ter. All were ordered to be in readiness to march
two hours before daybreak.

The count then retired to his quarters, and there pointed out on the map
to the three divisional leaders the spots where he intended to make a
stand, and gave them instructions as to their respective shares of the
operations. Their orders were very general. They were to post their men
on the side hills, and as much behind cover as possible, to keep up a
galling fire at the column, occasionally to show in threatening masses
as if about to charge down, so as to cause as much alarm and confusion
as possible, and, should at any point the nature of the ground favor
it, they were to dash down upon the baggage train and to hamstring the
horses, smash the wheels, and create as much damage as they could, and
to fall back upon the approach of a strong body of the enemy. Those in
the rear were to press closely up so as to necessitate a strong force
being kept there to oppose them. But their principal duties were to hold
the passes, and to prevent any convoys, unless very strongly guarded,
from reaching the enemy from his base at Saragossa.

After these instructions had been given supper was spread, and some
fifteen or twenty of the principal persons who had joined were invited
by the count, and a pleasant evening was spent.

It was interesting to Jack to observe the difference between this
gathering and that which had taken place in the Earl of Peterborough's
quarters on the evening before the attack on San Matteo. There, although
many considered that the prospects of success on the following day were
slight indeed, all was merriment and mirth. The whole party were in the
highest spirits, and the brilliant wit of the earl, and his reckless
spirit of fun, had kept the party in continual laughter.

The tone on the contrary at the present gathering was quiet and almost
stiff. These grave Catalan nobles, fresh from their country estates,
contrasted strongly with the more lively and joyous inhabitants of
Valencia. Each addressed the other with ceremony, and listened with
grave attention to the remarks of each speaker in turn.

During the whole evening nothing approaching to a joke was made, there
was scarcely a smile upon the countenance of any present; and yet the
tone of courtliness and deference to the opinions of each other, the
grave politeness, the pride with which each spoke of his country, their
enthusiasm in the cause, and the hatred with which t