or
wounded, and our unfortunate general himself had expiated with his life
his fatal rashness. I cast my eyes around, and saw nothing but images of
death, and horror, and frantic rage. Yet even then the safety of my
noble colonel was dearer to me than my own. I sought him for some time
in vain, amid the various scenes of carnage which surrounded me. At
length I discovered him at a distance, almost deserted by his men, yet
still attempting to renew the fight, and heedless of the wounds which
covered him. Transported with grief and passion, I immediately darted
forward to offer him my feeble support; but, in the very instant of my
arrival, he received a straggling ball in his bosom, and, tottering to a
tree, supported his fainting limbs against the trunk. Just in that
moment three of our savage enemies observed his situation, and marked
him for their prey; they raised their hideous yell, and darted upon him
with the speed and fierceness of wolves. Fury then took possession of my
soul; had I possessed a thousand lives, I should have held them cheap in
the balance. I fired with so unerring an aim that I stretched the
foremost on the earth; the second received the point of my bayonet in
his breast, and fell in the pangs of death; the third, daunted with the
fate of his companions, turned his steps another way.

"Just then a horse, that had lost his rider, was galloping along the
wood; I bounded across the path, and, seizing him by the bridle,
instantly led him to my leader, and conjured him to preserve his
glorious life. He thanked me in the most affectionate manner for my
friendship, but bade me preserve my own life. 'As to myself,' said he,
'I do not wish to survive my country's dishonour; and even had I such a
wish, the wounds I have received would render all escape impossible.'
'If that is your resolution,' said I, 'we will die together; for I swear
by the eternal majesty of my Creator that I will not leave you.' When he
saw me thus resolved, he consented to use my assistance, and with
infinite difficulty I seated him upon the horse, which, holding by the
reins, as I was then light and active, I guided along the wood with no
inconsiderable speed.

"Fortunately for me, we were not observed by any of our savage enemies,
so that, flying through the thickest part of the forest, we left the
danger behind, and were soon removed beyond the sight or hearing of the
battle. 'Courage,' said I, 'my noble leader! you are now almost