There was rest and refreshment in the old fort of Ghittah that night
such as the regiment had not enjoyed since their march up-country; and
to have seen the occupants of the stronghold, no one could have imagined
that a few hours before the beleaguered were in a state of despair.
But they had cause for rejoicing, since, after a month's brave
resistance, with heavy losses, they were now strengthened by the
presence of nearly a thousand light, active young fellows, perfectly new
to warfare, but well officered, in a high state of discipline, and eager
to prove themselves against the enemy, whatever the odds.
There was plenty of room for the new-comers, for the stronghold was a
little town in itself, and the regiment shook itself down into its new
quarters as quickly as it would have formed camp out in the upon, so
that the men paraded the next morning fresh and ready for anything; the
senior Colonel inspecting the grand addition to his force, while his own
men, after busy efforts, showed up in very different guise to that of
the previous day, the thin and gaunt seeming to have plumped out during
the night, while the officers' ladies showed that they had not quite
forgotten how to dress.
Over the mess breakfast, which was had in common with the officers of
the garrison, the new-comers had been made well acquainted with the
enemy's tactics, and warned of the suddenness of the attacks made and
attempts at surprise, so that they might be well prepared. They had
already heard the result of the council of war held by the seniors of
the 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 regiment
mounted guard, and their officers made a tour of inspection afterwards
with their new friends, who pointed out the strength and feebleness of
the old fort.
The latter predominated, especially on the side of the river, and there
were plenty of weak spots where Colonel Graves saw at a glance how
easily an active body of mountaineers might scale the lower rocks of the
mighty 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 Graves
to his brother in rank. "I should propose throwing up an additional
wall at two of these spots--walls well loopholed for musketry."
"I have proposed it, and intended to do it," said Colonel Wrayford; "but
it 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 he
stepped up on to an open place on the wall and began to sweep the
mountain-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 them
before now. We generally have their white-coats streaming down those
ravines in two parties. It looks as if your coming had scared them
away."
"That's too good to expect," said Colonel Graves, laughing. "They'll
come, sure enough, and when least expected, no doubt. So much the
better, so that we can give them a good lesson to teach them to behave
with respect towards Her Majesty's forces, for this place is to be held
at all hazard."
"Yes; of course," said Colonel Wrayford rather bitterly. "Well, it has
been 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 different
ravines--dark, savage-looking gorges which disembogued upon the smiling,
garden-like expanse on both sides of the river, and seeming strangely in
contrast, with their stony sides, to the tree-besprinkled verdure and
lovely groves of the little plain not more than a mile long by half that
space wide.
"Hah! I thought the visit would not be long deferred," said Colonel
Wrayford, lowering the glass and pointing to a thin line of white
figures slowly coming into sight and winding down a zigzag path on one
side of the gorge, through which the river came down from the mountains
beyond.
"I see," said Colonel Graves; "but I was watching those ravines to right
and left."
"Yes; the enemy is changing his tactics to-day. You see, he does not
mean us to have much rest."
The bugles rang out at the first appearance of the enemy, and the walls
were manned with a strength to which they had been foreign; and as the
two Colonels walked round and supervised the arrangements, the senior
asked whether the new-comers could shoot.
"Admirably," said Colonel Graves, and then, with a smile--"at the
target; 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 the
most fearless manner, till they were well within shot, and still they
came on.
"This seems strange," said Colonel Wrayford; "they have generally begun
firing 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 imbued
with the Mussulman's deadly hatred of the Christian, and only when
firmly held down by force do they submit to the stronger power.
Unfortunately they have broken out, and we have had enough to do to hold
our own, while the very fact of one tribe boldly shutting us in has made
half-a-dozen others forget their own enmity among themselves and come to
their aid."
Meanwhile Captain Roberts's company occupied a strong position along a
curtain defending the great gate, and the lads were all in a state of
eager expectation of the order to fire.
"It's our turn now, Sergeant," said one of the youngest-looking. "I
could pick off that chap in front before he knew where he was."
"Silence, sir!" said the Sergeant shortly; and then looking to right and
left, he gave a general admonition:
"Less talking in the ranks."
"Yah!" whispered the lad who had been snubbed. "Why don't they make him
curnel?"
"See Drummond just now?" said Bracy, where he and his companion stood
together.
"Just a glance," replied Roberts.
"Why, he came close by you."
"Yes; but my attention was taken up by his boots--yours, I mean. I
never saw a fellow look so conscious and proud of being well shod
before."
"Hullo! What does this mean?" said Bracy. "Not an attack, surely? My
word! that's brave; one, three--six of them. Why, Roberts, the cheek of
it! They're coming to order us to surrender."
"Well, it will be exercise for them, for we shan't. We'll let them give
up if they like."
"I say, look!" continued Bracy, as half-a-dozen of the well-built
fellows came on alone, making for the gates. The officers scanned them
with their glasses, and noted that their thickly-quilted cotton robes
were of the whitest, and of line texture, while each wore about his
waist a fine cashmere shawl stuck full of knives and supporting a curved
tulwar 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 two
Colonels walked down to meet them.
"Keep a sharp lookout up there, Captain Roberts. You command the
approach. 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.--You
will 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, the
gates were thrown open, and the party of six stepped in, looking smiling
and proud, ready to salute the two officers, who stood forward a little
in advance of half a company of men with fixed bayonets.
Salutes were exchanged, and in a brief colloquy the eldest of the party,
a smiling fellow with an enormous black beard, announced through one of
the interpreters that he was the chief of the Red Dwats, come with his
men to meet the English Captain and tell him that he and his people wore
the most staunch friends the famous white Queen had, from there to the
sources of the great river, the Indus.
Colonel Wrayford replied that he was glad to hear it, and if the chief
and his people were faithful to Her Majesty's sway they would always be
protected.
The chief said that he was and always would be faithful, and that he
hoped the great white Queen would remember that and send them plenty of
the guns which loaded at the bottoms instead of the tops, and boxes of
powder and bullets to load them with. Then he would be able to fight
for Her Majesty against the other chiefs who hated her, because they
were all dogs and sons of Shaitan.
"Roberts, old fellow," whispered Bracy, high up on the wall, "I could
swear I saw one of those fellows leading the attack made upon us from
the cedar grove."
"Shouldn't be a bit surprised, dear boy. Perhaps he has repented and
has come to say he is good now and will never do so any more. Can you
understand 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 us
yesterday."
"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 to
take in old Graves."
"I'm sure that's one of them. I had him at the end of my binocular, and
I 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 are
precious cunning, but it's generally little child's deceit, and that's
as transparent as a bit of glass. Don't be alarmed. Old Graves can see
through any tricks of that kind, and Wrayford hasn't been on this
station 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 at
stake."
"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 to
destroy us as we came up yesterday, and now they find we have escaped
them they want to make friends."
"Well, we want the tribes to be friendly."
"Yes, but not with sham friendliness, to lull us into security, and
then, after waiting their time, to join their fellows in a general
massacre."
"I am afraid you are misjudging our visitors here," said Colonel
Wrayford quietly.
"I am sure I am not. I swear I saw that dark fellow with the cut on his
cheek 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 a
millstone 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 friendly
to the Queen, and his request for arms and ammunition shall be sent to
the proper quarter. Now, then, what does he say to that?"
One of the interpreters spoke to say that the great chief of the Red
Dwats would camp in the valley above, so as to be close at hand if any
of the sons of Shaitan who had been molesting the fort before should
dare to approach again. They were all gone back now to their own
valleys in fear, through his approach, and now the two great English
Generals and their men might sleep in peace.
"Thank you. Bravo! Encore, Sambo!" said Roberts softly. "Going? Pray
remember me to all at home."
"Ugh!" raged out Bracy below his breath; "if ever treachery was plainly
marked 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 back
in safety, like the noble ambassadors they are."
"What is going on now?" said Bracy. "Why, they're shaking hands with
Colonel Wrayford, English fashion. Surely he is not going to trust
them?"
"Seems as if he is," replied Roberts softly as the young men stood
gazing down at the party below. "Perhaps he knows the native character
better than we do, and thinks it's all right."
"Well, I don't," said Bracy shortly, "young as I am. Those fellows have
come as spies, and I'm more and more convinced that they are the set who
harassed 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 with
Graves!"
"No, he isn't," replied Roberts softly. "Doesn't like the look of the
old man's eyes. Made a sort of shy at him. Now they're off, after
picking up all that they could about our strength and position. Well,
it isn't right, perhaps, for us to pull our superior's actions to
pieces; but I don't think Wrayford is right."
"And Graves seems to think as you do," said Bracy thoughtfully as he
watched the departure of the chiefs. "Look! those fellows are not
missing much with their rolling eyes. I wonder what they think of our
lads. The poor fellows don't show up very well against these stout
hill-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 I
should like to know what they are saying to one another."
"Talking about the strength of the gates, you may depend, and whether
this would be a good place to make their first attack when they come to
put the garrison to the sword," said Bracy slowly.
"Well, you are a cheerful sort of a fellow for a companion," said
Roberts, laughing.
"That's what they came for, cheerful or not."
"Perhaps so; but coming to do a thing and doing it are two different
matters. Well, the show is over, and we may come down. Let's go and
see about getting our new quarters a little more ship-shape. I want to
see what the men are doing."
"Not yet," said Bracy. "I want to watch these fellows back to their own
men, 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 judge
from 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, the
walls and towers were pretty well deserted. The two young officers
remained, however, Captain Roberts dreamily watching the wondrous
panorama of snowy mountains spreading out to the north as far as the eye
could reach, while Bracy sat with his double glass carefully focussed
and resting upon the stone parapet, watching the departing chiefs, who
strode away looking proud and haughty, and apparently without holding
any communication with one another till they were well on their way,
when Bracy noted that they suddenly began to talk with a good deal of
animation.
Bracy kept up his watch till they reached their followers, who closed
round 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, can
you?"
"Yes; there's a regular mob of fighting-men crowding round those
fellows, and they're holding a regular meeting."
"Good little glass. I say, old man, I'll swop with you. Mine's a
bigger 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 I
can'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?"
"Yes, quite plainly."
"Then I think I will swop, after all. Can't hear what they say, I
suppose?"
"Hardly."
"Humph! Not so good a glass, then, as Pat's, that brought the church so
near that he could hear the singing. Go on."
"He's gesticulating. Now he's marching up and down stiffly like Graves
did while the conference was going on."
"Well, of all the impudence! But no flam: can you really make out all
that?"
"Perfectly. Now he is taking off his puggree and pretending to take a
handkerchief out and mopping his bald head."
"Like Wrayford does. Why, the scoundrel stood as stiff as a poker when
he was here and let the others do the talking."
"Yes, while he was studying his part. Now they're laughing again and
stamping about and holding their sides. He is going through everything
he noted for their amusement, and telling them what absurd-looking
people the English are."
"Oh yes," said Roberts; "we're a very humorous lot, we British--very
amusing indeed, but best at a distance, for we're rather prickly, and
easily 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. He
must have said something which excited them."
"Made 'em all draw and swear that they'd cut us to pieces and fling us
in the river, I dare say."
"Oh, there you are!" cried a familiar voice, and the tall, thin
subaltern hurried to their side. "I say, what do you think of that for
a fit?" he cried, stopping, and then holding out one foot. "Just as if
they 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 those
Dwats?"
"I've been doing so," said Bracy, closing his glass and returning it to
its case. "What do you think of them?"
"Think they're a set of humbugs. They've come here hunting for
information and pretending to be friends; and the worst of it is, old
Wrayford 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 he
was cut down about a month ago. Poor old man! he's as brave as a lion
still, 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 the
fort 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 would
be so valuable, and that it would not do, hemmed in as we are, to offend
a 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 these
fellows is to make 'em afraid of you, for they're as treacherous as they
are 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 that
kind. 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 a
twinkle 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 if
you want to hold your own. I should be nowhere amongst these
hill-niggers if I didn't act as if I thought I was the biggest pot under
the 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 that
party this morning. I wouldn't have had them see me with my feet
bandaged up like they were for anything. It would have been lowering
the dignity of Her Majesty's service in the eyes of the heathen."
"Of course," said Bracy, smiling; "but never mind that. You don't
believe 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 be
friendly so as to see what your regiment was like and how the defences
looked."
"There, Roberts!"
"All right, dear boy. Well, when they come again we must show them our
boy-regiment, and how they've improved with the excellent practice we
can make in firing."
"That's the way," said Drummond cheerily. "They'll soon come again with
two or three other tribes, for they've all made up their minds to have
us 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 up
and down as if thinking about the time when he'll have me to cut up and
mend."
"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. Splendid
place for the lads. Light, airy, and cool. They can't help getting
well."
"But I thought you had no patients, sir," said Drummond.
"Oh yes, two that we brought with us; and if Colonel Wrayford is
willing, I propose that your wounded should be brought across, for it's
a 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 quickly
and taking a pinch of snuff. "Well, we'll wait a bit. I dare say you
will neither of you be so much occupied when you are once brought in to
me. 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, you
can't hold back now."
"Not going to, old fellow. There, Doctor, I beg your pardon. I'll
come."
"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 with
them."
"Good boy!" said the Doctor, smiling.
"I suppose you have not had your two patients taken to the hospital
yet?" said Bracy.
"Then you supposed wrongly, sir. There they are, and as comfortable as
can be."
"That's capital," cried Bracy, "for I wanted to come and see that poor
fellow Gedge."
"That fits," said the Doctor, "for he was asking if you were likely to
come to the hospital; but I told him no, for you would be on duty. This
way, 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 the
first to give me a call?"
"Look here, Doctor," said Roberts, "if you're going to keep on in this
strain I'm off."
"No, no; don't go. You must see the place. I've a long room, with a
small one close by, which I mean to reserve for my better-class
patients.--Here, you two," he said to the injured privates lying upon a
couple 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 to
the visitors; and Gedge uttered a low groan as he caught up the light
cotton coverlet and threw it over his head.
"Look at him," said the Doctor merrily, and he snatched the coverlet
back. "Why, you vain peacock of a fellow, who do you think is going to
notice the size of your head?"
"I, for one," said Bracy, smiling. "Why, Gedge, it is nothing like so
big 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 gave
the 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 we
wasn'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, as
the 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 glad
you are in such good quarters."
"Thank ye, sir, thank ye. Quarters is all right, sir; but I'd rather be
in the ranks. So would he--wouldn't you, pardner?"
His fellow-sufferer, who looked doubtful at Gedge's free-and-easy way of
talking, 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 party
filed 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 through
eating or drinking what they ought not to. But I dare say I shall be
busy now."
"Thanks, Doctor," said Roberts as they returned to the great court of
the large building. "Glad you've got such good quarters for your
patients."
"Thanks to you for coming," replied the Doctor; and the parties
separated, Drummond leading his new friends off to introduce them to
some of the anxious, careworn ladies who had accompanied their husbands
in the regiment, and of the Civil Service, who had come up to Ghittah at
a 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 much
so. 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 he
were going all over me with one of those penny trumpet things doctors
use to listen to you with. I know he came to the conclusion that I was
too 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 your
regiment."
The young men were very warmly welcomed in the officers' quarters; and
it seemed that morning as if their coming had brought sunshine into the
dreary 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 great
court.
"Glad I took you in there," he said; "they don't look the same as they
did yesterday. Just fancy, you know, the poor things sitting in there
all day so as to be out of the reach of flying shots, and wondering
whether their husbands will escape unhurt for another day, and whether
that 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 such
places as this. It gives me the shivers sometimes; but these poor
things, they don't know what it will all be when they marry and come
out."
"And if they did they would come all the same," said Roberts bluffly.
"Well, it's quite right," said Bracy thoughtfully. "It's splendidly
English and plucky for a girl to be willing to share all the troubles
her husband goes through."
"So it is," said Drummond. "I've always admired it when I've read of
such things; and it makes you feel that heroines are much greater than
heroes."
"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 the
British Raj. I helped the colour-sergeant to fix it up there. We put
up a new pole twice as high as the old one, so as to make the enemy
waxy, 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 purposes
till the flag-pole was reached, and the young subaltern passed his arm
round it and stood waiting while his companions took a good long
panoramic look.
"There you are," he then said. "See that green patch with the
snow-pyramid rising out of it?"
"Yes; not big, is it?"
"Awful, and steep. That mountain's as big as Mont Blanc; and from that
deodar 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 bare
heads all blue and with sort of horns. Then you come upon some great
fellows, the young ones and the hens about coloured like ours, but with
short, broad tails. But you should see the cock-birds. Splendid. They
have grand, greeny-gold crests, ruby-and-purple necks, a white patch on
their back and the feathers all about it steely-blue and green, while
their 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 I
get any; but it has been getting worse and worse lately. Couldn't have
a day's shooting without the beggars taking pop-shots at you from the
hills. I don't know where we should have been if their guns shot
straight."
"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 the
square tower, resting his binocular upon the parapet, and gazing through
it 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. Are
they 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 spot
without touching it."
Bracy made way, and Roberts stepped to the other side of the tower and
looked over the wide interval to where their visitors of the morning
were 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 enemy
are, then--some of those who disappeared so suddenly yesterday. Those
are their white gowns you can see, and there's a tremendous nest of
them."
"Enemies of our visitors this morning?"
"They said so," replied Drummond, with a mocking laugh; "but it seems
rather rum for them to come and camp so near one another, and neither
party 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 that
if we sent out scouts they'd find some more of the beauties creeping
down the valleys. Well, it's a great comfort to know that this lot on
the 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 you
spied out that party yonder. Come away down, and let's tell the
Colonel. 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 make
sallies in force when we go from behind these walls. But, I say, you
two 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 can
tell you. I begin to like it now."
"You do?"
"Yes; when I get warm. Not at first, because one's always thinking
about whether the next bullet will hit you--'specially when the poor
fellows get dropping about you; but you soon get warm. It makes you
savage to see men you know going down without being able to get a shot
in return. Then you're all right. You like it then."
"Humph!" ejaculated Bracy, and his brow wrinkled. "But had we not
better go down and give the alarm?"
"Plenty of time. No need to hurry. They're not going to attack; only
lying up waiting to see if those beggars who came this morning can do
anything by scheming. I fancy they're getting a bit short of lead, for
we'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, hunting
about among the rocks for our spent bullets. You'll find them very nice
sort of fellows, ready to shoot at you with something from a distance to
give you a wound that won't heal, and cut at you when they can come to
close quarters with tulwars and knives that are sharp as razors. They
will heal, for, as our doctor says, they are beautiful clean cuts that
close well. Never saw the beauty of them, though. He's almost as bad
as 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, and
that's how it will be taken. Nothing to be done, but perhaps double the
sentries in the weak places. Not that they're very weak, or we
shouldn'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 I
don'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 come
back again. We used to do a lot of that sort of thing, but of late the
policy has been to do nothing unless they attacked, and then to give
them all we knew. Pays best."
"I don't know," said Roberts as they were descending fast; "it can't
make 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 seeing
us keep behind walls."
A minute or two later the news was borne to headquarters, where the two
Colonels were in eager conference, and upon hearing it Colonel Graves
leaped up and turned to his senior as if expecting immediate orders for
action; but his colleague's face wrinkled a little more, and he said
quietly:
"Then that visit was a mere _ruse_ to put us off our guard and give them
an opportunity for meeting the fresh odds with which they have to
contend."
"Of course it was," said Colonel Graves firmly.
"Well, there is nothing to be alarmed about; they will do nothing till
they have waited to see whether we accept the offer of admitting as
friends 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 they
were alone Drummond frowned.
"Poor old Colonel!" he said sadly; "he has been getting weaker for days
past, 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 and
the place. I shouldn't be surprised to see him give up altogether and
put himself in the doctor's hands. Well, you fellows will help us to do
the work?"
"Yes," said Bracy quickly, "come what may."
"We're going to learn the art of war in earnest now, old chap," said
Roberts as soon as they were alone again.
"Seems like it."
"Yes. I wonder whether we shall take it as coolly as this young
Drummond."
"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."