eaking to a child.

The wounded man seized the tin vessel eagerly, and it required all
Dick's strength to prevent him from draining it at once.

"I'm afraid to give you more now, my poor old man; but wait, like a
dear, and I'll let you take it again when you're on the horse."

Not until after a violent struggle, which frightened Dick because it
seemed almost as if he was raising his hand against his father, did he
regain possession of the canteen, and then a full half of the contents
had been consumed.

When his thirst was in a measure quenched, Mr. Stevens lay quietly on
the sand, save now and then as he moaned in unconscious agony, heeding
not the boy's pleading words.

"Try to help yourself a bit, daddy," he urged. "If you'll stand on one
foot I can manage to lift you onto the horse's back."

Again and again did Dick try by words to persuade his father to do as
he desired, and then he realized how useless were his efforts.

He had heard of this delirium which often follows neglect of gun-shot
wounds, but had no idea how he should set about checking it.

After understanding that words were useless, and knowing full well he
could not lift unaided such a weight onto the horse's back, he
crouched by his father's side in helpless grief.

Never before had he known what it was to be afraid, however far he might
be from others of his kind; but now, as he listened to the meaningless
words, or the piteous moans, terror took possession of him, and the soft
sighing of the gentle wind sounded in his ears like a menace.

The horse strayed here and there seeking food, but he gave no heed.

Such garments as his mother had given him, Dick spread over the
sufferer; and that done there was nothing for him save to wait.

It seemed to the anxious boy as if the night would never end. Now and
then he rose to his feet, scanning the eastern sky in the hope of
seeing some signs of coming dawn; but the light of the stars had not
faded, and he knew the morning was yet far away.

Finally, when it seemed to him as if he could no longer remain idle
listening to a strong man's childish prattle, the eastern heavens were
lighted by a dull glow, which increased steadily until he could see
the horse feeding on the dry bunch-grass an hundred yards away, and
his long vigil was nearly at an end.

His father called for water from time to time, and Dick had given him
to drink from the canteen till no more than a cupful remained.

Now he ask