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344 THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN. CHAP, talion might pass through its next moments of _Z^. trial. Si Period. rjx^ Understand what now happened, it must be borne in mind that not only Pennefather himself, but even the more cool-blooded staff officers act- ing under his orders, had been wrought up by this time to a high pitch of zeal. Elate with the keen, ceaseless work of fight after fight — too incessant to leave room for care — and glowing with the sense of a victorious ascendant long maintained over hosts of assailants, they all more or less had upon them that flush of the soul — that Faith as the Prophet would call it — which gives power over herds of men. They were en- tering, however, upon a singular task. Within a few paces of a powerful enemy, they undertook nothing less than to rally a young French bat- talion which was withstanding the comniands and entreaties of its own officers, and to do this by mere force of words shouted out in a foreign tongue. It was upon the left of Vaissier's battalion that General Pennefather had placed himself at this time with a number of other horsemen near him — with Colonel Wilbraham, with Captain Thackwell. Captain Glazbrook, Captain Harding, Captain M'Donald, and several more who belonged for the most part to the staff of the 2d Division. Facing east for the moment, and from the vantage-height of their saddles, the General and his attendant staff officers looked flankwise along the French ranks ; and, when the line faltered, they all at