"Then it is probably with Don Fernan’s agents in Madrid. But I am forgetting to thank you. Really, sir, it was very good of you to undertake this private errand when you must have been engrossed in public affairs. We were just going to have supper; will you honour us by joining our mess?" "I am very tired, and not at all in company trim; in fact, I had just declined a similar invitation from Sir John; but—" "You will, then? I am very glad. We will not keep you late." "I must first go and give a coin to the boy who showed me the way here—a little gipsy fellow who said he knew you." "Pepito! Let me deal with him, Mr. Vaughan; he has an extraordinary knack of turning up just when he can make himself useful. You’ll find a towel there; I’ll go and settle with Pepito, and you will follow me, won’t you? Our fellows will be delighted to meet you." And Jack left his visitor to his ablutions. There was much curiosity among the subalterns as to the identity of Jack’s visitor and the subject of their private interview; but Jack volunteered no information, merely telling them, as he passed through the room on his way to find Pepito, that Mr. Vaughan would join them at supper. "So you boys will have to mind your p’s and q’s," said Captain O’Hare. "No antics now. Some of these politicals are very starchy." Consequently it was a quiet group to whom, in a few minutes, Mr. Vaughan was introduced. They were all hungry, and Jack apologized for the plainness of the fare. "You see, sir," he said, "Sataro, our Portuguese contractor, has failed, and we all have to get what food we can." "You won’t find me fastidious," replied Vaughan. "I could almost eat my boots, I think." "Mr. Vaughan has just ridden five hundred miles on end," explained Jack. "By George!" exclaimed Dugdale. "Five hundred, bedad!" said Captain O’Hare. "If they were like the miles round Salamanca, sure you must have come through a power of mud!" "How long did it take you, sir?" asked Shirley. "Six days." There was a cry of astonishment. "Gad, that beats Bagster of Trinity!" said Dugdale. "Backed himself to ride sixty miles and eat sixty oysters in a hundred and sixty minutes; lost by six oysters, and always vowed he could ha’ done that if the vinegar hadn’t run short!" There was a general laugh. "I could have done with the oysters—even the six," said Vaughan, who was tickled by Dugdale’s whole-hearted enjoyment of his recollection. "And why did you pelt along so terrible hard, may I ask, Mr. Vaughan?" said the captain. "It’ll be common property to-morrow, so I may as well tell you. I have been for some time with the staff of General Palafox in Aragon. Six days ago General Castaños was totally defeated at Tudela." "Good heavens!" cried Pomeroy; "another defeat! It was quite time we turned up to help the Dons."