relieve the fort before it is too late, I shall soon begin
to mend. It is horrible, this delay, and no news."

"No news, sir?" said Gedge, staring. "Didn't the doctor tell you?"

"The doctor? I have not seen him this morning."

"But he's been here, sir. He said you were in such a beautiful sleep
that you warn't to be woke up, for it was doing you no end of good."

"But he said something?" said Bracy anxiously. "Have we had news?"

"Tip-top, sir. One of the little Ghoorkha chaps got back soon after
daylight--one of the three that was sent different ways."

"But the news?"

"He got into the fort, sir, and brought a despatch from the Colonel."

"Yes, yes," said Bracy breathlessly.

"They was all well, but hard up for everything, 'speshly ammynition; but
they could hold out for three days; and as soon as we come up he's going
to make a sally and attack the Dwats in the rear.--Oh, sir, it is hard,
and no mistake!"

"Thank Heaven!" cried Bracy softly. "There, my lad, I can lie and rest
now."

"Yes, sir, that's the worst of it."

"It is hard--the worst of it?" said Bracy wonderingly. "What do you
mean?"

"You and me, sir, having to lie up and be out of all the fun."

"Oh, I see," said Bracy, smiling, and with the careworn look seeming to
die out of his thin face. "Well, I think we have done our share."

"Did you hear the firing last night?"

"I? No. Was there an attack?"

"A big un, sir; but the enemy was driven back everywhere, and left a lot
of dead behind. I never see such fellows as these little Ghoorkha chaps
is to fight."

"If they can only cut their way through to the fort, Gedge, there will
be nothing then to fear, for Colonel Graves will hold the place, against
any number that can be brought against it."

"And they will, sir," cried Gedge proudly; "nothing can stop 'em.
They've got so much dash and go in 'em. There's going to be a big fight
to-day, for the hills seem dotted with white-coats as far as you can
see; and in an hour's time I hear we're to advance, so as to get the job
done before it's dark."

Gedge's news was correct: and in an hour the column was in motion, the
order coming to advance in skirmishing order, with ample supports, and
no following up of the enemy was to be attempted, the sole object, being
to reach the fort before night, and trust to the future for giving
adequate punishment for all that had been done.

The orders of the officers were splendidly carried