“Does it, Serge?”
“Yes, sir, it do; and likewise it seems a pity that such a man as me, who can do his share of fighting, should be doing nothing better than driving the swine into the acorn woods.”
“And looking after and protecting me, Serge,” said Marcus, drily.
“Oh, yes, of course; there was that, of course, Master Marcus; but I say, sir, don’t you think we’ve both talked enough for the present; I tackled you and you tackled me in a pretty tidy argument, and both on us had the best of it in turn. I’m beginning to think that there’s good clear water coming down from the mountain yonder.”
“Yes, Serge; it makes me feel thirsty after getting so hot.”
“Then, too, I’ve got a nice loaf in my wallet and a tidy bit o’ meat as I got from a little way back. What do you say to our making a bit o’ breakfast together same as we’ve done before now in the woods?”
“And settle afterwards about whether we should go back, Serge?” said Marcus.
“Yes, my lad; that’ll be the sensiblest thing to do.”
“Yes,” said Marcus, “you’ve talked about it, and it has made me feel very hungry now.”
“Well, look here,” said Serge, “we are about even, aren’t we?”