found it, yer honour."

"Stole it, you mean. Get off this instant, or I'll give you up to the
provost!" And, so saying, Hyde put out his hand to seize the reins.

"Avast heaving there, commodore," said Jack, digging his heels into
the horse, and lifting it cleverly just out of Hyde's reach. "Who
finds keeps. Pay up, or you shan't have him. Why, I deserve a pound
for looking after the dumb baste."

Hyde looked around for help, but no one was in sight. He was not to be
baulked, however, and made a fresh attempt to get alongside the pony.
But each time the sailor forged a little ahead, and this tantalising
game continued for half-an-hour.

At last, disgusted and despairing, Hyde thought it better to make
terms. He was losing valuable time.

"I give in, you rogue! Pull up, and you shall have your money."

"Honour bright, guv'ner?"

"Here it is," said Hyde, taking out the money.

"It's a fair swap. Hand over the money."

"No; you give up the pony first."

"I shan't. That's not my way of doing business."

"You shall!" cried Hyde, who had been edging up towards the sailor,
and now suddenly made a grab at his leg.

He caught it, and held it with an iron grip. But Jack was not disposed
to yield quietly. With a loud oath, he struck viciously at the pony's
side with his disengaged foot.

It was a lively little beast, and went off at once, Hyde still
clinging tenaciously to his prey.

But Jack was determined not to be beaten. With one hand he tried to
beat off Hyde, and with the other incited the pony to increase its
pace.

In the end Hyde was thrown to the ground, and received two nasty
kicks--one in the forehead, the other in the breast--from the heels of
the excited horse.

The sailor got clear away, and our friend Hyde was picked up senseless
half-an-hour later by a passing ambulance-cart, and carried back to
camp.

* * * * *

THE THIN RED LINE.

VOLUME II

CHAPTER I.

SECRET SERVICE.

McKay, on returning to the Crimea, had resumed his duties at
headquarters. He was complimented by Lord Raglan and General Airey on
the manner in which he had performed his mission.

"Matters have improved considerably in the month or two you were
absent," said the latter to him one day. "Thanks to the animals you
got us, we have been able to bring up sufficient shot and shell."

"When is the new bombardment to take place, sir?"

"At once."

"And the attack?"

"I c