ere was a dead silence, the men looking at one another and then back
along the stone-strewed track, only a third of which was visible. But
there was no sign of the missing man, and after a word or two with his
brother officer Bracy doubled back, followed by Sergeant Gee, till they
had rounded a bend of the track and could command the whole distance.
As they halted to examine the road, another stone fell from above,
struck the road, and then bounded off into the valley.

"There he is," cried Bracy excitedly, thrusting his sword back in its
scabbard. "Just beyond where that stone fell."

"Yes, sir; I see him now. It's all over with the poor lad. Here, sir;
don't, sir. What are you going to do?"

"Do? Fetch him in," said Bracy sharply.

"No, sir; don't, sir. It's like going to a 'orrid death," faltered the
Sergeant, whose face was of a clayey hue. "You mustn't go, sir. You
ought to order me to fetch him in, and I will if you tell me."

"I'm not going to tell our lads to do what I daren't do myself," said
Bracy coldly. "They can't see us here--can they?"

The Sergeant glanced upward, but the view in that direction was cut off
by projecting masses of stone.

"No, sir; they can't see us here."

"Then here goes," cried the young officer, drawing a deep breath and
pressing his helmet down upon his head.

"No, sir; don't--" began the Sergeant in tones of expostulation; but he
did not finish, for before the second word had left his lips Bracy was
bounding along as if running in an impediment race, leaping masses of
stone, avoiding others, and making for where he could see the motionless
figure; of Gedge still grasping his rifle and lying face downward among
the stones.

A yell arose from above as Bracy bounded into view, and stones began to
fall again; while, upon reaching the fallen man, the young officer,
completely ignoring the terrible peril in which he stood, bent down,
passed his arms about the waist, raised him, and with a big effort threw
him over his shoulder; and then turned and started back, carrying the
poor fellow's rifle in his right hand.

The yells from above increased, and before Bracy had gone half-a-dozen
yards of the return journey there was a loud _whish_, and he stopped
short, for a block of stone struck the path not a yard before him, and
then bounded off. For a moment or two Bracy felt mentally stunned by
the close approach of a horrible death; then, recovering himself, he
strode on