king here and there they could make out
that there was a rough track to right and left, comparatively free from
snow, and if this were followed to the right there would be travelling
which would necessitate their waiting for daylight, since it was all in
and out among huge masses of stone.

"We couldn't get along here, sir, very fast," said Gedge after making a
few essays.

"No, it is impossible now," replied Bracy. "It would be a dangerous
way, too, for it must, as we saw, cut the valley when; the enemy will
come out."

He stood looking back and around him, to see that the darkness was
lightened by the strange faint glare from the ice and snow around him;
then, turning, he crossed the ridge of broken rocks and tried what the
slope seemed like upon the other side, to find that it was a
continuation of that up which they had toiled, and apparently much the
same, the gradual curve upward to the mountain being cut by this band of
rocks.

"Forward again, Gedge," he cried. "This must be right, for we are
getting a trifle nearer to our journey's end, and more out of reach of
our pursuers."

"Then it is right, sir; but I suppose we shall get a bit o' downhill
some time."

They tramped on for the next hour, but not without making several halts,
three of which were involuntary, and caused by more or less sudden
slips. These were saved from being serious by the quick action of
driving dagger-like the bayonet each carried into the frozen snow; and
after repetitions of this the falls seemed to lose; their risky
character, the man who went down scrambling to his feet again the next
instant and being ready to proceed. The still air was piercingly cold,
but it only seemed to make their blood thrill in their veins, and a
sense of exhilaration arose from the warm glow which pervaded them, and
temptingly suggested the removal of their woollen _poshtins_. But the
temptation was forced back, and the tramp continued hour after hour up
what seemed to be an interminable slope, while fatigue was persistently
ignored.

At last, though, Bracy was brought to a halt, and he stood panting.

"Anything wrong, sir?" whispered Gedge hoarsely.

"No; only that I can get no farther in this way. We must fix bayonets,
and use our rifles as staves."

"Right, sir."

"Be careful not to force your barrel down too far, so as to get it
plugged with the snow," said Bracy; and then, as soon as the
keen-pointed weapons were fixed, he started on