Then, bandaging up the place, he said,-- "He may do now, but he has lost a lot of blood.

Let him lie here a bit, and presently, if he seems better, move him into the fort.

I will see him again this evening." And so saying, he passed on to the next prostrate figure.
Towards evening the two men tenderly lifted their officer in their arms and carried him inside the fort, where a rude hospital had been fitted up.

Here Charlie, who, after the extraction of the bullet and staunching of blood, had shown symptoms of recovery, opened his eyes, and found himself able to say a few words to those round him.

And when they told him how I had probably saved his life his face lit up with a most triumphant smile, and he asked that I might be put into his hand.
As he lay there, scarcely strong enough to speak, and fondling me in his fingers, the doctor entered the hospital.
He came straight to Charlie's bed.