Chapter 23-24 Summary

In chapter 23, it is being debated how long Almeida will be able to defend itself before being overrun by the French. Some think six weeks and some eight. Cox feels that with the big guns, Almeida will not endure long enough for the rains to begin and save them.

Sharpe hates to blow the fortress up but Cox will not let him leave with the badly needed gold so feels he has no choice. Harper and Helmet arrive with a barrel of gunpowder and make a trail across the plaza to the cathedral. Sharpe plans to light the fuse and run to safety at a house they have chosen with a deep cellar. Lossow once again asks him if he is sure about this crazy plan and Sharpe says yes, so Lossow leaves for shelter.

Meanwhile, the sentries do not even...