but Providence or destiny
acted miracles in their behalf, by disposing the Duc de Grammont to quit
his advantageous post, pass the defile, and attack the English, who were
drawn up in order of battle on the plain, and who handled us so roughly
that, after having lost a great number of men, we turned our backs
without ceremony, and fled with such precipitation that many hundreds
perished in the river through pure fear and confusion: for the enemy
were so generous that they did not pursue us one inch of ground; and,
if our consternation would have permitted, we might have retreated with
great order and deliberation. But, notwithstanding the royal clemency
of the king of Great Britain, who headed the allies in person, and, no
doubt, put a stop to the carnage, our loss amounted to five thousand
men, among whom were many officers of distinction. Our miscarriage
opened a passage for the foe to Haynau, whither they immediately
marched, leaving their sick and wounded to the care of the French, who
next day took possession of the field of battle, buried the dead, and
treated the living with humanity.

This circumstance was a great consolation to us, who thence took
occasion to claim the victory; and the genius of the French nation never
appeared more conspicuous than now, in the rhodomontades they uttered
on the subject of their generosity and courage. Every man (by his own
account) performed feats that eclipsed all the heroes of antiquity.
One compared himself to a lion retiring at leisure from his cowardly
pursuers, who keep at a wary distance, and gall him with their darts.
Another likened himself to a bear that retreats with his face to the
enemy, who dare not assail him; and the third assumed the character of a
desperate stag, that turns upon the hounds and keeps them at bay. There
was not a private soldier engaged who had not by the prowess of his
single arm demolished a whole platoon, or put a squadron of horse to
flight; and, among others, the meagre Gascon extolled his exploits above
those of Hercules or Charlemagne. As I still retained my resentment for
the disgrace I suffered in my last rencontre with him, and, now that I
the thought myself qualified, longed for an opportunity to retrieve my
honour, I magnified the valour of the English with all the hyperboles I
could imagine, and described the pusillanimity of the French in the same
style, comparing them to hares flying before greyhounds, or mice pursued
by cats; an