After having warmed the outside of his body, Corporal Joliffe hurried to do the same for the inside, and hastily fetched a few glasses of the punch. The traveller really felt much revived by them; the colour returned to his cheeks, expression to his eyes, and words to his lips, so that Captain Craventy began to hope that he should have an explanation from Thomas Black himself of his strange arrival at the fort in such a terrible condition.
At last the traveller, well covered with wraps, rose on his elbow, and said in a voice still faint
"Fort Reliance?"
"The same," replied the Captain.
"Captain Craventy?"
"He is before you, and is happy to bid you welcome. But may I inquire what brings you to Fort Reliance?"
"He is come to see the moon," replied the courier, who evidently thought this a happy answer.
It satisfied Thomas Black too, for he bent his head in assent and resumed-
"Lieutenant Hobson?"
"I am here," replied the Lieutenant.