ord
Stirling told us to charge, as he pointed up the long hill with his
sword.

Again there came the answering yell, the requiem for many a gallant
soul, and the line once more swung forward to breast the hill. Up the
long hill we toiled again, straight into the teeth of the fire.

Again we gained the crest and fought them, man to man; again by weight
of numbers they forced us off the crest, and sent us staggering,
reeling down the hill, desperate now.

Yet again Lord Stirling called on us to follow, and yet again we
charged them home.

Men lay wounded, men lay dying, all across the long hillside, and
more than half our number were dead or sorely stricken.

Yet it was for a fifth time that Stirling's voice rang clear, over the
roar of the battle, and for the fifth time we picked up the gauge of
their challenge, and swept forward in the charge.

Thus for the last time we reached the crest, and for one heroic moment
held our own, and then came reeling back from the shock. And, as I was
carried down the hill with the retreating line, I saw the tall figure
of Lord Stirling standing upright and alone amid the storm of bullets,
courting death and disdaining to retreat.

"To the rescue of Lord Stirling," I cried to the few soldiers who were
around me. Dick, who was near, echoed my shout, and we dashed forward,
determined to bring him off by force if no other way could be found.

But we had not advanced a dozen yards before every man that was with
us had fallen and only Dick and I reached Lord Stirling, who was
calmly awaiting the end.

"The day is lost, my lord," I cried, "but we have yet time to save
you."

"Save yourselves, lads," he replied; "you have done everything that
men can do, but it remains for me either to die or surrender."

"My lord," I cried; but at this moment Dick reeled. "Struck, by
George!" he exclaimed, and I caught him as he fell.

"See to your comrade," said Lord Stirling; "you have yet time to
escape."

So, throwing Dick's arms around my neck, for there was no time to
parley under that rain of lead, I bore him quickly down the hill.

But our work had not been in vain, for as a soldier came to my
assistance I saw that the last of the fugitives had reached the other
side, and the army for the moment was saved.

And so, when we reached the banks of Gowanus Creek, we formed in line
once more and gave a parting yell of defiance; then, turning, we
plunged into the creek and swam to the othe