He folded it into a manner of bandage and soused water from the other canteen upon the middle of it.

This crude arrangement he bound over the youth's head, tying the ends in a queer knot at the back of the neck.
"There," he said, moving off and surveying his deed, "yeh look like th' devil, but I bet yeh feel better." The youth contemplated his friend with grateful eyes.

Upon his aching and swelling head the cold cloth was like a tender woman's hand.
"Yeh don't holler ner say nothin'," remarked his friend approvingly.
"I know I'm a blacksmith at takin' keer 'a sick folks, an' yeh never squeaked.

Yer a good un, Henry.

Most 'a men would a' been in th' hospital long ago.