We have done a great deal in the way of destroying mills and magazines.

I am afraid Massena will find enough provisions to last his army all the winter." "That is bad." "Had it only been Coimbra, no very great harm would have been done; for the French troops got altogether out of hand when they entered, plundered the place and, as I hear, destroyed enough provisions to have lasted them a month." "Of course, they hold the town ?" "Oh yes! It is full of their sick and wounded." "What force have you ?" Terence asked.
"I have 1500 men of my own.

Miller and Wilson, with some of the Northern militias, will be here shortly; and I expect, in a few days, we shall have eight thousand men." "The great thing would be to act before the French know that there is so strong a force in the neighbourhood," Terence said, "because as soon as they hear that, they are sure to send a strong force back to Coimbra." "How do you mean, to act ?" Trant asked in some surprise.
"I propose that we should capture Coimbra, at once.

I have 2000 men and you have 1500.

I don't suppose they have left above a couple of thousand in the town, perhaps even less and, if we take them by surprise, I should think we ought to be able to manage that number, without difficulty.