stay here with him. You can search for the army
and come back and get me."
27 "We leave no one behind," insisted Red Cat. "We'll just have to
carry him, gently, and hope he can make it. I need some sleep. You four
replace the sentries at midnight. You'd better get some rest, too."
28 Taking down their shelter, the men agreed. As soon as the light
came, Red Cat was awakened, and they started off. The others took his
gear while he carried the prisoner. But in late morning the complainer
offered to take him, and carried him most of the day. The boy
still kept saying the same thing, over and over.
29 "Anybody speak his language?" asked Red Cat.
30 "I do," answered the Field Surgeon. "He's saying 'bless you,
brother.’ He thinks we're his people!"
31 "I wonder what he'll think when he finds out we're not?" the
complainer laughed.
32 "His mind seems to be coming back," commented the Field Surgeon,
"maybe in a little while we'll know."
33 The forward out runner came rushing in. "The Army!" he cried, "The
Army! They're just over that hill! I ran into their Sentries. They're
coming with a stretcher, water, and some food."
34 They put the prisoner down and waited for the aide. When the others
got there, they gathered around in disbelief. The prisoner was put on
the stretcher, but nobody moved, until everyone had had food and water,
and rested a few minutes. Shy Fox appeared and sat down beside Red Cat.
"You're all right?" he said, "You're not hurt? I had a dozen people
swear you were dead!"