"Some warm water, two or three straight sticks and a piece of cloth that I can tear up into strips."
The wounded man called for the necessary articles and they were soon brought. Curtis washed the blood away carefully.
The end of a piece of bone pushed against the skin from beneath and made a sharp protuberance.
"I'm awfully sorry, old man, but I've got to hurt you—like the devil, I'm afraid."
"All right, my friend," replied Michali, "only do not be long."
"No, only a minute. Here, lie on your back. That's right. Now take hold of the sides of the lounge and hang on tight. That'll help you. I know it from having teeth filled. Now, tell this old man to take hold of your ankle so, with both hands, and pull, slowly, carefully, till I say 'stop,' and not to commence pulling till I say 'now.' You'd better explain—your Greek is some better than mine."
Michali explained.
"Does he understand?"
"Perfectly."
Curtis put his hand about the broken shin in such a way that he could push the fragment of bone into place.