‘Straight in front, sir. You and the Hussars are to charge down at once.’ ‘What are these?’ asked the officer, pointing with his sword to the bodies of the man and horse on the ground. ‘Two Cossacks attacked me, sir,’ replied Jack. ‘Gallant lad; I will see the fact is known.--By your right, trot march!’ and the troop swung by. On foot Jack raced after them; but did not arrive till all opposition was over and the convoy was captured. The drivers of the wagons seemed quite contented to be captured, and before the flying Russians were out of sight had signified to the English their willingness to drive the convoy to the English camp. The wagons were counted, two hundred of them, laden with provisions for Sebastopol. Besides which nearly three hundred head of cattle were in the rear. A number of men were told off as escort, and the wagons headed for the English camp. ‘A glorious capture!’ cried Captain Norreys, wild with delight. ‘Lord Raglan will be pleased with this night’s work.’ It took some time, though, to get all under way again, and dawn was breaking as they moved off. Captain Norreys remained behind as rear-guard with about sixty men, amongst whom were Jack, Will, and Larry. ‘Bedad, this bates Donnybrook into a cocked hat,’ said Larry to Jack as he rode by. ‘If the Rooshians would only stand their ground the Crimea would be the finest place in the wurrld.’ They had travelled some distance when, just as the sun was rising, Jack noticed, topping a ridge on their left front, a whole forest of lance-heads. ‘Look there, sir,’ he cried to the captain. ‘Form column of troops!’ cried that officer, and Lancers and Hussars swung forward to get between the Russians and the convoy. Carbines were loaded and swords loosened in their scabbards as fully five hundred Cossacks and Hussars came sweeping over the crest. ‘One volley, then charge,’ said Captain Norreys coolly. The enemy came on at a slow trot till they were about a hundred yards distant, when the British delivered their fire. A score of Russian saddles were emptied; then Captain Norreys, well to the front, drew his sword. ‘Forward men!’ he cried; ‘take your pace from me, and charge home!’ At a gallop they rushed forward. Jack drew his sword and was in amongst the foe only a horse’s length behind his captain. Lance and sabre went to work, and in thirty seconds the Russians were flying. Instantly Captain Norreys held up his sword and Jack sounded the halt. ‘Let us go on, sir; we can cut ’em to pieces,’ growled Sergeant Barrymore. ‘No, no, sergeant; it may be a trap,’ said Captain Norreys. ‘Pick up those three wounded men of ours and get them to the wagons.’ This was done, and then the English formed up again in rear of the convoy, which had not stopped. The Russians reformed and hung upon the rear of the column; but they seemed to have no stomach for further fighting. Followed by the enemy, the column held on its way till a cheer burst out in front.