14 More Tales of the Birds 



" d'ye hear that noise in front ? That's a battle, 

 that is, and we'll be too late for it, unless Bony 

 fights hard, drat him ! " 



The pace was quickened, and for several miles 

 they went on in silence, the sound of battle 

 gradually getting louder. At last it began to die 

 away ; and soon an aide-de-camp came galloping 

 up and spoke to their colonel, who halted his men 

 in a field by the roadside. Then tumbrils full of 

 wounded men began to roll slowly along the road, 

 at which Bill looked at first with rather a wistful 

 gaze. At last night set in, and they bivouacked 

 on the field as they were. 



Early next morning troops began to file past 

 them infantry, artillery, and baggage ; the 

 cavalry, so Bill was told by his neighbour in the 

 ranks, was in the rear keeping off the enemy. 

 Bony was coming after them, sure enough, he 

 said, and the Duke must draw back and get 

 all his troops together, and get the Prussians too, 

 before he could smash that old sinner. 



At last their turn came to file into the road, 

 and retrace their steps of yesterday. It was now 

 raining, and already wet and cold, and Bill 



