towards the body of their friends, who were coming
rapidly on, but before they had gone a score of yards the firing from
the enemy recommenced, and--spat! spat!--the bullets struck the stones
close at hand.

"Oh, I say, sir, this is too bad!" groaned Gedge. "I did think we
should do it now. Never mind. Britons never shall be slaves, and I
will do it after all."

There was a rattling fire opened at once on the sides of the gorge,
completely crushing that of the hill-men; and a few minutes after, as
Gedge tramped on with his load, it was to be met by a burst of cheers,
and a score of his comrades came racing on to his help. It was just
then that a final shot came from somewhere behind, and poor Gedge
started violently, staggered forward, and the next moment he would have
gone down heavily with his burden but for the ready help of a dozen
willing hands.

Directly after a distant cheering was heard. Roberts and his company
were coming back.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

WOUNDS.

The enemy had been driven off with heavy loss, but the little victory
had been dearly-won. Several men had been wounded, and most serious to
all seemed to be the fact that among them was the gallant young officer
who was liked by every man in the regiment. So it was that the march
back to the great fort was made in silence; and when a few of the enemy,
encouraged by what they looked upon as a retreat, hung about the rear
and harassed the retiring column with shots from the heights, they paid
dearly for being so venturesome. For Captain Roberts, leaving a little
party in hiding to wait till the enemy showed in their pursuit, listened
with a grim smile upon his lip till there was a sudden outburst of
firing, and then tramped on with the remainder of his company, keeping
as much as he could by the mule ambulance which was bearing his friend
back to the fort.

Within half-an-hour the little firing-party overtook the rear of the
column, and Roberts halted till they came up to him.

"Well, Sergeant?" he said.

"All right now, sir," said Gee, who looked what the men called ugly. "I
think we've brought 'em all down."

"You're not sure, of course?"

"Well, pretty nigh, sir. There ain't been a shot since."

"Good. Be on the lookout. I hate for our poor fellows to be harassed
like this."

"It's horrid, sir; but, begging your pardon, sir, how's Mr Bracy?"

"Bad, Gee, bad. I'm afraid he is shot through the lungs."

Sergeant Gee's brow w