a sheep as me
before."

"It was my fancy, Gedge," said Bracy. "They belong to the party whom we
scattered yesterday, and they've been following on our track. Quick! we
must have first fire."

The last words had not quitted his lips when Gedge's rifle cracked, and
the danger was averted, for the man's long gun dropped from his hands as
he sprang up, crawling though he was, into a curious position on
all-fours, rolled over on to his side, and them back again, to spring to
his feet, and run as hard as he could after his companions, who had
already taken to their heels.

"That's a bad shot, and no mistake, sir," said Gedge.

"The best you ever made, Gedge," cried Bracy; "for it has done all we
required."

"Took him in the arm, sir, and spoiled his shooting for a month, I know.
As good as killing him, I s'pose."

"Better," said Bracy. "We don't want the poor wretch's life; only to
save our own. Now, what next? We'd better lie still for a bit to see
if they rally and come on again."

"Yes, sir," said Gedge, watching the retreating party, and fiddling with
the sighting of his rifle--"five hundred yards--six--eight,"--and last
of all "thousand. I think I could send a bullet among their legs, sir.
Shall I? Let 'em see that they'd better keep their distance."

"Try and scatter the stones close to them," replied Bracy. And as he
lay upon his chest, with his feet raised and legs crossed, Gedge took a
long and careful aim, pressed the trigger gently, and the next moment
the retreating party bounded apart, scattering, and running swiftly on.

"Another good shot," said Bracy; "though I could not see where it
struck; it is evident that it did strike close to their feet."

The glass was in the young officer's hand, and he followed the enemy's
movements with it, seeing the little party close up again, and then make
for a ridge in the distance--one which threatened to conceal them as
soon as it was passed; but there was something else to see, for all at
once the solitude of the elevation was broken by a figure springing into
sight, to be followed by a large group, who began to descend slowly to
meet the retreating four; and of their movements Bracy kept his
companion aware with a word or two at intervals, without changing his
position or removing his glass from his eye.

"They're close together now--the last man has joined them--they're
looking in this direction--they've turned round, and are going up the
slope agai