"What?" asked the major, crowding in.
"Here in the back," said Ted, pointing to a small, round, bluish hole just under Caruthers' right shoulder blade.
"By Jove, he's been shot through the body. That's what brought him to this."
"But how did it happen, I wonder, that he was tied to the back of the pony?" asked Ted.
"We'll never know until he tells us, probably," said the major. "If, indeed, he ever is able to do that," he continued, after a slight pause, looking sorrowfully at the young fellow, who seemed to have breathed his last.
But Ted's ear was pressed close to his heart, and his fingers sought the wounded man's pulse.
In a moment he straightened up.
"He's alive—only alive, and no more. But perhaps we can save him yet," he said. "Hustle, fellows! Stella, get me some hot water as soon as possible. Bud, arrange a cot in my room near the window. Major, if you have any brandy, let me have some. Kit, get the bandages ready and prepare some carbolated water. All alive now."
Ted's vigorous action was followed by the others, and in a few minutes Caruthers was stretched out on the cot in Ted's room.
At the movement the wound began to bleed, which was a good sign, and Ted proceeded to wash it with warm water, and began to probe for the ball, to ascertain, if possible, how deep it had gone.