Historical novel, set in Portugal, during the Peninsular War, in which the British battled the armies of Napoleon. The Preface begins: "From the termination of the campaigns of Marlborough--at which time the British army won for itself a reputation rivaled by that of no other in Europe--to the year when the despatch of a small army under Sir Arthur

Wellesley marked the beginning of another series of British victories as brilliant and as unbroken as those of that great commander, the opinion had gained ground in Europe that the British had lost their military virtues, and that, although undoubtedly powerful at sea, they could have henceforth but little influence in European affairs. ...the revival of Britain's activity began under a Government which was one of the most incapable that ever controlled the affairs of the country. Had their deliberate purpose been to render nugatory the expedition which...-they despatched to Portugal, they could hardly have acted otherwise than they did." According to Wikipedia: "George Alfred Henty (8 December 1832 - 16 November 1902), referred to as G. A. Henty, was a prolific English novelist, special correspondent, and Imperialist born in Trumpington, Cambridgeshire, England. He is best known for his historical adventure stories that were popular in the late 19th century. His works include Out on the Pampas (1871), The Young Buglers (1880), With Clive in India (1884) and Wulf the Saxon (1895)."