SWABEY DIARY. 495 
16th January.—We received Russian news,! our exploits so diminutive 
in comparison, shrink quite out of recollection, and the battle of Sala- 
manca 1s scarcely mentioned without a blush. 
I7th January.—I went to Linhares in pursuit of bullocks. Having 
found a pair at plough, I left a man as sentry whilst I pursued some 
others that were in sight. Daring my absence the peasants got about 
him with guns and all sorts of weapons. He behaved very well and 
intimidated them so much by repeated charges that he kept them all 
at bay till I came back, when he pointed out one fellow who had 
threatened him very much and was thenrunning away. I immediately 
rode after him, but he took such a line of country that, after jamping 
two or three walls, my horse could go no further, so I dismounted and 
pursued the rascal on foot. I got so close to him that he was frightened 
out of his wits and jumped down the most dreadful precipices. I 
followed till at last he took such a tremendous one that he lay groaning 
at the bottom. Iwas afraid he was killed, and notwithstanding the 
crowd went round to his assistance; they had however carried him off 
and told me he was not much hurt. I then proceeded and made my 
complaint to the magistrate and threatened him till he sent off three 
prisoners to jail. These fellows, who will take any advantage of a 
single Englishman, run like cowards the moment he receives any 
assistance. 
LSth January.—Being reduced to our wits’ end for forage, we searched 
the very chimneys, cupboards, ovens, and beds of two neighbouring 
towns, and by that means found a great quantity. 
19th Janwary.—We rummaged Mello in the same way we had served 
the other two towns. In the house of a fat rich priest we found forage 
admirably concealed, but we were too cunning for the parson. A 
large cellar with nothing apparently but wine in the barrels contained 
pipes of straw; and cupboards with the doors pasted up with paper, and 
false roofs gave us a plentiful harvest ; last year we did not know how 
to play these tricks. 
20th January.—We continued our search; the same priest however 
certainly beat us, for I had information that he had hay in hig house 
and with the utmost diligence could not find it. 
21st January.—The weather is now a settled frost with fine whole- 
some sunshine every day. 
22nd Janwary.—Lord Wellington being hourly expected at Lisbon 
from Cadiz great preparations are being made to receive him. He is 
the undoubted deliverer of Portugal, but I believe, except in the 
capital, there are few who are not too ignorant to be grateful; this 
stupid, idle, dirty, cowardly race is daily becoming more unpleasant. 
25rd Janwary.—Rode to Videmonte in the mountains for forage. 
There I had the mortification to find it bespoken by the infantry. The 
towns in the mountains are situated in an infinitely finer country than 
those at their feet, the pasturage and soil are beautiful, and there is 
not a stone or a rock to interrupt the fertility. 
* Probably account of Battle of Borodino, 7th September 1812, when Napolcon defeated Kutusoff, 
