g up and down.

Bracy felt as if he would have given anything to have been able to utter
a low "Hah!" of relief, as he breathed long and heavily, instead of
crouching there nearly suffocated by holding it back; for he knew that
the slightest movement, the faintest sound, must result in the man,
evidently the leader, turning sharply, sword in hand, to discover the
pair lying so close.

"I should have a bullet through him 'fore he could lift his sword," said
Gedge to himself; "but what's the good o' that? Twenty or thirty would
be upon us before we could get away, and a nice condition we're in for
that! Why, I feel like a fat sheep at Christmas. Couldn't run if I
wanted to, and I don't, 'less he runs fust, and he won't, I know. Know
him too well."

Bracy's thoughts were many as he crouched there. He wanted to feel
decisive; but the weary walk, heavily-laden as he was, had dulled his
brain a little, and he could not come to a conclusion as to whether it
would not be best to take the initiative and attack at once, trusting to
their sudden appearance and the shots they could be creating a panic;
for it was not likely that the enemy would imagine such an attack would
be made unless by a force at least equal to their own.

The idea was tempting; but, on the other hand, it seemed madness to make
so wild a venture; and he was giving it up, when they were both startled
by half-a-dozen of the party who were going and coming stopping short
just in front of their leader, to begin taking out some blackish-looking
cakes. Then others beginning to join them, they looked round, and a
couple of the party pointed to the rocks behind which Bracy and Gedge
were hidden.

That was fatal, and from the movement which followed it was evident that
they were about to make this their resting-place.

At the same moment Gedge's hand stole forward and touched his leader's
arm, when Bracy softly turned his head, to see his follower holding his
revolver in his right hand, signing as if asking should he use it.

Bracy did not delay his silent reply, for, quick as lightning, he had
realised that in another few moments they would be forced to fight in
defence, and that it was far better to take the initiative and make the
enemy believe that they had fallen into an ambuscade. He gave a short
nod, raised his own revolver, glanced at Gedge to see that he was ready,
and then roared at the top of his voice:

"Fire!"

Gedge's shot followed his s