“One is badly hurt, shot through the body somewhere,” replied the scout master; “and the other has not stirred, so far as I have seen.”
“Oh, my stars! do you think that he’s really dead?” asked Billy, who was not as rosy-cheeked as usual, Hugh noticed, though not wondering at all that this should be the case.
“I don’t know, but I’m afraid of the worst,” Hugh told him. “I haven’t been over to him so far, but expect to go as soon as you get started. Now, take hold, and be easy, boys, with this poor chap.”
The man groaned as they moved him, but he bravely tried to smile back when he saw Hugh nodding to him in that friendly and comforting way. Then the litter was once more raised with an effort, and away the burden-bearers went as fast as they could.
“Keep in step, both of you!” called out Hugh. “It makes the going a whole lot easier for you!”
After they were well on their way, Hugh cast a comprehensive glance around him. He heaved a genuine sigh of relief when he made sure of the fact that except for the striker who had been shot through the body, and the other still form, the open field seemed to be clear of all evidences of the harvest that had followed the sowing of the seed of strife.
The boy shut his teeth hard together. He disliked going over to find out the condition of that motionless, huddled figure; but duty was a thing Hugh Hardin never allowed himself to disregard, no matter what pangs it might bring in its train. So he started straight toward the object of his solicitude, determined to know the worst, no matter what the cost was to his feelings.
CHAPTER XII.
A CALL FOR THE RED CROSS.
“Perhaps I don’t wish old Doctor Kane was here, though, to help us out,” Hugh was saying to himself with a sigh, as he walked forward, and mentally figured how much of the heavy responsibility would be taken from his young shoulders could the genial old Oakvale physician be present to take charge.
As he drew near the huddled figure of the striker, Hugh felt his heart grow cold with dread. Then suddenly hope revived, for he believed he had detected a slight movement on the part of the man.