The Keepers of the People

1347On the next day the battle began early. For two hours they watched from the tower the Russian guns shell the Varandal position, and a swarm of skirmishers driving backwards and forwards, between the two little armies. Early too they saw a stream of wounded, carried or supported, flow out of the belt of woods to Dr. Brand and his trained Varandal staff in the plain, who bound up their wounds, and sent them off in waggons to the interior. Then there came a desperate attack in force by the Russians, supported by their artillery; and after an hour’s destructive fighting it was repulsed. They watched from the tower every fluctuation of the fray with leaping hearts and short breaths, while mutes ran to and fro between the wing of the Princesses and the tower, carrying word of its changing fortunes. After their repulse there was a long pause, while the Russians made a meal and rested; but all the while their batteries were never silent, throwing steadily their shells among the Varandal lines. Then the watchers saw them begin their slow advance again. It was very slow indeed; for the Varandals, sheltered from the Maxims and rifle bullets by every inequality of the ground, every piece of cover, held their own stubbornly. But they saw them losing ground little by little, until at five o’clock they were driven back on to the belt of the woods, and the bugles sounded the retreat. First two or three companies came down the highway, turned to the right and marched quickly, in good order, up to the right-hand corner of the plain, then came some ammunition waggons, and trotted after them. Then five companies came marching to the palace; then more companies marched up to the corner of the plain. Then Prince Ralph rode across the plain with his staff, making his way to the camp of the picked regiments beyond the woods on the left of the palace. By this time the Russians were entering the woods on the right; and presently the Varandals began to come out in twos and threes; then the bugles rang out again; and they burst out in a swarm, running towards the right-hand corner of the plain. It was clear that even now they were well in hand, and acting under orders.

1348“The battle is over,” said Althea.

1349“And we are beaten,” said Ruth faintly.