nfantry were in readiness to march. There were forty wounded
in the wagons, and twenty-seven dead were left behind them. The French
officer in command, before marching off, thanked Jack very heartily for
his interference on their behalf.

"I tell you frankly, Captain Stilwell," he said, "that I had no hopes
whatever that I or any of my men would leave the ground alive, for these
Spaniards invariably massacre prisoners who fall into their hands. I
could not have left my wounded behind me; and even if I had resolved
to do so, the chances of our fighting our way back in safety would have
been small indeed. We owe you our lives, sir; and should it ever be in
the power of Major Ferre to repay the debt, you may rely upon me."

"I trust that the fortune of war may never place me in a position when I
may need to recall your promise," Jack said, smiling; "but should it do
so, I will not fail to remind you if I get a chance."

All was now ready for the march. Two wagons which had been hastily
emptied were, with the wounded men, placed in the center, and the
French, numbering now less than a hundred, started on their march. The
Spanish peasants remained in their places on the hillside till they had
departed, as the leaders had agreed that it was better they should be
kept away from the vicinity of the French, as a quarrel would be
certain to take place did they come to close quarters. The peasants
were indignant at what they deemed the escape of their enemies; but the
desire of plunder soon overcame other considerations, and as soon as the
French had marched off they poured down from the hills. Their leaders,
however, restrained them from indiscriminate plundering. There were in
all eighty-seven wagons loaded with wine, corn, flour, and provisions
for the use of the army.

An equal division was made of these among the various bands of peasants
in proportion to their strength. A few casks of wine were broached. The
peasants then buried their own dead--who were very few in number, so
securely had they been sheltered in their hiding places--and then the
force broke up, each party marching with its proportion of wagons back
to its village.

"Now, Signor Capitano," Father Ignacio said, "I trust that you will come
home with me. My village is six miles away, and I will do my best to
make you comfortable. Hitherto you have seen me only as a man of war. I
can assure you that I am much more estimable in my proper character as a
man of