But it was all very well to say "serves him right."  Perhaps Tommy had met with no better fate than he deserved, but he, nevertheless, brought about a very serious check to his party; for, while one of their number was in the hands of the enemy, no attempt to take the flag could be made.  The prisoner must first be rescued.  Sometimes he was ransomed with ammunition.  But their store was too low for them to be able to do that now.  They could better afford to spare Tommy than cannon-balls.