His instructions were to proceed as far as Regoa and there report himself to one Bartholomew Bearsley, a prosperous and influential English wine-grower, whose father had acquired considerable vineyards in the Douro.

He was reminded of the almost hostile disposition of the peasantry in certain districts; warned to handle them with tact and to suffer no straggling on the part of his troopers; and advised to place himself in the hands of Mr.Bearsley for all that related to the purchase of the cattle.

Let it be admitted at once that had Sir Robert Craufurd been acquainted with Mr.Butler's feather-brained, irresponsible nature, he would have selected any officer rather than our lieutenant to command that expedition.

But the Irish Dragoons had only lately come to Pinhel, and the general himself was not immediately concerned.
Lieutenant Butler set out on a blustering day of March at the head of his troopers, accompanied by Cornet O'Rourke and two sergeants, and at Pesqueira he was further reinforced by a Portuguese guide.

They found quarters that night at Ervedoza, and early on the morrow they were in the saddle again, riding along the heights above the Cachao da Valleria, through which the yellow, swollen river swirled and foamed along its rocky way.