hrown up, was
called by the allies Canrobert's Hill. On the western extremity of the
valley was the Col, or gap through which the road passed to Sebastopol.
Eastward of Canrobert's Hill were the village and heights of Kamara;
completely overlooking it. On the farther side of the Causeway Heights
was what was called the North Valley, with a range of heights rising out
of it on the opposite side, denominated the Fedoukine Hills.

Jack and his party, having ascended from Balaclava to the height of
Saint Elias, could look down into the South Valley, at the left end of
which they saw the tents of the heavy and light cavalry, with their
horses picketed about them, while just below them were encamped Sir
Colin Campbell's Highlanders. Horses, mules, carts, and vehicles of all
sorts were making their way from the harbour along the well-beaten road
to the allied camps. Not a foe was in sight; some of the officers in
command of the marines and bluejackets, who garrisoned the lines
extending from Saint Elias to the sea, whom Jack met, told him, however,
that there were rumours of the Russians not being far-off, and that they
should not be surprised if before long they were attacked.

"You'll lick them, of course," said Tom; "but I should think they had
enough of fighting on the Alma."

"I am not so certain of that," was the answer; "the Russians are brave
fellows, and they would like to drive us into the sea if they could."

After spending some time with his friends, Jack returned on board,
having arranged to start at daybreak the next morning. Tom and Archie
again accompanied their commander. They turned out before daylight, and
Jack, who was anxious to see as much as he could of the operations
before Sebastopol, was ready to go on shore directly day broke. Their
horses were sorry steeds, but would save them fatigue, and enable them
to get over the ground faster than they could on foot. Remembering how
acceptable were the provisions they had before taken to Sidney, Tom and
Archie each carried a couple of baskets full of different articles of
provender, from which they might also supply themselves when they got
hungry.

Jack had promised to call upon another officer who had been sleeping on
shore in the marines' quarters, and who had undertaken to act as their
guide. As they were mounting the hill, the loud thunder of guns broke
on their ears. "I suppose those are the siege guns," observed Tom;
"they begin work prett