“I have already mentioned that Lieutenant Thruston, on the evening before the attack was made, had been despatched to the head-quarters of the patriots to keep up our communications, and, as far as he could, to induce the Spaniards to act with something like system or sense. He had a very difficult, as well as a delicate game to play, and acquitted himself with great discretion, in circumstances of no small intricacy as well as danger.” (Hall’s “Fragments of Voyages and Travels,” vol. III. pp. 6–73.)
The night of April 10th, 1809, was excessively dark, wet, and stormy; and this circumstance proved the salvation of Lieutenant Thruston and his guides. About 10 p.m., their mules refusing to face the storm, and they themselves being wet through, and benumbed with cold, the little party sought shelter in a hovel, distant from the road about ten or twenty yards; but had not been seated many minutes before their host rushed out to ascertain the cause of an unusual murmuring noise: in a moment after he returned, uttering, in a low whisper, “los demonios estan aqui,” (“the devils are here,”) – an appellation then invariably given to the French. The two guides immediately dropped on their knees; but there was no time for prayers – life and liberty were at stake. Lieutenant Thruston seized one with each hand, and contrived to drag them to the door, where the mules had fortunately remained quiet. Scarcely had they mounted, and struck off in a direction at right angles from the high road, when the heavy march of men and horses was distinctly heard, though nothing could be seen. The mules were goaded on, over rocks and foaming torrents, till it was ascertained that pursuit, if any had taken place, was given up. The troops from which they thus narrowly escaped, had been sent by Marshal Ney to destroy Corcubion. Had not Lieutenant Thruston been compelled by the severity of the weather to turn into the hovel, he would have trotted, with his guides, into the very head ranks of the enemy; and, as no quarter was then given on either side, this tale would never have been told. But the adventures of the night were not yet over. The trio wandered for some time in total darkness, ignorant of the direction they were taking, and only endeavouring to avoid the road they had quitted. About 2 a.m. they arrived at the outskirts of a village, from which proceeded a great noise
