left M. Tassin's
picket. The detachment was on the point of starting for Taragona, and
was eating its soup, when my Norman came up all out of breath. Not
wishing, however, to lose a mouthful, he seated himself by a cooking-pot
and began to make a very tranquil breakfast, without saying a word about
what had happened at Agreda. By great good luck he was noticed by M.
Tassin, who, surprised at seeing him returned, asked him where he had
quitted the officer whom he had been told off to escort. 'Good Lord,
sir,' replied the Norman, 'I left him in that big village with his head
half split open, and fighting with Spanish troopers, and they were
cutting away at him with their swords like anything.' At these words
Lieutenant Tassin ordered his detachment to arms, picked the fifteen
most active, and went off at the double towards Agreda. The little troop
had gone some way when they heard shots, and inferred from them that I
was still alive but in urgent need of succour. Stimulated by the hope of
saving me, the brave fellows doubled their pace, and finally perceived
me on the ridge of the hill, serving as a mark for three Spanish
troopers.

M. Tassin and his men were tired, and I was at the end of my strength.
We halted, therefore, for a little, and meanwhile you may imagine that I
expressed my warmest gratitude to the lieutenant and his men, who were
almost as glad as I was. We returned to the bivouac where M. Tassin had
left the rest of his people. The _cantiniere_ of the company was there
with her mule carrying two skins of wine, bread, and ham. I bought the
lot and gave them to the soldiers, and we breakfasted, as I was very
glad to do, the two hussars whom I had left there the night before
sharing in the meal. One of these mounted the monk's mule and lent me
his horse, and so we set out for Taragona. I was in horrible pain,
because the blood had hardened over my wound. At Taragona I rejoined
Lannes' advance guard: the general in command had my wound dressed, and
gave me a horse and an escort of two hussars. I reached Tudela at
midnight, and was at once received by the marshal, who, though ill
himself, seemed much touched by my misfortune. It was necessary,
however, that the despatch about the battle of Tudela should be promptly
forwarded to the Emperor, who must be impatiently awaiting news from the
army on the Ebro. Enlightened by what had befallen me in the mountains,
the marshal consented that the officer bearing it shou