An examination of the arm showed that it was past saving.
"Corporal," said the other, "you had better let me take this arm right off. I can make a quick job with my bowie-knife and bandage it. If I don't you'll bleed to death."
"All right," said Miles; "go ahead."
A minute later the amateur surgeon tied the last knot in the bandage which he had made out of a couple of bandanna handkerchiefs which had been contributed by others of the file.
"Now, Corporal," he said, coaxingly, "let me get you back where you can lie down and rest."
"No," said Corporal James, "the only resting I'm going to do will be inside those works."
He reached back for the Springfield rifle which he had dropped when first struck and fitting it carefully to his right shoulder, fired a well-aimed shot at a Confederate gunner who was serving one of the cannons on the breastworks. As the man toppled over the corporal smiled grimly and in spite of offers of help from all sides, loaded and fired his gun twice again. By this time the fire had died down and the corporal suddenly sprang to his feet and started for the breastworks.
"Hurry up, fellows," he shouted to his men; "don't let a one-armed man do all the work."
With a tremendous cheer the whole force sprang again to their feet and swarmed over the ramparts in a rush which there was no stopping. James was right with them, two of his men hoisting and pushing him up, for he found that although he could shoot, it was more difficult to climb with one arm. As the last Confederates who were left surrendered, James sat down against one of the captured cannon and smiled wanly at the man who had helped him and said:
"Now I'll take a rest and later on I'll go to the rear with you if you like."