mped on at a fair distance from the rear of the
baggage-guard, keeping a sharp lookout for enemies in pursuit, feeling
little anxiety about the rugged eminences up to their left, knowing as
they did that they would have ample warning of danger by an attack being
made somewhere along the line whose extreme rear they were protecting.

Their task was comparatively easy now, for their two wounded men had
been passed on to the baggage-train, so that they could be in charge of
the ambulance men and have the benefit of the Doctor's help. A shot
came now and then from behind, showing that the enemy were in pursuit;
but no mischief was done, a return shot or two from the rear files, who
retired in skirmishing order, silencing the firing at every outbreak.
Every step taken, too, now was more and more downward, and the keen
winds, sharpened by the ice and snow, which had cut down the ravines at
the higher part of the pass, were now tempered by the warm afternoon
sunshine, which bathed the tops of the shrubs they had looked down upon
from above, the said shrubs having developed into magnificent groves of
cedars, grand in form and towering in height.

These last were for the most part on the farther side of the now verdant
valley--verdant, for its rocky harshness was rapidly becoming softened;
even the shelf along which they tramped began to be dotted with alpine
flowers, which gave the march the appearance of having lasted for
months, for the morning; had been in part among mountains whose
atmosphere was that of a sunny day in February. Now they were in May,
and according to appearances they were descending into an evening that
would be like June.

Matters were going on so quietly now that the two officers found time
for a chat at intervals, one of which was as they passed a
formidable-looking spot where the thickly scattered stones and marks of
lead upon the rocks showed that it must have been the scene of one of
the attacks made by the enemy from the rocks above. But there was no
sign of them now, the only suggestion of danger being the presence of a
score of their men left to keep any fresh attack in check, and who
retired as soon as the rear-guard came in sight.

"This must be where the Major had to clear the way," said Roberts as he
scanned the heights with his glass.

"Yes," replied Bracy; "and I hope he was as well satisfied with the boys
as we were."

"Shame if he wasn't," cried Roberts. "Pooh! don't take any noti