Bill took his seat in the ambulance close to Pep’s master’s head, the motor began purring and they were off for the long run to Brest.
Bill did what he could for the doctor, wetting his parched lips and forcing brandy between his teeth and at last, to the delight of both man and dog, they saw the surgeon slowly come to himself.
“Where am I?” he whispered.
“You are all right, safe and sound here in the ambulance. We will be at the hospital in an hour or two. The dog showed us where you were.”
The doctor smiled and whispered Pep’s name. He drew the dog close to him and his hand held one of the terrier’s ears gently. Thus with a deep sigh of satisfaction Pep again dozed and did not awake until they reached their journey’s end.
CHAPTER VII
HOMEWARD BOUND
THANKS to the restoratives given him and the nursing he received while on the journey, the doctor recovered consciousness before they reached the hospital. He did not seem to care about himself, but gave very minute directions regarding Pep.
“He stuck by me like a brother and saved my life, and I want him to have every care that any wounded soldier would get. I want his leg put in splints, and the best surgeon in the hospital to dress it every day. You may think he is nothing but a dog, but I tell you he is a soldier and deserves a soldier’s care.”