Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/397

 VI. Zd Period THE MAIN FIGHT. 853 in resistance to the body advancing against their chap right flank ; but, a fresh mass of Eussians appear- ing, they presently found themselves challenged along: their whole line, and therefore did not change front. During the earlier moments of the combat now beginning our soldiery were bitterly vexed, for the wetted chambers of their firelocks refused every spark that was offered, but at length, by help of the flame-jets from many and many a cap, the muskets were warmed into life and power, and the fire of these 600 men extended in line soon became so destructive that before long, the Eussian masses showed signs of being in torment. Then, whether by word of command, or under the force of some impulse growing suddenly common to all, the whole of this united body began to move forward in line. The exulting soldiery were obstructed and disjoined from one another by the interposed brushwood, but they tore their way on in full cry, as though madly chasing the fire which shot out in numberless jets through a dim bank of smoke. The wild joy of the Irish recruits infected the rest of the line, and the superb Fusiliers, hardly less than the young 63d, were seized and carried away by the phrenzy of battle.* Against this tornado of warlike passion the Russian throngs could not stand, and their joyful assailants — now extended even more than North British Fusiliers, the Duke of Wellington once described it as ' all that a regiment shonld be.' VOL. VI. Z
 * In speaking to Colonel Ainslie of his regiment, the Ro5'al