"In the direction of the Tchernaya, sir?"
"Precisely. Now that the Sardinian troops have all arrived, Lord Raglan thinks we are strong enough to extend our position as far as the river."
"I had heard nothing of it, sir?"
"If this news be true, the Russians appear to be better informed than you are, McKay."
"And are preparing to oppose our movement?"
"That's just what I should like to know, and what gives so much importance to these tidings. I only wish we could verify them. Where is your messenger? Who is he?"
"A half-witted old Tartar; you will get nothing out of him, sir. I have been trying hard this half-hour."
"But you know where the news comes from. Could you not follow it up to its source?"
"I will do so at once, sir;" and within half-an-hour McKay was in his saddle, riding down to Balaclava.
Valetta Joe was in his shop, distributing a batch of newly-baked bread to a number of itinerant vendors, each bound to retail the loaves in the various camps.