n if
he were to meet M'Cracken at Donegore. He did what he could. He went
to and fro through the ranks, speaking quiet, brave words. Donald Ward,
cool and determined as ever, talked of the American war.

"You're young at the work, yet," he said to the disheartened men. "Wait
till you've been beaten half a dozen times. It was only by being beaten,
and standing up to our beatings, that we won in the end. I remember when
I was with General Greene in the Carolinas----"

The men listened to him and listened to Hope. Their spirit began to
return to them. The ranks closed up. The march grew more regular, but
the straggling did not altogether cease. The lure of home, the thought
of rest after struggle, was too strong for some of them. Neal marched
near the rear of the column. He had no thought of deserting a beaten
side, of trying to save himself, but he knew that he could not go on for
very long, and that he would not be able to reach Donegore. The boy whom
he supported leaned heavily on him, until he almost had to carry him.
The strain became more and more severe. He gave his musket to a comrade
to carry for him. He lifted the boy upon his back and staggered on.

After nearly an hour's march Hope called a halt. Half a mile behind them
on the road was a body of dragoons advancing rapidly. Hope drew his men
up across the road, the few pikemen who were with him kneeling in front,
the musketeers behind them. The dragoons came on at a trot. Then a word
of command was given by their officer, and they galloped forward. Hope
waited, and only at the last moment gave the word to fire. Horses and
men fell. The charge was checked. A few staggered forward against the
pikes. Most turned and fled. A wild cheer burst from Hope's men. Without
waiting for orders they rushed after the retreating dragoons. The misery
of defeat was forgotten for a moment. They tasted the joy of victory
again. But the horsemen rallied, turned on their pursuers, and rode
through them, cutting with their sabres. Neal, who had sat down on the
roadside after firing his musket, saw Hope trying to recall his men, saw
Donald Ward far down the road gather a few pikemen round him and stand
at bay. The dragoons, who had had enough of charging pikes, dismounted,
unslung their carbines, and fired. Neal saw his uncle fall. Hope
reformed his men and bade them load again, but the dragoons had no taste
for another charge. Their officer was wounded. They turned and rode back
tow