“This fortunate occurrence saved the poor fellow from the disgrace of the ‘lash,’ but his good fortune did not continue with him throughout the day, as he was one of the brave, who fell some short time afterwards, in the gallant charge made by a squadron of ours, on two of the enemy’s guns. “On our arrival on the right, our infantry had formed square and were falling back menaced by a numerous cavalry; indeed I may say, as it was the case, our right flank was turned. Our guns opened between the interval of squares upon their advancing columns, when one squadron of the 1st Royal Dragoons, and one of our regiments charged, led by Major Mills; their cavalry were driven back, and many prisoners taken. The infantry continued to fall back with as much steadiness and order, as if in review. “I must here relate,” continued Henley, with deep emotion, “an event which at the time filled all who were present with a sorrow which indeed I shall never forget. General Slade, observing the numerous cavalry against which his brigade had to contend, advised the officer in command, not to allow their ranks to be weakened by conducting prisoners to the rear, but after disarming them, to let them proceed of their own accord. It was not uncommon therefore to observe groups of French dragoons riding quietly to the rear, looking for any one to take them in charge. It happened that a hussar of the 3rd German’s having taken a prisoner, ordered him to fall back also; the latter having ridden some little distance as directed, suddenly applied both spurs to his horse, making a détour to his regiment; the German, observing this, as quickly pursued, and upon closing with him fired his pistol, and the dragoon fell dead from his horse. “The hussar having secured the Frenchman’s rein conveyed him some little distance to the rear, and proceeded to take off his valise, when overhauling the contents, he discovered a letter from his father, on reading which, he found that it was his own brother who had fallen by his hands. Stupified with horror, he sat motionless and speechless on his horse for some minutes, when he exclaimed, the big tears rolling down his veteran cheek, ‘The king has commanded, and my God will forgive me,’ at the same time applying his spurs, he rushed headlong into the battle. “A few days after, meeting a patrol of the same regiment near Gallegos, inquiry was made respecting our unfortunate hussar, when we were informed that he too had that day numbered with the dead, not far from the corpse of his brother.” CHAPTER XII.