Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/80

 50 THE RENEWED EXPEDITION TO KERTCH. chap. Turks, and the English collected under Sir George IV i ' were far from being the same, or even indeed at all similar on the theory of licence in war. Kertch. Upon seeing the approach of the armada, the people of Kertch had been frightened, and the bulk of them fled from the place, taking refuge in the neighbouring villages.* its prayer When Sir George Brown marched through the George. town on the morning of the iotli, he was met by a deputation of the principal inhabitants then left in the place, including the consuls for Austria and Naples. They declared to Sir George that the Eussians had all of them fled from the town without leaving there any authority that could shield its deserted inhabitants from foes they described as ' the Tartars ' — men intending to come down upon them from the near country- side ; and they implored Sir George Brown to leave some troops in the place for the protection Hisrejec- of their lives and property. ( 2 ) This Sir George entreaties, refused flatly to do, protesting that he was not Governor of the country ; and for any other protection than such as might be rendered appropriate by the conduct of his troops, he told them they had no claim upon him. Re- commending the deputation to form a municipal council which might administer the police of the town, he continued his advance on Yeni Kale.t In the course of the march ' our allies.' as Sir + Sir George Brown at Yeni Kale fco Lord Raglan, 27th and 28th May.
 * Todleben, vol. ii. p. 283.