While watching the movements and repelling1 the attacks of the Turkish horsemen, we had, I fear, given little thought to Macleod's division; but now we had a moment's breathing time, we remembered our comrades, and became doubly anxious as to their fate. Heavy firing was still to be heard to the right, and as we strained our ears it became evident that the sound was drawing nearer.
"Be the powers! they're fighting their way towards us," exclaimed Cantillon.
"There's no doubt of it," said Holroyd, after listening intently for a moment.
"I wish we could get a look at them," Major Vogelsang added.
"See yonder mound2, major?" said Paddy; "'tis a thrifle higher than the rest. I'm the tallest man among ye, and maybe, if ye'll let me slip out, I could get a peep at them. Sorra a bit of danger, major dear. I'll take Corporal Jones with me;" and without waiting for permission, he called to the corporal to follow him, and slipped out of the square.
The mound was less than a hundred yards distant. On reaching the summit, Cantillon sprang on the corporal's shoulders—Jones was a very powerful, athletic3 man—and stood upright. From this coign of vantage he gazed intently in the direction of the firing; while we watched him anxiously, fearing lest he should be shot by some lurking4 foe5.
Presently Cantillon gave a shout, and jumping down, ran back at full speed, followed by Corporal Jones.
"They're close at hand," he cried as he came up to the square, "fighting like divils. We must go to their assistance, major, and join forces, if possible."
"Are they broken?" asked Vogelsang.
"Divil a bit, sir," was the reply; "but they're attacked on all sides by ten times their number, and the haythins who have been hammering at us are now having——"
"That's enough," interrupted the major; "it is plain there is no time to lose. Put the wounded on the limbers and waggons6, and we will move at once."
We hastened to carry out the major's orders; but closer and closer drew the tide of battle, and ere we could put the square in motion, Macleod's little band of heroes appeared in sight. Alas7! a fatal change had occurred. The division was no longer in solid order, as when seen by Cantillon, but broken up into small parties and groups, each fighting desperately8 against overwhelming numbers of Turkish cavalry9 and Albanian infantry10.
To rush to their rescue was our first impulse; but Vogelsang restrained us, pointing out that we could not possibly render our brave comrades any effectual aid, and that once we broke our formation we should infallibly be cut to pieces. We did what little lay in our power, firing at the enemy whenever we could do so without injury to our own people; and a section of our company sallying out, at a critical moment, under Holroyd and Cantillon, succeeded in bringing Captain Mackay and a few of the 78th into the square.
With the exception of this slender party, Macleod's division was destroyed, not a man escaping. The gallant11 Macleod fell, as became him, claymore in hand, in the midst of his Highlanders, who, with the devotion of clansmen for their chief, threw themselves in the way of certain destruction in their vain attempts to save him.
While this terrible scene was taking place we were not molested12 by the enemy; but, the other divisions destroyed, they now combined their forces against us. The Albanian infantry commenced the attack by lining13 the sand ridges14 and pouring a furious fusillade upon the square, the horsemen keeping out of range, ready to sweep down upon us when the right moment arrived. The Albanians were expert marksmen, and their fire proved very disastrous15 to us. Vogelsang, Holroyd, and Cantillon were amongst the first wounded, the latter severely16, and many of our men fell to rise no more. We replied with the six-pounders, as well as with musketry; but the Albanians being scattered17 and well covered, our fire was not very effective. To add to our misfortunes, the sun was now beating down upon us with full force, and we had little water to quench18 our burning thirst; officers and men were pretty nigh worn out, and we all felt that, unless General Stewart came to our aid, the end must come quickly.
At length, when more than one-third of our number were killed or wounded, there was a cessation of the firing, followed by great commotion19 amongst the enemy's cavalry. We jumped to the conclusion that, at last, Stewart must have arrived, and our drooping20 spirits revived. Alas! we were speedily undeceived; for as the smoke cleared away, there appeared in sight a large body of Arab horsemen, advancing in loose, but not disorderly array. That the new-comers were foes21, not friends, we could not doubt, for as they advanced across the plain the Turkish host welcomed them with a mighty22 shout and waving of flags.
Though faint from loss of blood, Major Vogelsang still retained command, and he now mounted a limber-box and examined the advancing troops through his glass.
"They are the Mamelukes!" he exclaimed, "and Mohammed Ali himself is at their head. My men, we have now nothing to do but to sell our lives dearly."
"Possibly they have come to our aid," I suggested, hoping against hope. "Are you sure the Vizier is with them?"
Vogelsang shook his head sadly, and replied that he recognised Mohammed Ali, having seen him before; his presence with the Mamelukes was sufficient to prove that they had come, not as allies, but as our most formidable enemies.
We rapidly made preparations for the struggle before us. The wounded—at least those who were totally disabled from taking part in the defence—were placed in a trench23 hastily made in the sand; the six-pounders were loaded with grape and with musket-balls to the very muzzle24; and each soldier dropped over his cartridge25, not only a running ball, but three or four slugs.
The attack was not long delayed, and opened with a renewal26 of the musketry fire by the Albanians. This lasted for the best part of an hour, and wrought27 us great mischief28. Suddenly it ceased, and the Albanians leisurely29 retired30. Then, with lightning speed, the Mamelukes bore down on our sadly-diminished square.
"Keep steady, men," cried Vogelsang, "and reserve your fire until your foes are within forty yards. Then give them a volley, and load again."
The Mamelukes came on in somewhat loose order, their line extending to, perhaps, twice the width of the square. We let them approach to within thirty yards; then both guns and muskets31 opened on them with terrible effect. The charge was arrested; and before they could retire out of range, we gave them a second volley only less destructive than the first. Then they galloped32 away in confusion. Before we had time to congratulate ourselves, the Albanians again came to the front, and annoyed us with their fire.
After a while the Mamelukes made a second attempt to break our square, only to retire discomfited33. Three times did our slender band repulse34 these magnificent horsemen, inflicting35 heavy punishment on each occasion; but after each repulse the Albanians renewed their galling36 fire, doing us, in proportion, more harm than we did to the Mamelukes.
"I dropped senseless to the ground."
After the third attack, and while the Albanians were firing at us, the artillery37 officer reported that only one charge per gun was left.
"We must break up a cask of small-arm ammunition38, and make the best use we can of that," replied Major Vogelsang. "You, sir," he added, turning to me, "take a couple of men, and collect the rounds from the cartouch-boxes of the slain39."
I was about to execute this gruesome order, when a bullet, glancing from one of the guns, struck me on the head, and I dropped senseless to the ground.
When consciousness returned I found myself lying in the arms of Corporal Jones, who was bathing my head with muddy water. All sound of strife40 had ceased, and our men were sitting or standing41 around, disarmed42. Several Mamelukes were stalking about with a triumphant43 air, and in the distance was assembled the Vizier's army. I asked the corporal what had happened.
"We're prisoners, Mr. Cotton, the few of us that's left," he replied. "We hadn't a blessed cartridge left, when a Turkish officer came up with a flag of truce44, and told the captain as how our lives should be spared if we surrendered."
"Do you mean Captain Holroyd?"
"Yes, sir. The furrin major was knocked over just after you was, and, though badly hurt, our captain took command. There he is yonder, talking to the officer to whom we surrendered. The rum thing is," continued Corporal Jones, "that the Turkish orficer ain't a Turk at all, but a Frenchman. D'you remember, sir, the French leftenant as used to come so often to your quarters when we lay at Messina?"
"Not M'sieur de Vignes?" I exclaimed.
"That's the name, sir. Well, he's the orficer I'm tellin' you about—and here he comes!"
I looked up and saw a Mameluke approaching, whose rich attire45 bespoke46 him an officer of rank. Leaning on his arm was Charlie Holroyd, his head and shoulder bandaged.
"Tom," said Holroyd, in a faint voice, "here is an old friend—one who has indeed proved a friend in need. It is to M'sieur de Vignes we owe our lives."
"Pouf!" cried the Mameluke, whom I at once recognised as my former acquaintance; "I have but repaid the debt I owed you, mon ami. When last we met I played you a scurvy47 trick, and happy am I to be able to make some reparation." And with that he embraced me, much to the horror of Corporal Jones.
Holroyd then told me how, struck with admiration48 at our heroic defence, M. Drovetti, the French consul-general at Cairo (who had accompanied the Turkish army), had induced the Vizier to offer us quarter. De Vignes was selected to bear the flag of truce, and recognising Holroyd, persuaded him to surrender. In spite of our surrender, the Mamelukes, furious at the losses they had sustained, attempted to massacre49 the survivors50 of our force, and were only prevented by the exertions51 of Eugene de Vignes, who saved our lives at the risk of his own. As it was, several of our wounded were butchered; amongst others, poor Paddy Cantillon.
Naturally I was curious to learn how the French lieutenant52 had been transformed into an officer of Mamelukes, and that evening I asked him to tell me his story.
"Mais certainement, mon cher," he replied. "At Messina I met, and fell in love with, the lady who is now my wife. Her father, Prince T——, objecting to my attentions, sent his daughter to the convent. By bribing53 one of the lay-sisters, I obtained an interview, and persuaded Beatrice to elope with me. To return to France would have been difficult, if not impossible, so I determined54 to fly to Egypt, where my mother's brother, M'sieur Drovetti, was consul-general. I hired a small coasting-vessel, and made all arrangements for our flight. On the appointed night I repaired to the convent. With the assistance of the lay-sister, Beatrice effected her escape from the building, and joined me outside the walls. But somehow her father had got wind of the affair—I believe the lay-sister betrayed us—and while making off, we were attacked by four of his servants. I had just time to tell Beatrice to fly up the road, conceal55 herself, and await events, whilst I covered her retreat. Happily my assailants—probably acting56 on their master's orders—were so intent upon killing57 me, that they did not attempt to follow her. You, mon ami, came to my aid, and the fellows ran off, leaving one of their number with my sword through his heart. To get rid of you, I pretended the rascal58 was only wounded, and sent you off for assistance. The moment you had gone, I picked the dead body up, carried it a few yards, and threw it in a ditch. Then I rejoined Beatrice, and we hastened to the boat which was awaiting us. In the end we got safely to Cairo, and were married by my good uncle's chaplain. Through my uncle's influence, I was appointed an officer in the Vizier's service, and am now in high favour. Voila tout59!"
My story is finished. We were carried prisoners to Cairo, but, thanks to the influence of M. Drovetti, were allowed to take up our quarters with Eugene de Vignes and his charming wife; thus escaping the hardships and indignities60 which, as we afterwards learned, many of our fellow-prisoners suffered.
In due course we were exchanged, and rejoined our regiment61. Many years have passed since then. My brother-in-law, Charles Holroyd, is a general and a K.C.B.; I have long ago left the army, and settled down to a country life; but we still retain a vivid recollection of the "Disaster of El Hamet," and tell our children the story of "a Frenchman's Gratitude62."
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1
repelling
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| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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4
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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waggons
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| 四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 )； 铁路货车； 小手推车 | |
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7
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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8
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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12
molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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13
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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14
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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15
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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16
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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17
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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18
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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19
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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21
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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22
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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24
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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cartridge
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| n.弹壳，弹药筒；(装磁带等的)盒子 | |
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26
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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28
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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29
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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31
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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32
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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33
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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34
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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35
inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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36
galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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38
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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39
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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40
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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41
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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42
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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43
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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44
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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45
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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46
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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47
scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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48
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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49
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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50
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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51
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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52
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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53
bribing
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| 贿赂 | |
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54
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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55
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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56
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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57
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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58
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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59
tout
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| v.推销，招徕；兜售；吹捧，劝诱 | |
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60
indignities
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| n.侮辱，轻蔑( indignity的名词复数 ) | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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62
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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