“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.