Part 82 (1/2)

CHAPTER FORTY

DEFEATED

Two minutes at the outside must have been the lapse of time before the last spear held up in defence of the _pah_ was lowered by its brave owner in weakness, despair, or death

Toht with desperate valour, but they were so reduced that the enemy were four to one; and as they were driven back step by step, till they were huddled together in one corner of the _pah_, the slaughter was frightful

Stirred to fury at seeing the poor fellows drop, both Don and Jem had ly led with the crowd of defenders, and driven with thereat enclosure

Onetheir spears valorously, as the Greeks ht have used theirs in days of old; then there caether, a sensation to Don as if some mountain had suddenly fallen on his head to crush out the hideous din of yelling and despairing shrieks, and then all was darkness

It was still darkness, but the stars were shi+ning brightly overhead, when Don opened his eyes again to begin wondering why his head should ache so terribly, and he should feel so cold

Those thoughts were only h hi sound arose, as of soht ”What is the matter?”

Then he realised what had happened, for a familiar voice said almost in a whisper,--

”Poor little Sally! I wish she was here with a bit of rag”

”Jeht--I thought--Oh! Oh!”

A choking sensation rose in Don's throat, for he could hear close beside hi like a woman

”Jem! Jem, old chap!” whispered Don ”Don't, pray don't do that”

”I' not to as hard as ever I can,” whispered the poor fellow hoarsely; ”but I've been bleeding like a pig, Mas' Don, and it's ht as you was dead”

”No, no, Jeet my hands free”

”No, s”

”But the others? Where is Tomati?”

”Don't ask me, my lad”

”Oh, Je which the lowsound went on froati?” whispered Don at last

”Half killed, or dead, Mas' Don,” said Je'lar beat