The Bravest of the Brave

ile, 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 nei

eturn toni

ection 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

oad to Estrella. The village was but some fifteen miles off, and lay in the center of a fertile district on the other

attacked," Jack said to the serge

o set some of those stones arolling they w

ants 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 un

ms; 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

t 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

or the tone of humility in which he spoke; still, as he offer

uld you let us

said, "fit for cavalry, four wagons

orrow morning I will accept them as an earnest of

y for them in an ho

ts 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

ome miles through the district, passing through several other villa

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

, and in the morning, the five wagons with gra

warmly. Eight of the troopers took each a led horse. The four countrymen in ch

lwell," the sergeant said, as Jack reined back his

tanding at their door. There were plenty of men about yesterday; but perhaps they have all gone up to work in the fields; however

eep pace with the wagons, and it was an hour and a hal

n and girls could be seen working in

. Do you take four men with you and ride straight on through that nasty narrow valley we noticed as we

quarters of an hour the sergeant returned with his men, saying that he h

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.

k 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 i

hem, 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

n all together, with the wagons blocking up the road, not a man Jack of us would have

r. Stilwell

ld 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 wil

hoot these fellows, sir?" one of the troopers asked, drawing his pistol

rgeant's troop have got through; but there are two or three of them down. Come along, lads, we must ride back, and there is n

rew up his horse. Across the road and the ground on each side extended a dozen carts, the oxen being taken

they were too steep to ride up on horseback; and as to abandoning the animals and taking to the

nough for a horse to pass round the left of the wagons. Ride for that point as hard as you can, and

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

in the country round was engaged in that ambush, we need n

as to the way to Estrella, but knew nothing of any other roads leading from that village, and indeed, for augh

thought, "and keep along near the foot of the h

. 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

ir 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 po

the peasants are so hostile, that the owner of this place is friendly, I would even at the worst rather fall

est 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 lo

he said sternly, drawing hi

n stammered, "the c

r mistr

n hesi

see,"

is in, and unless you lead me straight to

but the four troopers had also entered. The

, raising his pistol, "a

threat unless obeyed, turned sullenly and le

said, "an English offic

n. A lady had just

n stopped in surprise, while at the same mom

"Oh! how glad I am to see y

. 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 eno

"to the party who we heard yesterday had arri

you would ask? By good fortu

ver forgive himself? Had he known that our preserver was with tha

r retainers orders to treat my men with hospitality. At present my four troopers and your men are

lves, and, led by the majordomo, were standing in readiness to attack the drag

imperiously. "These men are the count's guests

s, pressed Jack's hand to his lips. The servants, who had at first stood in irresolute aston

le English lord who saved the lives of the count and countess and m

ll were deeply attached to the count and countess, and had often thrilled with fur

goons put up their swords, and were soon on the best terms with the retainers in the great kitche

yes 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

ne of the servants who had been on the loo

," she said. "Do you stay her

ll speed, and as the do

ollowing a small party of the enemy who escaped us from Estrella, and just now a woman return

s answered complacently. "Th

e 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 the

n who asked it, Juan?" she continued, changing her tone. "You have to thank Providence in

ce!" the count rep

e and you wi

ing her. The count gave a cry as his eye fell upo

ed from a crime which would have imbittered all my life. Oh, senor, is it thus we meet,

believed to be your duty, attacking the enemy of your country. Had you killed me you would have been no more t

server 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 cas

le with them, I h

e life of the countess, my boy, and myself, their only wish was to see you and express their gratit

ent of the prisoners is s

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 e

d was received with the most hearty and cordial greeting by the men who we

y? You should have had all the horses in the district, and as many wagons of wine and grain

gnorance that the Count de Minas was your lord; had I

," the man said, "for having kill

I cannot blame you; and I am sorry that we on

ws and orphans, he has promised us as much. I drink to your health, senor," and al

he next morning, after a cordial adieu to the host

? 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 per

t the matter was simple enough;" and then Jack r

ll, a good action has had its reward, which,

ought the horses and wagons, and gave ten gold pieces to be distributed among them.

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 endea