“I recollect, of course, getting the stinging pain in my leg, and going down, and then it seemed to me that one of the Boers kicked me at the top of the forehead with his heavy boot, and I was trampled on. After that I fainted, and didn’t come to until the firing was going on and Lennox came running through it to pick me up. Colonel, that’s about the bravest thing that has been done since we’ve been here.”
“Quite,” said the colonel, watching the speaker curiously.
“I want you to promise me that you’ll mention it well in your despatch about the taking of the laager.”
“If I ever get a despatch to headquarters it shall contain that, I promise you.”
“Thank you,” said Roby warmly, and with the tears now in his eyes. “I say, colonel, I’m sorry I went down; but the doctor says the lads got back after another skirmish, with plenty of cattle and stores.”
“Yes,” said the colonel; “it was a splendid addition to our supplies and—”
“Stop! stop! please, colonel,” said the doctor. “Roby’s weak yet.”
“Oh no, doctor.”
“My dear fellow, I say yes; and I say,” said the doctor, bending down to whisper to his patient, “Lennox and Dickenson are both very feeble. Think of them.”
Roby took the doctor’s hand and pressed it, accompanying the pressure with a significant look.