their progress.

"That's got him," cried Bracy excitedly as he watched a man, who at the
great height looked a mere dwarf, step into full view, carrying a block
upon his shoulder.

This he heaved up with both hands above his head, and was in the act of
casting it down when three rifles cracked, and he sprang out into space,
diving down head first and still grasping the stone, to pass close over
the marching men, strike the stony edge of the shelf, and shoot off into
the deep valley below.

The horrible fall seemed to impress the covering party strangely, and
for a brief space nothing was heard but the irregular tramp of the
passing men.

"That's put a stop to their little game," whispered Gedge.

"Look out! fire!" growled the Sergeant; and a couple more of the enemy
fell back, after exposing themselves for a few seconds to hurl down
stones.

"Serve 'em right, the cowards," said Gedge, reloading. "If they want to
fight, why don't they come down and have it out like men?"

"I say," whispered his neighbour on the left, "you hit one of them."

"Nay, not me," replied Gedge.

"You did."

"Don't think so. Fancy I hit that beggar who pitched down, stone and
all. I felt like hitting him. But don't talk about it, pardner. One's
got to do it, but I don't want to know."

"No," said Bracy, who overheard the words and turned to the lad, "it's
not pleasant to think about, but it's to save your comrades' lives."

"Yes, sir, that's it, ain't it?" said the lad eagerly.

"Of course," replied Bracy.

"And I ought to shoot as straight as I can, oughtn't I?"

"Certainly."

"Hah!" ejaculated Gedge, and then to his nearest comrade, "I feel a deal
better after that."

The stony bombardment continued, and Bracy watched every dislodged block
as it fell, feeling a strange contraction about the heart, as it seemed
certain that either it or the fragments into which it splintered must
sweep some of the brave lads steadily marching along the shelf, horribly
mutilated, into the gulf below.

But it was not so; either the stones were a little too soon or too late,
or they struck the side and glanced off to fly whirring over the line of
men and raise echoes from far below. For, after certainly losing four,
the enemy grew more cautious about exposing themselves; and as the
minutes glided by it began to appear as if the regiment would get past
the dangerous spot without loss, for the baggage mules and heavily-laden
camels were