"
"And the attack?"
"I cannot tell you. Some of the French generals are altogether against
assaulting the fortress. They would prefer operations in the open
field."
"What do they want, sir?"
"They would like to divide the whole allied forces into three distinct
armies: one to remain and guard the trenches, another to go round by
sea, so as to cut the Russian communications; and the third, when this
is completed, to attack the Mackenzie heights, and get in at the back
of the fortress."
"It seems rather a wild plan, sir."
"I agree with you--wild and impossible."
"Does the French commander-in-chief approve of it, sir?"
"General Canrobert does; but I think we have nearly seen the last of
him. I expect any day to hear that he has given up the command."
"Who will succeed him, sir?"
"Pelissier, I believe--a very different sort of man, as we shall see."
A few days later the change which has already been referred to took
place, and Marshal Pelissier came over to the English headquarters to
take part in a council of war. All the principal general officers of
both armies were present, and so was McKay, whose perfect acquaintance
with French made him useful in interpreting and facilitating the free
interchange of ideas.
The new French commander-in-chief was a prominent figure at the
council--a short, stout, hard-featured man, brusque in movements and
abrupt in speech; a man of much decision of character, one who made up
his mind quickly, was intolerant of all opposition, and doggedly
determined to force his will upon others.
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