“Well, we have found out now,” cried Drummond. “I say, you two; this means that the war has broken out in real earnest. But I say,”—He stopped suddenly.
“Say on,” said Bracy merrily; “we can’t stay to listen to your speech.”
“What a fellow you are!” cried the subaltern. “I can’t cut jokes at a time like this. I was going to say—phee-ew—that was close! I felt the wind of that bullet as it passed my face.”
“Miss is as good as a mile,” said Bracy cheerily. “We shall be having men out on the opposite bank before long, ready to cover us; and they will not have running objects to aim at. They’ll soon crush out this sniping.”
“Hope so,” said Drummond; “but I say—”
“Well, let’s have it this time,” cried Roberts.
“All right,” panted Drummond; “if I go down, don’t stop for a moment, but get on. The relief can come and pick me up. I shall creep into cover, if I can.”
“Yes,” said Roberts coolly—“if you can. Now, just look here, my lad; you want all your breath to keep your machinery going; you’ve none to spare to teach us our duty.”
“Well said, Rob,” cried Bracy. “Just as if it’s likely. But you’d better go down! I should like to see you!”
Crash! in the midst of some bushes, as a single shot succeeded a spattering fire, and one of the privates went down just ahead.