flash of steel as the swords rose and fell.  Presently the Redcoats were seen emerging from the rear, having cut their way through the surging mass.  The flanks of the Russian column, however, were lapping them in, and it seemed that the little body would be annihilated, when the 4th and 5th Dragoon Guards, forming the second line of the Heavy Brigade, burst upon them like a torrent.  Smitten, as if by a thunderbolt, the Russian cavalry, men and horses, rolled over before the stroke, and the column, shattered and broken into fragments, galloped away to the shelter of their infantry, while a roar of triumph arose from long lines of the allies.

By this time the French infantry had arrived upon the ground, and Balaklava was safe.  Then came the episode by which the battle of Balaklava is best known, the famous charge of the Six Hundred.  An order was sent from Lord Raglan to Lord Lucan to advance the light cavalry farther.  Captain Nolan, who bore the order, was himself a light cavalry officer of great enterprise and distinction, and who had an unlimited faith in the powers of British light cavalry.  Excited probably by the sight of the glorious feat achieved by the “heavies,” and burning to see it emulated by his comrades of the light regiments, he so gave the order to Lord Lucan that the latter conceived it to be his duty to charge.  The order was simply to advance, but when Lord Lucan asked him, “How far are we to advance?” he replied, pointing to the Russians, “There are the enemy and there are the guns.”

Lord Lucan, conceiving that his orders were absolute, ordered Lord Cardigan to advance upon the guns.  Lord Cardigan saw at once the desperate nature of the enterprise.  The guns were a mile and a half distant, backed by the whole Russian army.  The line to be ridden over was swept not only by the fire of the guns he was about to charge, but by those of other batteries on the flank.  No support was possible, for the heavy cavalry were at this time far away, executing a movement which had been ordered.  Lastly, even if successful, the charge could be attended with no great results, as it would be impossible either to hold or carry away the guns.

The enterprise was indeed a desperate one.  Lord Cardigan gave the order, and the Light Brigade, numbering in all but the strength of a single regiment, set out at a trot towards the distant Russians.  As they approached they quickened their speed, and the spectators saw with feelings of mixed horror and admiration, the enterprise on which they had embarked.  When at the distance of 1200 yards from the Russians, thirty pieces of artillery opened fire upon them.  Men and horses rolled over before the iron shower, but the squadrons closed up their gaps and rode straight forward, with sabres flashing in the sun, leaving the plain behind them dotted with killed and wounded.