Clancy found that his friend needed much attention, which he gave until warned by his own symptoms that he must see a physician. He found George lying on a blanket by a small fire, and that all the others were either sleeping or resting. "I declare I hate to waken Dr. Devoe," he said, "but I feel as if I were going to be ill."
George felt the hand of his friend, and sprang up, saying, "I'll waken Dr.
Devoe with or without your leave."
After a brief examination the physician said:
"Why did you not come to me before?"
Clancy explained that he had been caring for a sick friend, to which the doctor replied testily:
"I don't believe he was half so ill as you are. Well, you must obey me now as long as you are rational, and I fear that won't be very long." And he promptly placed Clancy under the open part of the awning, which was the sleeping-room for the men by night, and general living-room by day. Having given his patient a remedy, he returned and said, "Here you are, too, Houghton, up and around. Do you wish to break down also?"
"You forget, doctor, that I had some sleep last night. Feel my pulse."
"Slightly febrile, but then I know what's the matter with you. If I were not so old and bald-headed I'd cut out a slow coach like you. I'm half a mind to try it as it is."
"Go ahead, doctor. You'll be only one more. How many are there now, do you suppose?"
"I know how many there should be after what I've seen. But bah! you Northern young chaps lay siege to a girl at such long range that she surrenders to some other fellow before you find it out."