'I wish to please Sir Thomas: what would he do ?' 'Well, I can tell you a story,' said I, 'a true one too, and about this very combat of Chiclana, or Barossa as you call it.

I was in the Eighth of the Line; we lost the eagle of the First Battalion, more betoken, but it cost you dear.

Well, we had repulsed more charges than I care to count, when your 87th Regiment came on at a foot's pace, very slow but very steady; in front of them a mounted officer, his hat in his hand, white-haired, and talking very quietly to the battalions.

Our Major, Vigo-Roussillon, set spurs to his horse and galloped out to sabre him, but seeing him an old man, very handsome, and as composed as if he were in a coffee-house, lost heart and galloped back again.

Only, you see, they had been very close together for the moment, and looked each other in the eyes.