hey ought to have done after dark, so there was
just a chance of the Russians being in them. I went on, however,
and, though I did not like it, explored the caves almost alone.
We then left two sentries on the hill above the caves, and went
back, to get round and post two sentries below the caves.
However, just as soon as we showed ourselves outside the caves
and below them, bang! bang! went two rifles, the bullets hitting
the ground close to us. The sentries with me retired in a rare
state of mind, and my working party bolted, and were stopped with
great difficulty. What had really happened was this: It was not a
Russian attack, but the two sentries whom I had placed above the
caves _had fired at us_, lost their caps, and bolted to the
trench. Nothing after this would induce the sentries to go out,
so I got the working party to go forward with me. The Russians
had, on the report of our shots, sent us a shower of bullets,
their picket not being more than 150 yards away. I set the men to
work, and then went down to the bottom of the ravine, and found
the French in strength hard at work also. Having told them who we
were, I returned to the trench, where I met Colonel ---- of the
1st Royals. I warned him if he went out he would be sure to be
hit by our own sentries or the Russians. He would go, however,
and a moment afterwards was hit in the breast, the ball going
through his coats, slightly grazing his ribs, and passing out
again without hurting him. I stayed with my working party all
night, and got home very tired."

In further illustration of the confusion prevailing in the trenches at
night, he mentions in the same letter that while trying to find the
caves he missed his way, and "very nearly walked into the town by
mistake."

This was the more surprising because Gordon's intimate knowledge of
the trenches was remarkable and well known. The following testimony
given by Sir Charles Staveley affords striking proof that this
reputation was not undeserved:--

"I happened to mention to Charlie Gordon that I was field officer
for the day for command in the trenches next day, and, having
only just returned from sick leave, that I was ignorant of the
geography of our left attack. He said at once, 'Oh! come down
with me to-night after dark, and I will show you over the
trenche