“Yes; I don’t think he could get up there,” replied the Major; “but there is an enemy astir, you may be sure.”
“I suppose so. The fact of a force like ours being at their mercy would set all the marauding scoundrels longing. Well, we have done everything possible. We’re safe front and rear, and we can laugh up here at any attack from below on the right.”
Just about the same time Bracy and his friend Roberts were tripping and stumbling along with their company, the slowness of the baggage giving them time to halt now and then to gaze in awe and wonder at the stupendous precipices around and the towering snow-mountains which came more and more into sight at every turn of the zigzag track.
“I suppose the Colonel knows what he’s about,” said Bracy during one of these halts.
“I suppose so,” replied Roberts. “Why?”
“Because we seem to me to be getting more and more into difficulties, and where we must be polished off if the enemy lies in wait for us in force. Why in the world doesn’t he try another way to Ghittah?”
“For the simple reason, my boy, that there is no other way from the south. There’s one from the north, and one from the east.”
“That settles the question, then, as to route; but oughtn’t we to have flankers out?”
“Light cavalry?” said the Captain grimly.
“Bosh! Don’t talk to me as if I were a fool. I mean skirmishers out right and left.”