e grade was several feet above the forest
floor, and the hundred-pounds rails were almost sufficiently high to
provide what further protection was necessary so long as he did not
raise any part of his body. But lying still was against every
precedent. Torrance felt an uncontrollable desire to curse the bohunks
with appropriate gesture, to jeer at them when they missed him, to
return their fire when the bullets struck unpleasantly close to his
ears on the ringing steel.

But when one made a rumpling dart through his hair, and another exacted
tribute from a vengeful finger, he concluded that vengeance might well
await a safer opportunity. So he hugged the rails, though his face was
red with shame.

When two hours of aimless fighting had spent themselves and daylight
was promising, Mahon began to take stock. Would the light of day
impose an end? He was not hopeful. The bohunks knew there was no
relief for the besieged, day or night, unless a supply train came
through. That contingency Koppy would no doubt have provided for by
tearing up the track to east and west. And to drop the siege would not
save the leaders. The Sergeant knew now that the attack had long been
in plan, and every chance would be provided for. Daylight would make
no difference, except that the bohunks would be more careful of their
cover. Chagrin that he had not read their plans, and concern for the
effect of daylight, were not his only emotions. Also there came for
the first time twinges of uncertainty as to the outcome. It was a
matter of life and death to the leaders of the attack to see that it
was maintained until accidental hits, lack of ammunition, fear, or the
hopelessness of prolonged resistance, induced the defenders to
surrender. The Sergeant wished now that he had sent Williams off to
try and reach the ticker at Mile 135, or to make a break for help from
the western camps. But Koppy would certainly have cut the wires, and
any attempt to go for help would only have weakened the defence. The
Pole had proven his brains by the precautions they already knew of; he
would probably omit few.

The Indian called to him from the grade, and Mahon unlatched the door
and let him in. Grabbing another handful of cartridges, the Indian got
the stable key and dashed away through the back door. A moment after
he disappeared in the stable the two defenders of the kitchen saw a
pair of bohunks run out into the dim morning light and make at ma