"It is quite certain that the place must fall, sooner or later; and though we might beat the French back several times, it must come to the same, in the end.

The thing I am most concerned about, at present, is how we are to get away." "I quite agree with you, Dick; and you know, we have had several looks at the French lines, from the roof of the church.

Their batteries are chiefly on this side of the town; but most of their troops are encamped on the other side, so as to be in readiness to meet any attempt of Wellington to succour the place; and also to show the garrison that there is no chance, whatever, of their being able to draw off.

We agreed that the chances would be much better of getting out on this side than on the other." "Yes; but we also agreed, Terence, that there would be a good deal more difficulty in getting safely back; for practically the whole of their army would be between us and Wellington." "It will be a difficult business, Dicky, whichever way we go; and I suppose that, at last, we shall have to be guided by circumstances." In a very short time, fires broke out at several points in the town.

The guns on the walls made but a very feeble reply to the French batteries; and one or two bastions, where alone a brisk fire was at first maintained, drew upon themselves such a storm of missiles from the French guns that they were soon silenced.
"It is quite evident that the Portuguese gunners have not much fight in them," Bull said.
"I am afraid it is the disaffection among their officers that is paralysing them," Terence said.