简介：RichardSharpeisascrappySergeantwiththesecondBattalionofthe95thRifles.AfterbravelysavingthelifeoftheSirArthurWellesley(thefutureDukeofWellington),Sharpeisrewardedwithafieldcommission,makinghimalieutenant.Incommandofthe95thRiflesunderCaptainMurray,Sharpesoonfindsthattheyareanundisciplinedbunch.NeitherMurraynorthemenoftheRiflesarepreparedtoacceptSharpe'scommand,because‘proper’officersarenotraisedfromtheranks.HisfirstmissionistogobehindenemylinestolocateJamesRothschild,anagentmissinginCasaAntiga,withbadly-neededfundsfortheBritisharmy. SharpehashisfirstencounterwithCommandanteTeresaandMajorDonBlasVivar,onwatchinthehillswhenSharpe’scompanyisattacked.AllexceptSharpeandasmallbandofChosenMenarekilled.Sharpecontinueswiththemissionhehasbeengiven,andTeresaandBlasVivaragreetogowithSharpetoCasaAntigaifSharpewillaccompanythemontheirownmissiontoTorrecastroafterwards. WhentheyfindCasaAntiga,ithasbeenattackedbytheFrenchunderColoneldel'Eclin,butthereisnosignofRothschild.LeftbehindareaMethodistcouple,Mr.andMrs.ParkerandtheirdaughterLouisa.ThefamilyaretakenintoSharpe'sprotection. SharpediscovershisrealmissionistoescortoneofSpain’sholiestrelics,anancientflag,andhedoesn'twishtocontinuetoTorrecastro.ButVivar'srequestisreinforcedbytheappearanceofMaj.Hogan,Wellington's'exploringofficer'.SharpeisorderedtoholdthetownwhiletherelicofSt.JamesisflowntoinspiretheSpanishtoriseupagainsttheFrench.…