against the bamboo shaft of the
spear. "This didn't graze you, did it, Smithers?"

"No, sir. I was afraid you had got a touch by your whipping out your
pistol so quickly. But please, sir, don't tell my missus to go into
shelter. She likes a job like this, and she's very useful with a basin
and sponge."

"All right; all right," replied Archie; and hurrying away, he took the
mess-room on his way to the post he was about to visit, and stepped to
where a faint light rose from behind a Japanese screen which shut off
one corner of the big room.

There he came upon the Doctor busy over one poor wounded fellow whose
head was resting upon the arm of a kneeling woman, who held a sponge in
the hand at liberty, while a great brass lotah of water was at her side.

"Very useful with basin and sponge," said Archie to himself, as he
smiled grimly.--"Can I do anything for you, Doctor?" he said.

"Not unless you have come to help, my lad."

"No, sir; I can't do that."

"Well, you can stop some of these scoundrels throwing these abominable
spears."

"Not till daylight, I'm afraid, sir; and I fear that this light will be
seen outside."

"Can't help it," said the Doctor. "I can't play Blind-Man's Buff and
stitch up wounds without a lamp. I want more help."

"Shall I ask Mrs Morley to come, sir?"

"My wife? No. She is busy with the women and children, and running off
now and then to give the poor fellows a drink of water. Here, I know:
set some one to find that ragamuffin Pegg. He'd be worth anything to me
now, for he's handy over this sort of thing."

"Yes, Doctor; but he's one of our best shots with a rifle, and the
Captain has posted him where he covers the river path."

"Oh, well, then, you can't spare him, of course. But look here, Archie;
the wounded are being brought in too fast. Tell the Major that I say
that he must blaze away a little to hold the enemy back."

"Do you want him to cut me down, sir? He's in a furious temper."

"Enough to make him. So am I. I nearly stuck a lancet into Sir Charles
Dallas a few minutes ago for coming and worrying me about the
possibility of a party of men stealing off to one of the boats with him.
The madman! All men are mad when they're in love. Never you catch
that complaint."

"No, sir," said Archie.

"Well, I'm keeping you, my lad; but I'm glad of a minute's cessation
from this work. There! I think he will do now, duchess.--What do you
say?"

"Poor fellow