it around the man's arm _above_ the wound; and then, inserting
the stout stick, he began twisting the same vigorously.

It must have pained tremendously, but not a whimper, not a semblance of
a groan did they hear from the bearded lips of the wounded mountaineer.
Indeed, he seemed to arouse himself sufficiently to watch the confident
operations of the young surgeon with a rising curiosity; and Thad
thought he could detect a slight smile on his dark face.

As for Nate and the other rough man, they stared as though unable to
believe their eyes, to thus see a mere boy so wonderfully able to do
what was necessary in a case of life and death. Every little movement
did they follow with wrapt attention. No doubt, a great relief had
already commenced to rise up in the heart of Nate, as hope again took
hold upon him. If the other survived the shock, and loss of blood, it
would not be so bad; and trouble might not come home to him on account
of his liability for the accident.

Thad soon knew that he had done the right thing. The knot had been
properly placed, so that the pressure upon the artery above the wound
prevented any more blood being pumped that way by the excited action of
the man's heart.

"There," he remarked, in a satisfied way, "I guess we've got the
bleeding held up, and you can get him to a doctor, if, as you say, there
is one across the valley. I'm going to bind this stick so it can't come
loose while you're helping him along. But if it should, perhaps you've
seen how I did the job, and you could fix it up again?"

"Sure," replied Nate; "and yuh dun it ther neatest I ever knowed,
younker. Reckon as how Cliff Dorie an' me has reason tuh be glad yuh
happened tuh be so clost. If so be he lives thru hit, as he will now,
dead sartin, he's gwine tuh owe his life tuh yer."

Thad happened to catch a glimpse of Bob's face just then, as the other
turned toward him; for up to now he had been keeping rather aloof, not
wishing to be noticed by either of the mountain men. He was surprised to
see the expression of suddenly renewed hope that seemed to have taken up
its abiding place there. Apparently the Southern boy had made a pleasing
discovery, which of course Thad could only guess at, until he had found
a chance to speak to his comrade. But he understood readily enough that
it must concern the coming of the three men, and the fact of the scouts
being enabled to place them under obligations.

With the flow of blood sto