he shouted, making his voice heard above the
enemy's firing, for his men now were making no reply. "_Continuez!
Continuez_!" he cried, and then dashed off forward again and, heedless
of the flying bullets, crossed to where his men were lying down behind
the two farther heaps of stones, evidently encouraging some of them to
occupy better places ready for the enemy when they made their attack in
force.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

KEEPING THE BRIDGE.

Slight as was the check--two shots only--the sight of a couple of their
men going down was sufficient to stop the advance of the attacking party
for a few minutes; but the firing continued in the blind, unreasoning
way of excited soldiery until the leaders had forced it upon the notice
of their eager men that they were firing down a wide gully-like spot
where, consequent on the curve, none of those they sought to shoot down
were in sight.

But this state of excitement lasted only a few minutes, and then, headed
by an officer, about a dozen of the enemy dashed into view.

"Now then," whispered Punch; but it was not necessary, for the two
muskets the lads had laid ready went off almost as one, and a couple of
the French chasseurs stumbled forward and fell headlong almost within
touch of their dead or wounded comrades.

Once more that was enough to make the others turn tail and dash back,
leaving their leader behind shaking his sword after them as they ran;
and then, in contempt and rage, he stopped short and bent down over each
of the poor fellows who had fallen.

Pen could see him lay his hand upon their breasts before coolly
sheathing his sword and stopping in bravado to take out a cigarette,
light it, and then, calmly smoking, turn his back upon his enemies and
walk round the curve and disappear.

"There, Punch," said Pen, finishing the loading of his musket; "don't
you tell me again that the French have no brave men amongst them."

"Well," said the boy slowly, "after that I won't. Do you know, it made
me feel queer."

"It made me feel I don't know how," said Pen--"half-choking in the
throat."

"Oh, it didn't make me feel like that," said Punch thoughtfully. "I had
finished reloading before he had felt all his fellows to see if they
were dead, and I could have brought him down as easy as kiss my hand,
but somehow I felt as if it would be a shame, like hitting a chap when
he's down, and so I didn't fire. Then I looked at you, and I could see
you hadn't open