"My fightin's done, Mester Jim. 'Twere a shell took it off in the battery."
"When are you going over?"
"God knows, We bin waiting over a week."
"An' dyin' as quick as we could, just to save 'em trouble," said his neighbour.
"I wish I could take you all," said Jim, and the bleached leather faces turned wistfully on him. "But I can take one, and I must take you, Seth. You understand, boys: he's from my own part, and twice he's saved my life."
"That's right, sir. You take 'im home, and God bless you! Wish there was more like you! We'll die off as quick as we can, just to save 'em trouble," said the jocular one, who had lost both an arm and a leg. "If they ask where 'e is we'll tell 'em 'e's gone on in front to engage us quarters."
"Lift him in," said Jim, and with the assistance of the bystanders Seth was lifted into the other side of the cacolet.
An official came hurrying up with a brusque, "Now then, what's all this?"
"Oh, go and hang yourself!" said Jim, sinking back wearily. "Can't you see I'm saving you trouble by taking him off your hands?"
"Yes--but----"