d of calls at the houses
where he had been entertained, and after the exchange of adieus,
ceremonial speeches, and compliments, he was heartily glad when the
gates closed behind him and he set out on his journey. As the road
did not pass anywhere near the Spanish camp there was little fear of
interruption in the way. The guide led them by little frequented tracks
across the hills, and by morning they were far on their road.

They were frequently obliged to make detours to avoid towns and villages
favorable to King Philip. Why one town or village should take one side,
and the next the other, was inexplicable to Jack, but it was so, and
throughout the country this singular anomaly existed. It could be
accounted for by a variety of causes. A popular mayor or a powerful
landed proprietor, whose sympathies were strong with one side or the
other, would probably be followed by the townspeople or peasants. The
influence of the priests, too, was great, and this also was divided.
However it was, the fact remained that, as with Villa Real and Nules,
neighboring towns were frequently enthusiastically in favor of opposite
parties. As Jack had seen all the dispatches and letters which poured
in to the earl, he knew what were the circumstances which prevailed in
every town and village. He knew to what residences of large proprietors
he could ride up with an assurance of welcome, and those which must be
carefully avoided.

In some parts of the journey, where the general feeling was hostile,
Jack adopted the tactics of his general, riding boldly into the village
with his two dragoons clattering behind him, summoning the head men
before him, and peremptorily ordering that provisions and forage should
be got together for the five hundred horsemen who might be expected to
come in half an hour. The terror caused by Peterborough's raids was
so great that the mere sight of the English uniform was sufficient to
insure obedience, and without any adventure of importance Jack and his
companions rode on, until, on the third day after leaving Valencia,
they approached Lerida. Groups of armed peasants hurrying in the same
direction were now overtaken. These saluted Jack with shouts of welcome,
and he learned that, on the previous day, Marshal Tesse with his army
had crossed from Arragon into Catalonia, and that the alarm bells had
been rung throughout the district.

From the peasants Jack learned where the Count of Cifuentes would be
found. It wa