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He was not a soldier; that is, he had never been enrolled among themen, but, as it was afterward known, he had borrowed the uniform of asick soldier and had answered the name when it was called.
Remember Baker was in command of the burying party, and when he sawEben he could not help the tears falling on the white face of the boy.
"My poor fellow, are you badly hurt?" he asked, in a tremulous voice.
"I think I have received my call," answered Eben, bravely.
"I hope not. But is there anything I can do for you?"
"I would like to see the colonel."
Eben was placed on a stretcher and carried to the rear.
Very soon Allen was bending over him and asking him about his wounds.
"I do not know; I don't seem to bleed much, and yet I am so weak."
The surgeon came quickly at the request of Allen, and made a thoroughexamination of the boy.
He was very silent, and no one knew what his verdict would be.
"Am I going home?" asked Eben.
"Going home? Are you tired of fighting?" the surgeon queried.
"Oh, no, I would like to live and fight until my country is free."
The speech was too much for Eben, for he fainted, and the doctor, afterleaving instructions, went out of the shed which served as hospital,and called Allen on one side.
"Well?"
"That boy is shocked. It is a peculiar case. Not once in a score ofyears do we find such a case. Every nerve is numb, every musclerelaxed, and whether he will live or die depends on arousing him fromthat numbness."
"Is he wounded?"
"Only slightly. A spent ball may have caused the shock. What can wedo to rouse him?"
"That is for you to suggest. What do you think necessary?"
"A counter shock of some kind. Its effects would soon be apparent. Ifit succeeds he will be all right in a day; if it fails he will die."
"And without the counter shock?"
"His life is in a very precarious condition."
"I do not know--how would it be to make believe I am killed?"
"The very thing. I will arrange it."
The doctor laid his plans for the very interesting experiment withgreat care.
After giving instructions he returned to Eben's cot and felt his pulse.It was very feeble, and life was fast ebbing away. That was the bestmoment to shock him, and on the effect of that shock his life woulddepend.
The doctor gave the signal he had arranged, and almost instantly apistol shot was heard.
Then a second followed.
Eben opened his eyes and looked round.
