But Baptist, the older of the three brothers and the one who had found them, assured them that so far from being in the way, they could do much to help as they had their traps to see to. So they remained and did all they could to help about the place. When the doctor came the next day he found his patient about the same and told them that in all probability there would not be much change for another week at least. When he left the boys asked him to take a message to wire to their father and also to the ranch that they were safe.
Day followed day with little or no change in the sick man. Pierre was untiring in his nursing and the boys soon found that the doctor's praise had not been misplaced. No woman could have been more tender than was this rough appearing Frenchman. Night and day he watched by the bed of the stricken man leaving his post only long enough to snatch a few hours' sleep each day. At times the captain was in his right mind for a few minutes and then he recognized them with a faint smile of gratitude. But for the most part he lay in a stupor. Only occasionally did he rave and then his mutterings were all of the sea.
Once his heart nearly stopped beating and Pierre thought, for a moment that he was gone, but an injection of a powerful stimulant brought him around. Then, a few days later, came the crisis and the two boys waited with bated breath while Pierre bent over the bunk watching for the slightest sign of change.
"Queek. The blankets," he shouted suddenly, and they grabbed from before the fireplace the thick woolen blankets which had been hanging there for several hours.
"Shut the windows," Pierre ordered as he snatched them from their hands.
Quickly he wrapped the man in the warm folds and then sat with his fingers on his pulse.
"Heem will live." Pierre sprang to his feet as he made the announcement and the boys never forgot the look on his face as he closed his eyes. They knew he was praying and they bowed their heads.
"See heem sweat."
Bending over the captain, who lay with closed eyes, they could see the great drops of sweat on his forehead and knew that Pierre had spoken the truth. The fever was broken and, barring the unexpected, the captain was on the road to recovery.
"Thank God," Bob breathed as they moved away.