“Conde.”

“That is right, but wait until I call an officer.”

“Good! but make no noise; that is important.”

The sentinel went to the watchfire, and an officer sitting there at once rose and came forward.

“Advance, officer of the staff!” he said in low tones.  “That is right, monsieur,” he went on as Hector advanced close enough to be seen by the light of the fire.

“I have a special pass signed by General Gassion,” he said.

The officer took it, and looked at it by the light of the fire.

“That is all in order,” he said as he returned it; “but the sentry had the strictest orders that no one coming from the side of the enemy was to be allowed to enter our lines, even if he gave the countersign correctly, until he had been examined by an officer.”

“He did his duty, sir.  One cannot be too careful on the eve of battle.  A straggler might stray away and be captured, and be forced under pain of death to give up the countersign, and once in our lines much information might be obtained as to our position.  However, I hardly think that any such attempts will be made.  The Spaniards saw us march in and take up our position, and must have marked where our cavalry and artillery were posted.  Good night!”

The greater part of the night had already gone, for in May the days are already lengthening out.  After the troops had fallen out from their ranks wood had to be collected and rations cooked, and it was past ten o’clock before any of them lay down, and an hour later, before Hector left on his expedition.  The examination of the outposts had taken more than an hour; it was now three o’clock in the morning, and the orders were that the troops should all be under arms before daybreak.  Hector returned to the spot where he had left General Gassion.  All was quiet there now, and he lay down until, somewhat before five, a bugle sounded.  The signal was repeated all along the line, and almost at the same moment the Spanish trumpets told that the enemy, too, were making preparations for the day’s work.  General Gassion was one of the first to spring to his feet.  Hector at once went up to him.

“I have come to report, general,” he said, “that I have reconnoitred along the whole line of wood in the hollow in front, and have found that a regiment of musketeers about a thousand strong have been placed in ambush there.”

“Then, by heavens, you have done us good service indeed, Captain Campbell!  They might have done us an ill turn had we advanced knowing nothing of their presence there.  Nothing shakes troops more than a sudden attack in the rear.  Please come across with me and repeat the news that you have given me to the prince himself.”

There was bustle all along the line.  The troops were falling into their ranks, stamping their feet to set the blood in motion, swinging their arms, and growling at the sharp morning air.  At the headquarters bivouac the young nobles were laughing and jesting as they prepared to mount.