Upon the main ridge of the English position Moore had placed two Divisions—Baird’s on the right, Hope’s on the left. A third Division—Fraser’s—occupied high ground, well in rear of the right, to prevent any possibility of the French making their way to Coruña by a road which ran in that direction, and so cutting off the British force from the town. Paget’s Division was held in reserve behind the ridge; and for a while Roy chafed impatiently, fearing to have no share in the battle that day. Even had it been so, the Reserve would have had small reason to complain, since they had borne the lion’s share of fighting during the retreat. But their turn would come. The first and heaviest brunt of the onset was to fall upon Baird’s Division,—more especially upon the 4th Regiment, the 50th, which was commanded by Charles Napier and Charles Stanhope, and the 42nd Highlanders. With their usual vehement swiftness the French advanced, in separate columns, against the right, the left, and the centre of the British line; while another powerful column sought to pass, as Moore had foreseen, down the valley which lay between Baird’s and Fraser’s Divisions, towards Coruña; and yet a fifth column waited in reserve. But the peril of that fourth column’s advance no sooner became apparent than it was met. The right wing of the 4th British Regiment, on the extreme right of the ridge, was promptly thrown back, so as to face the flank of the adventurous French column, which was seeking thus boldly to turn the English position; and into the column was poured a crushing fire. Moore, alert, cool, intent, watching every movement, called out, “That was exactly what I wanted to be done.” Nor was this all. For General Paget, with his Reserve, advanced upon the column in front, doubled it completely up, and like a whirlwind swept onward, clearing the valley of the foe. Roy had his chance then, and he did not fail to use it. His was the honour of bearing the King’s Colour belonging to his Regiment. The Royal and the Regimental Colours are, as we know, always consecrated with religious ceremony at the time of presentation, and they are looked upon with the most intense veneration and pride by every British soldier. Not least were they so regarded by Roy Baron! Right proudly he carried his royal burden; and though its folds were rent in more places than one by the hail of bullets, and though Roy exposed himself with all that reckless gallantry which is natural to the British officer, he had the good fortune to escape with no wound worth mentioning. He had his fair share of hard knocks, notwithstanding; for Paget’s Division, once engaged, fought on till the close of the battle. The French attack was directed with greatest force against the three regiments, already named. Their piquets, which occupied the little village of Elvina, beyond the ridge, were driven in by the energy of the enemy’s onset, and Elvina for a time fell into the hands of the French.