"Yes," he said, "the head saw-bones down there told me to tell you
that he had got permission to send you three nurses. Treat 'em
kindly, Jack, for my sake. Bless their hearts! They mean well."

Then he fell asleep, and left me thinking of his words, and of the
spirit which had prompted them.

I knew really nothing of this man's life, but he seemed singularly
happy, with that happiness which only comes when daily existence has
a background to it. He spoke habitually of women, as if he loved
them all for the sake of one; and this not being precisely my own
position, I was glad when he fell asleep.

The fort was astir next morning at four. The bugler kindly blew a
blast into our glassless window which left no doubt about it.

"That means all hands on deck, I take it," said Sam, who was one of
the few men capable of good humour before tiffin time.

By six o'clock he was ready to go. It was easy to see what sort of
officer this cheery sailor was by the way his men worked.

While they were getting the machine-gun limbered up, Sam came back
to my quarters, and took a hasty breakfast.

"Feel a bit down this morning," he said, with a gay smile. "Cheap--
very cheap. I hope I am not going to funk it. It is all very well
for some of you long-faced fellows, who don't seem to have much to
live for, to fight for the love of fighting. I don't want to fight