o defend the post committed to them; the enemy
swarmed over their entrenchments, while at the same time another equally
large body assailed the second redoubt. For some time the fight raged
fiercely, the Turks were defending themselves with their accustomed
bravery--a few hundred men against the seemingly countless hordes led to
the attack.

"If they can but hold out till the arrival of the succour Lord Raglan
will certainly send them, it will be a great thing, but the odds are
fearfully against them," observed Jack.

Scarcely had he made the remark when one or two figures were seen
leaping over the trenches and descending the hill; more followed, "as
fast," Tom declared, "as sand runs out through the hole in the bottom of
a bag;" and then came others, till all the survivors of those who had
garrisoned the fort were in full flight. In a few minutes the Turks in
Number 2 battery, also taking to flight, came scampering down the side
of the hill, making their way across the valley. Jack could only hope
that the remainder of the batteries might be held till relief could
reach them. As it proved, he was disappointed; presently the Turks in
all the other batteries, seeing the fate of their countrymen, broke away
from their posts, and, rushing at headlong speed down the hillside, were
seen crossing the valley to Balaclava, those who were escaping from the
two first batteries being followed by Cossack cavalry spearing all they
overtook. Had not the English light cavalry made a demonstration as if
about to charge, many more would have been killed. Meanwhile the
Russian artillery poured down upon them the fire of their guns. As they
approached, a naval officer who had hurried to the ground did his best
to rally them, but though he succeeded with some, nothing could stop the
rest till they reached the neighbourhood of the harbour.

Jack and his party hurried down to assist the officer, who, with cheery
voice and gestures, was endeavouring to rally the Turks and induce them
to form up on the right of the Highlanders. Having done all they could,
the party rode up to higher ground, whence they could better witness
what was going forward. In the far distance, to the north of the Col,
Jack could distinguish through his glass a group of officers whom he
guessed must be Lord Raglan and his staff, who had hastened up to direct
the coming battle, while the heads of French and English columns were
observed marching from the direc