"Load again," cried Phil. "Now, are you ready? Then follow me to the right. We will change our position before these fellows recover sufficiently to open fire." Running through the dense growth of bushes, the outpost-party soon took up a new position in front of one of the other columns, where, spreading out so as to pour their volleys into all three columns, they waited again for the command to fire. Meanwhile shouts and oaths came in a perfect storm from the Russians, and their hiss of excitement rose to deafening pitch. Then the mist was suddenly rent asunder by a flash of flame which ran along their front, and a hail of bullets was poured into the bushes where Phil and his party had lain not a minute before, sending a shower of twigs and leaves pattering to the ground, and striking the boulders with a series of sharp thuds, which told that but for the fortunate change of position, the outpost-party would have been decimated. "Now we'll give them another taste," said Phil aloud. "Then we'll retire some fifty yards and wait for them again." The movement proved even more successful than he could have hoped, for, bewildered by the mist, and fearful that they had stumbled upon a strong force of the Allies, the Russians still stood rooted to the spot, while the bullets tore remorselessly through their crowded ranks, doing awful execution at such close quarters. Standing in front of them, officers waved their swords gallantly and called upon them to advance, but, stricken by the fire and in dread of the British bayonet, the grey-coated host stood there doubtful and hesitating, and kept from flying only by the press of men behind, unaware as yet of the trouble which had befallen their comrades in advance. "We'll play the same game again, my men," cried Phil coolly, as soon as the retirement had been carried out. "Then we'll make for the barrier and rejoin our friends. The 80th is there by now, and will be ready to help us if we are in difficulties." "What's that there, sir?" asked Tony suddenly, standing by his master's side and pointing to the left. "That's a column of Russians, I reckon, and if we're to get back to friends alive we'd best be quick about it. See, they're already behind us." Staring through the mist, Phil recognised with a start that the force of Russians to the left, suffering less from the galling fire of the British outposts, had recovered their wits, and, advancing up the valley, were tramping past him and already deploying between himself and the "barrier." "Get together, men," he cried hastily. "Now, in two lines, and bayonets to the front! Keep your fire till at close quarters!"