ll, sir."

"Yes, Gedge," said Bracy drearily; "it is all downhill now to the end."

"You ain't listening to me, sir," cried the lad. "Do put that glass
away, sir, and we'll have a try."

"A try? What! to get down below? You try, my lad; but there is the
terrible risk of being cut to pieces by the enemy if they see you."

"Don't begin that again, sir, please. You know I won't leave you, but
let's have a try."

"I am helpless, my lad--as helpless as a figure half of lead."

"But I ain't, sir," cried Gedge. "The sight of our lads below there
seems to ha' woke me up. I'm ready to die game; but I want to make one
spurt for life first."

"Why, Gedge," cried Bracy excitedly as he lowered the glass from his
eyes, "they're not our fellows after all."

"What, sir!"

"No; and there's a detachment down yonder coming from the east. I can
almost see that they're doubling to get up in time."

"From the east, sir? Then the Colonel ain't retreating?"

"No.--Hurrah!"

"Hoorray!" roared Gedge, joining in.

"They're the Ghoorkhas, Gedge. They must be a thousand strong."

"Then one o' the messengers must ha' got to them after all."

"Yes; that must be it, Gedge; and they surprised the enemy's camp at
dawn."

"That's it, sir!" yelled Gedge. "Hoorray! hoorray again! Then there is
life in a mussel after all."

"They've scattered this force, Gedge, and the fort will be relieved, for
the bravo little fellows will cut their way through all."

"Yes, sir. Now then, sir, you needn't hardly move. There's a bit o'
slaty stone yonder as'll do, and all I want of you, sir, is for yer to
sit still upon it, and nuss the rifles while I steer you down to the
truck."

"Right in among the enemy, my lad?"

"Right through 'em, sir. They're on the run, and won't dare to stop to
go at us. I never heard of a nigger as'd stand a moment when a Ghoorkha
was coming after him with his crooked knife."

"Let's try," said Bracy, setting his teeth. "Life is sweet, my lad."

"Even without sugar, sir. Why, bless your 'eart! there's a lot of it in
us both yet, sir. This here's nothing to what we've been and done."

Wild with excitement now, Gedge fetched the heavy slab of stone, almost
as much as he could lift, drew it close up behind Bracy, and placed his
arms under the young officer's shoulders.

"Now, sir," he said, "you set your teeth just as if the doctor was going
to use his knife."

"What are you going to do?"

"Draw y