“What! Have you been in the river?”
“Yes, tried to cross—’most drowned,” said Punch hoarsely.
“You should have come down to this ford. Where are you for?”
“Our corps, when we can find it,” said Pen.
“Oh, that’s all right; about two miles away. Come on.”
“Not me!” said Punch sturdily. “I have had enough of it.”
“What do you mean?” said the other dragoon who had not spoken. “Afraid to cross?”
“Yes, that’s it,” said Punch. “So would you be if you had had my dose. I’m nearly full of water now.”
“Well, you look it,” said the first dragoon, laughing. “Here, take hold of our stirrup-leathers. We will take you across all right.”
Punch hesitated.