lies was aimed at. Had it not
failed, England's reputation would have gone for ever, but November 5th
was destined to be a glorious day. Scarcely 4000 were to keep at bay
and cause awful losses to an enemy vastly outnumbering them, and that
4000 was composed of British infantry; alone, almost unaided, they were
to beat back the enemy, and to their dogged pluck, their fierce lust for
battle and disregard of death, and the fortunate assistance of a thick
fog which obscured them and hid from the Russians the thinness of their
ranks, they were to owe this glorious victory. There was no order, no
scheme of defence. It was impossible in the circumstances. It was
essentially a soldiers' battle. Broken into knots and groups of
anything from 200 to 20, our gallant fellows fought on, at first with a
furious valour, white-hot in its intensity, and later, when almost
dropping with fatigue, with a grim, undaunted firmness of purpose which
stamped them as men--true men--of an unconquerable bull-dog breed.

Phil and Tony bore no small share in the battle, for, on the very
evening before, it fell to the former's lot to be on outpost duty.

"Take your men well up the valley and post them at wide intervals," said
the colonel before he started. "There is no saying when we may be
attacked by the enemy, and, to tell the truth, I am uneasy. The
Russians have tried to take Balaclava and failed; but they captured the
Causeway heights, and from there they are constantly menacing the
French. Supposing they were to take it into their heads to advance from
Inkermann against this ridge here, there is only the Second Division to
bar their progress, and what could we do against a horde when we barely
number 4000? No, I tell you, Western, I am troubled and uneasy, and
that is why I am so particular as to my orders. Post your men at wide
intervals, and before leaving them settle upon some rallying-spot. I
would suggest the barrier at the neck of the valley. In any case, if
you notice any movement in the enemy's camp, send me word and fall back
slowly. The longer the delay the better."

"Very well, sir. I understand perfectly," Phil answered, and, raising
his sword in salute, he turned and strode away to his tent.

"Bring along a rifle for me, Tony," he said. "We may have trouble this
evening, and if we do I'd rather return to my old friend. I know it
well, and feel better able, to fight with a bayonet in front of me."

"Right, sir!