Every moment was golden.
Already a distant bugle-note announced that Atherton's horse had broken loose, and were somewhere within reach--probably cutting their way through the guns.

And within a few minutes the head of the column ascending the defile would also come upon the scene.

Hold the guns till then, and all might yet be safe.
So decided Captain Forrester, as with a cheery smile on his handsome face he shouted to his men to hold out, and fought like a lion beside the foremost gun.
The Afghans, baffled by the stubborn resistance, and aware of the danger of delay, hurled themselves upon that devoted little bond with a fury before which nothing could stand.

Man after man dropped across his gun; but still Forrester shouted to his men and swung his sabre.

It was no time for counting heads.