sir," said Bracy, as Roberts looked on in wonder.

"I have been thinking that a mule would help your journey at the first.
What do you think?"

"I think not, sir," said Bracy quietly. "We should be better free to
climb anywhere. A baggage animal would tie us down to tracks."

"Quite right. Go as we arranged.--Roberts," he continued, turning to
the Captain, "Bracy is going to take a despatch for me. He starts
directly."

"Directly, sir?" said Roberts, looking aghast.

"Yes; he has his instructions. You can have half-an-hour with him
before he starts; but you will ask no questions, only help him in any
way you can to start without delay, while I am keeping the enemy well
employed at this end of the valley."

"Yes, sir."

"After Bracy has started you can bring your company along the upper
track to act as a reserve, and cover us if it is necessary when we
retire. That will do."

The two officers left the Colonel's quarters and hurried out.

"My dear boy," cried Roberts excitedly, "this is horribly sudden. Had
you any idea of it before this morning?"

"Not the slightest," said Bracy gravely.

"Glad of it, for I should have been hurt if you had not told me."

"But you will not be hurt now? You heard what Graves said."

"I was not to question you? Yes. Still, you have some confidences to
make?"

"Not one, old fellow."

"But surely--it is such a risky thing. Oh! it is preposterous; he ought
not to have sent you. It is like sending a good man and true to his
death."

"The Colonel thinks it best, and I agree with him. As to the risk--is
it not risk enough to stay?"

"But Bracy, old fellow, if--"

"If," said the young man calmly. "Soldiers should not talk to one
another about the `if.' Let that be."

"Tell me this, though: are you satisfied to go?"

"Quite. Help me to get off--"

"I will; but--"

"By being silent, and then putting everything in one good grip of the
hand."

"I see," he said, accompanying Bracy to his quarters. "Now, what can I
do?"

"Send for Gedge."

"What for? Surely you have not chosen him for your companion?"

"I have. The Colonel said he could not spare you."

"Ha! That's better, old fellow. I was beginning to feel horribly set
aside."

"I was to have one of the men for my companion. Can you suggest a
better?"

"No," said Roberts, and he hurried out to seek the lad, who was standing
in line with his fellows of the company, looking gloomy and
disco