He was stunned and, for the moment at least, safe and out of commission.
There was time, therefore, for Fred to see how the ground lay.

He found that he was in a slight hollow, sandy in the bottom, where he stood and the soldier lay.

He imagined that at certain times this hollow might be filled with water, for the sand had that appearance, and, moreover, there was a gully, evidently washed out by water, leading down into the pit.
"Wonder how long he's good for ?" speculated Fred, looking at the soldier.

"A few minutes, anyhow.

He got quite a bump!" He satisfied himself in a moment that the soldier was not badly hurt.