On the town side the firing has all but ceased; they know that the store of provisions is almost exhausted, and regard it as a waste of powder and shot to continue their cannonade, which only results in the citadel answering it, and that with very much more effect than the Spanish guns produce.

May I ask if you have any plan of getting in ?" "No, sir, we must decide upon that when we see how matters stand." "Who is the we ?" the colonel asked.
"Myself and my servant, who is a very sharp and intelligent lad whom I can thoroughly trust.

Alone I could do nothing, for I have only picked up a few phrases in Italian yet, and should be detected at once; so anything that has to be said must be said by him.

May I ask, sir, if the enemy are in force on the other side of the bridge?
if so, we must cross by swimming, either above or below it." "No; there was a regiment there until three days ago, but they marched away, and no doubt formed a portion of Prince Thomas's force.

They know well enough that although our garrison can hold the walls, we are not strong enough to undertake any enterprise." "Then, sir, we have only to ask for an escort for a mile or so beyond the other side of the bridge, in case a company should have been left to watch the road.