"You find yourself all the better for it now. We will have you on your legs next week."
"But the battle! You have kept up such a gabble, Dick, I have not had time to ask you if we won it."
"Who else could win it? But I will tell you all, after I have looked to your hurts."
"No; tell me first of the battle, and be as brief as possible."
"Well, then, Buonaparte was soundly beaten on the 18th, and is flying towards Paris, I believe. Wellington and old Blucher are after him, double quick."
"Our loss?"
"I have not heard."
"How is Lisle, and all the rest of ours?"
"I have not yet learned where Louis is billeted, but I fear his arm is lost. Captain Little was killed close by me, after you were struck. Fifteen officers are wounded, and eight killed; but you shall hear not another word till I have seen your wound more particularly, and have applied some dressing."
The cannon-shot had bruised his side severely. It was frightfully discoloured, and he was almost unable to move in consequence of the intense pain which he suffered.