Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/41

 TUF. FLAXK MAllCir. 11 ground when; Luid Kagluu wds sUmdin;^ would chap. ere long acquire a strange worth in the eyes of the invading nations; yet before the next spring shoukl warm into summer, the dominion of those barren upkmds at the lieud of the Sebastopol bay was about to be accounted so precious that, in order by sheer might to win it, the great Powers of the West wuuhl contemphiting another armada, another descent on the coast, another and a greater invasion.* But at this time, all was quietness. The Russians showed no troops ; and not only was there no sign of their undertaking to obstruct the flank march, but it even seemed as if hitherto they must either have been blind to the movement, or else so alive to its nature as to be willing to let it proceed, and determined to abide their time. The survey thus effected by Lord llaglan in person had disclosed nothing that could deter him from converting the reconnaissance into a defini- tive movement, but no report of the condition of things on the great road had yet come in from the cavalry. He turned his horse's head, and iiis return •' . iuto the lino made for the line of march wddch his troops were of nmrch; pursuing, but with the intention of striking it at a point some way in advance. Led by that instinctive knowledge of country by striking which w^as one of his natural gifts, and neither si'owuou ° the Maps ; having a guide, nor needing any fresh glance at after, was propounded with great eagerness by the French Emperor ia the spring of 1855.
 * This is an allu.sioii to the plan which, as we shall sue here-