enemies; the sight inspired them with fury: with one cry, that rent heaven

and was re-echoed by the furthest lines, they rushed on; they disdained the

use of the bullet, but with fixed bayonet dashed among the opposing foe,

while the ranks opening at intervals, the matchmen lighted the cannon,

whose deafening roar and blinding smoke filled up the horror of the scene. I

was beside Adrian; a moment before he had again given the word to halt, and

had remained a few yards distant from us in deep meditation: he was forming

swiftly his plan of action, to prevent the effusion of blood; the noise of

cannon, the sudden rush of the troops, and yell of the foe, startled him:

with flashing eyes he exclaimed, "Not one of these must perish!" and

plunging the rowels into his horse's sides, he dashed between the

conflicting bands. We, his staff, followed him to surround and protect him;

obeying his signal, however, we fell back somewhat. The soldiery perceiving

him, paused in their onset; he did not swerve from the bullets that passed

near him, but rode immediately between the opposing lines. Silence

succeeded to clamour; about fifty men lay on the ground dying or dead.

Adrian raised his sword in act to speak: "By whose command," he cried,

addressing his own troops, "do you advance? Who ordered your attack? Fall

back; these misguided men shall not be slaughtered, while I am your

general. Sheath your weapons; these are your brothers, commit not

fratricide; soon the plague will not leave one for you to glut your revenge

upon: will you be more pitiless than pestilence? As you honour me--as you

worship God, in whose image those also are created--as your children and

friends are dear to you,--shed not a drop of precious human blood."

He spoke with outstretched hand and winning voice, and then turning to our

395

The Last Man