“Corporal,” said the Major, “don’t let those men land till I see you.”
By this time the Russian coast was in view. Breakfast was just over, and everybody was on deck—the weather being beautiful. Miss Nightingale, Mr. Bracebridge, and myself, with telescopes, were looking at the convent and the monastery, still inhabited by Russian monks. The first reports of the cannon of Sebastopol were here faintly heard—the wind being favourable, as the captain informed us. On the right hand, on a lofty high peaked mountain, the Russian picket was plainly seen mounting guard. An hour after we were in the Bay of Balaklava, in view of the Genoese Tower, planted on a high rock, at the elevation of about two hundred feet above the level of the sea, at the spur of a range of mountains extending along the shore. A few topmasts are all that can be seen on entering the gorge; and no one can imagine, though so near, that such a harbour is in existence as the one we were approaching. The signal having been given by hoisting the flag on the top of the Genoese Tower, we entered the far-famed, and now universally known, grand, though small, Harbour of Balaklava, the entrance to which seems impracticable. We then slowly threaded our way through that forest of masts and huge vessels piled and packed so close together in the little harbour. The principal vessels at that time lying there were.,—the Himalaya, Jura, Ætna, Leander, Star of the South, London, Baraguay d’Hilliers, &c. It is impossible to describe the animation of the scene better than by comparing it to the emigration of a large colony of ants from their habitation to a new quarter. Many people were aware that Miss Nightingale was coming that day in the Robert Lowe, and the decks of all the large vessels at anchor were crowded with curious spectators, in expectation of seeing that lady, of whose devotion to the sick and wounded they had heard so much.
Cossack Bay.
We had no sooner entered the harbour than, to P. M.’s horror, he saw painted on the rock in large letters—“Cossack Bay.” At this moment, five or six ill-looking Bashi Bazouks, and as many Turks, with their large turbans, yathagans, kresses, daggers, firelocks, &c., were descending the mountain to the rock upon which the fatal name was written, and immediately caused P. M. to inquire if they were enemies. I replied that I thought they were, being upon Cossack Bay.
“I say, Monsieur Soyer,” said P. M., “this is beyond a joke; for if those ugly fellows choose to fire upon us, they can do so as easy as possible.”
“No doubt they can,” said I.
“I shall not give them a chance,” cried P. M., and off he bolted.
The Robert Lowe had anchored, and was moored in her new berth on the right-hand side of the harbour, nearly opposite the commandant’s house. Although the operation of getting in had taken nearly two hours, so interesting was the sight that no one had thought of making preparations to leave the vessel, which is generally the first thing thought of. Miss Nightingale pointed out to me the hospital called the “Sanatorium,” situated on the top of the hill, near the Genoese heights and fortifications. Turning round, she next pointed to a row of white buildings, which constituted the General Hospital, which she said she should like to visit that day if time allowed. Mr. Bracebridge came and informed us that the captain would be happy for us to stay on board as long as he remained in harbour, which might be a few days—or till we found a ship to suit us. As it was impossible to procure either a house, hut, or even a tent, in Balaklava, we of course accepted the offer. The day was drawing to a close, and, as we were rather fatigued, we postponed our visit to the hospital till the next morning.
CHAPTER XIV.
COMMENCEMENT OF MY CAMPAIGN IN THE CRIMEA.
Visitors to Miss Nightingale—The floating drawing-room—Terrible cannonade—A sortie—Second series of visitors—Young Thomas, the drummer-boy—His devotion to Miss Nightingale—Balaklava mud—General Hospital—The Sanatorium—Rugged ascent—Extensive view—Dr. Henderson—Storm of the 14th of November described by an eye-witness—Tour round the hospital—An officer patient—Return to the Robert Lowe—Off to the camp—A party of equestrians—A perfect Babel—Small hospital at Kadikoi—Splendid array of camps—A regimental hospital—Lord Raglan’s house—Colonel Steele—General Hospital before Sebastopol—“The good lady of Scutari”—An ovation—A peep at Sebastopol—The Three-mortar Battery—P. M. dodging a shell—A striking scene—Losing the way—The Zouaves—Various adventures—A casualty—Once more on board.