CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
LIKE A DYING DOG.
The sun was rapidly going down towards the western peaks, which stoodout dark and clear against the golden orange sky, when Gedge opened hiseyes and began to stare in a vacant way at a little peculiarly shadedbrown leather case which rose and fell in regular motion a few inchesfrom his nose. He watched it for some minutes, feeling very comfortablethe while, for his pillow was warm; though it seemed strange to him thatit should move gently up and down. But he grew more wakeful a minutelater, and told himself that he knew why it was. He and two Londoncompanions had made up their minds to tramp down into Kent for aholiday, and to go hop-picking, and they slept under haystacks, inbarns, or in the shade of trees; and at such times as the nights werecool and they had no covering they huddled together to get warm, takingin turns that one of the party should lie crosswise and play pillow forthe benefit of his two companions.
It was one of his comrades that time, and the sun was rising, so theyought to be stirring to see about, something for breakfast. But in hisdrowsy state he could not make out that this was six years ago, nor yetwhat this brown leather thing was which kept going up and down.
Then all at once he could. It was not six years ago, neither was itearly morning, but close upon sunset; that movement was caused byBracy's respirations, and the brown leather case contained the littlefield-glass; while the well-drilled soldier, and one of the smartestlads in Captain Roberts's company, had shamefully disgraced himself bygoing to sleep at his post.
Before he had half-thought this he was upon his feet, to stoop again andpick up his rifle, and then begin stamping up and down with rage.
"Oh!" he groaned; "I ought to be shot--I ought to be shot! Why, theniggers might ha' come and knifed Mr Bracy as he lay there helpless asa kid, and all through me. Slep'? Why, I must ha' slep' hours uponhours. What's the good o' saying you couldn't help it, sir? You oughtto have helped it. Call yourself a soldier, and go to sleep at yourpost in the face of the enemy! That's what the Colonel will say. Ican't never face no one agen. I shall desert; that's what I shall do--cut right away and jyne the rebels if they'll have me. Better go andjump down into that hole and bury myself in the snow; but I can't.
"How am I to go and leave the gov'nor when he wants me as he does? Ohdear, oh dear! This is the worst of all. And I was hoping that Ishould have my stripes when I got back to the fort. Yes, that's it--stripes. I shall get 'em, o' course, but on my back instead of mysleeve. There, I'm a marked man now, and it's about all over."
Gedge grew calmer as he went, on pacing up and down, for he stoppedtwice over by Bracy, to find that he was sleeping as quietly as a child,and he evidently had not stirred. The young soldier's next act was toget possession of the little field-glass again, and, to his dismay, hemade out no less than three bodies of men in the valley far below, oneof which was streaming along as if marching quickly, while the other twowere stationary, close up to a little clump of pines or cedars, he couldnot make out which.
"T'others are going to ketch up to 'em and camp for the night, I bet.Yes, that they are," he added as a tiny cloud of grey smoke began torise. "They're going to cook, so they must have something to roast, andI'm--oh, how hungry I do feel! Better not hold up this rifle, or theymay see it in the sunshine, and come and cook us."
He had a good long look, swept the valley as far as he could see, andthen laid down his rifle, to go down on one knee by Bracy and beginreplacing the glass in its leather case.
"It's all right, sir; on'y me," cried Gedge, for, awakened by the lighttouch, Bracy seized one hand and made an effort to pull out hisrevolver.
"Ha!" he cried. "You startled me, Gedge. Want the glass?"
"Had it, sir, thank ye."
"See anything?"
"Yes, sir. There's three lots o' them Dwats down low there--six orseven hundred of 'em, I should say."
"Ah!" cried Bracy, rising quickly into a sitting position, but yieldingto an agonising pain and letting himself sink back with a groan.
"Hurt yer, sir?" said Gedge commiseratingly.
"Horribly. But tell me; have I been asleep?"
"Hours and hours, sir. It's just sundown. I was in hopes you'd bebetter, sir."
"I am, Gedge. I was in a horrible state before. My brain seemednumbed."
"No wonder, sir, lying in the snow all night; but you talk quitestraight now."
"Did I seem incoherent before?" said Bracy excitedly.
"Well, sir, I don't say you was ink-o--what you call it: but you was abit touched in the upper story; and that was only nat'ral, sir."
"Tell me about the enemy down below. Have they made us out?"
"I think not, sir; but I must out with it, sir."
"Ah! there is danger?"
"Oh no, sir, I don't think so; but I can't give much of a report, for Ihad to do sentry-go while you slep', sir."
"Did you? Well, you're a good fellow, Gedge."
"Not a bit of it, sir. There, it must come to the top. I'd rather tellyou than you should find it out, sir. I held up as long as I could, andkep' going to sleep walking or standing still; and at last, aftergetting out your glass, I knelt down to put it back, and down I wentright off to sleep, just as if some one had hit me on the head with thebutt of his piece."
"I'm glad of it, Gedge," said Bracy, smiling.
"Glad of it, sir?" said the lad, staring.
"Heartily. It was the only thing you could do after what you had gonethrough."
"Beg pardon, sir, but as a soldier--" began Gedge.
"Soldiers cannot do impossibilities, my lad. I have all the will andspirit to get on to the Ghil Valley, and yet here I am with my urgentmessage undelivered, and lying sleeping the greater part of a day."
"Oh, that's different, sir. You're sorter like being in hospital andwounded."
"If not wounded, Gedge," said Bracy sadly, "I am crippled."
"Don't say that, sir," cried the lad excitedly. "I thought you saidthere was nothing broke."
"I did not think so then, my lad, but there is something wrong with myright leg."
"Amb'lance dooty--first help," said Gedge quickly. "Let's look, sir."
Bracy bowed his head, and the young soldier ran his hand down the putteebandage about his officer's leg, and drew in his breath sharply.
"Well," said Bracy faintly, "what do you make out?"
"Leg's not broke, sir, but there's something awfully wrong with theankle. It's all puffed up as big as my 'elmet."
"I was afraid so. Here, help me to stand up."
"Better not, sir," protested Gedge.
"Obey orders, my lad," said Bracy softly, and with a smile at hisattendant. "You're not the Doctor."
"No, sir, but--"
"Your hands."
Gedge extended his hands, and by their help Bracy rose, to stand on oneleg, the other hanging perfectly helpless, with the toes touching therock.
"Help--me--" said Bracy faintly, and he made a snatch at Gedge, who wason the alert and caught him round the waist, just in time to save himfrom a fall.
The next moment he had fainted dead away, to come-to in a few minutesand find his companion laying snow upon his temples.
"Ah!" he sighed; "that's refreshing, Gedge."
"Have a bit to suck, sir?"
"Yes."
Bracy lay for a few minutes letting the snow melt in his mouth; thencalmly enough he went on:
"I've got a bad wrench, my lad. My ankle must have doubled under mewhen I fell. There's no help for it; we have had nothing butmisfortunes from the start, but this is the culmination--the worst ofall."
"Is it, sir? I'm glad o' that."
"Glad?"
"Yes, sir; 'cause, you see, when things comes to the worst they beginsto mend. So will your leg if you let me get the puttee and boot off.If you don't I shall be 'bliged to cut it off before long."
"Go on; you're quite right, my lad," said Bracy calmly; and as the youngsoldier eagerly busied hi
mself over the frightfully swollen place,unwinding the bandages, which cut down into the flesh, and unlacing theboot, he went on talking calmly:
"About this boot, sir; I've unlaced it as far as I can, and it's quitefast on. Shall I cut it or will you try and bear a wrench?"
"Don't cut it, my lad. Give a quiet, firm drag. I'll bear the pain aswell as I can."
The next moment the boot was off, and Bracy lay with his eyes closed.
"Like some more ice, sir?" said Gedge eagerly.
"No, my lad; I'm not going to faint this time. Got some snow, and takemy handkerchief to bind some round the ankle. But look first whetheryou can make out any movement amongst the enemy."
"It's getting dark down there, sir, though it's so bright up here, andthe great long shadders of the mountain seems to have swallered 'em up.But they've got a whacking great fire, sir, so they must be going tocamp there for the night."
"I don't think they could have made us out, Gedge.--Ha! that feelscomforting. But now listen to me."
"Yus, sir. I may go on doing up your leg, though?"
"Oh yes; only attend."
"Of course, sir."
"You can tell the Ghoorkha Colonel--"
"Yes, sir?" said Gedge, for Bracy stopped short.--"He's going off hishead again."
"And Colonel Graves, if you get back--"
"Yus, sir."
"That I did everything that man could do to reach the Ghil Valley."
"That I'll swear, sir."
"And that he must lose no time in hurrying to the fort. If he likes todetach half a company to try and pick me up, he will do so; but the fortis to be the first consideration. Do you hear?"
"Yus, sir.--Oh yus, I hears," said Gedge through his teeth as, with thehelp of Mrs Gee's pocket-book packet, he put some oil-silk over thesnow, and then applied the broadest bandage he could find cleverlyenough.
"That's right. I'm a bit of a coward, Gedge," continued the poorfellow, with a smile.
"Yes, sir, you are, sir," said Gedge; "an out-and-outer."
"And I want to have as little pain to bear as I can while you're gone."
"Course you do, sir. That's why I'm doing this."
"Make haste, while the light lasts. I want you then to take the rest ofthe food and put it in your own haversack."
"Yes, sir; not inside?"
"To use as sparingly as you can, so as to make it last till you reachthe Ghil Valley. I have broken down, Gedge, but you must get there. Doyou hear?--must."
"Yes, sir, I hear--must."
"It means salvation for the poor creatures yonder, holding out theirhands to us for help."
"Yes, sir.--But a deal you can see that," muttered Gedge.
"And it means a sergeant's stripes for the brave lad who took themessage in the terrible emergency."
"Sergeant, sir? As big a man as old Gee?"
"Yes; and as good a non-commissioned officer, and I hope a more popularman."
"Rigid, sir. That sounds good," cried Gedge cheerily. "But about you,sir? If you get the ridgement o' little chaps and saves the fort, itmeans your company, don't it--Captain?"
Bracy groaned.
"I was not striving for promotion, Gedge, but to save ourfellow-countrymen and women yonder. But listen: in case I faint again--give me a scrap or two more snow, my lad."
He took and sucked the icy particles handed to him, and felt refreshed.
"Now, then," he said; "listen once more, and be quick. Just tie thatbandage, and then put the food together. I am not going to load youwith instructions which you may not be able to carry out, but lookyonder--there is the top of the mountain you have to skirt, shiningbright and hopefully in the distance."
"I can see it, sir."
"That is your guide. Once you compass that the way will be easier."
"Yes, sir. When ought I to start?"
"To-night, man, as soon as the sun is down; therefore, mark well wherethe bright peak lies, so as to take your bearings. The enemy's firewill enable you to avoid that danger. Quick; there is no time to spare;and remember--you must get there."
"Yes, sir; I won't forget."
"Leave me some cartridges to defend myself, if I can. It would be morelike a soldier to die like that."
"Yes, sir, o' course; more English and plucky," said Gedge, giving thelast bandage its final knot, and then opening his haversack to take outwhat it contained and divide it.
"What are you doing?" said Bracy sharply.
"Getting your supper ready, sir, and mine," said the lad coldly.
Bracy tried to raise himself up in the fit of anger which attacked him,but fell back with a groan. Fighting back the sensation of weakness,though, he spoke as firmly as he could.
"I want no food," he said quietly, "and you are wasting time. A goodtwenty-four hours have been lost. Go at once."
"But you must eat something, sir," said Gedge stubbornly. "There's thecold coming on awful now the sun's down, and it will keep it out."
"Those poor creatures at the fort are waiting and praying for help tocome, while the hungry wolves of Dwats are crowding closer and closer inready for the massacre."
"Yes, sir--the beasts!--it's precious hard, but let's hope--"
"There is no hope, Gedge. It was the last card the Colonel had to playin sending us, and we must not fail. You must go at once."
"But I aren't had nothing to-day, sir," pleaded Gedge, "and my inside'sgoing mad. Wolves? Why, I feel just as if one was tearing me."
"Take all the provisions left, and eat as you go."
"And what about you, sir?"
"Never mind me. Go at once."
"But it'll be dark as pitch in 'alf-a-hour, sir. How am I to see myway?"
"I told you. The descent will be easy. You can almost slide down allthe way, for the snow is getting glassy again, and you must guideyourself by leaving the enemy's fire on the right. Look! it is glowingbrightly now."
"That's right, sir, till I get to the bottom. But what then?"
"Gedge, are you going to fail me in this terrible emergency?"
"Not me, sir," cried the lad excitedly. "I'll stick to you till we bothgoes under fighting to the last, for they don't want to make prisonersof us; their knives are too sharp."
"Then go."
"But I'm sure I couldn't find the way, sir. I should be taking thefirst turning to the left, or else to the right, or tumbling intoanother hole like this, or doing some stoopid thing. I'm no use, sir,without my orficer to tell me what to do."
Bracy drew a deep breath and pressed his lips together, as he foughthard to keep down his anger against his follower.
"I have told you what to do," he said at last quite calmly. "You mustuse your brains."
"Never had much, sir," replied Gedge bitterly; "and now they're aboutfroze up with cold and hungriness and trouble. I ain't fit to send onsuch a job as this, sir. I'm sure to muff it."
"Do you want to find out some day, my lad, that those poor comrades ofours have been massacred to a man through your hanging back from doingwhat might have saved them?"
"I wish I may die if I do, sir!" cried Gedge passionately.
"Then go."
"But I'm cold and hungry, sir, and it's getting dark, and I don't knowmy way."
"Crush those feelings down like a hero, and go."
"Hero, sir? Me a hero!" cried Gedge bitterly. "Oh? there's none ofthat stuff in me."
There was just enough light reflected from the upper peaks to enable thecouple to see each other's faces--the one frowning and angry, andbelying the calm, stern fixedness into which it had been forced; theother wild, anxious, and with the nerves twitching sharply at thecorners of the eyes and mouth, as if its owner were grimacing in mockeryof the young officer's helplessness and suffering.
"Gedge," said Bracy suddenly, after making an effort as if to swallowdown the rage and despair from which he suffered.
"Yes, sir, I know what you're going to say; but you're awful bad. Now,you have
a bit to eat, and then go to sleep, and when you wake up let'ssee if I can't manage to get you on one of those flat bits o' slatystone, and then I'll get a strap to it, and pull you down the slope--you'll quite slide like--and when we're off the snow I'll pig-a-back youto the first wood, and we'll hide there, and I'll keep helping you on abit till we get to this here Jack-and-Jill Valley. You see, the jobcan't be done without you."
"This is all shuffling and scheming, Gedge, to escape doing your duty,"said Bracy sternly.
"Is it, sir?" said the lad, with an assumption of innocence.
"You know it is, sir. You don't want to go?"
"Well, sir, I suppose that is about the size of it."
"Do you want me to look upon you as a contemptible cur?" said Bracy,flashing out into anger now.
"No, sir; o' course not."
"I see how it is. I've been believing you to be all that is manly andtrue, while all the time I've been labouring under a gross mistake, fornow you are put to the test you are only base metal. Go; leave me.Gedge, you are a miserable, contemptible coward after all."
"Yes, sir; that's it, sir," said the lad bitterly; "bit o' common brassas got into the service, and you orficers and old Gee and the rest ofyou drilled up and polished and dressed up and put some gilt on; butwhen yer comes to rub it off, I'm on'y a bit o' brass after all."
"Yes, you know exactly--coward!--dog!"
"Don't, sir!" cried the poor fellow in a choking voice; "don't! It'slike laying it on to a chap with a wire whip."
"Then do your duty. Go."
"I can't, sir; I can't," cried the lad, literally writhing, as if theblows were falling upon his back and sides. "I dessay I am a coward,but I'd follow you anywheres, sir, if the bullets was whistling roundus, and them devils were waiting for us with their knives; but I can'tgo and leave you now, sir. You ain't fit to leave. It'd be likekilling you--murdering of you, sir, with the cold and starvation."
"It is your duty to go."
"But you don't know how bad you are, sir," pleaded the lad, with thegreat sobs struggling to escape from his breast. "You don't know, sir;but I do, sir. You'd be frozen stiff before it was light again."
"Perhaps; but I should die knowing that an effort was being made to savethose we have left behind."
"You've done all you can do, sir," pleaded Gedge passionately. "Wecan't do no more."
"I can't, but you can. I call upon you once more to go and do thisthing. If you have any manhood in you, go."
"I can't, sir," groaned Gedge.
"You coward!--it's your duty to go."
"It ain't, sir; it can't be, to leave my orficer to die like this. Iknow it can't. Why, if I did, and got the help, and took the men back,and the Colonel got to know how, he'd think it warn't worth getting itat such a price. He'd call me a cowardly dog and a hound, and the ladswould groan and spit at me. Why, they'd cob me when they got me alone,and I couldn't say a word, because I should feel, as I always should tothe last day I lived, that I'd been a miserable sneak."
"I tell you it is your duty, my man," cried Bracy again.
"Don't send me, sir! I ain't afraid," pleaded Gedge once more. "It'sleaving you to die in the cold and dark. I can't go!--I can't go!"
Bracy struggled up at this, supporting himself with his left hand, movednow as he was by his companion's devotion; but he choked down all helonged to say in the one supreme effort he was making to fulfil themission he had failed in by another hand.
"I am your officer, sir. You are a soldier, sworn to serve your countryand your Queen."
Gedge looked down at the speaker through the gloom, and saw him fumblingbeneath his sheepskin coat with his right hand. The next minute he haddrawn his revolver, and Gedge heard it click.
"You hear me, sir?" cried Bracy sternly.
"Yes, sir, I hear."
"Then obey your officer's orders."
"You ain't an officer now, sir; you're a patient waiting to be carriedto the rear, after going down in front."
"How dare you!" cried Bracy fiercely. "Obey my orders."
"They ain't your orders, and it ain't my dooty to obey a poor fellow ashas gone stick stark raving mad."
"Obey my orders, dog, or--"
"I won't!" cried Gedge passionately. "I'll be drummed out if I do."
"You dog!" roared Bracy, and the pistol clicked.
"Shoot me, then, for a dog," cried Gedge passionately, "and if I canI'll try to lick yer hand, but I won't leave you now."
The pistol fell with a dull sound as Bracy sank back, and in thatterrible darkness and silence, amid the icy snow, a hoarse groan seemedto tear its way from the young officer's breast.
Fix Bay'nets: The Regiment in the Hills Page 33