“I hope so,” the corporal answered evasively. “I made him promise not to stay too long. But he is a sick man and in the mood for anything. I believed he rejoiced at the prospect of a fight against odds. It is not surprising and—— Listen! There they go again. They were both together that time.”
From time to time as they raced hot-foot down the trail the reports of rifles reached them, and they knew that the fight was still proceeding, and that the two defenders were holding their own. Once when the interval between the shots was especially long, Corporal Bracknell’s face grew very thoughtful, and so absorbed and intent was he that Joy addressed a question to him twice before he heard her.
“Corporal Bracknell, do you think that Dick can recover from his sickness?”
“I am afraid not,” replied the corporal slowly, then gave an ejaculation as the distant report of a rifle broke the silence behind them. “Good! They’re still keeping it up.”
“Why do you think that?” she asked.
“Because I have seen other men like it. I have never known one to recover.”
“Do ... do you think Dick knows?”
“Yes,” he answered quietly. “I am sure of it!”
“It is very pitiful,” she said. “He is not all bad——”