Part 69 (1/2)

General Eyre, a tall, fierce-looking soldier, strode up with a long step, talking excitedly to a staff-officer, whom McKay recognised as one of Lord Raglan's aides-de-camps.

”Hold our ground!” the general was saying. ”Of course we will, to the last. But if the French could only come up in force we might still retrieve the day. You see we are well inside, though I cannot say exactly where.”

At this moment the officer who had been speaking to McKay touched his hat and said to the general--

”There is some one here who can tell you, I think, sir.”

”Who is that? A prisoner?”

”One of our own people. McKay, of the headquarter staff. A man whom the Russians took, and whom we have just recovered.”

”McKay!” cried the aide-de-camp, joyfully. ”Where is he?”

Our hero was speedily surrounded by a group of sympathetic friends, to whom he gave a short account of himself. Then he briefly explained to the general the position in which they were.

”It is as I thought,” said the general. ”We have pierced the Russian works above the man-of-war harbour, and, if reinforced promptly, can take the whole of the line in reverse. Will you let Lord Raglan know?

and the attack might then be renewed on this side.”

”I fear there is no hope of that,” said the aide-de-camp, gloomily.

”Have we failed, then?” asked McKay.

His friend shook his head.

”Completely. I cannot tell why exactly, but I know that part of the French started prematurely. There was some mistake about the signal-rocket. This gave the alarm to the whole garrison.”

”Yes; I heard them turning out in the middle of the night.”

”And the consequence was they were ready for us at all points. Our attacking parties at the Redan were met with a tremendous fire, and literally mowed down. Our losses have been frightful. All the generals--Sir John Campbell, Lacy, yea, and Shadford--are killed, and ever so many more. It's quite heartbreaking.”

”And will nothing more be tried to-day?”

”I fear not, although Lord Raglan is quite ready; but the French are very dispirited. Goodness knows how it will end! The only slice of luck is Eyre's getting in here; but I doubt if he can remain.”

”Why not?”

”The enemy's fire is too galling, and it appears to be on the increase.”

”I fancy they are bringing the s.h.i.+ps' broadsides to bear.”

”Yes, and we are bound to suffer severely. But you, McKay; I see you are wounded. We must try and get you to the rear.”

”Never mind me,” said McKay, pluckily; ”I will take my chance and wait my turn.”

The chance did not come for many hours. Eyre's brigade continued to be terribly hara.s.sed; they were not strong enough to advance, yet they stoutly refused to retire. The enemy's fire continued to deal havoc amongst them; many officers and men were struck down; General Eyre himself was wounded severely in the head.

All this time they waited anxiously for support, but none appeared. At length, as night fell, Colonel Adams, who had succeeded Eyre in the command, reluctantly decided to fall back.

The retreat was carried out slowly and in perfect order, without molestation from the enemy. Now at last the wounded were removed on stretchers as carefully and tenderly as was possible.