The little disorders that have occurred here, can be followed
by no ill consequences."
"We carry the worse consequences with us," said L'Isle,
pertinaciously. "Little disorders, my lord! The peasantry round Elvas
do not talk of them so. They say that their property is plundered,
their women insulted, and themselves at constant risk in life and
limb."
"What! do the rascals talk of us in that way? even while we are
protecting them," exclaimed Lord Strathern, springing from his chair.
"We have spent more money among them than their beggarly country is
worth in fee simple; and they are no more thankful than if we had
occupied it as enemies. I wish they had among them again, for a few
weeks, that one-handed _Loison_ with his cut-throat bands, or pious
_Junot_, who loved church plate so well."
"It is bad enough to be robbed by their enemies, they say," suggested
L'Isle, "but they did not expect it from their friends."
"Pooh," said Lord Strathern, "the Portuguese, of all people, ought to
know what real military license is. The French taught them that. As
for our fellows, what if they do at times drink a little more wine
than they pay for, or even take a lamb or kid from the flocks they
protect, or kiss a wench before she has consented; is that any thing
to make a hubbub about? The lads should be paid for drinking their
muddy _vinho verde_, and as for the girls, all the trouble comes of
their ignorance of our tongue, so that they have to be talked to by
signs.
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