"Pardon me, Señores," he said, "for interrupting what I am sure was a pastime. I am an English officer, as you see, and I fear that my men, ignorant of your customs and traditions, might have taken seriously what was no doubt begun in sport. There is no need for me to say a word, Señores about your valour; is not that known to all the world? and I am sure you would be the last to do anything to endanger the friendly alliance between your country and mine. The French are your enemies, Señores; they are ours too. We are fighting shoulder to shoulder in a noble cause. Confusion to the invader, say I! Hurrah for the independence of Spain! Cry Viva la España with me!" Then turning suddenly to the Riflemen, he cried: "Now, men, give three rousing cheers." Wilkes and his friends cheered half-heartedly and with an air of endurance; but the Spaniards were not discriminating, and responded with shrill vivas. "Thank you, my friends!" said the officer, when the tumult had subsided. "And now, as I have a few words to say to my men before I ride off, I will bid you good-day." In a few moments the pacified crowd dispersed in small knots, discussing with interested curiosity the young officer whose courteous firmness and fluent Spanish had produced so remarkable an effect. When, last of all, the interpreter, having recovered from the blow, had made his way across the square, the horseman called up Corporal Wilkes, who advanced with a somewhat guilty air and saluted. "Now, Corporal Wilkes, what do you mean by this? Have you forgotten the general’s orders about brawling with the Spaniards?" The corporal shifted his feet uneasily, and began to mumble an explanation in his slow ponderous way. "That’ll do," said the officer, cutting him short. "You’re always in hot water. Get off to your quarters, and report yourself to me in the morning." "Very good, sir." With a look of injured innocence he saluted and slouched off with his companions, while the officer, touching his horse’s flanks with the spur, cantered away. At the angle of the colonnade the crestfallen Riflemen were confronted by a tall stately figure in cocked hat and long military cloak, who had for some time been quietly watching the scene from an inconspicuous post of observation. "Who’s your officer, my man?" The Riflemen halted in a line, struck their heels together, and brought their hands to the salute like automata. "Mr. Lumsden, your honour," replied Wilkes, looking as though he would have liked to be elsewhere. "Oh indeed! Thank you!" The commander-in-chief acknowledged their salute and turned on his heel. The men stared after him for a few moments in silence; then Wilkes turned to his comrades, and said with a rueful look: "By gum! How much of that ’ere rumpus did Johnny see?—that’s what I’d like to know."