What he wanted was to get far away into some wild retreat where he could hide till he recovered from his wound.

He seemed to feel a fire inside his breast, and his throat burned so that it was necessary for him to take a swallow of water every little while.

He began to suffer considerable pain, which increased as the hours went by and then gave way to a numbness.

From that time on he had need of his great strength and endurance.

Gradually he lost his steadiness and his keen sight; and he realized that if he were to meet foes, or if pursuing outlaws should come up with him, he could make only a poor stand.