attenuated figure pointed
to the pass. "What a ravine to defend! The column, with two pieces of
artillery in the road; the cavalry to form behind, where you see that
open space, and advance between the open files of the infantry; the
tirailleurs scattered along that ridge where the furze is thickest, or
down there among those masses of rock. Sacristi! what a volume of fire
they 'd pour down! See how the blue smoke and the ring of the musket
would mark them out as they dotted the mountain-side, and yet were
unapproachable to the enemy! And think then of the rolling thunder
of the eighteen-pounders shaking these old mountains, and the long,
clattering crash of the platoon following after, and the dark shakos
towering above the smoke! And then the loud 'Viva!'--I think I hear it."

His cheek became purple as he spoke, his veins swollen and distended;
his voice, though loud, lost nothing of its musical cadence; and his
whole look betokened excitement, almost bordering on madness. Suddenly
his chest heaved, a tremendous fit of coughing seized him, and he fell
forward upon my shoulder. I lifted him up; and what was my horror to
perceive that all his vest and cravat were bathed in florid blood, which
issued from his mouth! He had burst a blood-vessel in his wild transport
of enthusiasm, and now lay pale, cold, and senseless in my arms.

It was a long time before we could proceed with our journey, for
although fortunately the bleeding did not continue, fainting followed
fainting for hours after. At length we were enabled to set out again,
but only at a walking pace. For the remainder of the day his head rested
on my shoulder, and his cold hand in mine, as we slowly traversed
the long, weary miles towards Glenmalure. The night was falling as
we arrived at our journey's end. Here, however, every kindness and
attention awaited us; and I soon had the happiness of seeing my poor
friend in his bed, and sleeping with all the ease and tranquillity of a
child.

From that hour every other thought was merged in my fears for him.
I watched with an agonizing intensity every change of his malady; I
scanned with an aching heart every symptom day by day. How many times
has the false bloom of hectic shed happiness over me! How often in
my secret walks have I offered up my prayer of thankfulness, as the
deceitful glow of fever colored his wan cheek, and lent a more than
natural brilliancy to his sunk and filmy eye! The world to me was all
not