leon was not likely to spare the man who had baffled his generals so long, and a peremptory message commanded that he should be shot forthwith. He underwent the sentence with heroic fortitude on February 20th, 1810. I IX With Wellington in the By GEORGE A. HENTY T was in the beginning of December, 1811, that the Scudamore boys again sailed up the Tagus to Lisbon, after an absence of just six months. When they had passed the medical board they were transferred from the unattached list to the Fifty-second Regiment, which was, fortunately for them, also in Spain. No events of great importance had taken place during their absence. Wellington, after the battles of Fuentas d'Onoro and Albuera, had been compelled to fall back again to the frontier in the face of greatly superior forces, and had maintained his old position on the Coa till the approach of winter compelled the French to retire into the interior, where they had their magazines and depots. The Scudamores found that the Fifty-second were encamped on the Agueda, and they at once prepared to go up country to join them. Their chargers presents from their aunt on leaving - were fresh and vigorous, and they purchased a strong country horse for Sambo, who, thanks to some practice which he had had in England, was now able to cut a respectable figure on horseback. A few hours were sufficient to make their preparations, and at noon on the day after landing they mounted, and followed by Sam, accompanied by a muleteer and two mules carrying their baggage, they started from the hotel at which they had put up. As they rode down the main street they saw several mounted officers approaching, and at once recognized in the leader the commander-in-chief, who had just arrived from the front to pay one of his flying visits, to endeavor to allay the jealousies in the Portuguese Council, and to insist upon the food which the British government was actually paying for being supplied to the starving Portuguese soldiers. Drawing their horses aside, they saluted Lord Wellington as he rode past. He glanced at them keenly, as was his custom, and evidently recognized them as he returned the salute. When he had passed they turned their horses and continued their way. They had not gone fifty yards, however, when an officer came up at a gallop. Lord Wellington wished them to call at his quarters in an hour's time. There are few things more annoying than, |