mpeter to sound the rally, the other officers also quickly
re-forming their men.

The whole mass of Russians had by this time begun to heave upwards
against the slope of the hill; the horsemen on the outside were first
seen breaking away, and the next instant the whole of the vast body
began to disperse, retreating, and endeavouring to save themselves by
flight, followed by some of the victorious troopers; who were, however,
as speedily as possible recalled, to save them from being exposed to the
fire of the Russian artillery, which would have opened on them from the
opposite heights. As the enemy were seen in flight, the 93rd, which had
been among the most eager of the spectators, greeted them from afar by a
loud cheer; while Sir Colin Campbell, his countenance beaming with
delight, was seen to gallop forward, and, taking off his hat, to
compliment the Greys on their gallantry. Long as the time had appeared
during which this strange combat had taken place, Jack, on pulling out
his watch, discovered that but eight minutes had passed from the time
when General Scarlett at the head of his three hundred threw himself at
his foes till they were in full flight up the hill.

Jack and his naval companions, who freely criticised all that occurred,
had been watching with astonishment the Light Brigade, to the number of
nearly seven hundred, who all this time, drawn up on the side of the
hill, had been spectators of the fight without attempting to take the
least part in it. "I suppose we shall hear all about it," said Jack,
"but to me it seems one of the most surprising things; and I suspect
that the fellows themselves must have chafed not a little at being thus
kept back, when they would have done such good service by following the
enemy, and rendering their overthrow even more complete than it has
been."

As there appeared to be no more chance of seeing any fighting where they
then were, the party of naval officers directed their course towards the
high ground on the Chersonese, whence they could look up the North
Valley, at the eastern end of which it was evident the greater part of
the Russian army was posted. As they rode along, they passed two French
brigades, which had hitherto been watching the South Valley. The French
officers greeted them in a friendly way, one and all expressing their
admiration at the gallant exploit just performed by the Heavy Brigade.
They caught sight directly afterwards of an English brigad