of Colonel Armytage, he leapt on his horse and joined Don Josef and the
surviving troopers who were moving on in pursuit of the enemy. He had
not gone far before he fancied that he could distinguish Colonel
Armytage mounted on a horse among the French, and drooping as if badly
wounded.

The road sloped considerably in front. The French were descending the
steep. Calling to his companions to charge, he led the way, attacking
the rear-guard of the enemy with irresistible impetuosity. Down they
went before the Spanish blades like corn before the sickle. Those in
front endeavoured to fly. Some few turned to withstand their opponents,
but they, too, gave way, and Ronald and his followers fought on till
they reached the prize the French fancied they had secured: the person
to capture whom the expedition had apparently been despatched. The
colonel, who had been secured to his horse, was almost insensible, and
seemed not at all aware by whom he had been rescued. The French,
meantime, when they discovered the small number of the guerilla band
opposed to them halted, and seemed about to return; but Ronald showed so
bold a front that they apparently thought better of it, and on finding
that they were not again attacked, formed in order, and continued their
retreat.

Ronald observed, as he rode back, that although there were numbers of
dead on the road, there was not a wounded man alive among them.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

COLONEL ARMYTAGE WOUNDED--CROSSING THE BAY OF BISCAY--CHASED DURING A
GALE--THE BRIG DISMASTED--CAPTURED.

Ronald Morton's heart beat high with hope when he rode back, and was
able to announce to Mrs Armytage and Edda that he had recovered Colonel
Armytage. "Though wounded and faint from loss of blood, I trust that he
is not seriously hurt," he added.

He received an ample reward in the look of love and gratitude which Edda
gave him.

Before the arrival of the colonel, the carriage was got up, the traces
were repaired, the mules caught, and everything was in readiness to
move. Don Josef, who now came up, insisted on their returning to his
house.

"Even if the enemy were not in the neighbourhood," he observed, "it
would be useless for the commissioner to proceed further, utterly unable
as he is to attend to business."

After a time Colonel Armytage yielded an unwilling consent to the
arrangement, he had learned that Don Josef was Morton's friend, and he
was evidently doubting in his mind ho