Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/330

 304 BATTLE OF THE ALMA. CHAP, general, a victorious army is made to press on in ^' pursuit, until nightfall or other good cause makes Question as it ucedful or prudent to halt. But the maps of in which tliis Criui Tartarv gave no indication of the ex- tliG rctrciit should be istence of any fresh water between the Alma and lut.ssed. ., ., the Katcha — a stream some seven or eight nnles distant. It seemed that unless the troops which might be pushed forward could reach the Katcha — and reach it, too, in strength enabling them to establish themselves on its banks — they would have to bivouac on the hills without the means of allaying the rage of thirst. Except at the mouth of the Alma, or at the mouth of the Katcha, the nature of the coast did not allow free comnmnica- tion between the Allied armies and the ships. It was half-past four o'clock. Soon after six the sun would set. Since morning the soldiery of both armies had toiled under a burning sun. They were very weary ; and many of them — indeed almost all the English — were in a weakly state of health. These were reasons which made it need- ful for the Allies to effect their further pursuit of the enemy by preconcerted arrangements, yet did not apparently warrant a protracted halt of the whole of the Allied armies on the heights of the Alma. Lord Eaglan had been swift to see what ought to be done by the Allies, and not less swift to determine what he himself could offer to do. r«rd He deemed that the Allies ouglit to push forward opiiii!"!' instantly with such portions of their force as were the least wearied. AVe liave seen the share which the English soldiery had had in the work of the