With his arm still about him, Artie seemed to feel that Westy’s step dragged and halted a little now and then.
“Bet you’re tired, Wes, huh?”
“Just a little, Art.”
The moon came out just then in all her silver splendor, lighting up the trail along their way. Artie grasped the opportunity to glance at Westy so as to smile his deep appreciation, and was dismayed to see that his face was white and his lips looked almost green in the moonlight.
Renewing his grip on Westy’s shoulder, he felt his body relax against his and saw his eyes close slowly.
ARTIE HALF-CARRIED UNCLE JEB INTO THE CABIN AND LAID HIM IN HIS BUNK.
CHAPTER XXXIII—UNCLE JEB FACES A CRISIS
Artie realized in a moment that it was exhaustion and the loss of blood that caused Westy’s faint, so he braced himself and, with a prayer for the strength to do it, he managed to get him partly over his shoulder. Leaving the rifle, lantern and rope behind, he continued on, as he knew that he needed both hands and arms now for his present burden.
Coming out into the clearing at last, he could see that the cabin was in total darkness. He was breathing laboriously under the strain of Westy’s dead weight, but was supremely thankful that he had at least succeeded in getting him there safely.