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Updated: May 28, 2025
"I demand entrance to this house in the name of the Junta of Oporto," a voice which he recognized as that of Cortingos replied. "If that is refused I shall denounce you as traitors to Portugal, and your blood will be on your own heads."
Since they give you orders, let them give you ammunition; there is enough in Oporto to supply the whole population, had they arms; and you may be assured that I and my men will see that the convoy intrusted to our charge reaches its destination." "I believe that there is not only ammunition, but money in those sacks," said Cortingos.
The fowls were soon plucked, cut in two, and grilled over the fire, and in a quarter of an hour after the men's return the two officers sat down to supper. The meal was just finished when there was a knock at the outer door, and the soldier acting as sentry came in and said that Colonel Cortingos desired to speak to them.
"They contain ammunition, and forage for our horses," Lieutenant Herrara said. "You can, if you choose, question the muleteers, who fastened up the sacks and had an opportunity of seeing the ammunition." "In the name of the Junta I demand that ammunition!" Cortingos said, with an air of authority.
"A Spanish general, a marquis and grandee of Spain, who has been fighting the French, and who is now with a portion of his army preparing to defend the passes into Portugal." Cortingos held out his hand for the paper, but Terence put it back again into the breast-pocket of his uniform. "No, sir," he said; "this communication is for the Marquis of Romana, and for him only.
"You are doing your duty, no doubt," the lieutenant said, "in making these inquiries. This officer has answered them, and I will answer any further questions if I consider them to be reasonable." "We wish, in the first place," Cortingos said, "to examine any official passes you may have received." "Our official passes are our uniforms," Herrara replied, haughtily.
"I am a colonel!" Cortingos said, angrily. "By whom appointed, if I may ask?" "By the Junta of Oporto." "I was not aware that they possessed the right of granting high commissions," Herrara said, "although, of course, they can grant temporary rank to those who command irregular forces.
We found a bag with a thousand dollars at the quarters of Cortingos." "What became of him and his two associates?" "They had the impudence to come out and harangue us when you had gone; but we tied them up to the branch of a tree, so there is an end of them." "And a very fitting end, too," Terence said. "What have you done with the money?" "The bag is in that cart, senor."
Therefore, I advise you to go back to your quarters, and in the morning assemble and choose your officers." The crowd stood irresolute. "Tell them to go, you cur," Herrara said to Cortingos, standing back from the window and giving him a kick that almost sent him on his face. "Tell them to disperse at once, if you don't want to be dangling from the end of this rope."
Cortingos stepped forward, and in a quavering voice told the men to disperse to their quarters. "We have made a mistake," he said. "I am now convinced that these officers are what they appear to be. I beseech you do not cause trouble, and disperse at once quietly." Hoots of derision and scorn rose from the peasants.
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