ALAND THE BALTIC IN 1854. 203 



ere all the forts poured down a tremendous storm 

 of shot, shell, and grape over the whole face of the 

 hill. Flash followed flash, boom succeeded boom ; 

 round - shot tore and crashed the trees and rocks 

 around us ; shell burst in the thickets, and grape and 

 canister threw their shower of balls through every 

 opening and crevice. For two hours this continued 

 without intermission ; there was scarcely time to re- 

 cover breath after the passing of one shot ere another 

 came. 



The French works had, however, been progressing 

 rapidly and uninterruptedly in the meantime. The 

 batteries were ready for the guns ; and to cover 

 the placing them in position, as soon as there was 

 light enough a brisk fire of rifles was commenced 

 at 700 yards from behind the breastwork. This 

 was a novelty in war. The experiment has been 

 largely tried, and proven since ; but it was new 

 here this attack of a fortress by rifles. Ensconced 

 behind their sand-bag shelter, the chasseurs took 

 deliberate and deadly aim. Not a face or arm 

 could appear at the embrasures but half-a-dozen 

 bullets were rattling about and around it. The 

 chasseurs seemed to think this work fine sport, and 

 kept popping away in great excitement, exulting 

 greatly when a cry was heard from the fort. This they 

 declared was the mot de mart of a Russian soldier. 

 The enemy retaliated from wall-piece and rifle with 

 little effect. The casemates offered such a certain 



