The Powers of Europe and Fall of SebastopolA British officer
History
The Powers of Europe and Fall of Sebastopol
A British officer
Crimean War, 1853-1856; Europe -- History -- 1789-1900
A day or two after this occurrence, I left the company, with one
of my companions, and went higher up the mountain, in search of
wild pigs, which are sometimes found there. This was absolutely
against our orders; but, as we were literally starving to death,
the consequences of disobedience, and the dangers of our journey,
weighed but little in the balance. I agreed to search one side of the
mountain, while he ascended the other, and we were to meet at the
top. When about half-way up the mountain, I was stopped by a ball
whizzing close past my ear. Thinking that it might be my comrade,
who did not see me, I turned, and, looking around, soon saw the
green feather of my assailant, projecting over a rock. At this I was
somewhat alarmed; for he was so completely hid behind the rock that I
could not fire at him, and I knew that he was reloading his musket.
In a moment more he fired again, but, fortunately for me, his musket
flashed in the pan. There was still only his feather in sight; at
this I fired, and struck it. I then reloaded as hastily as possible,
and advanced cautiously up the mountain, hoping to get sight of him.
As I was coming round the point of the rock, he sprang forward, laid
down his gun, spread out his arms, and exposed himself to my shot.
I knew, by his motions, that he had no ammunition, and as I had no
desire to kill him, I fixed my bayonet on my gun, as if I would make
a charge, and then advanced towards him, in a friendly manner. But,
when I was within twice the length of my gun from him, he picked up
his musket and attacked me. Darting back to avoid his bayonet, I
fired my own gun, and he fell to the ground. I examined his knapsack,
and found that it bore the mark of the 95th rifle brigade of our
own division. He was a guerilla, and had doubtless killed the man
whose knapsack he bore. I examined his canteen, and found, to my
great surprise, a pint of Jamaica brandy. In my exhausted state, this
was a discovery which gave me the greatest pleasure. I took some of
it, and, feeling quite refreshed, pursued my search for game. I had
not gone far before I discovered a small pig, which I succeeded in
shooting. This I carried with me to the top of the mountain, where
I found my comrade awaiting me. He had been less successful than
myself, having found nothing. He asked me how I had fared. I told him
that I had shot an old hog and a little pig, at which he expressed
great pleasure. I then showed him the contents of the canteen, which
he joyfully shared with me; and, having related my adventure, we
retraced our steps to the camp. We concealed our treasure as well as
we were able; but, notwithstanding all our care, the first person we
saw, on our return, was the adjutant. He came up to us, and demanded
where we had been. Upon the mountain, in search of food, was my
reply. He told me, if he should report us, as he was required to do,
we should be shot for disobeying orders. I answered, that it made
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