Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/312

 290 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. chap. Lord Cardigan's severe and increasing pace was " — much greater than that which Lord Lucan had adopted for the Heavy Dragoons ; and the Russians who lined the two ranges of heights were not only quick in their perception of this difference, but sagacious enough to infer from it a want of con- necting purpose in the movements of the two brigades. The moment was approaching when it would be necessary for Lord Lucan to make a painful choice, and either to conform with his Heavy Dragoons to Lord Cardigan's pace, or else — a cruel alternative — to let the chain break asunder. In his own person — and the keenness of his far-reaching sight made him apt for this service — Lord Lucan strove hard to prolong the connec- tion between his two brigades by riding on in ad- vance of his Heavy Dragoons, and following his Light Cavalry with straining eyes ; but he had not long passed the Number Four Redoubt when he was rudely compelled to perceive that he had entered on the path of destruction already tra- versed by his Light Cavalry, and was drawing forward his Heavy Dragoons to the verge of a like disaster. His aide-de-camp, Captain Charteris — fulfilling an incurable presentiment — fell dead at his side ; Lord William Paulet, his Assistant- Adjutant-General, was struck, or unbonneted by a shot or a shell; Major M'Mahon. his Assistant- Quartermaster-General (not, however, at quite the same time), had his horse struck by grape; and Lord Lucan himself was wounded in the leg by a