When distant some 400 yards from them the midshipmen observed the advance guard halt, and guessed that an obstacle of some sort or other across the road had been made out.

A mounted officer rode back from the advance guard to the main body, and was there joined by several other mounted men.

After some conversation a movement was seen in the column.

A mounted officer rode back, and as he did so the column divided, leaving a passage in the centre of the road.
There was a long pause, and then the lads could see the Russian guns coming through the line.

They halted and formed across the road half-way between the main body and the advance guard, and, unlimbering, prepared to open fire upon the unknown obstacle in their front.