ut don't you mind. It's too high
up to be dangerous, I know. Now, then. Amb'lance dooty. Must
practice; I ain't forgot that."

Gedge gave a sharp look round and up and down the defile, before laying
down his gun and taking out a bandage and some lint.

"Hold still, sir," he said, drawing his breath through his teeth
afterwards with a hiss, as he rapidly stripped open his officer's
jacket, and then tore away the shirt, to lay bare his white breast,
where, just below the collar-bone, an ugly red patch showed itself.

"Sponge and cold water," muttered Gedge; "and I ain't got 'em." Then
aloud: "That hurt yer, sir?" for he was examining the wound.

"Never mind that; go on," said Bracy faintly. "Plug the wound."

"Right, sir. Jus' going to.--One o' their ugly bits o' hiron," muttered
the lad as he stopped the effusion of blood in a rough-and-ready way
which must have been agonising to the sufferer, who, however, never
winced.

"That's done it, sir; but I must turn you over to fasten the bandage."

"Go on," said Bracy in a faint whisper.--"Hah! the firing's getting more
distant."

"Yes, sir; they're driving 'em right out of it this time, and we not in
it, and--oh, a mussy me!" whispered the speaker now, as in his
manipulations he became conscious of the fact that his task was only
half-done, for there was the place where the ragged missile had passed
out close to the spine, and the plugging and bandaging had to be
continued there.

"That's good, sir," he said cheerily. "You won't have the doctor
worriting you to get the bullet out, as he does with some of the lads.
Now, then, a drop more water, and then I'm going to get you up yonder,
more out of the sun, so as you'll be more comf'table till they come
back."

"Yes!" sighed Bracy. "I can't help you, my lad. Listen! they're firing
still."

"Oh yes, sir; they're doing the job proper this time. Shots is a good
way off too. How they eckers, and--Hullo!" Gedge gave a sudden start,
snatched at his rifle, and looked up the defile in the direction where
his companions had passed, for there was a report from close at hand
following upon the small stones close to his side being driven up, and
he was watching a puff of smoke slowly rising high up the left
precipitous side, finger on trigger, ready for a return shot, when--
whiz--something like a swift beetle in full flight passed close to his
ear, and he ducked down, simultaneously with an echoing report from th