I lined the men up, each before an aperture in the open brickwork of the wall, and recommended them to aim carefully, and wait for the word of command before firing. Half sitting, half lying, with his head against the wall, was the _tirailleur_ who had been the cause of our abortive ambuscade. The upper half of his face was scorched and blackened, and a little red stream trickled down from forehead to chin. He looked dazed and stupid, and his eyes were half closed. From his lips came a continual moan, which he interrupted every few seconds to murmur: "_Tiet! Tiet!_" ("Dead! Dead!") My attention was called from him by the crash of a volley from the corporal's party. As soon as the smoke had risen the smart rattle of our volley rang out. Three times I gave the same commands, and each detonation seemed an echo to the one from the rifles of our comrades. Then there was a pause. The enemy's fire had slackened considerably, and the noise of the projectiles as they struck the wall and roof of the pagoda, sang overhead or clattered through the branches of the banyan, was hardly noticeable when compared to the racket they had kept up a few minutes before. From the hillocks before us only occasional puffs of smoke arose, followed by isolated reports from their rifles. At his call I went out to our "non-com," who said: "They seem to be sick of it, and certainly show no disposition to rush us. I wish they _would_ try, _Sacré bleu_! The ground is too open for them. If we could depend on the _linhs_--but we can't--we might make a dash for the convoy; without them the odds are too great, so I have decided to withdraw. I will start off with this lot. When we have got away give them a volley to keep them still; and if they show any signs of moving, a little independent firing. Don't be extravagant, though. You understand?" [Illustration: PAGODA USED FOR AMBUSH.] [_See page 139._] "Yes," I answered. "But you must take that wounded _linh_; he would hamper me." "Of course," he replied. "_Sacré bon Dieu!_ I had forgotten the coward. Can he stand?" "I don't think so." Thereupon he told two men off to fetch the poor beggar, and I felt sorry for him when he appeared tottering, though supported by the two Legionaries. As already explained, the banyan tree and the bushes masked the pagoda gateway, so that these movements could not be seen by the enemy. "He'll do," said the corporal. "You two men hold on to him, and help him to keep up. Here you"--this to another _tirailleur_--"tell him to run his best when we go." This was explained; and he nodded, mumbled, and would have started off alone if he had not been held. He seemed in a hurry to get away, and we all laughed. "Now," said our chief, "the Brigade will retire by echelons." Then, with a grin and a bow to me: "You, monsieur, will cover our withdrawal with your battalion. When you hear a volley from us, double out and rejoin with your party. Good luck to you!"