"What's the matter with you now ?" "We can hold out, of course," I said, "as long as our ammunition lasts; but what about afterwards ?" "Bother afterwards!" he said sharply; "a hundred things may happen before it comes to afterwards." "Then, if they determine to hold on, they can force us to surrender." "Never," said the Sergeant; "so no more croaking." "But what about provisions ?" "Every man has his rations in a satchel." "But water ?" "Every man has his bottle well filled, my lad." "But when the water-bottles are empty and the food is done?
What about feeding the horses?
What about watering them ?" "Yah!" growled the Sergeant savagely.

"Call yourself a volunteer?
What do you mean by coming here prophesying all sorts of evil?
Do you want to starve the horses and see 'em die of thirst?
Here, I say, my lad," he whispered, "don't let any of the boys hear that.

You've hit the weak point of the defence a regular staggerer.

You're quite right; but we must hold on, and perhaps after a good peppering they'll draw off.

If they don't, it means forming up and making a dash, and that's what the Colonel won't do if he can help it, on account of the loss." I had no more time for talking, for directly after I was ordered to take my place behind one of the stones to make the best use I could of my rifle in keeping back the enemy, who were now descending the pass in great numbers, while the firing from the rear was so furious that it was plain enough that the ascending force was stronger than the one with which they were trying to join hands..