It was late in the day ere the Gordon Highlanders were brought into action to recover the farm-house of La Haye Sainte, lost by the Belgians, and which the First Royal Scots and Forty-fourth regiments had failed to regain, from a column of 3000 French. At this critical moment Major-General Sir Denis Pack said, “Ninety-second, you must charge, for all the troops to your right and left have given way.” Although mustering scarce 300 men, with characteristic dauntlessness, the Highlanders rushed impetuously to the attack, and in another moment seemed lost amid the dark masses of the foe. As if moved to help their countrymen, the Scots Greys came to their aid, or rather to witness and complete the victory the Highlanders had already won. Together, shouting “Scotland for ever,” these splendid corps renewed the assault, which utterly ruined the column of the enemy, the survivors being only too glad to seek refuge in flight. Sir Denis Pack having witnessed this magnificent charge and its glorious effects, commending the Ninety-second, said, “You have saved the day, Highlanders.” Meanwhile, beholding with unfeigned regret the discomfiture of his troops, the Emperor, at the same time, felt constrained to admire the valour of the Highlanders, which had so signally triumphed, exclaiming, “the brave Scots.” And on the plains of Waterloo The world confess’d the _bravest few_ Were kilted men frae Scotland. Pursuing the enemy, the allies entered Paris in triumph, and thence, on the surrender of Napoleon, dictated peace. Returning to England, the regiment was employed in various home garrisons, until the year 1819, when it was removed to the West Indies. During its sojourn there it was almost destroyed by the dreadful ravages of fever among its soldiers, and returned to England a mere skeleton in 1827. In 1834 it was removed to Gibraltar, and thence, in 1836, to Malta. Whilst stationed at Malta, it was reviewed by Prince Maximilian of Bavaria, and further honoured in furnishing a Guard to Her Majesty the Queen Dowager whilst resident in the island. In 1841 it was removed to the West Indies, and two years later returned home. In 1851 it proceeded to Corfu. Removed to Gibraltar in 1853, it embarked thence to the Crimea, arriving a few days after the fall of Sebastopol. Returning to Gibraltar in 1856, in 1858 it was despatched, _via_ overland route, to Bombay. In the suppression of the Indian mutiny it was engaged at Rajghpur, Mongrowlie, and Sindwah. It still remains in India. [Illustration: THE NINETY-THIRD SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS. MONUMENT IN GLASGOW CATHEDRAL TO ITS “CRIMEAN HEROES.” ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE NINETY-THIRD FOOT; OR, SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS. CHAPTER XLIII.