He seemed much refreshed after eating a few morsels and
drinking a long draught of water mingled with a little of the spirits.
Immediately afterwards he fell asleep, and I watched him anxiously
until he awoke, being desirous of knowing the nature and extent of his
wound.
"Ha!" he exclaimed, on awaking suddenly after a slumber of an hour,
"I'm the better of that nap, Ralph; I feel twice the man I was;" and he
attempted to rise, but sank back again immediately with a deep groan.
"Nay, Bill, you must not move, but lie still while I look at your
wound. I'll make a comfortable bed for you here on deck, and get you
some breakfast. After that you shall tell me how you got it. Cheer up,
Bill," seeing that he turned his head away; "you'll be all right in a
little, and I'll be a capital nurse to you, though I'm no doctor."
I then left him, and lighted a fire in the caboose. While it was
kindling, I went to the steward's pantry and procured the materials for
a good breakfast, with which, in little more than half-an-hour, I
returned to my companion. He seemed much better, and smiled kindly on
me as I set before him a cup of coffee and a tray with several eggs and
some bread on it.
"Now then, Bill," said I cheerfully, sitting down beside him on the
deck, "let's fall to. I'm very hungry myself, I can tell you; but--I
forgot--your wound," I added, rising; "let me look at it."
I found that the wound was caused by a pistol-shot in the chest.
Pages:
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284