Again, as they neared the battery, the iron shower swept through their ranks; then with a mighty shout they dashed upon the guns.  Brief was the struggle here.  The Russian gunners were cut down, and gathering together, boot to boot, the British cavalry rode straight at a Russian line of infantry which formed up 100 yards behind the guns, poured a volley into them.  There was no pause, but straight, and with the shock of an avalanche, they hurled themselves at the Russians.  There was a yell, a crash, the clash of sabre on bayonet, the shout of the victor, the scream of the dying, and the British horsemen burst through the Russian line.  Their work was done.  They were conquerors, but alone in an army of enemies.  Turning now, they swept back again through the guns on their homeward way.  The flank batteries belched their fire upon them, the rattle of musketry sounded round them, a regiment of cavalry was hurled upon their flanks, but these, weak as they were, they dashed aside, and wounded and bleeding, the remnant of the gallant band rode on until met by the Heavy Brigade, advancing to assist them and cover their retreat.

Our infantry now made a forward movement.  The Russians fell back, and at half-past eleven the battle of Balaklava was over.  While the British charge was going on, 200 of the French cavalry made a brilliant charge on the left and carried a battery, but had to retreat with a loss of two captains, and fifty men killed and wounded.  Our loss in all was thirteen officers killed or taken, and twenty-seven officers wounded, 162 men killed or taken, and 224 men wounded.  There were 394 horses killed or missing, and 126 horses wounded.  The Russians carried off some ten guns from the redoubts which they captured in the morning.

Jack and his friends returned at the conclusion of the fight to camp, where, as they had rather expected, they met with a severe reprimand for their absence, being told that upon such an occasion, whether off duty or not, their duty was to remain in camp.  Captain Peel indeed, was nearly sending them back to their ships again.  But after a very severe reprimand he allowed them to remain.  The boys went back to their tent somewhat crestfallen, but agreed that such a sight as they had witnessed was worth anything.

October ended, and the batteries of besieged and besiegers continued to play, the Russians causing much annoyance by the heavy shell which they threw up from their mortars; the battery worked by the blue-jackets suffering particularly.  The Russians had now 240 guns in their new works, a number far superior to those of the allies.  As yet no damage whatever had been inflicted on the enemy’s works.  Each day their faces were pitted with shot, each night the Russians repaired the damages.  In the mean time the Russians had received very large reinforcements.  Two of the Imperial Grand Dukes had also arrived, and they were preparing for an attempt to sweep the allies into