swayed about in the crowd, like a ship in the trough of the sea, if we could have remained insensible to this adulation; and though we knew and said to one another that the greater part of it was ‘all my eye,’ or mere words, still, enough of the unction entered our minds to make us fancy the hour was at last come when we were to be of some splendid use to mankind. But in saying this, perhaps, I ought to answer only for us juniors, when I speak of heads being turned. Our sagacious commander, I suspect, was never taken in; and my brother-officer Thruston, as interpreter-general, had so much to do, and was consulted about so many things of real importance, that he had less leisure to be carried away by the excitements of the moment, than some of the rest of our party. * * * * * *
“Under our auspices, the peasantry continued to flock in from the adjacent country; and although we could supply scarcely a twentieth part of these patriots with arms, we aided the good cause, as far as lay in our power, by putting their posts and outposts in order, and giving them such advice as we could, respecting their commissariat, and other arrangements of the troops. Fortunately, in all these matters Mr. Thruston had considerable experience: he soon acquired, also, an influence in the camp, which, if the materials he had to deal with had been more energetic, might have saved these poor troops from great disasters. His first object was, if possible, to place the men in a situation of security against any sudden attack of the enemy, which he had too much reason to fear might overset the whole of their plans. In truth, however, it was not easy to make out what really were the plans and objects of our patriotic protégés, unanimously agreed only on two points – a bitter hatred to the French, and a perfect reliance on themselves.
“The head-quarters of the enemy’s army in Galicia were at Santiago de Compostella; from which point they sent out small or large divisions, according to circumstances, to keep the surrounding country in subjection. At the same time, compact bodies of cavalry scoured the country, and by threats of severe vengeance laid the villages under contribution for the supply of corn and provisions of all kinds. Just before we anchored in Finisterre bay, they had sent to Corcubion a fresh demand for corn and wine; to which requisition the Junta sent for answer – ‘Let the French come and take it.’ To all previous demands of a similar nature they had yielded – not without murmuring, though without any positive shew of resistance; but they were now determined to make a stand. This imprudent Junta met in council every day, and, at their desire, one of us always attended as a sort of honorary member. * * * It was our constant entreaty, that the patriots should have confidential scouts posted along the road all the way from Santiago, or wherever the French might be, in order that we might be apprised of their force and movements, so as to have it in our power to prepare for their coming, if they were not too strong, or to withdraw, if they were likely to overpower us. But the self-
