"FOR VALOUR."
There is little more to tell, for, after this last repulse and the
strengthening of the but by doubling its garrison, the enemy's ranks
melted away once more, the white-coats, terribly lessened, vanishing
like snow from the hills.
Two days later long processions of unarmed villagers were bringing in
stores for sale; and before twenty-four more hours had elapsed a
deputation of chiefs from different tribes were suing for peace, the
Empress Queen's authority being acknowledged, and the fort and its
approaches became safe, so that it seemed hard to realise the truth of
the great change. But change there was, the various hill-tribes round
apparently accepting the position of being under the stronger power, and
devoting themselves to the arts of peace.
It was while getting slowly over his injuries that Bracy's quarters
became the favourite resort of many of the officers, even Colonel
Wrayford, once more himself, often coming in company with Major Graham
and the Doctor. But the chief visitors were Roberts and Drummond, the
three young officers exchanging notes as to what had taken place during
their separation.
"I never knew such a lucky chap as you are, Bracy," said Drummond on one
occasion. "You seem to get most of the titbits and all the fat."
Bracy's face assumed such a peculiar aspect of perplexed wonder as he
carefully shifted his injured leg so as not to jar his wound while
moving, and he directed such a questioning look at Roberts that the
latter burst into a roar of laughter.
"What is it?" said Drummond. "Have I said something stupid--a bull?"
"More like the bleat of an innocent calf," said Roberts--"eh, Bracy?"
"Oh, all right; chaff away, old chaps. But, I say, I hear that there
are a lot of supplies coming up the pass--mule-loads and loads. There's
sure to be a bullock-trunk for me, and I shall be able to get out of you
fellows' debt."
"Our debt?" said Bracy. "You don't owe me anything."
"Oh, don't I? What about those boots?"
One morning, when Bracy was getting on towards convalescence, Gedge, who
was acting as invalid servant, entered the homely room holding out one
arm.
"Why, Gedge!" cried Bracy; "the sergeant's chevrons?"
"That's right, sir," cried their owner proudly. "Youngest sergeant in
the ridgement, Colonel says, and that he was proud to give me my
promotion."
The young soldier held out his arm, upon which the regimental tailor had
sewn a patch of very shabby cloth, bearing the three stripes of the
sergeant's rank, the thing itself being a weather-stained rag.
"I congratulate you, my lad, with all my heart."
"I knew you would, sir. Ain't much to look at, sir, to some people. We
shall get fresh togs served out some day; but I don't believe the noo
stripes 'll shine out half so bright as these here do, sir, to me."
Bracy sighed.
"Can't help feeling as proud as a dog with two tails--ought to say
three, sir, because that's the number of the stripes. But somehow I
don't feel as I thought I should."
"I suppose not," said Bracy sadly. "I feel the same, Gedge. We did not
fetch the Ghoorkhas."
"No, sir," said Gedge, grinning; "but we brought 'em back, and I don't
see how any two could ha' done more than we did. But I didn't mean
that, sir. I meant about Sergeant Gee. I thought it would make him as
waxy as could be; but as soon as parade was over, and the boys had done
cheering me for my promotion, I got showing off, for old Gee was coming
up to me, and I was getting ready to give him back as good as he give
me. But what d'yer think, sir?"
"I don't know, Gedge," said Bracy, smiling.
"Knocks the wind outer me at once."
"What do you mean?"
"Comes up to me and offers me one hand, and claps t'other on my
shoulder. `Glad to welcome so brave a brother,' he says, `to the
sergeants' mess.' My! I was took aback, sir, and couldn't say a word;
and if next minute his missus wasn't shaking hands too with the tears in
her eyes, sir--real uns, for I counted four as tumbled out and fell spat
on the front of her dress. `Willyum Gedge,' she says, and then she
stops short with her lower lip dithering, and she couldn't say another
word, only stood shaking her head, while the boys cheered again. Think
Sergeant Gee meant it, sir, or was it only showing off?"
"He meant it, my lad. Gee has a great deal of harsh tyranny in his ways
of dealing with those under him; but a braver and more honest man never
joined the regiment."
"I'm glad o' that, sir," said Gedge. "Then, as he did mean it, why, of
course we're going to be friends."
"Ah, Sergeant, you here?" said Colonel Graves, entering Bracy's
quarters. "One moment before you go. I have mentioned you in my
despatch for displaying signal bravery in protecting your officer upon
two occasions."
"Me, sir? Oh, thanky, sir, but I--"
"Silence!--Bracy, my dear boy, I came to tell you that I have spoken so
of you that if they do not give you the Victoria Cross I shall say there
is something wrong."
"For me, sir?" cried Bracy, with his pale, thin face flushing faintly.
"Impossible, sir. Oh, I have not deserved all this!"
The Colonel's eyes did not look quite so bright as usual as he warmly
shook his young officer's hand.
"Let me be the best judge of that," he said. "You have always been one
of my smartest officers, and in this last dangerous expedition you
showed the will and did your utmost. It was fate that helped you in the
last extremity to perfect the deed."
The day came when the simple little much-prized decoration was pinned on
Captain Bracy's breast, and the motto never shone upon a truer heart.
"For Valour," he said softly as he looked down upon his breast. "Was it
really well deserved?"