om within the
cottage, but who pressed forward as if to listen to the priest's words.

"Why, he must be preaching to them," said Punch to himself at last, "but
I can't understand a word. This Spanish seems queer stuff. What does
_el rey_ mean, I wonder. Dunno," he muttered, as he yawned drowsily.
"Seems queer that eating and drinking should make you sleepy. Well, I
ain't obliged to listen to what that old fellow says. Wonder whether
Private Gray knows what _el rey_ means? Better not ask him, though, now
he's asleep. Phew! It is hot up here! _Buzz, buzz, buzz_! What is he
talking about? Seems to make me sleepier to listen to him.--I say, not
awake, are you, comrade?"

There was no reply, and soon after Punch's heavy breathing was heard in
addition to the low murmur of the priest's voice, for the boy too, worn
out with what he had gone through during the past hours, was fast
asleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

THE NEW FRIEND.

Punch woke up with a start to find that it was broad daylight, for the
sun was up, the goats on the valley-side were bleating, and a loud
musical bell was giving forth its constantly iterated sounds.

Punch looked down the knot-hole through which the bright morning rays
were streaming up as well as between the ill-fitting boards; but as far
as he could make out there was no one below, and he remained peering
down for some minutes, recalling all that had taken place overnight,
till, turning slightly, he caught sight of the basket of provisions.

"It makes one feel hungry again," muttered the boy, and his hand was
stretched out to draw the basket to his side. "No, no," he continued,
pulling back his hand; "let's have fair-play.--Awake, comrade?--Fast
asleep. That looks well. My word, how I slept after that supper! Wish
he would wake up, though. Be no harm in filling up with water," And,
creeping softly to where the jar had been placed for safety, he took a
long, deep draught. "Ah!" he ejaculated, "that will keep the hungries
quiet for a bit;" and then he chuckled to himself as his eye wandered
about the loft, and he noted how the priest used it for a storeroom, one
of his chief stores being onions. "And so the French are holding the
country everywhere, are they? And we are to lie snug here for a bit,
and then that Spanish chap is going to show us the way to get to our
regiment again. Well, we have tumbled among friends at last; but I hope
we sha'n't have to lie here till al