The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-03-22

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out perceiving more he knew already
what was waiting there on the sand,
and swore fiercely, squirting his horse
mercilessly, forgetful of all else. even
the girl, in his intense desire to reach
and touch the bodies. He had begged
to do this himself, to be privileged
to seek this man Hawley. to kill him
but now he was the physician, with no
other thought except hope to save.
Before his horse had even stopped he
flung himself from the saddle, ran
forward and dropped on his knees be-
side Keith, bending his ear to the
chest. grasping the wrist In his fin
gers. AS the others approached, he
glanced up, no conception now of
aught save hi9 own professional work
Water, Bristoe, he exclaimed
sharply. Dash some brandy in it
Quick now. There, that's it; hold his
head up-higher. Yes, you do it, Miss
Hope; here, Ben, take this, and pry
his teeth open-weil, he got swallow
anyhow. Hold him just as he is-can
you stand it? I've got to find where
he was hit"
'Yes-yes," she answered, don't
don't mind me-
He tore open the wooden shirt,
soaked with blood already hardening,
felt within with skilled fingers, his
eyes keen. his lips muttering uncon-
sciously.
Quarter of an inch quarter of an
inch too high-scraped the lung
Lord. if | can only get it out-got to
do it now-can't wait-here. Bristoe,
that leather case on my saddle-run,
damn you-we1l save him yet. girl
there, drop his head in your lap-yes.
cry if you want to-only hold still
open the case, will you-down here
where | can reach it-now waterfall
our canteens-Hope, tear me off
strip of your r-skirt-what am |
going to do?-extract the ball-got to
do it-blood poison in this sun"
She ripped her skirt, handing 1t to
him without word; then dropped her
white face in her hands bending.
with closed eyes, over the whittier face
resting on her lap, her lips trembling
with the one prayer, "Oh, God! oh.
what he did, she scarcely knew-she
heard the splash of water; caught the
flash of the sun on the probe; felt the
half conscious shudder of the wound
ed man, whose head was in her lap.
the deft, quicF movements of Fair
balm, and then
That's tive got it-missed the
lung by a hair-damn me I'm proud OF
that job-you're a good girl
She looked at him, scarce able to
see, her eyes blinded with tears.
'Will-will he live? Oh, tell me-"
Live, Why shouldn't he?-nothing
but hole to close up-naturell do
that. with bit of nursing-here. now
don't you keel over-give me the rest
of that skirt"
He bandaged the wound, then
glanced about suddenly
"How's the other fellow"
Dead" returned Bristoe, shot
through the heart"
Thought so-have seen Keith shoot
before wonder how the cuss ever
managed to get him.
AS he arose to dis feet, his red face
glistening with perspiration. and be-
gan strepping his leather case. the
others rode up, and Bristoe, explaining
the situation, set the men to making
preparations for pushing on to the
water-hoie. Blankets were swung be-
tween ponies, and the bodies of the
dead and wounded deposited therein.
firm hands on the brides. Hope rode
close beside Keith. struggling to keep
back the tears, as she watched him
lying motionless. unconscious. scarce
ly breathing So. under the early glow
of the desert stars. they came TO the
water-hoie. and balted-
The wounded man opened his eyes.
and looked about him unable to COM
prehend At first all was dark. silent:
then he saw the stars overhead. and "a
i breath of air famed the nearby fire.