e long first, I reckon. But no time to lose, my dear.
The Lord hath sent you to make him happy in his leaving of the world.
Can 'e raise a bed and a doctor here? If he would but groan, I could
bear it a bit, instead of bleeding inward. And for sartin sure, a'
would groan nicely, if only by force of habit, at first sight of a real
doctor."

"There are half a dozen here," I said; "or at least close by. He shall
have my own bed. But where is he?"

"We have laid 'un in the sand," he answered, simply, "for to dry his
perspiration. That weak the poor chap is that he streameth night and
day, miss. Never would you know him for our Firm now, any more than me
for Sampson Gundry. Ah me! but the Lord is hard on us!"

Slowly and heavily he went his way to fetch poor Firm to the hospital;
while, with light feet but a heavy heart, I returned to arouse our
managers. Speedily and well were all things done; and in half an hour
Finn lay upon my bed, with two of the cleverest surgeons of New York
most carefully examining his wasted frame. These whispered and shook
their heads, as in such a case was indispensable; and listening eagerly,
I heard the senior surgeon say, "No, he could never bear it." The
younger man seemed to think otherwise, but to give way to the longer
experience. Then dear Uncle Sam, having bought a new hat at the corner
of the street, came forward. Knowing too well what excitement is, and
how it changes every one, I lifted my hand for him to go back; but he
only put his great hot web of fingers into mine, and drew me to him
softly, and covered me up with his side. "He heareth nort, nort, nort,"
he whispered to me; and then spoke aloud:

"Gentlemen and ladies--or ladies and gentlemen, is the more correct form
nowadays--have I leave to say a word or two? Then if I have, as your
manner to me showeth, and heartily thanking you for that same, my words
shall go into an acorn-cup. This lad, laid out at your mercy here,
was as fine a young fellow as the West hath ever raised--straight and
nimble, and could tell no lie. Family reasons, as you will excoose of,
drew him to the arms of rebellion. I may have done, and overdone it
myself, in arguing cantrips and convictions, whereof to my knowledge
good never came yet. At any rate, off he went anyhow, and the force
of nature drew me after him. No matter that to you, I dare say; but it
would be, if you was in it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here he is, and no harm can you make out of h