You had fought hard, and marched long, and your sleep is excusable; but a moment's inattention might at present ruin the army.

I happened to be awake, and have held your post for you.

You will be more careful another time." It is needless to say how the devotion of his men was nourished by such anecdotes as these flying ever and anon from column to column.

Next morning there ensued a hot skirmish, recorded as the battle of St.
George.

Provera was compelled to retreat, and Wurmser, who had sallied out and seized the causeway and citadel of La Favorita, was fain to retreat within its old walls, in consequence of a desperate assault headed by Napoleon in person.
Provera now found himself entirely cut off from Alvinzi, and surrounded with the French.