A strange sobbing sound escaped from Gwyn’s lips as with trembling hands he tied his pocket-handkerchief tightly to the dog’s collar.
“Now, Grip!” he cried in a husky voice which did not sound like his own; and the dog, who was standing panting, with his tongue out and curled up at the tip, uttered an eager bark. “Home! home!” cried Gwyn; and the dog made for the hole, dashed in, and disappeared, while his master crept away into the darkness of the lowest part of the long, sloping grotto-like place, and half-an-hour must have passed before he joined the others and lay down close to the hole where Grip had disappeared.
They had no idea of how the time passed, and they could not speak, for their hearts were too full. Words did not come till they heard a fresh barking, and the dog came scuffling out of the opening into the light, this time with the Colonel’s flask tied to his collar, and stood panting while it was untied.
It was one of the large flat leather-covered bottles with a silver screw top and silver cup, which slipped on the bottom; and now, for the first time awaking to the fact that he was in a fainting condition, Gwyn slipped off the cup, unscrewed the top, and poured out some of the contents of the bottle, handing the vessel to Hardock, who shook his head.
“Nay, sir,” he said, “I’ll wait till we get out; I’m a tot’ler.”
Gwyn handed the silver cup to Joe, who tasted it.
“Eggs and milk,” he cried, and drank the contents with avidity before returning the cup.
“Now, Sam,” said Gwyn, refilling it.
“Ay, I don’t mind that, sir,” said Hardock; “and I was thinking I was a bit too particklar when it was sent to save our lives. Hah! That’s good,” he added, as he drained the last drop. “Sorry I can’t wash it out for you, sir. Shall I go down to the water?”
“No, no, I don’t mind drinking after you,” said Gwyn, as he tremblingly poured out his portion, which was less than the others had taken; and he, too, drank the most grateful draught he had ever had, while the dog, who had couched, placed his head on the lad’s knee and looked up at him with all a dog’s reverence and affection for his master.