In vivid contrast to all the sounds of battle was the deathlike stillness of that gloomy ditch, where the two human forms lay inert and apparently lifeless.
In an agony of apprehension I knelt down at Charlie’s side, and called him loudly by his name, at the same time placing my hand upon his heart to feel whether it still throbbed with life. I fancied there was a faint pulsation, and this gave me hope; but I was alarmed to find that my friend’s head had been cut and was bleeding rather profusely. This I quickly bandaged with my pocket-handkerchief; and then, as there appeared to be no signs of returning consciousness, I looked about me to see if I could discover any water near. By great good-fortune, I found a little stream trickling down the hillside not fifty yards away. Overjoyed at this discovery, I ran quickly across the intervening space, took up some of the water in my cap, hurried back to Charlie’s side, and commenced bathing his temples with the refreshing liquid.
To my joy the effect was almost immediate, for after a few moments I noticed a little colour coming back into his cheeks, and a quivering of the eyelids. I wetted his lips, and chafed his cold hands with my warm ones.
“He’s coming round all right,” I muttered. “I must persevere for a few minutes.”
Presently my friend moved uneasily, and then opened his eyes, which rested upon me with a frightened expression.
“You’re all right, old chap,” I said reassuringly. “You fell over the embankment, and were stunned for a few minutes.”
“I recollect something about it now,” he replied faintly, making a futile attempt to raise his right hand to his head. “A fellow pitched me over—yes—an awfully strong chap—I’d like—”
“Don’t talk till you’re feeling a bit stronger,” I interrupted. “Try to take a drink of this water.”
My friend managed to swallow a mouthful or two, and the effect was almost instantaneous, for he presently sat up and looked about him.
“Damaged about the head,” he observed, his hand straying to the bandage; “but I don’t believe it’s anything very bad.”