His evident approval had somewhat the effect of subduing the men's resentment, although not much, and when he died that night there was none left, save I, to lend our leader countenance.

And I was only his half-friend, without enough merit in my heart truly to be the right-hand man I was by right of seniority.
I was willing enough to die at his back, but not to share contempt with him.
The day passed and there came another day, when the bread was done, and there were no more German wounded straddled in the mud over whom to strike new bargains.

It had ceased raining, so we could catch no rain to drink.

We were growing weak from weariness and want of sleep, and we demanded of Ranjoor Singh that he lead us back toward the British lines.
"We should perish on the way," said he.
"What of it ?" we answered, I with the rest.

"Better that than this vulture's death in a graveyard!" But he shook his head and ordered us to try to think like men.