“You don’t know? But you speak well. Who are your father and mother?”
“Corporal Beane and Mrs Corporal.”
The Colonel looked at the boy curiously.
“Yes,” he said at last: “so I remember hearing. Well, Dick, you were wounded, and we helped you: now it is my turn and you have helped me.”
“Yes,” said Dick.
“I am thirsty, my boy: will you fetch me some water?”
“Yes,” said Dick, seizing the tin.
“But look carefully round: the enemy may be holding the ground.”
“Would they kill us if they saw us, sir?”
“I hope not, boy: but if I can bear my wounds I’ll keep in hiding, for my brave lads must make an effort to find us soon.”