once we break from the column, and gallup across the broken ground of the paddy fields, dismounting here and there të drag our ponies up and down the slippery places on the opposing hill, and backwards aud forwards across the stream; and, at a point where the valley begins to widen out into a wider plain, encircled by high hills, we cut through the column, and, leaving it to continue its route along the plain, we ride up the hill on our right and rejoin the General's staff. We und General Negrier and staff are on a neighbouring hill on our right, and with them a battery of artillery. Two of tho
guns are firing in the direction of the distant ridges of the bills, still to our right. Turning our glasses in that direction we soo banners and moving figures. We have come upon the roar of the Chinese camp, which has been following the road of the broken down route. They quicken their pace as the shella fall amongst them, and soon we have seen the last of them. Their route bends round amongst the hilla in front, just beyond the village of Ven Vy in the plain, and presently the moving figures reappear there. The second battery of artillery is brought on to our height, and the guns brought into play in that direction. Two small guns of the enemy make a defiant but feeble reply. Soon the figures have vanished at that point, but only to reappear at one more distant. The battery on the neighbouring height dea- cends, and with General Negrier advan- ces to the front. Meantime, the whizz of a bullet is heard above our heads; pre- - sently another, and immediately a third, followed by others in quick succession. Taming to the hills opposite to us, on the narrowest part of the plain, on our left, we detect several figures. Then, as on the following day, the Chinese were quick to discover the position of the Staff, "and to take action accordingly. A party of Ti- railleurs from the adjoining hoight attempt to dislodge these sharpshooters, but as they continue to amuse themselves, the artillery- men and their mules, and the General's Chasseur body-guard and their horses are ordered to more below the ridge on the aheltered side of the hill.
While this is going on, having tiod onr ponies on the sheltered side of the bill, we are observing the advance of the column through the plains, ascending the hills beyond the village before us. The thread moves on until it shapes itself on a slope into compact bodies, woven together in dark masses on a green ground. Ascending the narrow height on the left is a battery of the second brigade. We can see the Chinese banners and troops on the further ridge, and, on a high point to the left, two figures, which for a long time are conspi- onous, keep their ground until they have aufficiently observed our numbers, positions and probable movements, Straggling shots are heard soon, followed by the regular dis charge of the French infantry fice, which, at brief intervala, is succeeded by an irregular bat sustained exchange from the Chinese! site. In reply to this, and to the occasion- al report of the two Krupp guns the 8- centinistre gans have begun to play on the enemy. These are well directed and ex- plode at the proper time, and cannot full to work havoc where they fall. Then the French infantry discharge increases in rapidity, as if the Western rase were angrily impatient and determined to overcome the stubbornness of these Gelestials of the East. This more rapid fire ts followed by an advance to the height that guarded by the foe, who has fallen ack from his foremost point of vantage, But is he in retreat?
As the French cannon sound ominously during the brief pause in the infantry fire which accompanies the change of position, some one ays: "It is all over now; that will finish them. The General and his staff descend from our height and move forward, to the hill opposite the village, from which to witness the close of the fight,! expected every moment. We follow, batinį stead of pushing our jaded ponies up the hill
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f we keep to the road, satisfied to get'äs near a view as may be possible on that lower ground. But now, so far from ceasing, the infantry fire has been renewed with greater vigour than ever. We quicken our pace, the French bugle sounds the advance, and, after a moment's pause, is responded to by the. monotonous, sustained, weird, and yet both defiant and inspiriting tones of the Chinese horn, which is heard again and again through all the din of the fray. The French advance with a shout, charge the second height, and take it. But not yet is the battle won. We presa our tired horses to a gallop towards the point where the battle rages, and, having made them fast' in a safe corner of the feld, hurry forward on foot. As we hasteu onwards the swish of the French shells, and the swits of the Chinese ballets sound in quick succession. Passing a turn in the road we suddenly find ourselves in the rear of the French position, Troops are on the hill to our left which rises from the road on, which we staild; troops are on the higher hills on our right, on the other side of the gully; ahead, at the end of the open spaces are two hills on which are stationed the Chinese, one being about 700 and the other about 800 yards distant.
We get into what we suppose will be a sheltered ob- servatory on our left, and compose our selves to observe, but a bullet striking the ground two yards in front of us was a hint to shift our quarters. We crept up the shel- tered side of the hill, and on rising to the crest of the hill Ond ourselves amongst a company of tirailleurs tonquinoise, who have the honour of being in front. They are lying upon the ground in position to fire. Two of them are wounded, one in the leg and the j other in the breast. At present the comps- ny is not firing. Why, I know not. Perhaps the Chinese have disappeared from their view. If so they are not lost to the view of the Chinese. Although these are giving spe- cial attention to the neighbouring heights, on which two companies of the Foreign Legion are keeping up a brisk fusilade, they are not regardless of the Annamites, as bullets which whizz by us sufficiently testify.
At 5.45 p.d. the French bugle calls to ccase äring, and, with curious effect, at the very moment the French desist the Chi- nese do so alsu, and there is a shock of silence. The fight for that day was ended, at a cost of 24 wounded, 8 of whom were of the Foreign Legion. The fact that four artillerymen were wounded would seem to indicate that there are some amongst the Chinese possessed of more skill in the use
of the rifle than usual; but
if they have learned the use of the rifle they do not appear to know how to use their cannou. Ferhaps, in first using them, they so adjusted the shells that! they burst too soon, and now have gone to the other extreme and adjust them to explode too late. As a matter of fact their shells in variably bury themselves harm- lessly in the ground.
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The troops were ordered to remain for the night in the positions they occupied when firing ceased, and so, wishing good bye' to the French officers of the Alma- mite company, we hastened back to find our ponies before it should be dark. scending the hill we came almost mediately upon a Chinuman who crouching against the bank at the side of the road. Perhaps he was wounded and unable to escape when his countrymen had been driven from the height. Yet he did not seem to be in pain, nor did he seem to be so much fearful as watchful and expect- art. Instinctively I said: Whilo," the pidgin English for make off,' 'get away." but, as was to be expected, the word had no effect upon him. By remaining with him we should only attract attention, and deter- mine his fate. The best we could do was to leave him, with a feeble bope that be right be able to effect his escape. We learned after- wards that he had been discovered and shut, That night we were so fortunate as to find quarters in house in the adjacent village, the first tiono wo had slept under a roof, at least a house roof, for 19 days. The houses contained a good store of rice,
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