CHAPTER XIV.
THE TALLY OF DEATH.
Day was breaking, and the first grey light had just begun to steal through the long thin slits in the walls of our barn, when someone shook me hard by the shoulder, and up I jumped.

I had the thought in my stupid, sleepy brain that the cuirassiers were upon us, and I gripped hold of a halbert that was leaning against the wall; but then, as I saw the long lines of sleepers, I remembered where I was.

But I can tell you that I stared when I saw that it was none other than Major Elliott that had roused me up.

His face was very grave, and behind him stood two sergeants, with long slips of paper and pencils in their hands.
"Wake up, laddie," said the Major, quite in his old easy fashion, as if we were back on Corriemuir again.
"Yes, Major ?" I stammered.
"I want you to come with me.

I feel that I owe something to you two lads, for it was I that took you from your homes.