Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/290

260 A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE. chap. Lord Eaglan undertaking the, if faulty, yet . — romantic Flank March, involving a farewell for ever to the Western coast of the Crimea and a movement, guided by compass, over uplands and forests and plains all still in the enemy's power, and thence on to the southern shores of the Pen- insula, where also the enemy was holding full sway ; Lord Eaglan by sheer chance impinging on the ill -guarded rear of what proved to be a whole Russian army led by Prince Mentschikoff in person, and then easily taking possession of the Mackenzie Heights — Heights afterwards coveted with the passionate desire of great nations, yet never again to be reached by the invading armies ; The descent to the Tchernaya, and the march next day for that desired Southern Coast which people only knew of by maps ; the march over a plain that seemed bounded southwards by a vast wall of hills with a small pool of water beneath them, but no visible sea, no visible opening, and soon, a highly perched fort, making bold to assail Lord Eaglan with discharges of shell ; then, how- ever, mighty ships' guns heard roaring from be- hind the hills, and making all know that not only the sea, but Lyons himself must be there ; Pernicious dreams bringing the invaders to 'besiege' the then defenceless Sebastopol 3 instead of picking it up as a prize fairly won on the Alma ; The beginning of siege-work ;