sked the officer, examining them by the aid of his
lantern.

"Why, bless my life if it isn't Western, reported drowned at sea!" he
exclaimed with a start. "You're like a jack-in-the-box, Western. Who
are your friends?"

Phil mentioned their names.

"We had a near squeak for it," he said faintly. "By the way, Ellis, is
there a doctor near? McNeil is in need of dressing, and I fear I have
got a bullet in my ribs."

That was the case. At the first outburst of firing, a bullet had struck
him in the side like a sledge-hammer, but Phil kept his groans to
himself. Now, however, when all need for further silence and exertion
had passed, he sat down suddenly, and went off into a dead faint,
frightening poor Tony almost out of his life. A few drops of brandy
were forced between his teeth, and by the time he had been placed on a
blanket he was conscious again. Then he was carried with great
gentleness up to the field-hospital.

"Another bullet wound, my lad," said the surgeon kindly. "That makes
the fifth I have seen already to-night. Let me have a look at it;" and
with the greatest sympathy and gentleness he removed Phil's clothing and
examined the wound.

"Ah! a nasty one," he said gravely. "Two ribs badly smashed, and the
lung injured. Not fatal, though. Oh, no! not by any means. We'll
dress it carefully and get you out of this."

Phil gave an exclamation of disgust.

"It's awfully bad luck, doctor," he said testily. "Here I am, scarcely
landed on the Crimea, and already I have been captured twice. And now I
am to be sent away for the second time. Couldn't I possibly stay? I am
very anxious to serve to the end of the campaign with my regiment."

"Yes, I know you are, my lad, but Scutari is where you are going," the
doctor answered firmly. "Twice captured since you landed! Yes, but you
forget to mention that in the short time that has elapsed, you have
escaped twice from the Russians, taken part in two pitched battles, and
joined in a famous cavalry charge, not to mention having been promoted
to a commission for distinguished gallantry. Now, no more talking.
To-morrow you go, and your friend too."

Expostulations were unavailing, and on the following day Phil and
Lieutenant McNeil were carried to Balaclava and hoisted on board a ship
bound for the great hospital at Scutari, with her decks full of sick and
wounded soldiers. As was only natural, Tony accompanied them.

Before the convoy set out