"Bedad, not if they ask my advice. No Englishman, let alone an Irishman, ever turned his back for good on a Frenchman yet; and as the war secretary’s an Irishman, why, I prophesy we’ll be wid ye in six months, my boy." "Oh! but I’ll be home long before then. There’s one thing I’d like to stay in Spain for, but I see little chance of doing anything in it till the war’s over, and then it’ll be too late, so no doubt Mr. Frere will send me home at once." "Ah! And your one thing?" "A precious secret," interposed Pomeroy. "Lumsden’s a mystery-man ever since he picked up that brat Pepito, who’s the owner of the evil eye if ever gipsy was. Some cock-and-bull story of a hidden treasure, or a beautiful heiress, or something of that kind, if the truth was known; but Jack’s as mum as a mile-stone." A bugle sounded outside the house. "That’s our call, my boys," said the captain. "Come now, out and get the men into order, and march ’em off with as much decency as their rags admit. God bless ye, my boy! please the powers we’ll have you back in the mess yet." "’Fare thee well, but not for ever!’" said Shirley, giving Jack a hearty grip. "Good luck, old chap!" added Smith. "Give my love to the heiress Pepito finds for you, and if you should happen to come across the Grampus, take my advice—don’t gamble." Pomeroy shook hands silently. "You’ll give my love to the old people, Pommy?" said Jack. "I haven’t had time to write to them since we left Salamanca. You can give them all the news." Then they went among the men. Sergeant Wilkes looked astonished as he filed past and saw that Jack was not among his company, and Jack felt sure that he "wanted to know" more emphatically than ever, especially when, on turning suddenly, he found that Pepito was making farewell grimaces at all his friends in the regiment. "Now, Pepito," said Jack sternly, "if you’re to come with me, you must learn to behave yourself. Cut away and get my things ready; our ship leaves at nine to-night." Jack’s departure, however, had to be deferred until the following morning, the wind being unfavourable. Early on the 18th of January, then, he went on board a bergantin of some 300 tons, carrying his despatch for Mr. Frere in a waterproof bag, and followed by Pepito bearing the few articles he had been able to save out of his well-stocked kit of a few months before. Sir John Hope, when taking leave of him, had asked him to put in, if possible, at Vigo, and report to General Craufurd, if he were still there, the recent happenings at Corunna.