tch. But there's a lot of our fellows down."

"Take care of them," said Dunwody. "We'll attend to the rest of
this business after that."

CHAPTER XVI

THE ADJUDICATION

A dismal sight enough was presented when finally a few half-hearted
torches were pressed into use to produce a scant illumination.
What had been a commonplace scene now was become one of tragedy.
The bank of this willow-covered island had assumed the appearance
of a hostile shore. Combat, collision, war had taken the place of
recent peace and silence. The night seemed ominous, as though not
even these incidents were more than the beginning of others yet
more serious soon to come.

Out of the confusion at last there might have been heard the voice
of Dunwody, calling again for Jamieson. There was work for the
surgeon when the dead and injured of both sides at last were
brought aboard the little steamer and ranged in a ghastly common
row along the narrow deck. "Take care of them, Jamieson," said
Dunwody shortly. He himself leaned against the rail.

"You're hurt yourself, Dunwody," exclaimed Jamieson, the blood
dripping from his fingers when he half rose. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing--I got a nick in my leg, I think, but I'm all right. See
to the others."

Jamieson bent over the body of young Desha, who had been first to
suffer here on the debated ground of Missouri. He had been shot
through the upper body and had died with little suffering. Of the
assailing party two others also were beyond aid, one a young
planter who had joined the party some miles back beyond St.
Genevieve, the other a sallow example of the "poor white trash" who
made a certain part of the population of the lower country. Of
these both were shot through the head, and death did not at once
relieve them. They both lay groaning dully. Jamieson passed them
swiftly by. The tally showed that of the Missourians three had
been killed, four badly wounded, besides the slight wound of
Dunwody and that of a planter by the name of Sanders, who had been
shot through the arm.

Of the boat party, smaller in the first place though well armed,
the loss had been slightly less. Two men had been killed outright
and three others badly wounded, of these one, probably, fatally
hurt. To all of these Jamieson ministered as best he might. The
deck was wet with blood. Silent and saddened spectators, the
attacking party stood ranged along the rail on the side next to the
shore.