In half an hour from the sound of the first warning bugle the head of
the column began to move, just as daylight was breaking. Comparatively
few of the officers of Ralph's regiment were married men, and there
were therefore fewer of those agonizing partings that wrung the hearts
of many belonging to regiments that had been quartered for some time
at home; but Ralph saw enough to convince him that the soldier should
remain a single man at any rate during such times as he is likely to
be called upon for serious service in the field. It was a relief when
the bands of the regiment struck up, and with a light step the troops
marched away from the city where they had spent so many pleasant
weeks.
As the troops marched on their spirits rose--and indeed the British
soldier is always at his gayest when there is a prospect of
fighting--the hum of voices rose along the column, jokes were
exchanged, and there was laughter and merriment. The pace was not
rapid, and there were frequent stoppages, for a long column cannot
march at the same pace as a single regiment; and it was ten o'clock
when they halted at Mount St. Jean, fourteen miles from Brussels. Here
the men sat down by the roadside, opened their haversacks, and partook
of a hasty meal. Suddenly there was a cheer from the rear of the
column. Nearer and nearer it grew, and the regiment leaped to their
feet and joined in the shout, as the Duke of Wellington, with a
brilliant staff, rode forward on his way to the front.
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