Page:The moods of Ginger Mick.djvu/63

 Rh When 'e come to, the light wus gettin' dim, The ground wus cold an' sodden underneath. Someone is lyin' right 'longside uv 'im. Groanin' wiv pain, 'e turns, an' sees it's Keith— Keith, wiv 'is rifle cocked, an' starin' 'ard Ahead. An' now 'e sez '"Ow is it, pard?"

Mick gently lifts 'is 'ead an' looks around. There ain't another flamin' soul in sight, They're covered be a bit o' risin' ground, An' rifle-fire is cracklin' to the right. "Down!" sez the mumma's joy. "Don't show yer 'ead! Unless yeh want it loaded full o' lead."

Then, bit be bit, Mick gits the strength uv it. They wus so occupied wiv privit scraps. They never noticed 'ow they come to git Right out ahead uv orl the other chaps. They've bin cut orf, wiv jist one little chance Uv gittin' back. Mick seen it at a glance.

"'Ere, Kid," 'e sez, "you sneak around that 'ill. I'm down an' out; an' you kin tell the boys;" Keith don't reply to 'im but jist lies still, An' signs to Ginger not to make a noise. " 'Ere, you!" sez Mick, "I ain't the man to funk— I won't feel 'ome-sick. Imshee! Do a bunk!"