"Come, sir," said the Corporal returning, "heels together. Little
fingers on the seams of the overalls. Eyes to the front," and he
placed the boy's hands gently in position by his sides, and went out.
"Now, Dick," said Lady Eleanor. "'For seven hours--'" and the boy
began, with much prompting,
"_For seven hours to all men's view
This fight endured sore,
Until our men so feeble grew
That they could fight no more._"
Then his memory seemed to return, and he went on with great gusto:
"_And then upon dead horses
Full savourly they eat,
And drank the puddle water--
They could no better get._"
Then there was a dead stop. "'When they--'" said Lady Eleanor. "Oh,
Dick."
"I always remember the puddle water, mother," said Dick reproachfully.
"Elsie," said Lady Eleanor; and Elsie folded her hands over her work
and began:
"_When they had fed so freely,
They kneeled upon the ground,
And praised God devoutly
For the favour they had found._"
"Then," broke in Dick triumphantly--
"Then beating up their colours
The fight they did renew,
And turning on the Spaniards,
A thousand more they slew."
"There, I know it now, mother, mayn't I go now and tell the Corporal to
saddle Prince for me? And mayn't Elsie come too?"
So away the children ran, and there was the Corporal waiting outside
the door, as anxious to be off as themselves; while Lady Eleanor made
her way to see Betsy Fry, who was waiting by the old gate-house a few
yards away from the front door.
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