again, feeling strongly that it was more perilous to stand
still than to go on, with every step taking him nearer to safety.

There was an intense desire burning within him to try and run, but the
rugged path forbade that, and he tramped slowly on with his load, with
the air seeming to his heated imagination to be thick with the falling
missiles which came hurtling around.

"The next must do it," he found himself muttering, as he went on with
what, though only a matter of minutes, seemed to be a long journey,
before, coming confusedly as it were out of a dream, he heard the
cheering of his men, and Sergeant Gee and three more relieved him of his
load, while the crash and rattle of the falling stones seemed to be far
behind.

"Hooray!" A tremendously hearty British cheer--only that of a company,
but as loud it seemed as if given by the whole regiment; and the next
thing out of the confused dream was the feeling of his hand being
grasped, and the hearing of his brother officer's voice.

"Splendid, old man!" he whispered. "Talk about pluck! But what's the
matter? Don't say you're hurt?"

"No--no, I think not. Only feel a bit stunned."

"Then you're hit by a stone?"

"No, no. There, I'm better now. Here! That poor fellow Gedge! I hope
he isn't killed."

They turned to the little group of men who surrounded poor Gedge, now
lying on his back, with Gee upon one knee bending over him, and trying
to give him some water from his canteen.

"Dead?" cried Bracy excitedly.

"'Fraid so, sir," replied the Sergeant. "Stone hit him on the 'elmet,
and I expect his head's caved in."

"Bathe his face with a handful of the water," said Bracy sadly. "Poor
lad! this was horribly sudden."

Both he and Roberts looked down sadly at the stony face so lately full
of mischievous animation, and in view of the perilous position in which
they stood and the duty he had to do, the Captain was about to order the
men to make an extempore stretcher of their rifles and the Sergeant's
strong netted sash, so that the retreat could be continued, when Gee
dashed some water in the prostrate lad's face.

The effect was marvellous. In an instant a spasm ran through the stony
features. There was a fit of coughing and choking, and as the men
around, always ready for a laugh, broke out, the supposed dead opened
his eyes, stared blankly, and gasped out:

"Stow that! Here, who did it? Here, I'll just wipe some one's eye for
that, here,