The enemy's centre was following the sortie back with every rifle that could bear upon it, and bullets were striking in front of the sangar and flying over it like brazen winged bees. Two or three men had been hit, and Terrington stooped to lift one of them into safety before he could speak to Rose.
"Go back!" he said almost angrily. "What are you doing here?"
"I shan't!" she returned defiantly. "I'm going to be with you."
Terrington turned to direct the carrying of the wounded down to the road: then he put his hand upon her shoulder and said quietly.
"Go back, please, for my sake, to the doolie, we're all going forward in a few minutes."
Gholam, who had been standing beside her, with an expression, turned towards Terrington, of absolute impotence, gave a little jump and clapped his hand to his elbow.
"Are you hit?" said Terrington.
The man withdrew his hand, looked at it, all smeared with blood, and salaamed.
"The Sahib's servant has the honour," he replied gravely.
Terrington placed himself more completely between Rose and the enemy's fire.