but that's what
he meant. Now, I wonder whether it's safe for me to go away and leave
him. No, of course it isn't, for I may tumble up against the French,
who will make me a prisoner, and I sha'n't be able to make them
understand that my comrade is lying wounded under this tree, and if I
could I don't want to. That's one thing. Another is that if I start
off and leave him here I sha'n't be able to find him again. Then, what
am I going for? To try and find water, for my throat's like sand, and
something to eat better than these chestnuts, for I don't believe they
are anything like ripe. Oh dear! This is a rum start altogether. I
don't know what to do. This is coming to the wars, and no mistake!
There never was really such unlucky chaps as we are. It will be dark
before long. Then I shall seem to be quite alone. To be all alone here
in a great wood like this is enough to make any fellow feel scared.
It's just the sort of place where the wolves will be. Well, if they do
come, we have got two muskets, and if it isn't too dark I will have two
wolves, and that will keep the others off as long as they have got the
ones I shot to eat.--Did you speak, comrade?" he whispered, as he once
more bent over Pen. "No, he's fast asleep. Wish I was, so as to forget
all about it, for the sun's quite down now, and I don't know how I am to
get through such a night as this. However, here goes to try. Ugh! How
cold it is turning!"

The boy shivered as the wind that came down from the mountains seemed
bitterly cold to one who had been drenched in perspiration by the
exertion and excitement that he had passed through.

"Poor old Private Gray!" he muttered. "He will be feeling it worse than
me if he don't turn feverish."

The boy hesitated for a few moments, and then, stripping off his jacket,
he crept as close to his wounded companion as he could, and then
carefully spread the ragged uniform coat over their breasts.

"Ought to have got his off too," he muttered, "but I mustn't. Must make
the best of it and try and go to sleep, keeping him warm. But no fellow
could go to sleep at a time like this."

It was a rash assertion, for many minutes had not passed before the boy
was sleeping soundly the sleep of utter weariness and exhaustion; and
the next time he unclosed his eyes as he lay there upon his back, not
having moved since he lay down, it was to gaze wonderingly at the
beautiful play of morning light upon the long,