"Here have I been telling myself it was all my fancy; but now you hear it I feel it must be fact." "I hear it; so does my man, and the trooper who rides next to me." "Yes; and we can all hear it now," said the Sergeant.

"Well, it's plain enough.

We're in a tight place, my lad, for there's only one answer to it, and it explains why the Colonel hasn't sent us some support, for he must have heard the firing." "What do you make of it, then ?" "That the Doppers are better soldiers than we give them credit for being, and they've got round to the Colonel's rear somehow, and shut him in this giant hogs'-trough of a valley." "Think so ?" I said anxiously, as I thought of the Lieutenant.
"I'm sure of it.

Now then; that's not our business.

Halt! Right about! Take position behind those stones.