human
He is such a great, strong fellow that unless he was attacked by two or three together, I should say someone came upon him as he lay asleep and stunned him with a blow on the head.
gpt
The result of some quarrel or offence given to one of the men under him, I'm afraid, said the engineer with a look of intense vexation in his eyes.
human
These men are very brutal sometimes to their fellows, especially when they are placed in authority. Will he be long before he is better?
gpt
No, replied the doctor.
human
The blows would have killed an ordinary man, but he has a skull like an ox. He'll be at work again in a fortnight if he'll behave sensibly, and carry out my instructions.
gpt
Hallo, youngster! growled the great fellow, with a smile slowly spreading over his rugged face, and growing into a grin, which accorded ill with his bandaged head;
human
We're mates, that's what we two are, he growled.
gpt
You ar'n't half a bad un, you ar'n't. Ah, mester, how are you? Arm better?
human
Mending fast, my lad; and how are you?
gpt
Tidy, mester, tidy! Going to handle a spade again to-morrow.
human
Nonsense, man! you're too weak yet.
gpt
Weak! Who says so? I don't, and the doctor had better not.
human
Never mind that. I want you to tell me how all this happened.
gpt
He ar'n't half a bad un, mester, said the injured man, ignoring the remark, as he held on to the boy's hand.
human
We're mates, that's what we are. See him stand up again me that day? It were fine.
gpt
Yes; but you must tell me how this occurred. I want to take some steps about it.
human
Hey! and you needn't take no steps again it, mester. I shall lay hold on him some day, and when I do--Hah!
gpt
But do you know who it was?
human
It warn't him, growled Bargle, smiling at Dick.
gpt
He wouldn't come and hit a man when he's asleep. Would you, mate?
human
I wouldn't be such a coward,
gpt
Theer! Hear that, mester! I knowed he wouldn't. He'd hev come up to me and hit me a doubler right in the chest fair and square, and said, `now, then, come on!'
human
Then someone did strike you when you were asleep, Bargle, eh?
gpt
Dunno, mester; I s'pose so. Looks like it, don't it?
human
Yes, my man, very much so. Then you were woke out of your sleep by a blow, eh?
gpt
Weer I? I don't know.
human
Tell me who have you had a quarrel with lately?
gpt
Quarrel?
human
Well, row, then.
gpt
Wi' him,
human
Oh, but he would not have come to you in the night!
gpt
Who said he would, mester? growled Bargle menacingly.
human
Not he. He'd come up square and give a man a doubler in the chest and--
gpt
Yes, yes, said the engineer impatiently;
human
Yes, I s'pose so; but don't you trouble about that, mester. I'm big enough to fight my bit. I shall drop on to him one of these days, and when I do--why, he'll find it okkard.