The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1008, April 22, 1899

Vol. XX.—No. 1008.]
APRIL 22, 1899.
A PERILOUS RIDE.
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A TALE OF THE FRANCO-ENGLISH WAR NINETY YEARS AGO.
By AGNES GIBERNE, Author of “Sun, Moon and Stars,” “The Girl at the Dower House,” etc.
A HAZARDOUS RETREAT.
he work intended by that spirited advance was done. Nothing remained for Moore but to fall steadily back before overwhelming odds.
All the bright expectations, with which he had started on this expedition, were dashed to the ground. In every direction he had met with indifference, vacillation—even opposition—where he ought to have found only warm co-operation. The Spanish forces had proved themselves worthless. Moore’s little Army stood alone in the heart of what was now practically an enemy’s country.
With almost superhuman energy the greatest General of his age had exerted himself to bring up such a force, that the complete annihilation of the British might be a thing assured. In the course of ten days, and in the bitterest wintry weather, he had marched fifty thousand soldiers over snow-clad mountains a distance of two hundred miles, only to find his stupendous efforts unavailing. For the first time in Napoleon’s career, he was decisively foiled.
Yet the utmost that Moore could hope to do was to save his little Army from destruction. To that aim he buckled his powers with unfaltering resolution. As Sir William Napier wrote in after years: “The inspiring hopes of triumph disappeared, but the austerer glory of suffering remained; and with a firm heart he accepted that gift.”