The fierce attack then abated somewhat, and the firing became more intermittent, and therefore more carefully aimed.

A glancing bullet cut a furrow in Blaisdell's hoary head, making a painful, though not serious wound.

It was Esther Isbel who stopped the flow of blood and bound Blaisdell's head, a task which she performed skillfully and without a tremor.

The old Texan could not sit still during this operation.

Sight of the blood on his hands, which he tried to rub off, appeared to inflame him to a great degree.
"Isbel, we got to go out thar," he kept repeating, "an' kill them all." "No, we're goin' to stay heah," replied Gaston Isbel.