othing, and, above all, from want of
proper food. This is what I wish to remedy. They are dying of
dysentery, fever, cholera--I don't know what."

"The doctor, sir?"

"Can do nothing. He has few drugs; but, as he says, that would hardly
matter if the men could have warmth and nourishment."

"Something might be done, sir, with system; the quartermaster--"

"You are right. Let us consult him. Hyde is still acting, and he has
already proved himself a shrewd, hard-headed old soldier."

Quartermaster-sergeant Hyde--for he had accepted the grade, although
unwillingly--came and stood "at attention" before his superiors.

"As to food, sir," he said, "the men might be provided with hot
coffee, and, I think, hot soup, on coming off duty. I am only doubtful
as to the sufficiency of fuel."

"There is any quantity of drift-wood just now--wreckage--floating in
Balaclava Harbour," suggested McKay.

"We must have it sir, somehow," said Hyde, eagerly. "But can we get it
up to the front?"

"We'll lay an embargo on all the baggage-animals in camp. Take the
whole lot down to Balaclava, and lay hands on every scrap of timber."

"As to clothing, sir, an uncle of mine has come up with a
heavily-laden ship--hutting-timbers mostly, but he may have some spare
blankets, sailors' pea-jackets, jerseys, and so forth."

"And boots, long boots or short--all kinds will be acceptable. Get
anything and everything that is warm. I'll pay out of my own pocket
sooner than not have them. When can you start, Hyde?"

"Now, sir, if that will suit Mr. McKay, and I can have the horses."

The matter was speedily arranged, and in the early afternoon our hero
and Hyde were jogging back to Balaclava, at the head of a string of
animals led and ridden by a small selected fatigue-party of regimental
batmen and grooms.

It was the first occasion on which the two friends had conversed
freely together for months.

McKay had most to tell. He spoke first of the offer to go on the
headquarter-staff which he had refused. Then of the strange accidents
by which he had become heir presumptive to the earldom of Essendine.
Last of all, of the narrow escape he had of his life.

Hyde pressed him on this point.

"You fell overboard--lost your balance, eh? Entirely your own doing?
Mrs. Wilders did not help you at all?"

"How on earth, Hyde, did you guess that? I never hinted at such a
thing."

"I know her--do not look surprised--I know her, and have done so
inti