It was only a momentary glance to see what our chances were; and in answer to the Colonel's words I shouted to Sandho to come round to my side.
"Poor wretch!" groaned the Colonel; "you've done your part.

I can't see you suffer like this;" and, to my horror, he took out his revolver, placed it to his charger's forehead, and fired.

The shot had a double effect that was nearly fatal to our chance, for at the clear-cutting report the Colonel's charger laid his head slowly down, and a quiver ran through his frame; but Sandho reared up, made a bound, and was in the act of dashing off.

Almost instinctively I gave out a shrill whistle, which brought him up, and he trotted back to my side.
"Now," I cried, half-wild with excitement and the feeling of exaltation which had come over me, "mount and gallop after our men." "What! No, boy, I can't do that," he said, smiling, as he clapped me on the shoulder.

"I've played my part, and if it means exit I'll go off the stage like a man, for I suppose the brutes will shoot me for what I've done." "Nonsense!" I cried, wildly now.