A crisis had arrived, and a mighty--a determined--a desperate--effort alone could save the allied army from defeat; at this critical moment Major-General Sir Lowry Cole led the FUSILIER BRIGADE up the contested heights to stem the torrent of battle and wrest the palm of victory from Napoleon's veteran legions. The FUSILIERS--admired for their appearance--applauded for their order and discipline--moved forward with a resolute step to confront a host of foes; they felt the importance of the task which devolved upon them, and knew the high character of the troops they had to contend with; and national pride,--an _esprit de corps_,--a noble enthusiasm to rival the regiments which triumphed at Busaco,--and to exceed their own achievements at Martinique and Talavera,--animated every breast; they were flanked by a battalion of the Lusitanian legion; and mounting the hill at the moment when a regiment of Spanish cavalry was fleeing before a body of French dragoons, they soon drove the lancers from the contested height, and recovered five of the captured guns. Encouraged by this presage of victory, the FUSILIERS marched sternly onward in line, over heaps of killed and wounded, to encounter three heavy columns of French infantry, supported by cavalry and artillery, and each column mustering about twice the numbers of the FUSILIER BRIGADE. Gallantly issuing from amidst the smoke and broken fragments of discomfited corps, the FUSILIERS marched with a firm and solemn step over the carcases of men and horses which obstructed their way, and their bearing was that of men determined to decide the fortune of a battle. The French columns were pressing onward to complete the overthrow of the allied army, when suddenly the surprising spectacle of a majestic line of FUSILIERS burst upon their sight; they halted; fired a volley; then endeavoured to deploy; and their numerous artillery sent a storm of bullets against the British ranks. The commander of the brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir WILLIAM MYERS of the ROYAL FUSILIERS, was killed; the commander of the division, Major-General Sir LOWRY COLE, Lieutenant-Colonel BLAKENEY, commanding a battalion of the ROYAL FUSILIERS, and a number of other officers, fell wounded; the colour staves of the SEVENTH were shattered, and the colours torn; at the same time chasms were rent in the ranks of the brigade; a momentary pause ensued: but instantly recovering, the FUSILIERS braved the tempest of iron and lead, and boldly confronted the fierce and numerous bands opposed to them. As the smoke cleared, the French beheld a line of bayonets coming upon them, and the next moment, the thundering volleys of the FUSILIERS broke the heads of formations. The French commander urged his veterans forward; individuals, spurred on by an unavailing intrepidity, sacrificed their lives to gain time for their companions to deploy;--the columns responded to the calls of their leader, and, striving to