Page:Maud Howe - Atlanta in the South.djvu/222

 was with the physician, who was already at work tearing his fine linen handkerchief into narrow strips to form a bandage. The clerical gentleman fetched some water in a tin cup; and then, resuming his seat, dealt the cards, and the game was taken up at the point where it had been interrupted. Rondelet sponged the ugly wound and deftly disposed the linen- bandage about the arm.

"Now loosen those handcuffs," he said authoritatively.

"I 'll see you damned first," growled the officer.

"Unlock those bracelets,—do you hear?—before I count three. The game's mine."

It was the drover who spoke, fingering his revolver as he did so.

The fetters were taken from the prisoner's wrists.

"Undo the chain that holds him to the log," said Philip.

The officer swore under his breath; but after a glance at the faces of the men about him, complied.

Philip made his patient as comfortable as he could under the circumstances, and after giving him an opiate, turned and left the lower deck.

Margaret had witnessed the whole scene. She did not speak to him as he passed her