"Lord Raglan orders that the cavalry shall attack immediately," he said, impatient at Lucan's hesitation. "Attack, sir; attack what?" asked Lucan. "There, my lord, is your enemy; there are your guns," said Nolan, with a wave of his hand towards the hostile lines. The guns he appeared to indicate were those of a Russian battery at the end of the valley, to attack which by an unsupported cavalry charge was sheer madness. Lucan rode to Lord Cardigan, in command of the cavalry, and repeated the order. "But there is a battery in front of us and guns and riflemen on either flank," said Cardigan. "I know it," answered Lucan. "But Lord Raglan will have it. We have no choice but to obey." "The brigade will advance," said Cardigan, without further hesitation. In a moment more the "gallant six hundred" were in motion--going in the wrong direction, as Captain Nolan is thought to have perceived. At all events he spurred his horse across the front of the brigade, waving his sword as if with the intention to set them right. But no one understood him, and at that instant a fragment of shell struck him and hurled him dead to the earth. There was no further hope of stopping the mad charge. [=The Charge of the Light Brigade=] On and on went the devoted Light Brigade, their pace increasing at every stride, headed straight for the Russian battery half a league away. As they went fire was opened on them from the guns in flank. Soon they came within range of the guns in front, which also opened a raking fire. They were enveloped in "a zone of fire, and the air was filled with the rush of shot, the bursting of shells, and the moan of bullets, while amidst the infernal din the work of death went on, and men and horses were incessantly dashed to the ground." But no thought of retreat seems to have entered the minds of those brave dragoons and their gallant leader. Their pace increased; they reached the battery and dashed in among the guns; the gunners were cut down as they served their pieces. Masses of Russian cavalry standing near were charged and forced back. The men fought madly in the face of death until the word came to retreat. [=The Sad End of a Deed of Glory=]