ribes-men in front was lessened by half-a-dozen before the
little Ghoorkha party came up within charging distance and made their
rush.

"Fix bayonets!" cried Bracy. "The enemy may come at us;" and the
little, dagger-like weapons clicked and clicked as they flashed in the
sunshine.

But Bracy and Gedge got in a couple more shots before their foes sprang
up to charge them. Then a couple more dropped as they came on, while a
volley from below rattled out and made their attack feeble and aimless,
though they reached their goal, one to make a slash at Gedge as he was
pinned by the lad's bayonet, while two more struck at Bracy. Then the
Ghoorkhas were upon them, racing over the snow, their crooked knives
flashing, and the remaining enemy were fleeing for their lives,
scattering far and wide, with their pursuers overtaking man after man,
whose white-coats made blots on the glistening snow, and many a terrible
stain. Then a whistle rang out as an officer came up to the stone at
the double, sword in hand.

"Hullo, here!" he cried; "who, in the name of wonder, are you? I
couldn't get up in time. My boys didn't do that?"

Bracy's lips parted, but no sound came.

"No, sir," panted Gedge; "it was the straight knives did it, not them
pretty little blades."

"I'm glad of that. I was afraid my boys had made a mistake. But who
are you?"

"Private Willyum Gedge, in the 404th Fusiliers; and here's my
lieutenant, Mr Bracy, sir. We was coming from the fort to fetch you."

"Ah!" cried the officer. "How is it with them there?"

"All right, sir; but hard pushed when we come away. Ain't got such a
thing as a doctor about yer, have you?"

"Yes, yes. My boys shall carry you down. All right," he cried as a
bugle rang out from below with the recall; and by that time the little
group were surrounded by some twenty of the active Ghoorkhas, for the
most part with a begonia-leaved kukri in hand, laughing, chattering, and
ready to dance with delight around the two British soldiers they had
saved.

Meanwhile their officer was down on one knee rendering first aid to the
wounded, the knife of one of the enemy having slashed Bracy's thigh,
which was bleeding profusely; and a havildar of the Ghoorkhas was
cleverly bandaging Gedge's left arm, chattering to him merrily in broken
English the while.

"Try and swallow a drop more," said the officer to Bracy, who was
reviving a little, and smiled his thanks, his eyes wandering round
d