"the Encyclopaedia mentions much more incredible circumstances than that, as, I dare say, you know, Doctor Todd."
"Certainly, there are incredible tales told of such matters," returned Elnathan, "though I cannot say, that I have ever seen, myself, any thing larger than a musket bullet extracted."
During this discourse, an incision had been made through the skin of the young hunter's shoulder, and the lead was laid bare. Elnathan now took into his hand, with a solemn air, a pair of glittering forceps, and was in the act of applying them to the wound, when a sudden motion of the patient, caused the shot to fall out of itself. The long arm and broad hand of the operator were now of singular service; for the latter expanded itself, and caught the lead, while at the same time, an extremely ambiguous motion was made, by its brother, so as to leave it doubtful to the spectator, how great was its agency in releasing the shot. Richard, however, put the matter at rest, by exclaiming—
"Very neatly done, Doctor! I have never seen a shot more neatly extracted; and, I dare say, Benjamin will say the same."
"Why, considering," returned Benjamin, "I must say, that it was ship-shape, and Brister-fashion. Now all that the Doctor has to do, is to clap a couple of plugs in the shot-holes, and the lad will float in any gale, that blows in these here hills."
"I thank you, sir, for what you have done," said the youth, with a little distance: "But here is a man, who will take me under his care, and spare you all, gentlemen, any further trouble on my account."
The whole group turned their heads, in surprise, and beheld, standing at one of the distant doors of the hall, the person of Indian John.
