ore closely into this matter."

"I will think of it," said Bradshawe, anxious to open a more
interesting subject.

"Pray think of it speedily," said L'Isle. "There is no time to be
lost, and I must lose no time now. The sun has set, and I must be in
Olivenca by midnight."

"What will you do there?" asked Bradshawe.

"Bait my horses on my way into Andalusia," answered L'Isle, riding off
at full gallop, leaving Bradshawe much provoked at his slipping out of
his hands before he could put him to the question.

CHAPTER XVII.

Who cannot be crushed with a plot?

All is Well that Ends Well.

Sir Rowland Hill had sent L'Isle off to the southward, to ascertain
the strength and condition of the reserve of Spanish troops moving up
from Andalusia. One might think that these things could be better
learned from the official reports of the _Conde d'Abispal_ and the
officers under him. But from the Prince of Parma's day to this,
Spanish officers in reporting the number and condition of their
commands, have made it a rule to state what they ought to be, not what
they are, leaving all deficiencies to be found out on the day of
battle. Sir Rowland, knowing this, now made use of L'Isle, whose
knowledge of the Spanish language and character, and his acquaintance
with many officers of rank, enabled him to ascertain the truth without
betraying the object of his mission, or giving offence to these proud
and jealous allies. Ten days had gone by when he again rode into
Elvas, and in spite of the secrecy aimed at in military councils, many
symptoms indicated that the campaign was about to open.

It was high time for the brigade to leave this part of the
country. The soldiers were disgusted with the sluggish people around
them, keen and active only in their efforts to make money out of their
protectors. The Portuguese were exasperated at the insolence of their
allies, their frequent depredations and occasional acts of violence,
many of which went unpunished; for the English officers, always
professing the utmost readiness to punish the offences of their men,
were singularly scrupulous and exacting as to the conclusiveness of
the proofs of guilt.

Lord Strathern's lax discipline may have aggravated, but had not
caused the evil, which was felt throughout Portugal. The Regency,
while proving itself unable to govern the country, or reform a single
abuse, had shown its ability to harass their allies and emba