FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134  
135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   >>   >|  
wheeled, or stood at ease, as though by some impulse of mechanism; a cord coupled the wrists of the outer files one with another, which struck me less as a measure of security against escape, than as a mark of indignity. Carts and charrettes with wounded officers, in which oftentimes the uniform of the enemy appeared side by side with our own, followed in long procession; and thus were these two great currents--the one hurrying forward, ardent, high-hearted, and enthusiastic; the other returning maimed, shattered, and dying! It was an affecting scene to see the hurried gestures, and hear the few words of adieu, as they passed each other. Old comrades who were never to meet again, parted with a little motion of the hand; sometimes a mere look was all their leave-taking, save when, now and then, a halt would for a few seconds bring the lines together, and then many a bronzed and rugged cheek was pressed upon the faces of the dying, and many a tear fell from eyes bloodshot with the fury of the battle! Wending our way on foot slowly along, we at last reached the river-side, and having secured a small skiff, made for the Eslar island--our first business being to ascertain some details respecting the intrenchments there, and the depth and strength of the stream between it and the left bank. Discau, who was a distinguished officer, rapidly possessed himself of the principal facts he wanted, and then, having given me his portfolio, he seated himself under the shelter of a broken waggon, and opening a napkin, began his breakfast off a portion of a chicken and some bread-viands which, I own, more than once made my lips water as I watched him. 'You've eaten nothing to-day, Tiernay?' asked he, as he wiped his lips with the air of a man that feels satisfied. 'Nothing, _mon capitaine?_ replied I. 'That's bad,' said he, shaking his head; 'a soldier cannot do his duty if his rations be neglected. I have always maintained the principle: Look to the men's necessaries--take care of their food and clothing. Is there anything on that bone there?' 'Nothing, _mon capitaine_.' 'I'm sorry for it--I meant it for you. Put up that bread, and the remainder of that flask of wine. Bourdeaux is not to be had every day. We shall want it for supper, Tiernay.' I did as I was bid, wondering not a little why he said 'we,' seeing how little a share I occupied in the copartnery. 'Always be careful of the morrow on a campaign, Tiernay--no s
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134  
135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
Tiernay
 

Nothing

 

capitaine

 

Discau

 

broken

 
shelter
 
waggon
 

opening

 
rapidly
 

possessed


wanted

 

principal

 
portfolio
 

seated

 
officer
 

napkin

 
distinguished
 
viands
 

chicken

 

breakfast


portion

 

watched

 

Bourdeaux

 

remainder

 

supper

 

Always

 

copartnery

 

careful

 

morrow

 

campaign


occupied

 
wondering
 

stream

 

neglected

 

rations

 
soldier
 

replied

 
satisfied
 

shaking

 
clothing

principle
 

maintained

 
necessaries
 
reached
 

hurrying

 

currents

 
forward
 

ardent

 
hearted
 

procession