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[Page 80]
of Waterloo & the answer came in a rather startling manner. Towards evening a large cask was observed floating towards our portion of the beach & eyes innumerable were glued on it for – I'll chance hours - On its arrival a few attempted a roll in but its weight was too much for the few, so willing helpers were reinforced from a camp of Engrs. on the spot. It evidently was wreakage from the French Battleship Bouvert which was sank in the D'nelles in early April. On smashing in the top a delightful aroma floated upwards & the yells of joy or excitement, were too loud for words. I never saw such enthusiasm manifested by the army Meds. for weeks & it was shared alike by all concerned. The contents of our huge hogshead was wine – claret - & our water bags & bottles kept a jingling for a whole hour & the event closed down sharp when soldiers from other valleys came at the double for a wee drop of the red fluid. It got too dense to be comfy & as more kegs kept arriving & the crowd on the beach kept massing it was deemed prudent to smash the kegs & allow the contents to surfeit the ground. You could never forget the expressions of disgust which sprang into every face