Jack found to his satisfaction that no report of his being missing had been received by the captain, and next morning at daybreak he and Lieutenant Myers walked up to camp, regretting the loss of their ponies, which would, however, they were sure, be found by the Russians long ere they finished the stores of provender within their reach.

Upon reaching camp they found that their absence had not been noticed until the afternoon of the second day of their absence.  They had been seen to ride away together, and when in the evening they were found to be absent, it was supposed that they had gone down to Balaklava and slept there.  When upon the following day they were still missing, it was supposed that the admiral had retained them for duty on board ship.  The storm, which had scattered everything, had put them out of the thoughts of the commanding officer, and it was only that morning that, no letter respecting them having been received, he was about to write to their respective captains to inquire the cause of their absence.  This was now explained, and as they had been detained by circumstances altogether beyond their control, they escaped without a reprimand, and were indeed warmly congratulated upon the adventures they had passed through.

In the meantime the cannonade had been going on very heavily in front.  The Russian outworks were showing signs of weakness after the tremendous pounding they were receiving.  The French were pushing their trenches close up to the Malakoff, and upon both sides the soldiers were busy with pick and shovel.  On the night of the 30th August a tremendous explosion took place, a Russian shell exploding in a French ammunition wagon, which blew up, killing and wounding 150 officers and men.

On the following night the naval brigade astonished the camp by giving private theatricals.  The bill was headed “Theatre Royal, Naval Brigade.  On Friday evening, 31st August, will be performed, ’Deaf as a Post,’ to be followed by ‘The Silent Woman,’ the whole to conclude with a laughable farce, entitled ‘Slasher and Crasher.’  Seats to be taken at seven o’clock.  Performance to commence precisely at eight.  God save the Queen.  Rule Britannia.”  The scenes were furnished from H.M.S.  “London.”  The actors were all sailors of the brigade, the ladies’ parts being taken by young boatswains’ mates.  Two thousand spectators closely packed were present, and the performance was immensely enjoyed in spite of the fact that the shell from the Russian long-range guns occasionally burst in the neighborhood of the theatre.

The French had now pushed forward their trenches so far that from their front sap they could absolutely touch the abattis of the Malakoff.  On the 3d the Russians made a sortie, and some heavy fighting took place in the trenches.  The time was now at hand when the last bombardment was to commence.  The French began it early on the morning of the 5th.  They had now got no less than 627 guns in position, while the English had 202.  The news that it was to commence was kept a profound secret, and few of the English officers knew what was about to take place.  Our own trenches were comparatively empty, while those of the French were crowded with men who kept carefully out of sight of the enemy.