ntly, "and
beseech Him to strengthen our hearts in the approaching encounter."

It may have been pure fancy on my part, but as we rode along the lines I
seemed to miss that air of cheerful confidence which had been so evident
at Roche Abeille. The men greeted their general with cheers, and I had
no doubt they would do their duty; but they lacked that eager vivacity
which goes so far toward winning victory.

Across the plain the enemy were drawn up in two lines with their
artillery posted on a hill, and about eight o'clock the first cannon
ball came booming toward us. Instantly our guns replied, and a fierce
artillery duel which lasted throughout the battle began.

"Their guns are heavier than ours, and carry a farther distance," I
observed to Felix.

"It matters little," replied he; "the battle will be decided by the
sword. I wonder when we are going to advance?"

"Not at all, I expect. The Admiral has chosen his ground"--though there
was little choice for that matter--"and intends to stand on the
defensive."

"That may suit the Germans well enough, but our own men do not like
waiting to be charged. Monseigneur means to drive in our right wing!
See, he is bringing his cavalry forward. How splendidly they ride! It
makes one proud to know they are Frenchmen!"

"And sorry, too!"

I think Monseigneur was at their head, but the distance from our centre,
where the Admiral had stationed himself, was great, and I may have been
mistaken; but the leader, whoever he was, advanced very gallantly,
several lengths in advance of his front line, waving his sword and
cheering his followers.

The sun shone down on their steel caps, their breastplates and
thigh-pieces, and made their swords glitter like silver. They formed a
pretty picture, with their gay flags and fluttering pennons, and they
rode with all the confidence of victors.

From a trot they broke into a gallop, and we held our breath as,
gathering momentum, they swept proudly down on our right wing. A volley
rang out, and here and there a trooper dropped, but the rest galloped on
straight for their foe.

We craned our necks to watch the result. Not a man spoke; we hardly
dared to breathe, so keen was our anxiety. Would our fellows stand firm
before that human avalanche? If they gave way ever so little, our right
wing must be tumbled into ruin.

Nearer and nearer, in beautiful order, horse's head to horse's head,
they tore along, until, with a tremendous crash, t