The doctor took the pulse of Calamity with lightly touching fingers that did not waken the sleeper; then he felt with equal caution the forehead of Ben.
The doctor shook his head and carefully unwound the bandages. He examined the wound with care, and then made a dressing, and recovered the little purple spot, so small that a five-cent piece would have covered it.
"Tell me!" demanded Drew, as Young turned at length.
"The bullet passed right through the body, eh?"
"He ought to have been dead hours ago. I can't understand it. But since he's still alive we'll go on hoping."
It was as if he had received the promise of heaven, such brightness fell across his haggard face.
"There's no use attempting to explain," answered Young. "An ordinary man would have died almost instantly, but the lungs of some of these rangers seem to be lined with leather. I suppose they are fairly embalmed with excessive cigarette smoking. The constant work in the open air toughens them wonderfully. As I said, the chances are about one out of ten, but I'm only astonished that there is any chance at all."
"My dear sir, I've done nothing; it has been your instant care that saved him--as far as he is saved. I'll tell you what to continue doing for him; in half an hour I must leave."
"You won't leave the room, Young, till this man is dead or on the way to recovery."
"Come, come, Mr. Drew, I have patients who--
"I tell you, there is no one else. Until a decision comes in this case your world is bounded by the four walls of this room. That's final."
"Is it possible that you would attempt--"
"Anything is possible with me. Make up your mind. You shall not leave this man till you've done all that's humanly possible for him."
"Mr. Drew, I appreciate your anxiety, but this is stepping too far. I have an officer of the law with me--"
"Better do what he wants, Doc," said Glendin uneasily.
"Don't mouth words," ordered Drew sternly.
"There lies your sick man. Get to work. In this I'm as unalterable as the rocks."
"The bill will be large," said Young sullenly, for he began to see that it was as futile to resist the grey giant as it would have been to attempt to stop the progress of a landslide.
"I'll pay you double what you wish to charge."