Sharpe, still not fully healed, rejoins Wellington's army, riding on a horse that was a gift from La Marquesa. Marmont, suspecting already that Wellington is racing for the border, has these suspicions confirmed by a message from La Marquesa and he sends his army in pursuit, enabling Wellington to spring his trap, and the Battle of Salamanca ensues. The French left is destroyed by a British cavalry charge. Marmont and his deputy are both injured, so General Clausel assumes command. The British Fourth Division (including the South Essex) attack the French centre, but are repulsed by a French counterattack. Sharpe seeing the South Essex being pushed back and realising that they need to stand firm in order to channel the French columns into a killing ground for the Sixth Division, cannot resist joining the battle. He gets the wavering Light Company to stand their ground, and the French column is crushed. The French withdraw under the protection of their still undefeated right, hoping to cross the bridge at Alba de Tormes and escape. Wellington believes that a Spanish garrison holds the bridge and that the French are trapped. Unbeknownst to him, however, the Spanish have fled, believing that the British have been defeated, and the French retreat proceeds unopposed.