The devastating blast of war had left it the
picture of desolation.
Lady Mabel, turning to ask L'Isle a question, saw him gazing gloomily
down into the deep but dry fosse below them.
"What fixes your attention on that spot," she asked.
"Do you see where the earth shows, by its color differing from the
adjacent soil, that it has been turned up not long since? Thousands
of Britons, Portuguese, and French are buried there. They met but to
contend, yet now lie peaceably together. I have more than one friend
among them."
Mrs. Shortridge put her hand before her eyes, and Lady Mabel turned
pale as she gazed earnestly below. "Come," she said, at length, "we
have seen enough of bloody Badajoz. There are some feelings that may
well kill the idle curiosity that led us hither."
Descending into the town, they walked into the great square, their
party attracting much attention from several groups of citizens and of
soldiers of the garrison. Captain Don Alonso Melendez stopped them
here to point out various objects of interest, being evidently anxious
to display himself as the patron and intimate of these distinguished
strangers. He brought forward and presented to them two or three more
of his brother officers whom he here met.
Pages:
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335