THE WOLF HUNTERS 



giving the man a stimulant, Tom and the captain 

 consulted together for a moment and then in- 

 formed the patient that, though his case was quite 

 serious, it was not altogether hopeless and that 

 his only chance was to be hurried back to Fort 

 Larned, where the post surgeon could give him 

 proper attention. 



The other man who had been reported wounded 

 had a broken arm. Tom spHnted and bandaged 

 it, and the two were soon made comparatively 

 comfortable among the buffalo robes in the wagon. 

 Several others had received slight wounds but 

 were "able for duty.'' 



While this had been going on, Saunders' men 

 had gotten out the grub and utensils, fried some 

 meat and made some coffee and now called us up 

 to eat. This was the first intimation to Saunders 

 that there was such a luxury as food in the outfit, 

 and as he sniffed the pleasant aroma of the boiling 

 coffee he turned to Tom and me and thanked us 

 for our thoughtfulness. 



"Captain," said Tom after we had eaten, "it's 

 time that team was on the way to Fort Larned. 

 What are your plans for getting these men there? 

 If I can help you in any way, I'm at your ser- 

 vice. 



"Thanks," replied Saunders. "My plan is to 

 send a half dozen men along with the wagon as an 

 escort and some responsible man in charge. I 

 will then move down to your camp and, taking 



274 



