Sharpe's Christmas p. 46-55 Summary

While the enemy collects their dead and wounded, Sharpe hears about Nicholls's death and sends two companies to guard the southern enemy. After night falls and he is certain the northern brigade has withdrawn, Sharpe marches to Irati with murder in his heart and demands to know who dared to kill his officer in the tavern. Gudin assures Sharpe that he killed the man who murdered Nicholls and, after embracing each other in recognition, Gudin professes that he is very proud of Sharpe and sorry for Nicholls' death. Daniel Hagman pokes his head into the room to ask for more towels, which he needs to deliver Maria's baby, but Sharpe is not interested in d'Alembord's explanation because he does not care. He offers Gudin two choices: surrender or fight, promising to give Gudin a Christmas present of...