‘Blair of Balaclava?’ cried the men, and then spontaneously there burst out a cheer, and in a moment the two heroes were seized, seated shoulder high, and, amidst the thundering plaudits of men who had heard of their deeds over and over again, despite their struggles they were carried to the headquarters of the regiment whose recent laurels they had borne no mean share in winning. [Illustration: The two heroes were seized, seated shoulder high. PAGE 360 ] CHAPTER XLV. THE BATTLE OF THE TCHERNAYA. The noise the men were making attracted the attention of all within hearing, and before the procession had got far several officers came toward them to see what was the matter. Foremost among them was Colonel Norreys, recovered in health, and promoted to the command of the regiment. Barrymore, saluting, told the colonel who they were escorting, and in another moment Colonel Norreys was wringing Jack’s hand. ‘My dear Blair,’ he said, ‘it is to you and Barrymore that I owe my life. I ought to have died if any man ought on that fatal day; how I managed to cheat the doctors I don’t know. Your conduct in the affair was reported with Barrymore’s; but we all feared you had been killed.’ ‘I have been a prisoner all the time, sir,’ said Jack. ‘You must tell me all your adventures; but first I must introduce you to the other officers, nearly all, alas! strangers to you, but all of whom have heard of your exploits.’ The colonel then turned to Linham. ‘Welcome back to you, too, sergeant,’ he said; ‘it will seem something like old times to see your familiar features in the ranks again.’ ‘Ha, hum! sir, you do me honour,’ and Linham saluted with the precision of an automaton. Jack did his best to get away from the congratulations and flattering speeches of his officers, most of whom, as the colonel had said, were new to the regiment, consequently strangers. Hardly had he succeeded before his hand was clutched in a firm grasp, and turning, he saw--could he believe his eyes?--Will Hodson, staring at him with an eye suspiciously dim. ‘Jack!’ ‘Will!’ ‘I thought you were dead.’ ‘I’ve mourned you for months.’ ‘Thanks to you, dear old chap, I’m alive. I was almost done when I got aboard at Balaclava; but the warmth and comfort did me good. I went back again after getting to Scutari. Oh the horrors of that place, Jack! Nothing that we heard about it came up to the reality. But there was an angel just arrived there, Miss Nightingale, from England. She was beginning to get the place into some sort of order, and I was lucky in coming under her notice. Two months it was before I was able to get back to duty; but I never should at all had it not been for her.’ Jack and Linham were taken possession of by Barrymore and those men who had been in the charge, and were the lions of the hour. They were soon assigned quarters, new uniforms were served out to them, and they resumed their regimental duties.