Fix Bay'nets Part 66

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 take my handkerchief to bind some round the ankle. But look first whether you can make out any movement amongst the enemy."

"It's getting dark down there, sir, though it's so bright up here, and the 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 to camp there for the night."

"I don't think they could have made us out, Gedge.--Ha! that feels comforting. 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 his head 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 to detach half a company to try and pick me up, he will do so; but the fort is to be the first consideration. Do you hear?"

"Yus, sir.--Oh yus, I hears," said Gedge through his teeth as, with the help of Mrs Gee's pocket-book packet, he put some oil-silk over the snow, and then applied the broadest bandage he could find cleverly enough.

"That's right. I'm a bit of a coward, Gedge," continued the poor fellow, 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 of the 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 reach the Ghil Valley. I have broken down, Gedge, but you must get there. Do you hear?--must."

"Yes, sir, I hear--must."

"It means salvation for the poor creatures yonder, holding out their hands 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 the message 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 popular man."

"Rigid, sir. That sounds good," cried Gedge cheerily. "But about you, sir? If you get the ridgement o' little chaps and saves the fort, it means your company, don't it--Captain?"

Bracy groaned.

"I was not striving for promotion, Gedge, but to save our fellow-countrymen and women yonder. But listen: in case I faint again-- give me a sc.r.a.p 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 that bandage, and then put the food together. I am not going to load you with instructions which you may not be able to carry out, but look yonder--there is the top of the mountain you have to skirt, shining bright and hopefully in the distance."

"I can see it, sir."

"That is your guide. Once you compa.s.s 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 where the bright peak lies, so as to take your bearings. The enemy's fire will 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 more like a soldier to die like that."

"Yes, sir, o' course; more English and plucky," said Gedge, giving the last bandage its final knot, and then opening his haversack to take out what 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 good twenty-four hours have been lost. Go at once."

"But you must eat something, sir," said Gedge stubbornly. "There's the cold 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 to come, while the hungry wolves of Dwats are crowding closer and closer in ready for the ma.s.sacre."

"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 play in sending us, and we must not fail. You must go at once."