It was that same night again beneath the stars, and with the walls of the camp guarded—now by military sentries, though there was not the slightest fear of a return of the severely punished and scattered tribe. The two boys were seated with Sir James and the doctor, Captain Lawton having retired with his officer to one of the waggons which had been given up to them, worn out as they were with their forced march made under the guidance of Dunn Brown, when Dan made his appearance to say that Peter Dance and Bob Bacon would be glad if Sir James would see them for a minute.
“Oh, yes, of course,” was the reply, and directly afterwards the two men made their appearance.
“Well, Dance? Well, Robert,” said Sir James. “What is it?”
The two men looked at one another, then at their master, ending by grinning at Mark and Dean.
“Oh,” said Sir James good-humouredly, “it was them you wanted to see, was it?”
“Well, Sir James—” began the elder keeper, and then stopped and looked at Bob.
“Oh, don’t hesitate to speak,” said Sir James. “Boys, these two brave fellows fought for us like heroes.”
“No, no, Sir James,” grumbled Peter. “It was Bob Bacon.”
“Nay, Sir James,” cried Bob sharply. “It was Peter.”
“It was both of them,” said Sir James sharply, for he was worn out with the excitement of the day. “Peter, after we had got away—the doctor and I both wounded—nursed us both as tenderly as a woman.”