112 THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN. CHAP. VI. Isi Period. the Saddle-top Reach, and found means to skirt it by choosing their path lower down along the bank of the Mikriakoff Glen ; but in marching they became deeply echeloned, the columns on their right pressing far in advance, whilst those on their left were held back. General Soimonoff was present in person with the 9000 men thus thrown forward, and he gradually made good his advance, pushing always before him, as he marched, those four companies of men under Grant whose hardihood had brought down the attack. Grant's people yielded ground slowly, always covering their retreat by an obstinate fire ; and it is remembered that one of them — Mackie — with true Scotch tenacity,* never flag- ging for an instant under the pressure of the advancing thousands, watched as carefully as any grim constable in the old town of Edin- burgh, over the little knot of prisoners he was taking off under his charge. simni- Whilst Soimonoff's troops thus advanced, they taneous ■*■ " advance of were uot the only assailants whom Pennefather 6000 men *' beion^ng to hgfj ^q eucouuter ; for, although the main body of PaulolTs ' ' kd %i corps. Pauloff's corps — having orders to march round
- Mackie probably owed the ' ' true Scotch tenacity " to his
race ; but he was bom, it seems, in the north of Ireland. For his excellent services he was promoted, attained to the rank of Major, and (having retired from the service) is now, I under- stand, the holder of an important oflBce in Ireland.
