2 THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER.

of cartridges, had ceased to fire, -
and was in full retreat. In con-
sequence of thisbackward move-
ment throughout the line, the
park of cannon was exposed.
The king of the mice, perceiving
that the success of the fight de-
pended upon the capture of that
battery, ordered his bravest
troops to attack it. The foot-
stool was accordingly stormed
in a moment, and the artillery-
2 men were cut to pieces by the
side of their cannon. One of
them set fire to his powder-
SS waggon, and met an heroic
< death with twenty of his com-
< rades. But all this display was
° useless against numbers; and in
. a short time a volley of shot,
fired upon them from their own
cannon, and which swept the
ssc. forces commanded by the Nut-
Bp Se é
SSS SS cracker, convinced him that the
aN Sa battery of the footstool had
EN fallen into the hands of the
&* enemy.
W Aly From that moment the battle
I\) % was lost, and the Nut-cracker
eri now thought only of beating an
é \ honourable retreat: but, in
WS order to give breathing time to
AS his cea he aera the
# reserve to his aid.
Thereupon the gingerbread

= men and the corps of sugar