Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/193

 BA.TTLE OF THE ALMA. 1G7 sharpshooters, who had been exchanging shots chap. with the French riflemen, were not far away. L. Of this they gave proof. Leslie dropped out of his saddle and fell to the ground. His startled horse made a move much as though he were blundering at a grip, and the fall seemed at first sight like a fall in hunting ; but a rifle-ball had entered Leslie's shoulder. Nearly at the same time Weare, another of the Staff, was struck down. There was not a heavy fire, but the Russian sharpshooters had been patiently duelling with the French skirmishers, and of course, when they saw Lord Eagian and his plumed followers, they seized the occasion for easier shooting, and tried to bring down two or three of the gay cavalcade. After gaining the left bank of the river. Lord Eagian speeded on into a kind of gully towards his right, and there for a moment he had no one very near him, except one man who had crossed the stream next after him ; for the rest of the horsemen, when they reached the dry ground, had borne rather towards their left. Some one, however, from that quarter cried out, ' This seems ' a better way, my lord ; ' and Lord Eagian, then turning, rejoined the rest of the Staff, and took the path recommended. I do not know who the officer was who advised this road.* He has pos- sibly forgotten the counsel he gave ; but if he Colonel, now Major- General, Patton (who was present), has been so good as to write to me stating this ; and adding, ' I ' heard the words.' — Note to 5th Edition.
 * The officer was Lord Burgliersh, now Lord "Westmoreland.