om the rest."

"I fear, count, you must not rely in any way upon my knowledge," Jack
said. "I am a very young officer, though I have had the good fortune to
be promoted to the rank of captain."

"Age goes for nothing in this warfare," the count said. "The man of
seventy and the boy of fifteen who can aim straight from behind a rock
are equally welcome. It is not a deep knowledge of military science that
will be of any use to us here. What is wanted is a quick eye, a keen
spirit, and courage. These I know that you have, or you would never have
won the approbation of the Earl of Peterborough, who is, of all men,
the best judge on such matters. Now I will order supper to be got ready
soon, as it must, I am sure, be long since you had food. While it is
being prepared I will, with your permission, go out and inspect the
new arrivals. Fortunately, ten days ago, foreseeing that Tesse would
probably advance by this line, I sent several wagon loads of provisions
to this village, and a store of ammunition."

Jack accompanied the count into the street of the village. The latter
went about among the peasants with a kindly word of welcome to each,
giving them the cheering news that though the great English general was
occupied in Valencia, he had promised that, when the time came, he would
come with all haste to the defense of Barcelona, and in the mean time
he had sent an officer of his own staff to assist him to lead the noble
Catalans in the defense of their country. On the steps of the church the
priest, with half a dozen willing assistants, was distributing food from
the wagons to the peasants.

"Don't open the ammunition wagon tonight," the count said. "The men must
not take as much as they like, but the ammunition must be served out
regularly, for a Catalan will never believe that he has too much powder,
and if left alone the first comers would load themselves with it, and
the supply would run short before all are provided."

The count then entered the church, where a party of men were occupied
in putting down a thick layer of straw. Here as many as could find room
were to sleep, the others sheltering in the houses and barns, for the
nights were still very cold among the hills. Having seen that all was
going on well, the count returned to his quarters, where a room had been
assigned to Jack's two dragoons, and the sound of loud laughter from
within showed that they were making themselves at home with the inmates.

A wel