He was surrounded by his friends.

One of them was taking a wet cloth from his head.

There were a dozen in the canvas-walled room, all with their backs to the door, their eyes upon their fallen and dishonoured chief.

For a moment John Aldous paused in the door.

The cool and insolent smile hovered about his lips again, and little crinkles had gathered at the corners of his eyes.
"Did I hit you pretty hard, Bill ?" he asked.
Every head was turned toward him.