“Look yonder, Serge,” cried Marcus, as he gazed beyond the outposts in the direction of the hills that were dotted with the enemy.
“Was looking, boy,” growled the old soldier, “It’s running all round us wherever the enemy can see. Why, it’s like putting a stick into a wasp’s nest and giving it a stir round.”
“Yes, look, look, look!” cried Marcus. “What an excitement! Does it mean that they are going to attack at once? Because if they are we shan’t get off.”
“Nay, they are only getting ready. You’ll see them settle down again directly to watch our men and make sure what we are going to do.”
The chariots moved on, one following the other till the rough line was all in motion, only one standing fast, and that one calling for the help of both Marcus and Serge, who at a word from the driver ran to the heads of the ponies to assist in controlling them. For as the last chariot started off they made a desperate plunge forward to follow, so taking the driver by surprise that the pair went on a few yards before they were stopped by Marcus and Serge hanging on to their bits and backing them to the place from which they had started.
“Don’t like being left behind,” growled Serge.
“Steady, boy, steady!” said Marcus, caressingly, as he patted the arching neck and smoothed down the wild, thick mane of the fiery little steed he held. “Wait a bit and we won’t check you. You shall go, and as fast as you like, if we can only get clear ground.”
The swarthy little driver grasped the boy’s words, and nodded and showed his teeth, while in a few minutes the spirited animals were quieted down where they stood now with their heads turned from the slowly advancing line.
“He ought to have been on the look-out,” growled Serge. “Hullo! How the chief must have been arranging all this!” And then he stood silently with his young companion, watching the changes that were beginning to take place in their little force.
The spot on which they stood was sufficiently elevated to give the pair of spectators a pretty good view of the little beleaguered camp. All at once the line of chariots was halted, while a fresh agitation commenced where the cavalry had been posted. There was a quick change where horses and men were massed together, and the light played and flashed from helmet and shield, while the men’s spears glittered like so many points of light, as they sprang on to the backs of their horses and soon after were in motion, forming into another line which moved to the front of the chariots and were stopped in due time a little in advance.