"No, it is not a regiment. It is one man carrying a small white flag, and another, an officer, walking by his side. Oh, it must be a flag of truce, Jack! See, there he is, turning the corner of the street." It was as she said. Above the epaulement protecting the French gun at the end of the street a white flag was held aloft. A moment afterwards the Frenchman bearing it stepped into the street, and, accompanied by an officer, began to approach Jack’s position, picking his way among the débris and the bodies of the slain. "I must go to meet him," said Jack. "Have you anything to match his flag, Juanita? I’ve nothing fit to be seen." Juanita handed him her handkerchief. Tying this to a musket, Jack gave his extemporized flag to one of his men, and walked down the street to meet the Frenchman. *CHAPTER XXIX* *French Leave* Overtures—Capitulation—Prisoners of War—Colonel de Ferrusat—In Tudela—Personally Conducted—Adding Insult to Injury—Quos ego—Before a Fall—Out of Bondage Meeting midway down the street, the officers courteously saluted each other. "I come with a flag of truce, Señor," said the Frenchman in very bad Spanish. "I understand French, monsieur," replied Jack with a slight smile, which the other returned. The Frenchman continued, speaking now in French: "Marshal Lannes has given the order to cease fire, and has sent an aide-de-camp into the town to discuss terms of capitulation." It was impossible not to feel an unutterable sense of relief. But Jack gave no sign of it to the Frenchman. "Can you give me any particulars?" he said. "Yes, monsieur, certainly. Last night General Palafox sent his aide-de-camp to ask our marshal for a three days’ truce, and asking impossible terms. These, of course, were refused, and the fighting was resumed. But your people seem now to be more amenable to reason, and, to tell you the truth, monsieur, I have great hopes that this very afternoon the end of this most lamentable siege will come. It is, of course, impossible and useless for your people to continue the struggle." "That, monsieur, is a matter for our general to determine." "Allons, allons, monsieur! You have made a brave defence, but you are being driven in at all points, and it can only be a matter of a few hours before we capture your whole city." "I can only speak for myself, monsieur," said Jack quietly; "but it is now nearly three weeks since I had the honour to be appointed to this quarter. I am now, monsieur, where I was then." The French officer smiled, and bowing, half-ceremoniously, half-humorously, said: "Pardon my oversight. Permit me, monsieur, to offer my congratulations to a so gallant foe." After an exchange of courtesies, Jack returned to his men, who had watched the scene with mingled excitement and distrust. "Hombres," he said, "a truce is proclaimed. There will be no more fighting for the present."