“Oh, don’t say that, sir.”
“It must be. They have been too much for him, and he is retreating with our lads trying to make for the Ghil Pass. That is the meaning of the gathering last night to bar their way.”
“Oh Lor’! oh Lor’! and us not able to fire a shot to help ’em. Be any use to begin, sir, like for signals to show we’re here?”
“No,” said Bracy sadly; “our single shots could not be heard.”
“Not if we fired both together, sir?” cried Gedge wildly. “I’ll load for you.”
“How could they distinguish between our shots and those of the enemy you can hear crackling?”
“Course not, sir. I’m a poor idjit sometimes. But oh! why does it keep dark down there so long when it’s getting quite light up here? We can’t see what’s going on a bit.”
“No; but my ears tell me pretty plainly,” said Bracy excitedly.
“Mr Bracy, sir.”
“Yes?”