. But I say, Serge, will there be more snow higher up the
pass?"

"Most likely, boy; and I want to get at the job of fighting our way
through it. We ought to be going on. Hallo! Hear that?"

"Yes. What does it mean?"

"It's the reason why we with the horses are not pushed on. That's what
I was afraid of."

"Afraid?"

"There, don't take a man up short that way," growled Serge. "I didn't
mean afraid; I meant expected. The enemy have attacked our men right up
yonder in the front, and they've got us between them. Well, all the
better. Something for us to do, and keep us warm."

"But I was hoping that we might be pushed on now."

"So was I, boy, but it won't be yet," growled Serge. "I say, don't let
your mouth get watering for the new bread and warm milk just yet."

"No," groaned Marcus, rather piteously.

"But it will be all the nicer and sweeter when it comes, boy. I say,
there was only one thing that could possibly have happened to make us
worse off."

"What, having to fight in this snow, Serge?"

"Nay, that would have warmed us, lad. I meant, come on to snow."

"Snow at this time of year?" cried Marcus.

"It snows up in the mountains at all times of the year, boy," growled
Serge. "Down below in the plains it only rains, but up here it snows;
and here it comes, and someone else too. I expect things are going
wrong in the rear, or else he has heard the attack in front, and has
come to see."

For a blinding and dense squall of snow came raging through the pass,
leaving horsemen and chariots as white as their chief, whose horse came
churning its way through the hail-like coating that stood half way up
the wheels, close to which its rider reined in.

"Find it cold, my lads?" he cried cheerily, and was answered by a chorus
of assent.

"Well, I've brought you up news to warm you. The men below are holding
the enemy in check, and they have begun to retire, which means to
support us and drive those back who are trying to stop us at the head of
the pass. Make ready. Ah, my boy, you there? Well, are you tired of
seeking your father?"

Marcus shook his head.

"Well," said the captain, "tired or not there is no going back, for you
could not cut through two or three thousand of the enemy alone. There,
we shall soon be through this frozen pass, and making our way down into
the sunny plains. Winter now, and summer this time to-morrow. Ready
there, advance!"

As their chief spoke loudly, Ma