CHAPTER XXIII.
A NEW VOLUNTEER The desperate seriousness of their situation was only too evident.
Both men recognized this, yet had no opportunity then to reflect over its possibilities, or plan for relief.

Without exchanging a word, except as related to their present labor, the two at once began ministering to the relief of Hayes, confident that Brown, stationed without, would guard vigorously against any surprise attack.

The two wounds upon the sheriff's head were extremely ugly in appearance, being both deep and jagged, and having bled profusely.

However, when carefully washed and probed, neither proved particularly severe or dangerous.

In less than an hour, conscious yet exceedingly weak and becoming somewhat feverish, the injured man, dazed in mind but fairly comfortable in body, had been safely stowed away in a bunk, with every prospect of an early recovery.
Not until all this had been accomplished did his anxious nurses venture to look thoughtfully into each others' faces and take direct cognizance of their own perilous position.