"Don't leave me, Dale," he whispered. "You'll promise all this, won't
you?"

"If it is necessary," I said; "but you--"

He opened his eyes, and looked at me, smiling gently, and I ceased
speaking, for I knew that my words were not true as I sat beside him all
through that hot day waiting.

Mr Frewen came in from time to time, but he said little, and Walters
appeared to be dozing for the most part.

"Better stay," Mr Frewen whispered; and then in answer to my
questioning look, he shook his head, and I knew that it was all over.

It was close upon sundown, and the interior of the cabin was filled with
an orange glow when Mr Frewen came in again.

Walters seemed to be fast asleep, quite free from pain, and breathing
easily.

"You must be terribly faint, my lad. You have had nothing," the doctor
whispered.

"Yes, I have," I replied. "Bob Hampton brought me a biscuit and some
soup, and Miss Denning brought me some tea just now."

"Heaven bless her!" he muttered. Then in a quick whisper--"We shall
have to call you up presently, my lad."

"Why?"

"The enemy are closing in. They'll make a desperate fight of it this
time, and every help we can muster is necessary. Eh! Want me?" he
said, as there was a tap on the door.

He went out, and I was thinking whether I could withdraw my hand without
waking Walters, so as to get out on deck and help, when he opened his
eyes and looked round quickly as if he wondered where he was.

Then he saw me and smiled.

"Don't forget, Dale," he whispered. "Now I want Miss Denning."

He loosened my hand, and I went out to find her waiting close by the
door.

"Walters wants to see you, Miss Denning," I said, and she bowed her head
and crept silently into the ruddily-lit cabin, and knelt down by where
Walters lay.

"Yes," he said, holding out his hands. "Thank you. But you tell them--
how sorry--they will listen--to you.--Now--`Our Father'--"

Helena Denning's voice took up the words and went on in a low appealing
murmur, and as I looked wildly in Walters' face, I saw his lips moving
till she uttered the words--"and forgive us our trespasses--"

Then his lips became motionless, his gaze fixed on the golden glory in
the heavens, and I started wildly to my feet, for at that moment there
was a tremendous roar. The heavily-charged cannon had been fired, and I
knew that the enemy were close at hand.

I gave one glance at Miss Denning, who knelt there now, crouching low,