Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/239

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WALTER'S WOUND
211

and made the boy's heart much lighter than it had been for hours.

Again night was upon them, and now Palmer came to the conclusion that there was no need to remain on guard. Stretching himself beside Walter, he was soon asleep, and presently Walter followed. Nothing happened to disturb them, and both slept until some time after sunrise.

Four days were spent in the shelter under the rocks, and during that time Walter's wound grew well rapidly. It had been but a glancing shot, and his main trouble was from the loss of blood. Every day Palmer washed the wound and bound it up afresh, in linen torn from the shirts of both. The sailor from the Yorktown was a natural nurse, and to his skill was largely due Walter's recovery.

During the time spent in the hollow Palmer had tried his hand both at fishing and hunting and had brought in food enough to feed them and give them provisions for several days to come. On the fourth day Walter tried walking, and announced that he could go on, but it must be slowly, and not too many miles per day at first.

Palmer's "bump of locality" was well developed, and he had their course all mapped out. "We'll