man, it was the maddest thing I
ever heard of! Trevanion is in a bad way; whether he'll pull through
or not, I don't know; but if he does, he'll owe his life to you. He
was slowly bleeding to death, and of course your getting him here
didn't help him. Still, he's in good hands."

"He's alive, then?"

"Oh, yes, he's alive, and I think he'll live; still, he'll have a bad
time. Oh, yes, you can get up, if you want; you're all right. When
did you have food last?"

"I don't think I remember," said Bob. "It must have been about midday,
I think."

"I thought so. Now drink this. Do you mind seeing the fellows?
That's right; here they come. Now, Pringle--oh, yes, and Colonel
Sapsworth too--no wonder you are proud of your subaltern; there are men
who've got the Victoria Cross for less."

Colonel Sapsworth caught Bob's hand and wrung it without a word.

Bob saw his lips tremble beneath his grey moustache, saw too that his
eyes were filled with tears; but Colonel Sapsworth was a man who didn't
talk much. "You're a plucky young devil," he said, "but I thought you
had it in you. There, there, do you feel better now? By Jove, you're
the talk of the whole division! Yes, Trevanion will do all right--at
least, I hope so," and then the Colonel rubbed his eyes.

"That is enough," said Dr. Grey. "I'm chief in command here; he wants
a few hours' rest, and then he'll be as right as ever. Meanwhile, let
him alone; the young beggar has had a hard day."

CHAPTER XVIII

After the incidents I have just recorded, Bob had no longer reason to
complain that he was kept out of the firing-line. Event after event
followed quickly in what is now generally spoken of as "The Battle of
the Rivers."

Position after position was taken by the English, only to be lost
again; now the Germans were driven back, and again, although on the
whole progress was made, the English were driven back, but all the time
carnage and bloodshed continued.

Every day and all through the days the great guns poured forth red-hot
death. Every day the welter of blood went on.

We in England read in our newspapers that a great flanking movement was
taking place which was eventually either to wipe out or capture General
von Kluck's Army, and for this, day after day, we waited in vain.

We were told that the Germans were surrounded by a ring of steel, from
which, except a miracle took place, they could not escape; but somehow
there was an opening