He has been more than kind to me and, as he has no near relations, has been good enough to say that he will adopt me as his heir.

So I have indeed been amply rewarded for the service I did him." "I congratulate you most heartily," the colonel said; "you have well earned it, and I am sure that there is not a man in the army who will envy your good fortune.

There is only one thing wanting to complete it, and that is the V.C.; which I have not the least doubt in the world will be awarded to you, and all my fellow officers will agree with me that never was it more nobly earned.

You courted what seemed certain death.
"The greater portion of the crosses have been earned by men for carrying in wounded comrades, under a heavy fire; but that is nothing to your case.

Those actions were done on the spur of the moment, and there was every probability that the men would get back unhurt.