Outside the surgeon ended the sentence he had left incomplete.
"The general," he said, "will be in no immediate danger if we could count upon his having proper care. With that, I think we could promise to save his life."
"He shall have the most devoted attention from me," began McKay.
"We know that. But he wants more: the very best hospital treatment, with all its comforts and appliances; and how can we possibly secure these here on this bleak plateau?"
Just then one of the general's orderlies came in sight and approached McKay.
"A letter, sir, for the general, marked 'Immediate.'"
"The general can attend to no correspondence. You know he has been desperately wounded."
"Yes, sir, but the messenger would not take that for an answer."
"Who is he?"
"A seaman from Balaclava, belonging to some yacht that has just arrived."