d
assembled there to execute.

"We are ordered to the front to-night, Dobri," said Nicholas, as he
entered his tent hurriedly, unbuckled his sword, and sat down to a hasty
meal. "Our spies have brought information that Osman means to play his
last card. Our field telegraphs have spread the news. We even know the
particular point where the attempt to cut through our lines is to be
made. The troops are concentrating. I have obtained leave to join the
advance columns. Just see that my revolvers are in order, and look to
your own. Come after that and feed. Without food a man can do
nothing."

The scout made no reply. Ever since the terrible calamity that had
befallen him he had been a taciturn semi-maniac, but there was a glitter
in his black eye that told of latent fires and deadly purpose within.

During the night another spy came in, reporting that Osman was
concentrating his men near the bridge over the Vid, and that he had
issued three days' rations to the troops, with a hundred and fifty
cartridges and a new pair of sandals to each man. About the same time
there came a telegram to the effect that lights were moving about with
unwonted activity in Plevna, and something unusual was evidently afoot.
Thus the report of the first spy was partly corroborated.

Meanwhile Nicholas and Dobri Petroff, mounting in the dark hours of
morning, rode through the snowstorm--which was gradually abating--in the
direction of the bridge over the Vid, while Skobeleff himself proceeded
towards the Krishina redoubts, which, it was reported, were being
abandoned. The report was true; he took possession of these redoubts
unopposed, and instantly put them in a state of defence.

Meanwhile Osman, with his brave but worn-out band, made his last sortie
from Plevna.

The grey light of a dull wintry morning broke and revealed masses, like
darker clouds of the threatening storm, driving across the plain. These
were the Ottoman troops--some say 20,000 men--rushing like baited tigers
towards the trenches. Suddenly there came the thunderous roar of a
hundred heavy guns, followed by the crash and incessant rattle of the
rifles. The deciding battle had begun. The mists of early morning
mingled with the smoke of fire-arms, so that the movements of men were
not visible in many places. In others a few fighting companies were
just visible, showing indistinctly through the haze for a minute or two,
while sheets of flame played in front o