This is not so in regular warfare.
Whatever may have been the conduct of some of our irregulars, none have ever alleged that Spanish troops are less inclined to give quarter to conquered foes than others; but in this rough irregular warfare each peasant fights on his own account as against a personal enemy, and as he would expect and would meet with little mercy if he fell into the enemy's hands, so he grants no mercy to those who fall into his.

Indeed, after the brutal treatment which Marshal Tesse has, I am ashamed to say, dealt out to those who opposed him, you can scarcely blame peasants for acting as they see civilized soldiers do." A short time afterward Jack went out with the count into the courtyard, and was received with the most hearty and cordial greeting by the men who were an hour before thirsting for his blood.

Among them was the village mayor.
"Ah, sir," he said, "why did you not tell us that you had saved the life of our lord and lady?
You should have had all the horses in the district, and as many wagons of wine and grain as we could collect.

We are all in despair that we should have attacked our lord's preserver." "I could not tell you," Jack said, "because I was in ignorance that the Count de Minas was your lord; had I known it I should have assuredly gone straight to him." "We shall never forgive ourselves," the man said, "for having killed four of your honor's soldiers." "I am sorry that it was so," Jack said, "but I cannot blame you; and I am sorry that we on our part must have killed as many of yours." "Six," the mayor replied.

"Yes, poor fellows, but the count will see to their widows and orphans, he has promised us as much.