Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/323

 AND PREPAKING. 293 Sebastopol had gained, and gained largely, since chap. til 6 day when the invader surprised them by his daring flank march. They had recovered much had gained ° *' .in the in- of their self-confidence. They were now m free tervai. communication not only with the interior of Eus- sia, but also with a relieving army already on the flank of the invader and preparing to manoeuvre against him. Their fortress was at length well covered by an entrenched position which, al- though four miles in extent, had yet been made strong at all points, and at length — newest bles- sing of all — they had an army with which to defend it. Moreover they now rested safe from that unblunted impact of hostile battalions which had offered them no fairer hope than the hope of dying with honour; and instead, now found them- selves challenged to wage such war as is waged by meeting earthworks and batteries with other earthworks and other batteries — a kind of strife, they well knew, in which they had, and must have for a long time to come, vastly better means of putting forth strength than those who under- took to besiege them. If inquirers shall ask how it was that in the very presence of a victorious invader, the weakness and the all but despair of the garrison could thus be changed into strength and confideuce, it will first, indeed, be acknowledged that these people were brave, patriotic, firm men, raised up to a lofty enthusiasm by the inspiring soul of Korni- loff, and guided in all they did by the genius of the great ' volunteer ; ' but still to any such ques-