nd a wild cheer. Already
our pioneers had gained the gate, and were battering away at it; another
party had reached the walls, and thrown up their rope-ladders, and
the attack was opened. In fact, Giorgio had led one division by a path
somewhat shorter than ours, and they had begun the assault before we
issued from the pine wood.

We now came up at a run, but under a smart fire from the walls, already
fast crowding with men. Defiling close beneath the wall, we gained the
gate, just as it had fallen beneath the assaults of our men. A steep
covered way led up from it, and along this our fellows rushed madly;
but suddenly from the gloom a red glare flashed out, and a terrible
discharge of grape swept all before it. 'Lie down!' was now shouted from
front to rear, but even before the order could be obeyed another and
more fatal volley followed.

Twice we attempted to storm the ascent; but wearied by the labour of the
mountain pass--worn out by fatigue--and, worse still, weak from actual
starvation, our men faltered! It was not fear, nor was there anything
akin to it; for even as they fell under the thick fire their shrill
cheers breathed stern defiance. They were utterly exhausted, and failing
strength could do no more! De Barre took the lead, sword in hand,
and with one of those wild appeals that soldiers never hear in vain,
addressed them; but the next moment his shattered corpse was carried
to the rear. The scaling party, alike repulsed, had now defiled to
our support; but the death-dealing artillery swept through us without
ceasing. Never was there a spectacle so terrible as to see men, animated
by courageous devotion, burning with glorious zeal, and yet powerless
from very debility--actually dropping from the weakness of famine! The
staggering step--the faint shout--the powerless charge--all showing the
ravages of pestilence and want!

Some sentiment of compassion must have engaged our enemies' sympathy,
for twice they relaxed their fire, and only resumed it as we returned to
the attack. One fearful discharge of grape, at pistol range, now seemed
to have closed the struggle; and as the smoke cleared away, the earth
was seen crowded with dead and dying. The broken ranks no longer showed
discipline--men gathered in groups around their wounded comrades, and,
to all seeming, indifferent to the death that menaced them. Scarcely an
officer survived, and, among the dead beside me, I recognised
Giorgio, who still knelt in th