and guarded +the walls of the city.</p> + +<p>From the center of the sea face a mole projected into the +water, guarding a small harbor. The country round the town was +fertile and beautiful, carefully cultivated and watered by +streams flowing from the neighboring mountains. At the distance +of about a league from the shore the land rises into an +amphitheater of hills thickly dotted with small towns, villages, +and country seats.</p> + +<p>As soon as the allied fleet had anchored the garrison +commenced a cannonade from the mole and from a battery close to +the sea upon some of the transports nearest to the shore; but +their shot did not reach the vessels, and the fire soon ceased. +The east wind, however, proved more troublesome than the enemy's +fire, and the ships rolled heavily from the sea which came in +from the east.</p> + +<p>The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt with two frigates put into the +harbor of Mataro for the purpose of obtaining intelligence. He +found that in the neighboring town of Vich the people had risen +for King Charles, and putting himself in communication with their +leaders he advised them to march upon the coast and cooperate +with the forces about to land. On his way to rejoin the fleet the +prince chased two Neapolitan galleys, which managed to get safely +into Barcelona.</p> + +<p>They had on board the Duke and Duchess of Popoli, M. d'Abary, +a French officer of distinction, and forty other young gentlemen, +partisans of the Duke d'Anjou, and destined for employment in +different parts of Spain. They were now, however, detained in the +city by the governor to assist in its defense.</p> + +<p>The first glance into the state of affairs gave the Earl of +Peterborough such an unfavorable impression that he at once +objected to the proposed attack.</p> + +<p>The governor, Don Francisco Velasco, was a brave and +distinguished officer, the garrison equaled his own force in +numbers, the town was well supplied with provisions and stores, +and, in order to add to the difficulties of the besiegers, orders +had been given to destroy all the forage in the surrounding +country which could not be conveyed within the walls. Any +Austrian sympathies the inhabitants might possess were +effectually suppressed by the power and vigilance of the +governor. The besieging army was far too small to attempt a +blockade, while the chances of an assault upon an equal force +behind well armed defenses seemed almost desperate.</p> + +<p>The engineers declared that the difficulties of a regular +siege were enormous, if not insurmountable, and that the only +vulnerable point was covered by a bog, where the transport of +cannon or the formation of works would be impossible. Above all, +the principal hope of the expedition had failed. The adherents of +Charles had assured him that the whole country would rise in his +favor on the arrival of the fleet, and that the town itself would +probably open its gates to receive him. These promises had, like +all others he had received from his Spanish friends, proved +delusive. Few of the peasantry appeared to receive them on the +coast, and these were unarmed and without officers.</p> + +<p>The earl's instructions, although generally quite indefinite, +were stringent upon one point. He was on no account to make the +slightest alteration in the plans of the expedition, or to take +any decisive step for their accomplishment, without the advice of +the council of war. This would have been in any case embarrassing +for a general; in the present instance it was calculated +altogether to cripple him. There was but little harmony among the +chief officers. The English military officers were by no means on +good terms with each other, while the naval officers regarded +almost as an insult Lord Peterborough's being placed in command +of them. The English hated the German officers and despised the +Dutch. Lord Peterborough himself disliked almost all his +associates, and entertained a profound contempt for any one whose +opinion might differ from that which he at the moment might +happen to hold.</p> + +<p>It was impossible that good could come from a council of war +composed of such jarring elements as these. However, Lord +Peterborough's instructions were positive, and on the 16th of +August, 1705, he convened a council of war on board the +Britannia, consisting of nine generals and a brigadier, with two +colonels on the staff. The king and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt +were present, but took no part in the deliberations. Singularly +enough the council proved unanimous in their opinion that +Barcelona should not be attacked. The reasons for the decision +were drawn up and put on record. The council pointed out all the +difficulties which existed, and declared the strength of the +allied army to be only nineteen battalions of foot and two +cavalry regiments, of whom no more than seven thousand men were +fit for action, and only one hundred and twenty dragoon horses +had survived the voyage in serviceable condition.</p> + +<p>The decision of the council was most opposed to the hopes and +wishes of Charles and the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, and they +addressed letters of strong remonstrance to Lord Peterborough, +urging that to abandon the expedition at this juncture would be +alike fatal to the common cause and discreditable to the British +arms.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, however, the greater part of the troops had landed +without opposition; but the sea broke with such force on the +beach that much difficulty had been experienced in getting +ashore. The landing place had been well chosen by Lord +Peterborough and Sir Cloudesley Shovel. It was about two miles +east of the city, near a place called Badalona, and close to the +mouth of the little river Basoz. The transports were moored in as +close as possible, and the boats of the fleet carried three +thousand men ashore each trip.</p> + +<p>In five hours fifteen battalions were landed without the loss +of a man. A strong natural position about a mile from the city +was chosen for the encampment; its left rested on the sea, its +right was covered by several abrupt hills and defiles through +which the river Basoz flowed. The front was, however, much +extended, but this mattered the less, as the people from the +neighboring villages began to assemble when the landing took +place, and welcomed the allies of King Charles with joy. A number +of these were employed by Lord Peterborough in guarding the +advanced posts and covering the numerous roads leading from the +city toward the camp.</p> + +<p>On the 22d another council of war was held at the Dutch +General Schratenbach's quarters in the camp to consider two +letters of the king, in which he again urged the allied generals +to attack the city. He proposed that a battery of fifty guns +should be erected to breach the wall between two of the bastions, +and that the whole strength of the army should be thrown upon an +assault. He acknowledged the force of the several objections to +the attack, but urged that in such a case vigorous action was the +safest. He dwelt upon the ruin that must fall upon such of his +subjects as had declared for him if abandoned to their fate, and +concluded by declaring that he at least would not desert +them.</p> + +<p>The appeal failed to move any of the council with the +exception of Peterborough himself, and he alone voted, although +in opposition to his own judgment, in compliance with the king's +plan. Notwithstanding the adverse decision of the council the +horses and dragoons were landed on the 24th.</p> + +<p>On the 25th, the 26th, and the 28th the council again +assembled to deliberate upon an earnest request of the king that +they should attempt the siege for a period of eighteen days. The +first decision was adverse, two only voting with Lord +Peterborough for the siege. At the second council, his influence +succeeded in obtaining a majority; but at the third, they agreed +to abandon the attempt, even the commander in chief +concurring.</p> + +<p>The cause of this sudden reversal of their opinion was that +none of the workmen whom they had demanded from the leaders of +the Catalan peasantry had appeared, and they felt it impossible +to carry on the works and erect the siege batteries without such +assistance. Nevertheless the peasantry gave effectual aid in +landing the artillery, tents, ammunition, and stores. On the 28th +the king landed amid a great concourse of people, who received +him with every demonstration of enthusiasm, and he could with +difficulty make his way through them to the camp prepared for him +near San Martino.</p> + +<p>The presence of the king on shore added to the difficulties of +the situation. He and his following of German courtiers +complained bitterly of the disinclination of the allies to +undertake the siege, while the allies were incensed against those +who reproached them for not undertaking impossibilities. +Dissension spread between the allies themselves, and the Dutch +general declared that he would disobey the orders of the +commander in chief rather than vainly sacrifice his men.</p> + +<p>Peterborough was driven nearly out of his mind by the +reproaches and recrimination to which he was exposed, and the +quarrels which took place around him. He was most anxious to +carry out his instructions, and as far as possible to defer to +the opinion of Charles, but he was also bound by the decisions of +the councils of war, which were exactly opposite to the wishes of +the king.</p> + +<p>The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt enraged him by insisting that +fifteen hundred disorderly peasants whom he had raised were an +army, and should be paid as regular soldiers from the military +chest, while they would submit to no discipline and refused to +labor in the trenches, and an open rupture took place, when the +prince, in his vexation at the results of the councils of war, +even went so far as to accuse the earl of having used secret +influence to thwart the enterprise.</p> + +<p>To add to the difficulties of the commander in chief the +English troops were loud in their complaints against him for +having landed and committed them to this apparently hopeless +enterprise; but they nevertheless clamored to be led against the +town, that they might not be said to have "come like fools and +gone like cowards."</p> + +<p>Lord Peterborough confided his trouble and vexation freely to +his young secretary. Jack was sincerely attached to his generous +and eccentric chief, and the general was gratified by the young +officer's readiness at all times and hours to come to him and +write from his dictation the long letters and dispatches which he +sent home. He saw, too, that he was thoroughly trustworthy, and +could be relied upon to keep absolute silence as to the +confidences which he made him.</p> + +<p>In the midst of all these quarrels and disputes the siege was +carried on in a languid manner. A battery of fifty heavy guns, +supplied by the ships and manned by seamen, was placed upon a +rising ground flanked by two deep ravines, and on several of the +adjacent hills batteries of light field guns had been raised. +Three weeks were consumed in these comparatively unimportant +operations, and no real advance toward the capture of the place +had been effected. Something like a blockade, however, had been +established, for the Catalan peasants guarded vigilantly every +approach to the town.</p> + +<p>The officers of the fleet were no less discontented than their +brethren on shore at the feeble conduct of the siege, and had +they been consulted they would have been in favor of a direct +attack upon the city with scaling ladders, as if they had been +about to board a hostile ship. But Peterborough and his officers +were well aware that such an attack against a city defended by a +superior force would be simple madness, and even an attack by +regular approaches, with the means and labor at their disposal, +would have had no chance of success. But while all on shore and +in the fleet were chafing at the slowness and hopelessness of the +siege, Jack Stilwell was alone aware that the commander in chief +did not share in the general despair of any good arising from the +operations.</p> + +<p>Lord Peterborough had little communication with the other +generals; but, alone in his tent with Jack and an interpreter, he +occupied himself from morning till night in examining peasants +and spies as to every particular of the fortifications of the +city, of the ground near to the walls, and of the habits and +proceedings of the garrison. At last he resolved upon an attempt +which, in its daring and enterprise, is almost without parallel. +Indeed its only hope of success lay in its boldness, for neither +friend nor foe could anticipate that it would be attempted. It +was no less than the surprise of the citadel of Montjuich.</p> + +<p>This formidable stronghold covered the weakest part of the +defenses, that toward the southwest, and far exceeded in strength +any other part of the lines. It had been most skillfully +designed. The ditches were deep, and the walls firm; the outworks +skillfully planned; the batteries well armed, and the inner +defenses formidable in themselves. It was, in fact, by far the +strongest point in the position of the besieged. Standing on a +commanding height, it was abundantly capable of defense even +against a regular siege, and its reduction was always regarded as +a most formidable enterprise, to be undertaken at leisure after +the capture of the town. Its only weakness lay in the fact that +surrounding it on every side were numerous ravines and hollows, +which would afford concealment to an assailant, and that trusting +to the extraordinary strength of their position the garrison of +Montjuich might neglect proper precautions.</p> + +<p>One morning before daybreak the earl, accompanied only by Jack +and a native guide, left the camp on foot, having laid aside +their uniforms and put on the attire of peasants, so that the +glitter of their accouterments might not attract the attention of +the enemy's outposts. Making a long detour they approached the +castle, and ascending one of the ravines gained a point where, +themselves unseen, they could mark all particulars of the +fortifications. Having carried out his purpose the earl returned +to camp with his companion without his absence having been +observed. The observations which Peterborough had made confirmed +the reports of the peasants, that the garrison kept but a +negligent watch, and he at once resolved upon making the attempt; +but to none of his most intimate friends did he give the +slightest hint of his intentions.</p> + +<p>To disguise his views he called councils of war both in the +camp and fleet, wherein it was resolved, with his full consent, +that the siege of Barcelona should be abandoned, and that the +army should be immediately re-embarked and conveyed to Italy. +Accordingly the heavy artillery was conveyed on board ship, the +warlike stores collected, and the troops warned to be ready for +embarkation. A storm of reproaches was poured upon the earl by +Charles and his courtiers. The officers of the fleet protested +openly, declaring that an assault ought to be attempted, and that +it was too late in the season to attempt operations +elsewhere.</p> + +<p>To Jack's surprise his commander, usually so hasty, irritable, +and passionate, bore with the greatest calmness and patience the +reproaches and accusations to which he was exposed. No one +dreamed that behind these preparations for embarkation any plan +of attack was hidden.</p> + +<p>On the 13th of September the army received orders to embark on +the morrow, while within the town the garrison and the +inhabitants, who were, or pretended to be, well affected to the +Bourbons held high rejoicing at the approaching departure.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of that day a detachment of English and Dutch +troops twelve hundred strong was ordered to assemble in the +allied camp for the purpose, as was supposed, of covering the +embarkation. Scaling ladders and everything necessary for an +assault had already been privately prepared by the Catalan +peasants under Peterborough's instructions.</p> + +<p>About six o'clock in the evening four hundred grenadiers of +the party assembled under the command of Hon. Colonel Southwell, +and were ordered to march by the Serria road, as if en route to +Taragona to meet the fleet and embark in that harbor. The +remainder of the detachment followed in support at some little +distance. At nightfall the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt was +surprised by Lord Peterborough's entrance into his quarters. +Since their rupture all intercourse had ceased between them.</p> + +<p>"I have determined," the earl said, "to make this night an +attack upon the enemy. You may now, if you please, be a judge of +our behavior, and see whether my officers and soldiers really +deserve the bad character which you of late have so readily +imputed to them." He then explained that the troops were already +on their march to Montjuich.</p> + +<p>The prince immediately ordered his horse, and the two gallant +but impulsive and singular men rode off, followed only by Jack +Stillwell and the prince's aide de camp. At ten o'clock they +overtook the troops, and Peterborough ordered a total change of +route, he himself leading.</p> + +<p>The roads were winding, narrow, and difficult. For a great +part of the way there was only room for the men to march in +single file. The night was very dark, and the detachment many +hours on the march, so that daylight was just breaking when they +reached the foot of the hill on which the fort of Montjuich +stood.</p> + +<p>The troops under Peterborough's command now perceived the +object of their march, and imagined that they would be led to the +attack before the day had fairly broke; but the general had well +considered the subject, and had determined to avoid the risk and +confusion of a night assault. He called his officers together and +explained to them why he did not mean to attack till broad +daylight.</p> + +<p>His examination of the place had shown him that the ditches +could be crossed, no palisades or barriers having been erected. +He had noticed, too, that the inner works were not sufficiently +high to enable their guns properly to command the outer works +should these be carried by an enemy. He had therefore determined +to carry the outworks by assault, judging that if he captured +them the inner works could not long resist. In case of a reverse, +or to enable him to take advantage of success, he told them that +he had ordered Brigadier General Stanhope to march during the +night with a thousand infantry and the handful of cavalry to a +convent lying halfway between the camp and the city, and there to +hold himself in reserve.</p> + +<p>Peterborough now silently and coolly completed his +arrangements for the assault. He divided the body of troops into +three parties; the first of these, two hundred and eighty strong, +were to attack the bastion facing the town, which was the +strongest part of the defense. He himself and the Prince of Hesse +accompanied this party. A lieutenant and thirty men formed the +advance, a captain and fifty more were the support, and the +remaining two hundred men were to form in the rear.</p> + +<p>The orders were that they should push forward in spite of the +enemy's fire, leap into the ditch, drive the garrison before +them, and if possible enter the works with them; but, if not, to +obtain at least a firm footing on the outer defenses. The second +party, similar in strength and formation, under the command of +the Hon. Colonel Southwell, were to attack an unfinished +demibastion on the extreme western point of the fort and +furthermost from the town. The remainder of the little force, +under a Dutch colonel, were to be held in reserve, and to assist +wherever they might be most useful. They occupied a position +somewhat in rear of and halfway between the two parties who were +to make the assault.</p> + +<p>Soon after daylight Peterborough gave the order to advance, +and in the highest spirits, and in excellent order, the soldiers +pushed up the hill toward the fort. Some irregular Spanish troops +were the first to perceive them. These fired a hasty volley at +the British troops as they ascended the crest and then retreated +into the fort. Seizing their arms the garrison rushed to the +ramparts and manned them in time to receive the assailants with a +sharp fire. The grenadiers who formed the leading party did not +hesitate for a moment, but leaped into the unfinished ditch, +clambered up the outer rampart, and with pike and bayonet +attacked the defenders.</p> + +<p>The captain's detachment speedily joined them. The defenders +gave way, broke, and fled, and in wild confusion both parties +rushed into the bastion. Peterborough and the prince with their +two hundred men followed them quickly and in perfect order, and +were soon masters of the bastion. The earl at once set his men to +work to throw up a breastwork to cover them from the guns of the +inner works; and as there was plenty of materials collected just +at this spot for the carrying out of some extensive repairs, they +were able to put themselves under cover before the enemy opened +fire upon them.</p> + +<p>The attention of the garrison was wholly occupied by this +sudden and unexpected attack, and the Prince della Torrella, a +Neapolitan officer in temporary command of the fort, ordered all +his force to oppose the assailants. This was what Peterborough +had expected. He at once sent orders to Colonel Southwell to +commence his attack upon the now almost undefended west bastion. +The order was promptly obeyed. At the first rush the ditch was +passed, the rampart gained, the outer walls scaled, and three +guns taken without the loss of a man.</p> + +<p>The defenders hastened at once to meet this new danger. They +opened a heavy fire upon the British, and sallying out, +endeavored to retake the outer rampart with the bayonet. A +desperate contest ensued; but though many of the English officers +and soldiers fell, they would not yield a foot of the position +they had captured. Colonel Southwell, a man of great personal +strength and daring, was in the struggle three times surrounded +by the enemy; but each time he cut his way out in safety.</p> + +<p>The sally was at last repulsed, and the English intrenched +their position and turned their captured guns against the fort. +While both the assaulting columns were occupied in intrenching +themselves there was a lull in the battle. The besieged could not +venture to advance against either, as they would have been +exposed to the fire of the other, and to the risk of a flank +attack.</p> + +<p>Peterborough exerted himself to the utmost. He ordered up the +thousand men under General Stanhope and made prodigious exertions +to get some guns and mortars into position upon the newly won +ramparts.</p> + +<p>Great was the consternation and astonishment in Barcelona when +a loud roar of musketry broke out round the citadel, and Velasco, +the governor, was thunderstruck to find himself threatened in +this vital point by an enemy whose departure he had, the evening +before, been celebrating. The assembly was sounded, and the +church bells pealed out the alarm.</p> + +<p>The troops ran to their places of assembly, the fortifications +round the town were manned, and a body of four hundred mounted +grenadiers under the Marquis de Risbourg hurried off to the +succor of Montjuich. The earl had been sure that such a movement +would be made. He could not spare men from his own scanty force +to guard the roads between the city and the castle, but he had +posted a number of the armed Spanish peasants who were in the pay +of the army in a narrow gorge, where, with hardly any risk to +themselves, they might easily have prevented the horsemen from +passing. The peasants, however, fired a hurried volley and then +fled in all directions.</p> + +<p>Lord Peterborough learned a lesson here which he never forgot, +namely, that these Spanish irregulars, useful as they might be in +harassing an enemy or pursuing a beaten foe, were utterly +untrustworthy in any plan of combined action. The succor, +therefore, reached Montjuich in safety; two hundred of the men +dismounted and entered the fort; the remainder, leading their +horses, returned to Barcelona.</p> + +<p>The Marquis de Risbourg had no sooner entered the fort and +taken the command than he adopted a stratagem which nearly proved +fatal to the English hopes of success. He ordered his men to +shout "Long live Charles the Third !" and threw open the gates of +the fort as if to surrender. The Prince of Hesse Darmstadt, who +commanded at this point, was completely deceived, and he ordered +Colonel Allen to advance with two hundred and fifty men, while he +himself followed with a company in reserve, believing that the +Spanish garrison had declared for King Charles.</p> + +<p>The British advanced eagerly and in some disorder into the +ditch, when a terrible fire of musketry was suddenly opened upon +them from the front and flank. In vain they tried to defend +themselves; the brave prince was struck down by a mortal wound +while endeavoring to encourage them, and was carried to the rear, +and Allen and two hundred men were taken prisoners. The prince +expired a few minutes later before there was time for a doctor to +examine his wound.</p> + +<p>Peterborough, who had come up just at the end of the struggle, +remained with him till he died, and then hurried off to retrieve +the fortune of the day, which, during these few minutes, had +greatly changed. Velasco had dispatched three thousand men, as +fast as they could be got together, to follow Risbourg's dragoons +to the succor of the fort, and these were already in sight. But +this was not all. One of the strange panics which occasionally +attack even the best troops had seized the British in the +bastion.</p> + +<p>Without any apparent cause, without a shot being fired at them +from the fort, they fell into confusion. Their commander, Lord +Charlemont, shared the panic, and gave orders for a retreat. The +march soon became a rout, and the men fled in confusion from the +position which they had just before so bravely won.</p> + +<p>Captain Carleton, a staff officer, disengaged himself from the +throng of fugitives and rode off to inform the earl, who was +reconnoitering the approaching Spaniards, of what had taken +place. Peterborough at once turned his horse, and, followed by +Carleton and Jack Stilwell, galloped up the hill. He drew his +sword and threw away the scabbard as he met the troops, already +halfway down the hill, and, dismounting, shouted to them:</p> + +<p>"I am sure all brave men will follow me. Will you bear the +infamy of having deserted your post and forsaken your +general?"</p> + +<p>The appeal was not in vain. Ashamed of their late panic the +fugitives halted, faced about, and pressed after him up the hill, +and, on reaching the top, found that, strangely enough, the +garrison had not discovered that the bastion had been abandoned, +for in their retreat the English were hidden from the sight of +those in the inner works.</p> + +<p>The Marquis de Risbourg, instead of following up his +advantage, had at once left Montjuich at the side near the city, +taking Colonel Allen and the prisoners with him, and pushed on +toward Barcelona. Halfway down he met the reinforcement of three +thousand men. The prisoners, on being questioned, informed the +Spanish commander that Lord Peterborough and the Prince of Hesse +led the attack in person.</p> + +<p>Thereupon the officer commanding the reinforcements concluded +that the whole of the allied army was round the castle, and that +he would be risking destruction if he pushed on. He therefore +turned and marched back to the city. Had he continued his way +Peterborough's force must have been destroyed, as Stanhope had +not yet come up, and he had with him only the little force with +which he had marched out from camp, of whom more than a fourth +were already captured or slain. Such are the circumstances upon +which the fate of battles and campaigns depend.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII: A +TUMULT IN THE CITY</h1> + +<p>As the Spanish column retired to Barcelona under the idea that +the whole English army was on the hill, the Miquelets, as the +armed bands of peasants were called, swarmed down from the hills. +Incapable of withstanding an attack by even a small force, they +were in their element in harassing a large one in retreat. +Halfway between Montjuich and the town was the small fort of San +Bertram. The garrison, seeing the column in retreat toward the +town, pursued by the insurgent peasantry, feared that they +themselves would be cut off, and so abandoned their post and +joined the retreat.</p> + +<p>The peasants at once took possession of San Bertram, where +there were five light guns. As soon as the news reached +Peterborough he called together two hundred men and led them down +to the little fort. Ropes were fastened to the guns, and with +forty men to each gun these were quickly run up the hill and +placed in position in the captured bastions. So quickly was this +done that in less than an hour from the abandonment of San +Bertram by the Spanish the guns had opened fire upon +Montjuich.</p> + +<p>While the troops worked these five guns and the three captured +in Southwell's first attack Jack Stilwell was sent off on +horseback at full speed with an order for the landing of the +heavy guns and mortars from the fleet. The news of the attack on +Montjuich and the retreat of the Spanish column spread with +rapidity through the country, and swarms of armed peasants +flocked in. These the earl dispersed among the ravines and groves +round the city, so as to prevent any parties from coining out to +ascertain what was going on round Montjuich, and to mask the +movements of the besiegers.</p> + +<p>Velasco appeared paralyzed by the energy and daring of his +opponent, and although he had in hand a force equal if not +superior to that which Peterborough could dispose of, he allowed +two days to pass without attempting to relieve Montjuich. In +those two days wonders had been performed by the soldiers and +sailors, who toiled unweariedly in dragging the heavy guns from +the landing place to the hill of Montjuich. The light cannon of +the besiegers had had but little effect upon the massive walls of +the fortress, and the Prince Caraccioli held out for two days +even against the heavier metal of the mortars and siege guns that +were quickly brought to bear upon him.</p> + +<p>On the 17th, however, Colonel Southwell by a well aimed shot +brought the siege to a close. He noticed that a small chapel +within the fort appeared to be specially guarded by the besieged, +and ordered a Dutch sergeant of artillery, who was working a +heavy mortar, to try to drop a shell upon it. The artilleryman +made several attempts, but each time missed the mark. Colonel +Southwell undertook the management of the mortar himself, and +soon succeeded in dropping a shell upon the roof of the building, +which proved, as he had suspected, to be in use as a magazine. +There was a tremendous explosion, the chapel was shattered into +fragments, Caraccioli and three other officers were killed, and a +great breach was blown in the main rampart.</p> + +<p>A loud cheer broke from the besiegers, and Colonel Southwell +at once put himself at the head of the men in the trenches and +advanced to storm the breach before the enemy could recover from +their confusion. The disastrous effects of the explosion had, +however, scared all idea of further resistance out of the minds +of the defenders, who at once rushed out of the works and called +out that they surrendered, the senior surviving officer and his +companions delivering up their swords to Colonel Southwell, and +begging that protection might at once be given to their soldiers +from the Miquelets, whose ferocity was as notorious then as it +was a hundred years afterward.</p> + +<p>Peterborough appointed Colonel Southwell governor of +Montjuich, and at once turned his attention to the city. The +brilliant result of the attack on the citadel had silenced all +murmurs and completely restored Lord Peterborough's authority. +Soldiers and sailors vied with each other in their exertions to +get the guns into position, and the Miquelets, largely increased +in number, became for once orderly and active, and labored +steadily in the trenches.</p> + +<p>The main army conducted the attack from the side at which it +had been originally commenced, while General Stanhope, his force +considerably increased by troops from the main body, conducted +the attack from the side of Montjuich. Four batteries of heavy +guns and two of mortars soon opened fire upon the city, while the +smaller vessels of the fleet moved close in to the shore and +threw shot and shell into the town.</p> + +<p>A breach was soon effected in the rampart, and Velasco was +summoned to surrender; but he refused to do so, although his +position had become almost desperate. The disaffection of the +inhabitants was now openly shown. The soldiers had lost +confidence and heart, and the loyalty of many of them was more +than doubtful. The governor arrested many of the mutinous +soldiers and hostile citizens, and turned numbers of them out of +the city.</p> + +<p>On the 3d of October the English engineers declared the breach +on the side of Montjuich to be practicable, and Peterborough +himself wrote to the governor offering honorable terms of +capitulation, but declaring that if these were rejected he would +not renew his offer.</p> + +<p>Velasco again refused. He had erected a formidable +intrenchment within the breach, and had sunk two mines beneath +the ruins in readiness to blow the assailing columns into the +air.</p> + +<p>The guns again opened fire, and in a very short time a Dutch +artillery officer threw two shells upon the intrenchment and +almost destroyed it, while a third fell on the breach itself, and +crashing through the rubbish fired Velasco's two mines and +greatly enlarged the breach. The earl could now have carried the +town by storm had he chosen, but with his usual magnanimity to +the vanquished he again wrote to Velasco and summoned him to +surrender.</p> + +<p>The governor had now no hope of a successful resistance, and +he therefore agreed to surrender in four days should no relief +arrive. The terms agreed upon were that the garrison should march +out with all the honors of war, and should be transported by sea +to San Felix, and escorted thence to Gerona; but as a few hours +later the news arrived that Gerona had declared for King Charles, +Velasco requested to be conveyed to Rosas instead. The +capitulation was signed on the 9th of October, and the garrison +were preparing to march out on the 14th, when, in the English +camp, the sound of a tumult in the city was heard.</p> + +<p>"Quick, Stilwell!" the earl cried, running out of his tent, +"to horse! The rascals inside are breaking out into a riot, and +there will be a massacre unless I can put a stop to it."</p> + +<p>The earl leaped on to his horse, called to a few orderly +dragoons who were at hand to accompany him, and ordered that four +companies of grenadiers should follow as quickly as possible.</p> + +<p>Galloping at full speed Peterborough soon arrived at the gate +of San Angelo, and ordered the Spanish guard to open it. This +they did without hesitation, and followed by his little party he +rode into the city. All was uproar and confusion. The repressive +measures which the governor had been obliged to take against the +disaffected had added to the Catalan hatred of the French, and +the Austrian party determined to have vengeance upon the +governor. A report was circulated that he intended to carry away +with him a number of the principal inhabitants in spite of the +articles of capitulation. This at once stirred up the people to +fury, and they assailed and plundered the houses of the French +and of the known partisans of the Duke d'Anjou.</p> + +<p>They then turned upon the governor and garrison. The latter +dispersed through the city, and, unprepared for attack, would +speedily have been massacred had not their late enemy been at +hand to save them. Peterborough, with his little party of +dragoons, rode through the streets exhorting, entreating, and +commanding the rioters to abstain. When, as in some cases, the +mob refused to listen to him, and continued their work, the +dragoons belabored them heartily with the flats of their swords; +and the surprise caused by seeing the British uniforms in their +midst, and their ignorance of how many of the British had +entered, did more even than the efforts of the dragoons to allay +the tumult. Many ladies of quality had taken refuge in the +convent, and Peterborough at once placed a guard over this.</p> + +<p>Dashing from street to street, unattended even by his +dragoons, Peterborough came upon a lady and gentleman struggling +with the mob, who were about to ill treat them. He charged into +the thick of the tumult.</p> + +<p>His hat had been lost in the fray, and the mob, not +recognizing the strange figure as the redoubted English general, +resisted, and one discharged a musket at him at a distance of a +few feet, but the ball passed through his periwig without +touching the head under it.</p> + +<p>Fortunately two or three of his dragoons now rode up, and he +was able to carry the lady and gentleman to their house hard by, +when, to his satisfaction, he found that the gentleman he had +saved was the Duke of Popoli, and the lady his wife, celebrated +as one of the most beautiful women in Europe.</p> + +<p>Jack Stilwell had soon after they entered the town become +separated from his general. Seeing a mob gathered before a house +in a side street, and hearing screams, he turned off and rode +into the middle of the crowd. Spurring his horse and making him +rear, he made his way through them to the door, and then leaping +off, drawing as he did so a pistol from his holster, he ran +upstairs.</p> + +<p>It was a large and handsomely furnished house. On the first +floor was a great corridor. A number of men were gathered round a +doorway. Within he heard the clashing of steel and the shouts of +men in conflict. Bursting his way in through the doorway he +entered the room.</p> + +<p>In a corner, at the furthest end, crouched a lady holding a +little boy in her arms. Before her stood a Spanish gentleman, +sword in hand. A servant, also armed, stood by him. They were +hard pressed, for six or eight men with swords and pikes were +cutting and thrusting at them. Three servants lay dead upon the +ground, and seven or eight of the townspeople were also lying +dead or wounded. Jack rushed forward, and with his pistol shot +the man who appeared to be the leader of the assailants, and +then, drawing his sword, placed himself before the gentleman and +shouted to the men to lay down their arms. The latter, astounded +at the appearance of an English officer, drew back. Seeing he was +alone, they would, however, have renewed the attack, but Jack ran +to the window and opened it, and shouted as if to some soldiers +below.</p> + +<p>The effect was instantaneous. The men dropped upon their +knees, and throwing down their arms begged for mercy. Jack +signified that he granted it, and motioned to them to carry off +their dead and wounded comrades. Some of the men in the corridor +came in to aid them in so doing. Jack, sword in hand, accompanied +them to the door, and saw them out of the house. Then he told a +boy to hold his horse, and closing the door returned upstairs. He +found the gentleman sitting on a chair exhausted, while his wife, +crying partly from relief, partly from anxiety, was endeavoring +to stanch the blood which flowed from several wounds.</p> + +<p>Jack at once aided her in the task, and signed to the servant +to bring something to drink. The man ran to a buffet and produced +some cordials. Jack filled a glass and placed it at the lips of +the wounded man, who, after drinking it, gradually recovered his +strength.</p> + +<p>"My name, sir," he said, "is Count Julian de Minas, and I owe +you my life and that of my wife and child. To whom am I indebted +so much?"</p> + +<p>Jack did not, of course, understand his words, but the title +caught his ear, and he guessed that the Spaniard was introducing +himself.</p> + +<p>"My name is Stilwell," Jack said; "I am one of General +Peterborough's aides de camp. I am very glad to be of assistance; +and now, seeing you are so far recovered, I must leave you, for +there is much to do in the town, and the general has entered with +only a few troops. I think you need not fear any return on the +part of these ruffians. The English troops will enter the town in +the coarse of a few hours."</p> + +<p>So saying Jack immediately hurried away, and mounting his +horse rode off to find the general.</p> + +<p>The news that Lord Peterborough and the English had entered +spread rapidly through the city, and the rioters, fearing to +excite the wrath of the man who in a few hours would be master of +the town, scattered to their homes, and when all was quiet +Peterborough again rode off to the camp with his troops and there +waited quietly until the hour appointed for the capitulation. The +Spanish then marched out, and the earl entered with a portion of +his troops.</p> + +<p>He at once issued a proclamation that if any person had any +lawful grievances against the late governor they should go to the +town house and lay them in proper form, and that he would see +that justice was done. An hour later some of the principal +inhabitants waited upon him, and asked which churches he desired +to have for the exercise of his religion. He replied:</p> + +<p>"Wherever I have my quarters I shall have conveniency enough +to worship God, and as for the army they will strictly follow the +rules of war, and perform divine service among themselves without +giving any offense to any one."</p> + +<p>This answer gave great satisfaction to the people, as the +French had spread a report among them that the Protestants, if +they captured the town, would take their churches from them.</p> + +<p>In the evening the earl gave a great banquet, at which he +entertained all the people of distinction of both parties, and +his courtesy and affability at once won for him the confidence of +all with whom he came in contact. The next day the shops were all +opened, the markets filled, and there were no signs that the +tranquillity of Barcelona had ever been disturbed. Soon after +breakfast Jack, who was quartered in the governor's palace with +the general, was informed that a gentleman wished to speak to +him, and the Count de Minas was shown in. He took Jack's hand and +bowed profoundly. As conversation was impossible Jack told his +orderly to fetch one of the interpreters attached to the +general.</p> + +<p>"I tried to come last night," the count said, "but I found +that I was too weak to venture out. I could not understand what +you said when you went away so suddenly, but I guessed that it +was the call of duty. I did not know your name, but inquiring +this morning who were the officers that entered with the general +yesterday, I was told that his aide de camp, Lieutenant Stilwell, +was alone with him. That is how I found you. And now, let me +again thank you for the immense service you have rendered me and +my wife and child. Remember, henceforth the life of the Count de +Minas and all that he possesses is at your service."</p> + +<p>When the interpreter had translated this, Jack said in some +confusion, "I am very glad, count, to have been of service to +you. It was a piece of good fortune, indeed, on my part that I +happened so providentially to ride along at the right moment. I +was about this morning to do myself the honor of calling to +inquire how the countess and yourself were after the terrible +scene of yesterday."</p> + +<p>"The countess prayed me to bring you round to her," the count +said. "Will you do me the honor of accompanying me now?"</p> + +<p>Jack at once assented, and, followed by the interpreter, +proceeded with the count to his house. The room into which the +count led him was not that in which the fray had taken place the +day before. The countess rose as they entered, and Jack saw that, +though still pale and shaken by the events of the previous day, +she was a singularly beautiful woman.</p> + +<p>"Ah, senor," she said, advancing to meet him, and taking his +hand and laying it against her heart, "how can I thank you for +the lives of my husband and my boy! One more minute and you would +have arrived too late. It seemed to me as if heaven had opened +and an angel had come to our aid when you entered."</p> + +<p>Jack colored up hotly as the interpreter translated the words. +If he had expressed his thoughts he would have said, "Please +don't make any more fuss about it;" but he found that Spanish +courtesy required much more than this, so he answered:</p> + +<p>"Countess, the moment was equally fortunate to me, and I shall +ever feel grateful that I have been permitted to be of service to +so beautiful a lady."</p> + +<p>The countess smiled as Jack's words were translated.</p> + +<p>"I did not know that you English were flatterers," she said. +"They told us that you were uncouth islanders, but I see that +they have calumniated you."</p> + +<p>"I hope some day," Jack said, "that I shall be able to talk to +you without the aid of an interpreter. It is very difficult to +speak when every word has to be translated."</p> + +<p>For a quarter of an hour the conversation was continued, the +count and countess asking questions about England. At the end of +that time Jack thought he might venture to take his leave. The +count accompanied him to the door, and begged him to consider his +house as his own, and then with many bows on each side Jack made +his way into the street.</p> + +<p>"Confound all this Spanish politeness!" he muttered to +himself; "it's very grand and stately, I have no doubt, but it's +a horrible nuisance; and as to talking through an interpreter, +it's like repeating lessons, only worse. I should like to see a +man making a joke through an interpreter, and waiting to see how +it told. I must get up a little Spanish as soon as possible. The +earl has picked up a lot already, and there will be no fun to be +had here in Spain unless one can make one's self understood."</p> + +<p>The next day there were rumors current that the population +were determined to take vengeance upon Velasco. The earl marched +eight hundred men into the town, placed the governor in their +center and escorted him to the shore, and so took him safely on +board a ship. He was conveyed, by his own desire, to Alicante, as +the revolt had spread so rapidly through Catalonia that Rosas was +now the only town which favored the cause of the Duke +d'Anjou.</p> + +<p>The capture of Barcelona takes its place as one of the most +brilliant feats in military history, and reflects extraordinary +credit upon its general, who exhibited at once profound prudence, +faithful adherence to his sovereign's orders, patience and self +command under the ill concealed hatred of many of those with whom +he had to cooperate -- the wrong headedness of the king, the +insolence of the German courtiers, the supineness of the Dutch, +the jealousy of his own officers, and the open discontent of the +army and navy -- and a secrecy marvelously kept up for many weary +and apparently hopeless days.</p> + +<p>On the 28th of October King Charles made his public entry into +Barcelona, and for some days the city was the scene of continual +fetes. The whole province rose in his favor, and the gentlemen of +the district poured into the town to offer their homage to the +king. Only about one thousand men of the Spanish garrison had to +be conveyed to Rosas in accordance with the terms of +capitulation, the rest of the troops taking the oath of +allegiance to King Charles and being incorporated with the allied +army.</p> + +<p>Jack Stilwell entered into the festivities with the enjoyment +of youth. The officers of the allied army were made much of by +the inhabitants, and Jack, as one of the general's aides de camp, +was invited to every fete and festivity. The Count de Minas +introduced him to many of the leading nobles of the city as the +preserver of his life; but his inability to speak the language +deprived him of much of the pleasure which he would otherwise +have obtained, and, like many of the other officers, he set to +work in earnest to acquire some knowledge of it. In one of the +convents were some Scottish monks, and for three or four hours +every morning Jack worked regularly with one of them.</p> + +<p>Although Lord Peterborough threw himself heart and soul into +the festivities, he worked with equal ardor at the military +preparations. But here, as before, his plans for energetic action +were thwarted by the Germans and Dutch. At last, however, his +energy, aided by the active spirit of the king, prevailed, and +preparations were made for the continuance of the campaign. The +season was so late that no further operations could be undertaken +by sea, and the allied fleet therefore sailed for England and +Holland, leaving four English and two Dutch frigates in support +of the land forces at Barcelona.</p> + +<p>Garrisons of regular troops were dispatched to the various +towns which had either declared for the king or had been captured +by the Miquelets headed by the Marquis of Cifuentes, engineer +officers being also sent to put them in a state of defense. Of +these Tortosa was, from its position, the most important, as it +commanded the bridge of boats on the Ebro, the main communication +between Aragon and Valencia. To this town two hundred dragoons +and one thousand foot were sent under Colonel Hans Hamilton. The +king turned his attention to the organization of the Spanish +army. He formed a regiment of five hundred dragoons for his +bodyguard, mounting them upon the horses of the former garrison, +while from these troops, swelled by levies from the province, he +raised six powerful battalions of infantry. He excited, however, +a very unfavorable feeling among the Spaniards by bestowing all +the chief commands in these corps upon his German followers.</p> + +<p>But while the conquest of Barcelona had brought the whole of +Catalonia to his side, the cause of King Charles was in other +parts of Spain less flourishing. Lord Galway and General Fagel +had been beaten by Marshal Tesse before Badajos, and the allied +army had retreated into Portugal, leaving the French and Spanish +adherents of Philip free to turn their whole attention against +the allies in Catalonia.</p> + +<p>Weary weeks passed on before Lord Peterborough could overcome +the apathy and obstinacy of the Germans and Dutch. At a council +of war held on the 30th of December Peterborough proposed to +divide the army, that he in person would lead half of it to aid +the insurrection which had broken out in Valencia, and that the +other half should march into Aragon; but Brigadier General +Conyngham and the Dutch General Schratenbach strongly opposed +this bold counsel, urging that the troops required repose after +their labors, and that their numbers were hardly sufficient to +guard the province they had won. Such arguments drove +Peterborough almost to madness; the troops had, in fact, gone +through no hard work during the siege of Barcelona, and two +months and a half had elapsed since that city surrendered. +Moreover, far from being reinvigorated from rest, they were +suffering from illness caused by inactivity in an unhealthy +country.</p> + +<p>Already all the benefits derivable from the gallant capture of +Barcelona had been lost. The enemy had recovered from the +surprise and dismay excited by that event. The friendly and +wavering, who would at once have risen had the king boldly +advanced after his striking success, had already lost heart and +become dispirited by the want of energy displayed in his after +proceedings, and from all parts of Spain masses of troops were +moving to crush the allies and stamp out the insurrection.</p> + +<p>In Valencia only had the partisans of Charles gained +considerable advantages. In the beginning of December Colonel +Nebot, commanding a regiment of Philip's dragoons, declared for +Charles, and, accompanied by four hundred of his men, entered the +town of Denia, where the people and Basset, the governor, at once +declared for Charles.</p> + +<p>On the 11th Nebot and Basset attacked the little town of +Xabea, garrisoned by five hundred Biscayans, and carried it, and +the same night took Oliva and Gandia. The next day they pushed on +through Alzira, where they were joined by many of the principal +inhabitants, and a detachment of the dragoons under Nebot's +brother, Alexander, surprised and routed three troops of the +enemy's horse, captured their convoy of ammunition, and pursued +them to the very gates of Valencia.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 15th the main body marched from Alzira, +and appeared next morning before Valencia and summoned the town +to surrender. The Marquis de Villa Garcia refused, but Alexander +Nebot put himself at the head of his dragoons and galloped up to +the gates shouting "Long live the king!" The inhabitants +overpowered the guard at the gate and threw it open and Valencia +was taken. When the news of these reverses reached Madrid the +Conde de las Torres, a veteran officer who had seen much service +in the wars of Italy, marched from Madrid in all haste to prevent +if possible the junction of the forces of Catalonia with the +Valencians.</p> + +<p>He at once marched upon San Matteo, which lay on the main line +of communication, and commenced a vigorous siege of that city. +The king received the news on the 18th of January, 1706, and +wrote at once to Peterborough, urging him to go to the relief of +San Matteo, but giving him no troops whatever to assist him in +his enterprise; and Peterborough's difficulties were increased by +General Conyngham, who commanded a brigade at Fraga, hastily +falling back upon Lerida upon hearing exaggerated rumors of the +strength of the enemy.</p> + +<p>Peterborough, however, did not hesitate a moment, but mounting +his horse, and accompanied only by his aides de camp, Jack +Stilwell and Lieutenant Graham, rode for Tortosa. Changing his +horse at the various towns through which he passed, and riding +almost night and day, he reached Tortosa on the 4th, and at once +summoned the magnates of the town to give information as to the +real state of things. He then found, to his astonishment, that +the details which the king had sent him respecting the force of +the enemy were entirely incorrect. Charles had written that they +were two thousand strong, and that sixteen thousand peasants were +in arms against them, whereas Las Torres had with him seven +thousand good troops, and not a single peasant had taken up +arms.</p> + +<p>General Killigrew, who now commanded the two hundred dragoons +and the thousand British infantry at Tortosa, together with his +officers, considered that under such circumstances it was +absolutely hopeless to attempt any movement for the relief of San +Matteo; but Peterborough did not hesitate a moment, and only said +to his officers:</p> + +<p>"Unless I can raise that siege our affairs are desperate, and +therefore capable only of desperate remedies. Be content; let me +try my fortune, whether I cannot by diligence and surprise effect +that which by downright force is apparently impracticable."</p> + +<p>The officers had unbounded confidence in their general, and +although the enterprise appeared absolutely hopeless, they at +once agreed to undertake it. Accordingly the three weak English +regiments marched from Tortosa under Killigrew, and the next day +the earl followed with the dragoons and a party of Miquelets, and +overtook the infantry that night. The next morning he broke up +his little army into small detachments in order that they might +march more rapidly, and, dividing the Miquelets among them as +guides, ordered them to assemble at Fraiguesa, two leagues from +San Matteo.</p> + +<p>The advance was admirably managed. Small parties of dragoons +and Miquelets went on ahead along each of the roads to occupy the +passes among the hills. When arrived at these points they had +strict orders to let no one pass them until the troops appeared +in sight, when the advance again pushed forward and secured +another position for the same purpose.</p> + +<p>Thus no indication of his coming preceded him; and the troops +arriving together with admirable punctuality before Fraiguesa, +the place was taken by surprise, and guards were at once mounted +on its gates, with orders to prevent any one from leaving the +town on any excuse whatever. Thus while the English force were +within two leagues of San Matteo, Las Torres remained in absolute +ignorance that any hostile force was advancing against him. +Graham and Jack were nearly worn out by the exertions which they +had undergone with their indefatigable general. They had ridden +for three days and nights almost without sleep, and on their +arrival at Tortosa were engaged unceasingly in carrying out their +chief's instructions, in making preparations for the advance, and +in obtaining every possible information as to the country to be +traversed.</p> + +<p>Both the young officers had now begun to speak Spanish. A +residence of four months in the country, constant communication +with the natives, and two months and a half steady work with an +instructor had enabled them to make great progress, and they were +now able to communicate without difficulty with the Spaniards +with whom they came in contact.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX: THE +ADVANCE INTO VALENCIA</h1> + +<p>The Earl of Peterborough had not satisfied himself with +depriving the enemy of all information as to his advance. He took +steps to confuse and alarm them by false news. By means of large +bribes he prevailed upon two peasants to carry each a copy of the +same letter to Colonel Jones, who commanded in San Matteo. He +took the further step of insuring their loyalty by arresting +their families as hostages, and, moreover, took care that they +should know nothing as to the real state of things that they +could report if treacherously inclined.</p> + +<p>He arranged that one of them should go in first and, passing +through the besiegers' lines, should arouse their suspicions, and +should then, when arrested, give up the letter concealed upon +him, and should also betray the route by which his companion was +endeavoring to reach the city, so that the second messenger would +also be captured and his letter be taken. The letters were as +follows:</p> + +<p>"To COLONEL JONES: You will hardly believe yourself what this +letter informs you of, if it come safe to you; and though I have +taken the best precaution, it will do little prejudice if it +falls into the enemy's hands, since they shall see and feel my +troops almost as soon as they can receive intelligence, should it +be betrayed to them. The end for which I venture it to you is +that you may prepare to open the furthest gate toward Valencia, +and have four thousand Miquelets ready, who will have the +employment they love and are fit for, the pursuing and pillaging +a flying enemy. The country is as one can wish for their entire +destruction. Be sure, upon the first appearance of our troops and +the first discharge of our artillery, you answer with an English +halloo, and take to the mountains on the heights with all your +men. The Conde de las Torres must take the plains, the hills on +the left being almost impassable, and secured by five or six +thousand of the country people. But what will gall him most will +be the whole regiment of Nebot, which revolted to us near +Valencia, is likewise among us.</p> + +<p>"I was eight days ago myself in Barcelona, and I believe the +Conde de las Torres must have so good intelligence from thence +that he cannot be ignorant of it. What belongs to my own troops +and my own resolutions I can easily keep from them, though +nothing else. You know the force I have, and the multitudes that +are gathering from all parts against us, so I am forced to put +the whole into this action, which must be decided to give any +hopes to our desperate game. By nine or ten, within an hour after +you can receive this, you will discover us on the tops of the +hills, not two cannon shot from their camp.</p> + +<p>"The advantages of the sea are inconceivable, and have +contributed to bring about what you could never expect to see, a +force almost equal to the enemy in number, and you know that less +would do our business. Besides, never men were so transported as +to be brought in such secrecy so near an enemy. I have near six +thousand men locked up this night within the walls of Traguera. I +do not expect you will believe it till you see them.</p> + +<p>"You know we had a thousand foot and two hundred dragoons in +Tortosa. Wills and a thousand foot English and Dutch came down +the Ebro in boats, and I embarked a thousand more at Tarragona +when I landed at Vinaroz, and the artillery from thence I brought +in country carts. It was easy to assemble the horse. Zinzendorf +and Moras are as good as our own, and with our English dragoons +make up in all near two thousand. But the whole depends upon +leaving them a retreat without interruption.</p> + +<p>"Dear Jones, prove a good dragoon, be diligent and alert, and +preach the welcome doctrine to your Miquelets, plunder without +danger.</p> + +<p>"Your friend, PETERBOROUGH."</p> + +<p>The two letters fell into the hands of Las Torres, and so +artfully had the capture been contrived, that it never occurred +to him to doubt the truth of these mendacious documents. Orders +were instantly given to prepare for a march, and almost at the +same time two events occurred in the siege works which caused +confusion of the troops. Several mines had been unskillfully sunk +and charged; one of these prematurely exploded and destroyed +forty of the workmen. The remaining mines Colonel Jones contrived +to swamp by turning the course of a brook into them, thus +rendering them harmless. While the troops were confused with +these disasters, the news of the contents of the intercepted +letters spread through the camp, causing a general panic; and +almost immediately afterward the advance guard of Peterborough's +force were seen, according to the promise contained in the +letters, on the crests of the hills.</p> + +<p>By able management the twelve hundred men were made to appear +vastly more numerous than they were. The dragoons showed in +various parties at different points of the hilltops, and, after +pausing as if to reconnoiter the camp, galloped back as if to +carry information to a main body behind; while the infantry +availed themselves of the wooded and uneven ground to conceal +their weakness. It seemed, indeed, to the enemy that the tops of +all the hills and the avenues of approach were covered by +advancing columns. Las Torres, unsuspicious of stratagem, was now +convinced that his position was one of extreme danger, while +confusion reigned in the camp. The tents were hastily struck, the +guns spiked, and in a few minutes the Spanish army started along +the Valencia road in a retreat which might almost be called a +flight.</p> + +<p>Colonel Jones, seeing the confusion that reigned, instantly +sallied from the town with his whole force in pursuit, and +followed Las Torres for nearly two leagues to Penasol, inflicting +a loss of nearly three hundred men upon the Spaniards; while +Peterborough on the other side marched his force through the +abandoned intrenchments and into the town. Scarcely halting, +however, he made a show of pursuit as far as Albocazer, but +always keeping to the hills with such caution that in case the +enemy should learn his weakness, his retreat would still be +secured. While on the march a courier overtook him with two +dispatches -- the one from King Charles, the other from the +English resident with the court at Barcelona.</p> + +<p>The king told him that he would be obliged to countermand the +reinforcements he had promised him for the relief of San Matteo, +in consequence of the unfavorable state of affairs elsewhere. It, +however, conveyed to Peterborough something which he valued more +than reinforcements, namely, full power to act in accordance with +his own discretion. The dispatch from the British resident told +him that news had come that the Duke of Berwick, with the main +army of France, freed by the retreat of Lord Galway from all +trouble on the western side of Spain, was in full march for +Catalonia.</p> + +<p>The Prince of Serclaes, with four thousand men, watched the +small garrison at Lerida; the Duke of Noailles, with eight +thousand French troops from Roussillon, threatened Catalonia on a +third side; while Philip and Marshal Tesse had collected ten +thousand men at Madrid. The letter concluded with the words: +"There is nothing here but distrust, discontent, and +despair."</p> + +<p>The responsibility left by the king's letter upon Peterborough +was great indeed. On the one hand, if he did not return to the +defense of Catalonia, the king might be exposed to imminent +danger; and, on the other, if he repassed the Ebro he might be +accused of having left Valencia and its loyal inhabitants to +their fate, and would have forfeited all the advantages that his +audacity and skill had already gained.</p> + +<p>His difficulties in any case were enormous. His infantry were +marching almost barefooted; they were clothed in rags. The season +was inclement, the country mountainous and rough, and the horses +of the dragoons so exhausted that they could scarcely carry their +riders. In obedience to his instructions, here, as at Tortosa, he +assembled his officers in a council of war and asked their +opinion. They were unanimous in saying that, with the small and +exhausted force under his orders, no further operation could be +undertaken for the conquest of Valencia, but that the little army +should post itself in such a position as might afford the +greatest facility for protecting the king.</p> + +<p>Peterborough had thus on one side not only the difficulty of +the position, but the opinion of the council of war against a +further advance; but on the other hand he knew the anxiety of the +king that help should be given to the Valencians. He therefore +announced to his officers a resolution as desperate as that ever +formed by a sane man. He had listened gravely and in silence +while the officers gave their opinion, and then ordered that the +footsore infantry, with a few of the horse, should march back to +Vinaroz, a little town on the seaside a day's journey from +Tortosa, where in case of necessity they might embark in boats +and be taken off to the ships. Then, to the stupefaction of his +officers, he announced his intention of himself proceeding with +the remaining dragoons, about a hundred and fifty in number, to +conquer the province of Valencia!</p> + +<p>In vain the officers remonstrated, the earl was firm. The +council then broke up, and the troops prepared for their march in +opposite directions.</p> + +<p>The parting of Peterborough and his officers was very sad, for +they doubted not it was a final one.</p> + +<p>"I will yet endeavor," he said, "however our circumstances +seem desperate, to secure the kingdom of Valencia; and since the +king has thought conquest possible in this present case, he +cannot complain of my motions, however rash they might appear. I +am resolved, therefore, never to repass the Ebro without positive +orders from him."</p> + +<p>Before starting the earl wrote to Charles and explained fully +his intentions. It is evident from the tone of his letter that +Peterborough did not expect to survive this extraordinary +expedition. The language is grave and firm, and, though +respectful, full of stronger remonstrance and more homely advice +than often reaches kings. It concluded:</p> + +<p>"I have had but little share in your councils. If our advance +had been approved, if your majesty had trusted us . . . if your +majesty had permitted me to march into the kingdom of Valencia, +when I so earnestly desired it, without making me stay under +pretense of the march of imaginary troops; if your majesty would +have believed me on that occasion, your majesty would have had +this time not only a viceroy of Valencia but the kingdom. With +what force I have I am going to march straight to Valencia. I can +take no other measures, leaving the rest to Providence. The time +lost (so much against my inclination) exposes me to a sacrifice, +at least I will perish with honor, and as a man deserving a +better fate."</p> + +<p>The earl now again sent orders to one thousand Spanish foot +and three hundred horse, which had before been nominally placed +at his disposal, but had never moved from the town in which they +were garrisoned, to follow him into Valencia; and at the same +time he wrote to Colonel Wills to march immediately with a like +number of English horse and foot to his assistance.</p> + +<p>The king, on the receipt of Peterborough's letter, issued +positive and peremptory orders that the Spanish troops were at +once to be set in motion. Colonel Wills wrote in reply that an +important action had taken place at San Esteban de Litera on the +26th and 27th of January, between General Conyngham with his +brigade and the Chevalier d'Asfeldt, in which, after a bloody +contest, the French were driven from the field with a heavy loss +of killed, wounded, and prisoners, the allies had also suffered +serious loss, and General Conyngham had received a mortal wound. +The command, therefore, had devolved upon himself.</p> + +<p>Having seen the infantry march off, Peterborough, attended +only by his two aides de camp, took his place at the head of his +handful of cavalry and proceeded on his desperate enterprise -- +an enterprise the most extraordinary that has ever taken place +between enemies of an equal degree of civilization. It was a war +of a general with a small escort, but literally without an army, +against able officers with thousands of disciplined troops and +numerous defensible towns and positions, against enormous +difficulties of country, against want and fatigue in every shape, +and above all, against hope itself.</p> + +<p>And yet no one who had witnessed that little body march off +would have supposed that they were entering upon what seemed an +impossible expedition -- an expedition from which none could come +back alive. Worn out and sorry as was the appearance of the +horses, ragged and dirty that of their riders, the latter were in +high spirits. The contagion of the extraordinary energy and +audacity of their chief had spread among them; they had an +absolute confidence in his genius, and they entered upon the +romantic enterprise with the ardor of schoolboys.</p> + +<p>Not less was the spirit of the two young aides de camp. Before +starting the earl had offered them the option of marching away +with the infantry.</p> + +<p>"It is not that I doubt your courage, lads, for I marked you +both under fire at Montjuich, but the fatigues will be terrible. +You have already supported, in a manner which has surprised me, +the work which you have undergone. You have already borne far +more than your full share of the hardships of the campaign, and I +have, in my dispatches, expressed a very strong opinion to the +government as to the value of the services you have rendered. You +are both very young, and I should be sorry to see your lives +sacrificed in such an enterprise as that I am undertaking, and +shall think no less of you if you elect now to have a period of +rest."</p> + +<p>The young men had, however, so firmly and emphatically +declined to leave him that the earl had accepted their continued +service.</p> + +<p>The cavalry, instead of keeping in a compact body, were broken +up into parties of ten, all of whom followed different roads, +spreading, through every hamlet they passed, the news that a +great army, of which they were the forerunners, was following +hotly behind. So that should any peasants favorable to Philip's +cause carry the news to Las Torres, that general would be forced +to believe that he was being pursued by a veritable army. Many +stragglers of the retreating force were picked up and handed over +to the peasantry to be sent as prisoners into Catalonia.</p> + +<p>For the most part the little parties of cavalry were well +received by the populace; the majority of Valencians were in +favor of King Charles, and that night, when they halted, the +weary horses obtained ample supplies of grain and forage, and the +troopers were made welcome to the best the villages afforded.</p> + +<p>A few extra horses were purchased by Peterborough during the +day, and it was well for his aides de camp that it was so, for +scarcely had they finished their meal than Peterborough ordered +them again into the saddle. They were to ride by crossroads right +and left to the villages where the different detachments had been +ordered to halt, and to tell them the routes marked out for them +by which they would again concentrate at midday, so as to ride in +comparatively strong force through a small town on the main road, +whence news might, not improbably, be sent on to Las Torres. +After that they were again to disperse and pervade the +country.</p> + +<p>Jack and Graham carried out these orders, taking guides from +each village through which they passed to the next, and it was +near midnight before they had finished their work. At four in the +morning every detachment was in motion, and at noon the troop was +again concentrated. Here the earl learned that a detachment of +the enemy had remained behind at Alcala, and, instead of carrying +out his previous plan, he rode straight with the whole of his +dragoons to that town. When he approached it he divided his force +into three bodies, which entered the place simultaneously by +different gates, and the Spanish detachment, two hundred strong, +at once laid down their arms.</p> + +<p>Evening was now approaching, and as the horses and dragoons +were utterly worn out, Peterborough halted for the night. He at +once called together the principal inhabitants, and informed them +that he required all the horses in the town, with such saddlery +as they could obtain, to be collected and forwarded for his use +to a point he named.</p> + +<p>The next morning the march was continued. Las Torres had +continued his flight, and this was hastened when he heard of the +capture of Alcala. He pushed through the town of Borriol and +hastened on to Villa Real, a town strongly favorable to King +Charles. It opened its gates, however, on the solemn promise of +Las Torres to respect the life and property of the inhabitants; +but no sooner had his troops entered than he gave the order for a +general massacre and the sack of the town. This ferocious order +was executed, and very few of the inhabitants escaped with their +lives.</p> + +<p>The following day, on the news coming in from various points +in his rear that the enemy were pressing after him, he marched +his dispirited army to Nules, where the inhabitants were well +affected. In answer to his appeal a thousand of the citizens +enrolled themselves and undertook to defend the town till the +last against the English. Having assured himself of their +earnestness Las Torres inspected the muster, and, having viewed +all the dispositions for defense, continued his flight. Nules was +fortified by strong walls flanked with towers, the fortifications +were in an excellent state of defense, and the town could have +resisted a siege by a considerable army.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Villa Real the British were horrified at the +hideous massacre which had taken place. They went from house to +house and found everywhere the bodies of the slaughtered +inhabitants, and the ardor of the dragoons was, if possible, +heightened by the sight. They made but a short stay here and then +galloped on to Nules. As they neared the town a fire of musketry +was opened from the walls, but, wholly disregarding this, the +earl at the head of his men dashed up to the gates and demanded, +in an imperious tone, that the principal inhabitants should +assemble and hold parley with him.</p> + +<p>The boldness of the earl's manner and the imperative tone in +which he spoke so astonished the citizens on the walls that they +ceased firing, and sent for their magistrates and priests. When +these assembled on the wall Peterborough told them in an angry +tone that he gave them only six minutes for deliberation, and +that if they offered the slightest resistance he would repeat at +Nules the massacre which Las Torres had carried out at Villa +Real. He added that, unless they instantly surrendered, he would +blow down their walls the moment his artillery and engineers +arrived. The terror stricken magistrates at once summoned the +town council, and, upon their repeating Peterborough's terrible +threats, it was resolved at once to surrender, and the six +minutes had scarcely elapsed when the gates fell back on their +hinges, and Peterborough and his dragoons entered the town in +triumph.</p> + +<p>Here the wearied band enjoyed a rest for some days, +Peterborough spreading the alarm, which his presence excited, by +giving orders that great quantities of provisions and forage +should be brought in from all directions for the supply of the +large army which he stated to be following at his heels. As it +never occurred to any one that he could be pursuing an army of +seven thousand men through a hostile country with only a handful +of dragoons, his statements were not doubted. The requisitions +were complied with, and provisions and stores poured into the +town.</p> + +<p>Las Torres at Almenara, where he had again perpetrated a +horrible massacre, heard the news of great preparations that +Peterborough was making for the supply of his army, and +considering his position to be unsafe again retreated +hastily.</p> + +<p>At Nules two hundred horses were found and at once +appropriated for the use of the army. With a portion of his force +Peterborough rode out to Castillon de la Plana, an open town of +some size, where the people were well affected to the Austrian +cause. Here he secured four hundred more horses, at the same time +assuring both friends and foes that his army was driving the +enemy out of the kingdom. On entering Nules, Peterborough had +sent orders for Lord Barrymore's regiment of British infantry, at +that time under the command of Colonel Pierce, to march from +Vinaroz, where they had been sent with the rest of the infantry +from San Matteo to Oropesa, a town about nine miles from +Castillon, where he had collected all the horses he had obtained +during his march.</p> + +<p>When the news reached Nules of the arrival of this regiment at +Oropesa, Lord Peterborough at once rode over. The regiment was +formed up for his inspection; it had marched with the greatest +speed, and the men were worn out and footsore with their long +tramp over the stony hills. After inspecting them the earl paid +them a high compliment upon their past achievements, and +concluded by expressing his wish that they had but horses and +accouterments to try whether a corps of so high a character would +maintain their reputation in the novelty of mounted service.</p> + +<p>The joke of their eccentric general seemed but a poor one to +the footsore and almost shoeless men, but they were astonished +when Jack rode forward and presented to each of the officers a +commission, which he had drawn out in the earl's name, as cavalry +officers. Their astonishment was changed to delight when +Peterborough marched them to the brow of the hill where they +stood, and they saw eight bodies of horses drawn up in order +ready for their eight companies. Among these were set apart three +good chargers for each captain, two for lieutenants, and one for +cornets. He ordered the regiment to mount, and, immensely amused +at their sudden elevation to the cavalry service, the troops rode +back to the town.</p> + +<p>From the moment when he started from San Matteo Peterborough +had, in spite of his incessant exertions and multifarious cares, +been quietly making preparations for this event. He had sent to +Barcelona for the necessary accouterments for these men and for +the dismounted British dragoons. The accouterments had been sent +from Barcelona to the nearest port on the seacoast, and by +continually urging on the local carriers the earl had, in nine +days after leaving San Matteo, collected them in readiness at his +depot at Castillon, and thus raised his little band of horse to +nearly a thousand men. These he dispersed at once among the well +affected towns of the neighborhood, whose walls would render them +safe from the attack of an enemy unsupported by artillery, moving +them constantly from place to place, partly to accustom them to +their new duties, partly to confuse the enemy as to their +numbers.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X: AN +ADVENTURE IN THE MOUNTAINS</h1> + +<p>"Mr. Stillwell," the earl said, a few days after his arrival +at Castillon, "will you take twenty dragoons and ride out to the +village of Estrella? The district round it is extremely hostile, +and they prevent supplies being brought in from that direction. +Get hold of the principal men in the place, and tell them that if +I hear any more complaints of hostility in that neighborhood I +will send out a regiment of horse, burn their village, and ravage +all the country. I don't think you need apprehend any opposition; +but of course you will keep a good lookout."</p> + +<p>"Am I to return tonight, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Let that depend upon your reception. If the inhabitants show +a fairly good disposition, or if you see that at any rate there +is a considerable section of the population well disposed to the +cause, stay there for the night, and in the morning make a wide +circuit through the district before returning. If you perceive a +strong hostile feeling it were best not to sleep there; with so +small a force you would be liable to a night attack."</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later Jack rode off with his party, having +first obtained directions from the natives as to the best road to +Estrella. The village was but some fifteen miles off, and lay in +the center of a fertile district on the other side of a range of +lofty hills. The road they were traversing ran through the hills +by a narrow and very steep valley.</p> + +<p>"This would be a nasty place to be attacked," Jack said to the +sergeant, who was riding just behind him.</p> + +<p>"It would, indeed, sir; and if they were to set some of those +stones arolling they would soon knock our horses off their +legs."</p> + +<p>A mile or two further on the road again descended and the +valley opened to a fertile country. Another half hour's sharp +riding brought them into Estrella. Their coming had probably been +signaled, for the inhabitants evinced no sudden alarm as the +little troop rode along the principal street. The women stood at +the doors of the houses to look at them, the men were gathered in +little knots at the corners; but all were unarmed, and Jack saw +at once that there was no intention of offering resistance. He +alighted at the door of the village inn, and in a few minutes two +or three of the chief men in the village presented +themselves.</p> + +<p>"The English general," Jack said, "has heard that the people +of your neighborhood are hostile, and that those who would pass +through with animals and stores for the army are prevented from +doing so. He bids me say that he does not wish to war with the +people of this country so long as they are peaceful. Those who +take up arms he will meet with arms; but so long as they +interfere not with him he makes no inquiry as to whether their +wishes are for King Charles or Philip of Anjou; but if they +evince an active hostility he will be forced to punish them. You +know how Marshal Tesse has massacred unarmed citizens whom he +deemed hostile, and none could blame the English general did he +carry out reprisals; but it will grieve him to have to do so. He +has therefore sent me with this small troop to warn you that if +the people of this village and district interfere in any way with +his friends, or evince signs of active hostility, he will send a +regiment of horse with orders to burn the village to the ground, +and to lay all the district bare."</p> + +<p>"Your general has been misinformed," the principal man in the +place said. "There are, it is true, some in the district who hold +for Philip of Anjou; but the population are well disposed to King +Charles, and this village is ready to furnish any supplies that +the English may require. If your honor will give me a list of +these I will do my best to have them in readiness by tomorrow +morning, and I trust that you will honor us by stopping here till +then."</p> + +<p>Jack hesitated; he did not much like the appearance of the man +or the tone of humility in which he spoke; still, as he offered +to furnish supplies, he thought it well to accept the same.</p> + +<p>"What horses could you let us have?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"We could supply ten horses," the man said, "fit for cavalry, +four wagons of grain, and twenty barrels of wine."</p> + +<p>"Very well," Jack said; "if these are ready by tomorrow +morning I will accept them as an earnest of your goodwill, and +now I require food for my men."</p> + +<p>"That shall be ready for them in an hour," the man +replied.</p> + +<p>Jack now gave orders to the sergeant that the girths to the +saddles should be loosened, and the horses fastened in readiness +for service in the street close to the inn. Four men were then +posted as pickets at the distance of a quarter of a mile on each +side of the village. Corn was brought for the horses. The women +and children gathered round to gaze at the foreign soldiers, and +Jack was convinced that there was at any rate no intention to +effect a surprise while he remained in the village. In an hour +the dinner was served, and there was no reason to complain of the +quantity or quality of the provisions.</p> + +<p>An hour after dinner the troop again mounted and took a detour +of some miles through the district, passing through several other +villages, in none of which were the slightest signs of hostility +met with.</p> + +<p>"Sergeant," Jack said, after they had returned to Estrella, +"everything looks very quiet and peaceful; but, considering what +we have heard of the feeling in this district, it seems to me +that it is almost too peaceful. I can't help feeling somewhat +uneasy. When it gets dark divide the troop into two parties; keep +one constantly under arms; place sentries in pairs at each end of +the village, and keep a most vigilant watch. Do not let the +others scatter to the quarters the mayor has provided; but let +all lie down here in the inn ready to turn out at a moment's +notice. They are a treacherous lot, these Spaniards, and we +cannot be too strictly on our guard."</p> + +<p>The night passed, however, without an incident, and in the +morning, the five wagons with grain and wine, and eight horses, +were brought in.</p> + +<p>Jack, rather ashamed of his suspicions on the previous night, +thanked the mayor warmly. Eight of the troopers took each a led +horse. The four countrymen in charge of the wagons shouted to +their oxen, and the party moved out from Estrella.</p> + +<p>"There are very few men about the village, Mr. Stilwell," the +sergeant said, as Jack reined back his horse to speak to him. +"Did you notice that, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Jack said; "I did notice it; for except a few old men +and boys, there were none but women and children gathered round +or standing at their door. There were plenty of men about +yesterday; but perhaps they have all gone up to work in the +fields; however, we will keep our eyes open. You had best ride +forward, sergeant, to the two men in front and tell them to keep +a sharp lookout."</p> + +<p>They were proceeding only at a slow walk in order to keep pace +with the wagons, and it was an hour and a half after leaving +Estrella before they entered the hills.</p> + +<p>Jack noticed that although many women and girls could be seen +working in the fields, not a man was in sight.</p> + +<p>"It is curious, sergeant, that there are no men about, and I +can't help thinking that all is not right. Do you take four men +with you and ride straight on through that nasty narrow valley we +noticed as we came. Keep a sharp lookout on both sides, for there +are rocks enough on those hills to hide an army."</p> + +<p>Jack halted the detachment when the scouting party went +forward. In three quarters of an hour the sergeant returned with +his men, saying that he had ridden right through the valley and +could see no signs of life whatever.</p> + +<p>"Very well, sergeant, then we will proceed. But we will do so +in groups. If we are to be attacked in that valley, we could make +no fight of it were we ten times as many as we are; and if we +must be caught, they shall have as few of us as possible; +therefore, let a corporal with four men go on a good quarter of a +mile ahead, so that he will be past the worst part before the +next body enter. Then do you take ten men and go next. I will +follow you at the same distance with the other five men and the +wagons. Order the corporal if attacked to ride through if +possible; if not, to fall back to you. Do you do the same. If you +are nearly through the valley when you are attacked, dash +straight forward. I shall see what is going on, and will turn and +ride back with my party, and making a sweep round through the +flat country find my way back by some other road. In that case by +no possibility can they get more than a few of us."</p> + +<p>These orders, which were well calculated to puzzle a concealed +enemy, were carried out. The corporal's party were just +disappearing round a turn at the upper end of the valley when the +main body under the sergeant entered it. Jack was not quite so +far behind, and halted as he entered the valley to allow those +who preceded him to get through before he proceeded. They were +still some two hundred yards from the further end when a shot was +heard, and in an instant men appeared from behind every rock, and +the hillside was obscured with smoke as upward of two hundred +guns were fired almost simultaneously. Then there was a deep +rumbling noise, and the rocks came bounding down from above.</p> + +<p>The sergeant carried out Jack's orders. At the flash of the +first gun he set off with his men at a gallop; and so quick and +sudden was the movement that but few of the bullets touched them, +and the rocks for the most part thundered down in their rear. Two +or three horses and men were, however, struck down and crushed by +the massive rocks; but the rest of the party got through the pass +in safety and joined their comrades who had preceded them. They +rode on for a short distance further, and then there was a halt, +and wounds were examined and bandaged.</p> + +<p>"It is well that we came as we did," the sergeant said to his +corporal; "if we had been all together, with the wagons blocking +up the road, not a man Jack of us would have escaped alive. What +an escape it has been! the whole hillside seemed coming down on +us."</p> + +<p>"What will Mr. Stilwell do, sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"He said he should ride back into the plain and take some +other way round," the sergeant replied; "but I fear he won't find +it so easy. Fellows who would lay such an ambush as that are +pretty sure to have taken steps to cut off the retreat of any who +might escape and ride back. I am sure I hope he will get out of +it, for he is a good officer, and as pleasant a young fellow as +one can want to serve under; besides, there are five of our chaps +with him."</p> + +<p>Jack had halted his men the instant the first shot was fired. +"Shall I shoot these fellows, sir ?" one of the troopers asked, +drawing his pistol and pointing it at the head of one of the +peasants leading a yoke of oxen.</p> + +<p>"No," Jack said; "they are unarmed; besides, they are plucky +fellows for risking their lives on such a venture. There! the +sergeant's troop have got through; but there are two or three of +them down. Come along, lads, we must ride back, and there is no +time to lose. Keep well together, and in readiness to charge if I +give the word. It is likely enough our turn may come next."</p> + +<p>They rode on without interruption at full gallop till they +neared the lower end of the valley. Then Jack drew up his horse. +Across the road and the ground on each side extended a dozen +carts, the oxen being taken out, and the carts placed end to end +so as to form a barricade. A number of men were standing behind +them.</p> + +<p>"I expected something of this sort," muttered Jack. He looked +at the hills on either side, but they were too steep to ride up +on horseback; and as to abandoning the animals and taking to the +hills on foot, it was not to be thought of, for the active +peasants would easily overtake them.</p> + +<p>"We must ride straight forward," he said; "there is no other +way out of it. There is level ground enough for a horse to pass +round the left of the wagons. Ride for that point as hard as you +can, and when you are through keep straight forward for a quarter +of a mile till we are together again. Now!"</p> + +<p>Giving his horse the spur, Jack dashed off at full speed, +followed closely by the troopers. As they approached the line +guns flashed out from the wagons, and the bullets sang thickly +round them; but they were going too fast to be an easy mark, and +the peasants, after firing their guns, seeing the point for which +they were making, ran in a body to oppose them, armed with pitch +forks and ox goads; few of them had, however, reached the spot +when Jack and his troopers dashed up. There was a short sharp +struggle, and then, leaving five or six of the peasants dead on +the ground, the troopers burst through and rode forward. One man +only had been lost in the passage, shot through the head as he +approached the gap.</p> + +<p>"So far we are safe," Jack said, "and as I expect every man in +the country round was engaged in that ambush, we need not hurry +for the present. The question is, Which way to go?"</p> + +<p>This was indeed a difficult point to settle, for Jack was +wholly ignorant of the country. He had made inquiries as to the +way to Estrella, but knew nothing of any other roads leading from +that village, and indeed, for aught he knew, the road by which he +had come might be the only one leading to the south through the +range of hills.</p> + +<p>"We will turn west," he said, after a moment's thought, "and +keep along near the foot of the hills till we come to another +road crossing them."</p> + +<p>So saying, he set forward at an easy trot across the fields of +maize and wheat stubble, vineyards, and occasionally orchards. +For upward of two hours Jack led the way, but they saw no signs +of a road, and he observed with uneasiness that the plain was +narrowing fast and the hills on the left trending to meet those +on the right and form an apparently unbroken line ahead.</p> + +<p>The horses were showing signs of fatigue, and Jack drew rein +on somewhat rising ground and looked anxiously round. If, as it +seemed, there was no break in the bills ahead, it would be +necessary to retrace their steps, and long ere this the defenders +of the ravine would have returned to their homes, and learned +from the men at the carts that a small party had escaped. As the +women in the fields would be able to point out the way they had +taken, the whole population would be out in pursuit of them. +Looking round Jack saw among some trees to his right what +appeared to be a large mansion, and resolved at once to go +there.</p> + +<p>"The horses must have food and a rest," he said, "before we +set out again; and though it's hardly probable, as the peasants +are so hostile, that the owner of this place is friendly, I would +even at the worst rather fall into the hands of a gentleman than +into those of these peasants, who would certainly murder us in +cold blood."</p> + +<p>Thus saying, he rode toward the mansion, whose owner must, he +thought as he approached it, be a man of importance, for it was +one of the finest country residences he had seen in Spain. He +rode up to the front door and dismounted and rang at the bell. A +man opened the door, and looked with surprise and alarm at the +English uniforms. He would have shut the door again, but Jack put +his shoulder to it and pushed it open.</p> + +<p>"What means this insolence?" he said sternly, drawing his +pistol. "Is your master in?"</p> + +<p>"No, senor," the man stammered, "the count is from home."</p> + +<p>"Is your mistress in?"</p> + +<p>The man hesitated.</p> + +<p>"I will see," he said.</p> + +<p>"Look here, sir," Jack said. "Your mistress is in, and unless +you lead me straight to her I will put a bullet through your +head."</p> + +<p>Several other men servants had now come up, but the four +troopers had also entered. The Spaniards looked at each other +irresolutely.</p> + +<p>"Now, sirrah," Jack said, raising his pistol, "are you going +to obey me?"</p> + +<p>The Spaniard, seeing Jack would execute his threat unless +obeyed, turned sullenly and led the way to a door. He opened it +and entered.</p> + +<p>"Madam the countess," he said, "an English officer insists on +seeing you."</p> + +<p>Jack followed him in. A lady had just risen from her seat.</p> + +<p>"I must apologize, madam," he began, and then stopped in +surprise, while at the same moment a cry of astonishment broke +from the lady.</p> + +<p>"Senor Stilwell!" she cried. "Oh! how glad I am to see you! +but -- but --" And she stopped.</p> + +<p>"But how do I come here, countess, you would ask? I come here +by accident, and had certainly no idea that I should find you, or +that this mansion belonged to your husband. You told me when I +saw you last, a fortnight before I left Barcelona, that you were +going away to your seat in the country. You told me its name, +too, and were good enough to say that you hoped when this war was +over that I would come and visit you; but, in truth, as this is +not a time for visiting, I had put the matter out of my +mind."</p> + +<p>"And do you belong, then," the countess asked, "to the party +who we heard yesterday had arrived at Estrella? If so --" And she +stopped again.</p> + +<p>"If so, how have I escaped, you would ask? By good fortune and +the speed of my horse."</p> + +<p>"What will the count say?" the countess exclaimed. "How will +he ever forgive himself? Had he known that our preserver was with +that party he would have cut off his right hand before he would +have --"</p> + +<p>"Led his tenants to attack us. He could not tell, countess, +and now I hope that you will give your retainers orders to treat +my men with hospitality. At present my four troopers and your men +are glowering at each other in the hall like wolves and dogs +ready to spring at each other's throats."</p> + +<p>The countess at once went out into the hall. The servants had +now armed themselves, and, led by the majordomo, were standing in +readiness to attack the dragoons on the termination of the +colloquy between the officer and their mistress.</p> + +<p>"Lay aside your arms, men," the countess said imperiously. +"These men are the count's guests. Enrico, do you not recognize +this gentleman?"</p> + +<p>The majordomo turned, and, at once dropping his musket, ran +across, and, falling on his knees, pressed Jack's hand to his +lips. The servants, who had at first stood in irresolute +astonishment at their mistress' order, no longer hesitated, but +placed their arms against the wall.</p> + +<p>"This," the majordomo said to them, rising to his feet, "is +the noble English lord who saved the lives of the count and +countess and my young master from the mob at Barcelona, as I have +often told you."</p> + +<p>This explained the mystery. The servants saluted Jack with +profound respect, for all were deeply attached to the count and +countess, and had often thrilled with fury and excitement over +the majordomo's relation of that terrible scene at Barcelona.</p> + +<p>Jack in a few words explained to the troopers the reason of +the change in their position. The dragoons put up their swords, +and were soon on the best terms with the retainers in the great +kitchen, while Jack and the countess chatted over the events +which had happened since they last parted.</p> + +<p>"I shall always tremble when I think of today," the countess +said. "What a feeling mine would have been all my life had our +preserver been killed by my servants! I should never have +recovered it. It is true it would have been an accident, and yet +the possibility should have been foreseen. The count knew you +were with the Earl of Peterborough, and the whole English army +should have been sacred in his eyes for your sake; but I suppose +he never thought of it any more than I did. Of course every one +knows that we belong to Philip's party. It was for that, that the +mob at Barcelona would have killed us; but my husband does not +talk much, and when he left Barcelona no objection was raised. He +did not intend to take part in the war, and he little thought at +that time that an enemy would ever come so far from Barcelona; +but yesterday, when a message came that a small party of the +enemy had entered the valley, and that the peasants had prepared +an ambuscade for them on their return, and that they hoped that +the count their master would himself come and lead them to +annihilate the heretics, the simple man agreed, never thinking +that you might be among them. What will his feelings be when, he +learns it!"</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon the count arrived. One of the servants +who had been on the lookout informed the countess of his +approach.</p> + +<p>"I will go myself to meet him," she said. "Do you stay here, +senor, where you can hear."</p> + +<p>The count rode up at full speed, and as the door opened ran +hastily in.</p> + +<p>"What has happened, Nina?" he exclaimed anxiously. "I have had +a great fright. We have been following a small party of the enemy +who escaped us from Estrella, and just now a woman returning from +work in the fields told us she had seen five strange soldiers +ride up here and enter."</p> + +<p>"They are here," the countess answered complacently. "They are +at present our guests."</p> + +<p>"Our guests!" the count exclaimed, astonished "What are you +saying, Nina? The enemies of our country our guests! In what a +position have you placed me! I have two hundred armed men just +behind. I left them to ride on when I heard the news, being too +anxious to go at their pace, and now you tell me that these men +of whom they are in search are our guests! What am I to say or +do? You amaze me altogether."</p> + +<p>"What would you have me do?" the countess said. "Could I +refuse hospitality to wearied men who asked it, Juan?" she +continued, changing her tone. "You have to thank Providence +indeed that those men came to our door instead of falling into +the hands of your peasants."</p> + +<p>"To thank Providence!" the count repeated, astonished.</p> + +<p>"Come with me and you will see why."</p> + +<p>She led the way into the room, her husband following her. The +count gave a cry as his eye fell upon Jack, and every vestige of +color left his face.</p> + +<p>"Mary, mother of heaven!" he said in a broken voice, "I thank +thee that I have been saved from a crime which would have +imbittered all my life. Oh, senor, is it thus we meet, thus, when +I have been hunting blindly for the blood of the man to whom I +owe so much?"</p> + +<p>"Happily there is no harm done, count," Jack said, advancing +with outstretched hand; "you were doing what you believed to be +your duty, attacking the enemy of your country. Had you killed me +you would have been no more to blame than I should, did a chance +shot of mine slay you when fighting in the ranks of the soldiers +of Philip."</p> + +<p>The count was some time before he could respond to Jack's +greeting, so great was his emotion at the thought of the escape +he had had from slaying the preserver of his wife and child. As +soon as he recovered himself he hurried out to meet the peasants, +whose shouts could be heard as they approached the castle. He +soon returned and bade his servants take a cask of wine into the +courtyard behind the house, with what bread and meat there might +be in the larder.</p> + +<p>"You had no trouble with them, I hope?" Jack asked.</p> + +<p>"None whatever," the count said. "As soon as I told them the +circumstances under which you saved the life of the countess, my +boy, and myself, their only wish was to see you and express their +gratitude; they are simple fellows, these peasants, and if fairly +treated greatly attached to their lords."</p> + +<p>"It's a pity their treatment of the prisoners is so savage," +Jack said dryly.</p> + +<p>"They are savage," the count said, "but you must remember that +the history of Spain is one long story of war and bloodshed. They +draw knives on each other on the slightest provocation, and in +their amusements, as you know, there is nothing that in their +eyes can rival a bullfight; it is little wonder, then, that in +war they are savage and, as you would say, even bloodthirsty. +This is not so in regular warfare. Whatever may have been the +conduct of some of our irregulars, none have ever alleged that +Spanish troops are less inclined to give quarter to conquered +foes than others; but in this rough irregular warfare each +peasant fights on his own account as against a personal enemy, +and as he would expect and would meet with little mercy if he +fell into the enemy's hands, so he grants no mercy to those who +fall into his. Indeed, after the brutal treatment which Marshal +Tesse has, I am ashamed to say, dealt out to those who opposed +him, you can scarcely blame peasants for acting as they see +civilized soldiers do."</p> + +<p>A short time afterward Jack went out with the count into the +courtyard, and was received with the most hearty and cordial +greeting by the men who were an hour before thirsting for his +blood. Among them was the village mayor.</p> + +<p>"Ah, sir," he said, "why did you not tell us that you had +saved the life of our lord and lady? You should have had all the +horses in the district, and as many wagons of wine and grain as +we could collect. We are all in despair that we should have +attacked our lord's preserver."</p> + +<p>"I could not tell you," Jack said, "because I was in ignorance +that the Count de Minas was your lord; had I known it I should +have assuredly gone straight to him."</p> + +<p>"We shall never forgive ourselves," the man said, "for having +killed four of your honor's soldiers."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry that it was so," Jack said, "but I cannot blame +you; and I am sorry that we on our part must have killed as many +of yours."</p> + +<p>"Six," the mayor replied. "Yes, poor fellows, but the count +will see to their widows and orphans, he has promised us as much. +I drink to your health, senor," and all present joined in the +shout, "Long live the preserver of the count and countess!"</p> + +<p>Jack and the count now returned to the house, and the next +morning, after a cordial adieu to the host and hostess, he rode +back with his men to Castillon.</p> + +<p>"Welcome back, Mr. Stilwell," the general said as he entered; +"I have been very uneasy about you. Your men returned at noon +yesterday and told me of the ambush in which they had been beset. +Your arrangements were excellent except for your own safety. How +did you manage to get out? By the way, I was astonished by the +arrival here an hour since of the horses and wagons. The men who +brought them could give me no account of it, except that the +Mayor of Estrella returned late yesterday evening and ordered +them to set out before daybreak. It seemed to me a perfect +mystery. I suspected at first that the wine was poisoned, and +ordered the men who brought it to drink some at once, but as they +did so without hesitation or sign of fear, I concluded that I was +mistaken. However, I have kept them captive pending news from you +to enlighten me."</p> + +<p>"I am not surprised you were astonished, sir, but the matter +was simple enough ;" and then Jack related the circumstances +which had befallen them.</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" the earl said; "for once, Mr. Stilwell, a good action +has had its reward, which, so far as my experience goes, is an +exception."</p> + +<p>The earl at once called in a sergeant and ordered the release +of the men who had brought the horses and wagons, and gave ten +gold pieces to be distributed among them. Jack also went out and +begged them to give his compliments and thanks to the mayor.</p> + +<p>"I am heartily glad the adventure ended as it did," the earl +said when he returned, "for, putting aside the regret I should +have felt at your loss, it would have been a difficult business +for me to undertake, with my present force, to chastise the men +who attacked you, who must be bold and determined fellows, and +capable of realizing the advantages of this mountainous country. +If all Spaniards would do as much it would tax the power of the +greatest military nation to subdue them; and yet I could hardly +have suffered such a check without endeavoring to avenge it; so +altogether, Mr. Stilwell, we must congratulate ourselves that the +affair ended as it did. In any case you would have been in no way +to blame, for your dispositions throughout appear to have been +excellent, and marked alike with prudence and boldness."</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI: +VALENCIA</h1> + +<p>While occupied in preparing for his advance, the general sent +letter after letter to Valencia, bidding the citizens to keep up +their courage, and promising to hasten to the relief of that +city. Ordering Jack to continue the correspondence in his name, +so as to delude both friends and foes that he was still at +Castillon, he took post secretly and hurried away back to Tortosa +to see after reinforcements. He still doubted whether the Spanish +troops, which the king had promised should be at his disposal for +the campaign in Valencia, had got into motion, and in case they +had not done so he determined to post to Colonel Wills and bring +up that officer with his brigade.</p> + +<p>At Vinaroz he found that the Spanish troops had already +entered Valencia, and that some of the militia of that province +and of Catalonia were also in motion to join him. He therefore +concentrated his little force at Castillon, to which place he +returned as rapidly as he had left it. When it was assembled it +consisted of a thousand horse and two thousand infantry, being +one English and three Spanish battalions of regulars. Besides +these were about three hundred armed peasants, whom the earl +thought it better not to join with his army, and therefore +quartered them at Almenara.</p> + +<p>Although he had accomplished marvels, there was yet much to +do. The Duke of Arcos had succeeded the Conde de las Torres in +the chief command, the latter having been superseded after his +signal failures. The duke had ten thousand men placed under his +orders, of whom some thirty-five hundred were in possession of +the strong town of Murviedro, which covered the approach to +Valencia, while with the main body he marched upon Valencia and +commenced the siege of that city. The magistrates, knowing that +they could expect but little mercy should the town be taken, made +vigorous preparations for defense, and dispatched some messengers +to Peterborough imploring him to come to their assistance. He was +now in readiness to do so, and on the 1st of February marched +from Castillon with his army.</p> + +<p>Having unlimited powers, the earl, before starting, presented +to his two aides de camp commissions as captains, as a reward for +the services they had rendered.</p> + +<p>Although so inferior in numbers the little army advanced +toward Valencia with an absolute confidence of victory. The +successes gained by their leader with a handful of cavalry over +an army of seven thousand men had been so astounding that his +troops believed him capable of effecting anything that he +undertook. They had seen him ride off from San Matteo with his +little body of horse upon what seemed an impossible enterprise; +they had met him again after having conquered half a province; +and if he had accomplished this with such scanty means, what was +not possible now when he had three thousand men at his +disposal?</p> + +<p>But the earl trusted fully as much to his talents in the way +of deceiving the enemy as to his power of defeating them by open +force in the field. His eccentric genius appeared to revel in the +mendacious statements by which he deceived and puzzled both +friend and foe; and although the spreading of a certain amount of +false news for the purpose of deceiving an enemy has always been +considered as a legitimate means of warfare, Peterborough +altogether exceeded the usual limits, and appeared to delight in +inventing the most complicated falsehoods from the mere love of +mischief. At times Jack was completely bewildered by his general, +so rapid were the changes of plans, so changeable his purposes, +so fantastic and eccentric his bearing and utterances. That his +military genius was astonishing no one can for a moment question, +but it was the genius rather of a knight errant than of the +commander of great armies.</p> + +<p>As a partisan leader Peterborough is without a rival in +history. Whether he would have succeeded equally well as the +commander of great armies he had never an opportunity of proving, +but it is more than doubtful. Rapid changes of plan, shifting and +uncertain movements, may lead to wonderful successes when but a +small body of troops have to be set in motion, but would cause +endless confusion and embarrassment with a large army, which can +only move in accordance with settled plans and deliberate +purpose.</p> + +<p>It must be said, however, that this most eccentric of generals +proved upon many occasions, as at the siege of Barcelona, that he +was capable of adapting himself to circumstances, and it is +possible that had he ever been placed in command of a great army +he would have laid aside his flightiness and eccentricity, his +love for theatrical strokes and hair breadth adventures, and +would have exhibited a steadfast military genius which would have +placed his name in the annals of British history on a par with +those of Wellington and Marlborough. Never did he exhibit his +faculty for ingenious falsehood more remarkably than at +Murviedro, where, indeed, a great proportion of his inventions +appear to have been prompted rather by a spirit of malice than by +any military necessity.</p> + +<p>Murviedro was the Saguntum of the Romans, one of the strongest +cities in Spain. The force there was commanded by Brigadier +General Mahony, an officer of Irish descent. He had under him +five hundred regular cavalry and a battalion of eight hundred +trained infantry; the rest of his force consisted of Spanish +militia. The town itself was fairly strong and contained a large +population. It was separated from a wide plain by a river, on the +banks of which redoubts mounted with artillery had been thrown +up.</p> + +<p>Here the Valencian road wound through a pass, above which, on +the crest of a lofty overhanging hill, were the ruins of ancient +Saguntum. Peterborough had no artillery save a few Spanish field +guns; the enemy's position was formidable both by formation and +art, and his force was altogether inadequate for an attack upon +it. So hopeless did the attempt appear to be that Peterborough's +officers were unanimous in the opinion that it would be better to +make a wide circuit and avoid the place, and to march directly +upon Valencia and give battle to the Duke of Arcos under its +walls. Peterborough, however, simply told them to wait and see +what would come of it, and in the mean time he continued to +bewilder his foes by the most surprising romances.</p> + +<p>His agents were for the most part a few sharp witted dragoons, +and some peasants whose fidelity was secured by their families +being held as hostages. He had already contrived to bewilder the +division of Las Torres before it reached the main body under the +Duke of Arcos. A spy in his pay had informed the Spanish general +that the British were close upon him, and he had accordingly at +once broken up his camp and marched all night.</p> + +<p>In the morning the spy again presented himself and stated that +the British were pushing on over the mountains to his left to +occupy an important point and to cut off his retreat to the +Valencian plains. As it seemed absolutely impossible that they +could have pressed forward so quickly, Las Torres refused to +credit the story. The spy, as if indignant at his truth being +doubted, pledged himself at the hazard of his life to give proof +of the assertion to any officer who might be sent to ascertain +it.</p> + +<p>Two officers in plain clothes were accordingly sent with him +in the direction where he stated the English to be; but when they +stopped for refreshment at a village on the way they were +suddenly pounced upon by a picket of English dragoons, who had +been sent there for the purpose. After a time the spy pretended +to the two officers that he had made the guard drunk and that +they could now make their escape, and leading them stealthily to +the stable showed them two of the dragoons lying in an apparently +drunken sleep. Three horses were quietly led out of the stable, +and the three men rode off, some of the dragoons making a show of +pursuit.</p> + +<p>This incident, of course, established the credit of the spy. +Las Torres was convinced that his retreat was really threatened, +and hurried on again with all speed, while all this time the +English army was really many miles away near Murviedro. Other +dragoons were induced to feign desertion, while some permitted +themselves to be taken prisoners, and as each vied with the +others in the extravagance of his false information, the Spanish +generals were utterly bewildered by the contradictory nature of +the lies that reached them.</p> + +<p>While Las Torres was hastening away at full speed to join the +Duke of Arcos, Peterborough was occupied in fooling Mahony. That +officer was a distant relation of Lady Peterborough, and the earl +sent to demand an interview with him, naming a small hill near +the town for the purpose. When the time for the interview +approached the earl disposed his army so as to magnify their +numbers as much as possible. Some were posted as near the town as +they could venture along the pass; others were kept marching on +the lower slopes of the hills, their numbers increased in +appearance by masses of the armed peasantry being mingled with +them.</p> + +<p>Mahony having received the earl's word for his safety rode out +to the appointed place to meet him, accompanied by several of the +principal Spanish officers. Peterborough first used every +persuasion to induce Mahony to enter the service of King Charles, +but the Irish officer refused to entertain the tempting offers +which he made. Peterborough then changed his tone, and said with +an air of kindly frankness:</p> + +<p>"The Spaniards have used such severities and cruelties at +Villa Real as to oblige me to retaliate. I am willing to spare a +town if under your protection. I know that you cannot pretend to +defend it with the horse you have, which will be so much more +useful in another place if joined with the troops of Arcos to +obstruct my passing the plains of Valencia. I am confident that +you will soon quit Murviedro, which I can as little prevent as +you can hinder me from taking the town. The inhabitants there +must be exposed to the most abject miseries, and I can in no way +preserve it but by being bound in a capitulation, which I am +willing to give you if I have the assurance of the immediate +surrender of the place this very night. Some cases are so +apparent that I need not dissemble. I know you will immediately +send to the Duke of Arcos to march to the Carthusian convent and +meet him there with the body of horse under your command."</p> + +<p>The earl further offered, in the same apparent spirit of +frankness, to show Mahony all his troops and artillery, as well +as the large resources he had upon the sea, which was only six +miles off. Mahony was entirely deceived by the manner of the man +he regarded as a relative, and laughingly acknowledged that he +had, in case of necessity, intended to fall back with his cavalry +upon the Duke of Arcos. The interview ended by Mahony retiring to +the town, agreeing to send back an answer in half an hour. At the +end of that time he sent out a capitulation by a Spanish +officer.</p> + +<p>Had Peterborough's scheme ended here he would not have +exceeded the bounds of what is regarded as a fair method of +deceiving an enemy, but his subsequent proceedings were +absolutely indefensible, and are, indeed, almost incredible on +the part of the man who in some respects carried the point of +honor almost to an extreme. His notion, no doubt, was to paralyze +the action of the enemy by exciting suspicions of treachery among +their leaders, but the means which he took to do so were base and +unworthy in the extreme.</p> + +<p>He began with the Spanish officer who had brought the +capitulation, giving him a garbled account of his interview with +Mahony, and then endeavoring to bribe him to desert to the +Austrian cause, insinuating that he had succeeded by this means +with Mahony. As the earl expected, he failed to induce the +Spaniard to desert, but he succeeded in his purpose of filling +his mind with suspicions of treachery on the part of Mahony.</p> + +<p>Mahony had conducted the negotiations in a manner worthy of a +loyal and skillful officer; he had stipulated not to leave the +town till one o'clock in the morning, and that Peterborough +should not pass the river until that hour.</p> + +<p>This he had arranged in order to allow the Duke of Arcos time +to reach the plains, where he was to be joined by the horse from +Murviedro. But Peterborough's machinations had been effectual; +the Spanish officer, on his return, informed his countrymen that +Mahony had betrayed them, and the troops and populace became +enraged against the unfortunate Irishman and threatened his life. +Peterborough, who, in spite of his perverted notions of honor, +would not on any account have passed the river before the time +stipulated, heard the neighing of horses in the town and supposed +that some of the troops were leaving it. In order, therefore, to +create suspicion and confusion among the enemy, he ordered a body +of men near the river to fire straggling shots as if small +parties were engaged at the outposts.</p> + +<p>Mahony hearing these sounds sent word that whatever collision +might have occurred it was the result of no breach of the terms +of capitulation on his part, and that, depending implicitly on +the honor of an English general, he could not believe that any +foul play could take place. Peterborough sent back his +compliments by the officer who brought the message, with +expressions of gratification at the good understanding which +prevailed between them, and at the same time he proposed that +Mahony, for the security of the inhabitants of Murviedro, and to +prevent his troops being molested as they retired from the town, +should permit a regiment of English dragoons to cross the river +and to form a guard at the gates, offering at the same time to +deliver up a number of his officers as hostages to the Spanish +for the loyal fulfillment of the terms.</p> + +<p>In an evil hour for himself Mahony consented to the proposal. +When the Spaniards saw Peterborough's dragoons advancing without +opposition through the difficult pass, and up to the very gates +of the town, their suspicions of the treachery of their leader +became a certainty. The Spanish officers each got his company or +troop together as quickly as possible and hurried across the +plain to the camp of the duke, where they spread a vague but +general panic. The officers accused Mahony of treachery to the +Spanish general, and the national jealousy of foreigners made +their tale easily believed; bat Peterborough had taken another +step to secure the success of his diabolical plan against the +honor of his wife's relative.</p> + +<p>He made choice of two Irish dragoons, and persuaded them by +bribes and promises of promotion to undertake the dangerous part +of false deserters, and to tell the tale with which he furnished +them. They accordingly set out and rode straight to the camp of +the Duke of Arcos and gave themselves up to the outposts, by whom +they were led before the Spanish general. Questioned by him, they +repeated the story they had been taught.</p> + +<p>The statement was that they had been sitting drinking wine +together under some rocks on the hillside, close to where the +conference was held, and that Peterborough and Mahony, walking +apart from the others, came near to where they were sitting, but +did not notice them, and that they saw the earl deliver five +thousand pistoles to Mahony, and heard him promise to make him a +major general in the English army, and to give him the command of +ten thousand Irish Catholics which were being raised for the +service of King Charles. They said that they were content to +receive no reward, but to be shot as spies if Mahony himself did +not give proof of treachery by carrying out his arrangements with +the earl, by sending a messenger requesting the duke to march +that night across the plain toward Murviedro to the Carthusian +convent, where everything would be arranged for their destruction +by a strong ambush of British troops.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had the men finished their story when an aide de camp +galloped in from Mahony with the very proposition which they had +reported that he would make. Arcos had now no doubt whatever of +Mahony's treason, and instead of complying with his request, +which was obviously the best course to have been pursued, as the +junction of the two armies would thereby have been completed, the +duke broke up his camp without delay and fell back in exactly the +opposite direction.</p> + +<p>This was exactly what Peterborough had been scheming to bring +about. Mahony, with his cavalry, having delivered over the town, +marched to the Carthusian convent, and there, finding themselves +unsupported, rode on to the spot where the duke had been +encamped, and finding that his army was gone, followed it. On +overtaking it Mahony was instantly arrested and sent a prisoner +to Madrid.</p> + +<p>It is satisfactory to know that he succeeded in clearing +himself from the charge of treachery, was promoted to the rank of +major general, and was sent back with Las Torres, who was ordered +to supersede the Duke of Arcos.</p> + +<p>The success of the earl's stratagem had been complete. Without +the loss of a single man he had obtained possession of Murviedro, +and had spread such confusion and doubt into the enemy's army +that, although more than three times his own force, it was +marching away in all haste, having abandoned the siege of +Valencia, which city he could now enter with his troops. The +success was a wonderful one; but it is sad to think that it was +gained by such a treacherous and dastardly maneuver, which might +have cost a gallant officer -- who was, moreover, a countryman +and distant connection of the earl -- his honor and his life.</p> + +<p>The next day the earl entered the city of Valencia in triumph. +The whole population crowded into the streets. The houses were +decorated with flags and hangings. The church bells pealed out +their welcome, and amid the shouts of the people below and the +waving of handkerchiefs from the ladies at the balconies, he rode +through the streets to the town hall, where all the principal +personages were assembled, followed by the little army with which +he had performed what appeared to have been an impossible +undertaking.</p> + +<p>After their incessant labors during the past two months, the +rest at Valencia was most grateful to the troops. The city is +celebrated as being one of the gayest and most delightful in all +Spain. Its situation is lovely, standing within a mile and a half +of the sea, in a rich plain covered with vines, olives, and other +fruit trees, while beyond the plains rise the mountains, range +after range, with the higher summits covered with snow. The +people, at all times pleasure loving, gave themselves up to fetes +and rejoicings for some time after the entrance of the army that +had saved them from such imminent danger, and all vied in +hospitality to the earl and his officers.</p> + +<p>King Charles, astonished and delighted at Peterborough's +success, appointed him captain general of all his forces, and +gave him the power of appointing and removing all governors and +other public servants, as he might consider necessary for the +good of the cause, while from London the earl received a dispatch +appointing him plenipotentiary at the court of King Charles.</p> + +<p>Here as at Barcelona the earl entered with almost boyish +animation into the gayety of which he was the center. With the +priests and ladies he was an especial favorite, having won the +former by the outward respect which he paid to their religion, +and by the deference he exhibited toward themselves.</p> + +<p>Valencia prided itself on being one of the holiest cities in +Spain, and no other town could boast of the connection of so many +saints or the possession of so many relics. The priesthood were +numerous and influential. Religious processions were constantly +passing through the streets, and in the churches the services +were conducted with the greatest pomp and magnificence.</p> + +<p>Peterborough, knowing the value of the alliance and assistance +of the priests, spared no pains to stand well with the Church, +revenging himself for the outward deference he paid to it by the +bitterest sarcasm and jeers in his letters to his friends at +home. Believing nothing himself, the gross superstition which he +saw prevailing round him was an argument in favor of his own +disbelief in holy things, and he did not fail to turn it to +advantage.</p> + +<p>With the ladies his romantic adventures, his extraordinary +bravery, his energy and endurance, his brilliant wit, his +polished manner, his courtesy and devotion, rendered him an +almost mythical hero; and the fair Valencians were to a woman his +devoted admirers and adherents.</p> + +<p>But, while apparently absorbed in pleasure, Peterborough's +energy never slumbered for a moment. His position was still one +of extreme danger. The force of Las Torres, seven thousand +strong, recovering from their panic, had, a day or two after he +entered the town, returned and taken post on some hills near it, +preparatory to recommencing the siege. Four thousand Castilians +were marching to their support by the road leading through Fuente +de la Higuera, while at Madrid, within an easy distance, lay the +overwhelming forces of the main army under Marshal Tesse.. To +cope with these forces he had but his little army in the town, +amounting to but three thousand men, deficient in artillery, +ammunition, and stores of all kinds.</p> + +<p>Had Marshal Tesse marched at once to join Las Torres +Peterborough's little force must have been crushed; but the court +of King Philip decided to dispatch the marshal against Barcelona. +Fortunately Peterborough was well informed by the country people +of everything that was passing, for in every town and village +there were men or women who sent him news of all that was going +on in their neighborhood.</p> + +<p>It was but a week after they entered Valencia that the earl, +happening to pass close by Jack Stilwell at a brilliant ball, +paused for a moment and said:</p> + +<p>"Get away from this in half an hour, find Graham, and bring +him with you to my quarters. Before you go find Colonel +Zinzendorf and tell him to have two hundred men ready to mount at +half past one. He is here somewhere. If you find he has left you +must go round to the barracks. Tell him the matter is to be kept +an absolute secret. I know," the earl said gallantly to the lady +on his arm and to Jack's partner, "we can trust you two ladies to +say nothing of what you have heard. It is indeed grief and pain +to myself and Captain Stilwell to tear ourselves away from such +society, and you may be sure that none but the most pressing +necessity could induce me to do it."</p> + +<p>Jack at once led his partner to a seat and set out on the +search for Graham and the colonel of dragoons. He was some time +finding them both, and it was already past one when the three +issued together from the palace where the fete was held, and +hurried off, the two young officers to Peterborough's quarters, +the colonel to his barracks.</p> + +<p>The earl was already in his chamber. He had slipped away +unobserved from the ball, and had climbed the wall of the garden, +to avoid being noticed passing out of the entrance. His great wig +and court uniform were thrown aside, and he was putting on the +plain uniform which he used on service when his aides de camp +entered.</p> + +<p>"Get rid of that finery and gold lace," he said as they +entered. "You have to do a forty mile ride before morning. I have +received glorious news. One of my partners told me that she had, +just as she was starting for the ball, received a message from a +cousin saying that a vessel had come into port from Genoa with +sixteen brass twenty-four pounder guns, and a quantity of +ammunition and stores, to enable Las Torres to commence the +siege. The stores were landed yesterday, and carts were collected +from the country round in readiness for a start at daybreak this +morning. As these things will be even more useful to us than to +the Spaniards, I mean to have them now. Be as quick as you can. I +have already ordered your horses to be brought round with +mine."</p> + +<p>In five minutes they were in the saddle and rode quickly to +the cavalry barracks. The streets were still full of people; but +the earl in his simple uniform passed unnoticed through them. The +dragoons were already mounted when they reached the barracks.</p> + +<p>"We will go out at the back gate, colonel," the earl said. +"Take the most quiet streets by the way, and make for the west +gate. Break your troop up into four parties, and let them go by +different routes, so that any they meet will suppose they are +merely small bodies going out to relieve the outposts. If it was +suspected that I was with you, and that an expedition was on +foot, the Spaniards would hear it in an hour. Loyal as the +population are here, there must be many adherents of Philip among +them, and Las Torres no doubt has his spies as well as we +have."</p> + +<p>The earl's orders were carried out, and half an hour later the +four parties again assembled at a short distance outside the city +gates. Peterborough placed himself at their head and rode +directly for the sea.</p> + +<p>"The Spaniards are sure to have outposts placed on all the +roads leading inland," he said to Colonel Zinzendorf, "and the +Spanish irregulars will be scattered all over the country; but I +do not suppose they will have any down as far as the +seashore."</p> + +<p>When they reached the coast they followed a small road running +along its margin. Two or three miles further they turned off and +rode inland till they struck a main road, so as to avoid +following all the windings of the coast. They now pushed on at a +sharp trot, and just at four o'clock came down upon the little +port.</p> + +<p>Its streets were cumbered with country carts, and as the +dragoons dashed into the place a few shots were fired by some +Spanish soldiers belonging to a small detachment which had been +sent by Las Torres to act as a convoy for the guns and stores, +and who were sleeping on the pavement or scattered among the +houses in readiness for a start at daybreak. The resistance soon +ceased. Before entering the place Peterborough had placed a +cordon of dragoons in a semicircle round it to prevent any one +passing out.</p> + +<p>No time was lost; the carts were already loaded, and a troop +of cavalry horses stood picketed by the guns. These were soon +harnessed up, and the few other horses in the place were seized +to prevent any one riding off with the news. The order was given +to the peasants to start their carts, and in ten minutes after +their entering the place the convoy was on its way with its long +row of carts laden with ammunition and its sixteen guns.</p> + +<p>The cordon of dragoons was still left round the town, the +officer in command being ordered to allow no one to pass for an +hour and a half, after which time he was to gallop on with his +men to overtake the convoy, as by that time it would be no longer +possible for any one to carry the news to Las Torres in time for +him to put his troops into motion to cut off the convoy from +Valencia. The journey back took much longer than the advance, for +the carts, drawn for the most part by bullocks, made but slow +progress. Three hours after the convoy started the dragoons left +behind overtook them. When within three miles of the town, they +were met by a small party of the enemy's Spanish militia; but +these were at once scattered by a charge of the dragoons, and the +convoy proceeded without further molestation until just at noon +it entered the gates of Valencia, where the astonishment and +delight of the inhabitants at its appearance were unbounded.</p> + +<p>In a few hours the cannon were all mounted in position on the +ramparts, adding very much to the defensive power of the town, +which was now safe for a time from any attempt at a siege by Las +Torres, whose plans would be entirely frustrated by the capture +of the artillery intended for the siege.</p> + +<p>But Peterborough was not yet contented. The junction of the +four thousand Castilians, of whose approach he had heard, with +Las Torres would raise the force under that general to a point +which would enable him to blockade the town pending the arrival +of artillery for siege works; and no sooner had the earl returned +to his quarters, after seeing the cannon placed upon the walls, +than he began his preparations for another expedition. He ordered +Colonel Zinzendorf to march quietly out of the city at eight +o'clock with four hundred of his dragoons, and four hundred +British and as many Spanish infantry were to join him outside the +walls. The colonels of these three bodies were ordered to say +nothing of their intended movement, and to issue no orders until +within half an hour of the time named. At the same hour the rest +of the troops were to march to the walls and form a close cordon +round them, so as to prevent any one from letting himself down by +a rope and taking the news that an expedition was afoot to Las +Torres.</p> + +<p>At a few minutes past eight, eight hundred foot and four +hundred horse assembled outside the gates, and Peterborough took +the command. His object was to crush the Castilians before they +could effect a junction with Las Torres. In order to do this it +would be necessary to pass close by the Spanish camp, which +covered the road by which the reinforcements were advancing to +join them.</p> + +<p>In perfect silence the party moved forward and marched to a +ford across the river Xucar, a short distance only below the +Spanish camp. Peterborough rode at their head, having by his side +a Spanish gentleman acquainted with every foot of the country. +They forded the river without being observed, and then, making as +wide a circuit as possible round the camp, came down upon the +road without the alarm being given; then they pushed forward, and +after three hours' march came upon the Castilians at Fuente de la +Higuera. The surprise was complete. The Spaniards, knowing that +the Spanish army lay between them and the town, had taken no +precautions, and the British were in possession of the place +before they were aware of their danger.</p> + +<p>There was no attempt at resistance beyond a few hasty shots. +The Castilians were sleeping wrapped up in their cloaks around +the place, and on the alarm they leaped up and fled wildly in all +directions. In the darkness great numbers got away, but six +hundred were taken prisoners. An hour was spent in collecting and +breaking the arms left behind by the fugitives, and the force, +with their prisoners in their midst, then started back on their +return march. The circuit of the Spanish camp was made, and the +ford passed as successfully as before, and just as daylight was +breaking the little army marched into Valencia.</p> + +<p>The news rapidly spread, and the inhabitants hurried into the +streets, unable at first to credit the news that the Castilian +army, whose approach menaced the safety of the town, was +destroyed. The movement of the troops on the previous night to +the ramparts and the absence of the greater part of the officers +from the festivities had occasioned some comment; but as none +knew that an expedition had set out, it was supposed that the +earl had received news from his spies that Las Torres intended to +attempt a sudden night attack, and the people would have doubted +the astonishing news they now received had it not been for the +presence of the six hundred Castilian prisoners.</p> + +<p>These two serious misadventures caused Las Torres to despair +of success against a town defended by so energetic and +enterprising a commander as Peterborough, and he now turned his +thoughts toward the small towns of Sueca and Alcira. Below these +towns and commanded by their guns was the important bridge of +Cullera, by which by far the greater portion of the supplies for +the town was brought in from the country. Las Torres therefore +determined to seize these places, which were distant about +fifteen miles from his camp, and so to straiten the town for +provisions.</p> + +<p>As usual, Peterborough's spies brought him early intelligence +of the intended movement, and the orders issued by Las Torres +were known to the earl a few hours later. It needed all his +activity to be in time. Five hundred English and six hundred +Spanish infantry, and four hundred horse, were ordered to march +with all speed to the threatened towns; and, pushing on without a +halt, the troops reached them half an hour before the Spanish +force appeared on the spot. On finding the two towns strongly +occupied by the British, Las Torres abandoned his intention and +drew off his troops.</p> + +<p>A portion of the Spanish army were cantoned in a village only +some two miles from Alcira, and a few days later Peterborough +determined to surprise it, and for that purpose marched out at +night from Valencia with an English force of a thousand men, and +reached the spot intended at daybreak as he had arranged. The +Spanish garrison of Alcira, also about a thousand strong, had +orders to sally out and attack the village at the same hour. The +Spaniards also arrived punctually, but just as they were +preparing to burst upon the unconscious enemy, who were four +thousand strong, they happened to come upon a picket of twenty +horse. An unaccountable panic seized them; they broke their ranks +and fled in such utter confusion that many of the terror stricken +soldiers killed each other. The picket aroused the enemy, who +quickly fell into their ranks, and Peterborough, seeing that it +would be madness to attack them with his wearied and unsupported +force, reluctantly ordered a retreat, which he conducted in +perfect order and without the loss of a man.</p> + +<p>This was Peterborough's only failure; with this exception +every one of his plans had proved successful, and he only failed +here from trusting for once to the cooperation of his wholly +unreliable Spanish allies. After this nothing was done on either +side for several weeks.</p> + +<p>The campaign had been one of the most extraordinary ever +accomplished, and its success was due in no degree to chance, but +solely to the ability of Peterborough himself. Wild as many of +his schemes appeared, they were always planned with the greatest +care. He calculated upon almost every possible contingency, and +prepared for it. He never intrusted to others that which he could +do himself, and he personally commanded every expedition even of +the most petty kind.</p> + +<p>His extraordinary physical powers of endurance enabled him to +support fatigue and to carry out adventure, which would have +prostrated most other men. The highest praise, too, is due to the +troops, who proved themselves worthy of such a leader. Their +confidence in their chief inspired them with a valor equal to his +own. They bore uncomplainingly the greatest hardships and +fatigues, and engaged unquestioningly in adventures and exploits +against odds which made success appear absolutely hopeless. The +hundred and fifty dragoons who followed the Earl of Peterborough +to the conquest of Valencia deserve a place side by side with the +greatest heroes of antiquity.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII: +IRREGULAR WARFARE</h1> + +<p>From the moment that the news of the loss of Barcelona had +reached Madrid, Philip of Anjou had labored strenuously to +collect a force sufficient to overwhelm his enemies. He had, +moreover, written urgently to Louis XIV for assistance, and +although France was at the moment obliged to make strenuous +efforts to show a front to Marlborough and his allies, who had +already at Blenheim inflicted a disastrous defeat upon her, Louis +responded to the appeal. Formidable French armies were assembled +at Saragossa and Roussillon, while a fleet of twelve ships of the +line, under the command of the Count of Toulouse, sailed to +blockade Barcelona, and the Duke of Berwick, one of the ablest +generals of the day, was sent to head the southern army.</p> + +<p>In January the French army of Catalonia, under Marshal Tesse, +reached Saragossa, where the arrogance and brutality of the +marshal soon excited a storm of hatred among the Aragonese. The +towns resisted desperately the entry of the French troops; +assassinations of officers and men were matters of daily +occurrence, and the savage reprisals adopted by the marshal, +instead of subduing, excited the Spaniards to still fiercer +resistance. But savage and cruel as was the marshal, he was in no +haste to meet the enemy in the field, and Philip, who was with +him, had the greatest difficulty in getting him to move +forward.</p> + +<p>It was in the last week of February that the news reached the +Earl of Peterborough that Marshal Tesse had left Saragossa, and +was marching toward Lerida. This was two days after the +unsuccessful attempt to surprise the enemy's camp near Alcira; +and, menaced as Valencia was by a force greatly superior to his +own, he could not leave the city, which in his absence would +speedily have succumbed to the attack of Las Torres. He walked +quickly up and down his room for some minutes and then said:</p> + +<p>"Captain Stilwell, I cannot leave here myself, but I will send +you to the Marquis of Cifuentes. You have shown the greatest +activity and energy with me, and I do not doubt that you will do +equally well when acting independently. I will give you a letter +to the marquis, saying that you are one of my most trusted and +valued officers, and begging him to avail himself to the fullest +of your energy and skill. I shall tell him that at present I am +tied here, but that when the enemy reach Barcelona, I shall at +all hazards march hence and take post in their rear and do what I +can to prevent their carrying on the siege. In the mean time I +beg him to throw every obstacle in the way of their advance, to +hold every pass to the last, to hang on their rear, attack +baggage trains, and cut off stragglers. He cannot hope to defeat +Tesse, but he may wear out and dispirit his men by constant +attacks. You speak Spanish fluently enough now, and will be able +to advise and suggest. Remember, every day that Tesse is delayed +gives so much time to the king to put Barcelona in a state of +defense. With my little force I cannot do much even when I come. +The sole hope of Barcelona is to hold out until a fleet arrives +from England. If the king would take my advice I will guarantee +that he shall be crowned in Madrid in two months; but those pig +headed Germans who surround him set him against every proposition +I make. You had better start tonight as soon as it gets dark, and +take a mounted guide with you who knows the country +thoroughly.</p> + +<p>"It will be a change for you, from the pleasures of Valencia +to a guerrilla warfare in the mountains in this inclement season, +Stilwell," Graham said as they left the general. "I don't think I +should care about your mission. I own I have enjoyed myself in +Valencia, and I have lost my heart a dozen times since we +arrived."</p> + +<p>"I have not lost mine at all," Jack said laughing, "and I am +sick of all these balls and festivities. I was not brought up to +it, you know, and rough as the work may be I shall prefer it to a +long stay here."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Graham agreed, "I should not care for a long stay, but +you may be quite certain the earl will not remain inactive here +many weeks. He is waiting to see how things go, and the moment +the game is fairly opened you may be sure he will be on the +move."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I don't suppose you will be very long after me," Jack +said; "still, I am not sorry to go."</p> + +<p>At seven o'clock in the evening Jack set out, taking with him +two dragoons as orderlies, the earl having suggested that he +should do so.</p> + +<p>"Always do a thing yourself if it is possible, Captain +Stilwell; but there are times when you must be doing something +else, and it is as well to have some one that you can rely upon; +besides, the orderlies will give you additional importance in the +eyes of the peasants. Most of the men have picked up some +Spanish, but you had better pick out two of my orderlies who are +best up in it."</p> + +<p>Jack had spent the afternoon in making a round of calls at the +houses where he had been entertained, and after the exchange of +adieus, ceremonial speeches, and compliments, he was heartily +glad when the gates closed behind him and he set out on his +journey. As the road did not pass anywhere near the Spanish camp +there was little fear of interruption in the way. The guide led +them by little frequented tracks across the hills, and by morning +they were far on their road.</p> + +<p>They were frequently obliged to make detours to avoid towns +and villages favorable to King Philip. Why one town or village +should take one side, and the next the other, was inexplicable to +Jack, but it was so, and throughout the country this singular +anomaly existed. It could be accounted for by a variety of +causes. A popular mayor or a powerful landed proprietor, whose +sympathies were strong with one side or the other, would probably +be followed by the townspeople or peasants. The influence of the +priests, too, was great, and this also was divided. However it +was, the fact remained that, as with Villa Real and Nules, +neighboring towns were frequently enthusiastically in favor of +opposite parties. As Jack had seen all the dispatches and letters +which poured in to the earl, he knew what were the circumstances +which prevailed in every town and village. He knew to what +residences of large proprietors he could ride up with an +assurance of welcome, and those which must be carefully +avoided.</p> + +<p>In some parts of the journey, where the general feeling was +hostile, Jack adopted the tactics of his general, riding boldly +into the village with his two dragoons clattering behind him, +summoning the head men before him, and peremptorily ordering that +provisions and forage should be got together for the five hundred +horsemen who might be expected to come in half an hour. The +terror caused by Peterborough's raids was so great that the mere +sight of the English uniform was sufficient to insure obedience, +and without any adventure of importance Jack and his companions +rode on, until, on the third day after leaving Valencia, they +approached Lerida. Groups of armed peasants hurrying in the same +direction were now overtaken. These saluted Jack with shouts of +welcome, and he learned that, on the previous day, Marshal Tesse +with his army had crossed from Arragon into Catalonia, and that +the alarm bells had been rung throughout the district.</p> + +<p>From the peasants Jack learned where the Count of Cifuentes +would be found. It was in a village among the hills, to the left +of the line by which the enemy were advancing. It was toward this +place that the peasants were hastening. Jack had frequently met +the count at the siege of Barcelona, and had taken a strong +liking for the gallant and dashing Spanish nobleman. The village +was crowded with peasants armed with all sorts of weapons -- +rough, hardy, resolute men, determined to defend their country to +the last against the invaders. A shout of satisfaction arose as +Jack and his two troopers rode in, and at the sound the count +himself appeared at the door of the principal house in the +village.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Senor Stilwell," he said, "this in an unexpected +pleasure. I thought that you were with the earl in Valencia."</p> + +<p>"So I have been, count, but he has sent me hither with a +dispatch for you, and, as you will see by its contents, places me +for awhile at your disposal."</p> + +<p>"I am pleased indeed to hear it," the count said; "but pray, +senor --"</p> + +<p>"Captain, count," Jack said with a smile, "for to such rank +the earl has been pleased to promote me as a recognition for such +services as I was able to perform in his campaign against +Valencia."</p> + +<p>"Ah," the count said, "you earned it well. Every man in that +wonderful force deserved promotion. It was an almost miraculous +adventure, and recalled the feats of the Cid. Truly the days of +chivalry are not passed; your great earl has proved the +contrary."</p> + +<p>They had now entered the house, and, after pouring out a cup +of wine for Jack after the fatigue of his ride, the count opened +the dispatch of which Jack was the bearer.</p> + +<p>"It is well." he said when he had read it. "As you see for +yourself I am already preparing to carry out the first part, for +the alarm bells have been ringing out from every church tower in +this part of Catalonia, and in another twenty-four hours I expect +six thousand peasants will be out. But, as the earl says, I have +no hope with such levies as these of offering any effectual +opposition to the advance of the enemy.</p> + +<p>"The Miquelets cannot stand against disciplined troops. They +have no confidence in themselves, and a thousand Frenchmen could +rout six thousand of them; but as irregulars they can be trusted +to fight. You shall give me the advantage of your experience and +wide knowledge, and we will dispute every pass, cut off their +convoys, and harass them. I warrant that they will have to move +as a body, for it will go hard with any party who may be detached +from the rest."</p> + +<p>"I fear, count, you must not rely in any way upon my +knowledge," Jack said. "I am a very young officer, though I have +had the good fortune to be promoted to the rank of captain."</p> + +<p>"Age goes for nothing in this warfare," the count said. "The +man of seventy and the boy of fifteen who can aim straight from +behind a rock are equally welcome. It is not a deep knowledge of +military science that will be of any use to us here. What is +wanted is a quick eye, a keen spirit, and courage. These I know +that you have, or you would never have won the approbation of the +Earl of Peterborough, who is, of all men, the best judge on such +matters. Now I will order supper to be got ready soon, as it +must, I am sure, be long since you had food. While it is being +prepared I will, with your permission, go out and inspect the new +arrivals. Fortunately, ten days ago, foreseeing that Tesse would +probably advance by this line, I sent several wagon loads of +provisions to this village, and a store of ammunition."</p> + +<p>Jack accompanied the count into the street of the village. The +latter went about among the peasants with a kindly word of +welcome to each, giving them the cheering news that though the +great English general was occupied in Valencia, he had promised +that, when the time came, he would come with all haste to the +defense of Barcelona, and in the mean time he had sent an officer +of his own staff to assist him to lead the noble Catalans in the +defense of their country. On the steps of the church the priest, +with half a dozen willing assistants, was distributing food from +the wagons to the peasants.</p> + +<p>"Don't open the ammunition wagon tonight," the count said. +"The men must not take as much as they like, but the ammunition +must be served out regularly, for a Catalan will never believe +that he has too much powder, and if left alone the first comers +would load themselves with it, and the supply would run short +before all are provided."</p> + +<p>The count then entered the church, where a party of men were +occupied in putting down a thick layer of straw. Here as many as +could find room were to sleep, the others sheltering in the +houses and barns, for the nights were still very cold among the +hills. Having seen that all was going on well, the count returned +to his quarters, where a room had been assigned to Jack's two +dragoons, and the sound of loud laughter from within showed that +they were making themselves at home with the inmates.</p> + +<p>A well cooked repast was soon on the table, and to this Jack +and his host did full justice.</p> + +<p>"This wine is excellent; surely it does not grow on these +hills!"</p> + +<p>"No," the count said, laughing. "I am ready to run the risk of +being killed, but I do not want to be poisoned, so I sent up a +score or two of flasks from my own cellars. The vineyards of +Cifuentes are reckoned among the first in this part of Spain. And +now," he said, when they had finished and the table had been +cleared, "we will take a look at the map and talk over our plans. +The enemy leave Lerida tomorrow. I have already ordered that the +whole country along their line of march shall be wasted, that all +stores of corn, wine, and forage which cannot be carried off +shall be destroyed, and that every horse and every head of cattle +shall be driven away. I have also ordered the wells to be +poisoned."</p> + +<p>Jack looked grave. "I own that I don't like that," he +said.</p> + +<p>"I do not like it myself," the count replied; "but if an enemy +invades your country you must oppose him by all means. Water is +one of the necessaries of life, and as one can't carry off the +wells one must render them useless; but I don't wish to kill in +this way, and have given strict orders that in every case where +poison is used, a placard, with a notice that it has been done, +shall be affixed to the wells."</p> + +<p>"In that case," Jack said, "I quite approve of what you have +done, count; the wells then simply cease to exist as sources of +supply."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could poison all the running streams too," the count +said; "but unfortunately they are beyond us, and there are so +many little streams caused by the melting snow on the hills that +I fear we shall not be able greatly to straiten the enemy. At +daybreak tomorrow I will mount with you, and we will ride some +twenty miles along the road and select the spots where a sturdy +resistance can best be made. By the time we get back here most of +the peasants who are coming will have assembled. These we will +form into bands, some to hold the passes and to dispute the +advance, others to hang upon the skirts and annoy them +incessantly, some to close in behind, cut off wagons that break +down or lag by the way, and to prevent, if possible, any convoys +from the rear from joining them."</p> + +<p>This programme was carried out. Several spots were settled on +where an irregular force could oppose a stout resistance to +trained troops, and points were fixed upon where breastworks +should be thrown up, walls utilized, and houses loopholed and +placed in a state of defense.</p> + +<p>It was late in the afternoon before they rode again into the +village. The gathering of peasants was now very largely +increased, and extended over the fields for some distance round +the place. The count at once gave orders that all should form up +in regular order according to the villages from which they came. +When this was done he divided them into four groups.</p> + +<p>The first, two thousand strong, was intended to hold the +passes; two others, each one thousand strong, were to operate +upon the flanks of the enemy; and a fourth, of the same strength, +to act in its rear.</p> + +<p>"Now, Captain Stilwell," he said, "will you take the command +of whichever of these bodies you choose?"</p> + +<p>"I thank you, count, for the offer," Jack said, "but I will +take no command whatever. In the first place, your Catalans would +very strongly object to being led by a foreigner, especially by +one so young and unknown as myself. In the second place, I would +rather, with your permission, remain by your side. You will +naturally command the force that opposes the direct attack, and, +as the bulk of the fighting will fall on them, I should prefer +being there. I will act as your lieutenant."</p> + +<p>"Well, since you choose it, perhaps it is best so," the count +said. "These peasants fight best their own way. They are given to +sudden retreats, but they rally quickly and return again to the +fight, and they will probably fight better under their own local +leaders than under a stranger. You will see they have no idea of +fighting in a body; the men of each village will fight together +and act independently of the rest. Many of them, you see, are +headed by priests, not a few of whom have brought rifles with +them. These will generally lead their own villagers, and their +authority is far greater than that which any layman could obtain +over them. I must appoint a leader to each body to direct their +general movements; the village chiefs will do the rest."</p> + +<p>While the count had been absent several other gentlemen of +good family had arrived in the village, some marching in with the +peasants on their estates. Three of these were appointed to lead +the three bands destined for the flank and rear attacks. The next +three hours were devoted to the distribution of provisions and +ammunition, each man taking four days' supply of the former, and +receiving sufficient powder and bullets for forty rounds of the +latter. All were ordered to be in readiness to march two hours +before daybreak.</p> + +<p>The count then retired to his quarters, and there pointed out +on the map to the three divisional leaders the spots where he +intended to make a stand, and gave them instructions as to their +respective shares of the operations. Their orders were very +general. They were to post their men on the side hills, and as +much behind cover as possible, to keep up a galling fire at the +column, occasionally to show in threatening masses as if about to +charge down, so as to cause as much alarm and confusion as +possible, and, should at any point the nature of the ground favor +it, they were to dash down upon the baggage train and to +hamstring the horses, smash the wheels, and create as much damage +as they could, and to fall back upon the approach of a strong +body of the enemy. Those in the rear were to press closely up so +as to necessitate a strong force being kept there to oppose them. +But their principal duties were to hold the passes, and to +prevent any convoys, unless very strongly guarded, from reaching +the enemy from his base at Saragossa.</p> + +<p>After these instructions had been given supper was spread, and +some fifteen or twenty of the principal persons who had joined +were invited by the count, and a pleasant evening was spent.</p> + +<p>It was interesting to Jack to observe the difference between +this gathering and that which had taken place in the Earl of +Peterborough's quarters on the evening before the attack on San +Matteo. There, although many considered that the prospects of +success on the following day were slight indeed, all was +merriment and mirth. The whole party were in the highest spirits, +and the brilliant wit of the earl, and his reckless spirit of +fun, had kept the party in continual laughter.</p> + +<p>The tone on the contrary at the present gathering was quiet +and almost stiff. These grave Catalan nobles, fresh from their +country estates, contrasted strongly with the more lively and +joyous inhabitants of Valencia. Each addressed the other with +ceremony, and listened with grave attention to the remarks of +each speaker in turn.</p> + +<p>During the whole evening nothing approaching to a joke was +made, there was scarcely a smile upon the countenance of any +present; and yet the tone of courtliness and deference to the +opinions of each other, the grave politeness, the pride with +which each spoke of his country, their enthusiasm in the cause, +and the hatred with which they spoke of the enemy, impressed Jack +very favorably; and though, as he said to himself when thinking +it over, the evening had certainly not been a lively one, it had +by no means been unpleasant.</p> + +<p>Two hours before daybreak the bell of the church gave the +signal. As the men had only to rise to their feet, shake +themselves, take up their arms, and sling their bags of +provisions round their necks, it was but a few minutes before +they were formed up in order. The count saw the three divisions +file off silently in the darkness, and then, placing himself at +the head of the main body, led the way toward the spot which he +and Jack had selected for opposing the march of Tesse's invading +column.</p> + +<p>Daylight was just breaking when they reached it, and the count +ordered the men to pile their arms and at once to set to work. +The road, which had been winding along in a valley, here mounted +a sharp rise, on the very brow of which stood a hamlet of some +twenty houses. It had already been deserted by the inhabitants, +and the houses were taken possession of by the workers. Those +facing the brow of the hill were loopholed, as were the walls +along the same line. Men were set to work to build a great +barricade across the road, and to run breastworks of stones right +and left from the points where the walls ended along the brow. +Other parties loopholed the houses and walls of the village, and +formed another barricade across the road at the other end. With +two thousand men at work these tasks were soon carried out; and +the count then led the men down the hill, whose face was covered +with loose stones, and set them to work piling these in lines one +above another.</p> + +<p>At ten o'clock in the morning the work was complete. The count +told the men off by parties, each of which were to hold one of +the lines of stones; each party was, as the French charged, to +retire up the hill and join that at the line above, so that their +resistance would become more and more obstinate till the village +itself was reached. Here a stand was to be made as long as +possible. If the column advanced only by the road, every house +was to be held; if they spread out in line so as to overlap the +village on both sides, a rapid retreat was to be made when the +bugler by the count's side gave the signal.</p> + +<p>The men sat down to breakfast in their allotted places, quiet, +grave, and stern; and again the contrast with the laughter and +high spirits which prevail among English soldiers, when fighting +is expected, struck Jack very forcibly.</p> + +<p>"They would make grand soldiers if properly trained, these +grave, earnest looking men," he said to himself. "They look as if +they could endure any amount of fatigue and hardship; and +although they don't take things in the same cheerful light our +men do, no one can doubt their courage. I can quite understand +now the fact that the Spanish infantry was once considered the +finest in Europe. If they only had leaders and discipline Spain +would not want any foreign aid; her own people would be more than +a match for any army the French could send across the northern +frontier."</p> + +<p>The meal was scarcely finished when, at the end of the valley, +some three miles away, a cloud of dust was seen to rise with the +sparkle of the sun on arms and accouterments.</p> + +<p>"There are Tesse's cavalry!" the count exclaimed. "Another +half hour will cause a transformation in this quiet valley."</p> + +<p>The head of the column came on but slowly, the cavalry +regiment forming it accommodating their pace to that of the +infantry and baggage wagons in the rear. Slowly they moved on, +until the bottom of the valley appeared covered with a moving +mass extending from the end, three miles away, to within half a +mile of the foot of the hill on which the Spaniards were posted. +Suddenly from the hillsides on the left puffs of smoke darted +out, and instantly a similar fire was opened on the right.</p> + +<p>"They are at work at last," Jack exclaimed as the rattle of +musketry sounded loud and continuous. "I wondered when they were +going to begin."</p> + +<p>"I told them to let the column pass nearly to the head of the +valley before they opened fire," the count said. "Had they begun +soon after the enemy entered the valley, they would have left all +their baggage behind under a guard, and the infantry would have +been free to attack the hills at once. Now they are all crowded +up in the valley -- horse, foot, and baggage. The wounded horses +will become unmanageable, and there is sure to be confusion, +though perhaps not panic. See, they are answering our fire! They +might as well save their powder, for they are only throwing away +ammunition by firing away at the hillside."</p> + +<p>This indeed was the case; for Jack, although in the course of +the morning he had frequently watched the hillside for signs of +the other parties, had not made out the slightest movement, so +completely were the men hidden behind rocks and bushes.</p> + +<p>Strong bodies of infantry were thrown out by Tesse on both +flanks, and these began to climb the hills, keeping up a heavy +fire at their concealed foe, while the main column continued its +way.</p> + +<p>Not a shot was fired by the Spanish until the head of the +column was within a hundred yards of the foot of the rise, and +then from the whole face of the hill a heavy fire was opened. The +enemy recoiled, and for a time there was great confusion near the +head of the column; an officer of high rank dashed up, and the +troops formed out into a line across the whole width of the +valley and then moved forward steadily; so heavy were their +losses, however, that they presently came to a standstill. But +reinforcements coming up, they again pressed forward, firing as +they went.</p> + +<p>Not until they were within twenty yards did the Miquelets +lining the lower wall of rocks leave their post, and, covered by +the smoke, gain with little loss the line next above them. Slowly +the enemy won their way uphill, suffering heavily as they did so, +and continually being reinforced from the rear. At the last wall +the peasants, gathered now together, maintained a long +resistance; and it was not until fully four thousand of the enemy +were brought up that the position was seriously threatened. Then +their leader, seeing that they would sustain very heavy loss if +the enemy carried the wall by assault, ordered his trumpeter to +sound the retreat. It was at once obeyed, and by the time the +French had crossed the wall the peasants had already passed out +at the other end of the village.</p> + +<p>As the French cavalry had not been able to pass the lower +walls there was no pursuit. The peasants rallied after a rapid +flight of a mile. Their loss had been small, while that of the +French had been very considerable; and the marshal halted his +troops round the village for the day.</p> + +<p>The result of the fighting added to the resolution of the +peasants, and as soon as the French continued their route the +next morning the fighting began again. It was a repetition of +that of the preceding day. The enemy had to contest every foot of +the ground, and were exposed to a galling fire along the whole +line of their march. Many times they made desperate efforts to +drive the peasants from the hillsides; sometimes they were beaten +back with heavy loss, and when they succeeded it was only to find +the positions they attacked deserted and their active defenders +already beyond musket fire. At night they had no respite; the +enemy swarmed round their camp, shot down the sentries, and +attacked with such boldness that the marshal was obliged to keep +a large number of his men constantly under arms.</p> + +<p>At last, worn out by fatigue and fighting, the weary army +emerged from the hills into the wide valleys, where their cavalry +were able to act, and the ground no longer offered favorable +positions of defense to the peasantry. Seeing the uselessness of +further attacks, the Count of Cifuentes drew off his peasants; +and Tesse marched on to Barcelona and effected a junction with +the troops from Roussillon under the Duke de Noailles, who had +come down by the way of Gerona. The town was at once invested on +the land side; while the Count of Toulouse, with thirty French +ships, blockaded it from the sea.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII: THE +FRENCH CONVOY</h1> + +<p>A report having arrived at the camp of the Count of Cifuentes +that the peasants around Saragossa had risen in insurrection, +Jack thought that he should be doing more good by discovering the +truth of the rumor, and by keeping the earl informed of the state +of things in the enemy's rear, than by remaining with the count. +He hesitated whether he should take his two orderlies with him, +but as they were well mounted he decided that they should +accompany him, as they would add to his authority, and would, in +case of need, enable him the better to assume the position of an +officer riding in advance of a considerable force.</p> + +<p>After a hearty adieu from the Count of Cifuentes, he started +soon after daybreak. After riding for some hours, just as he +reached the top of a rise, up which he had walked his horse, one +of the orderlies, who were riding a few paces behind him, rode +up.</p> + +<p>"I think, Captain Stilwell," he said, "I hear the sound of +firing. Brown thinks he hears it too."</p> + +<p>Jack reined in his horse.</p> + +<p>"I hear nothing," he said, after a pause of a minute.</p> + +<p>"I don't hear it now, sir," the man said. "I think it came +down on a puff of wind.. If you wait a minute or two I think you +will hear it."</p> + +<p>Jack waited another two minutes, and then was about to resume +his journey, when suddenly a faint sound came upon the wind.</p> + +<p>"You are right, Thompson," he exclaimed, "that's firing, sure +enough. It must be a convoy attacked by peasants."</p> + +<p>He touched his horse with the spur and galloped forward. Two +miles further on, crossing the brow, they saw, half a mile ahead +of them in the dip of the valley, a number of wagons huddled +together. On either side of the road men were lying, and the +spurts of smoke that rose from these, as well as from the wagons, +proved that they were still stoutly defending themselves. A light +smoke rose from every bush and rock on the hillsides around, +showing how numerous were the assailants. Leaving the road, Jack +galloped toward the hill. Presently several balls came singing +round them.</p> + +<p>"They think we are French, sir," one of the troopers said. "I +guess they don't know much about uniforms."</p> + +<p>Jack drew out a white handkerchief and waved it as he rode +forward, shouting as he did, "English, English." The fire ceased, +and the little party soon reached the spot where the peasants +were lying thickly in their ambushes.</p> + +<p>"I am an English officer," Jack said as he leaped from his +horse. "Where is your leader?"</p> + +<p>"There is one of them," a peasant said, pointing to a priest, +who, with a long musket in his hand, rose from behind a log.</p> + +<p>"Reverend father," Jack said, "I have come from the Earl of +Peterborough with a mission to understand how matters go in +Arragon, and to ascertain what force would be likely to join him +in this province against the invader."</p> + +<p>"You see for yourself how things go," the priest said. "I am +glad to see an officer of the great Earl of Peterborough, whose +exploits have excited the admiration of all Spain. To whom have I +the honor of speaking?"</p> + +<p>"I am Captain Stilwell, one of the earl's aides de camp; and +you, father?"</p> + +<p>"I am Ignacio Bravos, the humble padre of the village of San +Aldephonso. And now, Captain Stilwell, if you will excuse me till +we make an end of these accursed Frenchmen, afterward I will be +at your service."</p> + +<p>For another two hour's the conflict continued. Jack saw that +the fire of the defenders of the wagons was decreasing, and he +was not surprised when a white handkerchief was raised on the top +of a bayonet and waved in the air in token of desire to parley. A +shout of exultation rose from the Spaniards. The priest showed +himself on the hillside.</p> + +<p>"Do you surrender?" he shouted.</p> + +<p>"We surrender the wagons," an officer called back, "on +condition that we are allowed to march off with our arms without +molestation."</p> + +<p>A shout of refusal rose from the peasants, and the firing was +instantly renewed. Jack went and sat down by the side of the +priest.</p> + +<p>"Father," he said, "it were best to give these men the terms +they ask. War is not massacre."</p> + +<p>"Quite so, my son," the priest replied coolly. "That is what +you should have told Marshal Tesse. It is he who has chosen to +make it massacre. Why, man, he has shot and hung hundreds in cold +blood in and around Saragossa, has burned numerous villages in +the neighborhood, and put man, woman, and child to the +sword."</p> + +<p>"Then, if this be so, father, I should say, by all means hang +Marshal Tesse when you catch him, but do not punish the innocent +for the guilty. You must remember that these men have been taken +away from their homes in France, and forced to fight in quarrels +in which they have no concern. Like yourself, they are Catholics. +Above all, remember how many scores of villages are at present at +the mercy of the French. If the news comes to the marshal that +you have refused quarter to his soldiers, he will have a fair +excuse for taking vengeance on such of your countrymen as may be +in his power."</p> + +<p>"There is something in that," the priest said. "For myself I +have no pity, not a scrap of it, for these Frenchmen, nor would +you have, had you seen as much of their doings as I have, nor do +I think that any retribution that we might deal out to the men +could increase Tesse's hatred and ferocity toward us."</p> + +<p>"Still, it might serve as an excuse," Jack urged. "Remember +the eyes of Europe are upon this struggle, and that the report of +wholesale slaughter of your enemies will not influence public +opinion in your favor."</p> + +<p>"Public opinion goes for nothing," the priest said +shortly.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, father," Jack replied. "The English and Dutch and +the Duke of Savoy are all fighting in your favor, and we may even +boast that had it not been for the Earl of Peterborough and the +allies the chains of France would be riveted firmly round your +necks. You will tell me, no doubt, that they are fighting for +their own political ends, and from no true love for the Spanish +people. That may be so, but you must remember that although +governments begin wars it is the people who carry them on. Let +the people of England and Holland hear, as they will hear, of the +brutal ferocity of the French marshal on a defenseless people, +and their sympathies will be strongly with you. They will urge +their governments to action, and vote willingly the necessary +sums for carrying on the war. Let them hear that with you too war +is massacre, that you take no prisoners, and kill all that fall +into your hands, and, believe me, the public will soon grow sick +of the war carried on with such cruelty on both sides."</p> + +<p>"You are right, my son," the priest said frankly. "Young as +you are, you have seen more of the world than I, who, since I +left the University of Salamanca, have never been ten miles from +my native village. I will do what I can to put a stop to this +matter. But I am not solely in command here. I lead my own +village, but there are the men of a score of villages lying on +these hills. But I will summon all the chiefs to a council +now."</p> + +<p>The priest called half a dozen of the peasants to him, and +dispatched them with orders to bring all the other leaders to +take part in a council with an English officer who had arrived +from the great Earl of Peterborough.</p> + +<p>In half an hour some twenty men were assembled in a little +hollow on the hillside, where they were sheltered from the fire +of the French. Four or five of these were priests. There were two +or three innkeepers. The remainder were small landed proprietors. +Father Ignacio first addressed them. He stated that the English +officer had come on a mission from the earl, and had arrived +accidentally while the fight was going on, and that he was of +opinion that the French offer of surrender should be accepted. A +murmur of dissent went round the circle.</p> + +<p>"I was at first of your opinion," the priest said, "but the +reasons which this English officer has given me in support of his +advice have brought me round to his way of thinking. I will leave +him to state them to you."</p> + +<p>Jack now rose to his feet, and repeated the arguments which he +had used to the priest. He gathered from the faces of his hearers +that, although some were convinced that mercy would be the best +policy, others were still bent upon revenge. Father Ignacio then, +in language which he thought best suited to touch his hearers, +repeated Jack's arguments, urging very strongly the vengeance +which the French marshal would be sure to take upon the Spanish +population of the country through which he was passing when he +heard the news.</p> + +<p>"Besides," Jack said, when he had finished, "you must remember +you have not conquered the enemy yet. I see the officer has +withdrawn all his men among the wagons, where their shelter will +be nearly as good as yours. They have, doubtless, abundant stores +of ammunition in those wagons, together with food and wine, and +if you force them to fight to the last man they can hold out for +a very long time, and will inflict a heavy loss upon your men +before they are overcome."</p> + +<p>"But why should they take their weapons with them?" one of the +men said; "they will be useful to us. Why should we let them +carry them away to kill more Spaniards?"</p> + +<p>"The reason why I would let them take their arms is this," +Jack said. "Unless they march away armed you will not be able to +restrain your followers, who will be likely to break any +convention you may make and to massacre them without mercy. As to +the arms being used again against you, I will put the officers +under their parole that they and their men shall not take any +further part in the war until they are exchanged for an equal +number of prisoners taken by the French."</p> + +<p>"Who would trust to a Frenchman's word?" a man asked +scoffingly.</p> + +<p>"I would trust to a French officer's word as much as to that +of an English officer," Jack replied. "You would expect them to +trust to your word that they should be safe if they laid down +their arms; and yet, as you know, you might not be able to keep +it. Better a thousand times that a handful of French officers and +men should be allowed to join the enemy's ranks than that the +national honor of Spain should be soiled by a massacre +perpetrated just after a surrender."</p> + +<p>"The Englishman is right," Father Ignacio said positively. +"Let us waste no further words on it. Besides, I have a reason of +my own. I started before daybreak without breakfast and have got +nothing but a piece of dry bread with me. If we don't accept +these fellows' surrender we may be on the hillside all night, and +I told my servant that I should have a larded capon and a flask +of my best wine for dinner. That is an argument, my sons, which I +am sure comes home to you all; and remember, if we accept the +surrender we shall soon quench our thirst on the good wine which, +I doubt not, is contained in some of the barrels I see down +yonder."</p> + +<p>There was a hearty laugh and the question was settled; and it +was arranged at once that Father Ignacio, one of the other +leaders, and Jack should treat with the enemy. The other leaders +hurried away to their respective sections to order them to cease +firing when a white flag was raised; and, having given them +twenty minutes to get to their several posts, a white +handkerchief was waved in the air. The Spanish fire ceased at +once, and as soon as the French perceived the flag they also +stopped firing.</p> + +<p>"We are coming down, three of us, to discuss matters with +you," Father Ignacio shouted out.</p> + +<p>The three accordingly descended the hill, and when within a +short distance of the wagons were met by the officer in command +of the convoy and two others.</p> + +<p>"We have come to discuss the terms of your surrender," Jack +said. "I am Captain Stilwell, one of Lord Peterborough's aides de +camp. You see your position is desperate."</p> + +<p>"Not quite desperate," the French officer replied; "we have +plenty of ammunition and abundance of provisions, and can hold +out for a long time, till rescue comes."</p> + +<p>"There is little chance of rescue," Jack said. "Your marshal +has his hands full where he is; and even did he hear of your +situation and detach a force back to your rescue, neither of +which he is likely to do, that force would have to fight every +foot of its way, and assuredly not arrive in time. Nor is there +any more chance of your receiving succor from the rear. You have +made a gallant defense, sir, and might perhaps hold out for many +hours yet; but of what use is it sacrificing the lives of your +men in a vain resistance?"</p> + +<p>"What is your proposal?" the officer asked.</p> + +<p>"We propose," Jack said, "to allow you to march out with your +arms and five rounds of ammunition to each man, on you and your +officers giving me your parole to consider yourselves and your +men as prisoners of war, and not to serve again until +exchanged."</p> + +<p>The terms were far better than the French officer had looked +for.</p> + +<p>"I may tell you," Father Ignacio said, "that for these terms +you are indebted solely to this English officer. Had it depended +upon us only, rest assured that no one of you would have gone +away alive."</p> + +<p>"You will understand," Jack said, "that you will be allowed to +take your arms solely as a protection against the peasants, who +have been justly enraged by the brutal atrocities of your +general. You know well that even could their leaders here obtain +from their followers a respect for the terms of surrender, your +men would be massacred in the first village through which they +passed were they deprived of their arms. My friends here are +desirous that no stigma of massacre shall rest upon the Spanish +honor, and they have therefore agreed to allow your men to keep +their arms for purposes of defense on their return march."</p> + +<p>After a few words with his fellow officers the commander of +the convoy agreed to the terms. "You will, however," he said, +"permit me to take with me one or more wagons, as may be +required, to carry off my wounded?"</p> + +<p>This was at once agreed to, and in ten minutes the two +companies of French infantry were in readiness to march. There +were forty wounded in the wagons, and twenty-seven dead were left +behind them. The French officer in command, before marching off, +thanked Jack very heartily for his interference on their +behalf.</p> + +<p>"I tell you frankly, Captain Stilwell," he said, "that I had +no hopes whatever that I or any of my men would leave the ground +alive, for these Spaniards invariably massacre prisoners who fall +into their hands. I could not have left my wounded behind me; and +even if I had resolved to do so, the chances of our fighting our +way back in safety would have been small indeed. We owe you our +lives, sir; and should it ever be in the power of Major Ferre to +repay the debt, you may rely upon me."</p> + +<p>"I trust that the fortune of war may never place me in a +position when I may need to recall your promise," Jack said, +smiling; "but should it do so, I will not fail to remind you if I +get a chance."</p> + +<p>All was now ready for the march. Two wagons which had been +hastily emptied were, with the wounded men, placed in the center, +and the French, numbering now less than a hundred, started on +their march. The Spanish peasants remained in their places on the +hillside till they had departed, as the leaders had agreed that +it was better they should be kept away from the vicinity of the +French, as a quarrel would be certain to take place did they come +to close quarters. The peasants were indignant at what they +deemed the escape of their enemies; but the desire of plunder +soon overcame other considerations, and as soon as the French had +marched off they poured down from the hills. Their leaders, +however, restrained them from indiscriminate plundering. There +were in all eighty-seven wagons loaded with wine, corn, flour, +and provisions for the use of the army.</p> + +<p>An equal division was made of these among the various bands of +peasants in proportion to their strength. A few casks of wine +were broached. The peasants then buried their own dead -- who +were very few in number, so securely had they been sheltered in +their hiding places -- and then the force broke up, each party +marching with its proportion of wagons back to its village.</p> + +<p>"Now, Signor Capitano," Father Ignacio said, "I trust that you +will come home with me. My village is six miles away, and I will +do my best to make you comfortable. Hitherto you have seen me +only as a man of war. I can assure you that I am much more +estimable in my proper character as a man of peace. And let me +tell you, my cook is excellent; the wine of the village is famous +in the province, and I have some in my cellars ten years +old."</p> + +<p>"I cannot resist such a number of good arguments," Jack said, +smiling, "and till tomorrow morning I am at your service; but I +warn you that my appetite just at present is ravenous, and that +my two dragoons are likely to make a serious inroad upon the +larders of your village, however well supplied."</p> + +<p>"They will be welcome," the priest said, "and I guarantee the +larders will prove sufficiently well stocked. Fortunately, +although nearly every village in the neighborhood has been raided +by the French, owing to our good fortune and the interposition of +the blessed San Aldephonso our village has escaped a visit."</p> + +<p>The party under Father Ignacio soon turned off from the main +road, and, with the six wagons which fell to their share, +journeyed along a. rough country road until they reached the +village. Father Ignacio sat on the leading wagon, and Jack rode +alongside chatting with him. The priest was a stout built man, +with a good humored countenance and merry twinkle of the eye, and +Jack wondered what could have been the special wrong that induced +him to take up a musket and lead his flock to the attack of a +French convoy.</p> + +<p>"Katherine!" he shouted as the wagon stopped in front of his +house and a buxom serving woman appeared at the door, "dinner as +quickly as possible, for we are starving; and let it be not only +quick, but plentiful. Lay a cover for this gentleman, who will +dine with me; and prepare an ample supply of food in the kitchen +for these two English soldiers, who have come across the sea to +fight for the good cause.</p> + +<p>"And now," he said to Jack, "while dinner is preparing I must +distribute the spoil."</p> + +<p>The wagons were unloaded and their contents divided among the +men who had take a part in the expedition, his flock insisting +upon the padre taking a bountiful share.</p> + +<p>The mules and bullocks in the wagons were similarly divided, +in this case one being given to each family; for there were but +thirty animals, while the fighting contingent from the village +had numbered nearly eighty men. There were five or six animals +over when the division had been made, and these were given, in +addition to their proper share, to the families of three men who +had been killed in the fight.</p> + +<p>"Now, my sons," the padre said when all was done, "take your +axes and fall upon the wagons. A wagon is a thing to swear by. +Every man knows his own goods; and should the French ever visit +our village again these wagons might cost us dear. Therefore let +them be made into firewood as quickly as possible, and let them +all be consumed before other fuel is touched. And now, capitano, +I think that Katherine will be ready for us."</p> + +<p>So saying he led the way back into his house. A capital meal +was provided, and Jack found that the priest had by no means over +praised either his cook or his cellar. After the meal was over +and the two had drawn their chairs up to the hearth, on which was +blazing brightly some wood which Jack recognized as forming part +of one of the wagons, and the priest had placed on a small table +close at hand a large flask which he had himself gone into the +cellar to fetch, Jack said:</p> + +<p>"How is it, father, that, as you told me, you have seen such +acts of brutality on the part of the French as to cause you to +wage a war without mercy against them, when, as you say, they +have never penetrated to your village? Your reasons must be +strong, for your profession is a peaceful one. You do not look +like a man who would rush into deeds of violence for their own +sake, and your cook and your cellar offer you strong inducements +to remain at home."</p> + +<p>"That is so, my son," the priest said with a laugh. "I am, as +you may see, an easygoing man, well contented with my lot, and +envy not the Bishop of Toledo; but you know it is said that even +a worm will turn, and so you have seen the peaceful priest +enacting the part of the bloodthirsty captain. But, my son," -- +and his face grew grave now -- "you can little imagine the deeds +which the ferocious Tesse has enacted here in Arragon. When +warring with you English the French behave like a civilized +nation; when warring with us Spanish peasants, who have no means +of making our wrongs known to the world, they behave worse than a +horde of brutal savages. But I will tell you the circumstances +which have driven me to place myself at the head of my +parishioners, to wage a war of extermination with the French, and +to deny mercy to every one of that accursed nation who may fall +into my hands. I have a brother -- or rather I should say I had +one -- a well to do farmer who lived at a village some six miles +from Saragossa. He had an only daughter, who was to be married to +the son of a neighboring proprietor. A handsome, high spirited +lad he was, and devoted to Nina. They were to have been married +some three months ago, and they wrote to me to go over to perform +the ceremony.</p> + +<p>"I went; the wedding day arrived, and all was ready. It was a +holiday in the village, for both were favorites. The bride was +dressed; the village maidens and men were all in their best; the +procession was about to set out, when a troop of dragoons rode +suddenly in from Saragossa. A shot or two had been fired at them +as they rode through a wood. When they arrived they dismounted, +and the commander ordered the principal men of the village to be +brought to him. My brother and the father of the bridegroom were +among them.</p> + +<p>"'My troops have been fired at,' the Frenchman said, 'and I +hold you responsible.'</p> + +<p>"'It was no one from this village,' my brother said; 'we have +a wedding here, and not a soul is absent.'</p> + +<p>"'I care not,' the officer said; 'we have been fired at, and +we shall give the people of this district a lesson.'</p> + +<p>"So without another word he turned to his soldiers and ordered +them to fire the village from end to end.</p> + +<p>"'It is outrageous,' my brother said, and the others joined +him in the cry. I, too, implored him to pause before having such +an order carried into execution. His only reply was to give the +order to his men.</p> + +<p>"The six principal men were seized at once, were set with +their backs against the wall of a house, and shot."</p> + +<p>"You cannot mean it!" Jack exclaimed indignantly. "Surely such +an outrage could never be perpetrated by civilized soldiers?"</p> + +<p>"I saw it done," the priest said bitterly. "I tried to throw +myself between the victims and their murderers, but I was held +back by force by the soldiers. Imagine the scene if you can -- +the screaming women, the outburst of vain fury among the men, The +bridegroom, in his despair at seeing his father murdered, seized +a stick and rushed at the French officer; but he, drawing a +pistol, shot him dead, and the soldiers poured a volley into his +companions, killing some eight or ten others. Resistance was +hopeless. Those who were unwounded fled; those who fell were +bayoneted on the spot. I took my niece's arm and led her quietly +away. Even the French soldiers drew back before us. You should +have seen her face. Madre de Dios! I see it now -- I see it +always. She died that night. Not one word passed her lips from +the moment when her father and her affianced husband fell dead +before her eyes. An hour later the troop rode off, and the people +stole back to bury their dead among the ashes of what had been +their homes. I went to Saragossa after reading the funeral +service over them. I saw Tesse and told him of the scene I had +witnessed, and demanded vengeance. He laughed in my face. Senor, +I persisted, and he got angry and told me that, were it not for +my cloth, he would hang me from the steeple. I called down +Heaven's curse upon him, and left him and came home. Do you +wonder, senor, that I found it hard to spare those Frenchmen for +whom you pleaded? Do you wonder that I, a man of peace, lead out +my villagers to slaughter our enemy?"</p> + +<p>"I do not, indeed!" Jack exclaimed warmly. "Such acts as these +would stir the blood of the coldest into fire; and, priest or no +priest, a man would be less than a man who did not try to take +vengeance for so foul a deed. Have many massacres of this sort +been perpetrated?"</p> + +<p>"Many," the priest replied, "and in no case has any redress +been obtained by the relatives of the victims."</p> + +<p>"And throughout all Arragon, does the same hatred of the +French prevail?"</p> + +<p>"Everywhere," the priest said.</p> + +<p>"Then King Charles would meet with an enthusiastic welcome +here!"</p> + +<p>"I do not say that," the priest answered. "He would be well +received, doubtless, simply because he is the enemy of the +French; but for himself, no. We Arragonese cannot for the life of +us see why we should be ruled over by a foreigner; and in some +respects a German king is even less to be desired than a French +one. The connection between the two Latin nations is naturally +closer than between us and the Germans, and a French king would +more readily adapt himself to our ways than would a stiff and +thick headed German.</p> + +<p>"Apart from the recent doings of the French army Arragon would +have preferred Philip to Charles. Moreover, Charles is looked +upon as the choice of the Catalans and Valencians, and why should +the men of Arragon take the king others have chosen? No, King +Charles will doubtless be received well because he appears as the +enemy of the French; but you will not find that the people of +Arragon will make any great sacrifices in his behalf. Let a +French army enter our province again, every man will rise in arms +against it; but there will be little disposition to raise troops +to follow King Charles beyond the limits of the province. Castile +is strong for Philip; the jealousy there of the Catalans is even +greater than here, and the fact that Arragon will go with +Catalonia and Valencia will only render the Castilians more +earnest in the cause of Philip. There have been several +skirmishes already between bands of our Miquelets and those of +Castile, and the whole country along the border is greatly +disturbed."</p> + +<p>"It is a pity that Spaniards cannot agree among themselves as +to who shall be king."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my son, but it will be very long yet before. Spaniards +agree upon any point. It is a mistake to think of us as one +nation. We are half a dozen nations under one king. If you are +asked your nationality, you reply an Englishman. If you ask a +Spaniard, he will reply, I am a Castilian or a Catalan, an +Arragonese or Biscayan -- never I am a Spaniard. We hate each +other as you Scotchmen and Englishmen hated each other a hundred +years back, and even now regard yourselves as different peoples. +What connection is there between the hardy mountaineer of the +northern provinces and the easygoing peasant of Valencia or +Andalusia? Nothing. Consequently, if one part of Spain declares +for one man as a king, you may be sure that the other will +declare against him.</p> + +<p>"As long as we had great men, Spaniards, for our kings -- and +the descent went in the regular way from father to son -- things +went smoothly, because no pretender could have a shadow of claim. +As between two foreign princes, each man has a right to choose +for himself. Were there any Spaniard with a shadow of claim, all +parties would rally round him; but, unfortunately, this is not +so; and I foresee an epoch of war and trouble before the matter +is settled. For myself, I tell you I would not give that flask of +wine were I able to put the crown upon the head of one or other +of these foreigners. Let whoever gets the crown govern well and +strongly, tax my villagers lightly, and interfere in no way with +our privileges, and I shall be well content, and such you will +find is the opinion of most men in Spain. And now, tell me if +there is aught that I can do for you. You say you must be on your +way by daybreak. Tell me in which direction you journey, and it +will be hard if I cannot find a friend there with whom my +introduction will insure you a hearty welcome."</p> + +<p>"If you can tell me where are the largest gatherings of +Miquelets, I can tell you which way I shall ride," Jack replied. +"My mission is to ascertain what aid the king can rely upon in +this province."</p> + +<p>"Three days ago there were many thousands of men under arms," +the priest replied; "by tonight there will be less than as many +hundreds. The day Tesse crossed the frontier with his army the +greater portion of the bands went to their homes, and their arms +will be laid aside until the news comes that the French army is +on its return from Barcelona. I fancy there is but little chance +of our seeing King Charles among us. In another day or two Tesse +will be before Barcelona; and joined, as he will be there, by the +French army marching down from Roussillon, he will make quick +work of that town, and King Charles will have the choice of going +to Valencia to be hunted shortly thence, or of sailing away again +from the country in your ships."</p> + +<p>"It would seem like it," Jack agreed; "but you are reckoning +without the Earl of Peterborough."</p> + +<p>"Your English general must be a wonder," the priest said, "a +marvel; but he cannot accomplish impossibilities. What can he do +with two or three thousand trained troops against twenty thousand +veteran French soldiers?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell what he will do," Jack laughed; "but you may +rely upon it that he will do something, and I would take fair +odds that he will somehow or other save Barcelona and rid +Catalonia of its invaders."</p> + +<p>"That I judge to be altogether impossible," the priest +replied. "Anything that man could do I am ready to admit that +your general is capable of; but I do not judge this to be within +the range of possibilities. If you will take my advice, my son, +you will not linger here, but will ride for Valencia and embark +on board your ships with him when the time comes."</p> + +<p>"We shall see," Jack said, laughing. "I have faith in the +improbable. It may not be so very long before I drop in again to +drink another flask of your wine on my way through Arragon with +King Charles on his march toward Madrid."</p> + +<p>"If you do, my son, I will produce a bottle of wine to which +this is but ditch water. I have three or four stored away in my +cellar which I preserve for great occasions. They are the remains +of the cellar of my predecessor, as good a judge of wine as ever +lived. It is forty years since he laid them by, and they were, he +said, the best vintage he had ever come across. Had the good old +man died ten years earlier, what a heritage would have been mine! +but in his later years he was not so saving as it behooves a good +man to be, and indulged in them on minor occasions; consequently, +but two dozen remained when I succeeded to the charge twenty +years ago. I, too, was not sufficiently chary of them to begin +with, and all but six bottles were drunk in the first ten years. +Since then I have been as stingy as a miser, and but two bottles +have been opened."</p> + +<p>"I hope, father, that you have laid in a similar supply for +whomsoever may come after you."</p> + +<p>"Surely I have, my son. Fifteen years ago I had a hogshead of +the finest vintage in the neighborhood bricked up in my cellar. I +had an inscription placed on the wall by which, should I be taken +suddenly, my successor may know of the store that awaits him. At +present you would not find the inscription did you search for it; +for when those troubles began I filled up the letters in the +stone with mortar, and gave the wall two or three coats of +whitewash. I did not choose to run any risk of my grand wine +going down the throats of thirsty French soldiers. It would be an +act of sacrilege. When matters are settled, and we are at peace +again, I will pick out the mortar from the letters; but not till +then. I have often reflected since how short sighted it was not +to have stowed away another hogshead for my own consumption. It +would have been something to have looked forward to in my +declining years."</p> + +<p>"Ah, father, who knows what may happen before that? The wall +may fall down, and then naturally you would wish to see whether +the wine is in as good a condition as it should be. Besides, you +will say to yourself, why, when my successor left me but a +miserable two dozen of that grand wine of his, should I bequeath +a whole hogshead to him who may come after me, and who, moreover, +may be so bad a judge of wine that he will value my treasure no +more than an equal quantity of the rough country vintage?"</p> + +<p>"Avaunt, tempter!" the priest said, laughing. "But," he added +more seriously, "you have frightened me. I never thought of that. +I have always pictured my successor as a man who would appreciate +good wine as I do myself. Truly, it would be a terrible +misfortune did he not do so -- a veritable throwing of pearls +before swine. Now that you have presented this dreadful idea it +will be ever in my mind. I shall no longer think of my hogshead +with unmixed satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"The idea is a terrible one, truly," Jack said gravely, "and +to prevent it I would advise you when the time of peace arrives +to open your cave, to bottle off your wine, and to secure its +being appreciated by indulging in it yourself on special +occasions and holidays, taking care always to leave a store equal +to, or even superior to, that which you yourself inherited."</p> + +<p>"I will think it over, my son, and it may be that I shall take +your advice. Such a misfortune as that which you have suggested +is too terrible to think of."</p> + +<p>"It is so, father, terrible indeed; and I feel confident that +you will do the best in your power to prevent the possibility of +its occurrence. Besides, you know, wine may be kept even too +long. I judge you not to be more than forty-five now; with so +good a cook and so good a cellar you may reasonably expect to +live to the age of eighty; there is, therefore, plenty of time +for you to lay in another hogshead to mature for your +successor."</p> + +<p>The priest burst into a roar of laughter, in which Jack joined +him.</p> + +<p>"Your reasoning powers are admirable," he said when he +recovered his gravity, "and you have completely convinced me. An +hour ago if it had been suggested to me that I should open that +cellar I should have viewed the proposal with horror; now it +seems to me that it is the very best thing that could be done for +all parties, including the wine itself."</p> + +<p>There was some further chat as to the course which Jack would +follow in the morning, and he decided finally to ride to the +borders of Castile in order that he might learn as much as +possible as to the feeling of people in that province. Father +Ignacio gave him a letter of introduction to the priest in charge +of a village a mile or two within the border of Arragon, and the +next morning Jack started at daybreak, after a hearty adieu from +his host, who insisted on rising to see him off.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV: A +PRISONER</h1> + +<p>Jack, with his two troopers, rode away from the hospitable +cottage of the priest in high spirits. He determined to avoid +Saragossa, as he was not charged with any direct mission from the +earl, and wished, therefore, to avoid any official intercourse +with the leaders of the province. As soon as the marshal had +marched, the people there had risen, had driven out the small +French garrison left, and had resumed the management of their own +affairs. Jack learned, however, that the city had not formally +declared for King Charles. As the priest had told him would be +the case, Jack encountered no bodies of armed men during the day; +the country had a peaceful aspect, the peasants were working in +the fields, and at the villages through which he passed the +English uniforms excited a feeling of curiosity rather than of +interest. He stopped at several of these and entered into +conversation with the inhabitants. He found everywhere an intense +hatred of the French prevailing, while but little interest was +evinced in the respective claims of Charles and Philip.</p> + +<p>After a very long ride he arrived, at nightfall, near the spot +to which he was bound. In this neighborhood he observed a greater +amount of watchfulness and preparation than had prevailed +elsewhere. The men, for the most part, remained in their +villages, and went about armed. Jack learned that an inroad by +the Miquelets of Castile was deemed probable, and that it was +thought possible that another French force might follow Tesse +from Madrid to Barcelona.</p> + +<p>It was late in the evening before Jack reached his +destination, where, on his presenting his letter of introduction, +he was most heartily received by the priest.</p> + +<p>"Father Ignacio tells me," he said when he had read it, "that +you are not only to be welcomed as an officer of the great +English general, but that you are in every way deserving of +friendship; he adds, too, that you are a first rate judge of +wine, and that you can be trusted as an adviser upon knotty and +difficult matters."</p> + +<p>Jack laughed. "I only gave the good father my advice upon two +points," he said; "the first was the admitting to terms of +surrender of a body of French troops with whom he was engaged in +battle when I arrived; the second was upon the important question +of broaching or not broaching a hogshead of particularly good +wine."</p> + +<p>"If you advised that the hogshead should be broached," the +priest said, smiling, "I can warrant that my good brother Ignacio +followed your advice, and can well understand the respect in +which he seems to hold your judgment. But do not let us stand +talking here.</p> + +<p>"Your men will find a stable behind the house where they can +stand the horses. Alas! it is uninhabited at present, for my +mule, the gentlest and best in the province, was requisitioned -- +which is another word for stolen -- by the French as they passed +through. My faithful beast! I miss her every hour of the day, and +I doubt not that she misses me still more sorely. Tell me, senor, +my brother Ignacio writes me that he has captured many animals +from the French -- was Margaretta among them? She was a large +mule, and in good condition; indeed, there was some flesh on her +bones. She was a dark chestnut with a white star on the forehead, +a little white on her fore feet, and white below the hocks on the +hind legs; she had a soft eye, and a peculiar twist in jerking +her tail."</p> + +<p>The manner of the priest was so earnest that Jack repressed a +smile with difficulty.</p> + +<p>"I did notice among the mules in one of the wagons one marked +somewhat similarly to your description, and, if I mistake not, +it, with another, fell to the share of the good priest; but I +cannot say that it had much flesh upon its bones; indeed, it was +in very poor case. Nor did I notice that its eyes were +particularly soft, or that there was any peculiarity in the +twitching of its tail."</p> + +<p>"It may be Margaretta," the priest said with some excitement; +"the poor beast would naturally lose flesh in the hands of the +French, while as to the switch in the tail, it was a sign of +welcome which she gave me when I took an apple or a piece of +bread into her stable, and she would not be likely so to greet +strangers. I will lose no time in writing to Ignacio to inquire +further into the matter. Verily, it seems to me as if the saint +had sent you specially here as a bearer of this good news."</p> + +<p>Jack spent a pleasant evening with the priest, and learned +much as to the state of things upon the frontier. The priest +represented the Castilians as bitterly opposed to the claims of +Charles; they had no grievances against the French, who had +behaved with strict discipline in that province, and had only +commenced their excesses upon crossing the frontier into Arragon. +This they regarded, though wrongfully, as a hostile country; for, +previous to their arrival, the people there had taken no part +either way in the struggle, but the overbearing manner of Tesse, +and the lax discipline of his troops, had speedily caused an +intense feeling of irritation. Resistance had been offered to +foraging parties of the French army, and the terrible vengeance +which had been taken by Tesse for these acts had roused the whole +province in a flame of insurrection.</p> + +<p>"There are several bodies of French cavalry across the +frontier," the priest said; "occasionally they make flying raids +into Arragon, but, as you see, the people are armed, and +prepared, and ready to give them a hot reception. The Castilians +are like ourselves; if at any time an army should march in this +direction against Madrid, the Miquelets will oppose them just as +we should oppose the French, but they will not leave their homes +to interfere with us, for they know well enough that did they do +so we also should cross the line, and fire and destruction would +be carried through all the villages on both sides of the border. +So at present there is nothing to fear from Castile, but if your +English general were to drive the French out of the country, he +would have hard work ere he overcame the resistance of that +province."</p> + +<p>Just as day was breaking the next morning Jack was aroused by +shouts in the streets, followed by the heavy trampling of horse. +He sprang from the bed and threw on his cloak; as he was buckling +on his sword one of the dragoons rushed into his room.</p> + +<p>"We are surrounded, sir! I have just looked out, and there are +French cavalry all round the house."</p> + +<p>As he spoke there was a tremendous knocking at the door. The +priest ran into the room. "We are betrayed," he said; "some one +must have carried away the news last night of your arrival here, +and it has come to the ears of the French cavalry on the other +side. I ordered some men out last night to watch the road across +the border, but the enemy must have ridden too fast for them to +get here first."</p> + +<p>"It cannot be helped," Jack said; "you had best open the door, +or they will break it in in another minute. Make no resistance, +lads," he said to the dragoons, for the second orderly had now +joined them; "lay your swords down on the bed; we are caught this +time, and must make our escape when we can. It is better, anyhow, +to have fallen into the hands of the French than of the +Spanish."</p> + +<p>The sound of the knocking had ceased now, and there was a +trampling and clamor of voices as the French soldiers poured into +the house. Steps were heard ascending the stairs, the door +opened, and the priest, accompanied by a French officer and +followed by a number of soldiers, entered the room.</p> + +<p>"You are my prisoner, sir," the French officer said.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid there is no doubt of that," Jack said, speaking +in Spanish; "here is my sword, sir. These two men are my +orderlies, and, of course, also surrender. You will observe that +we are all in uniform, that we are taken on the soil of Arragon, +and that I am here in pursuance of my duty as an officer of the +English army."</p> + +<p>"You are alone?" the officer asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Jack said; "there are, so far as I know, no other +British but ourselves in Arragon."</p> + +<p>"Then we were misinformed," the officer said; "the news was +received last night that the Earl of Peterborough was himself +here; and although it was but in the afternoon that we had heard +that your general was at Valencia, his movements are so swift and +erratic that, if we heard of him in Portugal one hour we should +not be surprised to find him here the next." He stopped as shots +were heard fired in the streets.</p> + +<p>"You must excuse ceremony, sir," he said, "and mount at once +with your men and accompany me. In ten minutes we shall have the +whole country buzzing round us like wasps; and now that the +object of my ride is accomplished, I don't wish to throw away my +men's lives."</p> + +<p>The horses were saddled without loss of time, and in two or +three minutes Jack was trotting down the village in the midst of +the French cavalry amid a scathing fire from behind the houses +and walls.</p> + +<p>The French officer rode at the head of his troop till well +beyond the village, then reining in his horse, joined his +prisoner.</p> + +<p>"And now," he asked, "whom have I the honor of capturing?"</p> + +<p>"I am Captain Stilwell," Jack replied, "one of the Earl of +Peterborough's aides de camp."</p> + +<p>"I am Captain de Courcy," the French officer said; "happily, +although the French and English have taken opposite sides on this +question, we can esteem and honor each other as brave and +civilized adversaries. As for these Spanish scoundrels, they are +no better than banditti; they murder us in our beds, they poison +our wine, they as often as not burn us alive if we fall into +their hands; they are savages, neither more nor less; and why +Philip of Anjou, who could have had all the pleasures of life as +a prince of the blood at Versailles, should covet the kingship of +this country, passes my understanding. And now tell me about that +paladin, your general. Peste, what a man! And you are one of his +aides de camp? Why, if he drags you about everywhere with him, +you must lead the life of a dog."</p> + +<p>"When I last heard of the general he was at Valencia," Jack +said. "But that was ten days since."</p> + +<p>"Ten days!" the Frenchman said; "then by now he may be in +London, or in Rome, or at Paris."</p> + +<p>"With the wind favoring him he might be at Rome, but he could +scarcely have arrived at either London or Paris."</p> + +<p>"There is no saying," the French officer laughed. "Has he not +three leagued boots, and can he not step from mountain to +mountain? Does he not fly through a storm on a broomstick? Can he +not put on a cap and make himself invisible? For I can tell you +that our soldiers credit him with all these powers. Can he not, +by waving his hand, multiply three hundred men into an army, +spread them over a wide extent of country, and then cause them to +sink into the ground and disappear? Our soldiers are convinced +that he is in league with the evil one, even if he be not the +gentlemen in black himself."</p> + +<p>Jack joined in the laugh. "He is a wonderful man," he said, +"though he cannot do all you credit him with. But he is +absolutely tireless, and can do without sleep for any time; and +yet to look at him no one would think that he was in any way a +strong man. He is small, thin, and worn looking -- in fact, +almost insignificant in appearance, were it not for his keen eye +and a certain lofty expression of face. My post is no sinecure, I +can assure you, for the general expects all to be able to do as +well as himself. But with a chief who never spares himself all +are willing to do their best. Extreme as has been the labor of +the troops, severe as have been their hardships, you will never +hear a grumble; the men have most implicit confidence in him, and +are ready to go anywhere and do anything he orders them."</p> + +<p>"He is a marvel," the French officer said. "The way he took +Barcelona, and then, with a handful of men, hunted our armies out +of Catalonia and Valencia, was wonderful; and though it was at +our cost, and not a little to our discredit, there is not an +officer in the army but admires your general. Fortunately I was +not in Barcelona when you laid siege to it, but I was with Las +Torres afterward when you were driving us about like sheep. I +shall never forget that time. We never knew when to expect an +attack, what force was opposed to us, or from what direction you +would come. I laugh now, but it was no joke then."</p> + +<p>Three hours' riding took them into the little town from which +the French cavalry had started in the middle of the night. On +arriving there the French officer at once sent off a trooper to +Madrid, reporting the prisoners he had taken, and forty-eight +hours later he received orders to himself conduct his prisoners +to Madrid.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving there Jack was at once taken before the Duke of +Berwick, who received him courteously, and asked him many +questions concerning the force under the earl, the intentions of +Barcelona to resist the two French armies now hurrying before it. +To these questions Jack gave cautious answers. As to matters +concerning which he was sure that the French must have accurate +information, he replied frankly. Fortunately he was, as he truly +said, in entire ignorance as to the plans of the earl, and as to +Barcelona, he knew nothing whatever of what had taken place there +from the day when he suddenly left with Peterborough.</p> + +<p>"I would place you on your parole with pleasure," the duke +said, "but I tell you frankly that in the present excited state +of public feeling I do not think it will be safe for you to move +through the streets unprotected. So many of our officers have +been murdered in Saragossa and other places that the lower class +of Spaniards would think it a meritorious action to take +vengeance on an English officer. Of course I am well aware that +the English have nothing to do with these atrocities, but the +people in general are not able to draw nice distinctions. I shall +send you to France on the first opportunity, to remain there till +exchanged."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," Jack said; "I should prefer not being put on +my parole, for I shall certainly escape if I have the +opportunity. I should tell you, sir, that I have ridden through +Arragon, and though I do not wish to excuse the murders +perpetrated by the Spaniards, I must tell you that I cannot blame +them; for, horrible as are their deeds, they are simply acts of +retaliation for the abominable atrocities which Marshal Tesse +allows and encourages his troops to perpetrate upon the +population. I have the highest respect, sir, for the French +nation, but if I were the Earl of Peterborough, and Marshal Tesse +fell into my hands, I would hand him over to the Spaniards to be +torn in pieces as he deserves."</p> + +<p>"You speak boldly, sir," the duke said sternly.</p> + +<p>"I feel what I say, sir," Jack replied. "I think it well that +you, a general high in command under the French king, should know +the atrocities perpetrated in his name by this man upon +defenseless people. I could tell you, sir, a score of stories +which I heard in Arragon, although I was but two days there, of +massacre and murder which would make your blood run cold. I +confess that personally I have no greater interest in King +Charles than in King Philip. I have seen so much of the Austrian +and his advisers that I believe that if the Earl of Peterborough +were to seat him on his throne here tomorrow, he would be driven +from the country a fugitive before many weeks were over; but in +the same way I am convinced that Philip of Anjou will never be +accepted by the Spanish as their king if his cause be stained by +such atrocities as those carried out by Marshal Tesse in his +name."</p> + +<p>The duke then asked Jack if he had any objections to state the +particular object for which he was sent into Arragon by his +general; and Jack was glad to be able to say truthfully that the +earl knew nothing of his being there, he having sent him simply +to assist the Count of Cifuentes in barring the advance of the +French army into Catalonia, and that when he had carried out that +order he had ridden into Arragon on his own account, in order +that he might, on his return to the earl, be able to give him an +accurate description of the state of affairs in that +province.</p> + +<p>"Then so far as you know, Captain Stilwell, the Earl of +Peterborough is still at Valencia, and has no intention of +leaving that province at present."</p> + +<p>"I can say truly, sir, that so far as I know the general had +no intention of leaving Valencia; but as his decisions are +generally taken instantaneously, and are a surprise to all about +him, I should be sorry to assert that the earl remained in +Valencia a quarter of an hour after I quitted the city."</p> + +<p>"It matters little," the duke said, "the affair is rapidly +approaching an end. Barcelona must surrender as soon as Tesse and +the Duke de Noailles appear before it; the breaches are open, and +there are not a thousand men in garrison. Barcelona once fallen, +the cause of the Austrian is lost. Your general is already +watched by an army four times as strong as his own, and the +twenty thousand men under the marshal will compel him to take to +his ships, and will stamp out the last embers of the +insurrection. You agree with me, do you not?" he asked as Jack +remained silent.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, it seems that it must be as you say, and I have +only to reply that you have not reckoned upon the Earl of +Peterborough. What he will do I do not pretend to say, but +knowing him as I do, I can say that he will give you trouble. I +don't think that anything can be considered as a certainty in +which you have the Earl of Peterborough to reckon with."</p> + +<p>"He is a great man," the duke said -- "a great man, and has +performed marvels; but there is a limit to the possibilities +which one man can perform, and here that limit is passed. I shall +give orders, Captain Stilwell, that your imprisonment is made as +little disagreeable as possible, and that you have everything you +require."</p> + +<p>Jack expressed his thanks and retired. On leaving the room he +was again taken charge of by Captain do Courcy and four of his +troopers, and was conducted by him to the citadel.</p> + +<p>The quarters assigned to Jack were by no means uncomfortable. +A good meal was placed before him, and after he had finished it +the governor of the citadel called upon him and told him that he +was at liberty to go where he would within the walls, and that +any wishes he might express he would do his best to comply with. +Jack at once availed himself of his liberty by going out into the +courtyard and thence on to the walls of the citadel. It was a +strongly fortified and gloomy building, which has now ceased to +exist. It covered a considerable portion of ground, and had at +one time been a royal residence; the walls were strong and high, +and sentries were placed on them at short intervals.</p> + +<p>Jack saw at once there was little possibility of escape +thence, and decided that he might as well abandon any idea of +evasion for the present, and would trust to luck in escaping from +his escort on the road to the frontier, or, if no opportunity +then presented itself, from his prison in France. A week after +his arrival he was surprised by being told that an officer wished +to see him, and a minute later Major Ferre entered the +apartment.</p> + +<p>"I only arrived an hour ago," he said, "and learned that you +were prisoner here. Who would have thought when we parted last, +and you gave me my liberty, that on my arrival here I should find +that you had already been a week a prisoner? Horses' legs move +faster than men's, you see."</p> + +<p>"It is the fortune of war," Jack said, smiling. "I am glad to +see that you got out of Arragon safely."</p> + +<p>"It was thanks to your seeing that we were provided with +ammunition," the major said. "The peasants swarmed round us hotly +more than once, and it was the fact that we had our arms and were +ready to use them, quite as much as my assurances that we were +prisoners on parole, and had promised not to serve in Spain until +exchanged, that kept them from making an attack upon us; as it +was we nearly came to blows several times. I marched that day +till the men were ready to drop, and camped at a distance from a +road in a lonely place. I dared not scatter my men in a village. +The next day we kept steadily on and crossed the frontier into +Castile, pretty well worn out, just at nightfall. I had to give +my men two days' halt before we could go further, and we have +since come by easy stages, which accounts for your being here so +long before us. And now, is there anything that I can do for you? +If there is, command my service to the utmost. I shall see the +duke this afternoon, and shall tell him that I and my party are +indebted to you for our lives. It is well for me that he is in +command here instead of the marshal; he is a gentleman, and will +respect the parole I gave for myself and my men; if it had been +Tesse I might have had trouble, for as likely as not he would +have scoffed at my promise, and ordered me and my men back to the +front again, and then I should have been placed in a nice +fix."</p> + +<p>"The best thing you could do for me," Jack said, "would be to +suggest to the marshal that he should exchange me against you. If +he will let me take my two troopers I would throw in all your +men. There will be no occasion to arrange it with our general; +you gave your word to me, and I can give it you back again. As I +am of no use to him, and you are, I should think he would +consent."</p> + +<p>"I should think so too," Major Ferre said, "and should be +delighted, on both our accounts, if it could be managed."</p> + +<p>Three hours later the major returned in high spirits.</p> + +<p>"I have arranged the matter," he said, "and we are both free +men. You can't stir out of here at present, because it would not +be safe for you to go about Madrid; but I have orders to march +tomorrow morning, in command of a convoy, to join Las Torres +outside Valencia, so you can ride with me till we get near the +town, and then join your people."</p> + +<p>Jack was delighted, and the next morning set out with the +convoy. His appearance, as he rode by the side of Major Ferre +with his two orderlies behind him, excited the greatest surprise +and curiosity in the various towns and villages through which +they passed. The journey was a pleasant one, Major Ferre exerting +himself in every way to make it as pleasant as possible. After +four days' journey the convoy arrived within sight of Valencia. +When they came to a place where the roads forked the major +said:</p> + +<p>"That is your way, my dear Stilwell. I hope that some day the +fortunes of war will throw us together again, in some pleasant +position where we can renew our friendship. Two miles on is a +ford across the river, where, as the peasants tell me, two of +your vedettes are posted; another hour's ride will take you to +Valencia."</p> + +<p>With a hearty goodby on both sides, Jack and his two dragoons +rode off, and soon astonished the English vedettes by their +appearance on the opposite bank of the river. A few words in +English convinced the soldiers that it was no trick that was +being played with them, and Jack rode across the ford and then +galloped on to Valencia.</p> + +<p>"Well, Captain Stilwell," the earl said as Jack entered his +apartment, "what news do you bring me from Barcelona? I hear that +Tesse has invested the town."</p> + +<p>"My last news is from Madrid, general," Jack said; "I have had +to stay a week in that city."</p> + +<p>And he then proceeded to relate the series of events which had +happened from the time he joined the Count of Cifuentes.</p> + +<p>"I know I exceeded my duty, general," he said when he +finished, "in going up into Arragon without orders; but I felt +that I was of little use with the count, who handles the +Miquelets well, and I thought that you would be glad of +trustworthy information of the state of feeling in Arragon, and +perhaps of Castile."</p> + +<p>"You were quite right," the earl said, "and have done +exceedingly well. Yours has been an adventure after my own heart, +and you have just arrived here in time, for I am on the point of +starting to do what I can to harass the besiegers of +Barcelona."</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV: THE +RELIEF OF BARCELONA</h1> + +<p>Although for months it was evident that the French were +preparing to make a great effort to recapture Barcelona, Charles +and his German advisers had done nothing whatever to place the +city in the position to resist a siege. The fortifications +remained just as they had been when Peterborough had captured the +city. The breaches which had been made by the English cannon were +still open, and even that in the all important citadel of +Montjuich remained as it had been left by the explosion of the +magazine.</p> + +<p>Not until Tesse was pressing down from Lerida and de Noailles +from Roussillon did the king awake to his danger. Orders were +sent out to recall all the troops who were within reach, the +country people were set to work collecting provisions, and the +king made an urgent appeal to the citizens to aid in repairing +the fortifications. The appeal was responded to; the whole male +population took up arms, even priests and friars enrolling +themselves in the ranks. The women and children were formed into +companies, and all Barcelona labored in carrying materials and in +repairing the breaches. The king had received a letter from +Peterborough proposing the plan of which he had spoken to his +aides de camp, and which, had it been carried out, would have +changed the fate of Spain. His suggestion was that Charles should +at once make his way by sea to Portugal, which, as the blockade +had not then commenced, he could have easily done, there to put +himself at the head of the allied army, twenty-six thousand +strong, and march straight upon Madrid. This could have been done +with a certainty of success, for the west of Spain and the +capital had been denuded of troops for the invasion of Catalonia +and Valencia, and no more than two thousand men could have been +collected to oppose the invaders.</p> + +<p>"If your majesty will undertake to do this," wrote the earl, +"I will undertake to maintain the province here, and perhaps to +open a way to Madrid."</p> + +<p>But now, as before, this bold but really safe counsel was +overruled by Charles' German courtiers and he resolved to remain +in Barcelona and wait a siege.</p> + +<p>As soon as Peterborough received the answer, he left a small +garrison in Valencia, and marched away with all the force he +could collect, which, however, numbered only two thousand foot +and six hundred horse, while de Noailles had no less than twenty +thousand gathered round Barcelona. Peterborough moved rapidly +across the country, pushing forward at the utmost speed of the +troops till he arrived within two leagues of Barcelona, and took +up a strong position among the mountains, where he was at once +joined by the Count of Cifuentes and his peasant army.</p> + +<p>"Ah, count," the earl said as he rode into his camp, "I am +glad to see you again. You did not succeed in stopping Tesse, but +by all accounts you mauled him handsomely. And now, what are our +prospects?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir, they are not over bright, and I do not see that +we can effect much to aid the king. My men will fight well +enough, as Captain Stilwell has witnessed, when they choose their +position and shoot behind shelter, but they would be of no use +whatever in a regular action; and as to advancing into the plain +to give battle with you against twenty thousand regular troops, +they would not attempt it, even if you were to join your orders +to mine."</p> + +<p>"We will not ask them, count," Peterborough said. "I know the +Miquelets by this time. They are admirable for irregular war, but +worse than useless for anything else. All we will ask of them, +count, is to scatter in strong bodies over the hills, to guard +every road, and cut off any parties of the enemy who may venture +to go out to gather provisions or forage. If they can manage +occasionally to threaten an attack upon the French camp, so much +the better."</p> + +<p>The next morning a strong body of the French took post round +Montjuich, and at nine o'clock a force of infantry, supported by +two squadrons of horse, attempted to carry the western outworks +by storm. This was the weakest part of the citadel, and was +manned by only a hundred men of Colonel Hamilton's regiment, who +had arrived the night before, having in two days ridden seventy +miles on mules.</p> + +<p>As the French advanced they received them with great +determination, and poured in so sharp a fire that the assailants +speedily retired with considerable loss. As they fell back the +English threw up their caps and raised loud shouts, which so +exasperated the enemy that they reformed and returned several +times to the assault, but only to be repulsed as on their first +attempt. This was a sharp check to the French, who had expected +to find the place guarded only by the usual garrison of forty +Spaniards.</p> + +<p>When the sound of firing was heard in the town the whole +garrison turned out and marched to support Montjuich, only twelve +men being left behind for a guard to the king. This repulse of +the first attempt of the enemy raised the spirits of the +townsmen, and bands of them ventured beyond the walls, and, +sheltering in the gardens and groves, maintained a strong fire +upon the French.</p> + +<p>Finding that Barcelona was not to be taken as easily as they +had expected, the French generals extended their camp so as to +completely surround the town. On their side the citizens were not +inactive, and, sallying out, managed to cut off and drive in a +flock of seven hundred of the enemy's sheep and twelve of their +mules.</p> + +<p>The following night the besieged sustained a severe loss by +the treacherous surrender, by its commander, of Fort Redonda, +which stood on the seashore and commanded the landing. The enemy +at once profited by this advantage and began landing their +provisions, guns, and ammunition. This misfortune was, however, +balanced by the enterprise of Brigadier Generals Lord Donegal and +Sentiman, with two English and two newly raised Catalan +battalions. They received the king's orders to return to +Barcelona too late to reach the town before its investment, but +now managed, under cover of night, to elude the enemy and enter +the city in safety.</p> + +<p>When the enemy received news of the success of this attempt +they closed in their left wing to the eastward, in hopes of +preventing further reinforcements from entering the town. But +they had not reckoned upon the Earl of Peterborough, who had +received news that the garrison of Gerona, after evacuating that +town on the approach of the army of the Duke de Noailles, had +embarked in small boats and were about to attempt a landing near +Barcelona, on the north side. On the receipt of the news he +started as night fell with his whole force from his camp in the +mountains, and having, after a march of nearly twenty miles, +arrived at the spot named for the debarkation just as the boats +were nearing the shore, and having escorted the Gerona men past +the enemy's outpost and into the town, without the loss of a man, +he again retired to the mountains. These accessions of strength +raised the force of troops in the besieged town to upward of +three thousand.</p> + +<p>The next day a case of treason was discovered among the +Spaniards in the garrison of Montjuich. A boy confessed that he +had been hired by one of these men to put out all the gun +matches, and to throw the priming powder out of the matchlocks +that night. He was told to do this on the weakest side of the +works, where the attack would probably be made.</p> + +<p>The discovery of this intended treason, following so closely +on that at Fort Redonda, excited suspicions of the loyalty of the +Spanish Governor of Montjuich, and he was superseded and the Earl +of Donegal appointed to the command. For the next six days the +French continued to raise battery after battery around Montjuich. +Lord Donegal made some gallant sallies and several times drove +the besiegers from their works, but in each case they returned in +such overwhelming force that he was obliged to abandon the +positions he had won and to fall back into the citadel.</p> + +<p>The Miquelets, of whom there were many in the town, aided the +besieged by harassing the French. Every night they stole into +their camp, murdered officers in their tents, carried off horses, +slew sentries, and kept the enemy in a perpetual state of +watchfulness.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock on the morning of the 15th of April the +besiegers made a furious attack on the western outwork of +Montjuich, having ascertained that it was defended only by a +party of one of the newly raised Spanish regiments. They captured +the post without difficulty, the Spaniards flying at the first +assault, but on the inner ramparts they were met by Donegal and +his grenadiers, and a desperate struggle took place which lasted +for two hours.</p> + +<p>The English fought with the greatest obstinacy, and frequently +flung back among their assailants the grenades which the latter +showered among them, before they had time to explode, Lord +Donegal himself setting the men the example. But though able to +prevent the French from advancing further, the English could not +recover the outpost which the Spaniards had abandoned, and the +French formed intrenchments and mounted a battery upon it.</p> + +<p>In spite of the continued fire which the besiegers now poured +in upon it from all sides, Lord Donegal held out bravely. The +little force under his command was much reduced in numbers, and +so worn out by constant exertion and loss of sleep that men +frequently fell asleep while under arms under the heaviest fire. +The besiegers were not idle in other directions. Several mortar +vessels moved close in shore and threw shells into the town, +while the batteries poured in red hot shot. This spread great +alarm throughout the town. The people could he hardly induced to +continue working on the defenses, and many took refuge in cellars +or in the churches. Ammunition began to fail, and despair was +taking possession of the defenders, when, at two o'clock in the +morning of the 21st, a galley ran safely into the harbor bearing +a supply of powder and encouraging messages from Lord +Peterborough.</p> + +<p>Three days later he managed to throw a body of Neapolitan +troops into the town, embarking them in boats at Matero, a small +port a few miles to the northeast of the town. He sent them close +along the shore in order to pass the enemy's fleet, if possible, +unobserved. They found, however, that a line of boats had been +drawn across the harbor to blockade the entrance. They attacked +the boats, and after a sharp fight, which lasted over an hour, +four hundred men succeeded in forcing their way through, and the +rest returned to Matero in safety.</p> + +<p>Peterborough now determined to endeavor to relieve the town by +the desperate expedient of attacking the enemy's camp with his +little force. In order to do this with any prospect of success it +was necessary to warn the king of his intentions, so that the +garrison of the town could issue out and attack the enemy at the +same moment from their side. He committed the dispatch to Captain +Graham, who succeeded in making his way through the enemy's lines +to the city. The king agreed to join in a combined attack, and, +having arranged all his plans, gave the dispatch to Graham to +carry back to the earl.</p> + +<p>On the way out he was less successful than he had been in +entering. He was seized upon by a body of French before he could +destroy the paper. Tesse was accordingly warned of the earl's +plans, and at the hour appointed for the attack drew up his army +in order of battle. Peterborough was ready to advance, and the +besieged were all in arms on the ramparts, but seeing that the +enemy were fully prepared the project was abandoned, and the +troops returned to their quarters.</p> + +<p>But the fall of Montjuich was at hand. The besiegers secretly +massed a large force in the trenches. At midday on the 22d a +salvo of four mortars gave the signal. The French rushed in with +loud shouts and effected a complete surprise. Before the troops +could get under arms two bastions were captured.</p> + +<p>So sudden was the affair that many of the English officers, +hearing the firing, ran out from the keep, and seeing some +foreign troops drawn up in the works joined them, concluding that +they were Dutch, and were only undeceived by finding themselves +taken prisoners. The men were so confused by the loss of many of +the officers that, had the French pushed in at once, they would +have been able to carry the main body of the works with but +little resistance. They halted, however, in the bastions they had +won. The next morning the people of Barcelona, headed by their +priests, sallied out to effect the relief of Montjuich, but were +easily driven back by the besiegers. The little garrison of the +castle sallied out to meet their friends, but when these +retreated to the town they had to fight their way back to the +castle, which they regained with great difficulty, the gallant +Earl of Donegal and many of his officers being killed.</p> + +<p>Finding that their position was now desperate, the remnant of +the British troops abandoned the castle they had so stoutly +defended, and succeeded in making their way safely into the city. +Tesse now pushed on the siege of the town with vigor. Batteries +of heavy guns were raised opposite the newly mended breaches, and +so close did he plant his guns to the walls that the artillery of +the besieged could not be depressed sufficiently to play upon +them, while so heavy a fire of infantry was kept up upon the +walls that their defenders were unable to reply effectively with +their musketry.</p> + +<p>The walls crumbled rapidly, and the defenders busied +themselves in raising inner defenses behind the breaches. Had the +French been commanded by an enterprising general there is little +doubt that they could have carried the town by assault, but +Tesse, in his over caution, waited until success was a certainty. +The alarm in Barcelona was great, and the king sent messenger +after messenger to Peterborough to urge him to come to his +relief; but, daring as was the earl when he considered success to +be possible, he would not venture his little force upon an +enterprise which was, he felt, hopeless, and he knew that the +only possible relief for the city was the arrival of the English +fleet.</p> + +<p>Early in March Admiral Sir John Leake and Baron Wassenaer had +sailed from Lisbon with the combined fleet in accordance with +Peterborough's orders; but the wind was contrary, and it was +fully six weeks after starting that they reached the Straits, +where they were joined by Captain Price with a small squadron, on +board of which were two English regiments. It was not until the +24th of April that they sailed from Gibraltar.</p> + +<p>On reaching Altea they received news that another squadron had +sailed from Lisbon to join them, and in spite of the warm +remonstrances of General Stanhope, who commanded the troops on +board, the Dutch and English admirals determined to await the +arrival of the reinforcements before sailing to give battle to +the fleet of the Count of Toulouse before Barcelona.</p> + +<p>On the 3d of April Sir George Byng arrived at Altea with some +ships from Ireland, and the next day Commodore Walker, with the +squadron from Lisbon, also arrived; but the wind was now +contrary, and although the fleet set sail, for three days they +made no progress whatever, and each hour so wasted rendered the +position of the besieged at Barcelona more and more desperate. +While lying at Altea General Stanhope had sent a message to Lord +Peterborough telling him that he would use every means in his +power to hasten Sir John Leake's movements, and that he would +give him timely notice of the approach of the fleet.</p> + +<p>He said that as it was of the utmost importance that the enemy +should remain in ignorance of the approaching succors, his +messenger should carry only a half sheet of blank paper, so that +if he were taken by the enemy they would learn nothing from his +dispatch. When the fleet sailed he sent off a second messenger, +who got safely to the earl, and delivered his blank dispatch. +With the exception of his aide de camp, who was always in his +confidence, he told no one the meaning of this blank dispatch, +and his officers were surprised when orders were issued for the +little army at once to prepare for a night march. Officers and +men had, however, most implicit confidence in their general, and, +doubting not that some daring enterprise was at hand, they +started in high spirits.</p> + +<p>All through the night they marched in a southwesterly +direction over the hills, and at daybreak reached the little +seaport of Sitjes, some seven leagues from Barcelona. Ordering +the wearied soldiers to encamp behind some low hills, the +indefatigable general rode with Jack Stilwell into the little +port, and at once, by offering large rewards, set the sailors and +fishermen at work to collect the boats, barges, and fishing +smacks along the neighboring coast, and to bring them to +Sitjes.</p> + +<p>In two days he had succeeded in collecting a sufficient number +to carry the whole force. The news of the work upon which the +general was engaged soon spread among the force and caused the +greatest astonishment. Jack Stilwell was overwhelmed with +questions as to the intentions of the general.</p> + +<p>"What on earth are we going to do next, Stilwell?" one of the +colonels said to him. "We are all ready, you know, to do anything +that the chief bids us, but for the life of us no one can make +this business out. The only possible thing seems to be that the +chief intends to attack the French fleet, and desperate as many +of his exploits have been, they would be as nothing to that. Even +the earl could surely not expect that fifteen hundred men in +fishing boats and barges could attack a fleet of some thirty men +of war. The idea seems preposterous, and yet one does not see +what else he can have got in his head."</p> + +<p>"Of course, colonel," Jack said, laughing, "you do not expect +me to tell you what are the general's plans. You may be quite +sure that, whatever they are, there is nothing absolutely +impossible about them, for you know that although the general may +undertake desperate things, he never attempts anything that has +not at least a possibility of success; in fact, as you know, he +has never yet failed in any enterprise that he has +undertaken."</p> + +<p>"That is true enough," the colonel said; "and yet for the life +of me I cannot make out what else he can be thinking of. +Certainly to attack Toulouse would be madness, and yet there is +no one else to attack."</p> + +<p>"Well, colonel, I can only say that time will show, and I +don't think you will have to wait very long before you know as +much about it as I do."</p> + +<p>Jack was right in this, for on the night of the second day the +earl called his officers together, and informed them that he was +waiting to join the English fleet, which might at any moment come +in sight. As hitherto nothing had been known about the arrival of +reinforcements, the news excited the greatest joy. The earl had +hoped that at daybreak the fleet would be in sight, and as soon +as it was light he mounted a hill which gave him a wide view over +the sea, but to his deep disappointment not a sail appeared above +the horizon. Knowing the desperate state of the garrison at +Barcelona, and that at any hour he might receive news that an +assault had been delivered and the city captured, his +disappointment at the delay in the appearance of the fleet was +unbounded.</p> + +<p>The roar of the distant guns around Barcelona came distinctly +to his ears, and he was almost wild with impatience and anxiety. +On reaching the shore again he found that a fast sailing felucca +had just come in from Barcelona. She had managed to evade the +blockading fleet, and bore an urgent letter from the king, +praying Peterborough to come to his assistance. The earl did not +hesitate a moment, but determined to set sail at once to find the +fleet, and to bring it on to Barcelona with all speed.</p> + +<p>The astonishment and dismay of his officers at the news that +their general was about to leave them and embark on such an +enterprise were very great, but the earl explained to the leaders +the reasons for his anxiety to gain the fleet. His commission +appointed him to the command at sea as well as on land, and on +joining the fleet he would be its admiral in chief. He feared +that at the sight of so powerful an armament the Count of +Toulouse would at once decline battle and make for France. He +determined, therefore, to advance only with a force considerably +inferior to that of the French, in which case Toulouse, rather +than abandon the siege of Barcelona just when success seemed +assured, would sail out and give battle.</p> + +<p>Should he do so the earl, however inferior his force, had no +doubts as to obtaining victory. Accompanied only by Jack +Stillwell and by Captain Humphrey, who had taken the place of +Graham, he embarked on board the little felucca and put to sea. +The weather was cold and stormy, and the master of the boat did +not like putting out far from shore; but the earl was peremptory, +and the felucca stood well out to sea. Night came on without any +signs of the fleet being discovered. The hours of darkness passed +slowly, for the boat was undecked and afforded no shelter, and +the heavy seas which broke over her kept all on board wetted to +the skin.</p> + +<p>At daybreak, to their great joy, they perceived a British man +of war approaching. They at once made for her, and found she was +the Leopard, commanded by Captain Price. The astonishment of that +officer, and of all on board, was unbounded at being boarded at +break of day almost out of sight of land from an open boat by the +admiral of all the fleets. The earl's stay on board was but a +short one. As soon as he had learned the whereabout of the rest +of the fleet, and given instructions to Captain Price, he again +embarked in the felucca, and sailed for Sitjes.</p> + +<p>The joy of the troops was great at the return of their +general, for the night had been so stormy that there were great +fears for his safety; but he was not to remain with them long, +for, having given orders that the whole disposable force, about +fourteen hundred men, should embark in the boats before daybreak +next morning, and follow the fleet to Barcelona, he again with +his aides de camp took his place in the felucca and sailed for +the fleet.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the night he came across them, and boarding +the Prince George, hoisted his flag as admiral of the fleet on +the maintop, and took the command. He then sent a boat to Sir +John Leake to acquaint him with his orders and intentions, and +another boat to advise General Stanhope of his arrival; but the +darkness delayed the delivery of these messages till nearly +morning, and when day appeared the whole fleet was amazed at +seeing the flag of the admiral in chief flying on the Prince +George. The wind was strong and favorable, and the fleet crowded +on all sail; but when within about eighteen miles of Barcelona +one of the French lookout ships sighted them, and made a signal +to a consort further along. She in turn passed on the news until +it reached the Count of Toulouse, who, without waiting to +ascertain the strength of the approaching squadron, at once +signaled to his fleet to weigh anchor, and, putting to sea, +sailed for France.</p> + +<p>The disappointment of the earl was great, as he had fully +calculated upon gaining a great naval battle in sight of the city +he had come to relieve. On the afternoon of the 8th of May the +leading vessels anchored off Barcelona, and preparations were at +once made for the landing of the troops. The first to set foot on +shore were the earl's veteran troops, who had according to his +orders accompanied the fleet from Sitjes. The succor was welcome, +indeed; the breaches were no longer defensible, and an assault +was hourly expected. The king himself came down to receive the +earl and his army; the city went wild with joy.</p> + +<p>For a few days the French made a show of carrying on the +siege. They were still enormously superior in force; but the +energy and skill of Peterborough counterbalanced the inequality. +He worked day and night in superintending the works of defense, +and in placing the troops in readiness for the expected assault. +Philip and many of his officers were still in favor of an attack +upon the city; but Tesse as usual was opposed to anything like +vigorous measures, and his views were adopted by a council of +war.</p> + +<p>At one o'clock on the morning of the 11th of May the besiegers +broke up their camp, and in great confusion made their way toward +the French frontier, for Tesse preferred even the ignominy of +falling back into France with his unsuccessful and dispirited +army to retracing his steps toward Saragossa, where his +devastations and cruelty had caused the whole population to rise +in insurrection as soon as his army had passed into Catalonia. +Besides which, he had received news that Peterborough had caused +every pass and town on his way to the west to be fortified and +held by the Miquelets. Philip accompanied the retreating army to +Roussillon. The downfall of his hopes had been utter and +complete. But a few weeks before it had seemed that Spain was +his, and that the forces at his disposal were ample to crush out +the insurrection in Barcelona, and to sweep into the sea the +handful of the invaders. But all his plans had been baffled, all +his hopes brought to naught by the genius and energy of one man, +in spite of that man being thwarted at every turn by the imbecile +German coterie who surrounded the king, and by the jealousy and +ill will of his fellow generals.</p> + +<p>Bad news met the fugitive at Roussillon. There he heard that +his countrymen had suffered a disastrous defeat at Ramillies; +that nearly all the Netherlands had been wrested from France; +that a heavy defeat had been inflicted upon her at Turin, and +that Italy was well nigh lost. It needed, indeed, but the +smallest amount of unanimity, enterprise, and confidence on the +part of the advisers and generals of King Charles to have placed +him securely and permanently upon the throne of Spain.</p> + +<p>When the flight of the besieging army was discovered after +daybreak by the besieged, they poured out from Barcelona into the +deserted camp. All the ordnance and stores of the French had been +abandoned. Two hundred heavy brass guns, thirty mortars, and a +vast quantity of shot, shells, and intrenching tools, three +thousand barrels of powder, ten thousand sacks of corn, and a +vast quantity of provisions and stores were found left behind in +the camp. Tesse had left, too, all his sick and wounded with a +letter to the Earl of Peterborough begging him to see that they +were well cared for.</p> + +<p>The news of the hasty retreat of Marshal Tesse from before +Barcelona caused a shock of surprise throughout Europe. In France +it had never been doubted that Barcelona would fall, and as to +the insurrection, it was believed that it could be trampled out +without difficulty by the twenty-five thousand French veterans +whom the marshal had at his disposal. As to the handful of +British troops whose exploits had occasioned such astonishment, +none had supposed for a moment that they would be able to effect +anything when opposed to so overwhelming a force of the +disciplined troops of France.</p> + +<p>Peterborough himself had hardly hoped to save Barcelona, but, +unlike his enemies, he had not considered that the fall of that +city would necessarily entail the final defeat of the cause for +which he fought. While busying himself with the marches and +achievements of the troops under his command, he had never ceased +to take measures to provide for the future. His marches and +counter marches had made him thoroughly acquainted with the +country, and he had won the entire confidence of the people.</p> + +<p>He had, therefore, taken measures that even if Barcelona fell +Philip should not march back again to his capital. From the day +Tesse advanced he had had thousands of the country people at +work, under the direction of a few of his own officers, rendering +each of the three roads by which the French army could march from +Barcelona to Madrid impracticable. Gorges were blocked with vast +masses of rock rolled down from the mountain side at spots where +the road wound along on the face of precipices; and where it had +only been made by blasting, it was by similar means entirely +destroyed. Bridges were broken down, every castle and town on the +lines of retreat placed in a state of defense, and the cattle and +provisions driven off to places of safety.</p> + +<p>Thus while the earl was himself engaged in the most perilous +adventures, he neglected nothing that the most prudent and +cautious general could have suggested to insure the success of +his plans. Even when affairs looked most unpromising in Barcelona +the earl wrote cheerfully to the Duke of Savoy, saying that the +circumstances were much better than were generally supposed; and +that the French officers, ignorant of the situation of the +country, would be astonished at the difficulties that would be +opposed to them on advancing even after success; and that if the +siege were raised they would be forced to abandon Spain, while +all the western frontier would be clear for the progress of Lord +Galway and Das Minas to Madrid.</p> + +<p>A few days after the retreat of Marshal Tesse, to Jack's great +pleasure Graham came into Barcelona. He had, in the confusion of +the retreat, had little difficulty in slipping away from his +captors. His only danger had been from the peasantry, at whose +hands he had narrowly escaped death, as they took him for a +French officer; but, upon being convinced by his assurances that +he was an Englishman and an aide de camp of the Earl of +Peterborough, they had provided him with a horse to make his way +back to Barcelona.</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI: +INGRATITUDE</h1> + +<p>Barcelona rescued, Peterborough at once urged the king to +march upon Madrid and have himself proclaimed king in his +capital. There was no force which could oppose his advance, and +Lord Galway and the Portuguese could move unresisted from the +west and meet him there. But it was a long time before Charles +and his counselors would listen to his advice; and although at +last they agreed to follow it, their resolution was short. In the +first place, they determined to leave so large a force to +garrison Catalonia that the army available for the advance on +Madrid would be very seriously weakened -- fifteen hundred +English and eleven hundred Spaniards were to be left at +Barcelona, sixteen hundred English and Dutch and fifteen hundred +Spanish at Gerona, eight hundred and fifty Spanish and Dutch at +Lerida, and five hundred Spanish at Tortosa.</p> + +<p>This left but sixty-five hundred men available for service in +the field, and even this number was subsequently diminished by +the vacillating Charles to forty-five hundred.</p> + +<p>As Peterborough wrote to Lord Halifax: "We have saved kingdoms +in spite of the king, who would abandon them, and we have waged +more dangerous war with ministers than with enemies. Lord Galway +and the Portuguese generals pass all understanding."</p> + +<p>No wonder the earl was astounded by the incompetence of Lord +Galway and the Portuguese generals. They had twenty thousand men, +while to oppose them there were but five thousand under the Duke +of Berwick; and yet after entering Spain they fell back, without +doing anything, into Portugal -- their retreat beginning on the +11th of May, the day on which Philip retreated from Barcelona. So +that on the opposite side of Spain two large armies +simultaneously retired before others vastly weaker than +themselves. When the news of Tesse's retreat to France reached +Portugal they again advanced. Berwick was too weak to oppose +them, and on the 25th of June the advance guard of the allies +occupied Madrid, and there proclaimed Charles as king.</p> + +<p>Had Galway and his colleagues now shown the slightest energy, +and moved against Berwick's little force, with which was Philip +himself, they could have driven them across the frontier without +striking a blow, and the French cause would have been lost in +Spain; but, having reached Madrid, they remained there doing +absolutely nothing -- leaving ample time to Philip to repair his +misfortunes, receive aid from France, and recommence the campaign +with vigor. As Peterborough wrote indignantly to General +Stanhope: "Their halt is as fatal as was Hannibal's at +Capua."</p> + +<p>As soon as the movement upon Madrid had been decided upon, +Peterborough sailed with the English and Dutch infantry to +Valencia, where he was received with enthusiasm by the +inhabitants. He at once set to work to raise a regiment of +dragoons, and organized them in three weeks. The very day they +were mounted he marched them upon Castile. During this time not +only had Lord Galway made no movement, but he had joined in the +German intrigue by which Charles was induced to abandon the plan +of marching to his capital under the escort of Peterborough.</p> + +<p>The allied generals at Madrid were indeed basely jealous of +the brilliant conqueror of Catalonia and Valencia. His deeds had +thrown theirs entirely into the shade. With utterly insufficient +means he had done everything; with ample means they had effected +nothing, and had only been enabled to enter Madrid by the fact +that he had drawn off the army which had successfully opposed +them.</p> + +<p>After incessant labor in organizing his force, the earl sent +two thousand men, under the command of Lieutenant General +Wyndham, to besiege the towns of Requena and Cuenca -- two places +of some strength which blocked the road between Valencia and +Madrid.</p> + +<p>Wyndham easily accomplished the task; and the road being thus +secured, Peterborough wrote to Charles that "nothing remained to +hinder him from entering Madrid with even a small escort of +horse." The earl had everything prepared along the road for the +passage of the king; but although he wrote over and over again +urging him not to delay, Charles refused to stir, and told +General Stanhope (who backed Peterborough's entreaties) that he +had "no becoming equipment with which to enter his capital."</p> + +<p>"Sire," the English general exclaimed in indignant +astonishment, "our William the Third entered London in a hackney, +with a cloak bag behind it, and was made king not many weeks +after."</p> + +<p>A month after the date originally settled Charles set out and +proceeded to Taragona, but then, to the astonishment of the +English general and envoy, they learned he had altered his mind +and taken the route to Saragossa. When he heard the news, +Peterborough sent couriers day after day with urgent letters to +the king. He prevailed upon a deputation of the Valencian +nobility to follow with the same purpose, and transmitted the +opinion of a council of war, which was unanimous in entreating +the king to stay his steps. The king again hesitated, and was +about to follow Peterborough's advice, when a French officer in +the Portuguese service arrived from Galway and Das Minas, again +urging him to move by the route which they had suggested.</p> + +<p>Charles again hesitated, the Count of Cifuentes (who was with +him) gave his advice in favor of the Saragossa route, and the +king decided on that line.</p> + +<p>On the 26th of July the earl summoned a council of war, +including the Governor of Valencia, two Spanish generals, and his +own officers. They agreed unanimously that Peterborough should +march his army to Madrid or join the army in Portugal, as +circumstances might require. Just before they started letters +came in from the king desiring that Peterborough should send the +forces under his command either to relieve the Duke of Savoy or +to capture the Balearic Isles.</p> + +<p>The earl declined to follow this ungrateful suggestion, which +was manifestly intended by Charles and his advisers, English, +Portuguese, and German, to send away from his kingdom the man who +had won it for him. Being fortunately independent of orders, +Peterborough marched for Castile, as he and the council of war +had previously determined.</p> + +<p>Charles was not long in regretting that he had not followed +Lord Peterborough's advice. Instead of the triumphant procession +from Saragossa to Madrid, which he had been promised, he was met +with the most determined opposition.</p> + +<p>Every town and village in the center and south of Spain rose +against him; Salamanca and Toledo declared for Philip, and +Andalusia raised eighteen thousand men. The troops of Las Torres +from Valencia, and those who had retreated under Tesse to +Roussillon, had joined Berwick at Xadraque, and Philip had placed +himself at the head of this formidable army. Charles was obliged +to send in the utmost haste to ask the Earl of Peterborough to +extricate him from the position in which he had placed himself by +neglecting his advice.</p> + +<p>The earl instantly complied with the request, and marching +with all speed overtook the king on the 4th of August at +Pastrina, and thence on the following day escorted him in safety +to the army of Portugal at Guadalaxara.</p> + +<p>The total strength of the united allied army was eighteen +thousand men -- a force inferior, indeed, to that with which +Berwick confronted them; and that portion brought by Lord Galway +and the Portuguese General Das Minas was not to be relied upon, +having fallen into a state of great indiscipline owing to the +tedious delays, the frequent retreats, and the long inactivity to +which it had been subjected by the incompetence of its leaders. +That this was so was evident by the fact that the day after the +king's arrival the French made a partial attack, and many of the +allied battalions at once fell into complete confusion. But this +was not the greatest drawback to the efficiency of the allied +army; they were paralyzed by the dissensions of their commanders +-- Galway, Das Minas, and the Dutch Count de Noyelles. Each and +all declined to acknowledge Peterborough as commander in chief. +The earl then offered to waive his own rights entirely and to +fight as a simple volunteer, and that Das Minas, Lord Galway, and +the Dutch general should each command their own forces, receiving +their orders from the king.</p> + +<p>This offer was, however, refused by the three generals. The +partisans of the various leaders shared their animosity. The +English troops of Peterborough claiming, and justly, that +Catalonia and Valencia had been gained and won by him, and that +to him alone the king owed his crown, were furious that those who +had shown naught but incapacity from the commencement of the +campaign should now refuse to recognize his authority. While the +disputes continued Berwick had nearly succeeded in surprising +Galway, and a disastrous defeat had only been prevented by the +gallant defense made by Lord Tyrawley of an outpost which he +commanded, and which he held for two hours against all the +efforts of the French, and so gave time for the army to make a +hasty retreat.</p> + +<p>The army was, moreover, straitened by want of provisions; Lord +Galway and his colleagues had made no arrangements whatever for +its supply. Day and night the German favorites of the king, who +had ruined their master's cause by dissuading him from following +the advice of Lord Peterborough, now labored with the king still +further to destroy his confidence in Peterborough; and finding +himself treated coldly by the ungrateful monarch, who owed +everything to him, opposed at every turn by the other generals, +and seeing that his presence was worse than useless, Peterborough +announced his intention of obeying the orders from Queen Anne, +dated the 12th of June, and repeated on the 17th, to proceed to +the assistance of the Duke of Savoy.</p> + +<p>On the same evening a council of war was held. The king +formally laid Peterborough's announcement before the generals, +who, delighted to get rid of their rival, unanimously recommended +that he should depart.</p> + +<p>On the 11th of August, full of mortification and disgust at +the treatment that he had experienced and the base ingratitude of +the king, Peterborough rode from the camp at Guadalaxara. As if +to humiliate him as far as possible, he was given only an escort +of eighty dragoons, although there were serious difficulties to +be encountered on the road to Valencia. His two favorite aides de +camp, Stilwell and Graham, were the only officers who accompanied +him. It is satisfactory to know that from the moment of the +earl's departure misfortune and disaster fell upon the fortunes +of King Charles, and that the crown which he had received from +the English earl was wrested from his unworthy grasp. +Peterborough had gone but a short distance when he heard that all +his baggage, consisting of eight wagon loads and of the value of +eight thousand pounds sterling, had fallen into the hands of the +enemy. When he left Valencia to extricate the king from his +difficulties he had ordered it to be sent after him to +Guadalaxara. When it arrived at Cuenca, General Wyndham, who +commanded there, forwarded it with a small escort; but it was +attacked while passing through the town of Huete by a party of +the Duke of Berwick's troopers.</p> + +<p>The earl was furious at the news. Not only were all his +personal effects, jewels, and uniforms lost, but his spare +horses, carriages, and mules. Upon making inquiry he found that +the troopers of Berwick had been aided by the inhabitants of +Huete, who had given information to the troopers and shared in +the plunder. His first impulse was to burn the town to the +ground, and as when he arrived there he was joined by Wyndham's +force, he had ample power to do so.</p> + +<p>He immediately summoned the magistrates and clergy to meet +him, and told them in decided terms that they must find his +baggage and the rogues that had stolen it. After making a search +in the town they were able to find but a small portion of it. +They then offered to pay him ten thousand pistoles for his loss, +or any other sum which he might choose to name; but the earl, +with that singular generosity which formed so marked a part of +his character, declined the offer, and said:</p> + +<p>"I see you are honest gentlemen; for my part I will sit +content with my loss if you will bring all the corn of the +district to the army."</p> + +<p>The townspeople were delighted at this clemency, as corn was +much more easy to procure than money, and it was accordingly sent +to Lord Galway's camp, where it sufficed to supply the whole army +for six weeks.</p> + +<p>This was an act of almost unparalleled magnanimity and +generosity to the generals whose jealousy and machinations had +driven him from the army; but the earl was so satisfied at thus +heaping coals of fire upon the heads of his rivals that he +continued his journey in the highest state of good humor in spite +of the loss which he had suffered, and which, as he was by no +means rich, was a very considerable one. He took with him +Killigrew's dragoons and sent on Wyndham's brigade to join Lord +Galway. On the way he encountered several adventures.</p> + +<p>One night when he arrived at the little town of Campillo, he +heard of a barbarous massacre that had that day been perpetrated +in a neighboring village upon a small detachment of English +soldiers, who had just been discharged from the hospital at +Cuenca, and were proceeding under the command of an officer to +join Wyndham's battalion of the guards, to which they belonged. +They had slept at the village, and were marching out unconscious +of danger, when a shot in the back killed their officer, and the +peasants at once rushed in upon the men and killed several of +them, together with their wives who had accompanied them. The +rest were dragged up a hill near the village, and then one by one +thrown down a deep pit.</p> + +<p>No sooner did the earl hear of the outrage than he ordered the +trumpets to sound to horse. The dragoons, who, weary with their +long march, had just unsaddled, turned out wondering at the +order; but when they heard what had happened, they mounted with +an impatience for vengeance equal to that of their general. +Arriving at the village they found, to their great +disappointment, that the murderers had fled, and that hardly any +of the inhabitants remained. They found, however, hidden in the +church, the clothes of some of the murdered guardsmen. The +sacristan of the church was alleged by the inhabitants, who were +narrowly examined, to have taken an active part in the slaughter, +and the earl ordered him to be hung up at once to the knocker of +his own door. The troops then rode up to the top of the hill, and +the earl and his aides de camp dismounted at the edge of the pit. +They had procured a rope at the village, although the inhabitants +insisted that no one could be found alive, as the pit, which was +a disused one, was of vast depth.</p> + +<p>"Is any one alive down there?" the earl shouted.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," a voice cried a short distance below them. "Thank +God friends have come; but help me quickly, for I cannot hold on +much longer."</p> + +<p>Jack seized the rope and twisted one end round his body. +Several of the soldiers lowered him down, and some twenty feet +below the edge he came upon the man who had spoken. As he fell he +had caught some bushes which grew in the side of the old pit, and +having managed to find a ledge on which to place his feet, had +maintained his grasp in this perilous position the whole day. As +the rope was amply strong enough to hold two, Jack clasped his +arms around the man's body and called to those above to haul up. +They were soon at the surface.</p> + +<p>The soldier, who had fainted when he found himself in safety, +was laid down and brandy poured down his throat, and Jack, to his +astonishment and satisfaction, recognized in him his old friend +Sergeant Edwards. He did not wait, however, for him to recover +sensibility, but at once told the troopers to lower him again to +the end of the rope. This they did, and Jack then shouted several +times, but received no answer. He then dropped a small stone he +had brought down with him, but no sound came back in return, and, +satisfied that none of the soldiers could have survived the fall, +for he was already more than sixty feet below the surface, he +shouted to those above to draw him up. He found that Edwards had +now recovered his senses, and was giving to the earl a detailed +account of the massacre, which so exasperated him that he gave +orders that the village should be burned to the ground, a command +which was willingly carried out by the troopers. Edwards was +delighted at recognizing Jack, and when, after the destruction of +the village, the party rode back to Campillo for the night, the +two old friends had a long chat as to the events which had +happened since they last parted at Barcelona.</p> + +<p>"Is it true, sir, that the general has resigned his +command?"</p> + +<p>"Quite true, Edwards."</p> + +<p>"And is he going home, sir?"</p> + +<p>"No; he will sail to aid the Duke of Savoy; at least that is +the present intention; but I should not be surprised if he is in +England ere many months are over."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I should like to get my discharge and go home too; +being chucked down that pit has given me a regular sickness of +campaigning among these savages. Talk about pirates, Captain +Stilwell, why, I had rather fall among pirates any day than among +these bloodthirsty wretches. Calls themselves Christians too! The +pirates wasn't hypocrites, in that way, anyhow; they didn't bow +down on their knees before every little trumpery doll stuck up by +the wayside, and then go and cut a man's throat afterward -- it +was all fair and square with them. Anyways, it don't matter to +me, as I see, whether they has King Charles or King Philip to +rule over them; I wishes him joy of the job, whichever it may be; +but I don't see no call to be risking my life in being shot, or +chucked down pits, or stabbed in my bed, for such a lot of +varmint any longer. I have served my full time, and can take my +pension; besides, I have got something like a thousand pounds +stowed away in a snug hiding place near Barcelona."</p> + +<p>"You have, Edwards? I am glad to hear it; I had no idea you +were such a rich man,"</p> + +<p>"It's prize money, sir, lawful earned prize money, though I +don't know between ourselves as the colonel would have approved +of it; so I stowed it away and says nothing till I gets a chance +to lift it before I set sail. It's been rather worrying me in +case we should be ordered to take ship at some other port."</p> + +<p>"Well, but how did you get it, Edwards?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I know that I can tell you, 'cause I am sure it +won't go no further. Just afore the French came down to besiege +Barcelona I was up with the brigade at Lerida. The people were +pretty much divided up there, but the news as the French was +coming to drive us into the sea made the folks as was against us +very bold. The sentries had to be doubled at night, for lots of +our men were found stabbed, and it was dangerous to go about +outside the town except in parties. Well, sir, Sergeant Adams of +ours, as smart a soldier as ever wore pigtail, had fallen in love +with the daughter of an innkeeper at a place four miles from +Lerida.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't much of a village, but there was a big convent +close by, one of the richest in Spain, they said. The girl was +fond of Adams, and had agreed, so he told me, to cut and run when +the regiment marched away, and to be spliced to him. I rather +tried to dissuade him from the affair, for, as I pointed out, how +would a Spanish woman get on in barracks with the other +sergeants' wives, specially if she was as pretty as the whole lot +put together? However, of course, he wouldn't listen to that -- +no chap ever does when he's downright in love; so he asked me one +afternoon if I would go out with him and Sergeant Saunders to the +village, so that while we were having our glass he could manage +to get a few words with the girl to arrange about her joining +him, for the French were only two or three marches away, and we +might have to fall back any day.</p> + +<p>"I didn't much like the job, for it was a risky business three +of us going so far; but he pointed out that we needn't start till +it got dark, so nobody would see us till we got to the village, +and we needn't stay there above a quarter of an hour, and could +be off before any one who meant mischief could find out that we +were alone; besides, hitherto the people there had always been +friendly, for, being just the right distance for a walk, and the +wine there being good, our fellows went over there a good deal: +so the long and short of it was we went.</p> + +<p>"We got there all right, and walked into the wine shop as +usual and sat down and called for wine. There were half a dozen +fellows sitting there drinking. They were talking aloud when we +entered, but stopped at once as we came in, and looked as men do +when you come across them just as they are saying something as is +no good about you. We passed the word as usual, and were soon +chatting with them. They didn't seem very free and friendly, and +asked several questions about the French army, and whether we had +any troops coming up to help us hold Lerida. I said we expected +five or six thousand in a day or two, which seemed rather to take +them by surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well, presently Adams got up quietly and went out of the +door, and I knew he was going round to the back to meet his girl. +I had seen a look pass atween them when she brought in our wine. +We went on talking quiet for some time; four or five other men +dropped in, and some of them got talking together in low tones, +and I began to wish we were well out of it, and to wonder how +much longer Adams was going to be before he came back. Suddenly +we heard a loud scream, and Manola -- that was the girl's name -- +came rushing in from behind. 'He's killed him,' she screamed, and +she fell down as if she had been killed too. As I heard +afterward, her old rascal of a father had for some time suspected +something was up between her and Adams, and when he missed him +had stolen out behind and came upon them just as he was kissing +her and saying goodby. Then he whipped his knife out, and before +Adams had time to turn round, stabbed him in the back, and the +sergeant fell dead without a word.</p> + +<p>"Close behind the girl rushed in the innkeeper, swearing and +cursing and calling us heretics, and dogs, and robbers, and every +other bad kind of name. The men got up and began to stamp and +shout, and seeing that it was no time for argument I said to +Saunders, 'We had best make a bolt of it, Bill.' So we out swords +and made a dash for the inner door, for they had closed in at the +other with their knives out. We got safely through the house. +Just outside the back door we came upon the body of Adams. We +stopped a moment and turned him over to see if he was dead, but +it was all up with him.</p> + +<p>"It didn't take a moment to look; but, before it was done, +they were upon us, both from behind and running round from the +front of the house. We cut and slashed for a moment and then +bolted with them at our heels. We got separated in a minute. I +turned in among some bushes and lost Saunders. I heard afterward +he was killed before he had run fifty yards. Luckily they missed +me for the moment, and I lay down among the bushes and thought it +over. The whole village was up by this time, as I could hear by +the shouts; and after thinking it over I concluded that there was +no chance of my making my way back to Lerida, and that my best +plan would be to go up to the convent and ask for shelter there. +I knew well enough that once inside I should be safe from the +peasants.</p> + +<p>"Well, I crawled along for some distance. Half a dozen times +they was nigh stumbling over me as they searched about in the +gardens and vineyards; but at last I made my way safe up to the +convent and rang at the bell. Presently the little window in the +door opened, and a monk said, 'Who is there?' I kept out of his +sight and said in Spanish: 'A fugitive who seeks sanctuary.' +Thinking I was only somebody who had stabbed three or four men in +a row, the monk opened the door. He gave an exclamation when he +saw my uniform when I entered, and would have slammed the door in +my face; but I pushed in. Then he gave a shout, and five or six +other monks came running up and set up a jabbering, and stood +staring at me as if I had been a wild beast. Then they wanted to +turn me out; but I wouldn't budge, and as I had my sword still in +my hand they didn't know what to do.</p> + +<p>"At last some chap in authority came down. He talked to me and +tried to persuade me to leave; but I said, 'No, I claim +sanctuary;' and as they were ready to give sanctuary to the worst +of murderers, I didn't see as they could deny it to me who had +committed no crime whatever. He went away and came back again +after some time, and then told me to sheath my sword and follow +him. This I did, and he led the way to a sort of cell where there +were some rushes laid on a stone bed, and told me that I could +remain there.</p> + +<p>"Thinking it was all right I lay down and went to sleep, but +was presently woke by half a dozen monks, who were tying my hands +and feet with cords. It was no use struggling, so I lay quiet; +and when they had done, they carried me away, took me some +distance, and went down a flight of stairs; a door was unlocked, +and then I was pitched down on the ground as if I had been a log +of wood. I didn't move much that night.</p> + +<p>"In the morning there was just enough light came through a +little slit high up in the wall to show me that I was in a place +about six feet square. It was perfectly bare, without as much as +a bit of straw to lie on. Presently two monks came in. One of +them untied the cords which fastened my hands. They placed some +black bread and a jug of water by me, and then went out again. +There they kept me for six days. At the end of that time they +told me to come along with them. I had, of course, taken the +cords off my legs when I had got my hands free, and I followed +them, wondering what was to come next. I was taken to the door of +the convent, and there I saw a party of French troopers, to whom +the monks handed me over. I mounted behind one of them, and was +taken to Marshal Tesse's camp near Lerida, and a couple of days +afterward sent back to Saragossa.</p> + +<p>"I didn't stop long in the prison there, for the next day the +people rose, turned the French from the citadel, and opened the +prison doors and let out all the prisoners. They made a good deal +of me, as I was the only Englishman there, supplied me with money +and clean clothes, and provided me with a guide and a mule to +take me by round about byroads so that I should avoid the French +army. I put my regimentals in a bag, which I carried behind me, +and at last got down to Barcelona the very day before the French +arrived there.</p> + +<p>"I found my regiment already there. I got a rare blowing up +from the colonel for having gone out from Lerida without leave; +but as he said he thought I had been punished enough already, and +bore a good character, he overlooked it, of which I was glad +enough, I can tell you, for I expected nothing less than +reduction to the ranks.</p> + +<p>"Well, after Lord Peterborough arrived with the fleet, and the +French bolted as hard as they could to France, Wyndham's brigade +went up again to Lerida. I got chatting the affair over with Jack +Thompson, who was General Wyndham's servant, and we agreed +between us that we would give those monks a fright, and perhaps +get some compensation out of them. So we got hold of four of +Killigrew's dragoons, who, when they heard what was wanted, was +ready enough for the spree. So one day when General Wyndham had +gone off with a party for the day, Thompson borrowed his hat and +plumes and his cloak, and hiding them up, went out of camp with +me to a place a quarter of a mile away, where the four troopers +with two spare horses were waiting for us. Thompson put on the +general's hat and cloak, and mounted one horse, while I got on +the other, and away we rode out to the village.</p> + +<p>"First of all we went to the inn and seized the innkeeper. +Manola wasn't there, and I never heard what became of her -- +whether her father had sent her to a convent or killed her, I +don't know. However, we held a court regular. Thompson he was the +judge, and I gave evidence as to the innkeeper having murdered +poor Adams, and Thompson sentenced him to death, and we hung him +up over his door. When we had set that job right we went to the +convent and rang the bell. They opened quick enough this +time.</p> + +<p>"'Tell the prior,' Thompson said, 'that the Earl of +Peterborough is here, and desires to see him instantly.'</p> + +<p>"Mighty frightened the monk looked, I can tell you, as he went +off to give the message, and came back in a minute, asking +Thompson to follow him. We all dismounted. Two of the troopers +stopped to look after the horses, and the others with drawn +swords followed Thompson and me. We were shown into the prior's +room, which was fit for a prince. The prior looked mighty pale, +and so did two or three other chaps who were with him.</p> + +<p>"'Look here,' Thompson said in an angry tone of voice, 'I am +the Earl of Peterborough, and I hear from this man, Sergeant +Edwards, of the king's regiment of grenadiers, that he was basely +and treacherously made a prisoner by you; that he was confined in +an underground cell and fed with bread and water for a week, and +then handed over to the French. Now, sir, I give you an hour to +clear out with all your gang from this convent, which I intend to +destroy. You will remain in the courtyard as prisoners. You will +then be tried for this treacherous act against one of the King of +England's guards, and all found to have had a hand in the +proceeding will be hung.'</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, yon may just guess the fright they were in. They +knew that the earl was just the sort of man to carry his threat +into execution, and they thought their last day was come. You +never saw such a set of cowardly wretches in your life. I am +blessed if they didn't go down on their knees and howl. At last +Thompson began to think he had worked them up enough, and he said +stern:</p> + +<p>"'Well, I am disposed to have mercy, and if in half an hour +you pay down the sum of five thousand pounds as a ransom for the +convent and your wretched lives I will be merciful.'</p> + +<p>"Then there was a fresh howling. They swore by all the saints +that such a sum as five thousand pounds was never heard of. +Thompson gradually dropped his demands to three thousand; still +they swore they hadn't got it, and he said sternly to one of the +troopers:</p> + +<p>"'Ride back and fetch up the regiment which is a mile outside +the village.'</p> + +<p>"Then there was more howling, and at last they offered to give +seven hundred pounds, which was all the money which they had in +the treasury, and to make it up in precious stones. After a deal +of haggling Thompson consented, and I believe if he had stood out +for three times as much he would have got it, for the convent was +rich in relics, and no end of precious offerings were stored away +in their chests; however, he didn't wish to push matters too far, +and in half an hour they brought the money, and a handful of +diamonds and rubies, and things they had picked out of their +settings in the vases and crucifixes and vestments, and what +not.</p> + +<p>"We didn't know if they were real or not; but Thompson told +them he should give them to a jeweler to value, and if he found +they had cheated him by giving him false stones he would come +back and hang the lot of them. So off we rode again.</p> + +<p>"When we got back to Lerida we took two or three of the stones +to a jeweler and found that they were all right. Then we divided +the swag into three parts as we had agreed. Thompson took one, I +took another, and the other was divided among the four troopers, +who were not running such a risk as we were. I never heard +anything more about the matter, as far as I was concerned, though +there was a row. The prior heard that Peterborough had never been +near Lerida, and came over and saw General Wyndham.</p> + +<p>"Killigrew's dragoons were paraded, but the prior couldn't +spot any of them. We had chosen four fair fellows, and they had +all darkened themselves a bit before they went. Luckily the prior +did not say anything about me. I expect he was afraid that when +Wyndham heard how I had been treated there he might have +inflicted a fresh fine on the convent; however, I was not there +at the time, for I had a touch of fever the day after the affair, +and made myself out a bit worse than I was, and so got sent down +to Barcelona, where I buried my share of the plunder four or five +inches deep in a corner of the hospital yard. As to Thompson, +there wasn't any reason why suspicion should fall upon him. Soon +after I got back to my regiment I got ill again and was left in a +hospital at Cuenca, and had a narrow escape of it this +morning."</p> + +<p>"It was a risky business," Jack said, "and it would have gone +very hard with you and Thompson if you had been found out."</p> + +<p>"So it would, sir. I knew that; but you see, it was only right +and just those fellows should pay for their treatment of me. If I +had laid the case before General Wyndham, no doubt he would have +punished them just as severe as I did, only the fine would have +gone into the army treasury, instead of going to the right +person."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid, Edwards, that you have not got rid of those +loose notions of morality you picked up among the pirates," Jack +said, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, Captain Stilwell. You see, bad habits stick to a +man; but I have done with them now. When I get back to England I +shall buy a snug public house at Dover, and with that and my +pension I shall be in clover for the rest of my life."</p> + +<p>It was not until the voyage home that Jack, after obtaining a +promise of secrecy, related to the earl the liberty which had +been taken with his name. It was just a freak after +Peterborough's heart, and he was immensely amused.</p> + +<p>"The rascals!" he said, "they deserved hanging, every one of +them; but the story is a capital one, and I should like to have +been there myself to have seen the fright of the prior and his +assistants. They richly deserved what befell them and more for +betraying sanctuary. If it had been a scoundrel who had cut his +wife's throat, and stabbed half a dozen men, they would have +refused to give him up to the civil power, and would have stood +on the rights of sanctuary of the Church. I think they were let +off very easily. Let me see, is not that the same fellow that I +exchanged into the grenadiers at Gibraltar at your request, for +his conduct in that business of the mutiny on board your +ship?"</p> + +<p>"The same man, sir. He has led a queer life. He was a sailor +originally, and was taken by pirates and forced to join them, and +had a narrow escape of being hung when the vessel he sailed in +was captured by an English cruiser; but his life was spared, and +he was drafted into the army, and he is a willing and faithful +soldier of the queen, and really a worthy fellow."</p> + +<p>"He is evidently an arrant old scamp, Stilwell. Still, as long +as we recruit our army as we do, we cannot look for morality as +well as bravery, and I dare say your fellow is no worse than the +rest. If you ever run against him in London you must bring him to +me, and I will hear his story from his own lips."</p> + +<h1 align="CENTER"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII: +HOME</h1> + +<p>Upon the arrival of the Earl of Peterborough at Valencia he +was received with the profoundest sympathy and respect by the +people, who were filled with indignation at the treatment which +the man whose daring and genius had freed Catalonia and Valencia +of the French had received at the hands of their ungrateful +monarch. Finding that a portion of the fleet had been ordered to +the West Indies, the earl was obliged to abandon his project of +capturing Minorca and then carrying substantial aid to the Duke +of Savoy. He, however, went to Genoa, and there borrowed a +hundred thousand pounds, which he brought back to Valencia and +sent to the king for the use of the army.</p> + +<p>The cause of Charles was already well nigh desperate. Castile +was lost, and the enemy were pressing forward to recover +Catalonia and Valencia. Affairs were in the utmost state of +confusion. Peterborough's rivals having got rid of him now +quarreled among themselves, or their only bond of union was their +mutual hatred of the earl.</p> + +<p>The king himself, while he pretended to flatter him, wrote +letters behind his back to England bringing all sorts of +accusations against him, and succeeded in obtaining an order for +his return. Before leaving he implored the king and his generals +to avoid a battle, which would probably be disastrous, and to +content themselves with a defensive war until Eugene of Savoy and +the Duke of Marlborough broke the power of France elsewhere. His +opinion was overruled, and the result was the disastrous battle +of Almanza, in which the hopes of Charles of Austria of obtaining +the crown of Spain were finally crushed.</p> + +<p>Peterborough embarked on the 14th of May on board the +Resolution, man of war, commanded by his second son Henry.</p> + +<p>The Resolution was accompanied by two frigates, the Enterprise +and the Milford Haven. The King of Spain's envoy to the court of +Savoy also sailed in the Resolution. The earl took with him his +two aides de camp, who were both too indignant at the treatment +which their chief had received to desire to remain with the army +in Spain. The little squadron sailed first for Barcelona, where +it only remained a few hours, and then set sail for Italy.</p> + +<p>On the fifth day at sea they fell in with a French fleet of +six men of war. Two carried eighty guns, two seventy, one +sixty-eight, and the other fifty-eight. The Resolution was a slow +sailer, and the French, who at once gave chase, gained rapidly +upon her. As resistance against such overwhelming odds seemed +hopeless, Peterborough determined to go with the Spanish envoy +and the state papers on board the Enterprise. There was little +time for reflection. A small boat was lowered, and the earl, with +a hasty adieu to his son, Jack, and Graham, descended the ship's +side with the Spanish envoy and rowed away to the Enterprise.</p> + +<p>"We are fated to see the inside of a French prison, after +all," Jack said to Graham.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Stilwell. We have both been in their hands +once, and did not stay there long. I can hardly believe that our +luck's going to desert us at last."</p> + +<p>"I don't see much chance of our escape this time, Graham. Six +ships against one are too great odds even for English sailors. +The smallest of them carries as many guns as we do, and once a +prisoner on board a ship there is no slipping away."</p> + +<p>"We are not prisoners yet, Jack, and I don't think that +Mordaunt will strike his flag without a struggle, though they are +six to one. He is just his father over again as far as courage +goes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope, anyhow, the earl will get away," Jack said. "If +it hadn't been for all those state papers he is burdened with I +am sure he would have stuck to the Resolution and fought it out. +It would be just the kind of desperate adventure to suit him. +See, he has reached the Enterprise, and she and the Milford Haven +are spreading every sail; but although they will leave us behind +I question whether they will outsail the French. They are coming +up fast."</p> + +<p>"It will soon be dark," Graham said, "and they may be able to +slip away. You may be sure the French will attend to us first, as +being the most valuable prize."</p> + +<p>"Well, gentlemen," Captain Mordaunt said, coming up to them, +"you are going to have a piece of new experience. I know you have +been through some apparently hopeless conflicts on land with my +father, but I don't think you have ever seen a sea fight."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to fight them all, sir?" Jack asked.</p> + +<p>"I am going to try," the captain said. "My orders were to go +to Leghorn, and to Leghorn I mean to go if the ship floats; but I +tell you honestly I do not think there is much chance of our +getting there. Still, as long as the ship floats, the British +flag will float over her."</p> + +<p>"Is there anything we can do, sir?" Jack asked. "We shall be +happy to serve as volunteers in any capacity in which you think +we may be useful."</p> + +<p>"Until it comes to boarding I fear that you cannot help," the +captain said, "except by walking about between decks and cheering +and inspiriting the men. The presence of officers looking cool +and confident among them always does good. If the enemy try to +board us you shall fight by my side."</p> + +<p>The two fastest sailing French vessels were so close when +night fell that it was hopeless to try to evade them either by +changing the ship's course or by lowering the sails. At ten +o'clock they were less than a mile astern, one on either quarter. +The ship had long since been ready for action, and the men were +now called to the guns; but the enemy did not open fire, but +could, by the night glasses, be seen somewhat to shorten sail so +as to keep about the same distance behind the Resolution.</p> + +<p>"Cowardly dogs," the young captain said, "they do not mean to +fight until the whole of their consorts come up. However, we +ought not to grumble, as every hour takes us so much nearer +port."</p> + +<p>He then ordered the men to lie down by the guns and get what +sleep they could until the enemy opened fire. Jack and Graham, +finding that there was nothing to be done, threw themselves into +their hammocks, and slept till five o'clock in the morning. They +were then aroused, and went on deck. The six French ships had now +all come up, and were coming on in a body.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, gentlemen," the young captain said gayly. "We +have a fine morning for our amusement. I wish the wind would +freshen a little more so as to take this lubberly old ship faster +through the water."</p> + +<p>At six o'clock the leading vessel of the French squadron +opened fire, and at the signal her consorts all followed her +example. Some of them were now almost abreast of the Resolution, +and the iron shower tore through her sails and cut her rigging. +She answered with a broadside from both sides, and the battle +commenced in earnest.</p> + +<p>In all the annals of British seamanship there is no more +heroic story than that of the fight between the Resolution and +the six French men of war. From six in the morning until half +past three in the afternoon she maintained the unequal contest, +still keeping on under full sail toward her port, only yawing +occasionally to pour a broadside into one or other of her foes. +They were now running along the coast, and the peasants on the +distant hills must have watched with astonishment the unequal +fight as the vessels pressed on past them. By half past three the +Resolution was little more than a wreck. Her sails were riddled +with holes, many of her spars shot away, her sides ragged and +torn, and many of her crew killed, but the remainder of the crew +still fought their guns unflinchingly.</p> + +<p>"We can do no more," Captain Mordaunt said to Jack. "The +carpenter has just reported that the mainmast is so seriously +injured that at any moment it may go over the side. It is +impossible to hope any longer to reach Leghorn, but my ship I am +determined they shall not have."</p> + +<p>So saying, he gave orders to the first lieutenant, and the +vessel's head was suddenly turned straight toward the shore. The +French, astonished at so desperate a course, did not venture to +follow her, and the Resolution threaded her way through the +dangerous reefs till at last she brought up with a sudden crash +which sent her tottering mainmast over the side.</p> + +<p>The French advanced cautiously until nearing the reefs, and +then opened a distant fire, which the Resolution did not return. +The captain ordered the exhausted crew from their guns, a strong +allowance of grog was served out, and after a meal the men felt +again ready for work. Jack and his companion were at dinner with +the captain, when the officer in charge of the deck reported that +the French ships were lowering their boats.</p> + +<p>"Let the men rest as long as possible, Mr. Darwin, but when +you see the boats fairly on their way toward us beat to +quarters."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later the roll of the drums was heard. "Now, +gentlemen, we will go on deck," the captain said, "since they +will not let us alone. But if their ships could not take us I do +not think that their boats will have much chance."</p> + +<p>Dusk was closing in when they went on deck and saw all the +boats of the six French men of war, crowded with men, rowing in a +line toward them. The captain gave the order for the men to load +with grape. As soon as the French flotilla came well within range +the word was given, and a storm of balls swept their line.</p> + +<p>Several of the boats were sunk at once, the others paused to +pick up their comrades from the water, and then again dashed +forward; but by this time the guns were again loaded, and the +hail of iron again crashed into them. With splendid bravery the +French still advanced until close to the ship. Then Captain +Mordaunt ordered all the lower deck guns to be run in and the +ports closed, and the crew to come on deck. While some worked the +upper guns, others kept up a heavy fire of musketry upon the +boats, which swarmed round the ship.</p> + +<p>Again and again the French made determined efforts to board, +but they were unable to climb the lofty sides of the ship. At +length, after suffering terrible loss, the French sailors gave up +the attempt and rowed sullenly off to their ships, covered by the +darkness from the English fire. Captain Mordaunt took off his cap +and gave the signal, and a hearty cheer arose from the crew. The +night passed quietly, the terribly diminished crew lay down as +they stood by the guns, in readiness to repel another attack, +should it be attempted. The next morning one of the French eighty +gun ships got under way, and, with merely a rag of canvas shown, +and her boats rowing ahead and sounding to find a channel through +the reefs, gradually made her way toward the Resolution.</p> + +<p>"Well, gentlemen," the captain said, "I think you will agree +with me that nothing further can be done. The ship is already +half full of water, the magazine is flooded, and the whole of the +powder wetted. The ship is a wreck, and I should be only throwing +away the men's lives uselessly by attempting further +resistance."</p> + +<p>The officers thoroughly agreed, and with the greatest coolness +the captain gave his orders for the abandonment of the vessel. +Although the French man of war had now opened fire, all the +wounded, the whole of the crew, the flags, papers, and everything +of value were placed in the boats, and the vessel was then set on +fire in a dozen places.</p> + +<p>After superintending everything personally, and making sure +that the fire had obtained such a hold that it could not be +extinguished, Captain Mordaunt ordered the officers to descend +into the boats. Just as he was about to leave the deck himself, +the last man on board the ship, a cannon shot from the French man +of war struck him in the leg. The officers ran back and raised +him from the deck.</p> + +<p>"It might have been worse," he said cheerfully. "Now, +gentlemen, will you carry me down and place me in my gig, and +then take your boats as arranged? Be careful, as you row toward +shore, to keep the Resolution between you and the Frenchman's +guns."</p> + +<p>Everything was done steadily and in order, and the survivors +of the crew of the Resolution reached the shore without further +loss. The Resolution was now in a blaze from end to end, and by +eleven o'clock she was burned to the water's edge. Mordaunt and +his crew were kindly received by the people of the country. As +the captain himself would not be able to move for some time, Jack +and Graham said adieu to him and posted to Turin, where the earl +had told them that he should go direct from Leghorn.</p> + +<p>They arrived before him, but twenty-four hours after they had +reached the capital of Savoy the earl arrived. He had already +heard rumors of the desperate fight between the Resolution and +the enemy, and that his son had been wounded. His aides de camp +were now able to assure him that, although serious, Captain +Mordaunt's wounds were not likely to be fatal, and Peterborough +was delighted with the narrative of the gallant achievement of +his son. Shortly afterward an imperative order for his return +reaching the earl, he set out for England through Germany with +his two aides de camp. Peterborough was suffering from illness +caused by the immense exertions he had made through the campaign, +and traveled but slowly. He visited many of the German courts, +and went for a few days to the camp of Charles of Sweden in +Saxony.</p> + +<p>After this, by special invitation, he journeyed to the camp of +the Duke of Marlborough at Genappes, where he was received with +much honor by the great commander. He presented to him his two +aides de camp.</p> + +<p>"They have, my lord duke," he said, "been my faithful friends +throughout the whole campaign in Spain, they have shared all my +dangers, and any credit I may have gained is due in no small +degree to their zeal and activity. It is unlikely that I shall +again command an army in the field, and therefore I would +recommend them to you. They will accompany me to England, for +they, too, need a rest, after their exertions; after that I trust +that they may be sent out to fight under your orders, and I trust +that you will keep them in your eye, and will give them the +advantage of your protection and favor."</p> + +<p>The duke promised to do so, and, after a few days' stay in the +camp, the earl with his two followers started for England, where +he arrived on the 20th of August, 1707, nearly two years to a day +from the date when he had appeared, with a force under his +command, before Barcelona. But the campaign itself, so far as he +was concerned, had lasted less than a year, as it was in August, +1706, that he rode into Valencia, after having been deprived of +his command.</p> + +<p>In that year he exhibited military qualities which have never +been surpassed. Daring to the point of extreme rashness where +there was a possibility of success, he was prudent and cautious +in the extreme when prudence was more necessary than daring. With +absurdly insufficient means he all but conquered Spain for +Charles of Austria, and would have succeeded in doing so +altogether had he not, from first to last, been thwarted and +hampered by jealousy, malignity, stupidity, and irresolution on +the part of the king, his courtiers, and the generals who should +have been the earl's assistants, but who were his rivals, +detractors, and enemies.</p> + +<p>It must be owned that Peterborough owed this opposition in +some degree to himself. He was impatient of fools, and took no +pains to conceal his contempt and dislike for those whose +intellects were inferior to his own. His independence of spirit +and eccentricity of manner set the formal German and Spanish +advisers of the king against him, and although adored by the +officers and men who served under him, he made almost every man +of rank approaching his own who came in contact with him his +personal enemy. Among the bulk of the Spanish people of the +provinces in which he warred he was beloved as well as admired, +and even to this day legends of the brilliant and indefatigable +English general are still current among the people of Catalonia +and Valencia. No man ever served the cause to which he devoted +himself with greater zeal and sincerity. He was lavish of his own +private means in its interest, and, even when his advice and +opinion were most slighted, he was ready to sacrifice himself, +his rank, and dignity to the good of the cause. Had he had the +good fortune to command an army of his own countrymen unfettered +by others, it is probable that he would have gained a renown +equal to that of the greatest commanders the world has known.</p> + +<p>The great services which he had rendered were warmly felt and +acknowledged by the people of England on his return, and the +attempts of his enemies to undermine his reputation were confuted +by the papers which he brought back with him. For a time +Peterborough took a considerable part in politics, and his +acrimony in debate so enraged his enemies that his conduct during +the war in Spain was called into question. A debate on the +subject took place. In this he successfully defended himself from +the attacks made against him, and a formal vote of thanks to him +was passed.</p> + +<p>Some years afterward he retired altogether from public life, +and privately married Miss Anastasia Robinson, his first wife +having died many years before. Miss Robinson was a singer of the +highest repute, of the most amiable character, and kindest +disposition. There was no reason why the match should not have +been publicly acknowledged, as the lady was held in universal +esteem; but, with his usual eccentricity, the earl insisted on +the marriage being kept a secret, and did not announce it until +on his death bed in the year 1735. Lady Peterborough lived in +profound retirement, universally beloved and honored, to the age +of eighty-eight.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving in London Jack stayed for a few days with his +friend Graham, whose family lived there. The earl had told the +young officer that he would introduce them to the queen, but, on +their calling by appointment on him at his hotel on the third day +after their arrival in town, Peterborough said:</p> + +<p>"You had best go about your own business for a time; the queen +is out of temper. The ears of ministers have been poisoned by +lying letters from my enemies in Spain, but it will all come +right in time. As you know, I have papers which will clear me of +every charge that their malignity may invent. When I am in favor +again I will let you know, and will present you to the queen and +minister of war; at any rate, you will like a rest at home before +you set out for the Netherlands, so there will be plenty of +time."</p> + +<p>The next day Jack took his place on the coach for Southampton. +He arrived there after fourteen hours' journey, and put up at a +hotel for the night. The next morning he dressed himself with +greater care than usual, and started for the well remembered shop +in the High Street. He knocked at the private door, and inquired +if Mistress Anthony were in.</p> + +<p>"Will you say that a gentleman whom she knows wishes to speak +to her?"</p> + +<p>Jack was shown into the parlor, and in a minute or two Mrs. +Anthony appeared, looking a little flustered at hearing that a +grand looking officer wished to see her. Jack advanced toward her +with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Why, Jack!" she exclaimed with a scream of delight, "is it +you?" and the good woman threw her arms round his neck and kissed +him as if he had been her own son.</p> + +<p>"Of course we got your letters," she said, "telling us how you +had been made an officer and then a captain. The last letter we +had from you was from Italy; telling us about that great sea +fight, and that you were coming home, but that's eight months +ago. We knew you were with my Lord Peterborough, and we saw in +the Intelligencer about his being in Germany, and last week they +said he had come home. We were talking about you only yesterday, +and wondering whether you would come down to see us, and whether +you would know us now you had grown such a fine gentleman, and +being written about in Lord Peterborough's dispatches, and +accustomed to all sorts of grand society."</p> + +<p>"You knew I would," Jack said; "why, where should I go if not +here? And Alice is quite well, I hope, and grown quite a +woman."</p> + +<p>"Not quite a woman yet, Jack, but getting on." She opened the +door and called Alice, and in a minute the girl ran down. Her +mother saw that she had guessed who the caller was, for she had +smoothed her hair and put on a bright ribbon which her mother had +not seen for three years, and which Jack himself had given her. +She paused a moment shyly at the door, for this young officer, in +all the glories of the staff uniform, was a very grand figure in +her eyes.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Cousin Jack?" she said, coming forward, with a +bright color and outstretched hand.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Cousin Alice?" Jack said, mimicking her tone; +"why, you little goose," he exclaimed, catching her in his arms +and kissing her, "you don't suppose I am going to be satisfied +with shaking your hand after being nearly three years away."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you are so big, Jack, and so grand, it seems +different altogether."</p> + +<p>"You are bigger than you were, Alice, but it does not seem in +the least different to me."</p> + +<p>"Well, I thought you would be quite changed, Jack, and quite +different, now you are a captain, and famous, and all that, and +you have seen so many grand ladies in all the countries you have +traveled that -- that --" And she hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Well, go on," Jack said gravely.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, that you would have forgotten all about me."</p> + +<p>"Then you are a very bad little girl, Alice, and not half so +good as I thought you were, for you must have a very bad opinion +of me, indeed, if you thought all that of me."</p> + +<p>"I don't think I quite thought so, Jack. Well, I told myself +it was only natural it should be so."</p> + +<p>"We will argue that out presently," Jack said; "and now, where +is Mr. Anthony?"</p> + +<p>"I will call him, Jack," Mrs. Anthony said. "You have no ill +feeling, I hope, toward him, for you know he really has been very +sorry about the part he took in getting you away, and has blamed +himself over and over again."</p> + +<p>"I never have had," Jack said; "it has been the best thing +that ever happened to me. If I had had my own way I should still +be working before the mast instead of being a captain in the +army."</p> + +<p>Mr. Anthony was soon called in from the store. At first he was +a little awkward and shy, but Jack's heartiness soon put him at +his ease.</p> + +<p>Jack stayed a fortnight at Southampton, and then, on the +receipt of a letter from the Earl of Peterborough, went up to +town, where he was presented to the queen and afterward to the +minister of war by the earl.</p> + +<p>A week later he and Graham sailed for the Netherlands and +joined the army of the Duke of Marlborough, and served under that +great commander until, three years later, the war was brought to +a conclusion. They were attached to the staff of one of the +generals of division.</p> + +<p>The duke kept his promise to the Earl of Peterborough, and +kept his eye on the young officers. Both distinguished themselves +in the hard fought battles in Belgium, and the end of the war +found them both colonels. There being no prospect of further wars +the army was greatly reduced, and Jack was retired on half pay, +and as soon as matters were arranged in London he again made his +way down to Southampton, and at once asked Mr. Anthony's +permission to pay his addresses to his daughter.</p> + +<p>The ex mayor consented with delight, and, as Alice herself +offered no objection, matters were speedily arranged. Jack's half +pay was sufficient for them to live on comfortably, and Mr. +Anthony, in his gratification at a marriage which he considered +did him great honor, presented her with a handsome sum at her +wedding, and the young couple settled down in a pretty house a +short distance out of Southampton.</p> + +<p>Jack was never called out again for active service, and lived +in the neighborhood of Southampton until the end of his long +life, buying a small estate there, when, at the death of Mr. +Anthony, the handsome fortune which the cloth merchant had made +came to his daughter, subject to an annuity to Mrs. Anthony, who +took up her abode for the rest of her life with her son-in-law, +her daughter, and their children. For many years Colonel Stilwell +sat in parliament as member for Southampton, and maintained a +warm friendship with his ancient commander until the death of the +latter, in 1735.</p> + +<p>THE END.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bravest of the Brave, by G. A. Henty + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE *** + +This file should be named brotb10h.htm or brotb10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, brotb11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, brotb11ah.htm + +This eBook was produced by Martin Robb + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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