He called upon Drake with that request, was confronted with the current story, and invited to disprove it.

Gorley read his man shrewdly, and confessed the truth of the charge without an attempt at mitigation.

He asked frankly for a place in the troop, the lowest, as his chance of redemption, or rather demanded it as a grace due from man to man.

Drake was taken by his manner, noticed his build, which was tough and wiry, and conceded the request.

Nor had he reason to regret his decision on the march out.