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"There you've hit it," cried Hixley; "it's that same feeling of uncertainty that those who meet now may ever do so again, full as it is of sorrowful reflection, that still teaches us, as we become inured to war, to economize our pleasures, and be happy when we may. Your health, O'Malley, and your uncle Godfrey's too." "A little more of the pastry." "What a capital guinea fowl this is!"
The trumpet of our regiment at this moment sounded the call; its clear notes rang sharply through the thin air, it was the soldier's requiem! and we turned away without speaking, and returned to our quarters. I had never known poor Hixley till a day or two before; but, somehow, my grief for him was deep and heartfelt.
"They're at it already," said Hixley, as a wreath of blue smoke floated across the stream below us, and the loud boom of a large gun resounded through the air. Then came a deafening shout, followed by a rattling volley of small arms, gradually swelling into a hot sustained fire, through which the cannon pealed at intervals.
"Well, Charley, my poor fellow, you've got sore bones, too," cried Power, as, his face swathed in bandages and covered with blood, he lay down on the grass beside me. "It was a gallant thing while it lasted, but has cost us dearly. Poor Hixley " "What of him?" said I, anxiously. "Poor fellow, he has seen his last battle-field! He fell across me as we came out upon the road.
When I arrived at headquarters, I was dreadfully fatigued and heated; but resolving not to rest till I had delivered my despatches, I hastened towards the convent of La Sierra, where I was told the commander-in-chief was. As I came into the court of the convent, filled with general officers and people of the staff, I was turning to ask how I should proceed, when Hixley caught my eye.
We dismounted, and picketing our horses beneath the broad-leaved foliage of the cork-trees, stretched ourselves out at full length upon the grass, while our messmen prepared the dinner. Our party at first consisted of Hixley, Power, the adjutant, and myself; but our number was soon increased by three officers of the 6th Foot, about to join their regiment.
"How your old friend, the count, would have liked this work!" said Hixley. "Gallant fellow he was." "Come," cried Power, "here's a fresh bowl coming. Let's drink the ladies, wherever they be; we most of us have some soft spot on that score." "Yes," said the adjutant, singing, "Here's to the maiden of blushing fifteen; Here's to the damsel that's merry; Here's to the flaunting extravagant quean "
"How frightened the fellow is!" said Hixley. "I don't think the worse of poor Sparks for all that," said Power. "He saw those fellows for the first time, and no bird's-eye view of them either." "Then we are in for a skirmish, at least," said I.
"I'll be hanged if he'll not knock you off a song like lightning." "I understand," said Hixley, "they have some intention at the Horse Guards of having all the general orders set to popular tunes, and sung at every mess in the service. You've heard that, I suppose, Sparks?" "I confess I had not before." "It will certainly come very hard upon the subalterns," continued Hixley, with much gravity.
When I reflect what I might have been, and think what I am; when I contrast a Brussels carpet with wet grass, silk hangings with a canvas tent, Sneyd's claret with ration brandy, and Sir Arthur for a Commander-in-Chief vice Boggs, a widow " "Stop there!" cried Hixley. "Without disparaging the fair widow, there's nothing beats campaigning, after all. Eh, Fred?"
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