it was expected that the Russians would
charge, but still motionless they stood awaiting their foe. Now, like a
thunderbolt, Scarlett and his three hundred horsemen hurled themselves
on the Russian cavalry, he and his companions still keeping the lead,
and appearing like a sharp point of the mighty wedge of red which was
clearing its onward way amid the dark-grey mass of Russians, the swords
of the British troopers flashing as they whirled them right and left, or
pointed them at the foe; the clash of steel and the muttered roar of the
combatants being heard far away across the valley. On and on went those
daring horsemen, till the greater number seemed engulfed, though not
overwhelmed; for still the red coats and those flashing blades could be
seen ever surging onward amid the surrounding mass of grey.

The Russians had thrown out a wing on their left flank; and
notwithstanding the prowess of the British horsemen in their midst,
there were no signs of their giving way. The spectators on the heights
watched the combatants with a burning anxiety, expressed by the broken
ejaculations they now and anon uttered. Still the tall horsemen,
towering above their dark-coated antagonists, moved here and there,
cutting their way as best they could amid the mass, who yielded as they
advanced, only to close again. Anxiety for the fate of those who had
thus hurled themselves amid numberless foes continued to increase, when
the regiment of Inniskilling Dragoons on the English right went
thundering down on the Russian left flank, while the Dragoon Guards
dashed forward to attack their front. The Royals next advanced at the
gallop towards the squadron sent out on the Russian right flank, and
another regiment of dragoons which had just appeared on the ground,
keeping close under the hill, assailed the enemy on the same flank;
while numerous other horsemen, among whom was a butcher in his
shirt-sleeves, and several without helmets or breastplates, were seen
galloping up from the camp to join in the fight.

Scarcely had the last-arrived squadron of Inniskillings cast itself at
headlong speed on the Russians than their deep-serried ranks began to
relax. Many an eye was watching the gallant leader of the charge, who,
fighting his way round to the right, with a portion of his troopers, at
length emerged on the left flank of the Russians, shortly afterwards
followed by the colonel of one of the regiments; who immediately ordered
the tru