However, we must hope we shall get there
all right. Sergeant, have the men got anything in their haversacks?"
"Yes, sir. Captain O'Connor ordered them to take their breakfast
ration of bread, and he told me to see that their water bottles were
filled; and--" (and here he moved closer up to Ralph, so that he
should not be heard by the men) "he gave me a couple of bottles of
whisky to mix with the water, and told me to fill the bottles myself,
so that the men shouldn't know what was in them till they had their
breakfast; otherwise there would be none left by the time they wanted
to eat their bread. He is always thoughtful the captain is."
"That's a very good plan, sergeant. I shall bear it in mind myself for
the future. They will want something before they get back after a
fourteen-mile march."
The fine mist continued steadily as they tramped along; but the night
seemed to grow darker and darker. They turned off from the road; and
as they began to ascend the track along the valley the cloud seemed to
settle round them. The excise officer walked ahead, keeping upon the
path. Ralph followed as closely as he could in his footsteps; but
although almost touching him he could not make out his figure in the
darkness.
"Tell the men to follow in single file, sergeant," he said; "keeping
touch with each other.
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