by G. A. Henty
CHAPTER XI.
THE FIGHT ON THE COA.
All through the winter of 1809-1810, Wellington had remained quietlyon the frontier of Portugal, engaged in disciplining his troops, manyof whom were raw drafts from the militia, in urging upon the homeGovernment the necessity of fresh reinforcements, if the war was to becarried on with the smallest hopes of success, and in controversiesand disputes with the Portuguese regency. This body of incapablesstarved their own army, refused supplies and transport to the British,and behaved with such arrogance and insolence that Wellington wasseveral times driven to use the threat that, unless measures weretaken to keep the Portuguese troops from starving, and to supply foodto the British, he would put his army on board the transports atLisbon, and give up the struggle altogether.
Spring found the army still on the frontier, and when the Frenchadvanced in force in May to lay siege to the Spanish frontier fortressof Ciudad Rodrigo, Wellington to the intense disappointment of his owntroops, and the bitter anger of the Portuguese and Spaniards, refusedto fight a battle to save the fortress, which, under its gallant oldgovernor, Andrea Hernati, was defending itself nobly.
Wellington's position was, however, a very difficult one, and hisresponsibilities were immense. Allowing for the detachments which weremassing to check three other French columns advancing in differentdirections, he had but 25,000 men with which to attempt to raise thesiege of Ciudad Rodrigo, or to draw off the besieged garrison. Massenahad under him 60,000 French veterans, and was desiring nothing morethan that Wellington should attack him. The chances of victory thenwere by no means strong, and in any case victory could only have beenpurchased by a loss of men which would have completely crippled theBritish general, and would have rendered it absolutely necessary forhim to fall back again at once. A defeat or even a heavy loss ofmen, would have so dispirited the faint-hearted Government at homethat they would undoubtedly have recalled the whole expedition, andresigned Portugal to its fate. Thus Wellington decided not to risk thewhole fate of the British army and of Portugal for merely a temporaryadvantage, and so stood firm against the murmurs of his own troops,the furious reproaches of the Portuguese and Spaniards, and the movingentreaties for aid of the gallant governor of the besieged town.
At the same time that he refused to risk a general battle, he keptCraufurd's division in advance of the Coa, and within two hours' marchof the enemy, thereby encouraging the garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo, andpreventing Massena from pushing forward a portion of his army whilethe rest pursued the siege.
Craufurd's front was guarded by the Agueda, a river only passable bytwo or three bridges and fords in wet weather, but fordable in manyplaces in the dry season. At the commencement of June the Aguedafell, and the French crossed in strength at various places. Craufurd,however, still maintained his position in front of the Coa with greatskill and boldness. He had under his command only 4000 infantry, 1100cavalry, and six guns, and his maintenance of his position, almostwithin gun-shot of an enemy's army, 60,000 strong, for three months,is one of the finest feats of military audacity and ability everperformed.
Until the 11th of July the boys remained quietly at a cottage occupiedby peasants, who believed their story that they were only waitingto proceed when the French army advanced. They were freed frommolestation or inquiry upon the part of the French by the pass withwhich Madame Reynier had supplied them.
Upon that day Ciudad Rodrigo surrendered, and Massena prepared at onceto enter Portugal. Upon the 21st the cavalry advanced in great force,and upon the following day the boys resolved upon endeavoring torejoin the British army. The Agueda was now easily fordable in manyplaces, but the boys determined to swim across, at a distance from thepoint at which the French army was now pouring forward.
As evening came on they left the cottage, and walked two miles upthe stream, and, as soon as night fell, took off the costumes whichhad proved of such service to them and left them on the bank; thenfastening their peasants' suits upon two bundles of rushes to keepthem dry, entered the little river, and were soon upon the oppositeshore. They knew, from what they had heard in the afternoon, thatCraufurd had fallen back upon Almeida, a fortified town, and that itwas probable he would at once cross the Coa, as resistance to theforce now approaching him seemed nothing short of madness.
No good, indeed, could be gained by a fight in such a position, with adeep river in the rear, crossed by only a narrow bridge, and commandedby both banks, and Wellington's orders had been imperative "that, uponno account whatever was Craufurd to fight beyond the Coa."
Craufurd, however, a rash and obstinate, although a skilful general,was determined upon having a brush with the enemy before he fell back.He anticipated, no doubt, that only an advanced guard of the enemywould come up at first, and his intention was to inflict a severecheck upon them with the magnificent little division under hiscommand, and then fall back triumphantly across the Coa. Massena,however, was well aware of the fighting powers of the light division,and was preparing to hurl suddenly upon him a force more thansufficient to crush it.
The Scudamores had but little fear of meeting with any large body ofthe enemy, as the main French advance was direct from Ciudad Rodrigo;their cavalry would, however, be scattered all over the country, andwere they to fall into the hands of any of these parties they wouldhave been shot instantly, upon suspicion of endeavoring to convey newsof the French movements to Craufurd.
The point where they crossed the river was between Villar and NavesFrias, and, after an hour's walking, they struck the little rivuletcalled Duas Casas. This they crossed at once, as they knew that byfollowing its southern bank until they saw some high ground to theirleft they would find themselves near Almeida, which they hoped toreach before the English retreated.
All night they tramped through the fields of stubble, where the cornhad been long since cut for the use of Craufurd's cavalry, but walkingat night through an unknown country is slow work, and when day beganto break they entered a small wood just beyond the point where theTurones, as the southern arm of the Duas Casas is called, branches offfrom the main stream. Several times in the course of the day bodiesof the enemy's cavalry came near their place of concealment, and theScudamores congratulated themselves that they had not given way totheir impatience, and tried to push on across the twenty miles thatalone separated them from their friends.
At nightfall the wind rose, and a heavy rain began to fall. They hadno stars by which to steer their course, and were, therefore, forcedto follow the bank of the Turones, although they knew that it wouldlead them some distance to the north of Almeida. It was slow work,indeed, for they had to grope their way along in the storm, followingevery turn and bend of the river, which formed their only guide. Afterseveral hours' toil they came into a road running north and south.This they knew was the road leading from Guarda to Almeida, and itgave them a clue as to the distance they had come. Still following theriver, they continued their course until they approached San Pedro,whence they knew that a road ran directly to the British positionin front of Almeida, that is if the British still maintained theirposition there.
As they approached the village, they heard a deep, hollow sound,and stopping to listen, and laying their ears to the ground, coulddistinguish the rumble of heavy carriages.
"The French are advancing in force, Peter; we are just in time;they are going to attack us in the morning at daybreak. We know thedirection now; let us turn to the left, and try to get on in advanceof them. They probably will not push on much farther until thereis light enough to permit them to form order of battle; they areevidently, by the sound, going to the left, rather than straight on."
The Scudamores now hurried on, and presently the rumbling of theartillery died away, and they ventured to push to their left, and toget on the road, which they found deserted. Half an hour's run, forthey knew that every minute was of importance, and they heard thewelcome challenge, "Who comes there?" "Two British officers," theyanswered, and in a few minutes they were taken to the officer inchar
ge of the picket, and having once convinced him of their identity,were heartily greeted and welcomed.
"The French are advancing in great force to attack," Tom said; "pleaseforward us instantly to the general."
The matter was too important for an instant's delay, and a sergeantwas at once told off to accompany them.
The first faint blush of daylight was in the east when they arrivedat the cottage which served as General Craufurd's quarters, and, upontheir speaking to the sentinel at the door, a window was thrown open,and a deep voice demanded "What is it?"
"We have just arrived through the French lines," Tom said, "the enemyare at hand in force."
The casement closed, and an instant afterwards the general came out."Who are you?"
"We belong to the Norfolk Rangers, general, and have been detached onservice in the interior; we have only just made our way back."
"How am I to know your story is true?" the general asked sharply.
"You may, perhaps, remember, sir, we landed from the 'Latona,' and youkindly lent us horses to accompany you."
"Aha! I remember," the general said. "Well, your news?"
"The French have crossed the Turones in force, sir; at least they havea good many guns with them."
"Which way were they going?"
"As far as we could judge by the sound, sir, they were taking up aposition between Villa Formosa and Fort Conception."
"Good," the general said shortly; then turning to three or four of hisstaff who had followed him from the cottage, "Get the troops underarms at once. Come in here, gentlemen."
The Scudamores entered, and as they came into the light of a candlewhich stood on the table the general smiled grimly.
"It is lucky you were able to recall yourselves to my memory, forI should have needed some strong evidence to persuade me you wereBritish officers had I seen you before you spoke. You are wet to theskin; there is a brandy bottle, and you will find some bread and coldfowl in that cupboard."
Five minutes later the boys followed General Craufurd from his hut.
Short as was the time which had elapsed since their arrival, thetroops were already under arms, for three months of incessant alarmand watchfulness had enabled this splendid division to act as one man,and to fall in at any hour of the day or night in an incredibly shorttime. Ten minutes later and the ramble of the baggage wagons washeard along the road towards the bridge. The morning was clearingfast, the clouds lifted, and the daylight seemed to break with unusualsuddenness.
The dark masses of the French became visible forming up before theTurones, and Craufurd hurried forward his cavalry and guns to checktheir advance.
"Hurry the infantry up, hurry them up," the general said urgently tothe officers by him. "Let them take post along the ridge, and thenfall back fighting towards the bridge. Major MacLeod," he said to anofficer of the 43d, "take these gentlemen with you; they are officersof the Norfolk Rangers. They will join your regiment for the present.When your regiment falls back, occupy that stone inclosure a littleway down the slope at the left of the road, and hold the enemy incheck while the troops file over the bridge."
The officer addressed looked with surprise at the boys, and signing tothem to follow, hurried off to his regiment, which was on the left ofthe British line.
Next to them came a regiment of Portuguese riflemen, with a wing ofthe 95th upon either flank, while the 52d formed the right of theline.
Upon reaching the regiment, Major MacLeod briefly introduced the boysto the colonel, who said, "As you have no arms, gentlemen, I think youhad better make for the bridge at once."
"Thank you, sir," Tom replied, "there will be some muskets disposablebefore long, and directly they are so we will take our place in theranks."
They had now leisure to look round and examine their position, and aglance was sufficient to show how great was the peril in which GeneralCraufurd's obstinacy had placed his little force. In front of themwere 24,000 French infantry, 5000 cavalry, and 30 pieces of artillery.An overwhelming force indeed, and one which could scarcely have beenwithstood by the 4000 British infantry, even under the most favorableconditions of position. The position, however, was here wholly againstthe British. They stood at the edge of a plateau, and behind them theground fell away in a steep hillside to the Coa, a mile distant, andacross the Coa there was but a single bridge.
The enemy was approaching fast. Ney's great brigade of cavalry sweptthe British horse before them, and the infantry were following at arun.
Resistance on the edge of the plateau was hopeless, and Craufurdordered the infantry to fall back at once. The 43d filed into theinclosure, rapidly cut loopholes in the wall, and as the enemyappeared on the crest above opened a tremendous fire, under cover ofwhich the cavalry and artillery trotted briskly and in good order downthe road to the bridge.
The Scudamores, having no duty, stood at the entrance to the inclosureand watched the fight on their right. As the masses of French infantryappeared on the edge of the plateau they made no pause, but openinga heavy fire pressed forward on the retiring British troops, whowere falling back in open order, contesting every inch of ground. Sorapidly and hotly, however, did the French press after them that theBritish were soon pushed back beyond the line of the inclosure, and asthe French followed closely, it was evident that the 43d would be cutoft and surrounded.
Their colonel saw their danger, and called upon them to fall in andretreat, but the entrance was so narrow that it was clear at a glancethat ere one company could pass through it the French would be uponthem, and the regiment caught like rats in a trap.
Officers and men alike saw the danger, and there was a pause ofconsternation.
Peter was standing next to the colonel, and said suddenly as the ideaflashed across him, "The wall is not very strong, sir, if the men massagainst it and push together I think it will go."
The colonel caught at the idea. "Now, lads, steady, form against therear wall four deep, close together, shoulder to shoulder, as closeas you can pack; now get ready, one, two, three!" and at the word theheavy mass of men swung themselves against the wall; it swayed withthe shock, and many stones were displaced; another effort and thewall tottered and fell, and with a glad shout the 43d burst out, andtrotting on at the double soon joined the rifles and 95th.
The ground was rough and broken with rocks, vineyards and inclosures,and the troops, fighting with admirable coolness and judgment, tookadvantage of every obstacle and fell back calmly and in good orderbefore the overwhelming force opposed to them.
Fortunately the jealousies of the French generals, which throughoutthe campaign contributed in no slight degree to the success ofthe British, was now the cause of their safety, for Montbrun, whocommanded the French heavy cavalry, refused to obey Ney's order tocharge straight down to the bridge, in which case the whole Englishinfantry would have been cut off; the French hussars, however, beingon the British rear, charged among them whenever the ground permittedthem to do so.
Upon the British right the ground was more open than upon the left,and the 52d was therefore obliged to fall back more quickly than therest of the line, and were the first to arrive at the bridge head,which was still choked with artillery and cavalry. This was the mostdangerous moment, the rest of the infantry could not retreat until thebridge was clear, and the French with exulting shouts pressed hardupon them to drive them back upon the river.
Major MacLeod, seeing the urgent danger, rallied four companies of hisregiment upon the little hill on the right of the road, while MajorRowan collected two companies on another to the left. Here they werejoined by many of the riflemen, and for a while the French advance waschecked.
The Scudamores had remained throughout close to Major MacLeod, and hadlong since armed themselves with the muskets and pouches of fallenmen, and with 43d shakoes on their heads, were fighting among theranks.
The cloud of French skirmishers pressed hotly forward, and MacLeod,seeing that the bridge was still blocked, resolved suddenly upona desperate measure.
Taking off his cap, he pointed to the enemy,and calling upon his men to follow him, rode boldly at them. PeterScudamore caught up a bugle which had fallen from a dead bugler by hisside, blew the charge, and the soldiers, cheering loudly, followedMacLeod against the enemy.
Astounded at this sudden and unexpected attack, the French skirmisherspaused, and then fell back before the furious charge of the 43d, whopressed after them with loud and continuous cheering. Looking back,MacLeod saw that the bridge was now clear, and recalled the troops,who fell back rapidly again before the French infantry had recoveredsufficiently from their surprise to press them.
The hussars were, however, again forward, and were galloping down theroad, which was here sunken between somewhat high banks. Tom and Peterwere with the last company, which turned and prepared to receive them,when Tom, pointing to a coil of rope upon a cart which had brokendown, shouted, "Quick, tie it to these posts across the road." Two orthree men sprang to assist him, and in a minute the rope was stretchedacross the road at a foot from the ground, and fastened round a stonepost on either side. They had scarcely seized their muskets and leapton the bank again, when the French cavalry came thundering down theroad. "Fire, a few of you," Tom said, "so as to call their attentionup here," and in accordance with his order a dropping fire was opened.The French came along at a gallop; a few of the leading horses sawthe rope and leapt it, but those behind caught it and fell, the massbehind pressed on, and in an instant the lane was choked with aconfused mass of men and horses. "Now a volley," Tom cried, "and thento the bridge."
Every musket was emptied in to the struggling mass, and then with acheer, the men ran briskly down to the bridge, and crossed--the lastof the British troops over the Coa.
The rest of the infantry and artillery had already taken ground on theheights behind the river, and these opened fire upon the French asthey approached the head of the bridge in pursuit. The British werenow, however, safe in the position which they ought to have taken upbefore the advance of the French, and had General Craufurd obeyed hisorders not to fight beyond the Coa, the lives of 306 of his gallanttroops, including the officers, would have been saved.
The battle, however, was not yet over. The artillery on both sidesplayed across the ravine, the French skirmishers swarmed down to theriver bank, and between them and the British infantry a rapid fire wasexchanged, while a heavy column marched down to the bridge. With adeep-sounding cheer they advanced upon it, while with answering cheersthe British opened fire upon them. The depth of the ravine at firstdeceived the British marksmen, and the column pressed on until itshead was three-quarters across the bridge. Then the shower smote it,and beneath that terrible fire the head of the column melted away.Still it pressed on until across the bridge the corpses lay piled in amass as high as the parapet, and beyond this heap, this terrible line,there was no living. Then sullenly and slowly the French fell back,while the British cheers rose exultingly along the hillside.
Twice again did fresh columns pour on to the bridge, but only to meltaway under the British fire, neither of them reaching the dreadfulline which marked the point reached by the head of the first. Theartillery and musketry fire on both sides continued until four in theafternoon, when a heavy rain set in, and the fire ceased altogether.
As the Coa was fordable at several points lower down, and the Frenchcould therefore have turned the position next day, the British troopsfell back during the night behind the Pinhel river, where Picton'sdivision was also encamped.
Next morning the boys exchanged their Spanish suits for the uniformof British officers, which they obtained from the effects of some ofthose who had fallen upon the previous day, these being, as is usualin a campaign, at once sold by auction, the amount realized beingreceived by the paymaster for the benefit of the dead men's relatives.Major MacLeod had witnessed their ready presence of mind in throwingthe rope across the road, and so checking the French charge, andgiving time to the rear-guard to cross the bridge, and had made a veryfavorable report upon the subject.
Two days later and they joined the Rangers, who were stationed atGuarda, and were received with the greatest heartiness by theirbrother officers, with warm but respectful greetings by the men, andwith uproarious demonstrations of gladness on the part of Sambo.
"The betting was two to one that you had gone down, boys," CaptainManley said, after the first greetings; "but Carruthers and myselfhave taken up all offers, and win I don't know how many dinners andbottles of wine. I had the strongest faith you would get throughsomehow. You will take up your quarters with me. I have two bedroomsupstairs there, which Sam has taken possession of in your name. Hewould have it that you were sure to be back in time for the firstfight. Dinner will be ready at six, and after that there will be ageneral gathering round the fire in the open to hear your adventures.No doubt you would be dining with the colonel, but I know he isengaged to the general."
"Yes, he told us so," Tom said, "and we are to dine with himto-morrow."
"All right, then; we'll make a night of it. Carruthers is coming todine, and Burke and Lethbridge; but the room won't hold more than six.We are going to have a feast, for Sam has got hold of a sucking-pig;where he got it from I dare not inquire, and Lethbridge said hisfellow had, somehow or other, found a turkey; as to wine, we shallhave it of the best, for Burke is quartered at the monastery, and themonks are so delighted at finding him a good Catholic that they havegiven him the run of their cellar."
It was a jovial dinner, and no words can express the satisfaction anddelight which beamed on Sam's face as he stood behind his master, orthe grin of pride with which he placed the sucking-pig on the table.
"Sam, Sam!" Captain Manley said reprovingly, "I fear that pig is nothonestly come by, and that one of these days we shall hear that youhave come to a bad end."
"No, no, Massa Captain Manley, sar," Sam said, "dat pig come quitehonest, dat pig made present to Sam."
"A likely story that, Sam. Come, out with it. I have no doubt it wasquite as honest as Lethbridge's turkey anyhow. Come, tell us how itwas."
Thus invoked, Sam's face assumed the pompons air with which he alwaysrelated a story, and he began,--
"Well, sar, de affair happened in dis way. When de massas arribe, twoo'clock, and went in for long talk wid de colonel, dis chile said tohimself, 'Now what am I going to get them for dinner?' De rationssarve out dis morning war all skin and bone, and war pretty nighfinished at lunch. Sam say to himself, 'Captain Manley's sure to say,'You dine wid me;' but as Captain Manley hadn't got no food himself,de invitation was berry kind, berry kind indeed; but massa wasn'tlikely to get fat on dat invitation."
Sam's narrative was interrupted by a perfect shout of laughter uponthe part of all at table, Captain Manley joining heartily in the laughagainst himself. When they had a little recovered again, Sam went onas gravely as ever. "Dis struck Sam berry serious, not to have nothingfor dinner after being away seben months; presently idea occur to dischile, and he stroll permiscuous up to big farm-house on hill. WhenSam got near house, kept out of sight of window; at last got quiteclose, took off shako, and put head suddenly in at window. Sureenough, just what Sam expected, dere sat missus of farm, fat olewoman, wid fat ole servant opposite her. De door was open, and dislittle pig and several of his broders and sisters was a frisking inand out. De old women look up bofe togeder, and dey give a awfulshriek when dey saw dis chile's head; dey fought it were de debil,sure enough. Dey drop down on dere knees, and begin to pray as fast asmaybe. Den I give a loud 'Yah! yah!' and dey screams out fresh. 'Oh!good massa debil!' says the ole woman, 'what you want? I been berry,berry bad, but don't take me away.' You see, Massa Tom, I pick uplittle Spanish, 'nuff to understand since you been gone. I not saynuffin, and de ole woman den go on, 'If you want one soul Massa Debil,take dis here,' pointing to her serbant;' she been much more wickednor me.' Den de serbant she set up awful shriek, and I says, 'Dis timeI hab pity on you, next time I come, if you not good I carry you bofeaway. But must take soul away to big debil 'else he neber forg
ibe me.Dere, I will carry off soul of little pig. Gib it me.' De serbant shegives cry ob joy, jump up, seize little pig, and berry much afraid,bring him to window. Before I take him I say to old missus, 'Dis afree gibt on your part?' and she say, 'Oh, yes, oh, yes, good MassaDebil, you can take dem all if you like.' I say, 'No; only one--andnow me gib you bit advice. My Massa down below hear you very bad olewomen, never gib noting to de poor, berry hard, berry hard. Me adviseyou change your conduct, or, as sure as eggs is eggs, he send me upagain for you no time.' Den I gave two great 'Yah! yah's!' again berryloud, and showed de white ob my eyes, and dey went down on to kneesagain, and I go quietly round corner ob house, and walk home wid depig which was giben to me. Noting like stealing about dat, MassaManley, sar!"
Sam's story was received with roars of laughter, and when they hadrecovered themselves a little, Captain Manley said, "It is lucky wemarch to-morrow, Sam, for if the good woman were to catch a glimpse ofyou in uniform, and were to find she had been tricked, she might laya complaint against you, and although, as you say, the pig was freelygiven to you, I imagine the Provost Marshal might consider that it wasobtained under false pretences. But here are the other men outside, wehad better adjourn, for every one is longing to hear your adventures."
It was a lovely evening, and as the officers of the Norfolk Rangerssat or lay round the fire, which was lit for light and cheerfulnessrather than warmth, the boys, after their long wanderings amongstrangers, felt how pleasant and bright life was among friendsand comrades. They had first to relate their adventures with theguerillas, after which it was agreed that they had earned the right tobe silent for the rest of the evening, and song, and jest, and merrystory went round the ring.
Sam was installed under the direction of the doctor, a jovialIrishman, as concocter of punch, and his office was by no means asinecure.
"Now, major, give us the song of the regiment," Captain Manley said,and, as he spoke, there was a general cry round the circle of "TheRangers, the Rangers." "I'm agreeable," the major said. "Give meanother tumbler of punch to get my pipes in order. Make it a littlesweeter than the last brew, Sam; yes, that's better. Well, heregoes--full chorus, and no shirking."
THE RANGERS.
"Hurrah for the Rangers, hurrah! hurrah! Here's to the corps that we love so well; Ever the first in the deadly fray, Steady and firm amid shot and shell. Scattered as skirmishers out in the front, Contesting each foot of the ground we hold, Nor yielding a step though we bear the brunt Of the first attack of the foeman bold.
Hurrah for the Rangers, hurrah! hurrah! Here's to the corps that we love so well; Ever the first in the deadly fray, Steady and firm amid shot and shell.
"Steady boys, steady, the foe falls back, Sullenly back to the beat of the drum, Hark to the thunder that nears our flank Rally in square, boys, their cavalry come. Squadron on squadron, wave upon wave, Dashing along with an ocean's force, But they break into spray on our bayonets' points, And we mock at the fury of rider and horse.
Hurrah for the Rangers, &c.
"The gunner may boast of the death he deals As he shatters the foe with his iron hail, And may laugh with pride as he checks the charge, Or sees the dark column falter and quail. But the gunner fights with the foe afar, In the rear of the line is the battery's place, The Ranger fights with a sterner joy For he strives with his foemen face to face.
Hurrah for the Rangers, &c.
"The cavalry man is dashing and gay, His steed is fast, and his blade is fine, He blithely rides to the fiercest fray, And cuts his way through the foeman's line, But the wild, fierce joys of the deadly breach, Or the patient pluck of the serried square Are far away from the horseman's reach, While the Norfolk Rangers are sure to be there.
Hurrah for the Rangers, &c."
Long, loud, and hearty was the cheering as the last chorus concluded."Very good song, very well sung, jolly companions every one," shoutedthe doctor. "Now, Manley, keep the ball rolling, give us the 'TheBivouac,'" Captain Manley emptied his glass, and, without hesitation,began--
THE BIVOUAC.
"The weary march is over, boys, the camp fire's burning bright, So gather round the blazing logs, we'll keep high feast to-night, For every heart is full of joy, and every cheek aglow, That after months of waiting, at last we meet the foe. To-morrow's sun will see the fight, and ere that sun goes down, Our glorious flag another wreath of victory shall crown.
Hurrah, hurrah for the bivouac, With comrades tried and true, With faces bright, and spirits light, And the foemen's fires in view.
"Then fill your cups with Spanish wine, and let the toast go round, Here's a health to all who love us on dear old England's ground. Be their tresses gold or auburn, or black as ebon's hue, Be their eyes of witching hazel, loving gray, or heaven's blue, Here's to them all, the girls we love, God bless them every one; May we all be here to toast them when to-morrow's work is done.
Hurrah, hurrah, &c.
"But whate'er to-morrow bring us, it shall shed no gloom to-night, For a British soldier does not flinch from thought of death in fight; No better ending could we wish, no worthier do we know, Than to fall for King and country, with our face towards the foe; And if we go, our friends who stay will keep our memory bright, And will drink to us in silence by many a camp-fire's light.
Hurrah, hurrah, &c."
When the last chorus had ceased, the boys, who had had a long marchthat morning, and were thoroughly tired, stole quietly off to bed,but it was not till long after they had gone to sleep that the jovialparty round the fire broke up, and that Sam was relieved from hisduties of concocter of punch.
