Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/59

 BATTLE OF THE ALMA. 33 troops had been followed by reports that the war, chap. after all, would be stayed ; and the long, frequent ' halts, and the quiet of the armies on the sunny slope, seemed to harmonise with the idea of dis- belief in the coming of the long-promised fight But in the midst of this repose Sir Colin Camp- bell said to one of his officers, * This will be a good ' time for the men to get loose half their cart- ' ridges ; ' * and when the command travelled on along the ranks of the Highlanders, it lit up the faces of the men one after another, assuring them that now at length, and after long expectance, they indeed would go into action. They began obeying the order, and with beaming joy, for they came of a warlike race ; "j'et not without emotion of a graver kind — they were young soldiers, new to battle. VI. Lord Eaglan now crossed the front of Prince Meeting Napoleon's Division in order to meet Marshal St st Amauii Arnaud, whose guidon was seen coming towards iiagiau our lines.-)- The two commanders rode forward to avoid loss of time in preseueo of the enemy, a sufficient number should be ' shaken loose ' before the troops are brought into action. t They had met before at about half-past nine, but the Rus- sian cavalry had not then quitted the heights, and they were obliged to postpone their reconnaissance. When tlio Marshal got near, he was cheered by the English soldiery. Pleased with the compliment, he lifted his hat, and said (speaking in English and with only a slight accent) — ' Hurrah for Old England ! ' VOL. in.
 * The cartridges are delivered to each man iu a packet, and,