eavy,
pall-like. Outside, the rain fell monotonously, and, mingling with its
beating, she heard the croaking of innumerable frogs. Neither Ralston
nor Monck stirred a finger. They were watching closely with bated
breath.

Tommy's breathing was wholly imperceptible, but in that long, long pause
she fancied she saw a slight tremor at his throat. Then the liquid that
had been in the spoon began to trickle out at the corner of his mouth.

She stood up, turning instinctively to the man beside her. "Oh, it's no
use," she said hopelessly.

He bent swiftly forward. "Let me try! Quick, Ralston! Have it ready!
That's it. Now then, Tommy! Now, lad!"

He had taken her place almost before she knew it. She saw him stoop with
absolute assurance and slip his arm under the boy's shoulders. Tommy's
inert head fell back against him, but she saw his strong right hand come
out and take the spoon that Ralston held out. His dark face was bent to
his task, and it held no dismay, only unswerving determination.

"Tommy!" he said again, and in his voice was a certain grim tenderness
that moved her oddly, sending the tears to her eyes before she could
check them. "Tommy, wake up, man! If you think you're going out now,
you're damn well mistaken. Wake up, do you hear? Wake up and swallow
this stuff! There! You've got it. Now swallow--do you hear?--swallow!"

He held the spoon between Tommy's lips till it was emptied of every
drop; then thrust it back at Ralston.

"Here take it! Pour out some more! Now, Tommy lad, it's up to you!
Swallow it like a dear fellow! Yes, you can if you try. Give your mind
to it! Pull up, boy, pull up! play the damn game! Don't go back on me!
Ah, you didn't know I was here, did you? Thought you'd slope while my
back was turned. You weren't quick enough, my lad. You've got to come
back."

There was a strange note of passion in his voice. It was obvious to
Stella that he had utterly forgotten himself in the gigantic task before
him. Body and soul were bent to its fulfillment. She could see the
perspiration running down his face. She stood and watched, thrilled
through and through with the wonder of what she saw.

For at the call of that curt, insistent voice Tommy moved and made
response. It was like the return of a departing spirit. He came out of
that deathly inertia. He opened his eyes upon Monck's face, staring up
at him with an expression half-questioning and half-expectant.

"You haven't swallowed that stuf