Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/170

 148 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. chap, forward to the rescue, that there was no ceremoni- ' ous preparation fur a charge. A voice cried out, ' By God, the Greys are cut off! Gallop ! gallop!' Then there broke from the Royals a cheer. Their trumpets sounded the gallop, and without for a moment halting, but endeavouring to ' form line ' on the move/ the regiment sprang hastily for- ward. Indeed, the movement of the first or right squadron was so rapid that the left squadron could not perfectly come up with it, and the regiment made its attack in short echelon of squadrons. In this order, but with its ranks imperfectly formed, the regiment advanced at a gallop against the right flank and rear of the in- wheeling line. In spite of this onset, the Russian wing continued its wheeling movement so long as to become defenceless on its extreme right. At the near approach of the Royals, that outer part of the wheeling line which was the most immedi- ately exposed to its assailants broke off from the rest ; and then the horsemen who had composed it were either flying or involved in confusion, or else — for several of the Russian hussars made bold to do thus — were valorously advancing and making their way round the flank of the advanc- ing English ; but meanwhile, by all this confusion, the inner or left remnant of the Russian wing was so far covered from the attack, and even, it would seem, from the sight of the Royals, that it went on with the execution of the orders received, and continued to wheel inwards. The English regiment carried on its attack to a