These pious meditations make me forget earthly matters." "This old alcalde at Banos, I found out, was quite spoiled by Lord Wellington.

He used to read all the general orders, and got an absurd notion in his head that because we were his allies, we were not allowed to plunder.

Only think, he used to snap his fingers at Beresford, didn't care twopence about the legion, and laughed outright at Wilson.

So, when I was ordered down there, I took another way with him.

I waited till night-fall, ordered two squadrons to turn their jackets, and sent forward one of my aides-de-camp, with a few troopers, to the alcalde's house.