and it comes natural to him. What
am I growling at myself for? I didn't set him to run away. He came of
himself, and if I hadn't done the same he'd have been here all alone
without me to watch over him, take his part, and help him, same as he
did me when I was attacked. Why, after all, everything's gone right and
happened as it should. We are in for it, and must go on. But this
won't do; I mustn't go to sleep." And springing up, the old soldier
took a few steps up and down like a sentry, before stopping short and
going down on one knee, steadying himself the while by means of his
spear, and bending over Marcus, who was sleeping heavily, his breath
coming regularly as he lay there deaf to everything that was going on
around, while the dog uttered a low whine and lifted his heavy tail
slowly, to beat with it softly upon the ground.

"He's all right," said Serge, and he backed away again, to march up to
the horses, pat them, and then say a word or two to their driver, who
was lying upon his back just in front, sleeping heavily and quite
unconscious of Serge's presence.

The latter took another turn or two up and down, thinking deeply the
while.

"Yes," he said softly, "what I told the boy's about right, and I can
tell him some more to-morrow, for out here in the darkness and silence
all my old soldiering seems to be coming back. We are a sort of
rear-guard, that's what we are, and it's our job to keep some miles
behind the main army, to prevent the enemy from closing in and harassing
our troops, besides seeing that they carry out the general's orders and
bring up the food and forage they as a conquered people are ordered to
supply. Conquered people!" he said, with a contemptuous ejaculation.
"Why, it's like digging a channel through a bed of dry sand. I know
what this country is. If we go on like this for a few days we shall be
right in amongst the mountains, full of holes and hiding-places where
the enemy can lurk, and as fast as they are driven off they will be like
dry sand, as I said, and come running back again."

Serge went and bent over Marcus again to satisfy himself that the boy
was sleeping deeply, and uttered a low grunt that might have been
learned of the swine he tended at the farm.

"Do him no end of good," he muttered--"strengthen his legs." And he
began to walk up and down again, pausing once or twice to pat the horses
and growl at the driver, who was sleeping hard with his mouth wide open.