again now. He is as a
brother to me, and I would gladly give a thousand cattle rather than
that he should die."

No other words were spoken until they arrived at the house. The surgeon
stooped over Alexis, lifted one of his eyelids, and felt his pulse.

"Concussion of the brain," he said; "a serious case. Bring me rags and
hot water." He bathed the wound for some time and then carefully
examined it. "There is a fracture of the skull," he said to Godfrey,
"and I fancy there is a piece of bone pressing on the brain. Put wet
cloths round his head for the present; I will go and fetch my colleague,
and I will send down some ice from the hospital. His hand is bandaged
up, what is the matter with that?"

"His gun burst, doctor, and has mangled his hand dreadfully. That was
how it was the bear got at him and struck him."

The surgeon removed the bandages and examined it. "Keep it bathed with
warm water until I return," he said.

Half an hour later he came back with the other surgeon, a man older than
himself, both carrying cases of instruments. The wound on the head was
again examined. They then proceeded to operate, and in a few minutes
removed a portion of splintered bone. Then the flap of skin was
carefully replaced in its position, and a few stitches put in to hold
it. The hand was then attended to.

"No, I don't think it need come off," the senior surgeon said; "we may
save the third and little fingers. At any rate we will try; if it does
not do we can take the whole off afterwards."

The operation was performed, then ordering the ice that had just been
brought to be applied to the head, the surgeons left.

"We will look in again early in the morning," one of them said to
Godfrey, "and then we will have a chat with you."

The women took it by turns to watch, and Godfrey, worn out by the
excitement of the day, slept until morning. Alexis was restless, moving
uneasily and muttering to himself. His eyes were open, but he took no
notice of what was going on around him. The surgeon they had first seen
came alone.

"He is better," he said to the Buriat, "but he is very far from being
out of danger yet. It will be a long illness, but I hope that we may be
able to bring him round. I will send him some medicine presently. Keep
cloths with cold water and ice to his head." He beckoned to Godfrey to
follow him out of the room.

"I don't want to ask any questions," he said, "about my patient. I have
been called in by thi