I know--I--here--I s'y--I--er--Mr Bracy, sir! You wouldn't
play tricks with a fellow like that? Ah, I recklect now!"

The poor fellow's hand went to his bare head, and he winced at the acute
pain the touch gave him.

"I say, sir," he said, "ketched me a spank right there.--Is my 'elmet
spoiled?"

"Never mind your helmet, Gedge, my lad," cried Bracy, who was bending
over him. "There, you must lie still till we get something ready to
carry you to the ambulance."

"Kerry me, sir! What for? Ain't going to croak, am I? Not me. Here,
I'm all right, sir. Give's a drink outer my bottle.--Hah! that's
good.--Drop more, please, Sergeant,--Thanky.--Hah! that is good. Feel
as if I could drink like a squelchy-welchy.--Here, I s'y, where's my
rifle?"

"I've got it, pardner," said one of the lads.

"Oh, that's right. Ain't got the stock skretched, hev it?"

"No, no; that's all right, Bill."

"Glad o' that. Here, I s'y; I went down, didn't I?"

"Yes, my lad; just in the middle of the worst bit where the stones were
falling."

"That was it--was it? Well, I did wonder they never hit nobody, sir,
but I didn't expect they'd hit me."

"What are you going to do, my lad?" said the Captain sharply.

"Get up, sir.--Can't lie here. 'Tain't soft enough. I'm all right.
Only feel silly, as if I'd been heving my fust pipe.--Thanky,
Sergeant.--Here, it's all right; I can stand. Who's got my 'elmet?"

The poor fellow tottered a little, but the British pluck of his nature
made him master the dizzy feeling, and the old familiar boyish grin
broke out over his twitching white face as he took hold of the helmet
handed to him and tried to put it on.

"Here, I s'y," he cried, "no larks now; this ain't in me."

"Yes, that's yours, Gedge," said the Sergeant.

"Got such a dint in it, then, that it won't go on."

"No, my lad," said Bracy. "Here, Sergeant, tie my handkerchief round
his head."

"Yes, sir; thank ye, sir. Here, hold still, Gedge," cried the Sergeant.

"Well, I'm blest!" muttered the poor fellow; "there's all one side
puffed out like arf a bushel basket. Here, I've often heard of chaps
having the swelled head when they've got on a bit; but I won't show it,
mateys. I won't cut your company.--Thank ye, Sergeant."

"Fall in," cried the Captain. "Gedge, you'll have to be carried. Two
men. Sergeant, and change often."

"I can walk, sir, please," cried Gedge. "Let me try. If I can't some
un can carry me the