Fire steadily," said Bracy hoarsely, "and we may cheek them."

"Right, sir. Quick, too, for the beggars on the left are closing in to
help."

A couple more shots were fired, and another man went down, and then
there was a yell of rage and an order from one of the party, with the
result that all dropped upon their faces, checked, and began to fire at
the pair crouching behind the stone, made to look bigger by Gedge's
_poshtin_ lying in a little heap on the top.

"It's all right, sir; they couldn't hit a haystack. Their hands are all
of a tremble with climbing. We're right enough. I hit that chap."

Proof was given, for one of the enemy started up, dropped his long
jezail, and fell backwards.

"Keep on firing steadily, Gedge," said Bracy huskily. "I must open upon
that group on our flank. They're coming on."

"Then we're done, for, sir," said the young soldier. "But mind this,
sir; I die game, though you did call me a coward last night."

"I did, Gedge, and it was a cruel lie, my lad. Fire away. I wish I had
your pluck. Look here."

"Yes, sir.--One for you," growled Gedge as he fired again.--"I'm
listening, but I can't look. Hit him, sir?"

"Yes," said Bracy. "Look here."

"Can't, sir."

"Then listen. When it comes to the worst--one grip of the hand, my lad,
before we go."

Crack--crack!

Two more shots in answer to the scattered fire of the enemy, whose
bullets whistled over their heads, seeking billets in the snow around.

"Won't be long, sir, I'm afraid," said Gedge. "No, I ain't afraid--not
a bit. But those chaps are coming on faster. 'Tain't climbing, sir,
now."

"No; they'll be upon us before five minutes have passed. Turn your
rifle upon them, my lad, for two or three shots, and we may check them
too."

Before Gedge could change his position a scattered volley from below
somewhere rattled out, and the flanking-party coming on needed no
checking, some of them falling dying or wounded, while the remainder
threw themselves down and began firing, some at their pursuers below,
the rest at Bracy and Gedge.

"Hoorray, sir! Didn't I say there was life in a mussel? The Ghoorkhas
are at 'em. Look, sir, there's about a dozen of 'em lying down to cover
the advance, and another dozen coming on with their knives. Let's show
'em how to shoot, sir. It 'll help the little chaps, too, when they
charge."

It was as Gedge said; and as shot after shot was sent with good aim, the
party of t