or the ghostly glare of the snow, all
was very dark.

"We seem to be going into the most dangerous place," whispered Bracy,
with his breath coming thickly.

"And that's the very place they'll never think we should hide in, sir,
if they were likely to think we were going to hide. No, sir: their keen
eyes 'll just make out them two 'elmets, and they'll think o' nothing
else but driving their long knives into them as wears 'em, from behind.
I do hope we shall hear 'em blunting the points against, the stones."

"Have you everything?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then, forward! Go fifty paces slowly over the snow. I shall follow
close behind you in your steps."

The snow yielded, so that they were knee-deep, but it was still loose
and so sand-like in its grains that as each foot was withdrawn the icy
particles flowed together again into each freshly-made hole.

Five minutes later the adventurous pair lay softly down, and rolled over
and over a few times, before lying prone upon their chests, each with
his head towards the invisible helmets, and near enough to whisper or
touch one another with the hand. Their rifles lay by their sides, with
the cartouche-boxes handy: and, in case of a close attack, their
revolvers were in the right sides of their belts, half dragged round to
the back, while each held his dagger-like bayonet in his band.

"Do you feel the cold, Gedge?" whispered Bracy.

"Cold, sir? Why, I'm as hot as hot. This work's too warm for a fellow
to feel the cold. Do you, sir?"

"No; my face burns as if with fever, and every nerve tingles with
excitement. There, we must not even whisper again."

"Right, sir."

"The first moment you hear a sound of any one approaching, touch my left
arm."

"Right, sir; but hadn't I better lie t'other side of you? They'll come
that way."

"They'll come from all round at once, my lad. There, don't be afraid.
If we are going to have trouble, I dare say you will get your full
share. Now, silence; and when they come you must hardly breathe."

Then silence ensued, and seemed to Bracy the most oppressive that he had
ever encountered in facing danger. For the solemnity of the night in
the great mountains was brooding over them, out of which at any moment
death, in the shape of a keen knife, might descend. There was not a
breath of air, but an icy chill dropped down from above, making the snow
crystals turn sharp and crisp, crackling softly at the slightest
movement. But the