s, and was giving to the earl a detailed
account of the massacre, which so exasperated him that he gave orders
that the village should be burned to the ground, a command which
was willingly carried out by the troopers. Edwards was delighted at
recognizing Jack, and when, after the destruction of the village, the
party rode back to Campillo for the night, the two old friends had a
long chat as to the events which had happened since they last parted at
Barcelona.

"Is it true, sir, that the general has resigned his command?"

"Quite true, Edwards."

"And is he going home, sir?"

"No; he will sail to aid the Duke of Savoy; at least that is the present
intention; but I should not be surprised if he is in England ere many
months are over."

"Well, sir, I should like to get my discharge and go home too; being
chucked down that pit has given me a regular sickness of campaigning
among these savages. Talk about pirates, Captain Stilwell, why, I
had rather fall among pirates any day than among these bloodthirsty
wretches. Calls themselves Christians too! The pirates wasn't
hypocrites, in that way, anyhow; they didn't bow down on their knees
before every little trumpery doll stuck up by the wayside, and then go
and cut a man's throat afterward--it was all fair and square with them.
Anyways, it don't matter to me, as I see, whether they has King Charles
or King Philip to rule over them; I wishes him joy of the job, whichever
it may be; but I don't see no call to be risking my life in being shot,
or chucked down pits, or stabbed in my bed, for such a lot of varmint
any longer. I have served my full time, and can take my pension;
besides, I have got something like a thousand pounds stowed away in a
snug hiding place near Barcelona."

"You have, Edwards? I am glad to hear it; I had no idea you were such a
rich man."

"It's prize money, sir, lawful earned prize money, though I don't know
between ourselves as the colonel would have approved of it; so I stowed
it away and says nothing till I gets a chance to lift it before I set
sail. It's been rather worrying me in case we should be ordered to take
ship at some other port."

"Well, but how did you get it, Edwards?"

"Well, sir, I know that I can tell you, 'cause I am sure it won't go no
further. Just afore the French came down to besiege Barcelona I was
up with the brigade at Lerida. The people were pretty much divided up
there, but the news as the French was coming to drive