In Barracks and Wigwam — page 174: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

rv hs eye oS) Owe Pvt = ome ee’ Ce UN ty RP ee WS JP en lw a” OW eae YO 0 44 Man i aS eter, hd pina! a ord Vike EE CR eae es pra : . ae’, ’ at a 164 A Gallant Defense. | himself, Trumpeter Grant, and Privates Dawnay, Reily, and Pomfret. Two were wounded, and five were dead. Harker and Marsh lay at the mouth of the valley, Drew and Harris lay down in the bed of the stream, and the body of Wilson was at the foot of the cliff. _ Of the wounded, Bent’s case was hopeless. The man - ‘was shot through the lungs, and nothing could be done for him. He was lying in a state of semi-consciousness in a far corner of the ledge, groaning from time to time and stirring restlessly. But Hiester was only shot through the thigh, and the plucky fellow had insisted on being placed behind the parapet, where he could lift him- self on his elbow and shoot if his services should be needed. “Corporal, don’t look so down-hearted,”’ said Grant, who was lying next to the young officer and had observed his dejection. “It’s a pity we've lost so many brave fel- lows, but the same thing has happened over and over again. And the rest of us are safe enough. This place is almost impregnable, and we can hold it until help comes. There are six of us, counting Ehiester, and all good shots.” “Il wasn’t thinking of that,’ Linn answered, wearily. | “You know - “Yes, I know what’s on your mind,” said Grant. ‘Every one of us understands that Captain Norman hates you, and you won't lack for witnesses to clear you if he dares to charge you with blame. Why, it’s not your fault at all. On the contrary, you’ve behaved like an old sol- dier, and the men are astonished at your bravery and pluck. It’s due entirely to you that any of us are alive now. If any one gets hauled over the coals it will be Norman himself. He had no business to send out so. _ small a party. A plain case of negligence, I call it, and a you can bet yous boots i ‘ | “Corporal,” Dawnay Hae ba in a sharp whisberais rey