Page:Jim of the Hills.djvu/88

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78
JIM OF THE HILLS

"Raise him. … There now, easy, lad.
Turn a little—gently—so.
You'll not feel it near so bad. …
Painin'? Yes, I know, I know.
Yes, old man; it's Blair, your friend. …
(Boys, he's very near the end.")

Soon a saner, calmer look
Came in Murray's strainin' eyes.
Though his body heaved an' shook.
He held back his awful cries
Till another wave of pain
Gripped him, an' he shrieked again.

"Christ!" he called. "O, Christ, the pain!
Boys, you know I ain't a funk."
Still he took the Name in vain,
Writhin' there upon his bunk.
"Do you call Him?" says old Blair,
Pointin' upward. "He is there."

"Blair!" he gasps. "Do you believe?
Such as me! Is there a chance?"
"Easy, Murray. Don't you grieve.
You ain't worth one single glance
Save of pity from His eye.
Laddie, pray before you die."