lain, and gave chase to the
foe.

"Not so badly done," said Jack, with a quiet laugh, as he laid his hand
on Peterkin's shoulder.

"Why, Jack, how did you find me out?"

"Easily enough, when it is considered that I saw you go in. The flame
of your wild-fire indicated your movements pretty plainly to me,
although terror and amazement no doubt blinded the eyes of every one
else. Even Mak's teeth began to chatter when he saw you perform that
singular descent of the hill, and no wonder. I hope no bones have been
broken?"

"No; all right as far as that goes," replied Peterkin within a laugh;
"but I've lost a good deal of skin. However, it'll grow again. I'm
glad it's no worse. But I say, Jack, do you think our fellows won't
overtake these rascals?"

"No fear of that. I took care to give them a good start, and if there
be any truth in the generally received idea that terror lends wings, I'm
pretty sure that each man in the enemy's ranks must have obtained the
loan of several pairs to-night. But have you heard the sound of Ralph's
guns?"

"No; the din here was enough to drown anything so distant."

"Well, we must away to him as fast as we can. I expect that poor Mak is
off before us."

"But you'll wait until I put on my clothes?" said Peterkin, hasting back
towards the place where he had undressed.

"Certainly, lad; only look alive."

Soon afterwards they left the place together.

While this was going on at the dell, I, on hearing the first shot, gave
the word "Forward!" in a low tone. My men instantly rose and followed
me, and I could not, even at that anxious moment, help admiring the
serpent-like facility with which they glided from bush to bush, without
the slightest noise. We descended a hill, crossed a small brook, and
approached to within thirty yards of the camp without being discovered.

Suddenly I leaped on the top of a hillock, and shouted at the utmost
pitch of my voice the single word "Halt!"

On hearing it all the men in the camp sprang to their arms, and stood
gazing round them with looks of consternation.

My next word was, "Fire!"

A firm, tremendous crash burst from among the bushes, and my single
person, enveloped in smoke and flame, was, I believe, the only object
visible to those in the camp.

"Hip, hip, hip, hurrah! forward!" I shouted; and with a ferocious yell
we poured like a whirlwind upon the foe.

The same result that had occurred at the dell took place here. The