Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/281

 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. 259 gnashing or clenched. It is believed that this chap peculiar contortion of feature, so often observed in the Russian soldiery, was not, in general, an expression of anything like brutal ferocity, but rather of vexation, and keen, eager care, with a sense of baffled energy. Lord Cardigan himself imagines that with the feelings of the Eussian troopers whilst eyeing him, the thought of gain possibly mingled ; for his pelisse being rich, and worn close at the time like a coat, showed a blaze of gold lace to the enemy. It can rarely occur to any man to be able to recognise a friend or acquaintance across the dim barrier of distance or smoke which commonly divides hostile armies in a modern battle-field; but in the part of the valley to which Lord Car- digan's onset had brought him the air was clear, and I am assured that an officer of the house of Eadzivill, then serving with the Eussian cavalry, was able to recognise in the gorgeous hussar now before him, that same Earl of Cardigan whom he had formerly known or remarked during the period of a visit to England* This officer says Endeavour that he ordered some Cossacks to endeavour to E capture his London acquaintance, enjoining them specially to bring in their prisoner unhurt, and that, the better to whet their zeal, he promised them a tempting reward. Certainly, the bearing of the Cossacks who now came forward against Lord Cardigan was very Radzivill himself. to take liiii risouor.
 * My informant assures me that he liarl this from Prince