"What time is it, Doctor?" I asked.
"Half-past ten," said he, without looking at his watch.
"I must report to General Morell at eleven," I said.
"We must not waste time, then," he said; "who accompanies you?"
"I go alone."
He looked at me searchingly, then grasped my hand. He understood.
"You have strengthened your will; good. Now I will strengthen your
body."
He went to a small chest, from which he took a flask. He poured a
spoonful of liquid into a glass. I drank.
"It will be slow and last long," said he.
He brought me the gray clothing and helped me to dress; he turned the
pockets of my blue clothes and selected such things as I needed.
"Do you go armed?" he asked.
"Yes; apparently. I shall take the Enfield--unloaded."
He brought the cartridge-box and the canteen; he brought the haversack,
and put food in it.