short
distance of the wagons were met by the officer in command of the convoy
and two others.

"We have come to discuss the terms of your surrender," Jack said. "I am
Captain Stilwell, one of Lord Peterborough's aides de camp. You see your
position is desperate."

"Not quite desperate," the French officer replied; "we have plenty of
ammunition and abundance of provisions, and can hold out for a long
time, till rescue comes."

"There is little chance of rescue," Jack said. "Your marshal has his
hands full where he is; and even did he hear of your situation and
detach a force back to your rescue, neither of which he is likely to do,
that force would have to fight every foot of its way, and assuredly not
arrive in time. Nor is there any more chance of your receiving succor
from the rear. You have made a gallant defense, sir, and might perhaps
hold out for many hours yet; but of what use is it sacrificing the lives
of your men in a vain resistance?"

"What is your proposal?" the officer asked.

"We propose," Jack said, "to allow you to march out with your arms and
five rounds of ammunition to each man, on you and your officers giving
me your parole to consider yourselves and your men as prisoners of war,
and not to serve again until exchanged."

The terms were far better than the French officer had looked for.

"I may tell you," Father Ignacio said, "that for these terms you are
indebted solely to this English officer. Had it depended upon us only,
rest assured that no one of you would have gone away alive."

"You will understand," Jack said, "that you will be allowed to take your
arms solely as a protection against the peasants, who have been justly
enraged by the brutal atrocities of your general. You know well that
even could their leaders here obtain from their followers a respect for
the terms of surrender, your men would be massacred in the first village
through which they passed were they deprived of their arms. My friends
here are desirous that no stigma of massacre shall rest upon the Spanish
honor, and they have therefore agreed to allow your men to keep their
arms for purposes of defense on their return march."

After a few words with his fellow officers the commander of the convoy
agreed to the terms. "You will, however," he said, "permit me to
take with me one or more wagons, as may be required, to carry off my
wounded?"

This was at once agreed to, and in ten minutes the two companies of
French i