After a few words of hearty congratulation the whites threw
themselves on the ground, panting and exhausted, after their
tremendous exertions.
Their first care, upon recovering a little, was to load their
revolvers; as for the rifles, there was not one, with the exception
of those of the three men who had formed the reserve, and the boys'
carbines, which were not disabled. The stocks were broken, the
hammers wrenched off, and the barrels twisted and bent.
The party now crowded round Ethel, with whom not a single word had
yet been exchanged since her rescue, and warm and hearty were the
congratulations and welcome bestowed upon her. There was then an
examination of wounds.
These had been many, and in some cases severe. Mr. Farquhar was
completely disabled by a deep wound in the shoulder. Mr. Percy had
received a fearful gash on the arm. Charley had one ear nearly cut
off, and the side of his face laid completely open with a sweeping
blow. Four others were seriously wounded, and six had less
important wounds. All, however, were too much elated with their
success to make anything but light of their hurts.
"You seem fated to have your beauty spoiled, Charley," Mr. Hardy
said, as he bandaged up his son's face. "A few more fights, and you
will be as seasoned with scars as any Chelsea pensioner.
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