directly he heard of this movement. How different might have been the results if Sir Howard had accompanied the Gallician army in its retreat instead of passing the night at Tornero!1

1 Sir Howard was anxious to know whether the service he had rendered on this occasion was acknowledged by the Count of Amaranthe, and he made inquiries on the subject of his friend Sir Benjamin D'Urban, whose reply is dated Cintra, 10th October, 1815, and may furnish an extract:-"I wrote to the Count of Amaranthe to beg that if he had made such a report he would favour me with a copy of it, and that, if no such despatch had been made, he would send me a certificate of his having received important intelligence from you during the period in question. I enclose you his answer, which I think you will find satisfactory as an acknowledgment of most essential and valuable intelligence and service rendered by you."

CHAPTER XX.

JOINS LORD WELLINGTON.

SIR HOWARD's mind felt lightened after sending off his orderly to the Count of Amaranthe, and he was strolling down the village, when he heard the clatter of hoofs, and presently was startled by the appearance of two English Light Dragoons. He could hardly believe his eyes at first, but there was no doubting the blushing scarlet, or the English faces of the stalwart troopers. They recognised him as plainly and rode up in a canter, while he divided his admiration between their chargers and themselves.

"This is a strange encounter, Sergeant-Major," he said to the foremost. "Where are you from?"

"From General Anson at Tudela, sir," was the reply. "And I think you are Sir Howard Douglas?" "Yes."

"I have brought you despatches from Lord Wellington, sir, which the General thought it right to send on."

"A dangerous service!" said Sir Howard, more astonished as he looked at the address on the despatch. "Is it possible you have come across the country by Valladolid?"

"Yes, sir. But I heard the enemy had come up

there, and that the Spaniards had retreated. I thought it my duty to persevere in conveying the despatches; so we made our way to Casta Contrigo, where we heard you were here, and came across."

"You deserve great credit for your conduct: I have very important intelligence for Lord Wellington, and must send you on with it.”

The letter was soon ready, and the two dragoons were refreshed and at the door.

"Considering the importance of this despatch," said Sir Howard, as he gave it to the Sergeant-Major, “ I should like you to proceed by the bank of the Esla to Constantina, and then on to Salamanca." "Will you

The Sergeant-Major looked dubious. be so good as to give me this order in writing, sir?" he said, after a moment's hesitation.

"For what reason?" asked Sir Howard.

"Because I shouldn't take that way, if left to myself, sir."

"Well, tell me how you managed in coming here." "It was thought this would be a difficult service, sir, and I was picked out to do it, with leave to choose my companion. I chose this man, sir, and these horses-because I knew they could be trusted; and I settled in my own mind there'd be most danger in blundering on too fast, while certainty would be better than speed. I knew I should be safe with the people, and that the French wouldn't: so I determined to keep in sight of the French army."

"That was bold play."

Yes, sir. But I knew their cavalry could only chase me in a pretty large party; for a small one would

be cut up by the guerillas or peasantry; and the speed of a large party would be only the speed of their slowest horse, if they kept together and chased to a distance; so I could gallop round them with these mares half a dozen times in an hour." And he glanced with pride at the two chargers.

"Did they look after you?"

“Oh, yes, sir! I went on, and we soon fell in with them. They turned out a party of cavalry as I expected, and we gave them a good gallop. They turned, and we turned. I always drew off two or three miles at night, and went to some village or hamlet-generally to the priest, and told him what we were about. We got good treatment for ourselves and horses, and set off at daylight, sighted the French again, and let them give us a gallop. But they got to know our look after a few days, and then didn't give us much trouble."

"I'm sure I can't do better than leave such an excellent tactician to his own judgment," said Sir Howard.

"I'll carry the despatch in my own way, sir, as safely as if you'd put it in any post-office in England. That I warrant."

"I have full confidence in you. Now tell me your name."

"And yours?" said Sir Howard to the private. "Death," replied the soldier.

Sir Howard could not repress a smile at such a conjunction-Blood and Death! But he did not ask their names without a purpose, for he addressed a

P

report of their conduct to Lord Wellington, and suggested that it called for some mark of approbation. This procured them both a gratuity, and Lord Wellington offered to recommend the Sergeant-Major for a commission, but this he declined, on grounds creditable to his modesty and good sense, and which had weight with the Commander-in-Chief. But Sir Howard did not attach the same importance to his scruples; and he brought the case before his friend Earl Harcourt on his return to England, the Earl being Colonel of the 16th Dragoons, and interested him in the SergeantMajor's favour. Mr. Blood was surprised to find himself gazetted to a Cornetcy in the regiment, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant, when he obtained the appointment of Riding-master, and subsequently held a more lucrative post. He never knew to what influence he owed his advancement, and may first hear of Sir Howard's intervention from these pages.

Sir Howard had no sooner parted with the two dragoons than he determined to cross the country himself, first to Villafranca to confer with General Castaños, and then to Salamanca, whence he intended to proceed to meet Lord Wellington. He had sent a despatch to General Castaños to complain of the retreat from Tornero, and also of the position in which he was placed by the conduct of General Santocildes, for this had interfered with the performance of his duties. Few could have succeeded in such functions under the obstacles he met, nor could he have prevailed himself, but for the co-operation of General Castaños and the good will of the Spanish army and people. These proved a great support, and rendered him equal