Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/119

 EVASION OF Till': Ali.MY FKOM SEBASTuPOL. 89 CHAPTER y. Since the troops, overthrown op the Ahim, had chap. retreated all into Sebastopol, leaving no other '. luai'cli : body to dispute with the invaders for the domin- fientsciii- ion of the country outside, it followed that the oraflauk* Allies, by inclining to their left with the whole or a part of their forces, were enabled, if so they sliould choose, to lay hold of the enemy's line of communication with the interior of the empire ; and this, it woidd seem, was a measure which Prince Mentschikoff had good reason to dread ; for his pressing need of reinforcements made it vital for him to be able to keep the command of the great homeward road through Baktchi Sertii and Simpheropol, as well as the means of com- munication with Khomoutoff's force in the south- east of the Crimea. Therefore, when he observed that, instead of seizing this road, the invaders were keeping their whole strength together, and slowly advancing upon Sebastopol along the sea- shore, he conceived that he might escape from the predicament of being cut off from his succours by darting upon the precious ground which the