"O God, jist let 'im off this once, and do what you like with all of us. Amen."
"Amen!" echoed all his comrades with one voice; and, having offered up that strange supplication, the poor fellows actually felt somewhat less despondent, without knowing why.
Just then Colonel Hardman's tall form was seen to issue from the door of his quarters, and come straight toward them.
"'Ere he comes!" said one of the men eagerly; "I'll go and ax how the little 'un is."
"Are you crazy, Jim?" cried the man beside him, catching him by the arm. "Don't be a fool, lad; if he's worse'n a tiger in the or'nary way, what d'ye s'pose he'll be now?"
"I don't care," said Jim Barlow desperately; "here goes."
And stepping right up to the dreaded commandant, he saluted, and said huskily—
"Beg pardon, sir—is he any better?"
The white, rigid face looked vacantly at him for a moment, like one just aroused from sleep, and hardly understanding yet what was said to him; and then the grim man replied, in a low, weak voice—