简介：SirArthurWellesleytakesthearmyintoSpain.Incamp,SharpeandHarperwatchthearrivalofanewregiment-theSouthEssex.AtitsheadisCol.SirHenrySimmerson,accompaniedbySimmerson'snephewLt.Gibbons,Lt.Berry,Maj.Lennox(aveteranoftheIndianCampaign),Capt.Leroy(aloyalistAmerican)andCountessJosefinawhoisunderthe'protection'ofLt.Gibbons.TheSouthEssexisabattalionrunbyincompetentsandfilledwithsoldiersthathaveneverbeeninbattle. WellesleyisunimpressedbySimmersonandhisregiment,but,asSimmersonisapoliticalanimal,hearrangesa'smallvictory'forhim-blowingthebridgeatValdelacasa.WellesleyordersSgtRichardSharpetoseethatthemissionisasuccessinexchangeforapromotiontocaptain.SimmersonisinfuriatedtolearnthatSharpeisnotagentlemanandwasraisedfromtheranksbyWellesley.Inrevenge,heordersSharpetotrainhismentofirethreeroundsaminutebynightfall,ortheywillbefloggedaspunishmentforfailure.SharpeandHarpersucceedinfuriatingSimmersonevenmore. Thefollowingday,SimmersonordersCapt.LennoxtoleadtheSouthEssexacrossthebridgeinanattempttochaseawayasmallFrenchpatrol.ButtheFrenchcavalryappearsasthenewsoldierscrossthebridge.Theypanicandarecuttopiecesbythecavalry.SharpeandtheChosenMenruntohelpthestrickenunit.Inhispanic,Simmersonordersthebridgetobeblown,leavingSharpeandhismenstranded.TheFrenchmakeoffwiththeColours,watchedbySharpeandthedyingLennox. WellesleybreaksupwhatisleftoftheSouthEssexandgivescommandoftheLightCompanytothenewlypromotedCaptainSharpe.SimmersonisoutragedandthreatenstousehisinfluenceinLondontohaveSharpestrippedofhisrank.TheonlythingSharpecandotoretainhisrankisperformanactofoutstandingvalour.SharpevowstosavethehonouroftheregimentbycapturingaFrenchImperialstandard:aneagle.…