CHAPTER EIGHT.
IN QUARTERS.
There was rest and refreshment in the old fort of Ghittah that nightsuch as the regiment had not enjoyed since their march up-country; andto have seen the occupants of the stronghold, no one could have imaginedthat a few hours before the beleaguered were in a state of despair.
But they had cause for rejoicing, since, after a month's braveresistance, with heavy losses, they were now strengthened by thepresence of nearly a thousand light, active young fellows, perfectly newto warfare, but well officered, in a high state of discipline, and eagerto prove themselves against the enemy, whatever the odds.
There was plenty of room for the new-comers, for the stronghold was alittle town in itself, and the regiment shook itself down into its newquarters as quickly as it would have formed camp out in the upon, sothat the men paraded the next morning fresh and ready for anything; thesenior Colonel inspecting the grand addition to his force, while his ownmen, after busy efforts, showed up in very different guise to that ofthe previous day, the thin and gaunt seeming to have plumped out duringthe night, while the officers' ladies showed that they had not quiteforgotten how to dress.
Over the mess breakfast, which was had in common with the officers ofthe garrison, the new-comers had been made well acquainted with theenemy's tactics, and warned of the suddenness of the attacks made andattempts at surprise, so that they might be well prepared. They hadalready heard the result of the council of war held by the seniors ofthe two regiments, and were prepared to take over nearly all the duty,so as to give the harassed, worn-out regiment a rest.
Then the parade was held in due form, the lads of the new regimentmounted guard, and their officers made a tour of inspection afterwardswith their new friends, who pointed out the strength and feebleness ofthe old fort.
The latter predominated, especially on the side of the river, and therewere plenty of weak spots where Colonel Graves saw at a glance howeasily an active body of mountaineers might scale the lower rocks of themighty clump upon which the fort was built and mount to the ramparts,and unless the defence was strong there the place must fall.
"It tells well for the brave efforts you have made," said Colonel Gravesto his brother in rank. "I should propose throwing up an additionalwall at two of these spots--walls well loopholed for musketry."
"I have proposed it, and intended to do it," said Colonel Wrayford; "butit has been impossible. The enemy has kept us too thoroughly upon the_qui vive_."
"Well, there will be an opportunity now," said Colonel Graves as hestepped up on to an open place on the wall and began to sweep themountain-slopes with his glass.
"See anything of them?" asked Colonel Wrayford.
"Nothing. Are they well in hiding?"
"Possibly. I do not understand our not having had a visit from thembefore now. We generally have their white-coats streaming down thoseravines in two parties. It looks as if your coming had scared themaway."
"That's too good to expect," said Colonel Graves, laughing. "They'llcome, sure enough, and when least expected, no doubt. So much thebetter, so that we can give them a good lesson to teach them to behavewith respect towards Her Majesty's forces, for this place is to be heldat all hazard."
"Yes; of course," said Colonel Wrayford rather bitterly. "Well, it hasbeen held."
"And bravely," said Colonel Graves, bowing, with a show of deference,towards his senior.
"Thank you," said the latter simply. "We have done our best."
He turned away, to begin using his glass, sweeping the differentravines--dark, savage-looking gorges which disembogued upon the smiling,garden-like expanse on both sides of the river, and seeming strangely incontrast, with their stony sides, to the tree-besprinkled verdure andlovely groves of the little plain not more than a mile long by half thatspace wide.
"Hah! I thought the visit would not be long deferred," said ColonelWrayford, lowering the glass and pointing to a thin line of whitefigures slowly coming into sight and winding down a zigzag path on oneside of the gorge, through which the river came down from the mountainsbeyond.
"I see," said Colonel Graves; "but I was watching those ravines to rightand left."
"Yes; the enemy is changing his tactics to-day. You see, he does notmean us to have much rest."
The bugles rang out at the first appearance of the enemy, and the wallswere manned with a strength to which they had been foreign; and as thetwo Colonels walked round and supervised the arrangements, the seniorasked whether the new-comers could shoot.
"Admirably," said Colonel Graves, and then, with a smile--"at thetarget; they have to prove what they can really do now."
"They will have every opportunity, and from behind strong walls."
Meanwhile the white-robed enemy came streaming down to the plain in themost fearless manner, till they were well within shot, and still theycame on.
"This seems strange," said Colonel Wrayford; "they have generally begunfiring before this."
"They look more like friends than enemies," observed Colonel Graves.
"They may look so," replied the other as he scanned the advancing force,"but we have no friends among these tribes. They are all deeply imbuedwith the Mussulman's deadly hatred of the Christian, and only whenfirmly held down by force do they submit to the stronger power.Unfortunately they have broken out, and we have had enough to do to holdour own, while the very fact of one tribe boldly shutting us in has madehalf-a-dozen others forget their own enmity among themselves and come totheir aid."
Meanwhile Captain Roberts's company occupied a strong position along acurtain defending the great gate, and the lads were all in a state ofeager expectation of the order to fire.
"It's our turn now, Sergeant," said one of the youngest-looking. "Icould pick off that chap in front before he knew where he was."
"Silence, sir!" said the Sergeant shortly; and then looking to right andleft, he gave a general admonition:
"Less talking in the ranks."
"Yah!" whispered the lad who had been snubbed. "Why don't they make himcurnel?"
"See Drummond just now?" said Bracy, where he and his companion stoodtogether.
"Just a glance," replied Roberts.
"Why, he came close by you."
"Yes; but my attention was taken up by his boots--yours, I mean. Inever saw a fellow look so conscious and proud of being well shodbefore."
"Hullo! What does this mean?" said Bracy. "Not an attack, surely? Myword! that's brave; one, three--six of them. Why, Roberts, the cheek ofit! They're coming to order us to surrender."
"Well, it will be exercise for them, for we shan't. We'll let them giveup if they like."
"I say, look!" continued Bracy, as half-a-dozen of the well-builtfellows came on alone, making for the gates. The officers scanned themwith their glasses, and noted that their thickly-quilted cotton robeswere of the whitest, and of line texture, while each wore about hiswaist a fine cashmere shawl stuck full of knives and supporting a curvedtulwar in a handsome scabbard. "I say," cried Bracy, "what dandies!These must be chiefs."
Whatever they were, they made straight for the gates, and the twoColonels walked down to meet them.
"Keep a sharp lookout up there, Captain Roberts. You command theapproach. Are these men quite alone?"
"Quite, sir, as far as I can see."
"Can you make out any strong body stealthily approaching, Mr Bracy?"
"No, sir; they seem to be quite alone."
"Be on the alert for a rush, and fire at once if you see anything.--Youwill have the gates opened, I presume?" continued Colonel Graves.
"Oh yes; it is an embassage, and they will expect to enter the place.Send for the two interpreters."
A couple of lithe-looking, dark-eyed hill-men came forward at once, thegates were thrown open, and the party of six stepped in, looking smilingand proud, ready to salute the two officers, who stood forward a littlein advance of half a company of men with fixed bayonets.
Salut
es were exchanged, and in a brief colloquy the eldest of the party,a smiling fellow with an enormous black beard, announced through one ofthe interpreters that he was the chief of the Red Dwats, come with hismen to meet the English Captain and tell him that he and his people worethe most staunch friends the famous white Queen had, from there to thesources of the great river, the Indus.
Colonel Wrayford replied that he was glad to hear it, and if the chiefand his people were faithful to Her Majesty's sway they would always beprotected.
The chief said that he was and always would be faithful, and that hehoped the great white Queen would remember that and send them plenty ofthe guns which loaded at the bottoms instead of the tops, and boxes ofpowder and bullets to load them with. Then he would be able to fightfor Her Majesty against the other chiefs who hated her, because theywere all dogs and sons of Shaitan.
"Roberts, old fellow," whispered Bracy, high up on the wall, "I couldswear I saw one of those fellows leading the attack made upon us fromthe cedar grove."
"Shouldn't be a bit surprised, dear boy. Perhaps he has repented andhas come to say he is good now and will never do so any more. Can youunderstand any of his lingo?"
"Not a word. It doesn't seem a bit like Hindustani. What's that?"
"The Colonel asked what was the meaning of the attack made upon usyesterday."
"Ah, then he knows that fellow?" whispered Bracy.
"No doubt. The old man's pretty keen, and if that chap means treachery,I'm afraid he didn't get up early enough this morning if he has come totake in old Graves."
"I'm sure that's one of them. I had him at the end of my binocular, andI know him by that scar on his cheek."
"They all seem to have a good deal of cheek," said Roberts coolly.
"Look here; I'd better warn the Colonel."
"No need, old fellow. He knows what he's about. These niggers areprecious cunning, but it's generally little child's deceit, and that'sas transparent as a bit of glass. Don't be alarmed. Old Graves can seethrough any tricks of that kind, and Wrayford hasn't been on thisstation a twelvemonth without picking up a few native wrinkles."
"Pst! Listen to what they're saying."
"Can't: it's rude," said Roberts.
"Not at a time like this, when perhaps men's and women's lives are atstake."
"All right; let's listen, then. What's the boss saying?"
"I don't like it, Wrayford. These are part of the tribe that tried todestroy us as we came up yesterday, and now they find we have escapedthem they want to make friends."
"Well, we want the tribes to be friendly."
"Yes, but not with sham friendliness, to lull us into security, andthen, after waiting their time, to join their fellows in a generalmassacre."
"I am afraid you are misjudging our visitors here," said ColonelWrayford quietly.
"I am sure I am not. I swear I saw that dark fellow with the cut on hischeek leading a charge."
"There; what did I tell you?" whispered Bracy.
"And what did I tell you about the old man seeing as far into amillstone as is necessary for being on the safe side?"
"Yes; and I am glad his observation was so keen."
"He's all right, old fellow; but hist! what is it? Ah, that's right.Wrayford is glad to hear that the chief of the Red Dwats is so friendlyto the Queen, and his request for arms and ammunition shall be sent tothe proper quarter. Now, then, what does he say to that?"
One of the interpreters spoke to say that the great chief of the RedDwats would camp in the valley above, so as to be close at hand if anyof the sons of Shaitan who had been molesting the fort before shoulddare to approach again. They were all gone back now to their ownvalleys in fear, through his approach, and now the two great EnglishGenerals and their men might sleep in peace.
"Thank you. Bravo! Encore, Sambo!" said Roberts softly. "Going? Prayremember me to all at home."
"Ugh!" raged out Bracy below his breath; "if ever treachery was plainlymarked upon a smiling, handsome face, it is there in that scoundrel's.Roberts, we must never trust these men within our guard."
"Most certainly not, old fellow; but I suppose we must let them go backin safety, like the noble ambassadors they are."
"What is going on now?" said Bracy. "Why, they're shaking hands withColonel Wrayford, English fashion. Surely he is not going to trustthem?"
"Seems as if he is," replied Roberts softly as the young men stoodgazing down at the party below. "Perhaps he knows the native characterbetter than we do, and thinks it's all right."
"Well, I don't," said Bracy shortly, "young as I am. Those fellows havecome as spies, and I'm more and more convinced that they are the set whoharassed us as we came."
"I begin to think you are right, old man," said Roberts.
"Well, of all--That scoundrel is going to offer to shake hands withGraves!"
"No, he isn't," replied Roberts softly. "Doesn't like the look of theold man's eyes. Made a sort of shy at him. Now they're off, afterpicking up all that they could about our strength and position. Well,it isn't right, perhaps, for us to pull our superior's actions topieces; but I don't think Wrayford is right."
"And Graves seems to think as you do," said Bracy thoughtfully as hewatched the departure of the chiefs. "Look! those fellows are notmissing much with their rolling eyes. I wonder what they think of ourlads. The poor fellows don't show up very well against these stouthill-men."
"They showed up well enough yesterday," said Roberts tartly. "Pooh!What has size got to do with it? Well, I'm glad they've gone; but Ishould like to know what they are saying to one another."
"Talking about the strength of the gates, you may depend, and whetherthis would be a good place to make their first attack when they come toput the garrison to the sword," said Bracy slowly.
"Well, you are a cheerful sort of a fellow for a companion," saidRoberts, laughing.
"That's what they came for, cheerful or not."
"Perhaps so; but coming to do a thing and doing it are two differentmatters. Well, the show is over, and we may come down. Let's go andsee about getting our new quarters a little more ship-shape. I want tosee what the men are doing."
"Not yet," said Bracy. "I want to watch these fellows back to their ownmen, to see what they are about."
"You can't tell from this distance."
"Not much; but my glass is very powerful, and I want to try and judgefrom their actions what is going on yonder."
"All right; I'll stop with you."
Two-thirds of the guards mounted were dismissed, and soon after, thewalls and towers were pretty well deserted. The two young officersremained, however, Captain Roberts dreamily watching the wondrouspanorama of snowy mountains spreading out to the north as far as the eyecould reach, while Bracy sat with his double glass carefully focussedand resting upon the stone parapet, watching the departing chiefs, whostrode away looking proud and haughty, and apparently without holdingany communication with one another till they were well on their way,when Bracy noted that they suddenly began to talk with a good deal ofanimation.
Bracy kept up his watch till they reached their followers, who closedround them in a very excited way.
It was just then that Roberts roused himself from his reverie.
"Hullo, there!" he cried; "'most done? Can't make out anything, canyou?"
"Yes; there's a regular mob of fighting-men crowding round thosefellows, and they're holding a regular meeting."
"Good little glass. I say, old man, I'll swop with you. Mine's abigger and better-looking binoc. than yours. Anything else?"
"One of the party--I think it's the one with the scar on his face, but Ican't be sure--"
"Can't you tell him?"
"Not at this distance."
"Then I won't swop. It's not such a good glass as I thought. Well,what next?"
"He's telling his experiences, and the beggars are lancing about,roaring with laughter."
"Can you see that?"
&
nbsp; "Yes, quite plainly."
"Then I think I will swop, after all. Can't hear what they say, Isuppose?"
"Hardly."
"Humph! Not so good a glass, then, as Pat's, that brought the church sonear that he could hear the singing. Go on."
"He's gesticulating. Now he's marching up and down stiffly like Gravesdid while the conference was going on."
"Well, of all the impudence! But no flam: can you really make out allthat?"
"Perfectly. Now he is taking off his puggree and pretending to take ahandkerchief out and mopping his bald head."
"Like Wrayford does. Why, the scoundrel stood as stiff as a poker whenhe was here and let the others do the talking."
"Yes, while he was studying his part. Now they're laughing again andstamping about and holding their sides. He is going through everythinghe noted for their amusement, and telling them what absurd-lookingpeople the English are."
"Oh yes," said Roberts; "we're a very humorous lot, we British--veryamusing indeed, but best at a distance, for we're rather prickly, andeasily induced to make use of our knives. What next?"
"The show's over; and look--you can see that?"
"What! that flashing in the sunshine?"
"Yes; every man has drawn his sword and is waving it in the air. Hemust have said something which excited them."
"Made 'em all draw and swear that they'd cut us to pieces and fling usin the river, I dare say."
"Oh, there you are!" cried a familiar voice, and the tall, thinsubaltern hurried to their side. "I say, what do you think of that fora fit?" he cried, stopping, and then holding out one foot. "Just as ifthey had been made for me."
"If you say any more about them I'll take them away again," said Bracy,smiling.
"Then mum it is, for I wouldn't be so cruel to my poor plantigrades.They haven't been so happy and comfortable for months. Watching thoseDwats?"
"I've been doing so," said Bracy, closing his glass and returning it toits case. "What do you think of them?"
"Think they're a set of humbugs. They've come here hunting forinformation and pretending to be friends; and the worst of it is, oldWrayford believes in them."
"Nonsense! He couldn't be so weak," cried Roberts.
"Oh, couldn't he? But he could. He hasn't been the same man since hewas cut down about a month ago. Poor old man! he's as brave as a lionstill, but he has done several weak things lately which none of us like.What do you think that thick-lipped, black-bearded ruffian proposed?"
"I don't know," said Bracy eagerly.
"To send on a couple of hundred of his cut-throats to help to defend thefort against the enemy."
"He proposed that?" cried Roberts.
"To be sure he did."
"But Colonel Wrayford," said Bracy, "he declined, of course--at once?"
"No, he didn't. He hesitated, and told your old man that an ally wouldbe so valuable, and that it would not do, hemmed in as we are, to offenda powerful chief who desired to be friendly."
"But that's absurd," cried Roberts.
"Of course it is," replied Drummond. "The only way to deal with thesefellows is to make 'em afraid of you, for they're as treacherous as theyare proud. But there, it's all right."
"All right, when the senior Colonel here temporises with the enemy!"
"It was only one of his weak moments. He won't do anything of thatkind. He'll talk it over with your old man and think better of it.Besides, we shouldn't let him."
"Oh, come, that's a comfort," said Roberts, glancing at Bracy, with atwinkle in his eye.
"Yes, I see," said Drummond, "you're chaffing because I bounced a bit;but I'm blessed if you don't have to bounce up here in the mountains ifyou want to hold your own. I should be nowhere amongst thesehill-niggers if I didn't act as if I thought I was the biggest pot underthe sun. That's one reason why I was so anxious about my boots. Why,if it hadn't been for you two I couldn't have shown my face before thatparty this morning. I wouldn't have had them see me with my feetbandaged up like they were for anything. It would have been loweringthe dignity of Her Majesty's service in the eyes of the heathen."
"Of course," said Bracy, smiling; "but never mind that. You don'tbelieve in these fellows, then?"
"Oh yes, I do."
"But just now you said--"
"What I say now, that they're a set of impostors, pretending to befriendly so as to see what your regiment was like and how the defenceslooked."
"There, Roberts!"
"All right, dear boy. Well, when they come again we must show them ourboy-regiment, and how they've improved with the excellent practice wecan make in firing."
"That's the way," said Drummond cheerily. "They'll soon come again withtwo or three other tribes, for they've all made up their minds to haveus out of this old fort, palace, or whatever they call it."
"And we shan't go--eh?" said Bracy, with a quaint look in his eyes.
"Most decidedly not," replied Drummond. "Now then, you're not on duty.Come and have a look round. Hullo! this is your doctor, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Bracy.
"Don't like the cut of him," said Drummond. "He's doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Same as he did first time we met--last night at the mess--looking me upand down as if thinking about the time when he'll have me to cut up andmend."
"Well, my dear boys," said the Doctor, coming up, rubbing his hands."Ah! Mr Drummond, I think? Met you last night. Glad to know you.Come, all of you, and have a look at my hospital quarters. Splendidplace for the lads. Light, airy, and cool. They can't help gettingwell."
"But I thought you had no patients, sir," said Drummond.
"Oh yes, two that we brought with us; and if Colonel Wrayford iswilling, I propose that your wounded should be brought across, for it'sa far better place than where they are. Come on, and I'll show you."
"Thanks, Doctor; I'm just going to see the Colonel," said Roberts.
"That's a pity. You must come without him, then, Bracy."
"I really can't, Doctor; not now. I am going with Roberts."
"Humph! that's unfortunate. Mr Drummond would like to see, perhaps,how we arrange for our men who are down?"
"Most happy, Doctor--"
"Hah!"
"But I am going with my friends here."
"Standing on ceremony--eh, gentlemen?" said the Doctor, smiling quicklyand taking a pinch of snuff. "Well, we'll wait a bit. I dare say youwill neither of you be so much occupied when you are once brought in tome. I thought perhaps you would like to go over the place first."
Bracy turned and took hold of the Doctor's arm.
"All right, Doctor," he said, laughing. "You had us there on the hip.I'll come."
"What, and keep the Colonel waiting?"
"We can go there afterwards," said Bracy quietly. "Come, Roberts, youcan't hold back now."
"Not going to, old fellow. There, Doctor, I beg your pardon. I'llcome."
"Granted, my dear boy," said the Doctor quietly. "There, Mr Drummond,you'll have to go alone."
"Not I," said the subaltern, smiling. "I'll come and take my dose withthem."
"Good boy!" said the Doctor, smiling.
"I suppose you have not had your two patients taken to the hospitalyet?" said Bracy.
"Then you supposed wrongly, sir. There they are, and as comfortable ascan be."
"That's capital," cried Bracy, "for I wanted to come and see that poorfellow Gedge."
"That fits," said the Doctor, "for he was asking if you were likely tocome to the hospital; but I told him no, for you would be on duty. Thisway, gentlemen, to my drawing-room, where I am at home night and day,ready to receive my visitors. Now, which of you, I wonder, will be thefirst to give me a call?"
"Look here, Doctor," said Roberts, "if you're going to keep on in thisstrain I'm off."
"No, no; don't go. You must see the place. I've a long room, with asmall one close by, which I mean to reserve for my better
-classpatients.--Here, you two," he said to the injured privates lying upon acouple of charpoys, "I've brought you some visitors."
Sergeant Gee's wife, whose services had been enlisted as first nurse,rose from her chair, where she was busy with her needle, to curtsey tothe visitors; and Gedge uttered a low groan as he caught up the lightcotton coverlet and threw it over his head.
"Look at him," said the Doctor merrily, and he snatched the coverletback. "Why, you vain peacock of a fellow, who do you think is going tonotice the size of your head?"
"I, for one," said Bracy, smiling. "Why, Gedge, it is nothing like sobig as it was."
The lad looked at him as if he doubted his words.
"Ain't it, sir? Ain't it really?"
"Certainly not."
"Hoo-roar, then! who cares? If it isn't so big now it's getting better,'cos it was getting bigger and bigger last night--warn't it, sir?"
"Yes," said the Doctor; "but the night's rest and the long sleep gavethe swelling time to subside."
"The which, please, sir."
"The long sleep," said the Doctor tartly.
"Please, sir, I didn't get no long sleep."
"Nonsense, man!"
"Well, you ask him, sir. I never went to sleep--did I, pardner?"
"No," said his wounded companion. "We was talking all night when wewasn't saying _Hff_! or _Oh_! or _Oh dear_! or _That's a stinger_!--wasn't we, Gedge, mate?"
"That's right, pardner. But it don't matter, sir--do it?--not a bit, asthe swelling's going down?"
"Not a bit," said Bracy, to whom this question was addressed. "There,we are not going to stay. Make haste, my lad, and get well. I'm gladyou are in such good quarters."
"Thank ye, sir, thank ye. Quarters is all right, sir; but I'd rather bein the ranks. So would he--wouldn't you, pardner?"
His fellow-sufferer, who looked doubtful at Gedge's free-and-easy way oftalking, glancing the while at the Doctor to see how he would take it,nodded his head and delivered himself of a grunt, as the little partyfiled out of the long, whitewashed, barn-like room.
"A couple of wonderful escapes," said the Doctor, "and quite a treat.I've had nothing to see to but cases of fever, and lads sick througheating or drinking what they ought not to. But I dare say I shall bebusy now."
"Thanks, Doctor," said Roberts as they returned to the great court ofthe large building. "Glad you've got such good quarters for yourpatients."
"Thanks to you for coming," replied the Doctor; and the partiesseparated, Drummond leading his new friends off to introduce them tosome of the anxious, careworn ladies who had accompanied their husbandsin the regiment, and of the Civil Service, who had come up to Ghittah ata time when a rising of the hill-tribes was not for a moment expected.On his way he turned with a look of disgust to Bracy.
"I say," he said, "does your Doctor always talk shop like that?"
"Well, not quite, but pretty frequently--eh, Roberts?"
The latter smiled grimly.
"He's a bit of an enthusiast in his profession, Drummond," he said."Very clever man."
"Oh, is he? Well, I should like him better if he wasn't quite so muchso. Did you see how he looked at me?"
"No."
"I did. Just as if he was turning me inside out, and I felt as if hewere going all over me with one of those penny trumpet things doctorsuse to listen to you with. I know he came to the conclusion that I wastoo thin, and that he ought to put me through a course of medicine."
"Nonsense."
"Oh, but he did. Thank goodness, though, I don't belong to yourregiment."
The young men were very warmly welcomed in the officers' quarters; andit seemed that morning as if their coming had brought sunshine into thedreary place, every worn face beginning to take a more hopeful look.
Drummond took this view at once, as he led the way back into the greatcourt.
"Glad I took you in there," he said; "they don't look the same as theydid yesterday. Just fancy, you know, the poor things sitting in thereall day so as to be out of the reach of flying shots, and wonderingwhether their husbands will escape unhurt for another day, and whetherthat will be the last they'll ever see."
"Terrible!" said Bracy.
"Yes, isn't it? Don't think I shall ever get married, as I'm a soldier;for it doesn't seem right to bring a poor, tender lady out to suchplaces as this. It gives me the shivers sometimes; but these poorthings, they don't know what it will all be when they marry and comeout."
"And if they did they would come all the same," said Roberts bluffly.
"Well, it's quite right," said Bracy thoughtfully. "It's splendidlyEnglish and plucky for a girl to be willing to share all the troublesher husband goes through."
"So it is," said Drummond. "I've always admired it when I've read ofsuch things; and it makes you feel that heroines are much greater thanheroes."
"It doesn't seem as if heroes were made nowadays," said Bracy, laughing."Hullo! where are you taking us?"
"Right up to the top of the highest tower to pay your respects to theBritish Raj. I helped the colour-sergeant to fix it up there. We putup a new pole twice as high as the old one, so as to make the enemywaxy, and show him that we meant to stay."
"All right; we may as well see every place while we're about it."
"You can get a splendid lookout over the enemy's camping-ground, too,from up here."
"Then you still think that these are enemies?"
"Certain," said Drummond; and words were spared for breathing purposestill the flag-pole was reached, and the young subaltern passed his armround it and stood waiting while his companions took a good longpanoramic look.
"There you are," he then said. "See that green patch with thesnow-pyramid rising out of it?"
"Yes; not big, is it?"
"Awful, and steep. That mountain's as big as Mont Blanc; and from thatdeodar forest right up the slope is the place to go for bear."
"Where are the pheasants?" asked Roberts, taking out his glass.
"Oh, in the woods down behind the hills there," said Drummond, pointing."Splendid fellows; some of reddish-brown with white spots, and bareheads all blue and with sort of horns. Then you come upon some greatfellows, the young ones and the hens about coloured like ours, but withshort, broad tails. But you should see the cock-birds. Splendid. Theyhave grand, greeny-gold crests, ruby-and-purple necks, a white patch ontheir back and the feathers all about it steely-blue and green, whiletheir broad, short tails are cinnamon-colour."
"You seem to know all about them," said Bracy, laughing.
"Shot lots. They're thumpers, and a treat for the poor ladies, when Iget any; but it has been getting worse and worse lately. Couldn't havea day's shooting without the beggars taking pop-shots at you from thehills. I don't know where we should have been if their guns shotstraight."
"Well, we shall have to drive the scoundrels farther off," said Roberts,"for I want some shooting."
"Bring your gun?" cried Drummond, eagerly.
"Regular battery. So did he; didn't you, Bracy?"
There was no reply.
"Bracy, are you deaf?"
"No, no," said the young man hurriedly, as he stood in one corner of thesquare tower, resting his binocular upon the parapet, and gazing throughit intently.
"See a bear on one of the hills?" said Drummond sharply.
"No; I was watching that fir-wood right away there in the hollow. Arethey patches of snow I can see in there among the trees?"
"Where--where?" cried Drummond excitedly.
"Come and look. The glass is set right, and you can see the exact spotwithout touching it."
Bracy made way, and Roberts stepped to the other side of the tower andlooked over the wide interval to where their visitors of the morningwere forming a kind of camp, as if they meant to stay.
"Phee-ew!"
Drummond gave a long, low whistle.
"Snow?" said Bracy.
"No snow there; at this time of year. That's where
some of the enemyare, then--some of those who disappeared so suddenly yesterday. Thoseare their white gowns you can see, and there's a tremendous nest ofthem."
"Enemies of our visitors this morning?"
"They said so," replied Drummond, with a mocking laugh; "but it seemsrather rum for them to come and camp so near one another, and neitherparty to know. Doesn't it to you?"
"Exactly," cried Bracy. "They would be sure to be aware, of course."
"Yes, of course. What idiots they must think us! I'd bet a penny thatif we sent out scouts they'd find some more of the beauties creepingdown the valleys. Well, it's a great comfort to know that this lot onthe slope here are friends."
"Which you mean to be sarcastic?" said Bracy.
"Which I just do. I say, I'm glad I brought you up here, and that youspied out that party yonder. Come away down, and let's tell theColonel. He'll alter his opinion then."
"And send out a few scouts?" said Bracy.
Drummond shook his head.
"Doesn't do to send out scouts here."
"Why?"
"They don't come back again."
"Get picked off?"
"Yes--by the beggars who lie about among the stones. We have to makesallies in force when we go from behind these walls. But, I say, youtwo haven't had much fighting, I suppose?"
"None, till the bit of a brush as we came here."
"Like it?"
"Don't know," said Bracy. "It's very exciting."
"Oh, yes, it's exciting enough. We've had it pretty warm here, I cantell you. I begin to like it now."
"You do?"
"Yes; when I get warm. Not at first, because one's always thinkingabout whether the next bullet will hit you--'specially when the poorfellows get dropping about you; but you soon get warm. It makes yousavage to see men you know going down without being able to get a shotin return. Then you're all right. You like it then."
"Humph!" ejaculated Bracy, and his brow wrinkled. "But had we notbetter go down and give the alarm?"
"Plenty of time. No need to hurry. They're not going to attack; onlylying up waiting to see if those beggars who came this morning can doanything by scheming. I fancy they're getting a bit short of lead, forwe've had all kinds of rubbish shot into the fort here--bits of iron,nails, stones, and broken bits of pot. We've seen them, too, huntingabout among the rocks for our spent bullets. You'll find them very nicesort of fellows, ready to shoot at you with something from a distance togive you a wound that won't heal, and cut at you when they can come toclose quarters with tulwars and knives that are sharp as razors. Theywill heal, for, as our doctor says, they are beautiful clean cuts thatclose well. Never saw the beauty of them, though. He's almost as badas your old chap for that."
"But we had better go down and give the alarm," said Bracy anxiously.
"None to give," said Drummond coolly. "It's only a bit of news, andthat's how it will be taken. Nothing to be done, but perhaps double thesentries in the weak places. Not that they're very weak, or weshouldn't have been hen; when you came."
"Well, I shall feel more comfortable when my Colonel knows--eh,Roberts?"
"Yes," said the latter, who had stood frowning and listening; "and Idon't think he will be for sitting down so quietly as your old man."
"Not yet. Be for turning some of them out."
"Of course."
"Very spirited and nice; but it means losing men, and the beggars comeback again. We used to do a lot of that sort of thing, but of late thepolicy has been to do nothing unless they attacked, and then to givethem all we knew. Pays best."
"I don't know," said Roberts as they were descending fast; "it can'tmake any impression upon the enemy."
"Shows them that the English have come to stay," interposed Bracy.
"Yes, perhaps; but they may read it that we are afraid of them on seeingus keep behind walls."
A minute or two later the news was borne to headquarters, where the twoColonels were in eager conference, and upon hearing it Colonel Gravesleaped up and turned to his senior as if expecting immediate orders foraction; but his colleague's face wrinkled a little more, and he saidquietly:
"Then that visit was a mere _ruse_ to put us off our guard and give theman opportunity for meeting the fresh odds with which they have tocontend."
"Of course it was," said Colonel Graves firmly.
"Well, there is nothing to be alarmed about; they will do nothing tillthey have waited to see whether we accept the offer of admitting asfriends a couple of hundred Ghazees within the gates.--Thank you,gentlemen, for your information. There is no cause for alarm."
The young officers left their two seniors together, and as soon as theywere alone Drummond frowned.
"Poor old Colonel!" he said sadly; "he has been getting weaker for dayspast, and your coming has finished him up. Don't you see?"
"No," said Bracy sharply. "What do you mean?"
"He has Colonel Graves to lean on now, and trust to save the ladies andthe place. I shouldn't be surprised to see him give up altogether andput himself in the doctor's hands. Well, you fellows will help us to dothe work?"
"Yes," said Bracy quickly, "come what may."
"We're going to learn the art of war in earnest now, old chap," saidRoberts as soon as they were alone again.
"Seems like it."
"Yes. I wonder whether we shall take it as coolly as this youngDrummond."
"I wonder," said Bracy; "he's an odd fish."
"But I think I like him," said Roberts.
"Like him?" replied Bracy. "I'm sure I do."
Fix Bay'nets: The Regiment in the Hills Page 8