Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

well-known hind foot, the only white about you, converted into the inkstand from which I now write. In truth, you were a gallant steed; and had your heart failed you in danger, or your limbs in difficulties, I had not been here now, to tell an old worn-out veteran's tale of a scurry for liberty and life.

It was during the winter, celebrated for that wonderful and elaborate scheme of defence, so successfully carried out by the most skillful warrior of the age, and known to history by the title of "the lines of Torres Vedras," that my tour of duty placed me on the look-out, as officer commanding a cavalry picket, in the immediate vicinity of one of the enemy's outposts—a situation of tolerable responsibility for a young soldier, and one requiring no small amount of alertness and vigilance. My instructions were to reach a certain point, if possible unobserved, and there to establish the head-quarters, as it were, of the party I commanded-to place my vedettes in such a manner as to guard against surprise; whilst, by means of a somewhat detached line of sentries, I kept open my communications with the rear. To these orders were added the usual injunctions on all service of this description-to make myself as much as possible acquainted with the nature of the surrounding countrythe fords in a certain stream winding its way along my front-the bridges, if any, and whether practicable for artillery, &c., &c.; for all of which details the master-mind directing the whole of our operations appeared to have as provident a case as though its natural element were in the petty minutiæ of a subaltern's duty, whilst at the same time its comprehensive grasp was capable of wielding the power of an allied army.

My first care, on arriving at my post, was to establish myself in such a manner as to guard against surprise. I made sure that no detached party of the enemy could occupy a position between mine and the stream to my front; whilst I took care that the country behind me should be well reconnoitred, so as to secure a retreat in the event of collision with a superior force, as well as for the first military purpose, of keeping open my communications. There was a wooded and picturesque slope to my front, on the further side of the stream I have already mentioned, and this I determined to examine

thoroughly before proceeding with my survey of the surrounding country.

Having brought my party to the spot we had fixed on for our bivouac and temporary head-quarters, I dismounted, and walked down to the stream, under whose friendly banks I contrived to keep myself closely concealed, while with the aid of my glass I made good the whole of the opposite ridge. After a pretty accurate survey, I felt tolerably secure, and returning to our watch-fire, at which my men had already begun their simple cookery, I received the reports of my two serjeants, and tightening the girths of "Best-of-Three," whom I had fortunately brought with me on this arduous service, I rode quietly away by myself, to make what further discoveries I could as to the locality of the enemy, the disposition of the peasantry, and any other information I could gather, which might prove useful to myself, or my commanding officer.

I rode carefully along, rounding the base of the opposite hill, and ever keeping a wary look-out on each side of me; but no signs of human habitation, or of the presence of man, could I detect. Wild, rugged, and picturesque, the eye of the painter would have been enraptured at every turn of my path; but sketching was not my object, and I was beginning to calculate how far I must have come from my post, and to have sundry misgivings as to whether I had sufficiently attended to my orders, with regard to making myself acquainted with the stream, and its deep and dangerous fords, when my attention was suddenly arrested by a thin white line of smoke, only just visible against the brown copsewood which clothed the surface of a hill some two miles to my right. This, I conjectured, must come from some farmhouse, hut, or cottage, and here I thought my slight knowledge of the language of the country might be advantageously brought into play. Accordingly, I turned my horse's head in the direction of the line of vapor, and trotted briskly forward towards some distant inclosures, which I thought must surely lead me to what I now felt confident was a farm-house. These inclosures I found to consist of high and strong hedges, almost impervious in any place, even to the eye, and what we should have called in England 'bullfinches," of the severest description. As I rode through the gate into one of these

[ocr errors]

fields, my thoughts insensibly wandered out a cigar-case, offered him a weed, which back to merry England, and the cheering he accepted with exalted politeness, and music of the hound-to the green pastures striking a light, proceeded to smoke, with of Yorkshire, and the quiet smile of Mary the air of a man who is perfectly satisfied Bolton, when my day-dreams were dispelied, with himself, and the position in which he and myself and horse most unequivocally is placed. Whether my sang-froid pleased startled, by the singing whistle of a ball them—and there is nothing a Frenchman adover our heads, and the sharp ringing report mires so much as that philegmatic quality, of a carbine, followed by the simultaneous in which he is himself so deficient-or appearance of three well-mounted French whether they were delighted with the courdragoons, belonging to the heaven-knows- age and agility displayed by my horse-or what regiment of hussars of the line, who whether their national chivalry of character emerged from a thicket in the corner of the induces them always to respect a prisoner as very field I was so unsuspiciously crossing, such, I know not; but I had no reason to and came thundering towards me "ventre complain of my treatment. I was allowed a terre," and blaspheming in chorus that I to ride perfectly unconstrained between the was to render myself into their hands. I "vieux capitaine" commanding, and a rusé made up my mind in a moment. The gate old serjeant-major, who had survived the bebind me led into a lane, out of which the Italian campaign, as he informed me. The fence I had remarked, though large, was captain conversed, freely and unreservedly, practicable, and wheeling "Best-of-Three" on every topic connected with the war, insuddenly round upon his haunches, I made cluding my own capture, which had been for this outlet at the very best speed I was arranged with great tact and secresy. master of about one stride for every two of the French hussars. Disregarding an uncertain shot from one of my new acquaintances, who pulled up to administer the compliment, I was coming rapidly down to the gateway, when, to my horror, a fourth hussar made his appearance through that very entrance, and slamming the gate (a new strong piece of timber as man could wish to see) behind him, came “sacré-ing” on in my very teeth, with such determination that I saw a collision was unavoidable. He was upon me like lightning; and I had just time to draw my sword, parry his thrust, and return it ineffectually, when I found we were within three strides of the now-closed gate. I collected "Best-of-Three" for the effort, and high as it was, he jumped it like a bird. Nothing in the olden time, not even in the Alas! alas! only to land me in the lane, most chivalrous period of the middle ages, amidst the plaudits and bravoes of some could equal the exalted politeness with score or two of hussars, belonging to the which the adverse outposts in the Peninsula same regiment as my previous antagonists, carried on their hostilities. Instances of renow left planté in the field. There I was, ciprocal courtesy, such as invitations to dinright in the middle of them; and there was ner, interchange of provisions, and abstainnothing for it but to submit with a good ing from all useless annoyances, were of grace and a pleasant countenance. I rode daily occurrence. Sometimes the apparent up to the officer in command, a grizzled contradiction of enemies being on such terms veteran, all mustaches and chin-tuft, very was fiercely ludicrous. Witness the ghastly haggard, and very war-like, and much re- message sent by a French officer of high sembling an old Scotch terrier, and handing rank to one of our most distinguished comhim my sword with a bow, I muttered some-manders of cavalry, begging him (with his thing about "Fortune de la guerre," pulled compliments!) to give orders that our dra

It appears I had been seen by their sentries making for the line of white smoke, which arose from their own watch-fires. The three hussars whom I first saw had been sent to intercept me; and the shots fired at me were to serve the double purpose of warning their comrades in the lane, and wounding myself or charger, so as to make a certainty of my falling into their hands. The dragoon who had so unceremoniously slammed the gate in my face, thought by that means to ensure my capture, after an exciting chase round the field; and his comrades confessed themselves much surprised at the appearance of "ce beau cheval" and "monsieur le capitaine Anglais" dropping, as if from the clouds, in the midst of them.

goons should have their sabres sharpened more keenly, as several of the wounded in the French hospitals suffered severely from the jagged end of the weapon with which, in hand-to-hand encounters, the British soldier dealt his crushing blow. Need I add the message was received and acted upon in the spirit in which it was sent? As for cooks, valuable as such officials are in a campaign, they were continually being sent back and exchanged, with the utmost readiness and good will. A cook, like a surgeon, was never obliged to hurry himself or discompose his chemical arrangements, as whether a prisoner or at large, whichever side gained the day, he was equally certain of consideration and good treatment.

A singular coincidence as regarded these amicable hostilities came under the notice of some officers belonging to one of our hussar regiments, with whom I am well acquainted, and who will vouch for the facts as they are related in the following curious instance of the wild, retributive justice of

war:

My friends, a captain and subaltern, were on outpost duty, as usual, in the immediate vicinity of a French picket, and from the nature of the ground and the earlier arrival of the British force, were enabled to command the only spring at which water was attainable for many miles, in that parched and arid country. As they sat round their fire, a single French serjeant was seen making his way on foot, up the hill, towards them, and waving his hand with gestures evidently deprecating hostilities. He was allowed to approach, and asking for the officer in command, he presented "Monsieur le capitaine's" compliments, and begged that his men might be allowed to water their horses at the spring without molestation. This request was instantly and graciously acceded to; nor was there any dereliction of duty in so doing, as the post my friend occupied was merely one of observation, and his orders were, upon no account to annoy or hazard a rencounter with the enemy. No sooner had a courteous affirmative to his message been delivered to the French officer, than he mounted his horse, galloped up to the little camp of English cavalry, and threw himself in the midst of them. With all the volubility of his nation, he thanked them for their politeness in the name of himself, his

men, his horses, and his Emperor! gave them his address in Paris, swore eternal brotherhood, and remained to partake of their simple campaigning fare. Ere he left, after making himself most agreeable, and singing them "chansons" without end, in a most melodious voice, he again thanked them warmly for their kindness and hospitality, informing them that as he was under orders to retire upon the head-quarters of his corps the following day, he should leave some white bread, coffee, and brandy at his present post, for the use of his English friends; hoped they might some day meet without holding "le sabr-r-re à la main," and took quite an affectionate leave of his entertainers. Curiously enough, that very night, whilst my friends were discussing their visitor, and voting him energetically a right good fellow, they received orders to drive in the enemy's outpost at daybreak the following morning. Those who had passed the cup from lip to lip in jovial companionship but twelve hours ago, were now to be opposed hand-to-hand in mortal combat. The French out-post was brilliantly carried after a sharp and decisive skirmish, and my friends, on occupying the ground previously held by the enemy, found the French captain's body lying stark and stiff, actually within three paces of the small package of luxuries which, according to promise, had been left for the use of his entertainers of the previous evening.

He was a capital swordsman, and more than one of our hussars had fallen to his deadly thrusts, when Serjeant Green, the smartest non-commissioned officer belonging to my friend's troop, shot him dead through the heart, without a rest, at fifteen paces, remarking first that the French officer appeared to be "troublesome," and secondly, that it was "pretty fair practice for a holster-pistol." Poor fellow! they dug his grave then and there, and with a soldier's tear and a soldier's prayer, they laid him in his lowly resting-place, and my friend, with a feeling of respect which did him honor, found time ere he pursued his march, to mark the spot of the gallant Frenchman's last bivouac, by cutting a white cross in the bark of a fine old tree, which overshadowed the scene of an enemy's death and a warrior's burial.

Time slipped on, and the distinguished regiment to which my friend belonged had

| and prayed for war. Verily, this is war; and they have their reward.

But all this time I am making my way to the enemy's camp-a prisoner, certainly, but, in consideration of my being disarmed, allowed to ride perfectly at my ease. I need not dwell on the compliments paid to my horsemanship, or the admiration lavished on "Best-of-Three," on my way. We soon reached their fires; and could I have forgotten the disagreeable fact, that I was no longer a free agent, and divested myself of sundry misgivings as to the fate of my party, deprived of their commanding officer, I should have spent a very pleasant evening. The old captain of hussars shared with me his soup, his cigar-case, and his brandy-flask;

ever the luck, where blows were going, to be in the thick of them. Exactly one year after the skirmish I have mentioned, on that very day twelvemonth it was his lot, as major of the regiment, to reconnoitre the identical spot of ground which had witnessed the gallantry and death of the French officer, previous to an operation in which cavalry were destined to bear an important part. Singularly enough, he was accompanied only by Serjeant Green; and readily did they recognize the scene of their bivouac and triumph of the previous year. There were the marks of the camp-fire round which the French dragoons assembled, there stood the fine old tree under which their officer was buried; and Serjeant Green dismounted to clear away the moss and bark" Best-of-Three" obtained more than his due from the edges of the white cross, which still remained to mark the spot where his chivalrous foe lay. He was in the act of removing with the point of his sword the trifling irregularities which had overgrown that emblem of peace and good-will, when a shot from a French" tirailleur," covered by some bushes at a hundred and fifty yards distance, crashed through his brain, and, springing into the air, Serjeant Green fell on his face a dead man.

Within three hours, his comrades buried him in the very grave he had himself as sisted to dig but a year before. They laid him by the French officer who had fallen by his hand. They mourned him for twenty-four hours, and then a corporal became a serjeant, and a private a corporal, "vice Serjeant Green, killed in action;" and he was forgotten.

So was it in all probability with him whose grave he shared. A comrade lost is soon replaced. Stirring scenes and constant danger cannot fail to blunt the natural sorrow of a soldier's breast. Promotion fills the void, and our fallen friend is as though he had never been. And now there they lie, side by side, the chivalrous Gaul and the sturdy Saxon, rotting in a land whose very existence need hardly have affected the destiny of either of them. What had they to do with Spain,-children of merry England and sunny France,-that they should shed their hearts' blood to enrich her soil? Promotion they sought and glory; for these they were content to wade through blood and slaughter; they panted

portion of forage; and when at length I lay down to rest, enveloped in my own cloak, which had accompanied me in my adventures, I felt that although a prisoner, I was considered as much a guest as though mine host had been living in his own château, and able to offer me all the luxuries of baths, dressing-rooms, and toilet-tables.

I lay between two French privates, whilst a sentry, pacing his short walk to and fro, with his eye continually glancing towards his charge, made it absurd to dream of the possibility of escape. I cannot say that I slept much. The French officer had informed me that he was to proceed to another out-post the following morning, whilst I was to be sent, horse and all, of course under sufficient escort, to the head-quarters of his regiment. These tidings, though received at the time with an air of military insouciance, weighed heavily at my heart. When should I ever see my comrades more! Where were all my hopes of distinction vanished? Dear old England! shall I ever tread your shores again?

Such reflections as these were enough to banish sleep; and I strove to divert my mind by watching the proceedings of my captors, their mode of relieving guard, &c., and their extreme vigilance and alertness, though accompanied by what we should consider somewhat slack discipline.

Amongst other precautions, I remarked one that was then new to me, although I have since ascertained it was occasionally adopted in our own service. A drum, rather an unusual piece of furniture in a

bivouac of cavalry, was strung as tightly | startled attention, turning one ear outward,

as though he recognized some familiar sound. I listened, and for an instant I thought I recognized the note of a hound. It must have been fancy. Psha! it was impossible; but still my horse turned his head towards the wind, and I was sure, by his eager eye and distended nostril, that he, too, was aware of something unusual-something that, from the force of habit, was calling up all his energies, and exciting my gallant courser to the utmost. Again I heard the well-known notes, now not to be mistaken,-the twang of a horn, and the increasing music of the pack running hard. My captors were soon on the qui vive, and ere five minutes had elapsed, the body of the hounds swept into view, accompanied by one man in scarlet and hunting-cap, whom, even at a distance, I recognized as merry Tom Crane, huntsman to the pack of hounds which the Duke of Wellington then kept in the Peninsula.

as possible, and a bullet placed on the centre of its calf-skin surface; this I learned was the most efficient of all sentries: the foot-fall of the smallest body of men will create a sufficient movement in the atmosphere to cause a vibration of the bullet, easily heard on the vellum, in its state of extreme tension; and thus the alarm is given, whilst the advancing party is still at such a distance as to defy the most acute ear. In our case, all remained quiet; and, towards morning, I dropped into a half slumber, soon to be broken by the bustle and preparation of a march. A cup of coffee, prepared by my host's own hand, a few hurried words of farewell, and compliments, such as none but a Frenchman would think appropriate at such a time, and I found myself sitting on a French charger, weak and under-sized, but superbly caparisoned, between two troopers, one of whom bestrode "Best-of-Three," much to their mutual annoyance. My horse had a very fine mouth, and the Frenchman's hands were more vigorous than sensitive. Even in my own forlorn plight, I could not help feeling foolishly distressed at seeing my favorite made so uncomfortable. Once or twice he reared in a fashion that I thought must have dis-mouthed admiration and delight; the other solved the inappropriate partnership; but his rider clung like a monkey to his monture; and so they went discordantly on, the horse fretting, champing, snatching, and sidling, whilst the equestrian sacré-ed, and swore, and spurred, in thorough insecurity and discomfort.

"They must have had a capital thing," thought I, "to be so far over the lines," or, as we should say at home, “out of their country;" and then it flashed across my mind, that now or never was the opportunity. My two guards, one with his hand on my wrist, were watching the sport in open

four soldiers were mounting their horses, with the hopeless idea of taking Tom Crane prisoner, under the impression that such a piqueur would be a prize indeed. Now for it! With all my might-and I could hit pretty hard in those days-I struck the soldier who was not holding me a left-hander under the ear, that, despite of shako and gorget, sent him down as if he had been shot; whilst, at the same moment, I disengaged my right hand from his comrade's grasp, and sprung desperately into the saddle which adorned my trusty steed.. Lucki

I felt quite relieved when, a little before noon, we halted to slacken our girths, water our horses, and rest them for an hour or two before proceeding on our march. I took the opportunity of getting near my charger to caress him, and endeavor to make him some amends for his previously for me, the force with which my remainannoyance. My escort consisted of a serjeant, a corporal, and four privates; two of the latter, though with perfect civility, always closely watching their prisoner. The idea of escape was ever in my mind; but the vigilance of my two guards made such an attempt almost impossible. Suddenly, as I was in the act of loosening my favorite's girths-for I was politely allowed to take charge of him myself during our halt-be raised his head in an attitude of

ing guard laid hold of "Best-of-Three's rein caused him to rear right up on end, and striking wildly out with his fore-feet, he disabled the arm that held him in its grasp, just as two of the escort, who had already mounted, were upon his quarters.

Never was a horse so quick on his legs as my old charger; for the first hundred yards it was indeed "touch-and-go;" the Frenchmen having the advantage of being already in their stride whilst I was starting. For

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »