Our Soldier Boy, by George Manville Fenn. ________________________________________________________________________ Well, this certainly is a departure from the usual Fenn style. Suspenseas always there certainly is, but the intended audience is much youngerthan his usual teenager one. The date is the Peninsular War, in Portugal. A British family of merchants in Portugal are unaware of the intensityof the nearby fighting in the vicinity. They are at their country home, and go out for a few minutes, leaving their eight-year old son with theservants. The French attack, slay the servants, and leave the childwith a severe injury to the head. Later the 200th Fusiliers come by, and the corporal sees the villa, andgoes up there to see if he can get anything useful for his men to eat. He sees the slain servants, and comes across the little boy, whom hecarries back to his wife, to see if she can bring him round. The boy does recover, becomes the mascot of the regiment, and eventuallyafter a battle with the French, heroically rescues the Colonel himself. The boy comes to believe that the corporal and his wife are his realparents. Months go by, while the boy, who does not have the faintest memory ofhis real father and mother, becomes more and more the favourite of theRegiment. The Portuguese give a great party to celebrate the Britishvictory, and at the Ball there are present the Trevors, the real fatherand mother of the boy. There are touching scenes as recognition dawns. So there is quite a lot of action for a short book. ________________________________________________________________________ OUR SOLDIER BOY, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. CHAPTER ONE. "You, Tom Jones, let that pot-lid alone. " It was a big brown-faced woman who said that crossly, and a bigrough-looking bugler, in the uniform of the 200th Fusiliers, with belts, buttons and facings looking very clean and bright, but the scarlet clothragged and stained from the rain and mud, and sleeping in it anywhere, often without shelter, who dropped the lid as if it were hot and shut inthe steam once more, as the iron pot bubbled away where it hung fromthree sticks, over a wood fire. It was in a lovely part of Portugal, and the regiment was halting amongthe mountains after a long weary tramp; fires had been lit for cooking, and the men were lying and sitting about, sleeping, cleaning theirfirelocks, pipeclaying their belts, and trying to make themselves lookas smart as they could considering that they were all more or lessragged and torn after a fortnight's tramp in all weathers in pursuit ofa portion of the French army which had been always a few hours ahead. But it was easy enough to follow their steps, for everywhere they hadplundered, and destroyed; villages and pleasant homes were burned; andblackened ruins, cut-up gardens and vineyards met the soldiers' eyeswherever the enemy had been. There had been a straggling little village by the side of the mountainstream, where the 200th had halted at midday after their long marchunder a burning sun, at a spot where there was plenty of fresh water, and it was the pot over one of these cooking fires whose lid Tom Joneshad lifted off. "On'y wanted to smell what was for dinner, " he said. "What have yougot, Mother Beane?" "Never you mind. Rare ohs for meddlers, and pump-handle sauce, perhaps;and look here, you sir, you come when we halt to-night and I'll mendsome of them rags. You're a disgrace. " "Ain't worse than the rest of the fellows, " said Tom, grinning. "TheColonel's horse went down 's morn'. " "Oh, dear, dear!" cried the woman excitedly; "is he hurt?" "Broke both his knees, and bled ever so. " "The Colonel?" "Now-w-w! His horse. Colonel only went sliding down 'mong the stones, and ripped his jacket sleeve right up. " "Oh, that's a blessing, " said the woman. "You go to him when we camp, and say Mrs Corp'ral Beane's dooty and she's got a needle and silkready, and may she mend his jacket. " "All right, but you might tell us what's for dinner. " "Wait and see. And why don't you go and forage about and see if youcan't find a bit o' fruit or some vegetables?" "'Tarn't no good. Old Frog-soups clears everything. " "Yes, " said the woman, with a sigh, as she re-arranged her battered oldstraw bonnet cocked up as if it were a hat, and took off the old scarletuniform tail coat she wore over her very clean cotton gown, before goingto the pot, wooden spoon in hand, to raise the lid and give the contentsa stir round. "Oh, I say, Mother Beane, it does smell good! What's in it?" "Shoulder o' goat, " said the woman. "Yah! Don't care much for goat, " said the boy. "Arn't half so good asmutton. " "You must take what you can get, Tom. Two chickens. " "Why, that they ain't. I see 'em: they was an old cock and hen as wechivied into that burnt house this mornin', and Corp'ral shot one, andMick Toole run his bay'net through the other. Reg'lar stringies. " "Never mind. I'm cooking 'em to make 'em taste like chicken, and it'stime they were all back to mess. Which way did my old man go?" "Climbed up yonder. Said he knowed there'd be a house up somewheresthere. " "And why didn't you go with him, sir?" said Mrs Corporal Beane. "Mighthave found a melon or some oranges. " "Not me, " grumbled the boy. "Frenchies don't leave nothing: hungrybeggars. Murd'rin' wermin. Wish we could ketch 'em. " "Ah, so do I, and it makes my heart bleed to see what we do. " "Ah, but you wait a bit. We shall ketch 'em one o' these days. " "You won't. You're too lazy. " "That I ain't. I'd ha' gone foraging 's morning, and there's an oldboot nail made a hole in one foot, and t'other's all blisters. " "Oh, my poor boy! And I haven't finished that pair of stockings I wasknitting for you. Look here, you go and sit down till the men comeback, and bathe your feet in the stream. " "Did, " said the boy, with a chuckle. "Ah! Where abouts? Not above where we get our drinking water?" "Course I didn't, " said the boy scornfully. "I ain't a Frenchy. " "Ahoy-y-y-y!" The hail came from high up in a woody ravine far above their heads, andthe boy shaded his eyes and said excitedly--"Here, look. It's JoeBeane, and he's found something good. Got it on his shoulder. " "What is it?" cried Mrs Beane. "A kid?" "No, it's a bag o' something. It's--no, he's hid among the trees again. It was a bag, though--looked whitish. " "It's flour, " cried Mrs Beane triumphantly. "Oh, Tom! We'll havecakes to-night, and you shall carry some to the officers' mess. " "Give us one if I do, Mother Beane?" "Ah, pig! I never saw such a boy to eat. " "Well, how can I help it? I get so holler, " grumbled the boy. "It's'cause I'm growing. " Five minutes later a tall manly-looking soldier came down the ruggedtrack, with his face and hands torn and bleeding, and dropped upon hisknees before his astonished wife and a group of half a dozen men whohurried up. "Oh, Joe, " cried the woman, "what have you got there?" "Young shaver, " panted the man. "Found big house yonder, half burnt. Five dead folk, and this here. " "Oh, Joe!" cried the woman, taking her husband's burden from him, sinking upon her knees, and laying the head of a handsome little fellowof about eight against her breast, to begin rocking herself to and froand sobbing bitterly. "Oh, the wicked cruel wretches! To go and murdera poor little boy like this! Look at his face! Look at his hair, halfburned off, and the rest all blood. Oh! If you were men you'd ketchand kill some of 'em for this. " A low growl arose from the soldiers around, and Tom Jones sniffed, drewhis bugle round from where it hung at his back, and dropped two silenttears in its mouth. "You Tom, " cried Mrs Beane, "don't stand sniffing and snivelling therelike a great bull calf. Take the tin dipper and fetch it full of cleanwater. Oh, Joe, Joe! It's too late. The poor little darling's dead. " "Warn't when I fun' him, " said the corporal. "He'd crep' away a bit, and he moved one hand. " "Yes, and he's warm still, " cried the woman excitedly. "Here, you men, clear off. You go and serve out the mess, Joe. Never mind me. " "But you'll want a bit o' dinner, missus; and I found two ripe melons upin the garden there, but I left 'em behind. " "Don't talk to me about melons and dinners, " cried the woman angrily. "Go and get your own, all of you; and how much longer's that boy goingto be?" Not many minutes before he appeared, not with the tin dipper but a wholebucketful of clear cold water, forgetting all about his sore feet; andwhile the men went and sat round the iron pot of savoury hotch-potch, Tom Jones stayed behind to help bathe and bandage the head of thehandsome little fellow upon whose sunburned face more than one hot tearfell, as loving hands made him up a temporary bed of great-coats in theshade. "Oh, Tom, Tom!" sobbed the big rough coarse woman, as she knelt there atlast after doing all she could, "many's the time that I've prayed that Imight have a little boy to call my own; but Heaven knows best, and hemight have lived to die like this. " "He ain't a-going to die, " said Tom, sniffing again. "He is--he is; and no doctor near!" "No, " said Tom, with another sniff; "he's miles away, along o' them poorwounded chaps we left behind. " "I can do nothing, nothing more--and he's somebody's bairn!" "Yes, " said the boy hoarsely, "and the Frenchies killed 'em, for JoeBeane telled the men as the sight he see was horrid. " "Hush! Ah, look, " whispered the woman, and she bent over the poorlittle victim, who wailed faintly, "Oh, don't--don't--Ah!" Then he lay silent and motionless, as his rough nurse softly laid herhand upon the fire-scorched forehead. "Why, that there ain't Portygeeze, " whispered Tom, staring. "Well, old gal, what about him now?" "Oh, I don't know, Joe; I don't know. He just spoke a little. " "Poor little nipper. All right, my gal; you'll bring him round. " Tom had ceased sniffing and had turned to give a long stare at the mengrouped round the pot, to see that they had done eating and werelighting their pipes. "Might ha' arxed a pore chap to have had a bit, corporal, " he said. "Ay, we might, lad; but then you see we was all so hungry we mightn't, and you're only a boy. " "Yes, that's it, " grumbled Tom, wrenching his bugle round and giving ita vicious polish with his sleeve. "Allus the same; on'y a boy; just asif I could help that!" "And such a hungry sort o' boy; holler all through. It's a waste togive you good food. That there stoo was evvinly. " Joe turned away from Tom's sour puckered face, to bend over theinsensible little patient with a look full of pity, as he wiped hismouth with the back of his hand. "I should just liked to have been there, missus, with my bay'net fixedwhen they cut that little fellow down. Here, I'll sit and have a pipeand keep the flies off him, while you go and pick a bit. The boyswouldn't touch a morsel till I'd put aside some for you and Tom. " That night the 200th was still marching on where they were to camp inthe mountains, while on a rough kind of litter formed of a long basketstrapped upon the back of a mule, with a couple of great-coats and ablanket for bed, lay the poor child whose life Mrs Beane was trying tosave. It was a long and a weary forced march, for scouts had brought in newswhich made the officers hope to come in touch of the retreating armybefore morning, for the news had spread, and during the night theColonel and officers found opportunities for coming and asking MotherBeane about her little patient. But there was always the same reply, and Colonel Lavis did not have hisuniform mended, neither were any stitches added to Tom Jones's newworsted stockings, for the corporal's wife had all her work to do to tryand save her patient's life, and the shake of the head she gave atdaybreak told more forcibly than words or the bitter tears she shed, that she had given up all hope. CHAPTER TWO. The 200th was in high glee to a man, which is including about twenty menwho were wounded not so badly but that they could shout "Hurrah!" Forthere was a brush with the retreating French, who were driven from thestrong camp they had formed, and the little patient had, to use MrsBeane's words, "begun to pick up a bit. " During the next week of marching and counter-marching the wounded boybegan to pick up a good many bits, for the doctor had rejoined theregiment, and he did something to the little fellow's head where beneaththe cruel cut he had received the bone was dinted in, and from that hourthe change was wonderful. In another week he delighted Mrs CorporalBeane by watching her constantly with wondering eyes, and suddenlyasking her who she was. In her motherly delight she told him "Mother Beane, " and he begancalling her mother directly, while in another week Corporal Joe hadtaught the patient to call him Dad, and wondering began. "Haven't you asked him?" said Joe. "Yes, as much as I dared, old man, but I'm afraid to do much, because itseems to muddle his poor dear head, and he wrinkles up and tries tothink, but he can't. " "But don't he remember who cut him down?" said Joe. "No. " "Nor yet about the house bein' set a-fire?" "No. " "Well, did you ask him his name?" "Yes, and he only shook his head. " "Did you ask him who his father and mother was?" "Yes, but he didn't know. " "Well, it's ama-a-azin', " said Joe. But it was true. The boy's life had been saved just when it had beenebbing away, but that was all. With the cruel blow which struck himdown all recollection of the past was cut away, and the boy had, as itwere, to begin life all over again, not as a little child, for he couldtalk and chat merrily; but the dark cloud which came down so suddenlyhad shut everything else away. "Well, it's ama-a-azin', " said Joe to his wife, "and it seems to me aswe found him and saved him alive and all as belonged to him was killeddead, why, he must belong to us. What do you say to keeping him?" "Oh, Joe, if we only could!" cried his wife. "Ah, if we on'y could, " said Joe thoughtfully. "I know, " cried Mrs Corporal; "I'll ask the Colonel next time I takehim his washing back. " "You just don't, " said Joe; "because if you do he'll say as youmustn't. " "Oh!" sighed Mrs Corporal; "that's just what I'm 'fraid of. " They were very silent as they sat by the camp-fire that night in anorange-grove, with the big stars peeping down at them, and Tom Jones, who took a great interest in what was said, sat and waited for ever solong, and then being tired out with the long day's tramp, lay down tolisten, and dropped off fast asleep, just as Joe Beane saidthoughtfully:-- "Look here, missus, if I was on'y a private instead of being an officerI should say something, but as I am full corporal, why, I can't. " "Just think you are a private, Joe, and say it, " whispered his wife. "Shall I?" he said slowly. "Yes, Joe, dear, do. He's such a nice boy. " "Ay, he is, missus. " "And I love him a'ready. " "Well, I won't go so far as love him, 'cause I don't like boys, but Ilike him because he's such a good, happy-looking little chap, and howanyone as calls himself a man could have--" "Yes, yes, you've said that before, Joe, " whispered his wife pettishly. "Tell me what you'd say if you warn't a corporal. " "Why, I'd say nothing, " said Joe. "Oh, how can you be so stupid as to go on like that! I thought you'dgot something sensible in your head. " "So I have, " said Joe gruffly, "on'y you're in such a hurry. I shouldsay nothing to nobody, and go on just as if he warn't here. " "Oh, Joe, dear, would you?" "Yes, that's what I should say. We could manage right enough, and if atlast the Colonel should come with: `Hallo there! What boy's that?'--why, we could tell him then, and if he said: `Send him away'--" "Yes, and what then, Joe?" cried Mrs Corporal excitedly. "Why then, " said Joe, "we should have to obey orders. " "Ah, and he mightn't say that, Joe, as he's such a nice little fellow. " "Course, he mightn't, " replied Joe. "Hah!" ejaculated Mrs Corporal Beane, and she said no more. But at thenext halting-place she began to think: and the result of her thinkingwas that she got hold of an old uniform suit and by working very hardevery time the regiment halted she contrived to cut the suit down tillit roughly fitted the little invalid, braiding it like the drum andbugle boys', and making a little military cap as well, so that by thetime he was able to trot along in the rear of the regiment he did notseem out of place. "Joe, " said Mrs Corporal one morning, "look at him; don't he looksplendid? He's our soldier boy now, and I shall call him Dick. " "All right, " said the corporal; "Dick ain't bad, but you might ha'called him Joe the second. " CHAPTER THREE. It was quite six weeks after Dick had been found, and he was weak still, but that only troubled him by making him feel tired, and at such timesthere was always a ride ready for him on the top of a pack carried by amule. And there he was happy enough, for he was rapidly growing into being thepet of the regiment, and first one of the men brought him fruit, andsome one thing and some another; but Mrs Corporal was always prettyclose at hand to take care that he was not spoiled or made ill, andCorporal Joe said over and over again to his wife, that it was"ama-a-azin'. " "What's amazing, Joe?" she said one day. "What do you keep saying thatfor?" "'Cause it is, " he said. "Yes, but why, Joe?" "'Cause ever since I found that there boy you've been as proud as apeacock with two tails. " "And enough to make me, " said Mrs Corporal tartly. "There never wassuch a boy before. Look at him!" and she pointed to where the littlefellow, in full uniform, was perched on a mule-pack, and the baggageguard with fixed bayonets marched close beside. "Yes, " said Joe drily, as he screwed up his face; "I've been a-lookingat him a deal. His coatee fits horrid. " "That it don't, " said Mrs Corporal; "and it was the best I could do outof such old stuff. " "Well, it weer old, " said her husband; "but it's all crinkles andcreases, and that boy puzzles me. " "Why? How?" "'Cause you'd think after he'd seen his people killed and the houseburnt about his ears he'd ha' been frightened like; but he don't seem tomind nothing about it, not a bit. " "Ah, it is strange, " said Mrs Corporal; "but there couldn't be a bravernor a better little chap. " "That there couldn't, " said the Corporal proudly; "but I think I'vefound out what's the matter with him. That crack on the head made himan idjit. " "For shame, Joe!" cried his wife. "He's as clever and bright a littlefellow as ever stepped. " "So he is, missus; but he puzzles me. It's ama-a-azin'. " The boy puzzled Tom Jones the bugler boy too, who whenever he got achance came alongside of the mule or baggage wagon in the rear, and letthe little invalid earn his bugle on condition that he did not try toblow it, and Tom made this an excuse for solemnly asking the samequestions over and over again. "I say, who's your father?" "Corporal Joe Beane, " said the boy promptly; "I say, Tom, mayn't I havea blow now?" "What? No, of course not. You don't want to send the men at the doubleup a hill like this. " "Why not? I should like to run too, only I so soon get tired. " "You shall have a blow some day. But I say, who's your mother?" "Mrs Corporal Joe Beane, " was the prompt reply, and the boy drummed themule's sides to make it go faster, but without effect. "Well, where did you live before Joe Beane found you?" "I don't know, " said the boy, shaking his head, and Tom Jones staredhard with his mouth open before asking his next question. "I say, how's your head?" "Quite well, thank you, " said the boy; "how's yours?" Tom scratched his as if he did not know. "Look here, " he cried, after a pause, as a happy thought crossed hismind, and without pausing to state how his own head was, he fired offanother question:--"I say, who did you live with before we found you?" "I don't know, " said the boy, looking at him wonderingly, and as if hefelt amused by his companion's questions. "You ask mother. " "Here! Quick, " whispered Tom. "Give me my bugle. " "Shan't. I want it, " replied the boy coolly. "But you must. Here's the Colonel and half the officers reined up atthe side to see us go by. " He snatched the bugle away as he spoke and threw the cord over hisshoulder, drawing himself up smartly, and keeping step with the guard. Mrs Corporal Beane had caught sight of the group of officers they wereapproaching, and with her heart in her mouth as she called it, shehurried up to the side of the mule, catching up to it just as they cameabreast of the Colonel, a quiet stern-looking officer whose hair wassprinkled with grey. Nothing escaped his sharp eyes, and he pressed his horse's side and rodeclose to the baggage mule. "What boy's that, my good woman?" "Mine, sir, " said Mrs Beane huskily. "Indeed? Is that the little fellow who was found in the burnedvillage?" "Yes, sir, " faltered the woman, as she gazed in the Colonel's sternfrowning countenance. "Humph!" he ejaculated, and drew rein for the rear of the regiment tofile past. "And now my poor boy will be sent away, Joe, " said the agitated womanthat night; but Joe said nothing, not even when he felt his wife get upand go to where the little fellow was sleeping soundly, and he heard herutter a curious sobbing sound before she came to lie down again. But no orders were given next day for the boy to be sent to the rear, nor yet during the next week, during which the men were still huntingfrogs, as they called it--frogs which took such big leaps that thetoiling British soldiers could not come up to them. "Oh, if they only would let us, " Joe used to say every night when hepulled off his boots to rest his feet. "It's my one wish, for we mustgive 'em a drubbing, or we shall never have the face to go back to oldEngland again. " Joe had his wish sooner than he expected. It was in a wild mountainous part of the beautiful country, so full offorest and gorge that there was plenty of opportunity for the French tohide their force on the mountain slopes of a lovely valley and let theEnglish regiment get well past them before they attacked. The result was a desperate fight which lasted a couple of hours beforethe 200th managed to extricate themselves with the loss of many killedand wounded, and in spite of every man fighting like a hero, they werebeaten and had to suffer the miseries of a retreat as well as a defeat. But the 200th did not fall back many miles before the major of theregiment halted the main body of the men on the slopes of a rocky mountwhich he determined to hold and to give the scattered and wounded achance to return, so a stand was made. For there was no hiding thefact; the poor 200th had been badly beaten, as an English regiment mightreasonably be when every man was surprised and called upon to fight six, mostly hidden from him by rocks and trees. The enemy did not follow their advantage, so that the English had thewhole of that night to rest and refresh, though there was not much ofeither, for upon the roll of the companies being called a hundred bravemen did not answer; many were wounded; and, worst misfortune of all, theColonel was among the missing, and had been seen last fighting like ahero as he tried with a small company of men to save the baggage andammunition. "And our poor boy, Joe, " sobbed Mrs Corporal that night, as she sat bythe watch-fire, "trampled down and killed, just as I had begun to lovehim as much as if he had been my own. " "Cheer up, old lass, " said Joe, wincing as he spoke, for a bullet hadploughed a nasty furrow in one arm; "we don't know yet that he isn't allright. Prisoner, perhaps. Let's wait till morning, and see. " Mrs Corporal sobbed, and of course waited, with the men under arms allnight and expecting an attack. But the night passed away without any alarm, and soon after sunrise inthe beautiful chestnut wood, about fifty of the missing crawled backinto camp, but there was no news of the Colonel, none of Dick, and poorMrs Corporal Beane had another terrible trouble on her mind as shenursed and held water to her husband's feverish lips, for in theterrible fight at the surprise brave stout-hearted Joe Beane had beenshot close to the Colonel's side, and he remembered seeing that officerwave his sword, and hearing him cry, "Forward, my lads; this way, " buthe could recollect no more. CHAPTER FOUR. Dick could remember every thing that took place then, though all thathad occurred before he was hurt still remained blank. He remembered thecrashing volleys fired from both sides of the gorge, and the way inwhich the long line of the marching regiment faced both ways and firedagain, before making a brave charge forward, led by their officers, tofight their way through the enemy in front, but only to be beaten back, withered as their formation was by the terrible fire on all sides. Heremembered this, and how all of a sudden, as the mule he rode wascarried along in the crowd, and he clung tightly to the bundle withwhich it was loaded, the poor beast suddenly stood still, uttered astrange squeal, and then reared up so that Dick was nearly jerked off. But the poor animal, which had been pierced through the lungs by abullet, came down again on all-fours, and then dashed off at full galloptowards the clouds of smoke in front, bore off to the left as somedimly-seen men stabbed at it with their bayonets, and tore on over rockand bush, higher and higher up the side of the gorge, with Dick stillclinging tightly to the ropes of the bundle, till all at once it uttereda shrill cry, reared up again, and then fell, throwing the boy downamong the tangled growth, rolled over, once kicked out its legs for afew moments, and then lay perfectly still. Dick lay as still for a few minutes, feeling too much startled to move. Then he managed to crawl out of the rocky rift into which he had beenthrown, and stood up, all ragged, with his red coatee split up the back, and one sleeve torn out at the shoulder. For a few minutes he stood listening to the shouting and firing farbelow and watched the smoke curling up; his face was all puckered up, and he rubbed himself where he was pricked and scratched. Then heexamined his damaged clothes, and lastly he climbed up to where the mulelay, on its side with its heels higher up the slope than itsstretched-out neck and head. "Poor old fellow!" he said. "Did the shooting frighten you? Come on, get up. " But the mule did not stir, and the boy knelt down by it to raise itshead a little, but only to let it sink back, and shrink away, inhorror--the poor animal, who had always been ready to eat grass orpieces of unripe melon from his hand, lay dead, pierced by the bullet, and bayonetted in three places by the French. And now the tears which the little fellow had manfully kept back beganto flow fast, and he knelt down by the poor beast's side, feelingstunned. And as he knelt there the firing went on, but in a scattered way, as the200th fell back with the enemy in full pursuit, the boy turning at lastto watch the progress of the fight far below and seeing the scarletcoats of his friends growing more and more distant in the smoke, and theblue uniforms of the French as they crowded after them, till the reportsof the muskets grew faint; and the echoes from high up on either side ofthe gorge more soft till they died away. Dick's first idea was to hurry off, but there was only one way, and thatwas down the wooded ravine; but he could not go that way, for the placebetween him and his friends was swarming with the French soldiers, andhe shuddered at the thought of trying to get through them. He had oflate seen and heard so much of their cruel acts. What should he do? He had hardly asked himself this question when he heard a shout, and hisheart leaped--it was his friends coming back. No; he could see below him the uniforms of the French soldiers, andtheir bayonets flashing in the golden light of the sinking sun, and infear he shrank back among the thick bushes and hid below the place wherehe had been thrown, to lie listening as the voices came nearer, a peepor two that he stole showing that the enemy were spread out low down bythe rugged track, evidently very busy, and it seemed to the boy thatthey were hunting for him to kill him. He grew more and more sure of this as the voices came nearer, but atlast he realised the truth--that the men were searching amongst thebushes for the wounded and dead. This went on for an hour, and Dick's courage rose as he saw themcarrying man after man down to the track, men in red and men in blue, and bearing them away, with the voices growing fewer and fewer. "And it will soon be dark, " the boy said to himself, "and then I can goback and find mother and father. " Just then he heard shouts again, and he shrank back beneath the bushes, to listen, not understanding a word; but the voices came nearer andnearer and Dick's heart sank, for there was a shout and two men ran upto within a dozen yards of where the boy lay. "They can see me, and are going to shoot, " he thought, and he shut hiseyes and shivered, and thought of the corporal and his wife. But no shot was fired; no bright keen bayonet plunged through thebushes; and taking courage the boy raised his head and peered upwardtowards where two French soldiers were busy doing something, and anothercame and joined them, to stand talking and laughing. Then the boy grasped the fact that they had seen the mule, and werecutting the ropes and opening the pack to see if there was anythingworth taking. At last the notes of a bugle came echoing up the ravine from side toside. The soldiers immediately rose from where they were busy, shoulderedtheir muskets, and began to descend the slope, while Dick lay listeningto the crackling and brushing sounds as they forced their way throughthe bushes. There was another bugle call, and some time after another, sounding quite faint, and as the boy crept out of his hiding-place atlast, to find the contents of the mule's pack, the belongings of thecorporal's mess for the most part scattered about the ground, he lookedkeenly in search of danger! And how still it was! Not a sound--even the cry of a bird; only a faintsilvery rippling tinkle somewhere near; a sound which set the boycreeping, to find it low down between some rocks slippery with greenmoss which grew all about a tiny pool, into which after lying flat uponhis chest he plunged his lips, and drank again and again to quench histhirst. CHAPTER FIVE. That long, deep draught of sweet, cool water seemed to send fresh lifethrough Dick, and he rose up, thinking that it would be easy now to getdown to the track and find his way back to his friends, but he shook hishead. No, he said, the Frenchmen would be about, and he might lose his way inthe dark. Better wait a bit. But it was so horribly lonely, and the stillness made him shiver as ifhe were cold, and obeying a natural instinct to be near something, heclimbed back to where the dead mule lay, dragged a blanket from wherethe French soldiers had tossed it, and threw it over him. Then he creptclose to the mule's side, to sit watching the light die out on the topsof the mountains and the stars begin to come out. His head began tosink sidewise, nodded once or twice, and in spite of the darkness andthe horror of his situation he fell fast asleep, to begin dreaming ofMother Beane, of the camp-fire and the cooking, and Tom Jones the bugleboy making a horrible noise on his copper horn, as he would sometimes inplay: and then he started into wakefulness, to crouch there listening, for the hoarse sound sounded again from somewhere below. The boy shuddered, for he knew it was not the note of the bugle, but ahorrible long-drawn cry, faint and strange, and the cold drops began togather on his forehead, for it sounded like the howling of a wolf, sucha cry as he had heard Mother Beane talk about when telling him and TomJones about her adventures over the camp-fire. He listened andshuddered as the cry came again out of the darkness: and then thefrightened feeling passed away. "'Tisn't a wolf, " he said, and he started to his feet. "Where are you?"he shouted, wishing that he had not spoken in his excitement, for hefelt that it might be a French soldier. Then he began to feel his wayslowly through the bushes, for it was no enemy who replied, but someoneEnglish calling out from the thick darkness of the night that terriblystirring word, --Help. Dick had only one thought then, a thought which overmastered fear. Someone was in trouble and wanted help. It must be a wounded soldier, some one of his many friends who had chatted to him as he rode, foreveryone in the regiment had a kind word to say. "Hoi! Where are you?" he shouted, and the voice answered from verynear: but the bushes were thick, the rocks many, and the darkness deep, so that it was some time before Dick could reach the spot and pass hishands over someone lying there. "Water. " That was the only answer to his question, "Who is it?" Dick remembered the terrible thirst brought on by his own excitement, and the delicious draught of water from the little pool, as he eagerlyturned away, wondering whether he could find the water again in thedark. "Of course I can, " he said to himself the next minute, for he had onlyto listen to the musical trickling sound, and find the way by his ears. But the next trouble was not so easy to get over. What was he to fetchthe water in? He laughed softly to himself. The mule had been loaded with thingsbelonging to the corporal's mess, and he felt certain that he could finda tin. But he had first of all to find out where the dead mule lay, no easytask in a strange place, and in the dark: but he tried and tried again, twice over finding himself near the pool, and it was not until he hadpassed near it over and over again that he kicked against somethingthrown away by the French soldiers, and the rest was easy. The nextminute he was upon his knees searching about among the tumbled-togetherthings, till to his great joy he touched the very article he wanted, andarmed with this he sought for and found the little pool, filled the tin, and started upon the difficult task of carrying the water down a slopeamongst rocks and trees and roots and creepers which seemed to be fryingto trip him up. At last after trying for long enough he stopped short in despair, feeling completely lost. Half the water had been spilt, and he hadcalled again--"Where are you?" but there was no reply. And now aterrible feeling of dread came over him again, as the thought tookpossession of his mind that the wounded man was dead. So strong wasthis that it took away all the courage which had helped him so far, andin the poor fellow's misery and despair he felt that the only thing todo now was to sit down and let the tears run while he waited till it wasmorning. But that was not to be, for just when his courage was at its lowest ebbhe started and nearly dropped the tin, for from out of the darknessclose by there was a piteous moan, and as he sought cautiously for theplace from whence it came, he was helped by a low muttering as ofsomeone saying a prayer very slowly. And it was, for he heard thewords, "Thy will be done, " and sank upon his knees by the sufferer'shead without spilling another drop. Dick did not speak, but waited for the prayer to be finished: but therewas no farther sound, and he whispered gently: "I've brought the water. " Still there was no sound, and the boy began to think that he had cometoo late. He spoke again and again, but there was no reply, and after feelingabout a little he dipped his fingers in the tin and let a few drops fallupon the poor fellow's dry lips. Then more and more, as he found theymoved. Then he scooped up as much as his little hand would hold, guidedit carefully and held it there so that a few drops trickled between theman's lips and the others ran over his face and neck, with a strangelyreviving effect. For there was a low sigh or two, and he could hear thesound repeated of his patient trying to swallow, after which his mouthopened widely, so that he was able to pour in more water, which now wasswallowed with avidity. All this had such a reviving effect that suddenly to Dick's greatdelight there was a hoarse whisper-- "More--more. Water--water. " This was responded to at once, and after a few more tiny portions hadbeen poured between the sufferer's lips a hoarse voice said:-- "Heaven bless you, it has saved my life. " "Can you sit up a little and drink?" said Dick eagerly. "I don't know--I'll try. " There was a faint rustling, a piteous groan of pain, and then:-- "Now quick. I can do no more. Water. " By touch Dick found that his companion had raised himself on one elbow, and he guided the tin to his lips with one hand, passing the other roundthe poor fellow's head to try and support him, as he drank eagerly tillthe last drops were drained from the tin. "Like life--like life, " was sighed, and Dick felt his patient sink downagain with a sigh of content. "Shall I fetch some more?" said the boy. "Not yet. Tell me. Who are you? Is it a woman?" Dick laughed in his great joy at hearing the words. "No, " he said: "it's only me. " "You? Who are you?" "Dick. Mrs Corporal Beane's Dick. " "Oh, my boy, my boy, you have saved my life, " moaned the sufferer, catching the little fellow's hand and pressing it to his fevered lips. "But who are you?" said the boy. "I don't know your voice. " "Don't you, my brave little fellow? Yes, you do--the Colonel, ColonelLavis. " "Oh, " said Dick wonderingly, "and did somebody shoot you?" "Yes. I was hit twice. I crawled away among the bushes and rocks afterI fell, and then all was dark, and I was trying to creep to where Icould hear water. But tell me, my brave lad. They drove the Frenchmenoff?" "No, " said Dick sadly, and as he told all he knew the Colonel groanedagain and again and to Dick's horror he heard him mutter to himself:-- "Better that I had died--better that I had died than suffer this. Thedefeat--the shame. " Then all was still in the darkness, the fear began to creep into Dick'sbreast again, and he gently stretched out his hand to touch theColonel's, when to his great joy his hand was seized: then another handtouched it, and he felt it kissed and then held fast, drawing himforward so that he half lay across the wounded man's breast, and couldfeel the beating of his heart, lying thinking there till he heard a lowsigh or two, followed by a steady regular breathing as if he slept. And at last, utterly wearied out, sleep came to the boy as well, and helay dreaming there, keeping what might have been the chill of death froma brave man's breast, till the sun rose again and was beating downwarmly upon the back of Dick's head, when he opened his eyes to starewonderingly at the stained and blackened face so close to his. Dick did not dare to stir for fear of awakening the Colonel again: buthe was not asleep, for after a time he opened his eyes and smiledpleasantly. "The fortune of war, little comrade, " he said. "Yes, sir, " said Dick, and he stared at him, wondering that the stern, fierce officer who ordered the men about so could look so pleasant. "That's right, " said the Colonel: "we have been successful many times. But let's see, Dick, you were brought into camp wounded. " "Yes, " said Dick. "My head was very bad. " "Of course. I remember all about it. How was it you were injured?" Dick shook the head that had been hurt. "You don't know? But you speak well. Who are your father and mother?" "Corporal Beane and Mrs Corporal. " The Colonel looked at the boy curiously. "Yes, " he said at last: "so I remember hearing. Well, Dick, you werewounded, and we helped you: now it is my turn and you have helped me. " "Yes, " said Dick. "I am thirsty, my boy: will you fetch me some water?" "Yes, " said Dick, seizing the tin. "But look carefully round: the enemy may be holding the ground. " "Would they kill us if they saw us, sir?" "I hope not, boy: but if I can bear my wounds I'll keep in hiding, formy brave lads must make an effort to find us soon. " "I'll mind, " said Dick, and he took a long look round, and then crept onhands and knees to the spring, looked at it longingly, but forebore todrink, and filling the tin he bore it to the Colonel, who lay just as hehad left him. "Can you lift my head, boy?" he said. "Set down the tin. " Not an easy thing to do without spilling the water, but Dick succeeded, and then managed with the Colonel's help to raise him a little so thathe could reach the water, of which he drank with avidity and was oncemore lowered back, to lie faint and giddy for a few minutes, but herecovered soon and said he was better, speaking so freely and kindly tothe boy that Dick took courage. "I say, " he said: "you've got such a dirty face. " "Have I, Dick?" said the Colonel, smiling. "Yes, it's all overgunpowder, and all bloody. Shall I wash it?" "Please, Dick, my boy, " said the Colonel, and Dick took the tin to thespring as carefully as before, after looking up and down the greatravine, filled it, and this time had a good draught himself, and felthungry as he took the refilled tin back, set it down by the Colonel'shead, and then began to purse up his lips and think what he should do. He was not long making up his mind, and tearing the lining out of hisdamaged sleeve to soak in the water and use for a sponge. "But I haven't a towel, " he said. "There's a clean handkerchief in the breast pocket of my coat, " said theColonel, smiling. "Take it out. " "That hurt you?" said Dick, after unbuttoning the uniform and taking outthe carefully folded handkerchief just as Mrs Corporal Beane hadbrought it to him from the wash. "Yes, but not very much, " said the Colonel. "Go on, it will be cool andrefreshing. " He was in great pain, but he lay smiling with a very kindly, fatherlylook at the clever little fellow, as Dick carefully washed away thestains, having to go over the officer's face twice before it was quiteclean, after which he dried it, and knelt there looking at the brightsword which was hanging by its golden knot to the Colonel's right arm. "Shall I take that off before I wash your hands?" The Colonel noddedand smiled in the same fatherly way as the boy unloosed the sword-knot, laid the weapon close by and then washed and dried the wounded man'shands. "I say, " said Dick then, "I can tear this handkerchief when it's dry. Shall I tie up your cuts?" "No, " said the Colonel sadly: "they must wait till the Doctor comes, Dick, if he ever does. They are not cuts, my boy, but bullet-holes, andthey have ceased to bleed. Now what is to be done next?" "Get up, and let's find the men. " "No, boy, " said the Colonel sadly. "I could not move. We must wait. But you are hungry. Were there any rations on the mule?" "No, " said Dick, shaking his head: "they were on the other mule. Wemust wait: but I am so hungry. Aren't you?" "No, " said the Colonel sadly, and his eyes wandered round, but he lookedin vain. They were in a wild ravine, and not so much as a berry was insight. "We must wait, Dick, " he said at last. "Surely they will come in searchof us soon. " CHAPTER SIX. The sun shone down hotter and hotter, and all was still but thetwittering of a bird at times. Dick took the blanket he had wrappedabout him overnight and spread it over two pieces of rock so as to forma screen, propping it a little with a broken bough or two. So long ashe was busy doing little things for the Colonel, Dick did not seem tomind so much, but just when the sun was highest and it was hotter thanever in the valley, the poor Colonel grew more feverish. He asked forwater often, and then all at once the boy felt frightened, for thewounded man began to talk and mutter wildly: then he began to shout tohis men to come on and charge, and at last poor Dick broke down. Hunger, misery, loneliness and the heat, were too much for him: the wildnature of the Colonel's words, and his fierce look when he felt for andwaved his sword, making the little fellow shrink away and go and sitbehind a stone, his head aching, and the terrible solitude there amongstthe mountains seeming more than he could bear. But as the evening came on and a soft breeze sprang up, a change cameover the wounded man, and Dick heard himself called. He crept back to the Colonel's side, and the wounded man took his hand, and he said, "Can you be brave and strong?" "No, sir, " faltered the boy, with his lip quivering, "but I'll try tobe. " "That is being brave, my boy. Now look here, I have been asleep, anddreaming wild things, but I am cool and calm now. Listen to me. Youare faint and hungry, and you must not stay here any longer. You mustgo. " "But I can't leave you all alone, sir. " "You must, my boy. Here is what I want you to do. Throw the blanketover me and fill the tin with water. " The boy did this and felt better, for it kept off the feeling of misery. "That is good, " said the Colonel. "Now start off at once down thevalley, and if you see any of the French soldiers before you, strike offto left or right and try and get by them, and don't go down to the trackagain till they are left behind. " "And then find our men, sir?" cried the boy excitedly. "Yes. " "And tell them where you are, and bring some back to carry you to yourtent?" "Yes, " said the Colonel, smiling. "But suppose I can't find them, sir?" "Then--" said the Colonel, looking sadly at the boy, before closing hiseyes, "then--we won't talk about that, my boy: a brave little fellowlike you must find them. " "Yes, I'll try, " said Dick eagerly. "When shall I go?" "Now, " said the Colonel, and the boy dashed off at once among the rocksand bushes, but in five minutes he was back again. "What, boy, do you give it up?" "No, " said Dick stoutly. "I was in such a hurry I didn't say good-bye, sir--and--and--" "Well, what?" said the Colonel, smiling, for the little fellow stopped. "I was afraid!" "Afraid?" "You'd think I didn't mind, and wanted to get away and leave you. " "But you do not, my boy?" "Only to find someone to help you. " The Colonel caught his hand and drew him down closer and closer till hecould kiss him, when the tears started to Dick's eyes and he flung hisarms round the wounded man's neck and clung to him and kissed him inreturn. "Now go, Dick, " said the Colonel. "I have just such a little fellow athome in England, and I want to see him again. " "Have you?" cried Dick eagerly: "then I will find our men so that youshall. " "Hah, " sighed the Colonel as Dick started off, and he watched the boytill he disappeared. Then he sighed again, drew the blanket more overhim and closed his eyes, and as the sun went down and the darkness fellhe sank into a deep sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was just beginning to get dusk the next evening and the sentriesabout the little hill where the 200th lay had been doubled. For theFrench regiments not many hundred yards away had crept in closer, andwere so placed that the English were surrounded, and their case was verydesperate, for though they had plenty of water their provender wasgetting low, and the scouts sent out had reported to the Major that itlooked as if an attack was going to be made. So the wounded had been placed together behind a rough wall built ofpieces of rock, and the men stationed, all hungry and desperate, readyto meet the enemy when they came and drive them back. "And oh, dear! It's weary work, " said Mrs Corporal, who had hadnothing to cook for the men, but made up for it by acting as nurse andhelping the wounded. She was kneeling down by Corporal Beane when she spoke, and had beentrying to comfort him, for he had done nothing but growl because thedoctor said he must not think of getting up, and as she talked to himshe said suddenly: "Oh, if I could only know what has become of my boy. " She stopped short, for at that moment a shot was fired, and CorporalBeane sat up and reached for his musket. "Here they come, " he cried. "I don't care what the doctor says--I won'tlie here. Give me my cartridge-box, old woman: I'm going to fight. " There was another shot, close at hand, and then a shrill voice rangout:--"Oh, don't shoot--don't shoot!" "_My boy Dick_!" shouted Mrs Beane, and she rushed out, as torn andbleeding, the boy staggered up between two of the men, and the nextminute was surrounded by the officers, but could not speak forexhaustion: but he made signs for water, drank some thirstily, and oneof the sentries stated to the Major that he had seen something crawlingup towards his post and fired. "And then I see it, and fired too, sir, " said the other. "Poor boy, " cried the Major. "Where are you hurt?" "I don't know--everywhere. I'm scratched, and I tumbled, and my kneesare sore. But do go directly, oh! Do go, or he'll be dead. " It was some time before in his weak, half-starved state the poor boycould make them understand, for he had completely broken down: and itwas not until he had swallowed a little biscuit soaked in wine, as helay with his head in Mrs Beane's lap, that he at last told hystericallyof how he had managed to crawl by the French outposts and reached hisfriends. His last words were, "Why don't you go?--the Colonel--you'll be toolate. " There was silence for a few minutes, all present watching the littlemessenger as he lay back insensible in Mrs Beane's arms. Then the Major walked away: the men were formed up in a hollow square:and he addressed them and told them that their Colonel was lying woundedand dying away yonder, on the slope of the ravine, and he called forvolunteers to fetch him in. They stepped forward to a man, and a strong company was told off underone of the captains, the doctor being of the party, and the men carryinga litter ready for their load. "But we must have the boy for a guide, " said the Major. There were difficulties in the way, and Mrs Corporal Beane wasconsulted, for it was evident that Dick was in too exhausted a state tobe moved, and she said so as she paused for a few moments in the task ofgiving him food, a little at a time. "No, I'm not, sir, " said the boy, to the great surprise of all present. "I can't walk, but if father came too he could carry me on his back, andI'll show you the way. " There was a moment's silence, and Mrs Corporal sobbed. "He's wounded badly, my dear, " she said, kissing him: "but I'm as stoutand strong as father is, and I'll go and carry you. " "With every man of us to help you, " cried the Captain, and in half anhour's time, aided by the darkness, the little party stole out of thefortified camp, and by great good fortune passed with Dick's guidancebeyond the enemy's lines. Then every effort was made, and soon afterdaybreak the spot where the disastrous fight had been was reached. It was a sad group which surrounded the motionless figure lying coveredwith a blanket, which the doctor removed and knelt down; Dick strugglingto the other side, while the Captain and his men waited to hear theworst. "We are not too late, " said the doctor, rising: and after administeringstimulants, the words proved true, for the Colonel opened his eyes, looked wildly round, and then smiled as his gaze rested upon Dick, whowas holding his hand. "Thank you, Dick, boy, " he said, in a faint whisper. "I knew youwould. " The cheer which rose from the men made the rocks echo again, and theCaptain turned from grasping his old friend's hand, and said sharply:-- "Silence in the ranks--no, I mean, another cheer, my lads. " And it was given. A short halt was made by the pool, while stimulants were administeredagain to the Colonel, and Mrs Beane insisted on Dick having more, themen eating their scanty rations by the pool. Then the wounded man wascarefully laid in the litter so that Dick could lie there too, with hishead the opposite way: the men raised their poles, and the march backwas begun. It was just after dark that evening that they were proceeding verycautiously, when there was a sudden outburst of firing. The Captain needed no telling what was going on, for the long expectedattack was being made upon the weakened regiment upon the hill. He didnot hesitate, but pressed on with his little band, quite unnoticed bythe attacking force, coming upon their rear in the darkness just as theywere receiving a check from the brave defenders of the camp, and theCaptain poured in volley after volley so unexpectedly that the Frenchbroke, and began to retreat before their foes. The Major, grasping whathad occurred, turned his defence into a brave attack, and the result wasthat in a few minutes the enemy was in full retreat, and soon after, this in their confusion became a rout. CHAPTER SEVEN. In a month's time, in spite of weakness, the Colonel had sufficientlyrecovered to resume the command of his regiment, and Dick was the heroand idol of the men. But poor Mrs Corporal Beane was jealous and unhappy--jealous becausethe Colonel made so much of Dick; unhappy on account of the Corporal, whose recovery was very slow. But the Colonel, she owned, behaved verywell to her. He said that he would not interfere much, as he lookedupon herself as the boy's mother, but sooner or later they would findout who Dick's parents were, and that he should stay with the regiment, but he must be looked after well. "As if he could be looked after better, " Mrs Corporal said to herinvalid husband. "I do look after you well, Dick, don't I?" "Yes, mother; of course you do, " said the boy. "And love you too; and you love me and father, don't you?" "Why, you know I do, " said the boy, laughing, "and Colonel Lavis sentfor the tailor this morning, and I was measured for a new uniform likethe men in the band. " "Bless us and save us!" cried Mrs Beane. "Well, that is handsome ofhim, but like a drummer, Dick, not with gold lace?" "Yes, scarlet and gold, " said the little fellow proudly; "and I'm tolearn to play. " It would be a long story to tell of the terrible fights the 200th werein all through that terrible Peninsular War: but Dick was with theregiment and through it all, not fighting, but with the doctor and themen whose duty it was to look after the wounded, and many were theblessings called down upon the head of the brave boy, who seemed to beara charmed life, as he ran here and there with water to hold to the lipsof the poor fellows who were stricken down. But all things have an end, the bad like the good, and in the days ofpeace the 200th were being feasted at one of the towns by the Portuguesegentry and some of the English merchants who had been nearly ruined bythe war. Dick was in it all, for he was strong and well as could be--happy too asa boy, but his memory was still a perfect blank about the past. Hecould recall everything which had happened since he was nursed back tohealth and strength, but nothing more; and poor Corporal Joe, who wasnever likely to be able to join the ranks again, and only too gratefulat being allowed to act as the Colonel's servant, never mentioned to theboy the day when he found him up at the burning house. "Only set him thinking about them murdering camp-followers, missus, andmake him unhappy, and we don't want that, do us?" "No, Joe, dear, " she cried; "I should think we don't. " And so the time had nearly come for the remnant to march to the port andembark for England, when a farewell party was given to the officers by aMr and Mrs Trevor, the principal merchant and his lady, and out ofcompliment the Colonel and officers sent the band up to the mansion toplay in the garden during dinner, Dick being told that he might go withthe musicians to see the sight. Everyone of note was there, and the sight was grand in the lit-upgrounds. There was feasting and speech-making and thanks given to thebrave men who had saved the country from the oppressor, and the Colonelreturned thanks. It was just then that the band-master turned to Dick and said:-- "Go up to the Colonel and ask him if we shall play the dance music now. " The band was stationed by one of the open windows, and Dick, in his bestuniform, had only to step in and go round behind the Colonel's chair towhisper to him. "Ah, Dick, my boy, " he said. "Dance music? Yes. Stop; I'll ask ourhostess. By the way, Mrs Trevor, " he said, turning to the tall, sad-looking lady at whose side he was sitting, "let me introduce to youthe greatest man in our corps, the brave little fellow who saved mylife. " Mrs Trevor turned smilingly round, when a sunburned gentleman on herother side gave utterance to a gasp and sprang from his chair. "My dear madam, " cried the Colonel, "are you ill?" For Mrs Trevor uttered a wild cry, as, to the astonishment of all, thelittle fellow in scarlet and gold sprang to her side and threw his armsabout her neck. "_Oh, mother_! Why, father, " he cried, "do you live here?" The boy's memory of the past had come back like a flash of light, and ashe caught at Mr Trevor's hand he suddenly turned pale, shivered, andclapped his hands to the scar upon his head, for the horror of the scenebefore he was struck down by one of a gang of French camp-followers cameback to him with terrible vividness. The banquet was nearly at an end when this scene took place and afterwarm congratulations from the visitors, they had the good taste to hurryaway, and the band was dismissed, the Colonel only stopping with the boyto help him relate how he was retained in the regiment. He heard in return an explanation from Mr Trevor, who told how it wasthat the burned house was their country villa among the mountains, wherein ignorance of danger being near, the boy was left with the servantsfor a few hours, the father and mother returning to find only smokingruins and the traces of a horrible massacre having taken place. Soconvinced were they that their son had perished in the fire with theservants that no search was made, and the Trevors fled, glad to escapewith their lives, Mr Trevor having a hard task to restore his wife toreason after the terrible shock. To them their child was dead, and they had felt that they would neverthoroughly recover from the dreadful blow. "But you see, Colonel, one never knows what is in store, and it is notright to despair. Now, how can we thank you enough for all that youhave done?" "I don't want thanks, " said the Colonel. "I ought to thank you for allthat he so bravely did for me; and besides, Dick, boy, there was someoneelse who--" He stopped, for a servant entered the room. "I beg pardon, sir, but there's a woman and a soldier outside. I toldthem you were engaged, but the woman said she would see you. " "A woman and a soldier?" cried Mr Trevor--"will see me?" "I know, " cried Dick excitedly, "it's mother and father--I mean--I--" He too stopped short, and looked from one to the other. "I mean, " hecried bravely, "my other father and mother, who saved me and brought meback to life. " "Where is he?" cried an angry voice in the hall. "I will see him. Dick, my darling Dick!" Mrs Trevor turned white, and a pang shot through her, as she saw hernewly-recovered son rush to the door, throw it open and call outloudly:--"Here I am, mother: this way. " "Oh, my darling!" cried Mrs Corporal: "I've just heard--Oh, what doesit mean? I--I beg your pardon, my lady, and you too, sir, and Colonel, but--but they've been telling me--" "Yes, it's all true, " cried Dick, interrupting her. "Mother dear, thisis my other mother, and father dear, this is Corporal Joe. " "Oh--oh--oh!" sobbed Mrs Corporal wildly; "after all this time, and megetting to love him and look upon him as my own! Oh, my lady, my lady, you never would be so cruel as to take him away? It would be so wicked, so hard upon us now. " "My own boy?" said Mrs Trevor gently, as Dick stood gazing wildly fromone to the other. "But for us never to see him again, " cried Mrs Corporal fiercely, andshe caught the boy by the arm. "Don't say you won't love us still, Dickdear!" "Why should he say such cruel words to one who has been a second motherto him, --to one who brought him back to life? And why should you neversee him again? We are going to England too, and while we have a home itshall be yours as well. " Mrs Trevor took the rough woman's hand, leaned towards her, and kissedher cheek. "For saving my darling's life, " she said softly, and then burst intotears. Poor Mrs Corporal's anger melted at this, and she caught Mrs Trevor'shand in hers and kissed it again and again. "Oh, my dear lady, " she sobbed; "I'm a wicked, selfish woman, and he isyour own flesh and blood. Come with you to be where I could always seethe dear, brave, darling boy? Oh, I'd go down on my knees and bethankful, but I can't leave my poor man. I wouldn't if he was strongand well, and now he's wounded and broken and got to leave theregiment--no, not if we had to beg our bread from door to door. Kissme, my darling boy, once more, and then--oh Joe, my man, I can't bearit! Take me away, take me away. " Joe, who had stood back stiffly in the background near where Dick'sfather was whispering with Colonel Lavis, took two steps to the frontwith a painful limp, saluted the company, and caught his half-blind wifein his arms. "It's quite right, my lass, " he said huskily, "and--from my heart, mylady, I say thank God the dear lad's coming to his own. Don't mind whatthe missus said--she--she, you see, loved him, and--good-bye, MasterDick, my lad--good--" "Stop, " said Mr Trevor, stepping towards him with his eyes moist, andclapping the invalided soldier on the shoulder. "Corporal, your Colonelsays that you are as brave and true a man as ever stepped. I feel thatit must be so. While I live the wounded soldier to whom we owe so muchshall never want a home. Dick, as they call you--Frank, my boy, what doyou say to this?" "Say?" faltered the boy, as he stood trembling, and then he could notspeak. The next moment he had rushed to his mother to kiss herpassionately, giving her a look that seemed to say, "Don't think I shallnot love you more than ever;" and then he ran and caught Joe's hand, holding it fast for a moment, before flinging his arms about poor MrsCorporal's neck, to whisper something in her ear which made the poorwoman wipe away her tears. "Hah!" cried the Colonel huskily, "this is peace indeed. " That night mother and father stole hand in hand into the room next theirown, where their son lay sleeping peacefully. They did not bend down tokiss him lest he should start awake, but they knelt by his side inthankfulness for the great joy which filled their hearts, beforethinking sadly of those to whom they owed so much. Strangely enough, just about the same time Mrs Corporal rose from herknees and said:-- "There, Joe, old man, I won't cry another drop, for I feel now that it'sright and what should be. But just in here somewhere there's a littleplace where he'll always seem to be--our soldier boy to the very end. "