out the rear of
the army? You have heard them of a night, haven't you?"

"Yes," said the boy, shudderingly drawing his breath through his tightly
closed teeth. "I say, comrade, what do you want to talk like that for?"

"Because I want you to answer my question: Would you go off and leave me
here alone?"

"No, I'm blessed if I would," said the boy, speaking now in a voice full
of animation. "I couldn't do it, comrade, and it wouldn't be like a
soldier's son."

"But I am not a soldier's son, Punch."

"No," said the boy, "and that's what our lads say. They don't like you,
and they say--There, I won't tell you what."

"Yes, tell me, Punch. I should like to know."

"They say that they have not got anything else against you, only you
have no business here in the ranks."

"Why do they say that?"

"Because, when they are talking about it, they say you are a gentleman
and a scholard."

"But I thought I was always friendly and sociable with them."

"So you are, Private Gray," cried the boy excitedly; "and if ever I get
back to the ranks alive I'll tell them you are the best comrade in the
regiment, and how you wouldn't leave me in the lurch."

"And I shall make you promise, Punch, that you never say a word."

"All right," said the boy, with a faint smile, "I'll promise. I won't
say a word; but," he continued, with a shudder which did not conceal his
smile, "they will be sure to find it out and get to like you as much as
I do now."

"What's the matter, Punch?" said Pen shortly. "Cold?"

"Head's hot as fire, so's my shoulder; but everywhere else I am like
ice. And there's that swimming coming in my head again.--I don't mind.
It's all right, comrade; I shall be better soon, but just now--just
now--"

The boy's voice trailed off into silence, and a few minutes later young
Private Penton Gray, of his Majesty's newly raised --th Rifles, nearly
all fresh bearers of the weapon which was to do so much to win the
battles of the Peninsular War, prepared to keep his night-watch on the
chilly mountain-side by stripping off his coatee and unrolling his
carefully folded greatcoat to cover the wounded lad. And that
night-watch was where he could hear the howling and answering howls of
the loathsome beasts that seemed to him to say: "This way, comrades:
here, and here, for men are lying wounded and slain; the watch-fires are
distant, and there are none to hinder us where the banquet is spread.
Come, brothers, come!"