ts came rushing up the eastern
slope of the hill, to find their pathway encumbered with bearded men
in frock-coats and bandoliers. On top of the crest, surrounded by
the wounded and the dying, sat a single man in khaki, the light of
victory in his gleaming eyes, and Paddy's lifeless body clasped in
his weary arms.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

"Yes," Carew said meditatively; "I wish there had been glory enough
to go around. As long as there wasn't, though, I am glad it was
fated to fall to your share."

Weldon hurled a little black stone at a great black rock.

"Not so much glory, after all."

Carew raised his eyes and apostrophized the dark gray clouds rushing
across the paler gray arch of the sky.

"Just listen to the man! What can he be wanting? 'Not so much
glory!' And he recommended for a V. C.!"

Weldon shook his head.

"What does it profit a man," he paraphrased; "if he gain the V. C.
and lose one of his best friends? Besides, I didn't gain it; it was
fated. Paddy was as brave as I, and so were half a dozen more of
them. It was only chance that brought me through the bullets."

"Poor Paddy!" Carew's tone was full of thoughtful regret.

"Not poor at all. He had the end we all are wishing for. He died
with his boots on, and fighting pluckily for a forlorn hope. We
can't mourn a man that we envy."

Half way to the distant sky-line, the horses of the squadron were
grazing peacefully over the stubbly grass. The corporal and the
third of the troopers appointed to guard them were far away towards
the crest of a ridge to the westward, and Carew and Weldon were
alone. Carew sat silent for a moment, his eyes on the scattered
groups of horses. Then he turned and looked directly at his friend.

"Perhaps," he assented. "I was sorry to be out of the scrimmage. It
took all my grit to obey you, old man; but it was an order. Now it
is over--"

"Well?" Weldon prompted him.

"Now it is over, I am less sorry than I was. The fact is, the future
holds a good deal for us."

"For you, perhaps."

"For you, too. The whole future of a man doesn't go to wreck in an
hour. There are other crises later on, and some of them are bound to
come out well. Save yourself for those, Weldon. There is no especial
use in throwing yourself away."

"I'm not. But, when the order comes, I must obey it," Weldon said
gloomily.

"It depends something on the order; but it depends a good sight more
on the way you obey it. When a man com