Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/290

 2G4 BATTLE OF TIIK AI.MA. CUM', and, liaviii;j; now at last an enemy's column beforo ^_ it, it seenicil to be almost mad with warlike joy. Its formation, of course, was disturbed by the haste and vehemence of the onset ; and Campbell saw that, unless the regiment could be halted and a little calmed down, it would <iO on rushinf^ ibr'avd in disordered fury, at the risk of shatter- ing itself against the strength of the hard, square- built column which was solemnly coming to meet it. But he who could halt his men on the bank of a cool stream when they were rushing down to quench the rage of their thirst, was able to quiet them in the midst of their warlike fury. Sir Colin got the reginrent to halt and dress its ranks. By this time it was under the fire of the approach- ing column. Campljell's charger, twice wounded already, l)ut hitherto not much hurt, was now struck by a shot in the heart. Without a stumble or a plunge the hoi'se sank down gently to the earth, and was dead. Campbell took his aide-de-camp's charger; but he had not been long in Shadwell's saddle when up came Sir Colin's groom with his second horse. The man, perhaps, under some former master, had been used to be chaiged with the 'second hor.so' in the hunting-field. At all events, here he was ; and if Sir Colin was angered by the apparition, he eould not deny that it was opportune. The man touched his cap, and ex- cused himself for being where he was. In the dry, terse way of those Englishmen who are inucli