Duke of Wellington, which he undertook effectually to perform, and to
return on a particular day with the information that was required.

Great was the disappointment when it was ascertained beyond a doubt
that just after leaving the camp he had been taken prisoner, before
he had time to exchange his uniform. Such, however, was the case: a
troop of dragoons had intercepted him, and carried him off; and the
commanding officer desired two soldiers to keep a strict watch over
him and carry him to head-quarters. He was of course disarmed, and
being placed on a horse, was, after a short time, galloped off by his
guards. He slept one night under durance vile at a small inn, where
he was allowed to remain in the kitchen; conversation flowed on very
glibly, and as he appeared a stupid Englishman, who could not understand
a word of French or Spanish, he was allowed to listen, and thus obtained
precisely the intelligence that he was in search of. The following
morning, being again mounted, he overheard a conversation between his
guards, who deliberately agreed to rob him, and to shoot him at a mill
where they were to stop, and to report to their officer that they had
been compelled to fire at him in consequence of his attempt to escape.

Shortly before they arrived at the mill, for fear that they might meet
with some one who would insist on having a portion of the spoil, the
dragoons took from the prisoner his watch and his purse, which he surrendered
with a good grace. On their arrival at the mill, they dismounted, and
in order to give some appearance of truth to their story, they went
into the house; leaving their prisoner outside, in the hope that he
would make some attempt to escape. In an instant Waters threw his cloak
upon a neighbouring olive bush, and mounted his cocked hat on the top.
Some empty flour sacks lay upon the ground, and a horse laden with well-filled
flour sacks stood at the door. Sir John contrived to enter one of the