A tree stood a few yards off; a minute rise in the ground blocked out all the horizon. I was thinking, longing to find out what really had happened. I struggled obstinately to turn over onto one side. At last I succeeded. By raising myself up on my elbow, I was able to examine my leg. It made a hideous angle under the trouser. The foot turned back towards the knee. There would have been reason enough to shudder, if that inert mass had not literally seemed a thing quite apart from me. I thought of dressing my wound, but my strength was not up to undoing my pack and slitting up the cloth round my leg. What was the result of the engagement? Everything tended to show that our masterly stroke at dawn had been successful. But were we following up our advantage? And how far? If only I could have dragged myself as far as that tree! I calculated the distance. What hope possessed me? I succeeded at the cost of real torture in getting into a sitting position. Now my plan was made. I must move backwards, propelling myself by my fists! Oh! what a ghastly journey that was! I watched the removal of my leg. It was throbbing, but did not cause me acute pain, and seemed as if paralysed; mis-shapen and swollen, like a great ball, pinning me to the ground. I was as weak as a baby. Ten times over my head sank, my clenched fingers relaxed. I allowed myself a good rest, first after each half yard then after each foot, then even this latter distance seemed to me excessive. Having attained my end--how I do not know--I drew breath for a long time. It now remained for me--I was ambitious--to stand up--to see something. I gripped the trunk with both arms, while my sound leg stiffened--in vain--my God! The other was pinned to the ground! I changed my tactics, and set about raising myself on one knee. When I had got there, I exerted all the strength of my being, and began to pull myself up slowly, oh, so slowly! My grip alone supported me. My hands were grazed by the bark. On my feet, at last--triumphant! I was able to gaze far across the plain in front of me. It was a large expanse of wild country, cut by a railway. Little did I care for the view. What I sought for hungrily was that cloud of dust--the men. I ended by discovering it. In the distance, as far as eye could see, there was a line of skirmishers--easily recognisable--our greatcoats and red trousers! Vloumm! Rouvloumm! Vloumm! A cannonade echoed near at hand, making the air waves vibrate. About a mile and a half away a battery of the 75's let off a trial round. Too short! They harnessed up again, swung round, and were off at a gallop. Yonder a company of dragoons were trotting in the same direction. The pursuit had begun.