ther strong cavalry force."

"You're right, Dick, my officers and I are agreed upon it. I have
doubled the watch, but now get yourself to that fire and then to sleep."

Dick obeyed gladly enough. The night had turned raw and chill, and the
cold water dripped from his clothes as he walked. But first he produced
Woodville's pistol and handed it to Colonel Winchester.

"There's my antagonist's pistol, sir," he said. "You'll see his initials
on it."

"Yes, here they are," said Colonel Winchester: "'V.W., C.S.A.' It's a
fine weapon, but it's yours, Dick, as you captured it."

Dick took it and went to the kitchen, where the big fire had just begun
to blaze. He was lucky enough to be the possessor of an extra uniform,
and before he changed into it--they slept with their clothes on--he
roasted himself before those glorious coals. Then, as he was putting on
the fresh uniform, Warner and Pennington appeared.

"What would you recommend as best for the patient, Doctor," said Warner
gravely to Pennington.

"I think such a distinguished surgeon as you will agree with me that his
wounds should first be washed and bathed thoroughly in cold water."

"And after that a plentiful application of soothing liniment."

"Yes, Doctor. That is the best we can do with the simple medicines we
have, but it especially behooves us to reduce the size of that left ear,
or some of the boys will say that we have a case of elephantiasis on our
hands."

"While you're reducing the size of it you might also reduce the pain in
it," said Dick.

"We will," said Pennington; "we've got some fine horse liniment here.
I brought it all the way from Nebraska with me, and if it's good for
horses it ought to be good for prize fighters, too. That was surely a
hefty chap who fought you. If you didn't have his pistol as proof I'd
say that he gave you a durned good licking. Isn't this a pretty cut down
the right cheek bone, George?"

"Undoubtedly, but nothing can take away the glory of that left ear.
Why, if Dick could only work his ears he could fan himself with it
beautifully. When I meet that Woodville boy I'm going to congratulate
him. He was certainly handy with his fists."

"Go on, fellows," said Dick, good-naturedly. "In a week I won't have a
wound or a sign of a scar. Then I'll remember what you've said to me and
I'll lick you both, one after the other."

"Patient is growing delirious, don't you think so, Doctor?" said Warner
to Pennington.

"Beyo