s in a village among the hills, to the left of the line
by which the enemy were advancing. It was toward this place that the
peasants were hastening. Jack had frequently met the count at the siege
of Barcelona, and had taken a strong liking for the gallant and dashing
Spanish nobleman. The village was crowded with peasants armed with all
sorts of weapons--rough, hardy, resolute men, determined to defend their
country to the last against the invaders. A shout of satisfaction arose
as Jack and his two troopers rode in, and at the sound the count himself
appeared at the door of the principal house in the village.

"Ah, Senor Stilwell," he said, "this in an unexpected pleasure. I
thought that you were with the earl in Valencia."

"So I have been, count, but he has sent me hither with a dispatch for
you, and, as you will see by its contents, places me for awhile at your
disposal."

"I am pleased indeed to hear it," the count said; "but pray, senor--"

"Captain, count," Jack said with a smile, "for to such rank the earl has
been pleased to promote me as a recognition for such services as I was
able to perform in his campaign against Valencia."

"Ah," the count said, "you earned it well. Every man in that wonderful
force deserved promotion. It was an almost miraculous adventure, and
recalled the feats of the Cid. Truly the days of chivalry are not
passed; your great earl has proved the contrary."

They had now entered the house, and, after pouring out a cup of wine
for Jack after the fatigue of his ride, the count opened the dispatch of
which Jack was the bearer.

"It is well." he said when he had read it. "As you see for yourself I am
already preparing to carry out the first part, for the alarm bells have
been ringing out from every church tower in this part of Catalonia, and
in another twenty-four hours I expect six thousand peasants will be
out. But, as the earl says, I have no hope with such levies as these of
offering any effectual opposition to the advance of the enemy.

"The Miquelets cannot stand against disciplined troops. They have
no confidence in themselves, and a thousand Frenchmen could rout six
thousand of them; but as irregulars they can be trusted to fight. You
shall give me the advantage of your experience and wide knowledge, and
we will dispute every pass, cut off their convoys, and harass them. I
warrant that they will have to move as a body, for it will go hard with
any party who may be detached fr