"It all went in, sir. Master Gervase checked it on board by the list."
"For the rest we are reduced to stones? Then, Prosper, there remains no other course open to us."
"Than what, sir?" I asked.
"We must enlist this old man; and that fulfils our number."
"Old John Worthyvale?"
"Why not? He can sit in the hold and crack stones until I devise his part in the campaign. Say no more. I have an inkling he will prove not the least useful man of our company."
"As to that, sir," I answered, with a shrug of the shoulders and a glance at Mr. Fett and Mr. Badcock, "I don't feel able to contradict you."
"Then here we are assembled," said my father, cheerfully, with the air of one closing a discussion; "the more by token that here comes Billy Priske. Why, man," he asked, as Billy rode up—but so dejectedly that his horse seemed to droop its ears in sympathy— "what ails you? Not wounded, are you?"
"Worse," answered Billy, and groaned.
"We were told you got quit of the crowd.