of the mountains. It arose from the French outposts, who stealing unobserved during the night, had thus got close to the outposts of the English position without being perceived
“The alarm was instantly given, and the troops started to their arms at all points. It was full time, for in a few minutes more the French, in two massive columns, were upon them. Ney, with three divisions, numbering 25,000 combatants, advanced against the British left, by the great road leading to the convent of Busaco; while Regnier with two, moved by St. Antonio de Cantara, against their right, about three miles distant. The first, headed by Loison's division, preceded by a cloud of light troops, came rapidly up the wooded hollow which leads to Busaco; and the British sharp-shooters, driven before them, soon emerged from the woods, breathless and in disorder. Crawford, whose division stood at that point, had stationed his artillery most advantageously to play upon the enemy during their ascent from the hollow; but though the guns were worked with extraordinary rapidity, nothing could stop the undaunted advance of the French troops. Emerging bravely from the hollow, they took their stand upon the edge of the mountain. The British artillery was quickly drawn to the rear. The shout of victory is already heard from the French line, when suddenly, Crawford, with the 43rd and 52nd regiments, springing out of a hollow behind the highest part of the ridge, where they lay concealed, appeared on the summit, and 1,800 British bayonets sparkled on the crest of the hill. The head of the French column instantly fired, but in vain; it was broken and driven back; both its flanks were over-lapped by the English, and three terrible discharges, within a few yards distance, drove them headlong down, in wild confusion and with dreadful loss, to the bottom of the hollow.
“The attack on the British right by the two divi-
