The Thin Red Line; and Blue Blood

of beach, smooth shingle cast up by the surf of westerly gales; next, a swelling upland, dotted with grazing

g, malarious Bulgarian plains, fever-stricken and cholera-cursed; at Varna, waiting impatiently, almost hopelessly, for orders to sail, twenty thousand British soldiers of all ranks had longed to look upon this Crimean shore. It was here, so ran the common rumour, that the chief power of

nd south for many a mile; it extended westward, far back to the distant horizon, and beyond: a countless forest of masts, a jumble of sails and smoke-stacks, a crowd of fighting-ships and transports, three-deckers, frigates, great troopers, ocean steamers, full-rigged

nearly countless flotilla; the troops went overboard silently and with admirable despatch, and all again, by signal, started in one long perfect line

ship-board, but it had lost none of its smartness, and formed up on the beach with as much precision as on the South Barracks parade. It fe

excitement and enthusiasm. At the appearance of their general,

l get rid of a little of this superfluous energy. Advance, in skirmishing order, to the plateau, and hold it. Ther

thence inland was more extended, and at no great distance a road crossed, along which was se

e-eyed, decisive-speaking, short, slender man, who was riding a splendid charger, which he sat

t to advance," replied the

ill take the responsib

off with the cattle. The skirmishers of the Royal Picts advanced quickly within range, and opened fire-the first

abruptly, to his friend the sergeant-major.

e they will co

force of ours is quite without transport? At leas

hed his havresack. It was comfortably lined with biscuit and cold salt pork-three day

got our greatcoats and blankets, and I daresay we shan't hurt; but I have seen something of c

e, Hyde! Besides, what right have you t

lightly, I am quite convinced of that," said Hyde, po

ave been months gettin

eant pointed with his thumb to the captured carts. "We may, perhaps, get as many more; but, even then, there won't

o sleep in the open. Napoleon always said that

The French are better off than we are; they have got everything to their hands-their shelte

French!" said the self-satisfied young B

ter was concerned. As evening closed in, heavy clouds ca

courses, under saturated blankets, without fuel, or the chance of lighting a bivouac fire. It was the same for all; the generals of division, hi

s was on the third day after disembarkation, when, with all the pomp and circumstance of a parade movement, the allied generals advanced southward along the coast.

hen came the sea. Moving parallel with the land-forces, the allied fleets held undisputed dominion of the waters. A competent critic could detect no brilliant strategy in the operations so far; no astute, care

sed by fell disease, it was plain that the enemy were close at hand. Large bodies of their cavalry hung black and menacing along our front-the advance guards these of a large force in position behind. Any moment might br

were checked by artillery fire; a British battery galloped up and replied. Presently the round-shot bounded like cricket balls, but at murderous pace

as not quite clear, till Hugo Wilders, who was a captain in the Royal Lancers, ca

just in front of the Royal Picts, and hi

ving a brush with the Cossacks, when Lo

u know

oping, you know, for Lord Cardigan, who was mad to

trong for you; I cou

od enough for twenty Russians! But he was particularly anxiou

t can't be put off much longer. Unless I am greatly m

go, gaily. "But where are the Royal Picts? O

easant greetings. It was quite a little family party, for just behind, in the centre of the line, stood

e would be a night attack, so both armies bivouacked in order of ba

and the day was still young when the allies came upon what seemed a

e great high road to Sebastopol pierced the position by a deep defile; beyond the road, slopes more gentle ended on the outer flank in the tall buttresslike Kourgané Hill. All along the front ran a rapid ri

hallowed by many memories of grim contest, vain prow

eant Hyde, who was one of the colour-party, an

he young sergeant-maj

we shall be engaged hotly along the whole line. Some of u

half a century. This division was on the right of the English army. On the left of Sir de Lacy Evans was the Light Division, beyond tha

self readily to deployment into line-the traditional formation, pe

pproaching struggle. It was rendered the more necessary by the galling fire opened upon our

the British army formed themselves into the historic "Thin Red Line,"

urgané Hill, with its greater and lesser redoubts, armed with heavy guns and held by dense columns of the enemy. Next them was the Light Division, facing the vineyards and hamlets to the left of the great high road; before them were o

was the Royal Picts, the very centre this of the battle-field, midway between the sea and th

y Somerset, now Lord Raglan, the close comrade and trusted friend of the Iron Duke, by whose side he had ridden in every action in Spain. His face was passive and serene. Contentment shone in every feature. His martial spirit was stirred by the sights and sounds of battle, once so familia

ure, rapid-speaking, with a restless, fiery eye. St. Arnaud, too, had long tried the fortunes of war. His was an intrepid, eager spirit, but he was

tion, or parts of it, to be heard around. But they spoke in Fre

" said Lord Raglan. "I am only waitin

ago, but he has a tremend

e left of the Russian position, strong in natur

p ventured to ride forward to

lord? I think the French on t

Raglan, doubtfully; "I ca

, "it is time to lend him a hand. The Princ

lan, simply; "I must wait till their a

ot wait long

t. Arnaud paused a moment, then, gathering up his reins, he put spurs to

is horse, and, rising in his stirrups, responded with a loud "Hurrah for Old England!" given

ked impatiently for the order to advance. The Russian gunners had got their range, and were already plying them with shot and shell. At the f

had better

lord?" said the old soldier, anxious to p

be shot at for nothing." Then Lord Raglan himself, erect and fe

!" cried the eager voice of Ai

!" said another; "they

fore them," said a third.

the division was in danger. He was followed by another prominent person on St. Arnaud's staff, bringing an earnest entreaty t

General Airey. The next minute staff-officers were galloping t

into their ranks, and then the "Thin Red Line," having a front o

or more exactly with Wilders's brigade of th

d full of danger, demanding devot

narrowed the path of progress and squeezed in the advancing line. On the left, the Light Division, moving forward with equal determination, still further limited the ground for action; and, thus straitened and compressed, the division marched upon

nal direction of its brigadier; part stuck to the main body, and followed on with the general tide of a

tacles-low walls and brushwood, ruined cottages, and many dangerous pitfalls on the vine-clad slopes-obstacles that f

he broken ground, a new barrier interposed. They came upon the rapid river, rushing between steep banks, and deep enough to drown all who risked the fords. B

ank, and clambered up with the coolness of one who rode well to hounds. He gained the top, and served as a rallying-point for the shat

to recover breath, could look round and w

ack the too-presumptuous few. Behind, a portion of the brigade of Guards was advancing to reinforce the wavering line and renew the attack. Bey

leader knew that the fortunes of the day were still in doubt, and that ev

y, the heights themselves. Just above them yawned the mouths of the heavy guns that had be

playing the mischief with us all along. Now, lads, shoulder to shoulder; re

eftain's call. The cheer passed quickly along the line, and all again p

hen, that the survivors halted irresolute, half disposed to turn back. Colonel Blythe was down. They missed his encouraging voice; his noble figure was no more visible, while his fine old white charger, riderless, his flanks streaming with

oments of dire emergency, of great opportunity-suddenly arising, gone as swiftl

nstinct of a true soldier. He acted in

d amidst the folds of the now crimson silk, he gentl

n, Roya

sed forward. The short space between them and the earthwork was quickly traversed. Before the artillery could deal out a seco

ttery

done! I saw it all. It shan't be forgo

ly, although dismounted by the shot that w

look to ourselves. The enemy is still in great

gained a footing in the enemy's works, to bear the brunt of a fresh conflict with a new and perfectly fresh foe? The situation was criti

from their right, aimed evidently at the Russians in front of t

ed Colonel Blythe. "They are

replied McKay. "That is t

s, I feel sure. I know

understand their appearance, and the important part they played in deciding the battle on this portion of the field, we must follow

e forward, alone and unprotected, across the river, straight into the enemy's position. In the river

ere, we can certainly enfilade them on the

iculties dismayed. Within an hour a couple of his guns had been dragged up

serious apprehensions. It tided them over the last critical phase of the hot

s, had ended in the capture of the great redoubt; while Sir Colin Campbell, a veteran warrior, at the head of his "