Part 22 (2/2)

There is a great deal more to tell about Miss Weston, but my space is short; those, however, ish to know more will find plenty of information in the little book called _Our Blue Jackets_

A GREAT COMMANDER ON A FAMOUS BATTLEFIELD

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON AT WATERLOO

It was on Sunday, 18th June, 1815, that the faht The British army of 67,600 men and the French arht before that ht; at dawn the rain was falling heavily, the ground was saturated, and the troops in the rival arhly drenched About nine o'clock it cleared up, but on account of the rainfall no movement was made by the French till towards twelve o'clock

On the night of the 17th the Duke of Wellington made every portion of his ar day

He slept a few hours at the village of Waterloo and rose early in theorders as to be done in case the battle was lost: although he felt sure of winning

Before leaving the village he saw to the preparation of hospitals for the wounded, and to the arrangements made for the distribution of the reserves of aen, he rode to the positions where his h inspection The far of the day took place, received his special attention

Having thus done all that a commander could do to ensure the success of the day, he rode back to the high ground from which he could command a full view of the battle, and with a face calm and serene waited for the French attack

It was this serenity which had so great an effect on his troops They knew their great co that eventful day in holding their positions with that stubborn courage which destroyed all the hopes of the Emperor Napoleon

At Waterloo for the first tie met face to face Here across the valley they watched each other in stern anticipation as the church bells called worshi+ppers together for prayer

At about half-past eleven Napoleon's troops advanced to the attack; and from this ties continued to be made by the French, resisted and defeated by the steady bravery of the British and Gerht, and in so great danger that his staff advised hiood of the ar one of the squares of grenadiers a shell fell a them, and the duke waited to see the result Several soldiers were blown to pieces by the bursting of the shell, but Wellington seeer

All day long the duke was cool as if he had been riding a his men in Hyde Park Wherever he went a murmur of ”Silence! stand to your front!” was heard, and at his presence ain commanders told hiades, and asked either for support or to be allowed to withdraw their enerally received this answer, ”It is iround to the last man”

When asked by soave the saround here to the last man”

The duke seemed to bear a char the day either killed or wounded, whilst he escaped unhurt Wherever the danger see hisfresh heart into theentlemen!” he remarked to a battalion on which the French shells were falling with destructive fury; ”but ill try who can pound the longest” ”Wait a little longer, my lads,” was the duke's reply to the murmur which reached him from some of his troops who had suffered heavily froe, ”and you shall have your wish”

Once when the fire was concentrated on the spot where he ith his staff he told them to separate a little, so as to afford a less conspicuous mark for the enemy

At another tiainst the French, the duke put himself at their head

When Napoleon's Old Guard was advancing up the hill, the only sight they could see was the duke and a few uards, and at them!” And the best men in the whole French army, the pick of the bravest of the brave, fell back before the onset of the British guards

At about eight o'clock the duke gave the joyful signal for an advance all along the line For nearly nine hours the British had been storain, and had stood firnal with a fierce delight, and dashed forward against the ene could resist

The duke was ast the first to advance, and spoke joyously to thearound him, and one of his staff ventured to point out to hi ”Never mind,” said the duke, ”let them fire away: the battle's won, and my life is of no consequence now”

About 15,000 ton's arreat battle But Europe was saved