Meantime the Turks were seen everywhere torturing the wounded before despatching them. This roused the spirit of the Russians and they pushed on with fury. With fearful loss they captured the redoubt, and planted two Russian flags on it. Then Skobeleff, who had had two horses shot under him, started back for reinforcements. In vain he pleaded for men. In vain he pleaded that the redoubt was the key of the position. He burst into tears. He visited the redoubt three or four times during the day to encourage them. Plevna would soon be taken. Victory would crown their efforts. For the honor and the glory of the Russian arms;--and they always replied with the same cheery shouts while their numbers were dwindling by hundreds. But the battle was against the Russians. One more effort must be made. "Major Gortaloff, you will remain here in charge of the redoubt," he said. "Can I depend on you? You must hold this at any price." "I will remain or die, Your Excellency." "Possibly I shall be unable to send you any reinforcements. Give me your word that you will not leave the redoubt." "My honor is pledged. I will not leave this place alive." The Major raised his hand as if taking an oath. Skobeleff embraced him. "God help you! Remember my men, there may be no reinforcements. Count only on yourselves. Farewell, heroes." But as he took his last look at them--the finest troops of his division, he sighed. "Consecrated to death," he said and thundered down the hill. Only one thing remained, to draw off his men and save as many of them as possible. A colonel of one regiment of Cossack infantry, however, without orders, put his men at Skobeleff's disposal and once more he started for the redoubt. The Turks were swarming over the ramparts, mounting its walls on dead bodies. The garrison defending themselves by bayonets began to despair. At last through the fog and smoke they saw their comrades coming. But Skobeleff had only one battalion; not enough to drive out the Turks. "I think he wants to cover our retreat," said the Major. He gathered his men about him. "Comrades go. Open your way with your bayonets. This place can no longer be held. God bless you, my children. Forward." And bowing his head he reverently made the sign of the cross over his men. "And you, father?" they exclaimed. "I stay with our dead. Tell the general I have kept my word. Good by, children." They watched him as they turned their heads in their retreat. They saw him standing on the ramparts waving to them. Then the Turks rushed in. They saw the struggle. They saw his body uplifted upon Turkish bayonets.