In a comfortable leisurely fashion they proceeded to break
ground, to open trenches, and approach the enemy's still unfinished
works by parallel and sap. The siege-train--the British War Minister's
fatal gift, encouraging as it did the policy of delay--was landed, as
were vast supplies of ammunition and warlike stores. Tents, too, were
brought up to the front, and the allied encampment soon covered the
plateau from the Tchernaya to the sea. The troops soon settled down in
their new quarters, and the heights before Sebastopol grew gradually a
hive of military industry, instinct with warlike sounds, teeming with
soldier life.
The Royal Picts found themselves posted on the uplands above the
Tchernaya valley, very near the extreme right of the British front,
and here they took their share of the duties that now fell upon the
army, furnishing fatigue-parties to dig at the trenches, and armed
parties to cover them as they worked, and pickets by day and night to
watch the movements of the enemy.
Since McKay's official recommendation for a commission, he had been
entrusted with duties above his position as sergeant-major. The
adjutant had been badly wounded at the Alma, and it was generally
understood that when promoted McKay would succeed him. Meanwhile he
was entrusted with various special missions appertaining to the rank
he soon expected to receive.
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