‘You did indeed, sir, and I take this opportunity of rendering you my heartfelt thanks.’
‘Not a word; ’twas nothing.’
‘Indeed it was everything. Had you not arrived I should have lost my all; perhaps my life too, though, God knows, that would not have troubled me much were it not for my poor mother.’
The soldier gave the boy a keen, penetrating glance. ‘You speak despondingly for one so young,’ he said. ‘You seem down on your luck; but cheer up, the longest lane must have a turning. How was it those rogues came to attack you?’
In rather broken sentences Jack began to tell his tale. But the late excitement he had passed through, coming on the top of great bodily fatigue, proved too much for him, and in a minute he found himself rambling in his speech; then the soldier seemed to be far, far away, and Jack fell back in a dead faint.
When he again opened his eyes he was lying on the grass under the shadow of some big trees. His head and neck felt deliciously cool, and putting up his hand he found they were running with water. The soldier, having divested himself of his gauntlets and gay plumed head-dress, was chafing Jack’s hands, while a pleasing feeling of drowsiness pervaded him.
‘Come, young fellow,’ said the soldier, it seemed to Jack rather anxiously, ‘you’ve had a long turn. I began to think you were a case for the doctor’s hands.’
‘Oh I’m all right,’ said Jack doggedly, and tried to struggle to his feet; but the soldier gently restrained him.
‘Wait a bit, sonny,’ he said; ‘just rest and pull yourself together. You’ve had a nasty shock. But if you’ll remain quietly here for ten minutes or so, there’s an inn near by where I can get you a mouthful of brandy.’
‘Don’t you trouble; I’m all right,’ said Jack; and again he struggled to his feet. But his knee pained him so badly, his feet were so sore, and he felt so weak, that with a moan he sank back again upon the grass.