‘What was his name?’
‘That I don’t know, though I’ve seen him once or twice with the staff. Anyway, he left a letter to be given to you. Here it is.’
Jack opened the letter and read:
‘Dear Sir,—I should much like to see you, having heard a deal of your conspicuous gallantry in the memorable cavalry charge of Oct. 25th last.
‘More especially I want to thank you for saving my life at the passage of the Alma, and for carrying the despatch of which I was the bearer, and which bore largely on the success of that day.
‘I am also most anxious to ask you a few questions about your family, for it may even turn out that we may be related.—Yours sincerely,
‘Charles M. Harrington, Lieut.-Col.’
‘Good Heavens! Colonel Harrington.’ It must be his mother’s younger brother, his own uncle Charles, of whom he had often heard but never seen. He remembered him at the Alma quite well; and, yes, there was a strong family likeness between his mother and the colonel. It was too late to go to headquarters that night, but he would take the first opportunity he had and seek out this new-found uncle.
The next morning a terrific bombardment was opened on Sebastopol, and it soon became evident that an assault was to be made that day. Companies of infantry were being marched to the trenches, supports were hurried up, ambulance-men followed, and all knew a great struggle was about to commence.
Jack obtained permission to go up to headquarters; but when he got there he found the colonel had gone down to the trenches with Sir William Codrington. Thither Jack followed him, making his way to the fifth parallel, in which was the General.