Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/288

 2G2 BATTI.K OF Tin: ALMA. CHAP, (haws near to his fhial resulve. Caniphell, hislen- ^' iiig his eyes oii the two cohunns standing before him, and on the heavier and more distant column on his h^ft front, seemed not to tliiuk lightly of the enemy's strength ; but in another instant (for his mind was made up, and his Highland blood took fire at the coming array of the tartans) his features put on that glow which, seen in men of his race— race known by the kindling grey eye, and the light, stubborn crisping hair — discloses the rapture of instant fight. Although at that moment the 42d was alone, and was confronted by the two columns on the farther side of the hollow, yet Campbell, having a steadfast faith in Colonel Cameron and in the regiment he com- manded, resolved to go straight on, and at once, with his ft)rward movement. lie allowed the bat- talion to descend alone into the hollow, marching straight against the two columns. IMoreover, he suffered it to undertake a manoeuvre which (ex- cept with troops of great steadiness and highly instructed) can hardly be tried with safety again.«t regiments still unshaken. The 'lilack Watch' 'advanced firing.'* But whilst this fight was going on between the 4 2d and the two llussian columns, grave danger from another quarter seemed to threaten the High- land battalion ; for, before it had gone many paces, Campbell saw that the column which had • We saw that Colonel Hood with the Gieiuidier GuarJ.« 'advanced firing,' but at that moment he had already brought the column which he attacked to the verge of its ruin.