Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/470

 426 THE BATTLE OF INKEKMAN. CHAP. VI. 6th Period. Haines's 2ontinued defence of the Barrier. Skirmishing on the left front of the Barrier. Transition from the task of defence to that of attack. Barrier had been practically an ' obstinate picket,' which he sought to drive in ; and now, when his aim was defence, this same post at the Barrier was a ' lodgment' which he ought, if he could, to disperse. Thus it happened that the combat at the Barrier, though animated by different motives, went on very much as before. Haines, however, as we saw, had been con- stantly augmenting his strength in this part of the field by welcoming or commanding the acces- sion of other troops ; and, whether the Kussians came on by the line of the Post-road to attack him in front, or whether swarming up from the bed of the Quarry Ravine they strove to turn his right Hank, he always found means to repress them, and drive them back into their lair.* Forming part, as we saw, of the Main-picket Line, there had long been a chain of English soldiery on the left front of the Barrier, who, lying ensconced in the brushwood, carried on a studious war of their own against the opposite batteries ; and our riflemen in this part of the field, now increasing in numbers and boldness, made it more and more perilous for the artillerymen thus assailed to go on working their guns. Our soldiery, whether combating at the Barrier or on its left front, passed gradually and almost unconsciously from the task of defence to the tacks from the Quan'y Kaviuc that tJicy never once trid to turn his left flank.
 * They were so sensible of their advantage in making all at-