ns?"

"Yes, mad as it is."

"Better try and join some of our men, where they are holding out, my
dear boy. This is going to be a terrible business, and we must all row
together and help one another."

"Yes," said Brace, "I am going to help; but I must have my guns first,
and remount my men."

Then hastily finishing his rough breakfast, he rose and went off to give
orders for an immediate start.

"Vincent, my lad," said the doctor, "we shall all be cut to pieces, I'm
afraid."

"Our chances look very bad, I'm afraid," I replied.

"Hold your tongue, sir," cried the doctor. "You are not afraid of
anything. I said I was, but I'm not a fighting man. We're in for it,
and are going to do our duty. My great trouble is about poor Craig.
That man's a gentleman."

"Hist!" came from close by among the trees.

"Eh? who was that?"

"Only me, doctor--Craig."

"Bah! I had forgotten him. You heard?"

"Yes, sir," said the wounded sergeant faintly, as we went to his side,
and he smiled up at me. "I heard you blacking my character behind my
back. Never mind about the past. What about Sergeant Craig?"

"Well, what about him, sir? He's going to get better."

"Afraid not, doctor. I heard the captain say that we march directly. I
couldn't even ride if I had a horse. Hadn't you better put me out of my
misery at once?"

"If you talk nonsense like that to me, sir," cried the doctor, "I'll
give you the nastiest dose you ever had in your life."

"But I can't walk."

"Of course not; but there are plenty of good men and true to carry you,
so hold your tongue, and get better as fast as you can."

"But--"

"Silence, sir! or I'll put a bandage on your mouth, as well as on your
arm."

Poor Craig smiled at me, and closed his eyes.

Half an hour after our men were found all refreshed and rested, and
looking ready to do any deed of valour, or follow their leader to the
death. The order was given, and in the lightest of light
marching-order, save that there was the litter to carry, on which poor
Craig had been laid, when one of the sentries still on guard, but with
orders to fall in on the rear when we marched, reported the approach of
a party of the people of the city.

Brace ordered the men to lie down while he focussed his glass, and
examined the men from the edge of the tope, afterwards handing the glass
to me as I watched the white-clothed party about a quarter of a mile
away, evidently making straight for th