"  Hurrah  for  the  Faubourg  !  "  shouted  a
wild  voltigeur,  as  he  waved  his  cap  and
sprang  forward.  "  Let  us  not  lose  the
glory  now,  boys  ! "

The  appeal  was  not  made  in  vain.  From
every  window  and  doorway  the  men  leaped
down  into  the  street,  and  rushed  at  the
Prussian  column,  which  was  advancing  at
the  charge.  Suddenly  the  column  opened,
a  rushing  sound  was  heard,  and  down  with
the  speed  of  lightning  rode  a  squadron  of
cuirassiers.  Over  us  they  tore,  sabring  as
they  went,  nor  halted  till  the  head  of  Van-
damme's  column  poured  in  a  volley.  Then
wheeling,  they  galloped  back,  trampling  on
our  wounded,  and  dealing  death  with  their
broad-swords.  As  for  me,  a  sabre-cut  in
the  head  had  stunned  me ;  and  while  I
leaned  for  support  against  the  wall  of  a
house,  a  horseman  tore  past,  and  with  one
vigorous  cut  he  cleft  open  my  shoulder.  I
staggered  back  and  fell,  covered  With  blood,
upon  the  door- sill.  I  saw  our  column  pass
on,  cheering,  and  heard  the  wild  crv,  "  En


avant!  enavant!"  swelling  from  a  thou-
sand voices ;  and  then,  faint  and  exhaust-
ed, my  senses  reeled,  and  the  rest  was  like
an  indistinct  dream.
CHAPTER  LXIX.
A   FRAGMENT     OF   A   MAITRE    D'ARJIES'    EXPERIENCES.
