d. Uncle Denis
then commenced his operations.

After gently washing the wound, he discovered to his satisfaction that
the ball had passed through the Indian's body, and that he should
therefore not have to attempt its extraction. This greatly facilitated
his task. My mother having brought some linen bandages and a healing
salve, the wound was carefully bound up. The Indian, who did not once
wince, though he must have been suffering great pain, gazed with a look
of surprise at my uncle and the other bystanders, and was evidently
wondering why so much care was taken of him. My sister Norah then
brought in a cooling draught, which she offered to him; and speaking
first in Spanish, and then in the language generally used by the Indians
in the neighbourhood, advised him to take it, assuring him that it would
be beneficial. He, without hesitation, swallowed the draught; and now
speaking for the first time, expressed his gratitude for the attention
bestowed on him.

"We are sorry that you were wounded, and our wish is that you may
recover," said Norah, in a pitying tone. "You must rest now; and if you
will give your word that you will not attempt to escape, or to injure
those who are guarding you, your arms will be left at liberty."

The Indian hesitated, and was apparently considering the consequences
which might ensue should he give the promise required.

"Tell him that we intend to keep him a prisoner only till his wound is
healed, and that we will not now trouble him with questions; but we
shall by-and-by wish to learn who he is, and why he attacked your uncle
and Barry," said my father.

Norah repeated this, for having learned the Indian tongue from her
nurse, she spoke it better than any one else in the house; no one,
indeed, would have been so likely to calm the suspicions of our captive,
and to gain his confidence, as she was. "We do not wish you to speak
now," she added; "but to-morrow or next day, when you are stronger, you
will tell us what we seek to know. And now, will you give me the
promise we ask? It will be for your benefit; and you know how you would
have been treated had you fallen into the hands of the Spaniards."

"I promise to remain quiet as a child on its mother's breast," answered
the Indian. "Kanimapo never breaks his word; and to you, who have
treated him so mercifully, he will be faithful."

On this assurance, in which my father and uncle believed that they could
trust, the Indian