Late in the afternoon of the second day after leaving Saragossa, Colonel de Ferussat’s column wound its way into Tudela, a place held in bitter memory by those of the prisoners who had formed part of Castaños’ army on the fatal 23rd of November. The scared inhabitants sullenly submitted to having the prisoners, with their guards, quartered upon them. Every building of any pretensions was occupied; but the smaller houses were left, for monsieur le colonel had a wholesome dread of scattering his men too widely. Colonel de Ferussat took up his quarters in the Plaza de Toros. His chagrin was somewhat mollified when he found that under the same roof was lodged no less a personage than General Chabot, who was on his way southward to rejoin his division, operating under General Gouvion de Saint-Cyr in Catalonia. The colonel thought a good deal of generals, for did he not expect to be a general himself some day? When, therefore, on entering the house, he found General Chabot himself lolling at ease, his coat thrown open and his jack-boots unlaced, he saluted with an air of unction, and prepared to make himself amiable. "Bonsoir, monsieur le général!" he said, sweeping his plumed hat at a radius of a yard. "Bonsoir, colonel!" responded the general. "En route for France, I presume?" "Yes, monsieur le general, and with the most paltry set of prisoners a French officer ever had. As scarecrows they’d disgrace any farmer’s field in La Beauce." "Ah! I had heard from some of your predecessors on the road about the end of the siege. I wonder at such a rabble being able to hold out so long." "Rabble indeed, monsieur le général. But there! what are Spaniards but rabble! If you had only seen them three months ago, when the marshal whipped them at this very spot!" "You were at the battle, colonel?" "Ma foi!" ejaculated the colonel, "I was indeed present on that amusing day." "I shall be glad to hear something of the fight—if you can spare time, colonel." "You honour me by the request. Would you care to ride over the field with me? We have time before it is dark." "Certainly; I shall understand the details so much the more clearly if I see the actual site."