t is taken at once, for the allies only landed the other day.
Well, thank God, you have been mistaken!"

"Thank God, indeed," said I, "always supposing that I have been
mistaken--but I hardly think from what I have known of the Russians that
they would let their town--however, let us hope that they have let it be
taken. Hurrah!"

We reached our dwelling. My wife and daughter went in. John Jones
betook himself to his cottage, and I went into the town, in which there
was a great excitement; a wild running troop of boys were shouting
"Sebastopol wedi cymmeryd. Hurrah! Hurrah!" Old Mr Jones was standing
bare-headed at his door. "Ah," said the old gentleman, "I am glad to see
you. Let us congratulate each other," he added, shaking me by the hand.
"Sebastopol taken, and in so short a time. How fortunate!"

"Fortunate indeed," said I, returning his hearty shake; "I only hope it
may be true."

"Oh, there can be no doubt of its being true," said the old gentleman.
"The accounts are most positive. Come in, and I will tell you all the
circumstances." I followed him into his little back parlour, where we
both sat down.

"Now," said the old church clerk, "I will tell you all about it. The
allies landed about twenty miles from Sebastopol and proceeded to march
against it. When nearly half way they found the Russians posted on a
hill. Their position was naturally very strong, and they had made it
more so by means of redoubts and trenches. However, the allies
undismayed, attacked the enemy, and after a desperate resistance, drove
them over the hill, and following fast at their heels entered the town
pell-mell with them, taking it and all that remained alive of the Russian
army. And what do you think? The Welsh highly distinguished themselves.
The Welsh fusileers were the first to mount the hill. They suffered
horribly--indeed almost the whole regiment was cut to pieces; but what of
that? they showed that the courage of the Ancient Britons still survives
in their descendants. And now I intend to stand beverage. I assure you
I do. No words! I insist upon it. I have heard you say you are fond of
good ale, and I intend to fetch you a pint of such ale as I am sure you
never drank in your life." Thereupon he hurried out of the room, and
through the shop into the street.

"Well," said I, when I was by myself, "if this news does not regularly
surprise me! I can easily conceive that the Russians would be beaten in