Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/187

ATTACKS OF THE 18TH OF JUNE. 157 established on the WoronzofF Ridge: and thither chap. VII (having left all the horses on a less exposed part L_ of the ground) he came on foot with his staff be- fore the break of day. In the precincts of the French headquarters, Midnight at • i • n- • i • i tho French men were busied in saddling at midnight ; but, headquar- ° » ters - whether detained by work, or craving for some moments of sleep that indeed might have done him good service, Pedissier, it seems, did not Peiissier's • • • personal mount until two o clock m the morning. Consid- movements. ering that his own plans required him to be at the Lancaster Battery before the break of day, and that he could not or would not ride long at a pace beyond that of a walk, the distance to be traversed was such that he ought to have been in his saddle at an earlier hour. This after a while became plain, it seems, even to him ; and whilst fretting with natural vexation at the thought of having al- lowed himself to be behindhand with time, he saw and heard that which might well throw a man of his violent, choleric temperament into frenzies of rage. Not brought about, he well knew, by any word or sign from himself, lie all at once saw and what ha saw ami heard a nre ot great guns and of musketry break- heard before « sunrise. mg out from the far eastern wing of the Karabel- naya defences. IV. 5 rea from the Mamelon with the trail of light from its attack"™ Observing what was really a shell thrown up Mayan's