able to cavalry. But,
nevertheless, from the first commencement of the fight we swept backwards
and forwards, so far as the wretched nature of the ground would permit,
between the two armies, and wherever we had a chance we struck hard. The
English had but, as we say, a mere handful of cavalry, but, all honour to
the brave, that handful fought like heroes, and its commander (his name
was Taylor) was a paladin among them; yet not more so than my captain.
When one of our brigades, having been repulsed by the enemy, was being
terribly cut up by their cavalry, a large body of our horse came suddenly
up, and a melee ensued of great fierceness. Three of the enemy, one
after another, did my captain slay with his own hand; and then came a
single combat the like of which few have seen. Some of us left off
fighting to witness it. The English commander, seeing half his men cut
to pieces, rode furiously upon my captain, and tried to cut him down. It
was a beautiful sight. Each was a master of fence, and the horsemanship
was as perfect. But all at once the horse of Colonel Taylor reared
violently and fell dead. A bullet had struck him, and his master was
pitched on the ground under his adversary's stirrup, completely at his
mercy. The sword was lifted to strike, but instantly lowered. 'Rise,
brave friend!' cried my captain, 'I dare not touch thee!' but as the
Englishman rose from the ground, and before he could frame a word of
reply, a second bullet laid him prostrate again, never to rise. But we
had delayed too long. The English came pouring upon us, and in spite of
frantic efforts we were made prisoners." Then pointing to his friend,
who was fidgeting and frowning most portentously all the time, he
said--"There is the man--my noble Captain Tournier!" And with such like
tales the evening passed away.

The curfew bell rang at nine o'clock; the lights were put out; and all
had betaken themselves to their hammocks. The sentries (not a few,)
passed backwards and forwards outside, or stood at ease in their boxes.
The picquets went the rounds every half-hour. Each soldier on guard was
on the alert, and had need to be. Silence and slumber fell on all but
the many watchers in that large assemblage of unhappy men.

There was, however, one prisoner who could not sleep that night. It was
not the roughness of his accommodation that kept him awake. Mere
hardship would have been welcome to him, for he was a true soldier. It