[Under Wellington’s Command by G. A. Henty]@TWC D-Link bookUnder Wellington’s Command CHAPTER 13: From Salamanca To Cadiz 16/30
It was for her sake that I undertook the business; and I have no doubt, whatever, that you will discharge the debt when you enter Salamanca." "That I certainly will, and to make it more certain I will ask one of the officers of my old regiment to undertake to find her out, and to pay the money; in case I may be with my own men, in some other part of the country." "That will be quite enough, senor.
Do not trouble yourself further on the matter.
We will start for Seville at daybreak." Travelling rapidly, the little party kept along the range of the sierras; and then proceeded by the valley of the Tagus and crossed the river at Talavera; and then, keeping nearly due south, struck the Guadiana at Ciudad Real and, crossing La Mancha, gained the Sierra Morena; held west for some distance along the southern slopes; and then turned south and struck the Guadalquivir between Cordova and Seville, and arrived safely at the latter town.
They had been obliged to make a great number of detours, to avoid bodies of the enemy; but the muleteer had no difficulty in obtaining information, from the peasants, as to the whereabouts of the French and, after reaching the plains, always travelled at night.
They fell in twice with large parties of guerillas; but these were not brigands for, as the country was still unconquered, and the French only held the ground they occupied, the bands had not degenerated into brigandage; but were in communication with the local authorities, and acted in conformity with their instructions, in concert with the Spanish troops. It was, however, nearly a month from the date of their leaving Salamanca before they arrived at Cadiz.
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