248 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



at each other. Bloodless lips and pale faces 

 might have been seen, for the men were worn 

 with toil, constant exposure, and hardships dreadful 

 even to relate, and their haggard, meagre, and 

 pinched-up features showed that they were suffer- 

 ing from an insufficiency of food ; still there was 

 an air of cool determination and unflinching fear- 

 less bravery portrayed on every countenance that 

 betokened the high bearing of the British soldier ; 

 and notwithstanding the fearful array against us, 

 I never for a moment entertained any doubt as to 

 our ultimate success that day. Our men had a con- 

 fidence and reliance in each other that was not to 

 be shaken or daunted even by the overpowering 

 odds displayed against them. Not a word was 

 spoken nor a sound heard except the clicking of 

 locks as the men raised the hammers of their rifles, 

 no unsteadiness or wavering was to be seen along 

 " that thin red line." ^' Aim low" was some old 

 soldier's caution, and simultaneously a long with- 

 ering volley was poured into the adverse ranks, 

 and a fearful yell, an agonising shriek of despair, 

 followed the report. Some few of the Russian 



