Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/82

 38 THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN. CHAP, ketry m his right front. The firing — very slight . at first — increased so rapidly and became so well sustained that its import was presently clear; and Codrington, judging it certain that an attack had begun, arrested the homeward march of the relieved pickets, sent one of the companies to reinforce the Lancaster battery, disposed the other three companies on the eastern slopes of the ridge with their front towards Mount Inkerman, and then galloping back into camp, put all his troops there under arms. Sir George Brown — a most industrious officer and almost distressingly vigi- lant — was wrought for a moment to anger at the sight of an ' alert ' in liis camp without having first learnt its cause; but he soon apprehended the truth, and indeed became willing to impart it on his own authority to Headquarters. He saw and stopped a staff officer galloping towards the camp of the 2d Division. This staff officer l)roved to be Captain Ewart, the officer whom we saw going round, and receiving at every camp a report of the enemy's quietness. After quitting the then tranquil camp of the 2d Division, he had ridden some way along the crest of the Sapoun^ liidge, trying hard, though in vain, through the mist to observe Prince GortschakofCs forces ; and having tlien all at once heard the firing in the direction of Mount Inkerman, he was now hastening back to Pennefatlier's lines in order to learn its import. Sir George directed the captain lo ride imme- diately to Lord Raglan, ^nd say that the English