zled on ramrods."

"Over a bone fire!" cried Denham. "I'm sick of it all."

"Come, come, come! you're getting ever so much stronger, both of you."

"But are we really, doctor?" I said; "or are you saying this to cheer
us up?"

"Ask yourselves, boys. You know as well as I do that you are. Climb up
on the wall this morning and sit in the sunshine; but mind you keep well
in shelter. I don't want one of the Boers to undo in a moment what has
taken me so long to do."

"Oh, I don't know," said Denham dismally. "We're poor sort of
machines--always getting out of order."

"Have you two been falling out?" said the doctor, turning to me.

"No," I said; "we haven't had a word. Denham's in rather a bad temper
this morning."

"Why, you impudent beggar!" he cried, "for two pins I'd punch your
head."

"Bravo!" cried the doctor. "Here, I'll give 'em to you. Humph! No;
only got one. Stop a minute; I'll give you a needle out of my case
instead. Will that do?"

"Look here, doctor," cried Denham; "I can't stand chaff now."

"Chaff, my dear boy? I'm in earnest. That's right; go at him. Have a
really good fight. It will do you good."

"Bah!" cried Denham, as he saw me laughing. "Here, come along up to the
wall, Val. I don't want to fall out with the doctor any more."

"That you don't," said that gentleman, offering his hand. "There,
good-morning, patients. I know. But cheer up. I like that bit of
spirit Denham showed just now. It was a splendid sign. You'll eat the
grill when it comes?"

He did not wait for an answer, but bustled away, Denham looking after
him till he was out of hearing.

"I wish I hadn't been so snappish with him," he said rather
remorsefully. "He has done a lot for us."

"Heaps," I said.

"And we must seem very ungrateful."

"He knows how fretful weak people can be," I said. "Come, let's get up
into the sunshine."

For I was having hard work with poor Denham in those days. His
sufferings had affected him in a curious way. He was completely soured,
and a word or two, however well meant, often sent him into a towering
rage. Even then I had to temporise, for he turned impatiently away.

"Hang the sunshine!" he said.

"But it will do you good," I said.

"I don't want to get any good. It only makes me worse. I shall stop
down here in the shade."

"I'm sorry," I said, "for I wanted to be up in the fresh air this
morning."

"Oh, well, if you want to go I'll come with