They could hear howls and yells and bugle-calls blown at random by
the sepoys, and once, in answer as it seemed to a more than usually
savage chorus from the enemy--a chorus that was punctuated by a raging
din of intermittent rifle-fire--a ringing cheer.
"They must be in a tight hole!" muttered Bellairs. "Answer that, men!
All together, now! Let 'em know we're coming."
The men rose in their stirrups all together, and sent roaring through
the blackness the deep-throated "Hip-hip-hur-r-a-a-a-a-a!" that has
gladdened more than one beleaguered British force in the course of
history. It is quite different from the "Hur-o-a-o-a-u-r-rh" of a
forlorn hope, or the high-pitched note of pleasure that signals the
end of a review. It means "Hold on, till we get there, boys!" and
it carries its meaning, clear and crisp and unmistakable, in its note.
The two beleaguered companies heard it and answered promptly with
another cheer.
"By gad, they must be in a hole!" remarked Bellairs.
British soldiers do not cheer like that, all together, unless there
is very good reason to feel cheerless.
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