dge of the snow as they could, and watched
the two bodies of men to right and left till they were hidden by the
inequalities of the ground; but they came into sight again and again.
About midday the two parties were seen to meet, and then come to a halt,
about a mile from where Bracy and his companion crouched, as usual, in
among some loose rocks, in the unenviable position of being between two
fires, the enemy in the rear halting too, and making no effort to come
to close quarters after the lesson they had learned about the long,
thin, pencil-like bullets sent whistling from Gedge's rifle.

"Can you make out what they are doing, sir?" asked Gedge.

"Sitting together, and I think eating."

"That's what you said the others were doing, sir."

"Yes."

"Then wouldn't it be a good time for us to be having a refresher, sir?"

"Very good time indeed, Gedge, if you can eat," said Bracy meaningly.

"If I can eat, sir?" said Gedge, turning over his officer's words.
"Why, sir, I feel famished. Don't you?"

"No," said Bracy sadly. "I suppose the anxiety has taken away my
appetite."

"But you must eat, sir. Make your load lighter, too. There are times
when I feel as if I should like to eat all I want, and then chuck all
the rest away. One don't seem to want anything but cartridges; but
then, you see, sir, one does, or else the works won't go. I'm wonderful
like a watch, I am--I want winding up reg'lar, and then I go very tidy;
but if I'm not wound up to time I runs down and turns faint and queer,
and about the biggest coward as ever shouldered a rifle. I'm just no
use at all, not even to run away, for I ain't got no strength. Yes,
sir, that's how it is: I must be wound up as much as a Waterbury watch,
and wittles is the key."

"Go on, then," said Bracy, smiling; "wind yourself up, Gedge, and I'll
do the same."

"Thank ye, sir; that's done me no end o' good," cried the lad,
brightening up. "You've give me a reg'lar good appetite now."

Gedge proceeded to prove this fact at once, and his words and the
example set him had the effect of making his leader begin to eat a few
mouthfuls, these leading to more; and at the end of a minute or two both
were heartily enjoying their repast, although the prospect before them
seemed to promise that this would be the last meal of which they would
partake.

As they watched the enemy in front and rear they could only come to the
conclusion that it was as impossible to continue