Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/275

 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. 253 in his saddle, called out to his people, and said, chap. ' Now remember what I have told you, men, and __J ' keep together.' Then he put his spurs into ' Old Treasurer,' and, followed by that fraction of the regiment which ranged clear of the battery, drove full at the squadron confronting him. In resistance to the onset of a handful of Lan- cers thus descending upon their close serried ranks, the Kussians still remained halted ; and in the moments which passed whilst galloping down to attack them, Morris used to the utmost his well-practised eyes without being able to discern any one sign of wavering. The only movement he could detect in the enemy's ranks was of a kind showing readiness to join in close combat. The Eussian troopers in front of him were per- ceptibly drawing their horses' heads in the direc- tion of the bridle-arm, as though seeking to gain larger space for the use and free play of their swords. In the direct front of the ranks thus awaiting the charge of our horsemen, there was sitting in his saddle a Eussian who seemed to be the squad- ron-leader. Morris drove his horse full at this officer, and in the instant which followed the contact, the sword of the assailant had transfixed the trunk of the Eussian, passing through with such force that its hilt pressed against the man's body. The handful of men whom Morris was thus leading against the Eussian cavalry followed close on their chief, drove full down at the charge on the enemy's array of Hussars, and so broke