Hardly were we clear of the village when the Turkish horsemen came sweeping1 down into the plain, howling ferociously2 as they galloped3 here and there. From time to time they made demonstrations4 of an immediate5 attack, whereupon Holroyd would call a halt, and order the guns to unlimber; but the moment the enemy saw the six-pounders at "action rear," he retired6 out of range. Then the gunners limbered up, and we resumed our march. This happened, I think, three or four times.
We had not got very far into the plain when we were joined by a detachment of De Rolle's Regiment7, under Major Vogelsang. The major, who as senior officer assumed command, told us that Macleod had ordered him to retire from his position, leaving a strong piquet to cover his retreat, and move obliquely8 across the plain until he fell in with us. We were then to join forces and wait for further orders.
"Colonel Macleod has ridden off to withdraw the remainder of the force," explained Vogelsang, in his broken English. "The colonel's intention is to concentrate his force and stand on the defensive9 until Stewart comes to our aid; but I fear the detachments are so scattered10 that they will be cut off in detail."
"I agree with you, major," said Holroyd. "However, we must await Macleod's arrival, and if attacked, make the best defence we can."
We then formed square with Vogelsang's men, the two field-pieces being placed in the centre, and calmly awaited the arrival of Macleod with the other divisions, or the onslaught of the enemy, whichever should come first. Our combined force numbered about two hundred and fifty bayonets, besides officers and artillerymen.
Although the enemy kept up his threatening attitude, we were not seriously attacked; but it was evident, from the sound of heavy firing on both our flanks, that Macleod, and Vogelsang's party which he had left to cover his retreat, were having a very warm time of it. We became terribly anxious about them, and would have given worlds to know how they fared. Unfortunately we could only hear, not see the fighting; for the country around us was like a sandy sea, broken up, so to speak, into waves, or undulating mounds12, not one of which was so sufficiently13 elevated as to afford a commanding view from its summit over the rest.
In a short time the firing in the direction of the spot where we knew Vogelsang's covering party was battling against terrible odds14, began to slacken, then it suddenly ceased. We looked at one another in horror, for no one could doubt that our gallant15 comrades of De Rolle's must have been overwhelmed.
"My poor fellows!" groaned16 Major Vogelsang, the tears streaming down his rugged17 cheeks; "they must have perished to a man. Would that the Highland18 colonel had permitted me to remain with them!"
Our attention was now attracted by a triumphant19 shout, and another body of the enemy appeared in sight, racing20 to join their comrades, "as if Ould Nick were at their heels," as Paddy Cantillon observed.
"Steady, flankers of the 35th!" cried Holroyd; "it's our turn now! Meet them firmly, and, if needs must, let us die like British soldiers for the honour of the old regiment!"
"Faith, an' we're ready to do that, your honour!" answered Sergeant21 Finnigan. "Shure, divil a one of thim howlin' haythins shall—" The gallant old fellow never finished the sentence, for at that moment a score of the bolder horsemen charged up to within pistol-shot of the square, and discharged their carbines at us.
They, I have no doubt, fired at random22, but chance shots often do most harm—one "bullet found its billet," and lodged23 in the brain of poor Michael Finnigan.
A cry of rage burst from our men, for the sergeant was a general favourite in the light company, and several of the younger hands returned the fire without orders, emptying half-a-dozen saddles, and sending the bold Turks scampering24 back.
"Steady, light company!" cried Holroyd angrily. "What are those men thinking about? Our chance is a poor one if you're going to lose your heads like this! Reload, lads, and don't fire again without orders."
"Good, Captain Holroyd!" said Major Vogelsang. "Steadiness is everything! Ha! they are advancing again—down the front ranks!" Instantly the order was obeyed: down on the knee dropped the front ranks; while the rear ranks came to the "recover," and stood as motionless as if on an inspection25 parade.
We now beheld26 three separate columns of horsemen, each equal, in point of numbers, to our little force, moving rapidly towards us, one column leading, the others in rear. As they drew nearer, the rear columns edged off to their right and left, sweeping round so as to threaten the right and left faces of our square.
Major Vogelsang now ordered the artillery11 to unlimber, and bring their two guns into action, right and left; the centre sections of the right and left faces being warned to fall back, so as to leave an opening for the guns, as soon as the word was given.
On came the enemy until they were within about three hundred yards of the square, when all three columns drew rein27, as if to breathe their horses.
"Now is your time, lieutenant28!" said Vogelsang to the artillery officer. "Fall back the centre sections!"
Quick as lightning our gunners ran up and laid their pieces. "Fire!" shouted their officer, and plump went the six-pound shells into the columns on our right and left, bursting well in the centre, and killing29 or disabling several men and horses.
We gave a ringing cheer as the gunners coolly sponged out and reloaded the guns, for our foes30 were thrown into great confusion, and we all thought they would beat a precipitate31 retreat.
"The guns are loaded, sir," said the artillery subaltern; "shall I give them another dose before they're out of range?"
But the words had hardly been spoken, when the Turkish horsemen wheeled round and charged down upon us, with shrill32 cries of "La la ha il Allah! Vras! Vras!"[1]
Again the six-pounders were fired; then the centre sections closed up, and the moment the Turks got within musket-range, our standing33 ranks gave them a rattling34 volley, which knocked over several of them, including one of their boldest leaders. This warm reception damped their ardour, and once more they retired in confusion.
We young hands thought the day was our own, and rent the air with cheers; some of the men even sprang forward as if to start in pursuit of the retreating horsemen; but the stern voice of the veteran major quickly recalled us to our senses.
Vogelsang now ordered the gunners to load, "to the muzzle," with grape and canister, and the infantry35 to drop a running ball into their muskets36. "We will give them a still warmer welcome, my children!" he exclaimed, with a laugh like the croak37 of a raven38; "but you must be steady, and not break your ranks."
Once again the turbaned warriors39 advanced to the attack, yelling like a pack of fiends. A well-directed volley of double-shotted musketry greeted them, yet they paused not in their wild career. Then the six-pounders opened on the columns attacking our right and left faces, and their salutation no mortal Turk could have withstood. The havoc40 produced as the grape and canister tore through the serried41 ranks was fearful, and with a cry of dismay the assailants of the right and left sides of our square galloped off ventre à terre.
The third body of the enemy, however, undismayed by the repulse42 of their comrades, held on their course, and charged right up to the rear face of the square, where we were posted; almost up to our bayonets' points they rode, and discharged their pistols, and launched their javelins43 at us, killing and wounding several of our men. For a moment I feared the square would be broken; but our rear rank had reloaded, and a second volley sent the enemy to the right-about. Then we glanced around, and saw that seven or eight of our men had been killed or wounded.
"Our standing ranks gave them a rattling volley."
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1
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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2
ferociously
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| 野蛮地，残忍地 | |
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3
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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4
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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5
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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7
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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8
obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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9
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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10
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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11
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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12
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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13
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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15
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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16
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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17
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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18
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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19
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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23
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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24
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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25
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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26
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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27
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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30
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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31
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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32
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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34
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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35
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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36
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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37
croak
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| vi.嘎嘎叫，发牢骚 | |
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38
raven
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| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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39
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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40
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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41
serried
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| adj.拥挤的；密集的 | |
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42
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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43
javelins
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| n.标枪( javelin的名词复数 ) | |
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