st have the boy for a guide," said the Major.

There were difficulties in the way, and Mrs Corporal Beane was
consulted, for it was evident that Dick was in too exhausted a state to
be moved, and she said so as she paused for a few moments in the task of
giving 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, and
I'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 stout
and 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 an
hour's time, aided by the darkness, the little party stole out of the
fortified camp, and by great good fortune passed with Dick's guidance
beyond the enemy's lines. Then every effort was made, and soon after
daybreak the spot where the disastrous fight had been was reached.

It was a sad group which surrounded the motionless figure lying covered
with a blanket, which the doctor removed and knelt down; Dick struggling
to the other side, while the Captain and his men waited to hear the
worst.

"We are not too late," said the doctor, rising: and after administering
stimulants, the words proved true, for the Colonel opened his eyes,
looked wildly round, and then smiled as his gaze rested upon Dick, who
was holding his hand.

"Thank you, Dick, boy," he said, in a faint whisper. "I knew you
would."

The cheer which rose from the men made the rocks echo again, and the
Captain 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 administered
again to the Colonel, and Mrs Beane insisted on Dick having more, the
men eating their scanty rations by the pool. Then the wounded man was
carefully laid in the litter so that Dick could lie there too, with his
head the opposite way: the men raised their poles, and the march back
was begun.

It was just after dark that evening that they were proceeding very
cautiously, when there was a sudden outburst of firing.

The Captain needed no telling what was going on, for the long expected
attack was being made upon the weakened regiment upon the hill. He did
not hesitate, but pressed on with his little band, quite unnoticed by