Part 20 (1/2)

”Good,” said the lieutenant. ”But they may be coming on again. Stand fast, my lads, ready to fire at the slightest sound. I don't know how they can stand it, Mr Murray,” he added, ”for I feel as if my boot soles are being burned through.--Yes: what were you going to say--that yours are as bad?”

”No, sir,” replied the lad excitedly; ”I was going to suggest that the men who fired should stand fast.”

”Why, of course, my lad; but why?”

”Because, sir, they can tell the direction in which they fired, and know the way in which the enemy retreated.”

”Of course, sir; but what good will that do?”

”It ought to be the way in which their friends are gathered, and the opposite direction to that in which we ought to retreat.”

”Good, my lad,” said the lieutenant, clapping the lad on the shoulder.

”You'll make a smart officer some day. I should not have thought of that. It may prove to be the way towards the sh.o.r.e. We'll draw off at once. Oh!” he added. ”If a good sharp breeze would spring up, to drive off this smoke!”

”But wouldn't it set the remains of the fire blazing up again, sir?”

”Here, Murray,” whispered the officer pettishly, ”you'd better take command of the expedition. You are sharper than I am.”

”I beg your pardon, sir.”

”Not at all. I'm not so weak as to resent hearing a good suggestion.

You are quite right, my lad. I only wonder that your brain keeps so clear in the horrible confusion this smoke brings on. Here, let's put your suggestion into use. Where's Tom May?”

”Here, sir.”

”Can you tell which way the enemy retreated?”

”For sartin. This here n.i.g.g.e.r's lying on his back with his head pynted the way his party came from--shot right through his chesty; and there's a spear, sir, sticking slahntind.i.c.kler in the ashes as shows the way which it was throwed from. Both being from the same bearings seems to say, sir, as that's the way the n.i.g.g.e.rs would run.”

”Humph!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the lieutenant thoughtfully. ”Not quite sure, my man?”

”No, sir, but I heerd them seem to run same way, so I thought it was a bit likely, sir.”

”Likely enough for us to follow, my lad,” said the officer; ”so lead off, and keep on in the direction you think that the sh.o.r.e will lie.”

”Can't do that, sir,” said the man bluntly. ”Only think, sir, as it will be farthest from where the enemy came.”

”Lead on,” said the officer shortly. ”It's the best thing for us now.

Forward, my lads. You, Mr Murray, keep alongside of me. We'll bring up the rear.”

The retreat began, with the mids.h.i.+pman nowise happy in his own mind, for he could not help feeling that after all they might be marching into fresh difficulties instead of towards safety; but before long, as they tramped on over the heated ashes, suffering badly, for they began to inhale more and more the heated dust thrown up by their men's feet, they had something else to think of, for Murray suddenly caught hold of his officer's arm to check him.

”Don't, do that, my lad,” came in response. ”It's as dark as can be, and if we are left behind we shall be worse off than ever.”

”Yes, sir,” whispered the mids.h.i.+pman; ”but listen.”

”I am listening, Mr Murray, and I can hear the crackling of the men's shoes as they trample up the burning embers. That's what you hear.”