Leaving Terpsy.

The next hour passed very much in the same way as the previous two, except just as it was drawing to a close and the fourth beginning the party came to the crest of a hill and now had a view of Oporto in the distance.

"And that," Barnthorp said, pointing to a dark mass amongst the trees on the south side of the river. "Is where I believe the baggage train is to be found."

"We are obliged to you, Major Barnthorp," said Stephen wearily. "Thank you."

"It will not be long now," Barnthorp said, smiling, and urging Philip once more into a trot downhill.

Padstowe gave a concerned glance to Yates - the Midshipman by now looking excruciatingly pale.

"Mister Yates?" Stephen asked softly, as he had several times before.

Raoul turned his head, smiling in the darkness. "He sleeps," he said softly. "Just an occasional snort, but I do not fear for him, now."

Stephen nodded, not quite relived, but powerless in any case. "We will go to the baggage train; will you be joining us, Major?"

"I shall leave you there, as I have my own report to give. I am glad to have been some service to you gentlemen."

"I do not think we can thank you enough, sir," said Stephen, holding out his hand. "I wish you luck."

Barnthorp took Stephen's hand, smiling, and shook it firmly.

"I thank you, sir. I shall accompany you down as far as the perimeter, then I shall have to bid you adieu."

They rode down towards the trees, the horses visibly tired and their riders more so.

Raoul adjusted his grip as Peter stirred, aware of the change around them. This would be the end then. He had asked for his exchange, and he would be given it. There would be other officers in the same position, and ...

He looked across at Dr Maturin, who had looked after him, and was genuinely concerned for him, he believed. He did believe it, even if he had struck out at him .... There would presumably be time to offer an apology, but he was not going to do that while others were around.

"How are you feeling?" Stephen asked as Yates awoke.

Peter almost fell off the horse as he woke up, and for a moment could not remember where he was, or who the man holding him was. But the doctor's voice brought him back, and there was a firm grip on him, to stop him falling.

"Oh, I'm ... " He yawned, and shivered. "Sleepy. And ... Are we nearly there yet?"

"Very nearly," Stephen said kindly. "Then we can rest for a little while while there is a battle, for I think it is inevitable. How is your stomach?"

"It aches a little," Peter admitted. "But at least I don't feel sick." He couldn't, he thought. His stomach felt empty, but without any hunger. The sight of the multitude of men and carts and horses below them made him open his eyes wide. So that was what an army looked like! The French wouldn't be able to stand against them.

"That is good," said Stephen. "I think we caught it in time; you will do all right now, my dear." He looked down towards the baggage train, and then around at the surrounding area. "You were scouting south of Oporto, Capitaine; do you know this area?"

Raoul looked round. In the gloom the landscape could be anywhere, the same sandy soil and trees - holm-oaks, and olives and the tall pines - except for the view of Oporto across the river. "I know where we are," he said. "We used the road, of course, but my troop was based at Grijó, and patrolled west of there - between the road and the sea. Around São Félix da Marinha." He looked around again. "And then we were sent even further South, when we heard the British were moving towards Coimbra, and ... Well, you know what happened after that."