Some of them, passing along the hill, shouted to him to join them; but with a wave of his rifle and a gesture, showing that he intended to keep to the track, he went on.
Late in the afternoon, on mounting a high pass, he could distinctly hear firing in the distance; and his heart beat at the thought that he was near his friends.

Still, between him and them the Afridis might be swarming.

The risk, however, must be run.
Ascending the slope of the hill, he obtained a view of the conflict.

A body of British troops was firing steadily, and another regiment was coming up to their assistance.

The Afridis were swarming round in great numbers, and keeping up a continuous fire.
Waiting until he saw where the Afridis were thickest, he made his way down to the firing line, and took up his position behind a rock; there being none of the natives within fifty yards of him.