oor fellows fell one on the top of
another; but nothing could stop us but death. On we went shouting
until we reached the redoubt. The fighting inside these works was of
the most desperate character, butt and bayonet, foot and fist; the
enemy's guns were quickly spiked: this struggle lasted about an hour
and a half. It was an awful time, about 3,000 of our brave soldiers
were slain in this short period." Our hero Gordon, tells us that on
the evening of this 8th of September--

"I heard most terrific explosions, the earth seemed to be shaken to
its very centre;--It was afterwards discovered the enemy's position
was no longer tenable, so they had fired some 300 tons of gunpowder,
which had blown up all their vast forts and magazines. O! what a
night: many of our poor fellows had been nearly buried in the
_debris_, and burning mass: the whole of Sebastopol was in flames. The
Russians were leaving it helter-skelter--a complete rout, and a heavy
but gloriously-won victory."

For his acknowledged ability, his fine heroism, and his true loyalty to
his superiors during this most trying campaign, he received the
well-earned decoration of the Legion of Honour from the French
Government, a mark of distinction very rarely conferred upon so young an
officer.

"God gives us men, a time like that demands.
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lusts of office cannot kill,
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy,
Men who possess opinions and a will,
Men who have honour, men who never lie."

We must not leave this part of our story without a brief notice of one
whose name will live in song and story, when this generation shall have
passed away. Many noble English ladies bravely went out to nurse the
suffering soldiers; but in this noble band was one whose name remains a
synonym for kindly sympathy, tenderness and peace--Miss Florence
Nightingale.

The following lines were written in her praise--

"Britain has welcomed home with open hand
Her gallant soldiers to their native land;
But one alone the Nation's thanks did shun,
Though Europe rings with all that she hath done;
For when will shadow on the wall e'er fail,
To picture forth fair Florence Nightingale:
Her deeds are blazoned on the scroll of fame,
And England well may prize her deathless name."

CHAPTER II.

"The greatness of a nation