ed 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 a small front swept by a converging fire. So
cruelly hampered was the Second Division, so stinted in breathing
space, that a portion of General Wilders's command was shut out of the
advancing line, and circled round the right of the burning village.

In this way the Royal Picts got divided; part went with the right of
the brigade, still under the personal direction of its brigadier; part
stuck to the main body, and followed on with the general tide of
advance. With the latter went the headquarters of the regiment; its
colonel, colours, and sergeant-major.

They were travelling into the very jaws of death, as it seemed.
Progress was slow, and hindered by many vexatious obstacles--low walls
and brushwood, ruined cottages, and many dangerous pitfalls on the
vine-clad slopes--obstacles that forbade all speed, yet gave no cover
from the pitiless fire that searched every corner, and mowed men down
like grass.

Casualties were terribly numerous; yet still the line, undaunted but
with sadly decreasing numbers, kept on its perilous way. Presently,
having won through the 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. But there was no pause or
hesitation; the men plunged bravely into the water, and, battling
with the torrent, crossed, not without difficulty and serious loss.

Colonel Blythe, with the Royal Picts, was one of the first men over.
He rode a snow-white charger, which he put bravely at the steep bank,
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 shattered
remnant of his regiment, which there quickly re-formed with as much
coolness and fastidious nicety as on a barrack-square at home.

They were under shelter here, and, pausing to recover breath, could
look round and watch how the fight fared towards the left.

At this moment the Light Division had effected a lodgment in the great
redoubt; but, even while they gazed, the Russian reserves were forcing
back the too-presumptuous few. Behind, a portion of the brigade of
Guards was advancing to reinforce the wavering line and renew the
attack. Beyond, further on the left, in an echel