"Of the right stuff," was Giles's comment, and he went down to meet his commander. "Of course," he thought, "he will absolutely require to tell me how he did it." When Dick joined him, all he said was: "Giles, what think you? They shot at our flag!" "Very insolent, on my word!" Giles responded, and waited. "But it's up still," said Dick, and he slipped his hand through Giles's arm, and smiled to himself. "I saw," said Giles quietly. "It was well done. You're a captain for a man to serve under, Dick." For a minute Dick was silent. Then he looked up. "I've been thinking, Giles," he said, "that it is very foolish of me to lord it over you here. You've served in the wars, Giles, and you know so much more than I. It seems a great piece of absurdity. So here, I resign. And--let me see. Yes. Have this." He unbuckled his dagger. "It's all I've got, Giles. Let me fasten it on for you. What's the matter? Did I prick you with the point?" Giles's eyes were suddenly lowered--almost shut, in fact--but Dick was sure he had seen something very curious about them. And it seemed impossible to find Giles's middle amongst his rags, for his hands were in Giles's hands; and--anyhow, between them, the dagger fell to the ground. "Dick, I'd serve under you to the end of time!" Giles said gaily. "I wouldn't have you resign for an empire! Nay, don't talk of resigning. Zounds! my dear little fellow, I'm more proud of serving under you than under any one of my kings and dukes and great barons!" Dick was convinced of the utter impossibility of giving up his post. Giles promised to help, to advise, to suggest; but command, no! "But I'll keep your dagger for a keepsake, sir." "Call me Dick," the boy cried affectionately. "I'll keep it in memory of this day, Dick, then, and some day, perhaps, I'll give you something in exchange." And there never was a more devoted, attached, considerate, unselfish couple of officers anywhere in the world. And if, forgetting his mightiness, the captain at times waited on the lieutenant, and the lieutenant at times rated the captain, and if they both laughed loudly at each other's jests, and played each other desperate practical jokes, there was no one to complain. They were prepared to stand by each other, living, in the face of every foe; and Dick, for one, had no higher ambition than to die in the esteem and affection of his lieutenant and stableman Giles. CHAPTER V GILES MAKES A SORTIE "Giles," said Dick in the evening, as they stood on the leads by the flagstaff; "Giles, they haven't taken the Puritan's body away," and he pointed to the man where he lay by the moat. "No," answered Giles. "I fancy, my Captain, that his people will leave him alone." "Do you think--" Dick said, staring at the Puritan's body, "are you sure he is dead, Giles?" "That I am quite sure he is not, Dick," said Giles. Dick nodded. "I thought I saw him stir."