In the mean time the Russians had received very large reinforcements.

Two of the Imperial Grand Dukes had also arrived, and they were preparing for an attempt to sweep the allies into the sea.
The weather had set in wet; the soldiers were weakened by their incessant work in the trenches, by wet and exposure, and the strength of many of the regiments was greatly reduced by disease.

All hopes of capturing the fortress and returning to Constantinople to winter were now at an end, and the roads having become mere quagmires, the supplies of food and of fuel were growing scanty.

On the 3d, Jack had been sent down to Balaklava with a despatch from Captain Peel to Admiral Lyons.

Mr.Hethcote lent him his pony, and having delivered his message in the guard-ship in the harbor, whence it would be taken out to the "Agamemnon," Jack went on board some of the transports, and discharged a number of commissions with which he had been intrusted by his comrades.