It was important that an advanced post should be defended, and Dick had laid out the trenches.

In the middle of the fight an officer lost his nerve, the position was stormed, and the expedition terribly cut up.
Owing to the darkness and confusion there was a doubt about who had led the retreat, but Dick was blamed and made no defense.

In spite of this, he was acquitted at the inquiry, perhaps because he was a favorite and Colonel Challoner was well known upon the frontier; but the opinion of the mess was against him.

He left the service, and the Challoners never speak of him." "I once met Lieutenant Blake," Millicent broke in, with a flush in her face.

"Though he spoke only a word or two to me, he did a very chivalrous thing; one that needed courage and coolness.