A kettle had been placed on the fire, and in a very short time, a jar was produced from the corner of the hut, and a horn of strong spirits and water mixed.
"Here are some cold praties, sir.

It's all we have got cooked by us now, but I can promise you a better meal, later on." Walter ate the potatoes, and drank the warm mixture.

The change from the cold damp air outside, to the warm atmosphere of the hut, aided the effects of the spirits; he was first conscious of a warm glow all over him, and then the voices of the men seemed to grow indistinct.
"You had better stretch yourself on that pile of rushes," the man said, as Walter gave a start, being on the point of rolling over.

"Two or three hours' sleep will make a man of you, and by that time dinner will be ready, and your clothes dry." Walter fell almost instantaneously off to sleep, and it was late in the afternoon before he woke.
"I am afraid I must have slept a long time," he said, sitting up.
"You have had a fine sleep, surely," one of the men replied; "and it's dinner and supper, all in one, that you will have." Walter found his uniform and underclothes neatly folded up by his side, and speedily dressed himself.
"That sleep has done me a world of good," he said.

"I feel quite myself again." "That's right, yer honour.