wn a crack-like gully and the
rocks above them rose like battlements continued with wonderful
regularity, forming a dangerous set of strongholds ready to conceal an
enemy who could destroy them by setting loose stones in motion, or,
perfectly safe themselves, pick the men off at their leisure.

"I shall be heartily glad to get on to open ground again, Graham," said
the Colonel.

"My heart has been in my mouth for the last two hours," was the reply.
"We can do nothing but press on."

"And trust to the rocks up there being impassable to the enemy, if there
is one on the stir."

"Yes; I don't think he could get up there," replied the Major; "but
there is an enemy astir, you may be sure."

"I suppose so. The fact of a force like ours being at their mercy would
set all the marauding scoundrels longing. Well, we have done everything
possible. We're safe front and rear, and we can laugh up here at any
attack from below on the right."

Just about the same time Bracy and his friend Roberts were tripping and
stumbling along with their company, the slowness of the baggage giving
them time to halt now and then to gaze in awe and wonder at the
stupendous precipices around and the towering snow-mountains which came
more and more into sight at every turn of the zigzag track.

"I suppose the Colonel knows what he's about," said Bracy during one of
these halts.

"I suppose so," replied Roberts. "Why?"

"Because we seem to me to be getting more and more into difficulties,
and where we must be polished off if the enemy lies in wait for us in
force. Why in the world doesn't he try another way to Ghittah?"

"For the simple reason, my boy, that there is no other way from the
south. There's one from the north, and one from the east."

"That settles the question, then, as to route; but oughtn't we to have
flankers out?"

"Light cavalry?" said the Captain grimly.

"Bosh! Don't talk to me as if I were a fool. I mean skirmishers out
right and left."

"Look here, young fellow, we have all we can do to get along by the
regular track."

"Irregular track," said Bracy, laughing.

"Right. How, then, do you think our lads could get along below there?"

"Yes; impossible," said Bracy, with a sigh; and then glancing upward at
the towering perpendicular rocks, he added, "and no one could get along
there even with ropes and scaling-ladders. Well, I shall be precious
glad to be out of it."

"There, don't fret. I expect we sh