It was a trying time.

The balls from the French cannon whistled over his head, the musket shots flew thickly round him, and he knew that ere long the attack would be renewed.
Fortunately the fourth advance of the French did not come directly over him, the commanders purposely leading their troops so as to avoid passing over the ground where so many of the young nobles had fallen.
Not until the last musket had been discharged and the cessation of the din told that all was over, did he endeavour to rise.

Then he sat up and called to two dismounted soldiers, who were passing near, to aid him.
They at once came up, and soon lifted the horse so far that he was able to withdraw his leg.

His thick jackboot had protected it from injury, although it had been partly the cause of his misfortune, for the sole had caught against the side of the horse and so prevented him from withdrawing it.

Nevertheless, his leg was so numbed that it was some time before he could limp away.