y in which his arms were dragged to his side, was able to turn
the point of his sword upward, and give one thrust between the cord and
his breast, when the rope parted like tinder upon the razor-like edge,
and his enemies started back from the sweep of the terrible blade he
whirled above his head.

Staggered for the moment, they were preparing for a fresh attack when
Serge, uttering a deep growl like a wounded lion, sprang to his feet,
after snatching his sword from where it lay.

That was enough for the three Gauls, who turned at once and fled, for a
rank of the Roman soldiers was advancing, and as they closed up, Marcus
and Serge were free to take their places in the line once more as if
nothing had happened, and the advance guard steadily pressed on.

There was a fortnight's hard fighting carried on day by day, with a
succession of halts for the formation of camps in the strongest
positions that offered themselves as havens of refuge against a teeming
enemy which refused to be crushed and constantly swarmed round the
retiring Roman army, perfectly reckless of life, and apparently content
with the smallest advantages that they could gain.

Rolled back one day by a Roman charge, the Gauls gathered together again
during the night to attack and harass the retiring troops; but all was
in vain, for step by step Caius Julius carried all before him, and the
help that Marcus had been sent to seek gradually drew nearer to the
beleaguered force till one morning, as the army came into position to
continue its march, Marcus was passing along the ranks and halted by
Serge, who eagerly drew his attention to the glittering snow upon the
mountains a mile or two in front.

"See that?" he cried. "Why, before long we shall reach that stream and
be marching into that great hollow among the mountains where we stopped
that day with the chariot to see our general lead his men up into the
pass. Why, to-night we ought to be camping there amongst the snows; and
a nice change too, my boy, for its been rather hot work for about a
fortnight now."

"Yes," said Marcus, quietly; "but according to the tidings the scouts
have been bringing in all through the night, the Gauls are swarming in
that great amphitheatre between here and the pass, and all promises for
the biggest fight that the army has yet had."

Serge took off his helmet and rubbed one ear thoughtfully, as he gazed
straight before him in the direction of the pass.

"Well," he sa