le _melee_), the only man who still kept
near him was his covering-sergeant. All this while the fire from the
Russian guns on the hill-side grew heavier and heavier, while the cruel
grape-shot ripped through the mingled masses of friends and foes: making
sudden, unsightly gaps here and there, just as may be seen in a field of
ripe corn "laid" by the lashing hail. The good horse on which Keene was
mounted had not been out from England long enough to suffer materially
in wind or limb; he was in very fair condition, and had carried his
master splendidly so far, with equal luck in escaping any serious
injury. Five hundred yards more would have placed them in safety, within
the position where the Heavy Brigade was already moving up to cover the
retreat of their comrades, when the Templar, going at top-speed, pitched
suddenly forward, as a ship does when she founders; and, after rolling
once half over his rider, lay still, with limbs just faintly quivering.
Two grape-shot, making one wound, had crashed right into his chest and
through the heart.

His covering-sergeant was within three lengths of Royston when the
latter went down: he pulled up and sprang down instantly, and was by his
officer's side in a second, trying to extricate him.

"Hold up, Major," he said cheerily; "that's nothing. Take my horse.
He'll carry you in; and I can manage well enough."

The strong soldier reeled, from sheer weakness, as he was speaking; for
the blood was spouting in dark-red jets from a ghastly cut in his bridle
arm: yet he seemed to see nothing in his offer but a simple act of duty;
though men have won a place in history for meaner self-sacrifice. One of
the most remarkable peculiarities about the Cool Captain was the hold he
maintained over the affections and impulses of those with whom he was
brought in contact, without any visible reason for such influence. He
was the strictest possible disciplinarian; and his demeanor toward his
subordinates was consistently dictatorial; yet the present case was only
one instance of the enthusiasm with which they regarded him.

Keene looked up at the speaker wistfully, from where he lay; and his
face softened in its set sternness.

"You're a good fellow, Davis," he said; "but I would not avail myself of
your generosity if I could. I can't take much credit for refusing it. My
thigh is broken; and I am hurt besides. I couldn't keep the saddle for
ten seconds. Draw my right gauntlet off, and take my ri