Yule Logs

we heard the sound of marching men approaching our post from the direction of the mosque, but the

ff officer and an orderly dragoon, visited the piquet. The colonel looked pale and weary, as well he might, and his

Holroyd," he began, in querulous tones, barely ackn

considerable force within gunshot of this spot. When I sent you my second report, sir-a written report-no less than fifteen large djerms, crowded with

such numbers, we should at least hear them. Now, sir, since the fog came on, have

e, sir," Holroyd admitte

y, you will take the trouble to make yourself better acquainted with what is near you, and not send in reports of an enemy's advance until you are absol

e stopped short, and uttered an exclamation of astonishment, for

der-suddenly appeared struggling through the mist, and rapidly dispelling it. Away rolled the fog, disclosing to our g

of cymbals-and as the fog cleared off, there appeared before us the Turkish arm

Macleod, like the true Highland gentleman he was,

me to recall the remarks I made just now, and to offer

Holroyd, warmly shaking the colonel's ha

f, there appeared befo

with the gallant Macleod in anger; for, alas! desti

th

raven flaps his

er understood, I will here state the order i

hern extremity of the ridge, where the water was extremely shallow. Now, as Macleod's rear was covered by the dry, steep-banked canal, and the road through El Hamet commanded by two six-pounders, his position might have been accounted an excellent one had it been properly manned (two thousand British troops, with a fair proportion of artillery and an ample supply of

f which we formed part, had to defend El Hamet, watch the road passing through the village, and support the two guns enfilading that road. Thus there was an interval of about three-quarters of a mil

cattered line at any point, save at the principal defences, and a breach in the line at any point must necessarily render the whole untenable. That the position must be forced if

n to my

infantry was drawn up in detached bodies, each under its ow

imed the staff officer; "th

e column moving off is evidently ordere

he infantry in an attack on the village," obser

addle; "to the last man!" and putting spu

had been ordered to retire from the sand-hills. On reaching the village, we found that the officer and men of De Rolle's Regiment had made

derable size and height, he said, "Take the right section, Tom, and occupy the roof of that house. Let the men make

ook off their packs, and placed them against the low parapet, so as to afford extra protection. From this elevated position we could see

Sergeant Finnigan. "Won't your honour open fire?" And I was about

cuate El Hamet. The guns are lim

etachment of De Rolle's, were forming up in the narrow street, where the two six-pounders were waiting

?" I asked, as I found myse

fatal mistake. But the pace is too good for talking,