ifle
across his lap, fast asleep, and quite oblivious of the fact that his
messmate stood close beside him, panting with rage and disgust.

"You scoundrel!" he cried in a low, passionate voice. "Do you not know
that the punishment may be death for sleeping at a time like this?"

As he spoke he struck the sleeper heavily upon the head with the butt of
his rifle, and Sim started up and grappled with him, just as a dozen
Malays sprang out of the darkness, and made at the defence between them.

The struggle between the two was but brief, for Gray threw Sim off, and
brought his bayonet to bear against the Malays, forgetting in his
excitement to load and fire, so that it was Sim's rifle that gave the
alarm.

For the next few minutes the two men fought side by side, their bayonets
keeping the Malays back every time they strove to enter the place, and
driving them off successfully till help came, and two or three volleys
did the rest.

"How was this? How did it happen that you did not see the enemy
approaching sooner, Private Sim?" said Captain Smithers, sternly.

Sim trembled for his life, knowing as he did that over matters of
discipline the captain was a stern man, and that he must expect no mercy
for his fault if Gray spoke out, and told all he knew; so he exclaimed
hastily, and with a malicious look at Gray,--

"How could I, sir, when there are traitors in the camp?"

"Traitors! What do you mean?"

"I mean a traitor, sir! Private Gray there came up behind me, leaped
upon me, and held his hand over my mouth to keep me still, while he
whistled to the Malays to come in by the opening, there."

"You lying--"

"Silence, Private Gray!" cried Captain Smithers, and all that was evil
in his nature came to the surface, as he felt that here was an
opportunity for disgracing, if not putting his rival to death; and a
strange feeling of savage joy animated him for the moment. "Silence,
Private Gray!" he cried. "Speak out, Private Sim. Do you mean to
assert that this man served you as you say?"

"Look at me, sir!" cried Sim, showing his disordered uniform. "That was
done in the struggle; and I did not fire as soon as I could have
wished."

"Show me your rifle, Sim," said the captain.

Sim held out his piece, while, choking with rage and astonishment, Gray
stood speechless in their midst.

The piece was examined, and it had just been discharged.

"Show me your piece, Gray," said Captain Smithers.

Gray held i