r there was a smooth
open part in front of the notch, which backed right into the side; and
the stones across the path, front and rear, formed capital breastworks
for the dismounted men who lined them, all the horses having been turned
into the gap in the huge wall, where they were quite out of the line of
fire.

"Splendid!" said the Sergeant to me, as we waited to take our turn at
the defence.

"But we shall be attacked on both sides," I said. "Oughtn't we to get
in there with the horses?"

"No, you recruit, you," said the Sergeant. "We shall be between two
fires; but don't you see how the enemy will be crippled? Every shot
that goes over us, whether it's upward or downward, goes among the
Doppies. They're firing at us, but at their own friends as well."

"Of course," I replied. "I did not see that."

"I didn't at first," he said; "but our Colonel's got his head screwed on
the right way, and the position is famous. Well, why don't you say
`Hurrah!' or `Bravo!' or something of the sort?"

"Because I don't feel satisfied," I said.

"You young fellows never are," said the Sergeant. "What's the matter
with you now?"

"We can hold out, of course," I said, "as long as our ammunition lasts;
but what about afterwards?"

"Bother afterwards!" he said sharply; "a hundred things may happen
before it comes to afterwards."

"Then, if they determine to hold on, they can force us to surrender."

"Never," said the Sergeant; "so no more croaking."

"But what about provisions?"

"Every man has his rations in a satchel."

"But water?"

"Every man has his bottle well filled, my lad."

"But when the water-bottles are empty and the food is done? What about
feeding the horses? What about watering them?"

"Yah!" growled the Sergeant savagely. "Call yourself a volunteer? What
do you mean by coming here prophesying all sorts of evil? Do you want
to starve the horses and see 'em die of thirst? Here, I say, my lad,"
he whispered, "don't let any of the boys hear that. You've hit the weak
point of the defence a regular staggerer. You're quite right; but we
must hold on, and perhaps after a good peppering they'll draw off. If
they don't, it means forming up and making a dash, and that's what the
Colonel won't do if he can help it, on account of the loss."

I had no more time for talking, for directly after I was ordered to take
my place behind one of the stones to make the best use I could of my
rifle in keepin