Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/379

 THE MA.IN FIGHT. 335 With these somewhat disjointed resources at chap. hand, and surrounded by the officers of his Staff, ' General Pennefather was scrutinising the advance ^'^ ^*"** Accession of the enemy's heavy trunk column from ground of a truant near the right of the 57th, when there all at once zouaves rushed to his side a young officer of Zouaves, a men: man of so fiery a spirit, and so kindling with the joy of battle, that he seemed to be invested — so Pennefather said — with a singular radiance. The officer had brought with him some 60 Zouaves, and it is believed that both he and his men were a part, if not the entirety, of that same truant force which we saw in their glory recapturing Boothby's three guns. With an air of enthusiastic his oppor- devotion, the young officer placed both himself tance!'^'*"" and his men at Pennefather's disposal ; and it presently appeared that he brought with him something more than the aid of sixty brave, fight - loving soldiers ; for — as though he were armed with authority by virtue of some Zouave prerogative — he audaciously undertook to provide that — not merely his own men, but also — other French troops should conform to the English General's pleasure. He accordingly asked Penne- father how he would like to liave the forces disposed. Pennefather gladly caught at the opportunity penne- -I'lii n, fvy n n f i.' father's dia which thus seemed to oner tor fighting once more position of (as we always saw him yearning to do) in advance French^"' of the crest. Looking back in the direction of his right rear he saw the 7th Leger on the reverse slope, and he said lie would like that this battalion