Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 8.djvu/127

 THE ENEMY'S GREAT NIGHT ATTACK. 95 in the out-sentries, when it all at once fired chap. IV a volley. Then instantly awaiting no orders, '. — entertaining no doubt, and listening only, it seems, to that gallant spirit of his which used always to prompt him in action, Captain Vicars sprang over the parapet, carrying with him the whole of the 70 or 80 men who formed his little detachment, and their ringing cheer, heard amid darkness that gave to every sound a more than treble significance, was the cheer of a soldiery — not halted but — joyously attacking an enemy. With Gordon still at his side Colonel Kelly vicars was at this moment busied with the lesser affairs Keiiy and „ „ Gordon. oi the flank attack, but on ground not far from our advanced parallel ; and at the sound of the volley followed close by the cheer, they both of them sped off at once to the new scene of action, and were presently in the midst of the men of the 97th who had newly sprung over the parapet. Gordon sharing the fervour of the soldiery was even lending his voice to the joyous tumult of war when he received a wound from a musket- shot which struck his right arm, and disabled him ; but Colonel Kelly running forward over- took Captain Vicars, and was presently moving down alongside him against the enemy's column. It is supposed that, baffled by darkness, the Defeat of Eussians perhaps may have failed to divine the exceeding scantiness of the impetuous little force that assailed them with a strength we have already seen estimated at only about one to ten ;*
 * See ante, p. 94, and footnote.