ts. "We are ready to
charge again!"

"No, no, men," replied Lord Cardigan, hastily; "you have done enough."

It was at this moment that Lord Raglan rode up, and angrily called
Lord Cardigan to account.

"What did you mean, sir, by attacking guns in front with cavalry,
contrary to the usages of war?"

"You must not blame me, my lord," replied Lord Cardigan. "I only
obeyed the orders of my superior officer," and he pointed to Lord
Lucan, whom Lord Raglan then addressed with the severe reproof--

"You have sacrificed the Light Brigade, Lord Lucan. You should have
used more discretion."

"I never approved of the charge," protested Lord Lucan.

"Then you should not have allowed it to be made."

The battle of Balaclava was practically over, and, although they had
suffered no reverse, its results were decidedly disadvantageous to the
allies. The massacre of the Light Brigade encouraged the Russian
general to advance again; his columns once more crossed the Woronzoff
road, and re-occupied the redoubts in force. The immediate result was
the narrowing of the communications between the front and the base.
The use of a great length of this Woronzoff road was forbidden, and
the British were restricted to the insufficient tracks through
Kadikoi. A principal cause this of the difficulties of supply during
the dread winter now close at hand.

Another lesser result of the Russian advance was that McKay and his
men that afternoon were unable to rejoin their regiment by the road
they had travelled the day before. He returned to camp by a long and
circuitous route, through Kadikoi, instead of by the direct Woronzoff
road.

It was late in the day, therefore, when he was once more at his
headquarters. He had much to tell of his strange adventures on these
two eventful days, and the colonel, who had at once sent for him, kept
him in close colloquy, plying him with questions about the battle, for
more than an hour. It was not till he had heard everything that
Colonel Blythe handed the sergeant-major a bundle of letters and
papers, arrived that morning by the English mail.

"There is good news for you, McKay," said he. "I was so interested in
your description that I had forgotten to tell you. Let me congratulate
you; your name is in the _Gazette_," and the Colonel, taking McKay's
hand, shook it warmly.

McKay carried off his precious bundle to his tent, and, first untying
the newspaper, hunted out the _Gazette_.

There it was-