CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
"FOR VALOUR."
There is little more to tell, for, after this last repulse and thestrengthening of the but by doubling its garrison, the enemy's ranksmelted away once more, the white-coats, terribly lessened, vanishinglike snow from the hills.
Two days later long processions of unarmed villagers were bringing instores for sale; and before twenty-four more hours had elapsed adeputation of chiefs from different tribes were suing for peace, theEmpress Queen's authority being acknowledged, and the fort and itsapproaches became safe, so that it seemed hard to realise the truth ofthe great change. But change there was, the various hill-tribes roundapparently accepting the position of being under the stronger power, anddevoting themselves to the arts of peace.
It was while getting slowly over his injuries that Bracy's quartersbecame the favourite resort of many of the officers, even ColonelWrayford, once more himself, often coming in company with Major Grahamand the Doctor. But the chief visitors were Roberts and Drummond, thethree young officers exchanging notes as to what had taken place duringtheir separation.
"I never knew such a lucky chap as you are, Bracy," said Drummond on oneoccasion. "You seem to get most of the titbits and all the fat."
Bracy's face assumed such a peculiar aspect of perplexed wonder as hecarefully shifted his injured leg so as not to jar his wound whilemoving, and he directed such a questioning look at Roberts that thelatter burst into a roar of laughter.
"What is it?" said Drummond. "Have I said something stupid--a bull?"
"More like the bleat of an innocent calf," said Roberts--"eh, Bracy?"
"Oh, all right; chaff away, old chaps. But, I say, I hear that thereare a lot of supplies coming up the pass--mule-loads and loads. There'ssure to be a bullock-trunk for me, and I shall be able to get out of youfellows' debt."
"Our debt?" said Bracy. "You don't owe me anything."
"Oh, don't I? What about those boots?"
One morning, when Bracy was getting on towards convalescence, Gedge, whowas acting as invalid servant, entered the homely room holding out onearm.
"Why, Gedge!" cried Bracy; "the sergeant's chevrons?"
"That's right, sir," cried their owner proudly. "Youngest sergeant inthe ridgement, Colonel says, and that he was proud to give me mypromotion."
The young soldier held out his arm, upon which the regimental tailor hadsewn a patch of very shabby cloth, bearing the three stripes of thesergeant's rank, the thing itself being a weather-stained rag.
"I congratulate you, my lad, with all my heart."
"I knew you would, sir. Ain't much to look at, sir, to some people. Weshall get fresh togs served out some day; but I don't believe the noostripes 'll shine out half so bright as these here do, sir, to me."
Bracy sighed.
"Can't help feeling as proud as a dog with two tails--ought to saythree, sir, because that's the number of the stripes. But somehow Idon't feel as I thought I should."
"I suppose not," said Bracy sadly. "I feel the same, Gedge. We did notfetch the Ghoorkhas."
"No, sir," said Gedge, grinning; "but we brought 'em back, and I don'tsee how any two could ha' done more than we did. But I didn't meanthat, sir. I meant about Sergeant Gee. I thought it would make him aswaxy as could be; but as soon as parade was over, and the boys had donecheering me for my promotion, I got showing off, for old Gee was comingup to me, and I was getting ready to give him back as good as he giveme. But what d'yer think, sir?"
"I don't know, Gedge," said Bracy, smiling.
"Knocks the wind outer me at once."
"What do you mean?"
"Comes up to me and offers me one hand, and claps t'other on myshoulder. `Glad to welcome so brave a brother,' he says, `to thesergeants' mess.' My! I was took aback, sir, and couldn't say a word;and if next minute his missus wasn't shaking hands too with the tears inher eyes, sir--real uns, for I counted four as tumbled out and fell spaton the front of her dress. `Willyum Gedge,' she says, and then shestops short with her lower lip dithering, and she couldn't say anotherword, only stood shaking her head, while the boys cheered again. ThinkSergeant Gee meant it, sir, or was it only showing off?"
"He meant it, my lad. Gee has a great deal of harsh tyranny in his waysof dealing with those under him; but a braver and more honest man neverjoined the regiment."
"I'm glad o' that, sir," said Gedge. "Then, as he did mean it, why, ofcourse we're going to be friends."
"Ah, Sergeant, you here?" said Colonel Graves, entering Bracy'squarters. "One moment before you go. I have mentioned you in mydespatch for displaying signal bravery in protecting your officer upontwo occasions."
"Me, sir? Oh, thanky, sir, but I--"
"Silence!--Bracy, my dear boy, I came to tell you that I have spoken soof you that if they do not give you the Victoria Cross I shall say thereis something wrong."
"For me, sir?" cried Bracy, with his pale, thin face flushing faintly."Impossible, sir. Oh, I have not deserved all this!"
The Colonel's eyes did not look quite so bright as usual as he warmlyshook his young officer's hand.
"Let me be the best judge of that," he said. "You have always been oneof my smartest officers, and in this last dangerous expedition youshowed the will and did your utmost. It was fate that helped you in thelast extremity to perfect the deed."
The day came when the simple little much-prized decoration was pinned onCaptain Bracy's breast, and the motto never shone upon a truer heart.
"For Valour," he said softly as he looked down upon his breast. "Was itreally well deserved?"
Fix Bay'nets: The Regiment in the Hills Page 37
