"We shall soon have reinforcements up from the camp, when it is seen that we are seriously engaged.

Fall back, men, steadily.

Take advantage of every bit of cover, but keep as well together as possible, without risk." Firing steadily, they made their way down the hill, and finally took up a position among a clump of rocks.

Two had been shot dead, and two others were wounded; and it was because these could not be left behind that the stand was made.

The two wounded men, though partially disabled and unable to crawl, could still use their rifles; and the little party kept up so hot a fire that, though the enemy were massed from twenty to thirty yards away, they could not be brought to unite in a general attack; not even by the shouts and yells of their comrades behind, and a furious beating of tom-toms.
Illustration: Lisle gives the alarm.
The defenders were all lying down, each of them having chosen a position where he could see through a crevice between the rocks.
Lisle was lying next to the sergeant.