“My last orders were to hold this place,” said the colonel to the major, “and I’m going to hold it.”
“Of course! Keep on. Every day we shall be having another man or two back in the ranks. Ah! here is Emden.—Well, how are the lads?”
“Getting on splendidly. My dear sirs, I have heard people abuse the Mauser as a diabolical weapon. Nothing of the sort; it is one of the most humane. The wounds are small, cleanly cut, and, so long as a bone is not touched, begin to heal with wonderful rapidity. Come and have a look round.”
“Yes; we have come on purpose,” said the colonel. “By the way, though, before we go into the officers’ shelter, I wish you had contrived differently about Roby and Lennox. It seemed very short-sighted, after what has occurred, to place them next to one another.”
“My dear sir,” cried the doctor, “I did all I could to try and save the poor fellows’ lives as they were carried in to me, without thinking about their squabbles and quarrels and rank.”
“Yes, yes; of course, doctor. I beg your pardon. You have done wonders.”
“Thankye! Done my best, of course. But don’t you worry about those two; they’ll be all right. Come and see.”
“But about the men? Nothing more serious, I hope.”
“N-n-no. Had to take that fellow’s leg off to save his life.”
“What poor fellow? Oh yes—Corporal May?”