So we were saved. I had merely been stunned with a blow from a stone. I had fallen about the very time Peter with his boat’s crew had leapt on shore, and the savages began to fly, and Jill had caught me up in his arms and staggered with me to meet them.
That is all I know of this fight with the Firelanders.
Ritchie was unscathed. Poor Wrexham was stark and stiff, with, an arrow sticking in his heart, and two of the others were wounded, but not severely. It is unnecessary to add that the natives had suffered severely.
“Peter,” I said, as soon as I could gasp out a word or two, “I’m so glad to see you.”
“I thought you wouldn’t mind my paying you a visit,” said Peter, smiling.
“I dare say I’m talking a bit strange,” I said. “I feel rather dazed. I fainted, didn’t I? So foolish to faint!”
“True, it’s very foolish to faint, old man, but when a fellow gets hit behind the ear with a pebble as big as an ostrich’s egg, then fainting and folly are not quite synonymous terms.”
“Well, thank you,” I muttered. “I’m obliged, really. How’s—”
“How’s things?” said Peter, helping me out.
“Yes, how—are you all at home?”