irectly after in search of something, till a movement on the part of
their rescuers enabled him to see Gedge, to whom he feebly held out his
hand.

"Much hurt?" he said faintly.

"Tidy, sir. Smarts a lot; but I don't mind, sir. Say you've not got it
bad."

"Bad enough, my lad; but we've won."

Gedge turned to the officer with a wild, questioning look in his eyes,
for Bracy sank back, half-fainting.

"A bad, clean cut; that's all," said the officer, smiling encouragement.

"But it ain't all, sir," cried Gedge passionately. "He's badly hurt
besides. Crippled in the leg."

"Ah! and you fought like that! Well, we must get him down to the
doctor; he is not far below. Ambulance party here."

"Beg pardon, sir; why not lay him on the stone again, and let him slide
down easy? I can ride, too, and steer."

"I don't understand you, my lad," said the officer, looking at Gedge as
if he thought him wandering.

He soon did comprehend, though; and the little Ghoorkhas cheered with
delight as, with Bracy lying upon the sheepskin-coats, the stony sledge
went gliding slowly down the slope, half-a-dozen of the little fellows
forming its escort, and ready to check it from breaking away, till the
end of the snowfield was reached, and the two sufferers were soon after
being well tended by the doctor in the temporary camp.

This was near the fir-wood hold by the enemy the night before--the
enemy, after heavy loss, having been scattered far and wide.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

HOW THE FORT WAS SAVED.

It was on the third morning after Bracy and Gedge had been with the
Ghoorkhas, who were in camp in a natural stronghold of the upper valley,
resting before making their final advance to the fort. Gedge, with his
arm in a sling, and a frost-bitten foot, which made him limp about the
little tent they shared by the doctor's orders, was looking anxiously
down at his officer, who lay perfectly helpless, appearing terribly thin
and worn, but with a bright look in his eyes, which augured well for his
recovery.

"Yes, sir; you look a deal better," said Gedge in answer to a question:
"and, of course, the doctor ought to know; but I don't think you ought
to be so weak."

"Wasn't it enough to make me weak, my lad?" said Bracy in a faint voice.
"Why, I have hardly a drop of blood left in my body."

"Course not, sir; and you do eat and sleep well."

"Yes, my lad; and if we can only cut our way through these swarming
wretches, and