Summary Chapter 5 Summary

Out of the 400 Portuguese skirmishers who arrive at San Isidoro, only about a quarter of them survive. None of the officers of the Real Compañía Irlandesa are killed or even injured. The gatehouse where they are cowering is not attacked - even their horses are left though all of the other horses are taken. Kiely is offended when Sharpe suggests there is something puzzling about Loup not attacking the gatehouse. He suggests to Kiely, following the man as he retreats, that they fight it out at that moment. He tells Kiely that he is a coward and had skulked inside the gatehouse while men had been fighting and dying outside. The truth finally comes out that it had been Juanita de Elia who commanded the gatehouse not be opened.

Runciman survives by hiding behind a pile of ammunition and Sharpe...