Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/174

 130 TUF, lUTTLK OF INKERMAN. CHAP. VI. t Period. Hesitation of the Russian force. General Buller's terse order. The word given by jSgerton. and ill spite of the mist, there was never perhaps a moment throughout the whole tight when a man of the 77th could look abroad in his doubt oi bewilderment, without seeing above him, though dimly, the form of a mounted officer in whom he knew he could trust. It has been surmised that the foremost of the Russians, unacquainted with the English custom of fighting in line, and inferring that the mist which disclosed to view one or two ranks must conceal the depths of a column, may have fancied they were met by such numbers as would be im- plied in their own service by a front like the one they now saw. At all events, when they descried the English force marching against them, they faltered and stopped, not as though they inclined to llight, but rather like soldiery coming suddenly upon a new phase of battle, and looking about for guidance. Meantime they opened a fire which was not without effect ; and, although the ap- parition of Egerton's line had stopped their advance, the great column behind them refused to share their hesitation, and continued to heave its way forward. Colonel Egerton, seeing thus much, judged that now the moment was ripe ; therefore turning to General Buller, by whose side he was riding on the extreme right of the line, he said to him, ' There are the Kussians, General, what shall we ' do ? ' Buller's answer was short. He only said, ' Charge them ! ' Egerton at once gave the word to ' Plait ! then fire a volley, and charge '