"He is coming round," the officer said. "He was farther gone than you were; and his heart's action was altogether suspended, from the cold. His limbs are twitching now, and the doctor says he will do.
"You call him your brother, but I suppose you mean your son?"
"Please lend me some clothes," Ralph said. "I can stand, now."
Some clothes had already been got in readiness, and warmed; and in a couple of minutes Ralph was kneeling by his brother's side. Percy was now coming to, and was suffering agonies similar to those which Ralph himself had experienced, from the recommencement of circulation in his limbs. He looked round, utterly bewildered; for he had become insensible before the Farcey's gun had given notice of her proximity. He smiled, however, when his eyes fell on Ralph's face.
"It is all right, Percy, thank God," Ralph said. "We are on board the gunboat Farcey and, in ten minutes, we shall be landed in the heart of Paris."
In another five minutes, Percy was sufficiently recovered to begin to dress. The commander of the Farcey now turned to Ralph.
"Your son has had a very narrow shave of it, sir."
"Son!" Ralph said, "He is my brother."
The officer looked surprised.
"How old do you take me to be?" Ralph asked.