Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 8.djvu/43

HIS DEFENSIVE MEASURES. H does even this statemenl suffice to show the real chap. disparity; for, comparing them man against man, . — the Russian labourers were a great deal more hardy, were endowed with more physical strength than those the Allies could employ ; and if we take care to remember that the enormously superior command of constructive resources thus possessed by the garrison was wielded by Colonel de Todleben with prodigious skill and activity, we shall form perhaps some conception of that inferiority in working power which long kept down the Allies. I suppose it might safely be reckoned that in military engineering well con- ceived and well executed, the enemy — whom ardent besiegers had invited to a trial of strength at this very sort of toil — could achieve much more in one day than his challengers could ac- complish in ten. It was with these vast advantages, wielded by Todieben-s consummate genius, that the formidable colonel of Sappers proved able to work his wonders. Not even neglecting that quiet, that unmolested msmore strictly 'North Side' which a less wary man might have defensive • measures. judged to be exempt from all risk, he converted Sebastopol into a mighty fortress prepared for the fight at all points, and defended on the land side alone by great guns already numbering no less than 700, with besides all the lesser artillery held ready at every apt spot to confront storming columns with round-shot, or to greet them when a little more near with his favourite salutes of mi trail.