massacre of their comrades, were possessed by fury. The distance which
separated the town of Menda from general headquarters, was marched
with marvellous rapidity. On the way, the general found all the
villages under arms. Each of the wretched hamlets was surrounded, and
the inhabitants decimated.

By one of those fatalities which are inexplicable, the British ships
lay to without advancing. It was known later that these vessels
carried the artillery, and had outsailed the rest of the transports.
Thus the town of Menda, deprived of the support it expected, and which
the appearance of the British fleet in the offing had led the
inhabitants to suppose was at hand, was surrounded by French troops
almost without a blow being struck. The people of the town, seized
with terror, offered to surrender at discretion. With a spirit of
devotion not rare in the Peninsula, the slayers of the French
soldiery, fearing, from the cruelty of their commander, that Menda
would be given to the flames, and the whole population put to the
sword, proposed to the general to denounce themselves. He accepted
their offer, making a condition that the inhabitants of the chateau,
from the marquis to the lowest valet, should be delivered into his
hands. This condition being agreed to, the general proceeded to pardon
the rest of the population, and to prevent his soldiers from pillaging
the town or setting fire to it. An enormous tribute was levied, and
the wealthiest inhabitants held prisoner to secure payment of it,
which payment was to be made within twenty-four hours.

The general took all precautions necessary for the safety of his
troops, and provided for the defence of the region from outside
attack, refusing to allow his soldiers to be billeted in the houses.
After putting them in camp, he went up to the chateau and took