p to defend the place. You had better die by the
spear of a Malay. Go to the guard-room now; and mind, if any words pass
between you and Private Sim--"

"Quick, sir, the alarm!" cried Gray, pointing out beneath the stars.
"The enemy!"

"Fire, sentry!" cried Captain Smithers; and the report of a rifle rang
out on the still night air, for the Malays were advancing in force.

Fresh shots were fired on all sides as the men turned out, and were at
their various places in a very few moments, the wisdom of the captain's
commands being manifest; and as he saw Private Gray go down on one knee
and begin firing, with careful aim, at the advancing enemy,--"He's no
traitor," he muttered; "and I never doubted him at heart."

He had no time for further thought, for the attack had become general,
and the Malays seemed furious, striving hard to gain an entry, but
always encountering one or two bayonets at every point, till, after half
an hour's fierce struggle, they drew back, leaving a number of dead and
wounded around the place.

The defenders of the little fort drew breath at this, and as the firing
ceased, the major's wife, with Rachel Linton and her cousin, came round,
first with refreshments for the exhausted men, and, as soon as they were
distributed, began to bandage those who were wounded.

It was while they were busy over this task, that in the darkness Rachel
Linton came upon a man leaning against the breast-work, gazing
attentively out at the position of the enemy.

"Are you wounded?" she asked; and at her words Private Gray started
round and faced her.

"Only slightly," he said, "in body--but deeply in spirit."

"Let me bind your wound," said Rachel Linton, hoarsely, and her voice
trembled as she spoke.

"Which?" he said bitterly, as they stood alone.

"Let me bind your arm," she said quietly now, as she drew a long breath.

"It is but a scratch," he said carelessly, "a spear thrust."

Without another word Rachel Linton slit open the sleeve of the jacket he
wore, and deftly bandaged the double wound, for the thrust had gone
right through Gray's arm. Then rising, she stood before him for a
moment or two.

"You asked which wound would I bind up, Adam Gray," she said sadly. "I
have bound up one. If my words will help to bind up the other, let me
tell you that I do not believe the foul charge made against you."

The rifle fell against Gray's wounded arm as he caught the speaker's
hand in his, and raised i