Part 22 (1/2)
There, I knowed it! You try, Mr Murray, sir; you can lift it like now, and--yes, that's it. I'm a-shoving it back'ards and for'ards, and it moves the cross-belt and my s.h.i.+rt, and nothing else.”
”But, my good fellow--” began the officer.
”It's all right, sir. I've shoved my hand right under my s.h.i.+rt and over my shoulder. It's just bleeding a little, but--well, it's about the humbuggin'est humbug of a wound I ever knowed a chap to have. Here, Mr Murray sir, you ketch hold of my cross-belt fore and aft, and if his honour wouldn't mind giving the spear a haul through the belt I shall be as right as can be.”
The two officers obeyed the man's request and stood holding spear and belt, but hesitated to proceed farther.
”That hurt, my lad?” said the lieutenant.
”Hurt, sir? Not a bit. On'y feels preciously in the way.”
”Got hold tightly, Mr Murray?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Then, now then.”
It took more than one good tug, but after the first tentative trial, which seemed to cause the man no suffering, the first lieutenant pulled hard, and at last drew the spear right through the two pierced portions of the tough buff leather.
”That's your sort, gentlemen,” said the man. ”Here, who's got my musket?”
”Steady, my lad,” said the lieutenant. ”Now, then, do you feel faint?”
”Orfle, sir, inside,” said the man, ”but I want a drink o' water worst.”
”But are you in pain?” asked Murray.
”Smarts a bit, but it don't hardly bleed at all. I'm all right, sir, only tickles enough to make a chap a bit savage. Here, don't you worry about me, sir. I'm as fit as a fiddle, gentlemen, and I on'y want now to play the n.i.g.g.e.rs such a toon as'll make them jump again.”
”Hah!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the lieutenant. ”Only a bit of a false alarm, Mr Murray.”
”Thankye, sir. Yes, that's right. Does me good to grip my musket again.”
”Then try and use it, t.i.tely,” said the mids.h.i.+pman, ”for here they come again.--Yes, May; we hear them.”
The lieutenant's command was given directly after, and again a volley rang out, this time to check the enemy's advance and drive them back so thoroughly that the silence was once more intense; and as the party stood with strained ears, listening, Murray uttered an exclamation.
”What is it, Mr Murray?”
”Firing, sir. I heard shots.”
”Are you sure?”
”I heerd it too, sir,” said the injured man.
”Attention there!” said the lieutenant sharply.
”One, two, and three from the left make ready. Present--Fire!”
The three shots rang out like one, and directly after they were replied to, the reports sounding faintly enough but perfectly distinguishable through the distance.