were brand-new, and it was the fashion to fight in one's best in those
days. They presented a magnificent spectacle.

Presently the Duke, his staff, the gunners and the others who were on
the top of the ridge and watching, saw a body of horsemen gallop
rapidly along the French lines. One gray-coated figure riding a white
horse was in advance of the rest. The cheers, the almost delirious
shouts and cries, told the watchers that it was the Emperor. It was
his last grand review, his last moment of triumph.

It was after one o'clock before the actual battle began. More books
have been written about that battle than any other that was ever
fought. One is tempted to say, almost than all others that were ever
fought. And the closest reasoners arrive at different conclusions and
disagree as to many vital and important details. The Duke of
Wellington himself left two accounts, one in his dispatches and one in
notes written long afterward, which were irreconcilable, but some
things are certain, upon some things all historians are agreed.

The battle began with an attack on the Hougomont Chateau and the
conflict actually raged around that chateau for over six hours, or
until the French were in retreat. Macdonell, Home and Saltoun,
Scotsmen all, with their regiments of the Household Guard, held that
chateau, although it was assailed over and over again, finally, by the
whole of Reille's corps. They held that chateau, although it burned
over their heads, although the French actually broke into it on
occasion. They held it, although every other man in it was shot down
and scarcely a survivor was without a wound. It was assaulted with a
fury and a resolution which was only matched by the fury and resolution
of its defense. Why it was not battered to pieces with artillery no
one knows. At any rate, it occupied practically the whole of Reille's
corps during the whole long afternoon of fighting.

The space between Hougomont and La Haye Sainte was about a thousand
yards. La Haye Sainte was assaulted also but, to anticipate events, it
held out until about five o'clock in the evening, when, after another
wonderful defense, it was carried. The French established themselves
in it eighty yards from Wellington's line.

CHAPTER XXX

WATERLOO--THE CHARGE OF D'ERLON

Meanwhile the French had not confined their efforts to the isolated
forts, if they may be so called, on Wellington's center and left
center. After a tre