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,