Part 36 (1/2)

And here was our second Sunday.

CHAPTER XXI

THE LAST DASH

That young doctor was fine. He took things right into his own hands, and Major Henry said all right. The major was weak but game. He was gamer than any of us. Fitz and Red Fox Scout Ward had slept some by turns, and the two women were ready to help, too; but the doctor gave Red Fox Scout Van Sant and me the choice of going to sleep or going fis.h.i.+ng.

It was Sunday and we didn't need the fish. We didn't intend to go to sleep; we just let them show us a place, in the bunk-house, and we lay down, for a minute. For we were ready to help, as well as the rest of them. A Scout must not be afraid of blood or wounds. We only lay down with a blanket over us, instead of going fis.h.i.+ng--and when I opened my eyes again the sun was bright and Fitz and Ward were peeking in on us.

They were pale, but they looked happy.

Van and I tried to sit up.

”Is it over with?” we asked.

”Sure.”

”Did he take it out? Was that what was the matter?”

”Yes. Want to see it?”

No, we didn't. I didn't, anyway.

”How is he? Can we see him?”

”The doctor says he'll be all right. Maybe you can see him. He's out from under. It's one o'clock.”

One o'clock! Phew! We were regular deserters--but we hadn't intended to be.

We tumbled out, now, and hurried to wash and fix up, so that we would look good to the major. Sick people are finicky. The daughter was in the kitchen, but the mother and the doctor were eating. There was a funny sweetish smell, still; smell of chloroform. It is a serious smell, too.

The doctor smiled at us. ”I ought to have taken yours out, while you were asleep,” he joked. ”I've been thinking of it.”

”Is he all right?” we asked; Fitz and Ward behind us, ready to hear again.

”Bully, so far.”

”Indeed he is,” added the mother.

”Can we see him?”

”You can stand on the threshold and say one word: 'h.e.l.lo.'”

We tiptoed through. The bed was clean and white, with a sheet outside instead of the colored spread; and the major was in it. The Elks' flag was spread out, draped over the dresser, where he could see it. His eyes opened at us. He didn't look so very terrible, and he tried to grin.

”How?” he said.

”h.e.l.lo,” said we; and we gave him the Scouts' sign.