want of means for executing, with success, the duty assigned to the several divisions.  Each column was provided with a certain number of axemen, selected to act as pioneers; but not one of the necessary implements was in a condition to be used; neither had a single fascine or ladder been provided, although it was well known a deep ditch remained to be passed before the axes, inefficient as they were, could be brought into use.

“Sooch,” said Captain Cranstoun, with a sneer of much bitterness, and pointing to the blunted and useless implements, “are the peetiful theengs on which hong the lives of our brave fallows.  Nae doot the next dispotches will say a great deal aboot the eexcellent arrangements for attock; but if ye do not fall, Geerald, a hope ye’ll make a proper repreesentation of the affair.  As ye belong to the other seervice, there’s leetle fear the Geeneral can hurt your promotion for jeest speaking the truth.  A Geeneral indeed! who’ll say Fortune is not bleind to make a Geeneral of sooch as he?”

It was not an usual thing for Cranstoun to express himself thus in regard to his superiors; but he was really vexed at the idea of the sacrifice of human life that must attend this wantonness of neglect, and imbecility of arrangement.  He had, moreover, taken wine enough, not in any way to intoxicate, but sufficient to thaw his habitual caution and reserve.  Fearless as his sword, he cared not for his own life; but, although a strict officer, he was ever attentive to the interests of his men, who, in their turn, admired him for his cool, unflinching courage, and would have dared any thing, under the direction of their Captain.

It was evident that the contempt of the sailor for the capacity of the leader, to whom it was well known, all the minute arrangements were submitted, was not one whit inferior to what was entertained by the brave and honest Cranstoun.  He, however, merely answered, as they both assumed their places in front, and with the air of one utterly indifferent to these disadvantages.

“No matter, Cranstoun, the greater the obstacles we have to contend against, the more glorious will he our victory.  Where you lead, however, we shall not be long in following.”

“Hem! since it is to be a game of follow-my-leader,” said Middlemore, who now joined them, “I must not be far behind.  A month’s pay with either of you I reach the stockade first.”

“Doone, Meeddlemore, doone,” eagerly replied Cranstoun, and they joined hands in confirmation of the bet.

This conversation had taken place during the intervals occupied by the movements of the right and centre columns along the skirt of the wood, to equidistant points in the half circle embraced in the plan of attack.  A single blast of the bugle now announced that the furthermost had reached its place of destination, when suddenly a gun—­the first fired since noon from the English batteries —­gave the signal for which all were now prepared.