We dropped
again flat on our faces.
A squadron of black-horse cavalry came rushing out of the woods
at us, the riders yelling as they waved their swords. Fortunately we
had not time to rise. A man near me tried to get up.
'Stay down!' I shouted.
In a moment I learned something new about horses. They went
over us like a flash. I do not think a man was trampled. Our own
cavalry kept them busy as soon as they had passed.
Of the many who had started there was only a ragged remnant near
me. We fired a dozen volleys lying there. The man at my elbow
rolled upon me, writhing like a worm in the fire.
'We shall all be killed!' a man shouted. 'Where is the colonel?'
'Dead,' said another.
'Better retreat,' said a third.
'Charge!' I shouted as loudly as ever I could, jumping to my feet
and waving my sabre as I rushed forward. 'Charge!'
It was the one thing needed - they followed me. In a moment we
had hurled ourselves upon the grey line thrusting with sword and
bayonet.
They broke before us - some running, some fighting desperately.
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