anxious to
understand all about the war. I'd be sure and call you when you are
wanted. I am not greedy about having all the fighting to myself. You
shall have your share."

"Very well," said Marcus, and selecting a place that seemed a little
less hard than the stony ground in their close neighbourhood, and where
he was not likely to be trampled upon by any of the chariot horses, he
threw himself down, but started up again in alarm with his hand seeking
his sword, for a big lump of stone dimly-seen in the darkness suddenly
seemed endowed with life, springing up to give itself a rough shake, and
assuming the form of a big dog.

"Why, Lupe, you here?" cried Marcus, laughing. "Look here, Serge; he
was lying here curled up, asleep. Where's he been all the time?"

"Taking care of himself and waiting for us to come back, I suppose.
There, do you want a lesson in campaigning, boy?"

"No, not to-night, thank you. You said I was to go to sleep."

"Of course; and here's your lesson all the same. Make Lupe lie down,
and use him for a warm, dry pillow. Not a bad thing at a time like
this. A deal better than a horse, for it isn't always you can get them
to lie down, and a horse's hoofs are rather bad company if he gets
restless in the night."

Half irritably in his exalted state Marcus turned away with a gesture of
annoyance.

"Down, Lupe! Lie down!" growled the old soldier; and as the dog
obediently subsided on the rough ground, the boy thought better of it,
sank upon his knees, and then awkwardly in his armour adjusted himself
so that he could lay his face with his cheek in the rough hair about the
dog's neck.

There was something comforting and friendly in the deep, satisfied sigh
Lupe gave, holding quite rigid as he stretched himself out, while Marcus
said to himself:

"Oh, this is stupid! I shall never go to sleep like this;" and he lay
staring right before him at the indistinctly seen chariot with its pair
of horses standing together, one or the other every now and then giving
an impatient stamp or whinnying softly.

Beyond them and their driver all was dark confusion, out of which came
murmurs of voices, the jingling of armour, and a suggestion of people
passing to and fro.

And then the darkness seemed to lighten and horses were tearing along at
full gallop with the enemy in front, and Marcus gave a sudden start, his
sharp movement producing a low remonstrant growl from his pillow.

"What was that?