ake 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 roun