Part One, Chapters 4 & 5 Summary

Though tempted to go to Helena's party, Sharpe stays and drinks with his men all evening. The next morning, Sharpe and his soldiers join the British forces outside the city. French troops are gathering in an attempt to beat the British and rescue the French soldiers trapped in the three forts across the river from Salamanca. Days pass, and the French forces under the command of Marshal Marmont do not attack.

Major Hogan arrives and speaks to Sharpe. Hogan wants to know about Leroux, and Sharpe tells him that Leroux is among those trapped in the forts. Hogan shows Sharpe a piece of paper with a message the British intercepted and decoded. The message is from Napoleon Bonaparte to Marshal Marmont, saying that Napoleon is sending Leroux, and Marmont is to provide anything Leroux needs. Hogan says they absolutely...