do
they?"

The coming of the two goat-herds soon proved that they were hospitably
bent, and the lads agreed between themselves that there were far worse
breakfasts than black-bread cake and warm goat's-milk.

This ended, a difficult task had to be mastered, and that was to try and
obtain information such as would enable the two questioners to learn the
whereabouts of the British troops.

But it proved to be easier than might have been supposed.

To Pen's surprise he learned all he wanted by the use of three
words--_soldado, Frances_, and _Ingles_--with the addition of a good
deal of gesticulation.

For, their breakfast ended, the two lads stood with their hosts, and Pen
patted his own breast and that of his companion, and then touched their
muskets and belts.

"_Soldado_," he said. "_Soldado_."

The fiercer-looking of the two goat-herds caught his meaning directly,
and touched them both in turn upon the breast before repeating the word
_soldado_ (soldier).

"That's all right, Punch," said Pen. "I have made him understand that
we are soldiers."

"Tchah!" said Punch scornfully. "These Spaniels ain't fools. They
knowed that without you telling them."

"Never mind," said Pen. "Let me have my own way, unless you would like
to do it."

"No, thank you," replied the boy, shrinking back, while Pen now turned
and pointed in the direction where he believed the French troops lay.

"_Soldado Frances_?" he said in a questioning tone; and the man nodded
quickly, caught hold of the lad's pointing arm, and pressed it a little
to one side, as if to show him that he had not quite located their
enemies correctly.

"_Soldado Frances_!" he said, showing his white teeth in a smile; and
then his face changed and he drew his knife. "_Soldado Frances_," he
said fiercely.

Pen nodded, and signed to the man to replace his knife.

"So far, so good, Punch," said Pen. "I don't know how we are going to
get on about the next question."

But again the task proved perfectly easy, for, laying his hand upon the
goat-herd's arm, he repeated the words "_Soldado Ingles_."

"_Si_," said the man directly; and he patted the lad on his shoulder.
"_Soldado Ingles_."

"Yes, that's all right," said Pen; "but, now then, look here," And
pointing with his hand to a spot higher up the mountain, he repeated the
two Spanish words with a questioning tone: "_Soldado Ingles_?"

The man looked at him blankly, and Pen pointed in another directi