BATTLE OF THE ALMA. 309 marquee with only one man for his guest, Torrens chap. came to report his arrival. A third cover was ""_ laid for him. He had made a forced march, and was in bitter pain because his great haste had not availed to bring him up in time for the battle. With kind, frank, thoughtful words Lord Eaglan strove to soothe him. XLV. The position which Kiriakoff had taken up was continua- not held for many minutes. To any calm man Russian who looked from that ridge towards the north it must have been plain that the Allies were mak- ing no movement in pursuit. But — for thus powerful and thus wayward is the imagination of man in his fears — the Russians were no sooner in safety than vague terrors came assailing their minds, and Panic began to drive them. The brave soldiery who had stood superbly firm when shot were tearing their ranks were scared by phantom thoughts; and the square-built, hard, rigid battalions which had checkered the hill- sides on the Alma, now dissolved into shapeless masses. Even when, after accomplishing several miles of retreat, the troops at length reached the hillsides which looked down on the banks of the Katcha, they had no belief that the Allies would suffer them to drink of its waters in peace ; and the army of the Czar, degenerating into a helpless throng — officers, men, horses, guns, tumbrils, carts laden with stores, carts laden with the wounded—-
