A personal friend of his own had been appointed commandant of Berislav, and the late deputy commandant had been sent to join his regiment in the Crimea.

The countess and his daughters were well, and Olga was studying English.

He said that when the war was over he intended with his family to make a tour through the capitals of Europe, and hoped that they should see Jack in England.

This was very welcome news, and Jack returned to the naval camp at the front in high glee.
One morning a lieutenant named Myers, asked Jack if he would like to accompany him on a reconnaissance, which he heard that a party of the Sardinian cavalry were going to push some little distance up the Baida Valley.

Jack said that he would like it very much if he could borrow a pony.