With its aid I perceived a small mound or cairn upon the crest.
"What you see," said the Marshal, "is a pile of logs which was
placed there as a beacon. We laid it when the country was in our
hands, and now, although we no longer hold it, the beacon remains
undisturbed. Gerard, that beacon must be lit to-night. France
needs it, the Emperor needs it, the army needs it. Two of your
comrades have gone to light it, but neither has made his way to
the summit. To-day it is your turn, and I pray that you may have
better luck."
It is not for a soldier to ask the reason for his orders, and so
I was about to hurry from the room, but the Marshal laid his hand
upon my shoulder and held me.
"You shall know all, and so learn how high is the cause for which
you risk your life," said he. "Fifty miles to the south of us,
on the other side of the Tagus, is the army of General Clausel.
His camp is situated near a peak named the Sierra d'Ossa. On the
summit of this peak is a beacon, and by this beacon he has a
picket.
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