"I will when I need it," said Ralph, flattered and gratified. "The arm will do without dressing till we reach camp. There are other wounded. Everybody has fought. Mr. Coronado here has done deeds worthy of his ancestors."
"Ah, Mr. Coronado!" smiled Aunt Maria, delighted that her favorite had distinguished himself.
"Captain Glover, what's the matter with your nose?" was the lady's next outcry.
"Wal, it's been bored," replied Glover, tenderly fingering his sore proboscis. "It's been, so to speak, eyelet-holed. I'm glad I hadn't but one. The more noses a feller kerries in battle, the wuss for him. I hope the darned rip'll heal up. I've no 'casion to hev a line rove through it 'n' be towed, that I know of."
"How did it feel when it went through?" asked Aunt Maria, full of curiosity and awe.
"Felt's though I'd got the dreadfullest influenzee thet ever snorted. Twitched 'n' tickled like all possessed."
"Was it an arrow?" inquired the still unsatisfied lady.
"Reckon 'twas. Never see it. But it kinder whished, 'n' I felt the feathers. Darn 'em! When I felt the feathers, tell ye I was 'bout half scairt. Hed 'n idee 'f th' angel 'f death, 'n' so on."
Of course Aunt Maria and Clara wanted to do much nursing immediately; but there were no conveniences and there was no time; and so benevolence was postponed.
"So you are hurt?" said Thurstane to Texas Smith, noticing his torn and bloody shirt.