" was the cheerful answer. "Glad to hear that you wish to
return to it. It's won England's battles, I reckon, and, compared to a
sword, why, it's--it's worth a hundred of 'em. Look at yours. A
regular toothpick to go out and fight with!"

With a disdainful toss of his head Tony picked up Phil's latest weapon
and drew it from the scabbard. Then, wiping its blade upon the tail of
his tunic, he thrust it back and set about getting other matters ready.
A handful of dry chips enclosed in a sack were placed in the middle of a
small collection of sauce-pans and cups. Over these a couple of
blankets and a small sheet of oiled canvas were laid and then rolled
tightly. That done, the faithful fellow went across, to another tent,
and returned with an extra rifle and bayonet. A large ammunition-pouch
accompanied it, and in addition Tony provided his master with a
haversack, into which a piece of bread and some half-cooked pork were
thrust, so that, if by chance he were separated from his men and the
bivouac, he would yet have something with which to keep away the pangs
of hunger.

An hour later twenty-five men of the 30th foot fell in, their blankets
over their shoulders, and canteens slung from their belts. Then Phil
emerged from his tent, looking smart and soldier-like in his new
uniform. A hasty inspection having satisfied him that each man was
provided with ample ammunition, and prepared for a night's outpost duty,
he gave the order to march, and, slinging his rifle across his shoulder
with a freedom and ease which told his men that he was well used to it,
and had lately been one of themselves, he strode down the hill, and,
crossing a wall of stone known as the "barrier", which practically shut
the mouth of the valley, he led his small command straight on towards
the Russian camp.

"Halt!" he cried as soon as he had reached a spot much broken by
boulders and overgrown by brushwood. "Now, my men, you will go on duty
every two hours, one half relieving the other at the end of that time.
You will post yourselves in a wide circle, some twenty paces apart from
one another, and stretching well across the valley. If anyone hears a
noise, he will inform those on his right and left and then come and let
me know. I may tell you that trouble is expected. If it comes, stick
to your positions to the last, and then fall back upon the barrier.
That will be our rallying-place. Now, let the rear rank fall out and
choose a good