stripping the roof told the glad news that English troops were advancing to their relief.

These were the remains of No. 3 column, moving down from Isandhlwana. Little did the general and those with him expect to find a soul living at Rorke's Drift, for they also had seen the sullen masses of the Undi retreating from the post, and the columns of smoke rising from the burning hospital confirmed their worst fears. What then was their joy when they perceived a Union Jack flying amidst the smoke, and heard the ring of a British cheer rising from the shattered walls and the defence of sacks of corn! Forward galloped Col. Russell and his mounted men, and in five minutes more those who remained of the garrison were safe, and the defence of Rorke's Drift was a thing of the past; another glorious page ready to be bound into that great book which is called The Deeds of Englishmen.

From the "True Story Book," by H. RIDER HAGGARD.

Buffalo. The river bounding Natal |
on the north, and separating it
from Zululand. In 1879 the
king of the Zulus was Cetywayo,
on whom Sir Bartle Frere, High
Commissioner for South Africa,
made needless war. On January
22nd, a native army surprised the
British, and defeated them with
great slaughter.

No. 3 column. The invading army
had been in three columns.
2nd. Second battalion.
Ponts. Pontoons, boats used for
making floating bridges to enable
the army to cross the river.
Lonsdale's regiment. The Natal
Native Contingent, under Com-
mandant Lonsdale.

Carbineer. A soldier armed with a

carbine (a short gun). In the

English army the name Carbin-
eers is applied to one particular
cavalry regiment.
Communicated. Told.
Terrifying. Frightful.
The general. Lord Chelmsford.
Impi. A native army.
Commissariat store.

The place where the food for the army was stored.

Loopholing. Making small holes
in the walls, through which the
defenders could fire without
showing themselves.
Barricading. Piling up things to
bar the way of the enemy.
Fortification. A strong place of

defence. Mealie bags would not make a very strong defence. Mealie. The name given in South Africa to maize.

Impracticable. Not to be done.
Withdrew from the ponts.
Durnford.Lieutenant-Colonel Durn-

ford.

His men were Basutos. Isandhlwana (the place of the little hand) was where the English had

been defeated. Concentrated fire. A fire falling on one place from several directions. Martinis. Martini-Henry rifles. Assegai. Zulu spear.

Illumining. Lighting up.

Devotion. Willingness to die for
others.

The white arm. The bayonet.
Ammunition. Cartridges.
Consolations. Comfort.
Kraal. A group of native huts.
Redoubts. Small forts meant to be
used for a short time only.
Sallying. Going out from behind
a defence.

COMPOSITION.—(1) Write a short account of the defence of the buildings at Rorke's Drift.

(2) Make a list of all the English soldiers named in the preceding lesson.

LESSON 27.

THE VICTORIA CROSS.

George John Whyte-Melville (1821-1878), the son of a Fife. shire laird, was educated at Eton, served ten years in the Coldstream Guards, joined the Turkish cavalry as a volunteer during the Crimean War, wrote historical and sporting novels, and met his death in the hunting field.

[VICTORIA CROSS, 7TH HUSSARS, MAJOR CHARLES CRAWFORD FRASER "For conspicuous and cool gallantry on 31st of December, 1858, in having volunteered, at great rsonal risk, and under a sharp fire of musketry, to swim to the rescue of Captain Stisted and some men of the 7th Hussars, who were in imminent danger of being drowned in the River Raptee, while in pursuit of the rebels. Major Fraser succeeded in this gallant service, although at the time partially disabled, not having recovered from a severe wound received while leading a squadron in a charge against some fanatics, in the action of Nawabgunge, on the 13th of June, 1858."]-From the "London Gazette".

1.

GLEAMING eyes and dusky faces,

Brazen guns, depressed for slaughter,
Track of blood in furrowed places,
There the jungle, here the water;
Eager troop and opening section,
Crash of grape and hiss of ball;
Trumpets at a chief's direction
Sounding the recall.

2. "Turn again, we shall not heed them,

Gallant steed, so leal and true;

Others in the rear may lead them,
We have something yet to do.

Through the wounded, through the dying,
Clear the press and stem the rout;
In that stream a comrade's lying,
We must have him out!"

3. Chargers bold and riders bolder,

None dare stem that torrent's force,
Breaking over girth and shoulder,
Sweeping downward man and horse.

Now he's whirling round the eddy,
Now he battles in its roar,

Now with lengthened stroke and steady,
Nears the other shore.

5. Dusky faces peering grimmer,

Fiery flashes from the wood,
Watery splashes round the swimmer
Where the bullet rips the flood.
Now to reach him foothold gaining,
Now to drag him safely back,
Through an angry volley, raining
Death along the track!

6. Dusky faces blankly staring
On a prey thus lost and won;
Muttered curses, fiercely swearing,
"Allah! allah! bravely done!"
While the hero, like a galley,

Nobly freighted, stems the tide,
While a score of troopers rally

On the other side.

7. Tramp of horse and death-shot pealing, Wolfish howl and British cheer,

8.

66

Cannot drown the whisper, stealing

Grateful on the rescuer's ear.
Wounded, helpless, sick, dismounted,
Charlie Fraser, well I knew,

Come the worst, I might have counted
Faithfully on you!"

Thus the double danger spurned he,

Bold to slay and bold to save,

Thus the meed of honour earned he,
Doubled for the doubly brave.

Badge of succour, badge of daring,
Gold and bronze, by which 'tis dross,
Next the swimmer's medal, wearing
His VICTORIA CROSS.

G. J. WHYTE-MELVILLE.

ribbon is blue for the navy and red for the army. On the clasp are two branches of laurel, and below it a V, from which the cross hangs.

The Victoria Cross is a decoration instituted by the Queen in 1856. It is conferred for some signal act of valour or devotion performed in the presence of the enemy. It is "Maltese" in form, and made of bronze. In the centre is the royal crown surmounted by the lion, and below, on a scroll, the Freighted. words "For Valour". The Meed. Prize, reward. COMPOSITION.-Describe how Major Fraser won his Victoria

Cross.

Leal. Loyal, faithful, true.
Allah. The Mahometan name for

God.

Loaded.

LESSON 28.

THE SPANIARDS' RETREAT FROM MEXICO.

PART I.

William Hickling Prescott (1796-1859) affords a very striking example of how a strong will may conquer adverse conditions. While he was at college, a piece of bread playfully thrown by a fellow-student, destroyed the sight of one eye, and the sight of the other was so much affected, that for writing he had to use the same apparatus as the absolutely blind. Yet Prescott won fame as a great writer-and that not in the department of imagination, but in the department of history, where all the materials had to be slowly and carefully gathered out of books and manuscripts, mostly composed in Spanish or Italian. His chief works are the histories of "Ferdinand and Isabella," of "Philip II.," the " Conquest of Mexico," and the "Conquest of Peru". The last two were especially suited for picturesque treatment, and the sustained splendour which is the mark of his style. His blindness doubtless added to his vividness; he brooded over the events that he described till he could see them with the inward eye.

THERE was no longer any question as to the expediency of evacuating the capital. The only doubt was as to the time of doing so, and the route. The Spanish commander called a council of officers to deliberate on