Chapter 14 Summary

As the French soldier tries to question Sharpe, Sharpe repeats the French word for friend over and over and points to the rear as if he is fleeing a hostile force. More French arrive and Sharpe and the riflemen attack. The element of surprise is lost, but the riflemen defeat the first group of French. The riflemen manage to capture some French weapons. Sharpe orders the riflemen to clear obstacles for Vivar's cavalry charge. Sharpe expects a French counterattack at any moment and he wonders where Vivar's cavalry are.

A French officer in command of a group of twenty cavalry challenges the riflemen and the riflemen fire. Sharpe hears a trumpet and Vivar's cazadores enter the town with fury. They fight not just for country but also for religious reasons. The Spanish volunteers follow the Cazadores and Sharpe orders the riflemen to distribute...