"An ugly wound, gentlemen," he said, "but not fatal, I think. The ball struck the guard, cut away a finger, and drove the weapon against the mouth and nose."
The surgeon looked up.
"You are right, I think. A bad disfigurement of those features, but not a dangerous wound." Thomas saluted.
"I have to announce my principal disabled, General."
"We are then satisfied."
Returning to Edward, who was quietly contemplating the scene with little apparent interest, he said, almost gayly:
"A fine shot, Edward; a fine shot! His pistol saved him! If he had raised it an instant later he would have been struck fairly in the mouth by your bullet! Let us be going."
"It is perhaps fortunate that my shot was fired when it was," said Edward. "I have a bullet hole through the left side of my shirt." The general looked at the spot and then at the calm face of the speaker.
He extended his hand again.