unperceived, however, and at once the guerillas came swarming
closer and closer upon our flanks. One of our divisions, that of
Clausel, with a brigade of Montbrun's cavalry, was far to the
south of the Tagus, and it became very necessary to let them know
that we were about to retreat, for Otherwise they would be left
unsupported in the very heart of the enemy's country. I remember
wondering how Massena would accomplish this, for simple couriers
could not get through, and small parties would be certainly
destroyed. In some way an order to fall back must be conveyed to
these men, or France would be the weaker by fourteen thousand
men. Little did I think that it was I, Colonel Gerard, who was
to have the honour of a deed which might have formed the crowning
glory of any other man's life, and which stands high among those
exploits which have made my own so famous.

At that time I was serving on Massena's staff, and he had two
other aides-de-camp, who were also very brave and intelligent
officers. The name of one was Cortex and of the other Duplessis.
They were senior to me in age, but junior in every other respect.
Cortex was a small, dark man, very quick and eager. He was a
fine soldier, but he was ruined by his conceit. To take him at
his own valuation, he was the first man in the army.

Duplessis was a Gascon, like myself, and he was a very fine
fellow, as all Gascon gentlemen are. We took it in turn, day
about, to do duty, and it was Cortex who was in attendance upon
the morning of which I speak. I saw him at breakfast, but
afterward neither he nor his horse was to be seen. All day
Massena was in his usual gloom, and he spent much of his time
staring with his telescope at the English lines and at the