Bernard Cornwell · 1981 · overland

Bernard Cornwell's novel of the destruction of Almeida, August 1810. Wellington's army is broke, and the Lines of Torres Vedras cannot be built without money. A hoard of Spanish gold sits behind French lines in the keeping of a guerrilla leader who tortures prisoners to death for pleasure, and Sharpe is sent to take it off him.

1. 1
   Celorico

   At headquarters Wellington gives Sharpe a written order requiring every officer to assist him and no explanation of why - because the army is bankrupt, and the earthworks that will save Portugal cannot be dug on credit.

2. 2
   Casatejada

   Behind the French lines the gold is held by El Catolico's partisans, who have their own plans for it - and Sharpe has to take it from allies rather than enemies, which is a good deal harder to justify afterwards.

3. 3
   Almeida

   Running for the fortress of Almeida with the French and the Spanish both behind him, Sharpe arrives to find the garrison commander unwilling to let him pass - and then a chance spark reaches the magazine and takes the town with it.