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encouraged by our long inaction。 Of Wellington we had no great fear。
We had found him to be brave and cautious； but with little enterprise。
Besides； in that barren country his pursuit could not be rapid。
But on our flanks and in our rear there had gathered great numbers of
Portuguese militia； of armed peasants； and of guerillas。 These people had
kept a safe distance all the winter； but now that our horses were foundered
they were as thick as flies all round our outposts； and no man's life was
worth a sou when once he fell into their hands。 I could name a dozen
officers of my own acquaintance who were cut off during that time； and
the luckiest was he who received a ball from behind a rock through his
head or his heart。 There were some whose deaths were so terrible that no
report of them was ever allowed to reach their relatives。 So frequent
were these tragedies； and so much did they impress the imagination of the
men； that it became very difficult to induce them to leave the camp。
There was one especial scoundrel； a guerilla chief named Manuelo；
〃The Smiler；〃 whose exploits filled our men with horror。 He was a large；
fat man of jovial aspect； and he lurked with a fierce gang among the
mountains which lay upon our left flank。 A volume might be written of
this fellow's cruelties and brutalities； but he was certainly a man of power；
for he organised his brigands in a manner which made it almost impossible
for us to get through his country。 This he did by imposing a severe
discipline upon them and enforcing it by cruel penalties； a policy by which
he made them formidable； but which had some unexpected results； as I
will show you in my story。 Had he not flogged his own lieutenantbut
you will hear of that when the time comes。
There were many difficulties in connection with a retreat； but it was
very evident that there was no other possible course； and so Massena
began to quickly pass his baggage and his sick from Torres Novas； which
was his headquarters； to Coimbra； the first strong post on his line of
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communications。 He could not do this unperceived； however； and at
once the guerillas came swarming closer and closer upon our flanks。
One of our divisions； that of Clausel； with a brigade of Montbrun's cavalry；
was far to the south of the Tagus； and it became very necessary to let them
know that we were about to retreat； for Otherwise they would be left
unsupported in the very heart of the enemy's country。 I remember
wondering how Massena would accomplish this； for simple couriers could
not get through； and small parties would be certainly destroyed。 In some
way an order to fall back must be conveyed to these men； or France would
be the weaker by fourteen thousand men。 Little did I think that it was I；
Colonel Gerard； who was to have the honour of a deed which might have
formed the crowning glory of any other man's life； and which stands high
among those exploits which have made my own so famous。
At that time I was serving on Massena's staff； and he had two other
aides…de…camp； who were also very brave and intelligent officers。 The
name of one was Cortex and of the other Duplessis。 They were senior to
me in age； but junior in every other respect。 Cortex was a small； dark
man； very quick and eager。 He was a fine soldier； but he was ruined by
his conceit。 To take him at his own valuation； he was the first man in the
army。
Duplessis was a Gascon； like myself； and he was a very fine fellow； as
all Gascon gentlemen are。 We took it in turn； day about； to do duty； and
it was Cortex who was in attendance upon the morning of which I speak。
I saw him at breakfast； but afterward neither he nor his horse was to be
seen。 All day Massena was in his usual gloom； and he spent much of his
time staring with his telescope at the English lines and at the shipping in
the Tagus。
He said nothing of the mission upon which he had sent our comrade；
and it was not for us to ask him any questions。
That night； about twelve o'clock； I was standing outside the Marshal's
headquarters when he came out and stood motionless for half an hour； his
arms folded upon his breast； staring through the darkness toward the east。
So rigid and intent was he that you might have believed the muffled
figure and the cocked hat to have been the statue of the man。 What he
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was looking for I could not imagine； but at last he gave a bitter curse； and；
turning on his heel； he went back into the house； banging the door behind
him。
Next day the second aide…de…camp； Duplessis； had an interview with
Massena in the morning； after which neither he nor his horse was seen
again。 That night； as I sat in the ante…room； the Marshal passed me； and I
observed him through the window standing and staring to the east exactly
as he had done before。 For fully half an hour he remained there； a black
shadow in the gloom。
Then he strode in； the door banged； and I heard his spurs and his
scabbard jingling and clanking through the passage。 At the best he was a
savage old man； but when he was crossed I had almost as soon face the
Emperor himself。 I heard him that night cursing and stamping above my
head； but he did not send for me； and I knew him too well to go unsought。
Next morning it was my turn； for I was the only aide… de…camp left。 I
was his favourite aide…de…camp。 His heart went out always to a smart
soldier。 I declare that I think there were tears in his black eyes when he
sent for me that morning。
〃Gerard；〃 said he。 〃Come here！〃
With a friendly gesture he took me by the sleeve and he led me to the
open window which faced the east。 Beneath us was the infantry camp；
and beyond that the lines of the cavalry with the long rows of picketed
horses。
We could see the French outposts； and then a stretch of open country；
intersected by vineyards。 A range of hills lay beyond； with one well…