I ran off to the man, making sure I should reach him in two minutes, but it took me above twenty. Instead of going towards him, I got near the Russian side, and had it been dark instead of day, I have no doubt I should have been taken prisoner, from being unable in the short time left of the suspension of hostilities to retrace my steps. One of the sentries who had seen us came and advised me to be off as soon as possible, as the firing would begin again directly. Thanking him, I got my pony, and was no sooner mounted than the cannonade and fusillade thundered in every direction; and some missiles passed me much too close to be pleasant. A regiment of French soldiers who had just been relieved from duty, and were on their way to their quarters, told me they were going to the Clocheton, a place of which I had heard, but did not know. I followed them, as the night was fast setting in and rain was falling. I passed it, with a jolly set of fellows, full of song, cognac, and rum; and, as I stood some drink, I was set down in their estimation as a gentleman. I afterwards slept upon some straw, on the floor of the canteen. My horse had a very good meal, and plenty of water, but was compelled to remain out all night, which annoyed me very much. It could not, however, be helped. We had a very noisy night, and several shots were heard hissing over our heads, as we were only a few hundred yards from the small house called the Clocheton, so celebrated and well known in the French camp. It was from that picturesque spot that Monsieur de Bazancourt wrote his popular history of the war. CHAPTER XXI. MATTERS GRAVE AND GAY. Kitchens in the Turkish and Sardinian camps--Triumphal entry into Balaklava--Missed for three days--Telegraphed for--Lots of news--My secretary in trouble--Arrival of Lord Ward in the _London_--The Queen’s birthday in the harbour of Balaklava--Baking on board the floating batteries--Miss Nightingale ordered home--“Who lost the four horses?”--Lord Raglan and Mrs. Roberts--His visit to Miss Nightingale’s sick-bed--Dinner-parties--A Crimean banquet--Sick Sardinians--The dying officer--The last request--An expedition to Kertch--A change of quarters--Samples of bread--Bread-biscuit--Letters to the _Times_.