Then, with the tenderness of women, the great bronzed fellows lifted the wounded men who could not walk, slipped under them a hammock, and one at each corner carried them in and laid them down.
“There you are, messmates,” said the biggest of the men; “now, then, a quid apiece for you to keep down the pain. Make ready: pockets, ’bacco boxes,” he shouted, and his comrades laughingly obeyed.
“Thank you, my lads, thank you,” cried the doctor, going round and shaking hands with all in turn; “why, it would be a pleasure to have to do with such men as you. But there, you’re safe and sound.”
“At present, sir,” said the big sailor; “but hark! They’re at it yonder.”
We listened and sure enough there was the distant sound of heavy firing coming from the west.
“And we not in it, mates,” said the big sailor dolefully.
The wounded being cared for and the miners’ wives beginning to come back, we left them in the doctor’s charge, and, in response to the lieutenant’s invitation, went back with him to the lugger.
“I’ll send your fellows up all I can,” he said, “but you two come to the lugger cabin, and I think I can scrape you up a bit of a meal.”
We were ready enough to go for many reasons, one of them being curiosity; and having shaken hands with Bigley, and asked my father to do the same, for the poor fellow was very miserable and despondent, away we went.
“The rascals!” said the lieutenant, “they’ve got all your silver then? How much was it worth?”