end on you. There, I see my way now. Let us go back to the
men."

We rose and followed him, the doctor whispering sharply, "Am I a
non-combatant, Brace? This is a case of emergency, and perhaps I can
use a sword as well as I can use a rifle. At any rate, I am going to
try."

"'Tention!" said Brace, in a low quick voice, and the men sprang to
their feet and formed in line, their figures looking weird and strange
in the darkness. "Can you all hear me?"

The silence which followed his question was proof that his words were
heard, and he stepped back a few yards and stood listening intently
before returning to face the men.

"Now, my lads," he said, "we are a mere handful in the midst, perhaps,
of thousands of enemies; but we are Englishmen."

There was a loud murmur like the precursor of a shout.

"Silence! Not a sound, my lads. Listen. We have been taken by
surprise, and our comrades have many of them met their death through
treachery, while the officers and men are disgraced by our position."

There was another murmur, but it was in protest.

"Yes; I say disgraced. Ours, the smartest troop in the Company's army,
has been disarmed, and there are two courses open to us--to fly for our
lives and try to make our way to the nearest station, tramping, and
without our guns; or to make a bold dash, like the men you are, to get
our guns and horses back. Those are the two courses open, and I am not
going to insult my brave lads by asking them which course we shall take.
Sergeant--men, I'm going to have those guns back. If I go down, here
is Lieutenant Haynes to carry on the work. After him Mr Vincent, and
after him the doctor. If we all break down, there's Sergeant Craig.
Plenty to lead you, and there isn't a man among you who will not follow,
I know."

"Not a man, sir," said Sergeant Craig. "I'll answer for them all."

"Please, sir, mayn't we cheer?" said a voice in the ranks.

"No, my lads," said Brace. "I can feel your hearts are throbbing beat
for beat with mine. When we get back our guns and horses you shall
cheer; till then, you must work with me in silence, and with the cunning
of the natives, for it is only by scheming that we can win. I know how
you feel. That is all."

There was a low murmur like a thrill, and a sound as of men tightening
their belts and loosening their swords. The next minute, as if it were
a parade, Brace was walking along the front of the rank, and returning
by the re