h the wounded, and few houses but had
their quota. The surgeons looked like wraiths, the nursing women had
dark rings beneath their eyes, set burningly in pale faces, the negroes
who valiantly helped had a greyish look. More emotional than the whites,
they burst now and then into a half wail, half chant. So heavy was the
burden, so inadequate the small, beleaguered city's provision for the
weight of helpless anguish, that at first there was a moment of
paralysis. As easy to strive with the tornado as with this wind of pain
and death! Then the people rallied and somewhat outstripped a people's
best.

From the troops immediately about the city came the funeral escorts. All
day the Dead March from "Saul" wailed through the streets, out to
Hollywood. The churches stayed open; old and young, every man in the
city, white or black, did his part, and so did all the women. The need
was so great that the very young girls, heretofore spared, found place
now in hospital or house, beside the beds, the pallets, the mere
blanket, or no blanket, on the floor. They could keep away the
tormenting flies, drawn by the heat, the glare, the blood and effluvia,
could give the parched lips water, could watch by the less terrifically
hurt. All the city laboured; putting aside the personal anguish, the
private loss known, suspected, or but fearfully dreaded. Glad of the
victory but with only calamity beneath its eyes, the city wrestled with
crowding pain, death, and grief.

Margaret Cleave was at one of the great hospitals. An hour later came,
too, Miriam and Christianna. "Yes, you can help. Miriam, you are used to
it. Hold this bandage so, until the doctor comes. If it grows
blood-soaked--like this one--call some one at once. Christianna, you are
strong.--Mrs. Preston, let her have the bucket of water. Go up and down,
between the rows, and give water to those who want it. If they cannot
lift themselves, help them--so!"

Christianna took the wooden bucket and the tin dipper. For all she
looked like a wild rose she was strong, and she had a certain mountain
skill and light certainty of movement. She went down the long room,
giving water to all who moaned for it. They lay very thick, the wounded,
side by side in the heat, the glare of the room, where all the light
possible must be had. Some lay outstretched and rigid, some much
contorted. Some were delirious, others writhed and groaned, some were
most pathetically silent and patient. Nearly all