nd four of his men dashed up on horseback. They had brought with
them two poles and a hide to form a litter. The chief was deeply
concerned when he saw how serious were the Russian's injuries. No time
was lost in lashing the hides to the poles. Alexis was lifted and laid
upon the litter, and two of the Buriats took the poles while the others
led back the horses. As soon as he arrived in camp Godfrey bathed the
wounds with warm water, and poured some spirits between the lips of the
wounded man, but he gave no signs of consciousness.

"I am afraid," he said to the Buriat, who was looking on anxiously,
"that his skull is injured or there is concussion of the brain. The only
thing that I can see will be for him to be carried at once to Kiakhta.
There is sure to be a hospital there and doctors."

"That would be best," the Buriat said; "but I will take a house there,
and my wife and sister shall nurse him."

"That will be better than going into the hospital," Godfrey agreed, "for
two reasons. In the first, because Alexis would certainly get more
careful nursing among his friends than in a hospital, and he might then
avoid, if he survives his injuries, being again imprisoned."

No time was lost. Four Buriats took the poles, Godfrey walked beside the
litter, and the Buriat, his wife and sister, mounted and rode off to
have everything ready for them when they arrived at Troitzkosavsk, the
suburb of Kiakhta. It was late before they reached it. The Buriat met
them half a mile outside the town, and at once conducted them to a house
that he had hired from a friend established there. As soon as Alexis was
laid upon a couch Godfrey and the Buriat went out and ascertained where
one of the surgeons of the military hospital lived. On reaching the
house they were shown by the Cossack who acted as the doctor's servant
to his room.

"A friend of mine has been badly injured by a bear," the Buriat said; "I
wish you to come and see him at once. He is in a house I have taken near
this. I will be responsible for all charges."

The doctor looked keenly at Godfrey and then said, "I will come. You are
not a Buriat?" he said to Godfrey as they started.

"I am not, doctor; though I have been living with them for some time."

"And the man who is ill, is he a Buriat?"

"No, sir; he is a Russian, and a member of your own profession."

"He is clever," the Buriat said. "He saved the life of my child by
taking off his leg, and he is running about