"Hullo, Travers, old fellow, what’s up, do you think—aw—aw—what’s the row in front?" asked Berkeley, with haste and anxiety, as he stuck his glass in his eye, and fidgeted in his saddle. "The Russians, no doubt," said Travers, drily, as his handsome face brightened with courage and excitement. "Ah, I thought so," said I. "Are they in force, Corporal Jones?" "We can’t tell, sir; but lance-heads, and bayonets too, are visible among the coppice in front." By this time the two troops had formed, and halted in open column, quietly and orderly, the leading three files of each having advanced for three horses’ lengths, and then reined in as if upon parade. "We can’t well use the lance here. Unsling carbines! Remain where you are, Travers," said I. "Mr. Berkeley and two files from the right, forward with me—trot!" I drew my sword, cast loose my holster flaps, and rode on with the little party, all of whom followed me willingly enough, save one. On joining the advanced party, we made ten horsemen altogether. Proceeding farther, to where the ground dipped somewhat suddenly down towards the Belbeck river, we could see, about a mile distant, a body of Russian cavalry, whose spiked leather helmets and lance-heads glittered in the sun. They were drawn up in line, their flanks being covered by thickets, which concealed their actual strength, so that we knew not whether they were a mere squadron or an entire brigade. Berkeley, who was nervously busy with his powerful racing-glass, muttered— "I see an officer on a white horse. By Jove! a doocid swell—aw, aw—all over decorations." After using my own telescope, I exclaimed— "He is the same fellow we released in the evening after the Alma, when Bolton came up with orders for the cavalry to fall back and abandon prisoners. I know him by his grim visage and enormous white moustache." "Aw—aw—a general officer, I take him to be." "Now, lads," said I, "be steady. I think I saw the glitter of a bayonet among that brushwood in front. There may be an ambush prepared thereabout, and into that we must not fall." I could not help thinking how useful a few hand-grenades would have been on this occasion, as they would soon have solved our doubts. To have fallen back would have served only to draw their fire upon us instantly, if any men were concealed there. "Follow me, lads!" I exclaimed. "Mr. Berkeley, keep the rear rank men in their places." "Captain Norcliff, asthore!" cried Lanty O’Regan, shaking his lance, "lead the way, and, be me troth, we’ll ride through the whole rookawn o’ them Roosians!"