"Forward, lads!" Captain O'Connor said. "It's our turn now. Keep cool
and don't waste your ammunition."
With a cheer his company followed him. Every hedge, bank, and tree
that could afford shelter was seized upon, and a sharp crackling fire
at once replied to that of the French skirmishers. The light companies
were then armed with far better weapons than those in use by the rest
of the troops, and a soldier could have told at once by the sharp
crackling sound along the front of the British line that it was the
light companies that were engaged. But now a heavy column of troops
was seen advancing from the village held by the French; and this, as
it approached the part of the line held by the Brunswickers, broke up
into several columns. The Germans were falling back, when the duke
sent Picton's two brigades to meet the enemy halfway. The
Ninety-second were left behind in reserve on the road, the light
companies were called in, Picton placed himself in front of the long
line, and with a tremendous cheer this advanced to meet the heavy
French columns.
It was thus through the wars of the period that the English and French
always fought: the French in massive column, the English in long line.
Once again, as at Albuera and in many a stricken field, the line
proved the conqueror. Overlapping the columns opposed to it, pouring
scathing volleys upon each flank, and then charging on the shaken mass
with the bayonet, the British regiments drove the enemy back beyond
the hedgerows, and were with difficulty restrained from following them
up the face of the opposite hill.
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