Terence called the whole of the officers together, and explained the instructions that he had received.

The two battalions were broken up into half companies which, as they marched along the Mondego, were to be left behind, one by one; each party, when left, turning south, and proceeding to carry out the orders received.

In a few cases, only, were companies to keep intact as, although a hundred men would be ample for the duty at the large villages, two hundred would not be too much in a town like Leiria.
On reaching Foz d'Aronce, half a battalion moved to the east, to work down by the river Zezere.

The rest turned to the right, to follow the course of the Mondego down to the sea.

For convenience, and in order to keep the troops in hand, Bull, Macwitty, Ryan, and Herrara each took the command of half a battalion; with orders to supervise the work of the companies belonging to it, and to keep in touch with the nearest company of the next battalion, so that the two thousand men could advance, to a certain extent, abreast of each other.
Foz d'Aronce had already been evacuated by its inhabitants, but in all other villages the orders were carried out.