82 STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY.
the squares, but only to be shot down, or hurled
back again from a living hedge of steel.
4. Wellington on his famous horse “ Copenhagen ”
rode from post to post, cheering his men, and
bidding them “stand their ground to the last man.”
When he saw the French horsemen rushing up to
a square that had been terribly cut up, he called
out, “ Stand firm, my lads! What will they say of
this in England ?”
5. Wherever danger was, there was Wellington
to be found. As the shots fell thick about him,
he coolly remarked, “ They shoot better than they
did in Spain.” When he saw the French guns
making such havoc among his squares, he quietly
said, “ Hard pounding, gentlemen ! we will see who
can pound the longest,”
6. The men were eager to be led against the
French, and some of the Irish regiments began to
murmur; but Wellington quieted them, and said,
“Not yet, lads; wait a little longer” At one
time during the day, when the battle seemed
doubtful, and the best and bravest were falling thick
and fast, some of his officers would have lost heart,
but Wellington kept up their spirits. “ Never
mind,” he said to them, “ we’ll win this battle yet.”
7. At last, when it was near sunset, Napoleon
ordered his Old Guards—who had never yet been
beaten—to charge the English, and make one last
effort to win the day. Wellington, who saw them
coming on, placed his own guards, four deep, in 8
ditch behind the slope, and waited for the charge
in silence, When the French topped the ridge,