noon
His long tapering fingers seemed to have the suppleness and deftness of a woman 's and his whole attention seemed concentrated upon his patient . The hours passed slowly away , each seeming a day in length to the anxious hunters . The convicts remained hidden behind the wall and there was nothing to do but to keep a sharp lookout . At noon the watchers made a light lunch on the smoked venison and water , but the young outlaw waved away the offered food and remained engrossed by the patient 's side . At intervals of a few minutes all during the afternoon , he administered medicine to the sufferer and repeatedly bathed the wounded leg with the solution he had prepared . The sun was barely an hour high , when he arose from the side of the couch with a weary sigh . `` I think he will live , '' he announced , `` he was almost gone for a while , though .