Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/340

 310 VOYAGE OF THE ARMADA CHAP, the French ships backed topsails and lay - to. ^^' Every one of the French vessels had kept its position beautifully ; and the moment the signal to lie-to was given, it was obeyed with a quick- ness which was honestly admired by our seamen. The Turkish fleet also lay-to, and for a while the whole armada of the Allies was gathered together. But tha But the English fleet, being moved by steam, kept iigahi parted, ou to wiudward ; and presently the French and the Turks began to sail off on opposite tacks. Between the fleets thus disparting, the English flotilla of transports passed through in five columns. The rendezvous was to be at a point forty miles due west of Cape Tarkan, and thither moved the three fleets with all their convoy, step taken There were in the French army several officers omfere^witii holding high command, and being otherwise men stop The" of great weight, who had become very thoughtful IgainsV°° on the subject of the contemplated descent upon po . ^j^^ enemy's coast. Personally, they were men quite as dauntless as those who gave no care to the business in hand ; but being versed in the study, if not in the practice, of the great art of war, they had become strongly impressed with the hazardous character of the intended enterprise. It seems probable that, up to this time, they had relied upon the mature judgment and the sup- posed discreetness of Lord Raglan to prevent what they regarded as a rash attempt. It might well seem natural to them that two Governments in the West of Europe, attempting to dictate an