nd their officers, while my
prince will rule in peace, and--yes, my faith! I shall rule him now.
Crack! That match burns, and--_hiss_--the train begins to run, and so
must I. Ah! My faith! I am going wrong. These trees catch my feet
with their frightful tangle, and the light dazzles my eyes. My faith!
My faith! I am lost!"

So vivid seemed the picture that the listener's brow grew moist, and he
turned shuddering away, to see that Peter was watching him curiously;
and both lads started now as a wild cry of horror and despair arose from
the rough pallet on which the sufferer lay struggling feebly.

"I'd say as you would, Mister Archie, sir: `Poor beggar!' for he must be
feeling very bad with his burns; but he don't deserve it. It was his
own doing. Could you make out what he was talking about?"

"A great deal of it, Pete."

"What was he saying of, sir?"

"Poor wretch! He's quite off his head. He seemed to be talking about
how he tried to blow up the magazine."

"Said he was sorry for it, perhaps, sir?"

"No, Pete; I didn't catch that."

"Ah, well, he would be, sir, because he didn't get away fast enough. A
chap who would do a thing like that wouldn't feel sorry for it if he
hadn't got caught.--I say, _pst_! Look here, Mister Archie."

"What is it?"

"I was only just in time to catch sight of them. Think of it! I only
turned my head to talk to you, but two of them took advantage and crept
right close up behind that bush. Can you see 'em?"

"No."

"Well, I can, sir, or think I can, because I saw them for a moment as
they dashed in. You stand back from the window, sir. There's only
shelter for one, and that's me."

"Are you going to fire?"

"Don't quite know, sir. Depends on them. They must have seen you when
you stood looking out before that Frenchman began to talk. I could send
a shot right through the bush, and it might hit one of them; but then it
mightn't, and I should have wasted a cartridge. I think I'll wait till
they come out to shoot or chuck a spear, and then I can be sure. What
do you say?"

"That will be quite right, Pete; and I will go on now. Why, Joe
Smithers ought to be able to spot any one hiding behind that bush. I'll
go round by where he's posted and see."

"Ought to be able to see for hisself," grumbled Peter; and as Archie
turned to reach the door, unaware of the fact that he was exposing
himself a little, Peter raised his rifle to his shoulder and fired a