ead cake."

"So would I, Samson," said Fred, smiling.

"And them enemies with my brother are all riding comfortably back to
feast and sleep; and while we're camping cold and miserable on the
hills, they'll all be singing and rejoicing."

"I hope they are thinking more of the poor wounded fellows they will
have to pick up on their way back. Hallo! Look! Steady there. Halt!"

He passed the word received from the front, for half a mile ahead, on
one of the hills, a scout was signalling.

Fresh men were sent forward, and as the signals evidently meant danger
ahead, the general hurriedly took up a position of advantage, one which
gave him the choice of advance or retreat.

"Dismount!" was the next order, so as to rest the horses as much as
possible.

"More fighting," said Samson, in a low, grumbling tone. "Well, if one
don't get enough to eat, one get's enough hard knocks, and I never felt
miserly over them. Look here, Master Fred, are we going to have another
scrummage?"

"Hush! Yet, I think so."

"So do I, sir," said Samson, taking up his belt another hole. "Very
well, then; I'm that hungry, that I'm regularly savage now, and this
time I mean to hit with all my might."

"Silence, there!" said a deep stern voice, and General Hedley rode along
the regiment, scrutinising his little force, and waiting the return of
the men sent out before deciding whether he should make a bold advance
or a cautious retreat.

The horses took advantage of the halt to begin cropping the tender
growth around, and as Fred listened and watched the movements of the
scouts far away on the hillside, it seemed hard to realise that he was
in the midst of war, for high overhead a lark was singing sweetly, as it
circled round and round, ever rising heavenward; and at his feet there
was the regular tearing sound of the grass.

These recollections of home and peace came back as, with a look of
boyish pleasure on his face, Samson pointed to the lovely little copper
butterflies flitting here and there, their dotted wings glistening in
the sun.

"Look at 'em, Master Fred," he whispered; and then stood with his hand
upon his horse's withers, the stern man of war once more, as his master
made a gesture bidding him hold his peace.

For quite half an hour they stood there by their horses' sides, every
minute being of value in the rest and refreshment it afforded the weary
beasts.

The scouts could be seen following up, as it were, the mo