Chapters 9, 10, and 11 Summary

The battle continues around the convent as Frederickson advances with most of the fighting men. Though fierce, the battle is short and Frederickson's forces secure the convent. Sharpe busies himself with the disposition of many prisoners—he has them stripped naked or nearly naked and placed in holding cells. He is disheartened to discover that Hakeswill has escaped. Sharpe and Harper survey the convent with a focus on tactical defense. They note that much of the basement is an ossuary filled with human bones. One basement room has a hole hacked through the wall as an improvised loophole; a cannon points out the hole. Sharpe notes that it is Christmas Eve and some of the soldiers quietly celebrate. In Chapter 10, Sharpe continues to consolidate his forces at the convent. Although intelligence is spotty, Sharpe estimates he is heavily outnumbered and...