"Oh yes. We came across there"--pointing to a burnt-out village on the river-bank--"and then up here. Here's where we got the guns up to relieve Bosquet. We've paid pretty heavily, but it's shown them what we're made of. You weren't in it, I suppose, Jim?"
"No sir; we were waiting over yonder for some cavalry to come on, but they wouldn't. Worse luck!"
"Your chances will come, my boy. And you, Jack?"
"We had very little to do, sir. We were away in the rear there."
"Your men did splendidly. Canrobert was just saying that he doubted if our men would have managed that frontal business as yours did."
"They paid," said Jim.
"And are still paying," said the Colonel, as they stood watching the French ambulances, with their trim little mules, trotting off towards the coast, carrying a dozen wounded men in quick comfort, while the English litter-men crept slowly along on their jogging four-mile tramp, which proved the death of many a sorely wounded man and purgatory to the rest.
"Truly, your arrangements are not up to the mark." said Colonel Carron. "How have you stood the nights? Somebody was saying you had no tents."
"Last night was the first time we've had any, and they've all been sent on board again," said Jack gloomily.
"That's too bad. It's hard on the men."