“Thank you,” I said quietly, for his words were comforting; and I knew that my trouble was imaginary.
“Hah, that’s better!” he cried. “Come, we must be getting near the town.”
We were passing through a wooded part of the country now, the road being cut in several places through patches of forest; and scouts and flankers were sent out to make sure against surprise, as we were getting so near the enemy’s lair.
Ten minutes later there was an alarm in front, shouts and the clashing of swords, and in a wonderfully short time a couple of guns were unlimbered and ready for action, while Haynes was sent forward to support our men as they were out of sight beyond the trees, and did not return.
But before Haynes had gone far, he met them coming back, to report that they had surprised a picket of half a dozen sowars who were watching our road.
“And you let them gallop off,” cried Brace, angrily, “to alarm their comrades?”
“No, sir,” said the corporal, who was at the head of the advance; “we went at ’em directly.”
“How many got back?”
“None on ’em, sir.”
“Anybody hurt?”