“Final?”
“Yes; we were getting dead beat. That’s what makes us all so fond of you.”
“I see,” said Bracy, who noticed a hysterical vibration in the youth’s voice.
“That was the first inkling we got of your coming.”
“What! Didn’t you hear from our messengers?” said Roberts.
“Didn’t they get through?” cried Bracy.
“Get through? No. They wouldn’t let any messengers get through. Never mind. You’ve all come, and if we don’t have a jollification to-night my name’s something else.”
“Then you’re all right for provisions?”
“Oh yes, for some time to come. Ammunition was his weak point. We’ve blazed away till the men’s barrels have been hot.”
“It seems as if the men of your regiment are beggars to fight too,” said Bracy dryly, “judging by the appearance of some of you.”