the meal, when one morning the
doctor came earlier than usual. He had Schubert with him, and they
both peered through the tent door. I was alone, for Fred and Will were
in the other tent. The doctor stepped inside and examined me closely,
drawing up the mosquito net to see my face. I did not trouble to speak
to him, or even to open my eyes after the first glimpse. He spoke to
Schubert in German, let the net fall again, and went away. Schubert
spat and rubbed his hands, and swung along after him.

Then I heard Will and Fred arguing.

"Don't be a fool!" That was Fred's voice.

"I tell you I'll tell him!"

"Fine thing to tell a poor devil that's dying! Let him die in peace!"

"No. He has guts, for I've seen him use 'em. I shall tell him. You
wait here!"

But they both came in, and sat one on either side of my bed.

"Did you hear what that doctor person said to the sergeant-major?"
asked Will.

"I don't talk his beastly language," I answered.

"He said you'll be dead by this evening! He told Schubert to go and
get the chain-gang and have them dig your grave at noon instead of
laying off for dinner. He added they'll have you buried and out of the
way by four or five o'clock. Then Schubert asked him--"

"No need to tell him that!" Fred objected. But Will was watching my
face keenly, and went on.

"Schubert asked him who was to say whether you are dead or not. What
d'you suppose the answer was?"

Fred objected again, but Will waved him aside.

"The answer he gave Schubert was: 'Once he is covered with two meters
of earth, I shall not hesitate to sign a certificate!'--So now you know
what to expect!"

Will smiled as he watched me. His face was as keen and calm as Fred's
was troubled.

"Take more than his guesswork to put you where he'd like to have
you--eh?" he laughed. And I sat up.

Fred began to grin too. "You were right, Will!" he admitted.

It was not anger that swept over me and gave me new strength. Anger, I
think, would have hastened the end. It was sudden recognition of my
own superiority to the devils who knew so little mercy. It was simple
inability in the last recourse to admit myself able to be their victim.
Even my leg felt better. I demanded food; and by the time they
returned from their morning march around the township I had made my boy
dress me and was sitting up.

We dated the turn of the tide of our fortunes from that hour.
Certainly from that day we began to p