The boys, fortified with drink, try to rally the regiment by playing the tune "British Grenadiers" and marching back and forth before the enemy. Shamed and encouraged by the boys' bravery, they return to the attack. Before they can be reached, the boys are killed in the first volley of Afghan fire and are slain. The rallied and enraged troops rout the enemy and help win the battle, but are shunned by the rest of the Brigade for their earlier actions.