“This way,” cried the same voice. “That you, Mr Murray?”
“Yes, sir,” replied the midshipman, halting his men in the smoke, feeling more than seeing that they were close up to their friends.
“All your men there?”
“Yes, sir. None hurt,” replied the lad.
“That’s good! Spears have begun to fly, for the enemy are creeping up through the smoke. You started the huts burning, of course?” he continued, after a pause.
“Yes, sir; burning everywhere.”
“Exactly, Mr Murray. I think the work has been thoroughly done, and I am glad you found us, for I am getting to be at fault as to how to reach the shore. There, I can hear nothing of our friends, so you had better lead on. I suppose they have made for the boats.”
“Lead on, sir?” faltered Murray.
“Yes, sir,” cried the chief officer petulantly; “and don’t repeat my words in that absurd way. Haven’t we had enough of this stifling smoke?”
“But I thought you had come to help us, sir.”