I was silent.
"Shall I tell you?" asked the captain, earnestly, and in a lower tone.
"If you please."
"They state that any officer or soldier who shall shamefully abandon any fortress, post or guard, committed to his charge, or who shall be found sleeping on his post, whether upon the land or the sea, shall suffer DEATH, or such other punishment as a court martial may award."
I was so completely stunned by all this as to be incapable of speech; but Duff of ours, a kind and grey-haired old sergeant, said—
"Captain Brook, the lad is a good lad, and a steady one; we have few better in the Greys—"
"Then I am very sorry for the Greys!"
"I do hope, sir," continued the sergeant, "that his life, at least, may not be forfeited?"
"My life!" I exclaimed, mechanically.
"Yes, that may be forfeited, and I disgraced!" said Captain Brook, bitterly. "I have commanded many a post, but never one that was surprised before. To-morrow I shall hand you over to the guard of the provost marshal. What is your name, fellow?"