ur of momentary
exaltation.

And at last,--despite the catastrophe of a stampede among the
ammunition and ambulance mules, which left them poorer by four thousand
rounds and their field hospital,--the preliminaries were accomplished.
Covered by the sharp rifle practice of the infantry and sowars, men,
animals, and stretchers retired, without precipitation or disorder,
along the narrow lane, bounded by stone walls and rugged hills swarming
with a jubilant enemy. For at the first signs of evacuation the
Mahsuds came out in greater numbers; harrying and pressing in upon the
dogged little column on all sides, yet rarely offering a mark for
riflemen; their lithe bodies and marvellous activity enabling them to
find cover almost anywhere.

It was heart-breaking work: for, in the soldier's vocabulary, there is
no more unwelcome word than retreat; notwithstanding the fact that a
retreat which covers all ranks with honour and glory is perhaps the
finest achievement possible in the great game of war. Certain it is
that the progress of Norton's broken escort through that veritable
death-trap, to the _kotal_ where a second stand might prove feasible,
was carried out by officers and men with the indomitable coolness and
spirit that converts failure into 'an honourable form of victory.'

It is such crises which test the mettle of our native troops: adding
fresh proof, if more were needed, of the magnificent fighting material
that India has given into our hands. For Colonel Montague had again
lost consciousness; and Martin having been shot in the calf as he
entered the lane, the task of carrying out all the details of the
retirement fell upon the senior Native officer, Subadar Hira Singh,
under Desmond's orders. He and Norton, bearing the joint burden of
responsibility, kept close together. The surface cynicism of the
civilian had been burnt up in the fire of healthy savage action; and at
odd moments, when ordinary speech was possible, his admiration for the
conduct of all concerned vented itself in disjointed ejaculations of
approval that warmed the cavalryman's heart.

"Wait till I make out my report of all this," he said on one occasion.
"Be sure you Piffers will get all the kudos you deserve."

And five minutes later, he fell--shot through the body--into Desmond's
arms.

"Nothing . . nothing serious," he protested, while his face wried with
pain. "Don't delay matters . . on my account. I can pull along
somehow, if yo