Hunt up the Alcalde, and desire to be taken to the curé’s house. He proposes our waiting till daylight.
Knock up the curé. Get fire and chocolate, and lie down at seven. Rise at ten. Breakfast and start again at twelve. Our guides tell us we shall not arrive at La Puebla till midnight.
This is all mountainous, and snow on the ground. Arrive at seven. Taken to the Governor’s, who secretly places a sentry over us, as I had not shown him my passport.
January 1, 1809, Sunday.—Go out to speak to the Governor. He is now very civil and frank, and tells me his intelligence, which I forward to headquarters.
Get a better house belonging to a man, who tells us afterwards that he has devoured at a sitting seventy-two eggs with their corresponding bread and butter.
Colonel Chabot, charged with despatches, arrives.
January 2.—Colonel Douglas, A.Q.M.G., and York and Hutchinson arrive on their way to the army.
I despatch spies to Benavente.
January 3.—Breakfast these people, and they start for Monterey. Go three leagues on the road to Monbuey. Hear a lie, that the French are at Castracontrigo.
Colonel Peacock comes in late, his party halting a league behind at Otero.