a few hours, no
doubt. I've done nothing for you. The old story. Why, let me tell
you, sir, when you were brought in I began to wonder whether I was going
to pull you round."

"As you have, doctor, and I am most grateful."

Lennox held out both hands as he spoke, his right being still swollen
and painful; and this time the doctor took them non-professionally, to
hold them for a few moments.

"Of course you are, my dear boy, and I'm heartily glad to see you
getting on so well; but, upon my word, I do sometimes feel ready to
abuse some of our rough ones. I save their lives, and they take it all
as a matter of course--give one not the slightest credit. But there,
from sheer ignorance of course. You're getting right fast, and I'll
tell you why: it's because you're in a fine, vigorous state of health.
You fellows have no chance of over-indulging yourselves in eating and
drinking."

"Not a bit, doctor," said Dickenson, making a wry face.

"Oh yes, I know," said the doctor. "You have to go through a good many
privations, but you're none the worse. Primeval man used to have hard
work to live; civilised man is pampered and spoiled with luxuries."

"Especially civilised man engaged in the South African campaign against
the Boers," said Dickenson, while his comrade's eyes lit up with mirth.

"Sneer away, my fine fellow; but though it's precious unpleasant,
fasting does no man any harm. Now, look here, sir; if we were in
barracks at home you fellows would be indulging in mess dinners and
wines and cigars, and sodas and brandies, and some of you in liqueurs,
and you wouldn't be half so well, not in half such good training, as you
are now."

"The doctor hates a good cigar, Drew, and loathes wine," said Dickenson
sarcastically.

"No, he doesn't, boys; the doctor's as weak as most men are when they
have plenty of good things before them. But my theory's right. Now,
look at the men. Poor fellows! they've had a hard time of it; but look
at them when they are wounded. I tell you, sir, that I open my eyes
widely and stare at the cures I make of awful wounds. I might think it
was all due to my professional experience, but I'm not such an idiot.
It's all due to the healthy state the men are in, and the glorious
climate."

"And what about the fever, doctor?" said Lennox.

"Ah, that's another thing, my dear boy. When the poor fellows are shut
up in a horribly crowded, unhealthy camp, and are forced to drink water