“Now,” said the Colonel, and the boy dashed off at once among the rocks and bushes, but in five minutes he was back again.
“What, boy, do you give it up?”
“No,” said Dick stoutly. “I was in such a hurry I didn’t say good-bye, sir—and—and—”
“Well, what?” said the Colonel, smiling, for the little fellow stopped.
“I was afraid!”
“Afraid?”
“You’d think I didn’t mind, and wanted to get away and leave you.”
“But you do not, my boy?”
“Only to find someone to help you.”
The Colonel caught his hand and drew him down closer and closer till he could kiss him, when the tears started to Dick’s eyes and he flung his arms round the wounded man’s neck and clung to him and kissed him in return.