at the thought of meeting the enemy, and perhaps with not an equally
agreeable idea that we might be in the next world before the day was over.

As we ascended the rugged side of the hill, I saw, for the first time,
the immortal Wellington. He was accompanied by the Spanish General,
Alava, Lord Fitzroy Somerset, and Major, afterwards Colonel Freemantle.
He was very stern and grave-looking; he was in deep meditation, so long
as I kept him in view, and spoke to no one. His features were bold,
and I saw much decision of character in his expression.
He rode a knowing-looking, thorough-bred horse, and wore a gray overcoat,
Hessian boots, and a large cocked hat. We commenced the passage of the
Bidassoa about five in the morning, and in a short time infantry, cavalry,
and artillery found themselves upon French ground. The stream at the
point we forded was nearly four feet deep, and had Soult been aware
of what we were about, we should have found the passage of the river
a very arduous undertaking.

Three miles above, we discovered the French army, and ere long found
ourselves under fire. The sensation of being made a target to a large
body of men is at first not particularly pleasant, but "in a trice,
the ear becomes more Irish and less nice." The first man I ever saw
killed was a Spanish soldier, who was cut in two by a cannon ball.
The French army, not long after we began to return their fire, was in
full retreat; and after a little sharp, but desultory fighting, in which
our Division met with some loss, we took possession of the camp and
strong position of Soult's army. We found the soldiers' huts very comfortable;
they were built of branches of trees and furze, and formed squares and
streets, which had names placarded up, such as Rue de Paris, Rue de
Versailles, &c. We were not sorry to find ourselves in such commodious
quarters, as well as being well housed. The scenery surrounding the