Mr. Fortescue eBook

William Westall
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 334 pages of information about Mr. Fortescue.

Mr. Fortescue eBook

William Westall
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 334 pages of information about Mr. Fortescue.

Our Spanish allies, officers as well as privates, were less scrupulous.  They robbed like highwaymen, and protested that they were only taking their own.

While riding toward Vittoria to execute an order of the colonel’s, I passed a carriage which a moment or two previously had been overtaken by several of Longa’s dragoons, with the evident intention of overhauling it.  In the carriage were two ladies, one young and pretty the other good-looking and mature; and, as I judged from their appearance, both being well dressed, the daughter and wife of a French officer of rank.  They appealed to me for help.

“You are an English officer,” said the elder in French; “all the world knows that your nation is as chivalrous as it is brave.  Protect us, I pray you, from these ruffians.”

I bowed, and turning to the Spaniards, one of whom was an officer, spoke them fair; for my business was pressing, and I had no wish to be mixed up in a quarrel.

“Caballeros,” I said, “we do not make war on women.  You will let these ladies go.”

Carambo! We shall do nothing of the sort,” returned the officer, insolently.  “These ladies are our prisoners, and their carriage and all it contains our prize.”

“I beg your pardon, Senor Capitan, but you are, perhaps not aware that Lord Wellington has given strict orders that private property is to be respected; and no true caballero molests women.”

Hijo de Dios! Dare you say that I am no true caballero?  Begone this instant, or—­”

The Spaniard drew his sword; I drew mine; his men began to look to the priming of their pistols, and had General Anson not chanced to come by just in the nick of time, it might have gone ill with me.  On learning what had happened, he said I had acted very properly and told the Spaniards that if they did not promptly depart he would hand them over to the provost-marshal.

“We shall meet again, I hope, you and I,” said the officer, defiantly, as he gathered up his reins.

“So do I, if only that I may have an opportunity of chastising you for your insolence,” was my equally defiant answer.

“A thousand thanks, monsieur!  You have done me and my daughter a great service,” said the elder of the ladies.  “Do me the pleasure to accept this ring as a slight souvenir of our gratitude, and I trust that in happier times we may meet again.”

I accepted the souvenir without looking at it; reciprocated the wish in my best French, made my best bow, and rode off on my errand.  By the same act I had made one enemy and two friends; therefore, as I thought, the balance was in my favor.  But I was wrong, for a wider experience of the world than I then possessed has taught me that it is better to miss making a hundred ordinary friends than to make one inveterate enemy.

CHAPTER VII.

IN QUEST OF FORTUNE.

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Project Gutenberg
Mr. Fortescue from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.