Fix Bay'nets Part 73

But the wildest, most exciting moments were when, in the bright evening glow, the rear-guard of the little Ghoorkhas marched in, proud of two burdens they carried shoulder-high in litters, singing and cheering and waving their caps, as if they bore the greatest triumph of the relief.

One of those they carried lay p.r.o.ne and helpless, his sallow face quivering slightly from time to time with the emotion which attacked him as he was borne into the court--most painfully perhaps when his face was recognised by those at the windows of the buildings and on the walls.

It was then that his name was shouted, first by shrill women's voices, and then thundered out and half-drowned by the cheers.

The other burden carried by the brave little Ghoorkhas would not lie, but insisted upon sitting; and somehow, in the midst of the wild excitement of their reception as the heroes who had brought back the help, Gedge seemed to go quite mad with boy-like joy. For as soon as he appeared, bandaged and damaged as he was, Mrs Gee called out his name.

A burst of fresh cheering arose then from the men of his company who were near, and as their shouts arose and were echoed by those around, "Bill Gedge! Bill Gedge!" the poor fellow sat up as high as he could upon the little Ghoorkas' shoulders, threw himself into one of his favourite n.i.g.g.e.r minstrel att.i.tudes, with left arm outstretched and right hand seeming to thump with all his poor strength upon the imaginary banjo held against his breast.

"Welcome, welcome back!" cried Colonel Graves a few minutes later, as he forced himself through the crowd to where Doctor Morton was excitedly superintending the carrying in of his two old patients to the officers'

ward.

"Thanks, thanks, Colonel," said Bracy in a feeble voice. "I did my best, sir, but I only failed."

"Failed!" cried the Colonel proudly. "Why, the fort is saved."

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

"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 t.i.tbits and all the fat."

Bracy's face a.s.sumed 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 pa.s.s--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. 'w.i.l.l.yum 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?"