“Halt! Take me on your back at once, sir,” cried Bracy, panting with anger and pain.
“Can’t, sir. Who’s a-going to halt with them firing at us like that from behind? Ain’t I ’bliged to keep ree-treating?”
“Obey my orders, sir. I tell you I shall be easier to carry on your back.”
“Oh yes, sir, a deal easier to carry, and a nice deal easier to hit. Aintcher got it bad enough as it is?” said Gedge sulkily.
Bracy was silent for a few moments as he felt his suspicions realised. Gedge was carrying him in that awkward fashion so as to shelter him from any better-aimed bullet that might come. To make quite sure, though, he drew a deep breath and spoke again:
“I am wounded, sir, but I will be obeyed.”
“All right, sir; soon as ever we get out o’ shot.”
“But you are hurting me horribly; and can’t you see that, carrying me like this, you may receive the next bullet?”
“Oh yes, sir; I can see,” said Gedge coolly; “but you be quiet, and I won’t hurt you more’n I can help.”
Bracy’s voice had lost all its anger, and it was in no tone of command that he said: