No one is jealous of a man who owes his rise to brilliant deeds of courage, or signal ability; but it is galling to see these young popinjays thrust forward, simply by family influence." In passing over the hills the next day, a large party of armed men made their appearance, suddenly, on a height above; but, seeing that an attack was likely to meet with a stout resistance, and as little booty would be obtainable, they did not interfere with their passage.

Desmond congratulated himself on having an escort, for it would have gone hard with him, had he been accompanied only by Mike.
On the fifth day after leaving Madrid he arrived at Badajos, with the sergeant, the four troopers, and Mike.

After some formalities--for the town, being close to the frontier, was liable at any moment to be suddenly attacked--Desmond was conducted to the governor, a pompous Spanish officer.
"Are you yourself Major Kennedy ?" he asked, looking with some surprise at his young visitor.
"My name is Kennedy, sir, and I have the honour of being major, and to serve on the staff of his grace, the Duke of Orleans.

I am the bearer of a letter to you from His Majesty, King Philip." The Spaniard took the letter and read it, and Desmond could see, by the expression of his countenance, that he was by no means pleased.
"I do not understand," he said coldly, "why an officer should have been specially despatched to obtain information which I have already duly furnished." "I understood from the Duke of Orleans, sir, that as news has been received that the enemy's plans were to cross the frontier near this town, it became a matter of special importance to see that it was sufficiently supplied with provisions, and munitions of war to stand a siege.

It has been found more than once that, owing to the culpable neglect of subordinates, fortresses when besieged were by no means so well supplied with provisions, powder and shot, as had been supposed.