Fix Bay'nets: The Regiment in the Hills

  CHAPTER ELEVEN.

  WHICH WAS BRAVER?

  "Steady, there; steady, my lads. Not too fast. Seize upon every bit ofshelter, and have a few steady shots at them. They're beaten, and weshall soon scatter them now."

  The lads were as steady as the most exacting officer could desire; andthough the two sides of the narrow, winding defile were lined with theenemy, who made good use of their clumsy jezails, of whose long rangeseveral of the Fusiliers had had bitter experience, the deadly firewhich searched out every sheltering crag was too much for the Dwats, whowere retiring as fast as the difficult nature of the ground would allow.

  Bracy felt that, the enemy was beaten, and knew that the fiercetribes-men would be only too glad to escape as soon as they could: butas the tight had gone against them, their supposed to be securehiding-places were one by one growing untenable as the Fusiliersadvanced; and consequently, as giving up was about the last thing theythought of doing, their action was that of rats at bay--fighting to thebitter end. The men of Roberts's company knew, too, what they must do--drive the enemy completely out of the defile, or they would returnagain; so, partly held back by their officers, they advanced by a seriesof rushes, taking possession of every bit of fallen rock for shelter,and driving their enemies on and on, farther into the mountains, fullyexpecting that in a short time they would completely take to flight.

  But disappointment followed disappointment. No sooner was one nichehigh up on the rocky sides cleared than there was firing from one on theother, and the work had to be gone through over again. Still theyadvanced, and the enemy retired; while the officers knew that sooner orlater, in spite of numbers, this must come to an end, for nothing couldwithstand the accurate fire of the young Englishmen whenever theyobtained a chance. Men dropped from time to time; but they had to liewhere they fell till the fight was at an end, some to rise no more;others, knowing as they did the nature of the enemy, managed to creep tothe shelter of a rock, where they laid their cartridges ready, and satback watching the faces of the defile in anticipation of some marksmanopening fire.

  The company was in full pursuit, under the belief that they hadcompletely cleared the defile as far as they had gone, when, in themidst of a rush led by Roberts and Bracy, both making for a roughbreastwork of rocks built a hundred feet up one side and held by two orthree score of the enemy, the latter uttered a sharp ejaculation,stopped short, and then dropped upon his knees, his sword, as it fellfrom his hand to the full extent of the knot secured by the slide to hiswrist, jingling loudly on the stones. Roberts was at his side in amoment, and leaned over him.

  "Not badly hurt?"

  "No, no," cried Bracy; "never mind me. On with you, and lead the boys;they're close up to that breastwork. On--on!"

  Roberts turned and rushed up the rock-strewn defile, reaching his men asthey crowded together for a rush, and Bracy and the man hurrying to himsaw them go over it as if they were engaged in an obstacle race. Thenext minute they disappeared round another bend in the jagged rift, infull pursuit of the late occupants of the murderous shelter.

  "And me not with 'em, and me not with 'em!" groaned the private who hadfallen back. "But I don't care. I ain't going to leave him."

  Before he could double back to where Bracy knelt, the wounded officersank over sidewise, with the rugged defile seeming to swim round beforehis eyes, and, for a few minutes, glory, the hot rage of pursuit, andthe bitter disappointment of failure were as nothing. Then he openedhis eyes upon the lad who was bending over him, holding a water-bottleto his lips.

  "Try and drink a drop, sir, if it's ever so little."

  The words seemed to come from a great distance off and to echo inBracy's head, as he made an effort and swallowed a few drops of thelukewarm fluid.

  "Gedge," he said at last with difficulty, staring hard at the lad, whosehead seemed to have gone back to its old state after the blow from thefalling rock, but only to swell now to a monstrous size.

  "Yes, sir; it's me, sir. Ought to have gone on with the boys, but Icouldn't leave you, sir, for fear of some of the rats coming down fromthe holes to cut you up."

  "Rats? Holes?" said Bracy feebly. "What's the matter?"

  "Not much, I hope, sir; on'y you've got hit. Whereabouts is it? Ah,needn't ask," he muttered as he saw a dark mark beginning to show on theleft breast of the young officer's tunic, and spreading like a big bloton a writing-pad.

  "Hit? Nonsense--ah!" Bracy uttered a low groan, and clapped his righthand across to cover the spot.

  "Yes, sir. Jus' there," said Gedge; "but don't you mind. It's too highup to be dangerous, I know. Now, then. Amb'lance dooty. Mustpractice; I ain't forgot that."

  Gedge gave a sharp look round and up and down the defile, before layingdown his gun and taking out a bandage and some lint.

  "Hold still, sir," he said, drawing his breath through his teethafterwards with a hiss, as he rapidly stripped open his officer'sjacket, and then tore away the shirt, to lay bare his white breast,where, just below the collar-bone, an ugly red patch showed itself.

  "Sponge and cold water," muttered Gedge; "and I ain't got 'em." Thenaloud: "That hurt yer, sir?" for he was examining the wound.

  "Never mind that; go on," said Bracy faintly. "Plug the wound."

  "Right, sir. Jus' going to.--One o' their ugly bits o' hiron," mutteredthe lad as he stopped the effusion of blood in a rough-and-ready waywhich must have been agonising to the sufferer, who, however, neverwinced.

  "That's done it, sir; but I must turn you over to fasten the bandage."

  "Go on," said Bracy in a faint whisper.--"Hah! the firing's getting moredistant."

  "Yes, sir; they're driving 'em right out of it this time, and we not init, and--oh, a mussy me!" whispered the speaker now, as in hismanipulations he became conscious of the fact that his task was onlyhalf-done, for there was the place where the ragged missile had passedout close to the spine, and the plugging and bandaging had to becontinued there.

  "That's good, sir," he said cheerily. "You won't have the doctorworriting you to get the bullet out, as he does with some of the lads.Now, then, a drop more water, and then I'm going to get you up yonder,more out of the sun, so as you'll be more comf'table till they comeback."

  "Yes!" sighed Bracy. "I can't help you, my lad. Listen! they're firingstill."

  "Oh yes, sir; they're doing the job proper this time. Shots is a goodway off too. How they eckers, and--Hullo!" Gedge gave a sudden start,snatched at his rifle, and looked up the defile in the direction wherehis companions had passed, for there was a report from close at handfollowing upon the small stones close to his side being driven up, andhe was watching a puff of smoke slowly rising high up the leftprecipitous side, finger on trigger, ready for a return shot, when--whiz--something like a swift beetle in full flight passed close to hisear, and he ducked down, simultaneously with an echoing report from theright side of the defile.

  "Just like 'em!" he muttered. "Oh, you cowards! Only just show yourmuzzles, and I'll let yer see what British musketry practice is like."

  But all Gedge saw was the gleam of a ramrod a hundred yards away, whereone of the hill-men who had kept to his coign of vantage was rapidlyreloading.

  "No good to stop here," muttered Gedge; "they'd be hitting him 'forelong. Me too, p'raps. Well, here goes."

  The lad rose upon his knees, took off his helmet and passed the strap ofhis rifle over his head and arm, slung it, replaced his helmet, andturned to Bracy.

  "Won't hurt yer more than I can 'elp, sir; but we can't stop here."

  "No; lie down, my lad. Get into cover, and wait till you can reply."

  A sharp report from below them stopped Gedge from answering, and thebullet flattened against the rock a yard from where the lad knelt.

  "Well, this is pleasant," he said, showing his teeth in a grin whichlooked as vicious as that of a hunted dog. "Urrrr!" he snarled, "if Ionly had you three down on the level with my bay'net fixed. Draw a bigbreath, sir. Up yer comes.
Now, then, you hold fast with yer right.Hook it round my neck, and don't get the spike o' my 'elmet in youreye.--Now, then, my lad; right-about face--quick march!"

  Gedge strode off with his load held in his arms as a nurse would carry ababy, and at the first step--bang! bang! and echo--echo--two shots camefrom behind, and directly after another from the front, but from theopposite side to the spot from whence the former shot had been fired.

  "Well, if they can't hit me now they orter," muttered Gedge as he strodeon with his heavy burden. "This is going to be walking the gauntlet ifany more on 'em's left behind on the sneak. Oh dear! oh dear! if I onlyhad a snug shelter and plenty o' cartridges I think I could stop thatlittle game.--Hurt yer much, sir?" he continued aloud after a few dozenyards had been covered. "Fainted! Poor chap! Better, p'raps, for hewon't know what's going on.--Go it!" he snarled as shot after shot wasfired; while, though he managed to get out of the line of fire of thetwo first enemies, he had to pass closer to the two next, who firedagain and again from their eyries far up the sides of the defile, thesenooks, fortunately for Gedge and his burden, having been reached fromabove--the perpendicular walls precluding all descent into the dried-uptorrent-bed.

  The young fellow was right; he had to run the gauntlet, for to hisdismay, as he tramped on with his load, he awoke to the fact that theDwats, who had retired from the upper shelves as the Fusiliers rushed upthe defile, were coming back to their hiding-places, and, warned by thefiring of their companions, were ready to harass the retreat.

  "I don't care," he muttered, "if I can only get him outer fire; but theymust hit one of us before long. 'Tain't possible for 'em to keep onwithout."

  Bang! and then bang! again, and the stones close by where the bravefellow trod were struck up, one of them giving Gedge a sharp blow on theknee.

  "Talk about hitting a 'aystack!" he snarled. "Why, I could make betterpractice with a indyrubber cattypult and a bag o' marbles."

  "Gedge--Gedge!" came from Bracy's lips in excited tones, for he hadslowly revived to a knowledge of their position.

  "Yes, sir; all right, sir. I know. I'd double, but the going is toobad."

  "Of course, my lad; impossible. But are you mad?"

  "Yes, sir; downright savage at the murderous brutes. This is their wayo' treating the wounded."

  "I didn't mean that, my man, but the way you're carrying me."

  Shot after shot came whistling and buzzing by them from behind as hespoke, but still without effect.

  "I'm carrying you all right, sir. Can't help hurting you a bit. It'seasy this way."

  "Nonsense, man. Set me down at once. I can stand. Then sling yourrifle in front, and take me on your back."

  "There they go, sir," said Gedge as another shot buzzed by, telling ofits rough shape. "They never did no pigeon-shooting, sir, nor practisedat sparrers from the trap."

  "Did you hear what I said, sir?" cried Bracy angrily. "Set me down, andget me on your back. I can hold on with one hand and leave yours free."

  "Couldn't use 'em if they was, sir."

  "Halt! Take me on your back at once, sir," cried Bracy, panting withanger and pain.

  "Can't, sir. Who's a-going to halt with them firing at us like thatfrom behind? Ain't I 'bliged to keep ree-treating?"

  "Obey my orders, sir. I tell you I shall be easier to carry on yourback."

  "Oh yes, sir, a deal easier to carry, and a nice deal easier to hit.Aintcher got it bad enough as it is?" said Gedge sulkily.

  Bracy was silent for a few moments as he felt his suspicions realised.Gedge was carrying him in that awkward fashion so as to shelter him fromany better-aimed bullet that might come. To make quite sure, though, hedrew a deep breath and spoke again:

  "I am wounded, sir, but I will be obeyed."

  "All right, sir; soon as ever we get out o' shot."

  "But you are hurting me horribly; and can't you see that, carrying melike this, you may receive the next bullet?"

  "Oh yes, sir; I can see," said Gedge coolly; "but you be quiet, and Iwon't hurt you more'n I can help."

  Bracy's voice had lost all its anger, and it was in no tone of commandthat he said:

  "Set me down, my lad, and hold my arm. I'll try to walk beside youwhile you take a shot or two at those cowardly brutes."

  "Ah, that's just what I'd like to do, sir; but it would on'y be waste o'time. They'd hit us, too, if we stood still for me to fire. It's ourkeeping moving that helps. 'Sides, I know it would only make yourwounds break out worse, and shift the bandage. You keep quiet, for Iain't got no breath for talking."

  Bracy was silent, and slowly and steadily Gedge trudged on, growing moreand more exhausted, and looking to right and left for some cavernoushole in which he could take refuge so as to screen his burden and defendhim so long as he had a cartridge left.

  "And even then," he muttered softly, "there's the bay'net. Wonder how Icould get on in fair fight against one of the niggers with his tullywar.Too much for him, I fancy, for I am good at that game. Urrrr!" hesnarled again, for half-a-dozen shots were fired at them almosttogether, but this time from lower down the defile in front, where theenemies who had fled were gathering again in force.

  "That was a near un, sir," said Gedge as a bullet whizzed just over hishead. "Well sir, I beg pardon, sir, and hope you won't report me fordisobeying my sooperior orficer. I was a bit waxy and warm witha-carrying of yer; for you are a bit heavy, sir. Now, sir, please, I'ma-going to set you down gently and take you up on my back."

  Bracy paid no heed, but gazed down the narrow gorge, from whose sidesmore shots were fired.

  "D'yer hear, sir? You're most a-choking o' me with that there arm."

  "Forward!" said Bracy between his teeth. "Mind, there's a great riftthere. Don't stumble."

  "I'm a-going to shift you first, sir. Once you're on my back I canstraddle that easy."

  "Yes, Gedge, I know," said Bracy as firmly as he could; "but don'tinsult me any more."

  "Insult yer, sir? I wouldn't do it. How!"

  "By thinking your officers want to shelter themselves behind their men.Forward, my lad, unless you find a place where we can shelter till ourcomrades come back."

  "There aren't no shelter, sir, and there aren't no more mercy for themDwats if we gets clear of this, which I don't think we shall. There,sir! It's all over, I suppose. Ain't hit, are yer?"

  "No. But that volley."

  "Yes, sir, there's any number waiting for us. Here, we must walk thegauntlet back again now. We may meet our chaps coming."

  The firing was going on along the sides of the gorge, but just thenthere was another crash, a regular volley, and Gedge uttered a hoarseyell of excitement.

  "It's hoo-roar, sir," he panted, "on'y I can't shout. That's ourreserves coming up, and firing to keep the beggars' fire down. See,they've stopped now. Oh, if my rifle wasn't slung! Look at 'em. One--two--three of the cowardly beggars scuffling up yonder like great whiterabbits, and on hands and feet, too."

  Crash! again. A sharp volley from much nearer, and Gedge stopped shortto gaze with his companion at the three hill-men away in front, a coupleor three hundred feet above the level where Bracy's bearer stoodforgetting his dangerous wound and his pangs as he felt horror-strickenat the terrible sight to his left.

  There were, as Gedge said, three hill-men, crawling rapidly up a longshelf to reach a cluster of stones for shelter--a shelter they had leftto get better aim at the struggling pair down below. And as theclimbing Dwats were watched directly after the last volley, one who waslast started up into a standing position, threw up his arms, and hislong jezail fell from them down into the defile, while he balancedhimself for a few moments and then dropped, turning over once, anddisappearing from the watchers' eyes. The next moment the top one cameto a stand by a great stone, and rolled over and over till he reachedthe steep precipice, down which he plunged, the horrible thud with whichhe struck the stones coming plainly to Bracy's ears.

  There was still anot
her white figure crawling up the narrow shelf, buthe had stopped short; and as Bracy and his companion gazed, the poorwretch seemed to collapse and lie closer down to the rock. Just thenanother shot rang out, and the body gave a jerk, but did not move again.

  "Hah!" ejaculated Gedge. "It's very horrid, sir, but it was their turn,and our lads can shoot. Come on, sir. I think we shall do it now."

  He started off towards the body of their friends, who were comingrapidly on, but before they had gone a score of yards the firing fromthe enemy recommenced, and--spat! spat!--the bullets struck the stonesclose at hand.

  "Oh, I say, sir, this is too bad!" groaned Gedge. "I did think weshould do it now. Never mind. Britons never shall be slaves, and Iwill do it after all."

  There was a rattling fire opened at once on the sides of the gorge,completely crushing that of the hill-men; and a few minutes after, asGedge tramped on with his load, it was to be met by a burst of cheers,and a score of his comrades came racing on to his help. It was justthen that a final shot came from somewhere behind, and poor Gedgestarted violently, staggered forward, and the next moment he would havegone down heavily with his burden but for the ready help of a dozenwilling hands.

  Directly after a distant cheering was heard. Roberts and his companywere coming back.