242 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



on the Danube, and we fully understood each 

 other. 



On the fatal morning I lost him I had returned 

 from duty in the trenches at four a.m., and had 

 just fallen asleep, when an alarm was given that 

 the Russians were advancing in force to attack 

 our lines. To tighten the girths, adjust the bit, 

 buckle on my sabre, and slip my revolvers into the 

 holsters, was the work of a few seconds, and the 

 trooper and his charger were ready for work. 



The morning was extremely dark ; several 

 drizzling showers had fallen during the night, and 

 a heavy mist hung on the ground, which enabled 

 the enemy to approach our position unseen. In 

 our camp all appeared quiet, and little did we then 

 imagine that huge masses of the enemy, with 

 powerful artillery, had occupied a most formidable 

 and commanding position close to our lines, and 

 were only waiting for the first glimpse of daylight 

 to fall upon their prey. 



The Russian advance was made in the greatest 

 silence, and every precaution had been taken by 

 their General to insure success. 



