A wound in the head and arm ? '' I asked , feeling sure that no slight affliction had brought Joe there . `` Right arm gone . Shot off as slick as a whistle . I tell you , it 's a sing ` lar kind of a feelin ' to see a piece of your own body go flyin ' away , with no prospect of ever coming back again , '' said Joe , trying to make light of one of the greatest misfortunes a man can suffer . `` That is bad , but it might have been worse . Keep up your spirits , Joe ; and we will soon have you fitted out with a new arm almost as good as new . '' `` I guess it wo n't do much lumberin ' , so that trade is done for . I s ` pose there 's things left-handed fellers can do , and I must learn 'em as soon as possible , since my fightin ' days are over , '' and Joe looked at his one arm with a sigh that was almost a groan , helplessness is such a trial to a manly man , -- and he was eminently so . `` What can I do to comfort you most , Joe ? I 'll send my good Ben to help you to bed , and will be here myself when the surgeon goes his rounds . Is there anything else that would make you more easy ? '' `` If you could just drop a line to mother to let her know I 'm alive , it would be a sight of comfort to both of us . I guess I 'm in for a long spell of hospital , and I 'd lay easier if I knew mother and Lucindy war n't frettin ' about me . '' He must have been suffering terribly , but he thought of the women who loved him before himself , and , busy as I was , I snatched a moment to send a few words of hope to the old mother . Then I left him `` layin ' easy , '' though the prospect of some months of wearing pain would have daunted most men . If I had needed anything to increase my regard for Joe , it would have been the courage with which he bore a very bad quarter of an hour with the surgeons ; for his arm was in a dangerous state , the wound in the head feverish for want of care ; and a heavy cold on the lungs suggested pneumonia as an added trial to his list of ills . `` He will have a hard time of it , but I think he will pull through , as he is a temperate fellow , with a splendid constitution , '' was the doctor 's verdict , as he left us for the next man , who was past help , with a bullet through his lungs . `` I don ` no as I hanker to live , and be a burden . If Jim was able to do for mother , I feel as if I would n't mind steppin ' out now I 'm so fur along .
As he ai n't , I s ` XXXXX I must brace up , and do the best I can , '' said Joe , as I wiped the drops from his forehead , and tried to look as if his prospect was a bright one .
'm Shot asked don feel fitted go let pose thought