Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 8.djvu/291

 COMMENCED EXPEDITION TO KEKTCH. 259 to destroy them himself, as soon as he might CHAP. perceive that they were about to be gravely. — attacked by soldiery either landing, or landed, on the neighbouring part of the coast. III. Amongst those who had considered this pro- ject, the French and the English alike were agreed that their land and sea forces co-operating in the measures proposed might put a great stress on the enemy by embarrassing his more easterly lines of communication, and cramping his means of supply ; but our own people lured by an en- The eager- terprise in which their Navy would act, whilst English to ...,.,. p. . have the rejoicing besides in a prospect or carrying the attack set empire of the sea to waters hitherto closed, were more especially eager to have the attack set on foot ; and it was mainly, I believe, from his wish to meet this strong English feeling that on Sunday the 29th of April General Canrobert General in a spirit of friendliness agreed at last to the assent to it scheme.* A too anxious commander is the natural prey of false ' emissaries.' Upon returning to his quarters General Canrobert there found await- ing him the report of an impudent spy who, whilst either so ignorant or so deceptive as to say nothing of the most conspicuous fact — Baron Wrangel's great strength in cavalry — made bold to declare that the enemy's infantry at Theodosia
 * Lord Raglan to Secretary of State, Secret, May 4, 1855.