, "I did all I could to try and save the
poor fellows' lives as they were carried in to me, without thinking
about their squabbles and quarrels and rank."

"Yes, yes; of course, doctor. I beg your pardon. You have done
wonders."

"Thankye! Done my best, of course. But don't you worry about those
two; they'll be all right. Come and see."

"But about the men? Nothing more serious, I hope."

"N-n-no. Had to take that fellow's leg off to save his life."

"What poor fellow? Oh yes--Corporal May?"

"Yes. He objected strongly, but it had to be done. He threatens to
commence an action against me when he gets home--so I hear."

They had been moving towards the shelter of corrugated iron beneath
which the officers lay, each of whom greeted them with a smile. They
were all badly wounded, but looked restful and contented, as wounded men
do who have achieved a victory.

Roby seemed to be the most cheerful, and he beckoned to the colonel to
come closer, while the doctor cocked his eye rather drolly and in a way
that the chief did not understand.

"Well, Roby," said the colonel, "you look better."

"Well, for a man who has had the top of his head rasped by a bullet and
got a hole right through his leg, I call myself a wonder."

"Does your wound pain you much?"

"Quite enough; but there, I don't mind. We've whipped."

"Yes," said the colonel, smiling; "we've whipped, thanks to every one's
gallant behaviour. You did splendidly, Roby."

"Did my best, sir," said the captain quietly. "But I'm not quite as I
should like to be," he continued confidentially. "Don't take any
notice. I can't quite understand about my hurt on the head."

"Indeed?" said the colonel, frowning.

"I recollect, of course, getting the stinging pain in my leg, and going
down, and then it seemed to me that one of the Boers kicked me at the
top of the forehead with his heavy boot, and I was trampled on. After
that I fainted, and didn't come to until the firing was going on and
Lennox came running through it to pick me up. Colonel, that's about the
bravest thing that has been done since we've been here."

"Quite," said the colonel, watching the speaker curiously.

"I want you to promise me that you'll mention it well in your despatch
about the taking of the laager."

"If I ever get a despatch to headquarters it shall contain that, I
promise you."

"Thank you," said Roby warmly, and with the tears now in his eyes. "I
say, colonel