Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 8.djvu/80

 48 EUPATOMA. CHAP. II. Arrival of some Turkish battalions, and soon of Omar Pasha in person, at Eupatoria. Question calling for Mentsehi- koff'a deci- sion ; his meas- ures. life-blood of Kussia to nourish her strength in Sebastopol. The English indeed had begun to seize this plain opportunity, and already their Admiral (Lyons) had moved some of Omar's battalions across the Black Sea to their destined post in Eupatoria, when Prince Mentschikoff, made aware of their landing, and assured that more battalions would follow, became absolutely obliged to determine a question of no small moment. — Should he patiently stand acquiescent whilst our seamen were planting an army on the flank of his artery-roads, or try, whilst yet there was time, to reconquer the seaport and town in which this new danger was gathering 1 With an eye to his eventual choice of that latter alternative, he at once, though not yet quite resolved, brought up Baron Wrangel's troops to a strength great enough for the purpose — that is, for the twofold purpose of continuing to guard the communications, and also attacking Eupa- toria. After causing the ground to be examined, Baron Wrangel confronted the notion of hazarding the projected attack with a judgment decisively adverse; but Prince Mentschikoff' bluffly com- manded him to execute another reconnaissance, saying also that he was to do this in person ; and besides, put General Khrouleff — an officer about to be prominent in recommending the measure — at the head of the Baron's artillery. Then — excited by the visible passing of great