ut into safety, to be borne
directly after--just recognisable as a bandsman and an officer--through
the mess-room to where the doctors were hard at work, but so far without
having had one serious case.

Dick was the first to come to, just as the colonel hurried in for a few
moments to inquire how the two injured men were, and came up to where
the doctor was kneeling by the young fellow, applying cottonwool and oil
to his burned hands.

"How is he?" said the colonel, anxiously.

"Ask him," said the doctor, shortly; "he can speak for himself--can't
you, my lad?"

"Oh, yes, sir. My hands smart a good deal; but how is that man I ran
back to get out?"

"You ran back to get him out, my lad?" said the colonel.

"Yes; I kicked against him. He was pinned down by some trestles and a
tent-pole," said Dick, speaking in a feverish, excited way. "Do tell me
how he is."

"Rather bad yet, so one of my colleagues says," replied the doctor.

The colonel hurried across the room to where two doctors were attending
the officer, who was giving them great cause for anxiety, for he had
been burned a good deal about one side of the head, and had been so
nearly suffocated that a long course of the treatment used for the
apparently drowned had been necessary before he began to breathe
regularly again.

The colonel stood by the improvised couch for some minutes before some
words uttered by the doctor in attendance relieved him sufficiently to
enable him to return to help the members of his mess and allay the
sufferings and anxieties of the guests.

"He's better," he said, pausing for a few moments beside the regimental
surgeon, who was still tending Dick. "By the way, come and see to some
of the ladies now."

"While I am bandaging this poor fellow, and while I am expecting fresh
cases every moment?"

"No--no, there are no more; the canvas has all been drawn away, and the
place carefully explored."

"Very well; I'll come as soon as I can. You'll have plenty of civilian
doctors to see to them."

"Colonel!" cried Dick, sharply.

"Will you be quiet, sir?" cried the surgeon.--"Don't take any notice;
he's a little light-headed!"

"No, I'm not!" said Dick, angrily. "I know what I'm saying.--Colonel!"

"What is it, my lad?"

"Is Lieutenant Lacey much hurt?"

"No, scarcely at all."

"And the lady?"

"Do you want to be very bad, sir?" cried the doctor. "Hold your
tongue!"

"Yes, doctor, directly; but I want to know, co