The bark and brandy were taking effect. The chills soon stopped and Helen felt warm again.
Later in the evening a cord was stretched across the long, narrow room, and quilts thrown over it to form a partition. Harold and his wife took possession of the end near the fire, while the three women improvised a bed for themselves in the other half.
"I hope we are not going to have a sick lady on our hands," said Sir George to the Doctor, after his final visit.
"I hope so, too," was the reply. "Ague is difficult to control when once established, but, taken at the start, it can be broken. Fortunately, this is her first attack. She will be better to-morrow."
"Perhaps we had better leave her for a day or two to rest and recuperate. I will speak to Manning about it. What say you?"
"Why not let to-morrow's report decide?" said the Doctor. "I could tell better after seeing her again."
To this the Colonel assented.
The spot chosen for the camp was well protected, the temperature mild for February, and all slept soundly. The bugle sounded at break of day and the whole camp was astir. It was unusual for the officers to rise as early as the men, but the keynote of Helen's illness roused them, and the first question put by each was concerning the condition of the patient.
Captain Cummings, with a crutch, was hobbling about for the first time, and insisted on swinging along with the Doctor to make inquiry.
The report was favorable. Helen had slept a little. The other women were up, and a good fire was burning.