lucky ye may think yourself to get off with
life, for he could have killed ye as easily as a kangaroo. It's myself
that knows he could have done it," said the surgeon, warmly.

"Is that so?" asked Wattles, turning to me for confirmation.

"He could have killed you, had he been so disposed, even at twice the
distance," I replied.

The lieutenant looked sober and thoughtful for a moment, when, thinking
to make an impression, and get him to drop the quarrel forever, I
continued,--

"My friend did contemplate firing over your head, and would have done so
had not your looks convinced him that you intended mischief."

"By the Lord, I aimed for a vital part, but am glad that I missed my
object. Ask your friend to shake hands with me. From all accounts I'm
convinced that he is a gentleman to cherish and know."

"Ah, Wattles, divil fear ye but yer heart is in the right place, afther
all," cried the doctor, delighted at the proposed reconciliation.

I told Fred the request of his adversary, and without a moment's
hesitation he joined the group, and extended his hand to the wounded
man.

"You have got the best of me, sir," Wattles said, faintly, his pain
beginning to grow excessive.

"I trust that it is a mere gun-shot wound, and that you will soon be
well," replied Fred.

"I don't know--I don't know," moaned the lieutenant. "It seems as though
the doctor would kill me with his cursed probing and punching. Half of
it is unnecessary, I believe."

"Do you hear that?" cried O'Haraty, appealing to us, in astonishment.
"It's like an infant I've treated him, and now ye see how he abuses me."

"Excuse me, doctor," replied the lieutenant, faintly, "but I hardly know
what I am saying, I feel so weak. Get me into the carriage as quick as
possible, and take me to the barracks where I can be quiet."

"We'll do that, Wattles; but it's a great pity that you don't know who
your friends are. Come along with yer carriage, ye blackguard, and don't
stop there looking behind ye, as though ye were a light-house."

The latter portion of the doctor's remarks was addressed to the driver
of the vehicle, who, instead of paying any attention to the words of
O'Haraty, was gazing, with an anxious glance, towards the city.

"What is the spalpeen looking at?" demanded the doctor, angrily. "Come
here with the horses, and waste no more time."

"I see a cloud, as though a party of horse was galloping this way, and
kicking up a dust. I'm suspici