look, the unhappy generals made a final
effort to retrieve their mishaps, and aides-de-camp were despatched
through all the highways and byways, to bring up whoever they could find
as quickly as possible. Now then began such a scene as few even of the
oldest campaigners ever witnessed the equal of. From every dell and
hollow, from every brake and thicket, burst forth some party or other,
who up to this moment believed themselves lying in ambush. Horse, foot,
and dragoons, artillery, sappers, light infantry, and grenadiers, rushed
forward wherever chance or their bewildered officers led them. Here
might be seen one half of a regiment blazing away at a stray company of
their own people, running like devils for shelter; here some squadrons
of horse, who, indignant at their fruitless charges and unmeaning
movements, now doggedly dismounted, were standing right before a brigade
of twelve-pounders, thundering mercilessly amongst them. Never was
witnessed such a scene of riot, confusion, and disorder. Colonels lost
their regiments, regiments their colonels. The Fusiliers captured the
band of the Royal Irish, and made them play through the heat of the
engagement. Those who at first expressed _enmui_ and fatigue at the
sameness and monotony of the scene, were now gratified to the utmost
by its life, bustle, and animation. Elderly citizens in drab shorts and
buff waistcoats explained to their listening wives and urchins the plans
and intentions of the rival heroes, pronouncing the whole thing the
while the very best field-day that ever was seen in the Phoenix.

In the midst of all this confusion, a new element of discord suddenly
displayed itself. That loyal corps, the Cork militia, who were ordered
up to attack close to where the Duke and his staff were standing, deemed
that no better moment could be chosen to exhibit their attachment to
church and state than when marching on to glory, struck up, with all the
discord of their band, the redoubted air of "Protestant Boys." A cheer
burst from the ranks as the loyal strains filled the air; but scarcely
had the loud burst subsided, when the Louth militia advanced with a
quick step, their fifes playing "Vinegar-hill."

For a moment or two the rivalry created a perfect roar of laughter; but
this very soon gave way, as the two regiments, instead of drawing up
at a reasonable distance for the interchange of an amicable blank
cartridge, rushed down upon each other with the fury of madmen