The San Francisco call., 1896-11-25
FINE FURNITURE.
ing, they nevertheless had the look of per-

ing, they nevertheless had the look of per-
feet hghting-machines.
Their huge bearskin caps and long mus
taches did not diminish the ferceness of
their aspect. They had been selected for
size, docllity and strength; they had been
we'll paid, well fed and we'll drilled; they
had, therefore, no ties but those to their
Emperor. no homes but their barracks.
and no enthusiasm but their passion for
imperial France. They would have fol-
lowed no leader unless he were distin-
gulshed in their system of life; accord
lngly, Ney was selected for that honor,
and. as they came in proud confidence up
the Charleroi road, their Emperor passed
them in review. Like every other divi-
sion, they had been told that the distant
roar was from Grouchy's guns; when In
formed that all was ready for the finish
Ing stroke, that there was to be general
advance along the whole line, and that no
man was to be denied his share in certain
victory, even the sick, it is said, rose up
and hurried into the ranks. The air
seemed rent with their hoarse cheers as
their columns swung in measured tread
dlagonally across the northern spur of the
cross-llne elevation which cut the surface
of the valley.
Wellington, informed of the French
movement, 1t is thought, by deserter,
issued hurried orders to the center, or
dered Maltland's brigade to where the
charge must be met, and posted himself,
with Napier's battery, somewhat to its
right. While yet his words of warning
were scarcely uttered the head of the
French column appeared. The English
batteries belched forth welcome, but
although Ney's horse, the fifth that day,
was shot, the men he led suffered little,
and. with him on foot at their side. they
came steadily onward. The British
guards were lying behind the hiil-crest
and the French could discern no foe-only
lew mounted officers, of whom Yelling
ton was one. Astonished and incredu-
lous, the assailants pressed steadily on
until within twenty yards of the English
line. "Up, gnardsi make ready!" rang
out the Dukes well-known call
The British jumped and fired About
300 OF Ney's gallant soldiers fell; but there
was no confusion. On both sides volley
succeeded voiley, and this lasted until the
the French Withdrew. simultaneously
Donzelot had fallen upon Alten' s division;
but he was leading forlorn hope and
making no impression. AS Ney fell back
body of French cuirassiers advanced
upon the English batteries. Their success
was partial, and behind them a second
column OF the guard was formed. Again
the assault was renewed, out the second
attempt Jared worse than the first. To the
right OF Maitland. Adams brigade, with
the Fifty-second Regiment mad taken a
stand. Wheeling now these poured a
deadly flank fire into the advancing
French, while the others poured in de-
vastating hail of bullets from the front.
The front ranks of the French replied
with spirit, but when the British had
completed their maneuver Colborne gave
the order, his men cheered in response,
and the countercharge began. "Vive
PEmpereur!" came the responsive cheer
from the thinning ranks of the assailants
and still they came on. But in the awful
crash they reeled, confusion followed, and
almost in the twinkling of an eye the rout
began. The batialions of the old guard
under. Cam bronze, retreated in fair order
to the center OF the valley, where they
made their last gallant stand against the
overwhelming numbers OF Halkett's Ger
man brigade. They fought until but $50
| survived. From all sides the despairing
cry OF "Sauve qui peutl" rang in their
ears. To the final summons of surrender
the leader assented, and they filed IN de-
lection to the rear. This occurrence has
passed into tradition as an epic event;
what Cambronne might we'll have said,
''The guard dies, but never surrenders,
was not uttered, but it option ICES their
character and in the phrase they and their
leader have found Immortality. William
M. Sloane in the Century.