He
peeped in between the curtains of the alcove, and saw at once what was
out in the square. It was the major's "regiment." To other people the
square might have seemed to be a very quiet place, full of trees and
May sunshine, with a few babies and nurses and placid pedestrians as its
only occupants. But Uncle Arthur perceived at once, from the aspect of
the major, that it was a place of wild carnage, of desperate assault, of
the clash and shock of arms.
The major stood erect, supported by one crutch. The other crutch was
being waved in the air, as by one who orders on a mass of fighting men.
From the major's lips issued the subdued but passionate words:
"Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turned in air
Sabring th' gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All th' world wonder'd:
Plunged in th' batt'ry-smoke
Right through th' line they broke;
Cossack an' Russian
Reeled from th' sabre-stroke
Scatter'd an' shunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not----"
The boy's voice wavered.
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