Such times make dreadful brutes of men if they have n't something to hold on to , and all three of us were most wild with pain and cold and hunger , for we 'd fought all day fasting , when we heard a rumble in the road below , and saw lanterns bobbing round . That meant life to us , and we all tried to holler ; two of us were pretty faint , but I managed a good yell , and they heard it . '' ` Room for one more . Hard luck , old boys , but we are full and must save the worst wounded first . Take a drink , and hold on till we come back , ' says one of them with the stretcher . '' ` Here 's the one to go , ' I says , pointin ' out my man , for I saw by the light that he was hard hit . '' ` No , that one . He 's got more chances than I , or this one ; he 's young and got a mother ; I 'll wait , ' said the good feller , touchin ' my arm , for he 'd heard me mutterin ' to myself about this dear old lady . We always want mother when we are down , you know . '' Saul 's eyes turned to the beloved face with a glance of tenderest affection , and Aunt Plumy answered with a dismal groan at the recollection of his need that night , and her absence . `` Well , to be short , the groaning chap was taken , and my man left . I was mad , but there was no time for talk , and the selfish one went off and left that poor feller to run his one chance . I had my rifle , and guessed I could hobble up to use it if need be ; so we settled back to wait without much hope of help , everything being in a muddle . And wait we did till morning , for that ambulance did not come back till next day , when most of us were past needing it . `` I 'll never forget that night . I dream it all over again as plain as if it was real . Snow , cold , darkness , hunger , thirst , pain , and all round us cries and cursing growing less and less , till at last only the wind went moaning over that meadow . It was awful ! so lonesome , helpless , and seemingly God-forsaken . Hour after hour we lay there side by side under one coat , waiting to be saved or die , for the wind grew strong and we grew weak . ''
XXXXX drew a long breath , and held his hands to the fire as if he felt again the sharp suffering of that night .
Saul brutes fasting hour morning mutterin night pointin tenderest touchin