Chapter Thirty Eight.
After Last Post.
Meanwhile Archie, faint with heat and weariness, had made his way slowly to Peter, who was at his old post, doing double and quadruple duty as the sentry who commanded the approach to the landing-place; and as Archie entered the room he looked up eagerly.
“I was thinking about you, Mister Archie, sir.”
“And I was thinking about you, Pete.”
“Thank you, sir. Have a drink, sir,” he continued eagerly, pointing to a brass lotah and a cocoa-nut shell. “It’s nice and fresh, sir. Mother Smithers only brought it up about two hours ago, because she said this was the hottest place in the station; and it’s splendid stuff, sir. It’s kept me awake many’s the time, when I’ve felt as I must snooze.”
Archie took the cup mechanically, filled it, and handed it to his man.
“After you, sir, please.”
Archie raised the cup and drank.