Terence opened the note.
"You will march at once.

Keep along on this side of the Mondego, breaking up your command into small parties, who will visit every village within reach.

All of their inhabitants who have not obeyed the proclamations, and retired, are to leave at once.

Destroy all provisions that you can find.

Set fire to the mills and, where this is not practicable, smash the machinery and, bearing south as you go, spread out over the country between the Zezere and the sea, and continue to carry on the duty assigned to you, compelling the peasants to drive their animals before them, along the roads to Lisbon." "I understand, sir," Terence said, after reading the note, "and will carry out the orders to the best of my ability." Five minutes later the regiment was under arms.