a big, burly-looking Turk who was coming headlong towards her,
and, seizing him by his jacket, began belabouring his back and head with
a fury which was likely to prove as effective as the shot of the enemy,
from whom he was trying to escape, in sending him to enjoy the bliss of
Paradise.

Shouts of laughter burst from her friends in the distance as they
witnessed her exploit. The Osmanli on whom she had seized roared out
for mercy, till at length she let him go, giving him a shove towards the
position he had deserted, while she kept flourishing her club behind him
till he returned to his post. Whether or not she added materially to
the strength of Sir Colin's force may be doubted, but the incident had a
good effect upon her Highland countrymen; reminding them that they had
not only their own lives to defend, but hers and others in the camp in
their rear. In spite of the serious state of affairs, Jack and those
around him could not help bursting into fits of laughter, though they
themselves were not free from danger, for occasionally a round-shot came
flying towards them from the Russian guns, but with not sufficient
frequency to make them shift the advantageous ground they occupied for
witnessing what was going forward.

Sir Colin was now left, exclusive of a small body of Turks who still
kept their ground, with scarcely six hundred men to defend the approach
to Balaclava.

The veteran general felt the gravity of the occasion; but his stout
heart did not quail, for he knew well that the brave men under him would
stand firm. Riding down the line, he exclaimed to them, "Remember,
there is no retreat from here, men; you must die where you stand."

"Ay, ay, Sir Colin, we'll do that," cried the Highlanders. The four
squadrons of Russian cavalry, amounting to not less than six hundred
men, now approached over the northern side of the valley, making direct
for the gorge; apparently ignorant that a body of English troops were
ready to bar their way, and evidently hoping to seize one of the
batteries on the side of the passage. Sir Colin allowed them to come
within long-musket range of the hillock, when he gave the word to his
Highlanders, who, springing up, in an instant afterwards crowned the
whole length of the ridge, forming a line only two deep; Sir Colin,
confiding in their muscular power and the nature of the ground they
occupied, not deeming it necessary to throw them into square. When they
saw their enemy b