THE INVADED COUNTRY. 355 Nvasiu'ons escorted by a body of Cossacks lie oL- chap. . . XXIll tained the aid of a company of the 23d Eusiliers under JNIajov Lysons, and with these advanced ° a convoy quickly in skirmishing order. The Cossacks tried hard to save the convoy by using the points of their lances against the bullocks, and even against the drivers ; but, the Fusiliers advancing and beginning to open fire, the Cossacks at length retreated, leaving Airey in possession of just that kind of prize which the army most needed — a prize of some seventy or eighty waggons, with their oxen and drivers complete. * Never ceasing to think it was vital to have more and more means
- After the publication of the 3d Edition, I received from
Colouel Lysons a more detailed narrative of this incident than is given in the text. He says: 'Shortly after landing, Sir ' George Brov.n ordered me to extend the company that was ' with me along the top of the ridge -which overlooked the ' landing-place. "While there, General Airey came up to me, ' and, pointing to a line of arabas which was moving across the '. plain some way off, asked if I could take them. I answered, ' " Yes, but Sir George had ordered me to stay where I was." ' The General (Airey) then began to write on a piece of paper ' to ask leave to send me from my post ; but on looking up, ' and seeing that the waggons were already far off, he exclaimed, ' " "We shall lose them if you don't go at once. I will take the ' " responsibility on myself." So away I went in skirmishing ' order. On approaching a hillock, which screened the arabas
- from our view, I saw the long lances of some Cossacks waving
' iu the air. Fearing they might attack us, I closed my men
- to the centre on the march ; but as we cleared the top of the
' rising ground, these gentlemen (the Cossacks) galloped off to ' the arabas, on which we had gained considerably. A few ' minutes after, I saw the Cossacks making the drivers unyoke ' their bullocks, that they might drive them away from us. ' Knowing they would beat me at that game, 1 desired three ' old soldiers to fall out of the ranks and fire at the Cossacks.
- The first shot fell short. On the second being fired, I saw one
