As he was engaged in probing a slight groan came from between the blue lips of the victim.
"All right, I've found it," said Ted, in a low voice to the major, who was bending anxiously over the body of his brother.
"It's all right," continued Ted reassuringly. "It didn't go in very deep, and if he can hold out for a moment or two I think I can get it out. I've taken out worse ones than this."
Ted continued to work with the probe, and occasionally Caruthers stirred and groaned.
Then came a gentle tug, and the bullet rolled out of the wound upon the sheet.
It was followed by a spurt of blood, which Ted looked at closely.
"No danger," he said. "It is not arterial blood. Give me the water, and then the bandages."
With deft and practiced fingers Ted bound up the wound as well as a surgeon might.
"Now for a sip of the brandy, and we'll have him around all right," said the young amateur surgeon.
He forced a teaspoonful of the ardent spirits between the pale lips of the wounded man, which was followed by a spluttering cough, then a long sigh, and Caruthers opened his eyes.