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thousand to less than two thousand now. The sixth division had been almost destroyed without firing a gun. The spirits of the soldiers began to droop, and it required the utmost exertion of the officers to prevent them from yielding to despair. They scorned the thought of retreat; they were even eager to be led against the enemy: but thus to stand and be murdered without resistance, was more than they could bear. They were tired of having nothing to occupy their attention, but the dreadful roar of the artillery,- the fall of their companions around them, and the mournful cries of the wounded. An indifference of life was fast spreading through their ranks, and they resigned themselves to their fate, without an effort to avoid it. The mind of the British commander was a prey to the most anxious suspense. He feared that success was more than doubtful. Should another hour pass, and Blucher not appear, the battle was inevitably lost. Yet he was cool, collected, and apparently cheerful; and while one regiment continued at its post, he would not resign the contest. An aide-de-camp now came with the information that the fifth division was almost destroyed, and that it was utterly impossible that they could longer maintain their ground. “I cannot help it," said he, "they must keep their ground with myself to the last man. Would to God! that night or Blucher were come.”
Napoleon was furious, at the obstinate resistance of the British. He incessantly took snuff in large pinches from his waistcoat, pocket,violently snuffing up half, and throwing the rest from him with a strong extension of the arm. "These English are devils," said he, "will they never be beaten?" A moment afterwards he added, "I shall beat them yet, but it is a pity to destroy such
