"Noble senor," said he breathlessly, "I have been in search of you over the whole of Merida—"
"My life on't, anither fechtin' job!" ejaculated Evan, who saw Pedro was highly excited, although he knew not a word he uttered. "Got wi 't, Gomez, in some decent tongue a body can comprehend."
"A muleteer has within this hour arrived from Fuente del Maistre, and says he saw a party of French cavalry advancing down this side of the Guadiana. Donna Catalina wishes to see you immediately. You must fly, senor, if you would escape being made prisoner."
"French cavalry! How can it be possible? Yet Evelyn of the 13th said something about it, which I have forgotten. Can the veracity of your informant be relied on?"
"He is true to death, senor! He is my own brother, Lazaro Gomez of Merida, and an honester muleteer will not be found on the road between Madrid and Alcantara,—and that is one of many leagues in length. He has had the honour to be employed more than once by my Lord Wellington, as a spy upon Marshals Soult and Marmont."
"A recommendation, truly! Are the enemy in force?"
"He said two or three troops, senor,—Dombrouski's lancers."
"Sir Rowland Hill is retiring on Merida. Did your brother Lazaro see any sign of his troops?"
"No, senor."
"'Tis very unaccountable how they have outflanked our division in this manner."