"I have been down the valley, and across the plain, almost to the gates of Salamanca," said the young paisano, leaning on his musket, and surveying, first, his sister with tender interest, and then, Grant with a dubious and anxious expression, for he loved him too, but trembled for the sequel to the stranger's passion for the beautiful Juanna. "I have been round the vicinity of the city from Monte Rubio and Villares to the bridge of Santa Marta on the Tormes--" "And you have learned?' said Grant, impetuously. "That scaling-ladders have been prepared in great numbers, for I saw them. Vast quantities of provision and ammunition on mules have been brought from the Pyrenees, and Marmont is sending everything--ladders, powder, and bread--towards--" "Not Ciudad Rodrigo and Almieda." "Si, senor." "The devil! You are sure of this?" "I counted twenty scaling-ladders, each five feet wide, and reckoned forty mules, each bearing fourteen casks of ball cartridges." "Good--I thank you, Domingo," said Grant, taking paper from a pocket-book, and making a hasty note or memorandum for Lord Wellington. "Ay--Dios mi terra!" said Juanna, with a soft sigh, as she dropped her head upon Grant's shoulder, and Domingo kissed her brow. "Now, where is Manrico el Barbado?" asked the captain, as he securely gummed the secret note. "Within call," said Domingo, giving a shrill whistle. A sound like the whirr of a partridge replied, and then a strong and ferocious-looking peasant, bare legged, and bare necked, with an enormous black beard (whence came his soubriquet of _el Barbado_), sprang up the rocks and made a profound salute to Grant, who was beloved and adored by all the guerillas, banditti, and wild spirits whom the French had unhoused and driven to the mountains; and among these his name was a proverb for all that was gallant, reckless, and chivalresque. "Is your mule in good condition, Manrico?" "He was never better, senor." "Then ride with _this_ to Lord Wellington; spare neither whip nor spur, and he will repay you handsomely." "And how about yourself, senor?" "Say to his lordship that I will rejoin him as early and as I best may." The Spanish scout concealed the note in _his beard_ with great ingenuity, and knowing well that he could thus pass the French lines with confidence, and defy all search, he departed on his journey to the British head-quarters; and the information thus received from Grant enabled the leader of the allies to take such measures as completely to outflank Marmont, and baffle his attempts upon Almieda and the city of Rodrigo. "So much for my friend Marmont," said Grant, "and now, Domingo, for _myself_." "Read this," said Domingo, handing to him a document; "I stabbed the French sentinel at the bridge of Santa Marta, and tore this paper from the guard-house door."