Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/189

BATTLE OF THE ALMA. 163 ing eastward, had doubled up the Eussian left chap. wing, and were coming to ground from which 1 they would look down triumphant into the flank of the Causeway batteries. Suddenly, to men thus expectant of a dreaded calamity, there was pre- sented a sight well fitted to confirm their worst fears — nay, even to make them imagine that the whole tenor of their duty was changed. For one Apparition of the high knolls jutting up from the eastern on a°knoTii slopes of the Telegraph Height, and closely over- the Russian looking the Eussian reserves, became crowded all ^°^' ^°'^' Sit once with a gay looking group of horsemen, whose hats and white plumes showed that they were Staff officers. Wliat made the apparition seem the more fatal was that it was deep in the very heart of the Eussian lines, and even some- what near to the ground where Prince Mentschi- koff had posted his reserves. It could be seen that the horsemen wore coats of dark blue — the colour of the French uniform. They were exactly on the ground where the van of the French army might hope to be if it had achieved a signal victory over the left wing of the Eussian army. It was hardly to be imagined possible that the Allies could have a numerous staff in that part of the field without being there in great strength. Even a tranquil and cautious observer of the apparition could hardly have failed to infer that the French, carrying all before them, had marched through and through from west to east, and made good their way into the centre, nay, almost into the rear, of the Eussian position,