A squadron of lancers was charging.

Have you ever seen a charge of lancers ?" "Never!" said both of the ladies at once.
"It is a very grand sight, I assure you.

Fancy, ladies, a legion of demons galloping along upon their horses, thrusting to the right and left with long pikes, whose steel points are eighteen inches long.

That is a charge of lancers.

I beg you to believe that I had shown before this the mettle there was in me, but I will not conceal from you that at this moment I shared with the crowd the impression which the coming of these gentlemen made.