McKay's hurts had been seen to early in the day. He was placed as far
as possible out of fire, and his strength maintained by such
stimulants as were available.
While the excitement lasted his pluck and endurance held out. But
there was a gradual falling-off of fire as the night advanced, and the
pains of his wounds increased. He suffered terribly from the motion as
he was borne back to camp, and when at last they reached the shelter
of a hospital-tent in the Third Division camp he was in a very bad
way: fits of wild delirium alternated with death-like insensibility.
But he was once more amongst his friends. Next morning Lord Raglan,
notwithstanding his heavy cares and preoccupation, sent over to
inquire after him.
Many of the headquarter-staff came too, and Colonel Blythe was
constantly at his bedside.
On the second day the bullet was removed from the leg, and from that
moment the symptoms became more favourable. Fever abated, and the
wounds looked as though they would heal "at the first intention."
"He will do well enough now," said the doctor in charge of the case;
"but he will want careful nursing--better, I fear, than he can get in
camp."
"Why not send him on board a hospital ship? Could he bear the journey
to Balaclava?"
"Undoubtedly. I was going to suggest it.
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