Page:15 decisive battles of the world Vol 2 (London).djvu/330

322 The second line of the Allies here consisted of two brigades of English infantry, which had suffered severely at Quatre Bras. But they were under Picton and not even Ney himself surpassed in resolute bravery that stern and fiery spirit. Picton brought his two brigades forward, side by side, in a thin two-deep line. Thus joined together, they were not three thousand strong. With these Picton had to make head against the three victorious French columns, upwards of four times that strength, and who, encouraged by the easy rout of the Dutch and Belgians, now came confidently over the ridge of the hill. The British infantry stood firm; and as the French halted and began to deploy into line, Picton seized the critical moment; a close and deadly volley was thrown in upon them, and then with a fierce hurrah the British dashed in with the bayonet. The French reeled back in confusion; and as they staggered down the hill a brigade of the English cavalry rode in on them, cutting them down by whole battalions, and taking two thousand prisoners. The British cavalry galloped forward and sabred the artillery men of Ney's seventy-four advanced guns; and then cutting the traces and the throats of the horses, rendered these guns totally useless to the French throughout the remainder of the day. In the excitement of success