Part 31 (1/2)

”Then I will go on to the battery,” Fergus said.

He had ridden but a little way farther, when he was convinced that the officer was right. The crash of musketry volleys rose continuously, but although the boom of guns was mingled with it, there was nothing like the continuous fire that might have been expected from a twenty-gun battery.

Suddenly from his right a crackle of firing broke out, and then heavy volleys. The bullets sung overhead.

”They are attacking us in the rear, sir, sure enough,” Karl said.

”I am afraid they have captured our big battery, Karl,” Fergus said, as he turned his horse.

It was but a few hundred yards back to the village but, just as he reached it, a roar of fire broke out from its rear. They could make their way but slowly along the streets, so crowded were they now with infantry who, unable to see until a yard or two away, could not make room for them to pa.s.s, as they would otherwise have done for a staff officer. With feverish impatience Fergus pushed on, until the road was clear; but even now he had to go comparatively slowly, for unless they kept to the track across the open ground that led to the farmhouse, they must miss it altogether.

Lights were moving about there as he rode up. Keith himself was at the door, and the orderlies were bringing up the horses.

”What is it, Major Drummond?”

”It is an attack in force, sir, on the right flank and rear. The enemy have crept up between Hochkirch and our battery, and as I came through the village they were attacking it in rear. I cannot say for certain, but I believe that the battery is taken, though there is a heavy infantry fire still going on there.”

”Ride to Ziethen, Captain Lindsay. Give him the news, and tell him to fall upon the Austrians.

”Captain Cosser and Captain Gaudy, ride off to the infantry and bring them up at the double.

”I will take on the Kannaker battalion myself,” and he rode down at once to the camp of this battalion, which was but a hundred yards away; despatching others of his staff to hasten up the regiments near.

The Kannaker battalion was already under arms, and marched off with him as soon as he arrived.

”I am going to the left of the village, Fergus, and shall make for the battery, which we must retake. Do you go first into Hochkirch, and see how matters go there. If badly, give my order to the colonel of the first battalion that comes along, and tell him to throw himself into the village and a.s.sist to hold it to the last.

After that, you must be guided by circ.u.mstances. It is doubtful if you will ever find me again, in this black mist.”

Fergus handed his lantern to Keith's orderly, who took his place at the side of the marshal as the regiment went off at the double.

Fergus rode up to the village. It was scarce twenty minutes since he had left it, but it was evident that a furious fight was raging there, and that the Austrians had already penetrated some distance into its streets. Without hesitation he turned and rode back again and, in a few minutes, met a dark body of men coming along at a rapid run.

”Where is the colonel?” he asked, reining in his horse suddenly, for he had nearly ridden into the midst of them.

”Just ahead of us, to the right, sir.”

In a minute Fergus was beside him. By the light that Karl carried, he recognized him.

”Major Lange,” he said, ”I have the marshal's orders that you should march into Hochkirch, and hold it to the last. The Austrians are already in partial possession of it.”

”Which way is it, Major Drummond? For in this mist I have almost lost my direction, and there seems to be firing going on everywhere ahead.”

”I will direct you,” Fergus said. ”I have just come from there;”

and he trotted back to the village.

As they approached Hochkirch it was evident that, although the defenders were still clinging to its outskirts, the greater portion was lost; but with a cheer the battalion rushed forward, and was in a moment fiercely engaged. Major Lange's horse fell dead under him, struck by an Austrian bullet. Fergus rode into the first house he came to, dismounted, and left his horse there.

”You may as well leave yours here too, Karl. We can do no good with them, and should only be in the way. When it begins to get light, we will try and find the marshal.

”You may as well get hold of the first musket and ammunition pouch that you can pick up. There will be enough for every man to do to hold this place until more reinforcements come up.”