e way effectually. "Halt!" they roared in
unison.

The main body of the advance came up with them.

"Who is he?" shouted the sergeant.

"We'll soon see! Here he comes!"

"Out of my way!" yelled a voice, as a foamed-flecked horse burst out of
the darkness like an apparition and bore straight down on them--his head
bored a little to one side, the red rims of his nostrils wide distended
and his whole sense and energy, and strength concentrated on pleasing
the speed-hungry Irishman who rode him. He flashed into them head-on,
like a devil from the outer darkness. His head touched a man's knee--and
he rose and tried to jump him! His breast crashed full into the
obstruction and horse and gunner crashed down to the road.

A dozen arms reached out--twelve horses surged in a clattering
melee--two hands gripped the reins and four arms seized the rider,
and in a second the panting charger was brought up all-standing. The
sergeant thrust his grim face closer and peered at their capture.

"Good--, if it ain't an officer!" he exclaimed. "I beg your pardon,
sir!"

And at that instant the section rattled, up behind them, with Bellairs
in the lead.

"Halt!" roared Bellairs. "What's this?"

"Bloody murder, arson, high treason, mutiny and death! Blood and onions,
man! Don't your men know an officer when they see one? Who are you? Are
you Bellairs? Then why in God's name didn't you say so sooner? What have
you waited for?

"How many hours is it since you got the message through from Jundhra?
Couldn't you see the barracks burning? Who am I--I'm Captain O'Rourke,
of the Thirty-third, sent to see what you're doing on the road, that's
who I am! A full-fledged; able-bodied captain wasted in a crisis, just
because you didn't choose to hurry! Poison take your confounded gunners,
sir! Have they nothing better to engage them than holding up officers on
the Queen's trunk road?"

"Supposing you tell me what's the matter?" suggested young Bellairs,
prompt as are most of his breed to appear casual the moment there was
cause to feel excited.

"Your gunners have taken all my breath, sir. I can't speak!"

"You shouldn't take chances with a section of artillery! They're not
like infantry--they don't sleep all the time--you can't ride through
them as a rule!"

"Don't sleep, don't they! Then what have you been doing on the road? And
what are you standing here for? Ride, man, ride! You're wanted!"

"Get out of the way, then!" suggested Bell