*CHAPTER IV*
*A Delicate Mission*
Sir John Moore--In the Dark--A Roving Commission--Maps and Plans--CampCritics--An Hidalgo--Mystification--Exasperation--Pepito again--ABargain--Force majeure
At nine o'clock next day Jack made his way through a crowd of officerscongregated about the door of the archbishop's palace, where Sir JohnMoore was quartered. It seemed to be nobody's business to show him up,so he discovered for himself the room in which the commander-in-chiefwas, as he supposed, awaiting him. Entering at the door, and lifting aheavy velvet curtain that hung within, he found himself in a largechamber, at the other end of which stood a group of officers engaged inwhat was evidently a very animated discussion. He noticed the tall,handsome figure of General Sir Edward Paget, the commander of thereserve; near him was General Anstruther, a rugged, untiring Scot; inthe centre of the group was Sydney Beckwith, Jack's own colonel, roughof tongue and unsparing in his demands on his men, but withal kind ofheart and true as steel. He was at this moment eagerly pointing to amap which lay outspread on a table, over which bent several otherofficers, among them the commander-in-chief himself. Fine men as wereall the soldiers gathered there, Sir John Moore was easily first amongthem. At this time forty-seven years of age, his tall graceful figure,crowned by a head nobly fashioned, with classic features, large lustrouseyes, and bright close-clustering hair, would have marked him out in anycrowd as one above the generality of men. He was listening intently towhat Colonel Beckwith said. His lips were firmly compressed; every nowand then the fingers of his right hand restlessly tattooed upon thetable. Suddenly he straightened himself and moved backward a pace; thehubbub of conversation ceased, and in the silence Jack heard, in Moore'sclear and measured tones, the following words:
"Excuse me, gentlemen, I take the whole responsibility of my decision;and I only expect my officers to prepare to carry it into effect."
There was sternness, even a touch of irritation, in his accent."There's something wrong," thought Jack; "I've no business here; I'dbetter make myself scarce."
He withdrew into the corridor, and began to walk up and down, with thatcurious feeling of excitement which takes hold of a boy when waiting foran interview on some unknown matter with his head-master. In a fewminutes the officers left the room in a body, still talking withanimation, and passed down the corridor, away from Jack, towards thestreet. Judging that Sir John was now alone, Jack returned to the room.The general was pacing the floor with long steps, his hands claspedbehind him, his head bent forward in anxious thought. Jack hesitated amoment; then stepped forward. Sir John looked up, and stood with legsapart, evidently not for the moment recognizing his visitor. Then hisbrow cleared; his features softened in the kindly smile for which he wascelebrated.
"Ah! Mr. Lumsden, I think," he said; "I am glad to see you. I fear Ihave kept you waiting. Yes, I see it is twenty minutes past the hour.Let me waste no time, then. Sit down at the table there."
Sir John seated himself at the opposite side of the table, gave the ladone quick glance, and said:
"Without beating about the bush, are you willing, Mr. Lumsden, toundertake an important and possibly dangerous mission?"
"Certainly, sir."
The answer came without a moment's hesitation, and the general seemedpleased. Then, observing a look of surprise on Jack's face, he went on:
"You wonder at my selecting you? I happened to overhear yesterday aneloquent address in Spanish by an officer of the 95th, and when I cameto enquire of Colonel Beckwith, he told me that Mr. Lumsden's knowledgeof Spanish had already proved useful. That is how it happened, Mr.Lumsden."
He gave the young officer a friendly smile, and Jack's cheeks flushedwith pleasure as the general continued:
"You are the man I've been looking for. What I want you to do is out ofyour regular duty, but then a knowledge of Spanish is out of the usualofficer's acquirements, more's the pity. Do you know French also?"
"A little, sir; just well enough to understand what is said and to makea shift to reply."
"That's well. Now I suppose you have some sort of notion of what myintentions were in marching from Lisbon, eh?"
"We've talked it over at mess, sir," said Jack with a smile.
"Naturally. Well, if you're to be of use to me, and I think you willbe, I must take you into my confidence. What I want, Mr. Lumsden, isinformation--information that I can rely on." At this point he rosefrom his chair and resumed his restless pacing to and fro. "I startedto join forces with the Spaniards, but they haven't put themselves intocommunication with me. I don't know their plans; I don't know whattheir Government is aiming at. I am in entire ignorance of the numbersor the situation of the enemy. The Spaniards seem to be living in afools' paradise; talk very big about their own armies, and very smallabout the enemy; keep us short of supplies, and shorter still of news.I do know that a fortnight ago General Blake's Spanish army in the northwas beaten, and now a Mr. Vaughan has brought me news that GeneralCastanos has been routed at Tudela; which means that his co-operationwith me is out of the question. Do you see what I am driving at?"
"You mean, I think, sir, that as the Spaniards are beaten, the Frenchare free to attack you."
"Precisely. Now follow the positions on the map here and you will seemore clearly what I want of you. Here am I at Salamanca; Sir John Hope,with the cavalry and guns, is marching to join me by Talavera and theEscurial--a roundabout route, you see, and a long march that might havebeen avoided if I could have been sure the mountain roads were passablefor wheeled transport. All the guns might have come by Guarda and saveda hundred miles; but the Portuguese engineers assured me the road wastoo difficult. Farther north there is another division under Sir DavidBaird, who landed recently at Corunna, and is now at Astorga. You seethe positions?"
"Yes, sir; of course your idea was to join."
"Exactly. But now you see that I dare not attempt a junction with SirDavid. As long as General Castanos' army remained, there was a hope,but now that all the Spanish armies are beaten, the French are free tomarch against us. Their numbers, I believe, very much exceed my own, sothat if they get between me and Sir David we shall be in an awkwardhole. And therefore I have determined to retreat."
Jack opened his eyes. A retreat had never entered into his imagination.He understood now what had been the subject of discussion at nineo'clock, and suspected from the general attitude of the officers, andfrom the few words he had heard, that the decision to withdraw withoutfiring a shot did not meet with the approval of the staff.
"I have already sent orders to Sir John Hope," Moore went on, "to retireby way of Penaranda and Ciudad Rodrigo, and Mr. Vaughan has been goodenough to offer to carry a letter to Sir David Baird ordering him tore-embark at Corunna, and land his division at Lisbon. God knows Iwould have run great risks to help the Spanish cause, but the Spaniardshave shown so little ability to do anything for themselves that I shouldonly sacrifice my army, and do no good to Spain, if I attempted theimpossible."
The look of anxiety and worry had returned to Sir John's face. Itcleared, however, in a moment, and he continued brightly: "Now, Mr.Lumsden, you see the position. The questions are: Where is the enemy?and What is he going to do? The French were, a fortnight ago, atValladolid; if they go north-west in force they will come across SirDavid's division; if they come south, and are reinforced by the Frenchfrom Tudela, they will threaten Sir John Hope's flank, and I must thendo something to relieve the pressure. But any movement on my part woulddisclose my position and strength to the enemy, who, I hope and believe,at present know nothing about me. What I want then, Mr. Lumsden, isexact information of the enemy's whereabouts and numbers, and I thinkthat you, with your mastery of Spanish, are the most likely officer toobtain it."
"I am ready to start at once, sir," said Jack.
"That's right. If you're the fellow I take you for, you won't want anyfurther instructions from me. What me
ans you use I must leave to yourown discretion. I'll supply you with anything you require; money inmoderation. I am terribly hard up; our Government showers gold on theSpaniards, but can't afford to pay my army. Now, before we settle thematter, it is only fair to warn you of the danger you run. If you arecaught by the French within what they claim to be their lines, you'll beshot, as sure as eggs is eggs. Think of it then; you have free choice.Will you go?"
"I'll take the risk, sir," replied Jack instantly.
"It is confidential, of course," added the general. "You will reportdirect to me what information you obtain, or, in my absence, to one ofmy aides-de-camp or to General Paget."
"I am at liberty to employ messengers?"
"Certainly, but you will satisfy yourself that they are trustworthy."
"And may I have a map?"
"Of course. We haven't too many, and they are not particularly good,but send your man, and I will have one looked out within an hour. Howlong will it take you to make your preparations?"
"Not a minute longer than is necessary to get a Spanish dress andrequisition a mule," answered Jack with a smile.
"You'll make a presentable Spaniard," said Moore, smiling back. "Butwouldn't a horse serve you better than a mule? You were riding a goodmount yesterday."
"A horse would attract too much attention, I think, sir. And I was usedto riding mules when I was young."
Sir John laughed.
"You're not a very ancient Pistol even now, Mr. Lumsden," he said. "Butthat's the right spirit; regard yourself as a man and you'll do a man'swork. Well, that is settled, then. I'll send you some money, and Ihope you will do me valuable service and come back with a whole skin.Stay; you want a Spanish outfit. I know the very man who can be usefulto you--a Spanish gentleman, one of the old school. I will write you aline of introduction. Let me see." Sir John hastily rummaged among aheap of papers. "I mustn't forget one of the names; that would be anunpardonable slight. Here it is."
He scribbled a note, copying the address with some care. Jack read: "ElSenor Don Pedro Benito Aguilar Quadrato Garrapinillos de Sarrion deGracioso," and caught a twinkle in Sir John's eye.
"I am sure he will do all he can for you," added the commander-in-chief."He is a good patriot, not a painted one. Now good-bye, and good luckto you!"
He shook hands with Jack, who, feeling as though he trod on air, so muchelated was he at the confidence placed in him, went back to hisquarters. At the door he found a small group of his fellow-officers,evidently in a high state of excitement.
"Hi, Jack," cried Smith, as he came up to them, "what do you think ofthis? The army's going to retreat."
"You don't say so?" said Jack with well-feigned surprise.
"I do, though. Did you ever hear of such an order from a Britishcommander-in-chief! We haven't even had a glimpse of the enemy, and byall we can hear their cavalry vedettes are at least four marches away.I can't for the life of me make out what Johnny Moore can be thinkingof. How did he get his reputation, I wonder?"
"Depend upon it, he's good reason if he has ordered a retreat."
"'He that fights and runs away,'" began Shirley; but Jack had alreadygone into the house, where he found his man Giles Ogbourne in thekitchen, polishing his boots and hissing like a kettle with theexertion.
"Giles," said Jack, "cut off and find me a strong, steady mulesomewhere. Then go to Sir John Moore's quarters; say you have come fromme; you'll get some money and a paper packet; take them, with the mule,out of the town as quickly as you can, and wait for me some two milesalong the Valladolid road. Don't say a word to anyone about me, mind."
"Very good, sir!"
Giles dropped the boots and departed on his errand. Then Jack found hisway to the palace of the much-baptized hidalgo. After the usualsalutations, made on both sides with more than ordinary regard topunctilio, Jack presented his note. Don Pedro, an old and statelycavalier, with thin pointed features and wearing a crimson skull-cap,looked up after reading it, and said:
"General Sir Moore's wishes are to a good Spaniard commands. If youwill acquaint me, Senor, with the manner in which I may serve you, Ishall feel myself indeed honoured."
Jack, bowing his acknowledgments of the hidalgo's courtesy, wentstraight to the point.
"My general, Senor, has entrusted me with a somewhat delicate missiontowards Olmedo. As you may imagine, it would not be politic for me tomake such a journey as a British officer. Relying on a certainfamiliarity with your noble language"--here the courtly hidalgo wavedhis hand in graceful acknowledgment--"I propose to pass for the time asone of your countrymen. I shall need in the first place a dress, andsecondly one or two willing helpers."
"Ah! as to the dress," said the hidalgo musingly. "Let me see. You willdo best to wear a quiet costume, such as might become a well-to-dotradesman--say a snuff-coloured cloak, a pointed hat, velvet breeches,and high gaiters. Well, give me half an hour, and I will have thecostume ready for you. As to the helpers, that is a little moredifficult. I have no intimate acquaintance in the neighbourhood ofOlmedo. If you had asked me but a few short months ago, I should havesaid that any of my countrymen might have been trusted, but, alas! toomany now have betrayed their country to the usurper. But now I bethinkme, an old servant of mine keeps a small inn, the Posada de Oriente, atMedina del Campo, some twelve miles on this side of Olmedo. He is anexcellent worthy fellow, and staunch, and if you so please, Senor, Iwill write a note to him, asking him to serve you as he would serve me."
Jack eagerly accepted the hidalgo's offer. Don Pedro opened aheavily-chased escritoire, selected a sheet of paper, then cut a newquill, and proceeded with as much formal deliberation as though he werepenning a document of state. The letter finished, he carefullysprinkled it with sand from a silver pounce-box, delicately shook thepaper clean when the ink was dry, and after folding it, impressed uponit a seal some two inches in diameter. The whole operation had occupiednearly half an hour, which Jack had utilized in thinking out his plans.
"I much regret to hear, Senor," said the hidalgo, as he handed him thenote, "that my dear friend General Castanos has suffered a check, andthat this may cause some change in General Sir Moore's plans. But Ihope your excellent countrymen will not be discouraged by this temporarymischance. 'Tis but the fortune of war, or perhaps a warning, a summonsto us to cast off our lethargy; and Spain will hear, and when sheawakes, let her foes beware."
Jack took his leave, thanking the hidalgo in flowing Castilian, andrequesting him to send the promised costume to his quarters. Half anhour afterwards the clothes arrived. Meanwhile Jack had procured alittle saffron, by whose aid he had given his complexion a sallow tinge,and this, with the large-brimmed pointed hat, the cloak, and otherdetails of the costume, effected a complete transformation in hisappearance. Armed with the note to Don Pedro's old servant, he walkedboldly out by the front door into the street. As luck would have it,the first person he met was Captain O'Hare himself.
"Vaya usted con Dios!" said Jack, with a slight bow, giving the usualSpanish salutation.
"Buenos dias, Senor!" returned the captain, with so vile a pronunciationthat Jack could scarcely repress a smile. He passed on unrecognized,and chuckled at having so completely deceived the worthy captain.
Rather more than half an hour later he came to a spot on the road toMedina del Campo where Giles was patiently waiting with the mule. Thebig private was sitting on a heap of stones, holding the reins with onehand while with the other he flung pebbles across the road in idlepreoccupation. Jack went up to him.
"You Inglese soldier?" he said, in a foreign accent.
"Yes, mister."
"Inglaterra a fine region," said Jack. "You go a viaje?"
"See then, what's a viaje?"
"A voyage, a march, on the mule back."
"No, I'm not goin' a march on the mule back."
"The mule is to you?"
"The mule bean't nowt to me."
"Where you go then?"
; "What's that to you, mister?"
"What for you--?"
"Now look here, mister, doan't ye be too inquisitive. Axing me fortyquestions indeed. See then, I'll punch your head, iss a wull, if ye--"
Jack burst out laughing.
"Well, Giles," he said, "that's a compliment to my disguise at any rate.Have you got the packet for me?"
"Yes, sir," said Ogbourne, springing to his feet with a sheepish grin."Beg pardon, sir, but I took you for a Don."
"I know you did. Well now, get back to quarters, and don't say a wordto anybody about where I have gone. If you are asked about me--and nodoubt you will be--just say that I have been sent on an errand by thegeneral."
"Very good, sir. Mumchanced as a scarecrow, sir."
"That's right. Good-day!"
He sprang on to the mule, took a switch and the packet containing themap from his man's hands, and rode off in the direction of Medina delCampo. It was fortunate that he had previous experience of such steedswhen a young boy in Barcelona, for the animal began at once to playpranks. It got up first of all on its hind-legs, and then gave a lurchforward, a movement for which Jack was prepared, and which he defeatedby a sudden violent strain upon the reins that brought the animal toreason. The mule requires wholly different treatment from a horse.Prick him with the spur, he stops dead; strike him with a whip, he liesdown; draw rein, and he begins to gallop. Sometimes he will halt in themiddle of the road, lift his head, stretch his neck, draw back his chopstill he shows his gums and long teeth, and then give vent to sobs,sighs, gurgles, squeals like a pig's; and thrash him as you please, hewill not budge a step until his vocal exercises are finished. Jack knewall this of old, and after trying a few experiments the mule appeared torecognize that he had no raw hand to deal with, and settled down into asteady trot, making the bells upon his neck tinkle merrily.
Jack had not ridden more than a quarter of a mile when, as he waspassing by a small clump of trees, the mule stopped short, and not allhis rider's coaxing sufficed to make him move. Springing off his back,Jack went to his head, to see if leading would prove more effectual thandriving. As he stood there a pebble fell at his feet, then another, andanother, coming, apparently, from the sky. He looked up, and there,ensconced in a fork of one of the trees, crouched a small human figure.
"Well I'm hanged!" exclaimed Jack. "Come down, Pepito."
The figure swung itself over the bough, clambered down the trunk withthe nimbleness of a squirrel, dropped lightly from the lowest branch,and stood before Jack, looking up into his face with a broad smile. Itwas a curious figure indeed: a boy about four feet six in height, withtanned skin some shades darker than the Spaniard's olive hue, thick redlips now open and showing strong white teeth, narrow brow, arched nose,and long raven-black hair that hung in a tangled mass over his eyes. Hewas not pretty, but there was something strangely attractive in hissmile, and his brilliant black eyes, with their indescribable touch ofmystery, were dancing with fun as they met the surprised gaze of theyoung Englishman.
"And what does this mean, Pepito?" said Jack in Spanish.
"Go with Senor," replied the boy briefly. He shivered; it was a coldday, and the raw air cut through the tatters which left his flesh hereand there exposed.
"No, that's impossible," said Jack decisively. "I couldn't be botheredwith you."
"Want to go with Senor," persisted the boy. "Know the roads--Medina,Valladolid, Segovia, all the places; the Gitanos know everything."
"That's all very well, but I don't want you. You'd be in the way.Besides, I'm riding. You couldn't keep up with me."
"Can run fast. No mule can beat me."
"Nonsense! I shall be riding all day, and you'd be dead before night."
"I can get a mule, then."
"Where, may I ask?"
"From the Busne."
Jack knew that Busne was the gipsies' name for the Spaniards.
"That means that you would steal it, eh? Didn't I tell you that if youwere caught stealing you'd be hanged, or at any rate soundly flogged?"
"Yes. Hanged!" He shrugged his shoulders. "Flogged!" He pulled asidehis rags and showed the marks left by old thrashings on his skin.
"Incorrigible little imp!" muttered Jack in English. "Look here," hewent on in Spanish, "you can't go with me; that's settled. You must goback to Salamanca. I'll give you a note to Ogbourne--"
"He'll flog me."
"No. I'll tell him to get you some clothes and see that you are fed,and to keep his eye on you till I get back. Now, will you promise me tokeep out of mischief?"
"No."
"Impudent little beggar! I suppose you know no better. You know at anyrate that my man will lay on pretty heavily if you plague him. Look,here's a silver peseta. I'll give you this if you promise to go back toSalamanca."
He held up the coin between finger and thumb.
"Give it me," said Pepito.
"Promise."
"I'll go with you, Senor," said the boy obstinately.
"Don't you understand? It's impossible. I can't be clogged with you.Come now, here's the money. Cut away, and when I see you next take carethat you've decent clothes on your back."
Jack rapidly scribbled a note, and gave it with the coin into the brownlean little paw, eagerly outstretched to receive it. Pepito stowed themboth into a pocket he discovered somewhere among his rags, then grinned,and said:
"Now I run with Senor's mule."
"Confound you!" cried Jack, losing patience at last. "I won't have youwith me."
He raised the switch which he had laid across the saddle and made tostrike at the gipsy. Pepito looked in his face with an inscrutableexpression in his dark eyes, shrank back from the expected blow, thenslowly turned on his heel and slunk away in the direction of Salamanca.
"The obstinate little mule!" said Jack to himself as he watched him go."I don't wonder that Giles has given him many a tanning. I'd sooner behaunted by a ghost."
As soon as Pepito was out of sight Jack remounted, and set the mule at acanter to make up for lost time.
Boys of the Light Brigade: A Story of Spain and the Peninsular War Page 7