He had proof of it directly, for before he had gone many steps he was challenged, and the sharp click of a carbine lock, followed apparently by the echo, brought him to a stand, to give the word and pass on to his quarters and bed.
Then the night passed peacefully enough, and after many hours the lad rose, and began wondering, after his cold splash, to find himself fresh and free from weariness in spite of the previous day’s exertions. His first visit was to his patients, where his time was well taken up till he was summoned to the morning meal, when he met Wyatt.
“What time do we parade?” was his first question.
“Don’t parade,” said Wyatt bluntly. “Rajah’s scouts have brought in word that the enemy has withdrawn, but it’s too good to be true.”
“Then it is because we gave them such a flogging yesterday.”
“Looks like it,” said Wyatt, “but I can’t believe it. I only hope it is, for I am sick of slaughtering men and horses as we did yesterday.”
“We were doing our duty,” said Dick.
“Yes; but it’s such a horribly unpleasant duty.”
“Better than for them to be slaughtering us.”
“Well, yes; we think so, of course,” said Wyatt. “But how is Hulton?”