CHAPTER IX.

THE THIRD BATTLE OF PLEVNA.

The Third Battle of Plevna--Turkish Genius for Fortification--How the Redoubts were built--Description of an Earthwork--Sleeping Underground--Living Men in Holes in the Clay--The Triple Tier of Fire--Commencement of the Battle--The "Mammoth Battery"--Lauri and the Live Shell--Radishevo on Fire--The General Assault--Turkish Civilians join in the Fight--Attack on the Grivitza Redoubt--The Brushwood Shelter takes Fire--I visit the Redoubt--The Sight from the Parapet--A Word to Sadik Pasha--I ride towards Krishin--Turkish Fugitives from our Redoubt--A Compliment from a Civilian--Panic among the Troops--Fall of the Grivitza Redoubt and Capture of Two Krishin Redoubts by Skobeleff--The Counter-attacks--Parapets of Dead Bodies--Tewfik Bey Invincible--The Krishin Redoubts recaptured--A Glorious Victory--Delirious Excitement--Russian Sortie from the Grivitza Redoubt--Repulsed with Terrible Slaughter--Hospital Work heavy once more--Some Stoical Sufferers--Russian Bravery--Osman Pasha and the Wounded--Departure of Drew Gay to run the Gauntlet--A War Correspondent and his News--Perilous Ride from Plevna 219