Charge! Part 16

It was a capitally chosen spot, as I soon saw, for there was a smooth open part in front of the notch, which backed right into the side; and the stones across the path, front and rear, formed capital breastworks for the dismounted men who lined them, all the horses having been turned into the gap in the huge wall, where they were quite out of the line of fire.

"Splendid!" said the Sergeant to me, as we waited to take our turn at the defence.

"But we shall be attacked on both sides," I said. "Oughtn't we to get in there with the horses?"

"No, you recruit, you," said the Sergeant. "We shall be between two fires; but don't you see how the enemy will be crippled? Every shot that goes over us, whether it's upward or downward, goes among the Doppies. They're firing at us, but at their own friends as well."

"Of course," I replied. "I did not see that."

"I didn't at first," he said; "but our Colonel's got his head screwed on the right way, and the position is famous. Well, why don't you say 'Hurrah!' or 'Bravo!' or something of the sort?"

"Because I don't feel satisfied," I said.

"You young fellows never are," said the Sergeant. "What's the matter with you now?"

"We can hold out, of course," I said, "as long as our ammunition lasts; but what about afterwards?"

"Bother afterwards!" he said sharply; "a hundred things may happen before it comes to afterwards."

"Then, if they determine to hold on, they can force us to surrender."

"Never," said the Sergeant; "so no more croaking."

"But what about provisions?"

"Every man has his rations in a satchel."

"But water?"

"Every man has his bottle well filled, my lad."

"But when the water-bottles are empty and the food is done? What about feeding the horses? What about watering them?"

"Yah!" growled the Sergeant savagely. "Call yourself a volunteer? What do you mean by coming here prophesying all sorts of evil? Do you want to starve the horses and see 'em die of thirst? Here, I say, my lad," he whispered, "don't let any of the boys hear that. You've hit the weak point of the defence a regular staggerer. You're quite right; but we must hold on, and perhaps after a good peppering they'll draw off. If they don't, it means forming up and making a dash, and that's what the Colonel won't do if he can help it, on account of the loss."

I had no more time for talking, for directly after I was ordered to take my place behind one of the stones to make the best use I could of my rifle in keeping back the enemy, who were now descending the pa.s.s in great numbers, while the firing from the rear was so furious that it was plain enough that the ascending force was stronger than the one with which they were trying to join hands.

Chapter Fourteen.

How I Used My Cartridges.

It was a strange experience for one who had come fresh from a home life; and in the intervals of tiring I could not help wondering whether it was not all a dream. The reality, however, forced itself on me too strongly as the light went on, the s.p.a.ces about the stones being literally littered with battered bullets which had a.s.sumed all kinds of strange shapes after coming in contact with the stones-flat, mushroom-shaped, twisted, the conical points struck off diagonally, and the like; but we were so sheltered that if the Boers fired low we were unhurt, and if they fired high their shots went over among comrades. Signals were now made from above and below, with the result that the attacking party coming down the pa.s.s divided, to line the sides of the place as far as they could, so that their shots crossed our defences, and the attacking party from below followed their old tactics; thus our defences were swept by a cross-fire, and fewer Boers fell by the bullets of their friends. But these movements on the part of the Boers had brought them better within range of our pieces, for they were more exposed upon climbing up the slopes; and I had plain evidence of the loss they sustained.

At last night began to fall, and the firing of the attacking force, dropped off. It was plain that the Boers were retiring, possibly disheartened by their heavy losses. Then, soon after dark, lights began to appear, just out of range, both up and down the pa.s.s; but it was probable that the fight would be resumed as soon as it was daylight again.

Two-thirds of the men were now set at liberty to take what rest and refreshment they could, the remaining third being upon sentry-duty, ready to give the alarm should a night attack be attempted; but of this there was little probability.

Taking advantage of not being on sentry-duty, I made my way to the niche in the mountain-side which had been taken for hospital purposes, and here found Denham rolled up in a horseman's cloak and sleeping peacefully. I felt his forehead gently, and then his wrists and hands, to find all cool and comfortable; but I knew I must not wake him. Just then a figure close by stirred, and I started, for a voice said, "He's asleep."

"Yes, I know," I replied; "but has he been awake?"

"Yes; an hour ago."

"How did he seem?" I asked.

"Said it hurt him a deal, just as if his ribs were broken. Ah! he doesn't know what pain is."

"Do you?" I said.

"Rather!" said the man. "One of their bullets went right through my thigh just about six inches below my hip. That is pain. It's just as if a red-hot iron was being pushed through."

"Can I get anything for you?" I said.

"No," was the gruff reply; "unless you can get me a heap of patience to bear all this pain."

I tried to say a few comforting words to him, but they only seemed to irritate.

"Don't," he said peevishly. "I know you want to be kind, my lad; but I'm not myself now, and it only makes me feel mad. There, thank ye for it all; but please go before I say something ungrateful."

I crept away and tried to find the doctor who was with the corps; but he was busy with his wounded men, of whom he had about twenty. Giving up the satisfaction of getting his report about the young Lieutenant, I went to where Sandho was picketed with the rest, and stood by his head for about half-an-hour, petting and caressing him, before going back towards the rough breastwork-partly natural, partly artificial-which served as a shelter from the bullets.

I soon came upon one of the sentries, who challenged me; but he made room for me beside him after a few words had pa.s.sed.

"Oh yes," he said, "you can stay here if you like; but why don't you go and lie down till you have to relieve guard?"

"Because I feel too excited to sleep," I replied.

"Humph! Yes, it has been warm work," said the sentry; "but I suppose we shall get used to it. I'm excited; but I feel as if I'd give anything to lie down for an hour."

"Well, lie down," I said. "I'll keep watch for you."

"You will?" he said joyfully. "No, no; I'm not going to break down like that. Don't say any more about it. It's like tempting a man. Here, I say," he whispered eagerly, "how quiet they are! You don't think they're going to make a night attack-do you?"

"No," I said; "it's not likely. What good could they do when they couldn't see to shoot?"

"None, of course. It's not as if they were soldiers with bayonets. The only thing they could do would be to stampede the horses."

"What!" I whispered excitedly. "Oh, I say, don't talk like that."

"Only a bit of an idea that came into my head. Don't see anything-do you?"

"Nothing," I replied. "It's dark; but there's a curious transparent look about the night, and I think we should see any one directly if he were advancing."

"How? I don't see that's at all likely."

"If any one pa.s.sed along it would be like a shadow crossing the grey stones. They look quite grey in the starlight."