step, balanced himself upon one crutch,
and waved the other at his staff--and at the "Six Hundred," pressing on
behind.

"Forward, th' Light Brigade!
'Charge for th' guns!' he said...."

"What's the little chap saying?" Uncle Chester murmured into the ear of
Uncle Arthur, as the small figure hurried on.

"He's living out 'The Charge of the Light Brigade,'" Arthur answered,
and there was no smile on his lips. Uncle Chester swallowed something in
his throat.

It may have been a common thing for the hospital nurses and doctors to
see a patient in military clothes arrive accompanied by four other
military figures--the uniforms a little mixed; but if they were
surprised they gave no sign. The nurse who put David to bed wore a Red
Cross badge on her sleeve--hastily constructed by Doctor Wendell. This
badge David regarded with delight.

"Why, you're a real army nurse, aren't you?" he asked happily.

"Of course. They are the kind to take care of soldiers," she returned.
And after that there was a special bond between them.

When they had finished with David that night he was rather glad to have
Corporal Thorndyke say to him that there was a brief cessation of
hostilities, and that the men were to have the chance for a few hours'
sleep.

"But you'll stay by, won't you, Corporal?" requested the major sleepily.

"Certainly, sir," responded the corporal, saluting. "I'll be right here
all night."

The corporal at this point was so unmilitary as to bend over and kiss
him; but as this was immediately followed by a series of caresses from
his mother, the major thought it best not to mind. Indeed, it was very
comforting, and he might have missed it if it had not happened, even
though he was supposed to be in the field and sleeping upon his arms.

The next morning things happened rather rapidly.

"No rations, Major," said the Red Cross nurse, when he inquired for his
breakfast.

"Commissary department left far to the rear," explained the corporal,
with his salute; and of course there was nothing more to be said,
although it did seem a little hard to face "the jaws of death" with no
food to hearten one.

A number of things were done to David. Then Doctor Wendell came in and
sat down by the high white bed, and, with a reassuring smile at his
patient, gave him a few brief directions. The corporal took David's hand
in his, and held it with the tight grip of the comrade who means to
stand by to the last ditch.