out, and the gallant
regiment advanced along the right bank of the river as fast as the front
was cleared, but at a severe cost, for the hills and patches of forest
and rock swarmed with the enemy, and but for the abundance of cover the
attempt must have failed. But by a series of rushes and their deadly
fire the brave little fellows won their way on till well into the
afternoon, when farther progress seemed impossible, the enemy's leader
holding a patch of cedar forest most determinedly with a dense body of
men. All this Bracy knew, for Gedge, in spite of his wound, was active
enough, and kept his officer well furnished with accounts of their
progress; but his face looked grave as, in obedience to Bracy's
question, he told him all.

"Yes, sir," he said, "we're in a very tight place; and the Colonel here
is looking a bit down in the mouth. The little chaps are raging about
being kept back, and if he'd let 'em go they'd kill till they couldn't
lift those head-choppers of theirs; but as soon as one's shot or cut
down a dozen seems to spring up, and the place swarms with white-gownds,
as if they'd quite made up their minds to kill us to a man before we can
get to the fort. There, sir--hear that?"

"Yes, I hear," said Bracy, breathing hard. "It means an attack on the
rear."

"That's it, sir. We're surrounded; and if it weren't for that rushing
river being so full they'd come swarming over, and we should be done."

Further conversation was put an end to by the order to advance, after a
brief halt to rest and refresh the men, the Ghoorkha Colonel seeing that
the enemy must be dislodged from the forest in front at any cost. It
was a desperate business, and could only be achieved at a terrible loss,
for the river and precipitous rocks on either side put a stop to all
idea of turning the enemy's flank. A bold dash was the only chance, and
this was about to be attempted, while the rear of the regiment was being
terribly harassed by the enemy closing in.

The last arrangements had been made, and the swarthy little fellows, so
long held in by the tight rein, were trembling with excitement as they
stood together in shelter, with fixed bayonets and kukris, waiting to
make the rush. The bugle was being raised to the holder's lips to sound
the advance, when a thrill of joy surged through the British leaders'
breasts, for the help they needed came in the nick of time.

A sharp volley was fired from behind the dense patch