"Damn, I'm tired Serge." Hanley said in a soft whisper, so as not to wake the sleeping man. "Think the knife wound is going to be the deciding factor on how far we get."
Checking his watch by the firelight he took note it was nine thirty, with a groan he took out some fresh bandages, after cleansing his wounds with the hot water he applied antiseptic to each injury (jaw tight as he tried not to make a sound when he felt the burn) and finally he added a little sulfa…wrapped the bandages tight then getting to his feet he stepped outside the shelter. For the next several hours he kept watch, patrolling a few yards at a time but never going to far from the Sergeant...after a last look around he stepped in to check on Saunders.
Kneeling down he placed a palm on the man's forehead…it was warm. "Damn, looks like you're starting a fever." Taking the man's helmet he stepped to the stream and filled it with cool water, stumbling a little as he made the walk back…taking a handkerchief from his hip pocket he wet it down and started bathing the Sergeants face. "Well, Sergeant we might be in a bit of trouble." After rinsing the handkerchief, he placed it on Saunders forehead and taking up a position near the man's left shoulder Hanley placed his carbine on his lap, leaned back and tried to relax a little.
First light came to soon…Hanley had worked on a litter during the early hours, wanting to have it finished before day break. He had already taken care of his own wounds and was in the process of finishing up with Saunders when the man woke. Hanley helped the Sergeant settle on the litter and after a small dose of morphine and a drink of water they were on their way. Several hours later Hanley came to a stop, he gently placed the litter on the ground to check on Saunders, the man had fallen into a light doze and perspiration stood out on his features.
Hanley took a few calming breaths, the constant pull of the litter was aggravating his shoulder and side...after sipping a little water he knelt beside Saunders. The man was semi-conscious, Hanley was only giving him enough of the morphine to take the edge off the pain but not enough to knock him out. Looking into the young man's eyes Hanley could tell the amount wasn't enough, what with the constant bouncing and movement it had to be painful but he hadn't complained yet.
How are you holding up Serge? Hanley asked as he offered the man his canteen.
After a long sip, the Sergeant responded. "I'll do." How far are we from camp?
"Ten miles."
Placing a palm on the Sergeants forehead Hanley noted the fever was a little higher...wetting down his handkerchief ran it across the Sergeants face and neck, folding it over he placed it on the man's forehead. "Your fever is up…we'll rest here for a bit." Hanley looked around, the trees were providing cool shade and the light breeze felt good against his warm skin. "I have to clean and re-bandage your wounds then you can sleep a little."
Hanley proceeded to heat up water and thirty minutes later Saunders was resting thanks to a dose of morphine, the cleansing had been painful but at least the wounds hadn't bled that much. Taking care of his own injuries was another matter, the graze on his arm was starting to get a little uncomfortable, his side was irritated and still bled lightly, but it was the shoulder wound that was causing his fever, it was red, irritated and hurt like Hell. Pulling the litter wasn't helping but there was no way Saunders would be able to walk the rest of the way back to camp.
Tearing the edge off of the undershirt he wore Hanley wet it down and wiped it across his own face, tipping his head back rest against the tree where he sat and closed his eyes for a moment. After a few minutes he glanced toward the Sergeant, scanning his features looking for any signs of discomfort but at the moment the young man slept deep, body shivering. Tucking the blankets tighter against the man's body he threw a few extra pieces of wood on the small fire to try and keep him warm. Patting Saunders on the shoulder he spoke quietly. "I'm trying to keep my word about getting you back but ten miles seems like twenty at the moment."
Checking his watch, Hanley let out a long breath, stood up and started to clean up the area in preparation for their departure. After the fire was out and the soiled bandages buried he wrapped the handkerchief and the t-shirt scrap around his hands before picking up the litter and heading out.
They had traveled about three miles when the ground became more uneven and Hanley was hard pressed to keep his footing. The jostling of the litter wasn't helping Saunders as he could hear the man's sharp intake of breath when he hit a particularly rough piece of ground. Setting the litter down he moved to the man's side.
Saunders was sweating profusely due to the fever as well as the pain he was in, catching Hanley's gaze he spoke. "Are we there yet?" he asked humorously. "I hope so…coz this is starting to get a little uncomfortable."
"You know how bad the trail is through the forest, it might be a good idea to give you a full dose of morphine before we enter it." Hanley undid the handkerchief from his hand, wet it down with water from his canteen then placed it on Saunders forehead after making sure the man took some water. "You can rest easy for a few minutes while I check your bandages."
"How's your shoulder? Saunders asked scanning Hanley's features.
"A little irritated, mostly due to pulling you around…for a little guy you're pretty heavy." Hanley said, teasingly as he cleaned and bandaged the man's wounds.
"You would think for such a big guy, you'd be stronger." Saunders responded, gritting his teeth as the wounds were tended to.
Laughing Hanley finished tying off the bandages. "We're a few miles from the forest but I think we'll break here for a short time." You hungry?
"No, just tired." That being said Saunders closed his eyes and a few minutes later he was asleep.
"You and me both, Saunders." Hanley responded quietly, pulling his jacket tighter, he settled back figuring on an hour of rest before starting again…wiping the sweat from his forehead he wet the scrap of material from his t-shirt and ran it over his face…the fever was getting worse, light shivers ran through him as he sipped water from his canteen. Thirty minutes later he stood up, one hand pressed to his injured side and started a slow walk around the perimeter, trying to stay alert.