e?"

"Yes; about half as much as you gave me."

The repast went on till Archie refused another portion.

"Give me some more water. I think I can manage," he said. "Now," he
continued, after drinking, "take as much water as you like."

"Sure you won't have some more, sir?"

"Quite."

"'Cause there won't be another chance till the niggers come with the
next lot.--Oh yes, I didn't think of that," cried Peter; and after
drinking a couple more cupfuls, he placed the brimmed shell upright in
one corner of the stable, before proceeding carefully to bathe his
companion's face and hands, and ended by applying a succession of
drenched pads to the painful, stiffened wound.

"How does that feel, sir?" he asked after a time.

"Oh Pete, I can't tell you! It's something heavenly. Go on, please.
The necktie keeps getting so hot. Ah yes, better and better," he
sighed. "There, that'll do," he said at last. "You must be tired now."

"Not me, sir," replied the lad. "It's easy enough. I could go on for a
week--only I am glad you cried halt."

"Yes; I thought you must be weary," said Archie.

"No, sir, 'tain't that, I tell you. There!" and he withdrew the silk
necktie, dripping, from the bottom of the jar. "That's sucked up the
very last drop, sir. Hold still, sir, and let me lay this just on the
top, and as soon as you begins to feel it too warm I will take it away
and hang it up to dry. I won't dab the place with the handkerchy,
because it will feel cooler if you let it dry by itself."

"Why, Pete, you are as good as a nurse."

"Oh, I don't know, sir. Tidy, like--tidy. You see, I have had two goes
over the chaps in horspittle, and one can't help picking up a bit."

"No nurse could have done better," said Archie in a tone full of relief.

"Well, sir, 'tain't much to talk about. You see, I ain't got no proper
tackle--not so much as a sponge. Now, if Dr Morley was here he'd put
on some lint and a bandage."

"Yes, I suppose so. Is the wound very big?"

"Quite big enough, sir. Might be bigger. Worst of it is, it's so much
bruisy-like. But you are getting better, sir, splendid."

"Ah, and I have been so selfish, thinking only of myself. You must be
longing for a wash, and there isn't a drop of water left."

"Oh, I don't mind, sir. I shall crumble up some of them leaves and have
a dry wipe, for I suppose my skin don't look very cheerful."

Archie held up his hand.

"What's that, sir? Somebody comin