“Yes, Gedge,” said Bracy drearily; “it is all downhill now to the end.”
“You ain’t listening to me, sir,” cried the lad. “Do put that glass away, sir, and we’ll have a try.”
“A try? What! to get down below? You try, my lad; but there is the terrible risk of being cut to pieces by the enemy if they see you.”
“Don’t begin that again, sir, please. You know I won’t leave you, but let’s have a try.”
“I am helpless, my lad—as helpless as a figure half of lead.”
“But I ain’t, sir,” cried Gedge. “The sight of our lads below there seems to ha’ woke me up. I’m ready to die game; but I want to make one spurt for life first.”
“Why, Gedge,” cried Bracy excitedly as he lowered the glass from his eyes, “they’re not our fellows after all.”
“What, sir!”
“No; and there’s a detachment down yonder coming from the east. I can almost see that they’re doubling to get up in time.”
“From the east, sir? Then the Colonel ain’t retreating?”