“I was afraid so. Here, help me to stand up.”
“Better not, sir,” protested Gedge.
“Obey orders, my lad,” said Bracy softly, and with a smile at his attendant. “You’re not the Doctor.”
“No, sir, but—”
“Your hands.”
Gedge extended his hands, and by their help Bracy rose, to stand on one leg, the other hanging perfectly helpless, with the toes touching the rock.
“Help—me—” said Bracy faintly, and he made a snatch at Gedge, who was on the alert and caught him round the waist, just in time to save him from a fall.
The next moment he had fainted dead away, to come-to in a few minutes and find his companion laying snow upon his temples.
“Ah!” he sighed; “that’s refreshing, Gedge.”
“Have a bit to suck, sir?”