"He will receive the reward of his treason instantly. It has always been whispered that he was false to King Ferdinand and his allies. A base wretch! to join the invaders of Spain when so many brave men are struggling with heart and hand to free her from the grasp of the Buonapartes. Evan, bring that officer down. Mark him when the word is given to fire." "Were he as fause as Menteith, an ounce o’ cauld leed will settle him," replied Evan, blowing some loose powder from his lock. "I’ll tak’ him canny, and wing him aucht inches below the oxter,—that’s just in the belt." "No, no, for God’s sake!" whispered Louis to Stuart. "He is the father of Virginia de Alba, and were he as false as Judas that would save him." "Hush!" whispered Seaton, in the same low tone; "they are conversing, and I should be glad to hear the news from Valencia." "_Monsieur le Duc_ will perhaps be so good as to inform us whereabouts this infernal bridge of Fuente Duenna lies?" said De Mesmai. "Ah!" chimed in the baron, in Spanish, "this is the place marked by the marshal in his map." "The bridge lies lower down the river," replied the duke; "but there is a ford in this neighbourhood, which I will have the honour to show you, senores." "Do so, in the devil’s name!" replied De Mesmai hastily, while he surveyed the duke with an expression on his dark face which showed how much he despised such an auxiliary, notwithstanding his rank. "We have ridden quite far enough to see this ford, and when you have shown it to the baron, I will condescend to thank you." "De Mesmai!" said the baron, holding up his hand warningly. "Bah! _Monsieur le Baron_,—I comprehend; the British may look for a visit in the morning, which will yield them more danger than delight. With your permission, Monsieur Law, after reconnoitring this ford we will retire as soon as possible, because I little like riding here in such open ground. These bushes opposite might contain a thousand riflemen, or some of your bare-legged brethren, than whom I would rather face the devil. I have provided a white stake to drive into the ground, which will mark the ford for Lamorciere’s chasseurs, who lead the way in our attack on Hill’s troops to-night." "Colonel Lamorciere shall be welcome," said Seaton, as De Mesmai moved his horse along the bank of the river, chanting gaily an old rondeau beginning with,— _"Pauvres Anglais!_ _Vous n’avez que de l’arrogance,_ _Pauvres Anglais" &c. &c._ At that moment the Highland bugle-boy, who knelt by Beaton’s side, sounded "_fire!_"