nce 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