It flashed across him quite suddenly, and with something of a shock,
that while he lay there helpless his friend McKay was still in danger.
"When shall I be able to get about again?" he asked the doctor,
anxiously.
"You won't be fit for duty, if that's what you're driving at, for many
a long day to come."
"I can go about with my arm in a sling. I am beginning to feel
perfectly well otherwise."
"What's the good of a soldier with his arm in a sling? No: as soon as
you are fit to move I shall have you sent down to Scutari."
"But I don't want to go: I had much rather stay here with the old
corps."
He was thinking of the business he had still in hand.
"You will have to obey orders, anyhow, so make up your mind to go."
The regimental surgeon of the Royal Picts was a morose old Scotchman,
very obstinate and intolerant of opposition. What he said he stuck to,
and Hyde knew that he must prepare to leave the Crimea in a short
time, probably before he was strong enough to go in person to
headquarters and find out McKay.
It would be necessary, therefore, to find some other messenger, and,
after considering what was best to be done, he resolved to beg Colonel
Blythe to come and see him, intending to make him his confidant.
"Well, Rupert," said the Colonel--they were alone together--"this is a
bad business.
Pages:
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323