After that was done, Jo Ann began rubbing his arms toward the body.
“Why’s she doing that?” queried Peggy in a low voice.
“I think it’s to restore the circulation.”
When Jo Ann was still rubbing his arms, Manuel’s eyelids began to flicker.
“He’s beginning to become conscious,” Mr. Eldridge said, low-voiced. “As soon as José comes back he and I’ll carry him down to the house. There isn’t any serious bleeding, so I feel sure it’ll be safe to carry him now. We’ll have to make a stretcher.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Jo Ann dashed away, returning shortly with two poles. Mr. Eldridge immediately jerked off his coat and pulled the poles through the sleeves, then tied a piece of blanket securely to the poles also. By that time José was back from taking Luis to the house. With Mr. Eldridge’s help José tenderly lifted the injured man upon the improvised stretcher and set off down the trail, careful to hold the poles as steady as possible.
The girls followed close behind, Jo Ann bringing up the rear.
“Do you know where José took the prisoner?” Peggy asked Jo Ann.
“Yes. To our house.”
“Gracious! That’s awful. I’ll never be able to sleep a wink tonight, knowing he’s in the same house that we are.”