Bob could never call clearly to mind any details of the next few minutes. He knew that he was stumbling along in the twilight, bearing a heavy burden--knew, too, that bullets whizzed by him; but, heedless of everything, he plodded forward. He had a vague idea, too, that he must be seen; but all thought of danger had gone. If he were killed, he was killed, and that was all. Then suddenly cheers reached him. It seemed to him as though a thousand arms were around him, and wild excited cries filled the air. After that he knew no more. When he came to himself again, he was lying in a tent, and bending over him was a face he had never seen before. "There, you'll do now; you're all right." "Who are you?" asked Bob. "I'm Doctor Grey; but that doesn't matter. You haven't a wound or a scratch, my dear chap; you just fainted--that was all. How the devil you got through, I don't know; but there it is, you're as right as rain." "Have I been long here?" "Not more than five minutes. Heavens, man, it was the maddest thing I ever heard of! Trevanion is in a bad way; whether he'll pull through or not, I don't know; but if he does, he'll owe his life to you. He was slowly bleeding to death, and of course your getting him here didn't help him. Still, he's in good hands." "He's alive, then?" "Oh, yes, he's alive, and I think he'll live; still, he'll have a bad time. Oh, yes, you can get up, if you want; you're all right. When did you have food last?" "I don't think I remember," said Bob. "It must have been about midday, I think." "I thought so. Now drink this. Do you mind seeing the fellows? That's right; here they come. Now, Pringle--oh, yes, and Colonel Sapsworth too--no wonder you are proud of your subaltern; there are men who've got the Victoria Cross for less." Colonel Sapsworth caught Bob's hand and wrung it without a word. Bob saw his lips tremble beneath his grey moustache, saw too that his eyes were filled with tears; but Colonel Sapsworth was a man who didn't talk much. "You're a plucky young devil," he said, "but I thought you had it in you. There, there, do you feel better now? By Jove, you're the talk of the whole division! Yes, Trevanion will do all right--at least, I hope so," and then the Colonel rubbed his eyes. "That is enough," said Dr. Grey. "I'm chief in command here; he wants a few hours' rest, and then he'll be as right as ever. Meanwhile, let him alone; the young beggar has had a hard day." CHAPTER XVIII After the incidents I have just recorded, Bob had no longer reason to complain that he was kept out of the firing-line. Event after event followed quickly in what is now generally spoken of as "The Battle of the Rivers." Position after position was taken by the English, only to be lost again; now the Germans were driven back, and again, although on the whole progress was made, the English were driven back, but all the time carnage and bloodshed continued.