e start, and in any case, they had the advantage on their own
rough soil. The squadron overtook them--breathless and eager--just as
the final stragglers plunged into a lateral cleft, which would hold
the darkness for another half-hour at least.

Further pursuit was out of the question; and, by way of consolation,
the foremost sowars were ordered to dismount and open rapid fire in
the direction of the fugitives. Groans, curses, and the thud of
falling bodies testified to its effect; and with laconic murmurs of
satisfaction the men remounted, and rode on up the rapidly narrowing
gorge.

By now, along the silver snows to eastward, the great change had
begun. The sky was blue above them; and the last of the stars had
melted in the onrushing tide of light, which had already awakened the
sandstone peaks to the warm hue of life.

The party mounted the ascent at a foot's pace to ease their horses;
and Desmond's eyes and mind, being as it were "off duty," turned
thoughtfully upon the Boy who rode at his side, a very incarnation of
good health and good spirits. It seemed that the outcome of his
critical inspection was approval, for it ended in a nod that confirmed
some pleasant inward assurance. During the past few weeks Denvil had
proved himself thoroughly "up to the mark";--hot-headed but reliable;
square and upright in mind as in body; a fine soldier in the making.
He had not yet arrived at the older man's keen mental interest in his
profession; but closer intimacy with Desmond had kindled in him an
answering spark of that idealism, that unswerving subordination of
self to duty which justifies and ennobles the great game of war. He
coveted action, risk, responsibility--three things which the Staff
Corps subaltern, especially on the Frontier, tastes earlier than most
men; and which go far to make him one of the straightest specimens of
manhood in the world. In Denvil's eyes the whole expedition was one
tremendous spree, which he was enjoying to the top of his bent; and
Desmond, remembering the good years of his own apprenticeship, could
gauge the measure of that enjoyment to the full. He felt justified in
expecting great things of the Boy, and decided to work him hard all
through the hot weather;--in his eyes the highest compliment a man
could pay to a promising junior.

"By the way, Harry," he said suddenly, as the defile, deep-sunken
between towering rock, loomed darkly into view, "I've got a word of
encouragement for yo