Chapter 17 Summary

Sharpe sees French cavalry outside the city. Even though they are out of range, the Cazadores and Spanish civilians fire. Sharpe calculates the number of troops at three hundred, so he knows this is not the real attack. The French repeatedly taunt the defenders trying to get them to fire and waste ammunition. Sharpe sees an officer whom he believes to be de l'Eclin. As he watches the officer, he is startled by something and commands the riflemen to bring the caltrops and follow.

People inside the cathedral are in solemn observance of the ceremony when Sharpe bursts in. Sharpe tells Vivar that they have been tricked. De l'Eclin and his forces are inside the palace. Just then the banner unfurls, but the French forces also storm out of the palace and begin attacking the city.

Sharpe orders the riflemen into position and...