“We? Nonsense! You fired the train.”
“Yes, sir, as your deputy, and with your instructions. It was done by us in following out duties that the captain would have wished carried out.”
“Ha! Thank you, Mr Murray. I am weak and faint and troubled by the idea that I have not done my part.”
“Oh, nonsense, sir. There, let me put this wet handkerchief to your head. You’re feverish again.”
“Thank you, Murray,” sighed the lieutenant gratefully. “You are a good fellow. I wish Mr Roberts were as good an officer.”
“Well, you have your wish, sir,” said Murray laughingly. “He’d have done his share if he hadn’t been wounded.”
“Ah, yes; how is he?”
“Getting better, sir, certainly.”
“That’s good, Murray,” said the lieutenant, with a sigh. “I want to make as good a show of the men as I can when I have to face the captain again. I’m afraid, though, that it will be a very bad one, eh?”
“Plenty of wounded, sir, but none very bad. The poor fellows have broken down a bit now that the work’s done, but they’ll soon mend.”