And yet the face may have had something to do with my bewilderment. I like, at any rate, to think so; because I have been in corners quite as awkward, yet have never known myself so pitifully demoralised. The uniform might be that of a British officer, but the face was that of Don Quixote de la Mancha, and shone at me in that blue light straight out of my childhood and the story-book. High brow, high cheek-bone, long pointed jaw, lined and patient face—I saw him as I had known him all my life, and I turned up at the other man, who stooped over me, a look of absurd surmise.
He was a Spanish peasant, short, thick-set and muscular, but assuredly no Sancho: a quiet quick-eyed man, with a curious neat grace in his movements. Our tussle had not heated him in the least. His right fist rested on my back, and I knew he had a knife in it; and while I gasped for breath he watched me, his left hand hovering in front of my mouth to stop the first outcry. Through his spread fingers I saw Don Quixote light the lantern and raise it for a good look at me. And with that in a flash my wits came back, and with them the one bit of Gaelic known to me.
"Latha math leat" I gasped, and caught my breath again as the fingers closed softly on my jaw, "O Alan mhic Neill!"
The officer took a step and swung the lantern close to my eyes—so close that I blinked.
"Gently, José." He let out a soft pleased laugh while he studied my face. Then he spoke a word or two in Gaelic—some question which I did not understand.
"My name is McNeill," said I; "but that's the end of my mother tongue."
The Captain laughed again. "We've caught the other one, José," said he. And José helped me to my feet—respectfully, I thought. "Now this," his master went on, as if talking to himself, "this explains a good deal."
I guessed. "You mean that my presence has made the neighbourhood a trifle hot for you!"
"Exactly; there is a General Order issued which concerns one or both of us."
I nodded. "In effect it concerns us both; but, merely as a matter of history, it was directed against me. Pardon the question, Captain, but how long have you been within the French lines?"