the
exertions which they had undergone with their indefatigable general.
They had ridden for three days and nights almost without sleep, and on
their arrival at Tortosa were engaged unceasingly in carrying out their
chief's instructions, in making preparations for the advance, and in
obtaining every possible information as to the country to be traversed.

Both the young officers had now begun to speak Spanish. A residence of
four months in the country, constant communication with the natives, and
two months and a half steady work with an instructor had enabled them
to make great progress, and they were now able to communicate without
difficulty with the Spaniards with whom they came in contact.

CHAPTER IX: THE ADVANCE INTO VALENCIA

The Earl of Peterborough had not satisfied himself with depriving the
enemy of all information as to his advance. He took steps to confuse and
alarm them by false news. By means of large bribes he prevailed upon two
peasants to carry each a copy of the same letter to Colonel Jones, who
commanded in San Matteo. He took the further step of insuring their
loyalty by arresting their families as hostages, and, moreover, took
care that they should know nothing as to the real state of things that
they could report if treacherously inclined.

He arranged that one of them should go in first and, passing through the
besiegers' lines, should arouse their suspicions, and should then, when
arrested, give up the letter concealed upon him, and should also betray
the route by which his companion was endeavoring to reach the city,
so that the second messenger would also be captured and his letter be
taken. The letters were as follows:

"To COLONEL JONES: You will hardly believe yourself what this letter
informs you of, if it come safe to you; and though I have taken the best
precaution, it will do little prejudice if it falls into the enemy's
hands, since they shall see and feel my troops almost as soon as they
can receive intelligence, should it be betrayed to them. The end for
which I venture it to you is that you may prepare to open the furthest
gate toward Valencia, and have four thousand Miquelets ready, who
will have the employment they love and are fit for, the pursuing and
pillaging a flying enemy. The country is as one can wish for their
entire destruction. Be sure, upon the first appearance of our troops and
the first discharge of our artillery, you answer with an English halloo,
and ta