when the sound of a manly voice, singing at the foot of the rock
beneath me, fully aroused me. I started up, and, peeping cautiously
over the head of the cliff, beheld to my surprise and terror a party of
French soldiers stretched upon the greensward around a fire. It was the
first time I had ever seen the imperial troops, and notwithstanding
the danger of my position, I felt a most unaccountable longing to creep
nearer and watch their proceedings. The sounds I had heard at first
became at this moment more audible; and on looking down the glen I
perceived a party of about twenty dragoons cantering up the valley.
They were dressed in the uniform of the Chasseur Legers, and in
their light-blue jackets and silvered helmets had a most striking and
picturesque effect.

[Illustration: 3-092]

My astonishment at their appearance was not diminished by the figure who
rode gaily along at their head. She was a young and pretty-looking girl,
dressed in a blue frock and jean trousers; a light foraging-cap, with
the number of the regiment worked in silver on the front, and a small
canteen suspended from one shoulder by a black belt completed her
equipment. Her hair, of a glossy black, was braided richly at either
side of her face, and a couple of bows of light blue attested a degree
of coquetry the rest of her costume gave no evidence of. She rode _en
cavalier_; and the easy attitude in which she sat, and her steady hand
on the bridle, denoted that the regimental riding-school had contributed
to her accomplishments. I had heard before of the Vivandieres of the
French army, but was in nowise prepared for the really pretty figure and
costume I now beheld.

As the riding-party approached, the others sprang to their feet,
and drawing up in line performed a mock salute, which the young lady
returned with perfect gravity; and then, carelessly throwing her bridle
to the one nearest, she dismounted. In a few moments the horses were
picketed; the packs were scattered about the grass; cooking utensils,
provisions, and wine were distributed; and, amid a perfect din of
merry voices and laughter, the preparations for dinner were commenced.
Mademoiselle's part, on the whole, amused me not a little. Not engaging
in any of the various occupations about her, she seated herself on a
pile of cavalry cloaks at a little distance from the rest, and taking
out a much-worn and well-thumbed-looking volume from the pocket of her
coat, she began to read to