Part 47 (2/2)

The surgeon came quickly at the request of Allen, and made a thorough examination of the boy.

He was very silent, and no one knew what his verdict would be.

”Am I going home?” asked Eben.

”Going home? Are you tired of fighting?” the surgeon queried.

”Oh, no, I would like to live and fight until my country is free.”

The speech was too much for Eben, for he fainted, and the doctor, after leaving instructions, went out of the shed which served as hospital, and called Allen on one side.

”Well?”

”That boy is shocked. It is a peculiar case. Not once in a score of years do we find such a case. Every nerve is numb, every muscle relaxed, and whether he will live or die depends on arousing him from that numbness.”

”Is he wounded?”

”Only slightly. A spent ball may have caused the shock. What can we do to rouse him?”

”That is for you to suggest. What do you think necessary?”

”A counter shock of some kind. Its effects would soon be apparent. If it succeeds he will be all right in a day; if it fails he will die.”

”And without the counter shock?”

”His life is in a very precarious condition.”

”I do not know--how would it be to make believe I am killed?”

”The very thing. I will arrange it.”

The doctor laid his plans for the very interesting experiment with great care.

After giving instructions he returned to Eben's cot and felt his pulse.

It was very feeble, and life was fast ebbing away. That was the best moment to shock him, and on the effect of that shock his life would depend.

The doctor gave the signal he had arranged, and almost instantly a pistol shot was heard.

Then a second followed.

Eben opened his eyes and looked round.

A cry pierced the walls of the miserable temporary hospital.

”Ethan Allen killed! Who could be his murderer?”

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