A Case of Fever Page #2

"A Case of Fever" by Robert Barr is a short story that revolves around themes of deception, mistaken identity, and the complexities of human relationships. Set in a vibrant narrative style, the tale follows a character who becomes enmeshed in a humorous yet revealing situation involving a fevered misunderstanding. As events unfold, the protagonist grapples with the challenges of truth and perception, leading to an unexpected resolution. Barr's wit and keen observation of human nature make this story both engaging and thought-provoking.

• Travel

								

horses. I attended to the wound in his leg, and he was strapped on the
horse, so that there could be no possibility of his escaping.

“We camped the first night in a little belt of timber that bordered a
small stream, now nearly dry. In the morning I was somewhat rudely
awakened, and found myself tied hand and foot, with two or three of the
settlers standing over me. They helped me to my feet, then half carried
and half led me to a tree, where they tied me securely to the trunk.

“‘What are you going to do? What is the meaning of this?’ I said to
them in astonishment.

“‘Nothing,’ was the answer of the leader; ‘that is, nothing, if you
will sign a certain medical report which is to go to the Government.
You will see, from where you are, everything that is going to happen,
and we expect you to report truthfully; but we will take the liberty of
writing the report for you.

“Then I noticed that Wolf Tusk was tied to a tree in a manner similar
to myself, and around him had been collected a quantity of firewood.
This firewood, was not piled up to his feet, but formed a circle at
some distance from him, so that the Indian would be slowly roasted.

“There is no use in my describing what took place. When I tell you that
they lit the fire at nine o’clock, and that it was not until four in
the afternoon that Wolf Tusk died, you will understand the peculiar
horror of it.

“‘Now,’ said the leader to me when everything was over,’ here is the
report I have written out,’ and he read to me the report which I have
read to you.

“‘This dead villain has murdered our wives and our children. If I could
have made his torture last for two weeks I would have done so. You have
made every effort to save him by trying to break loose, and you have
not succeeded. We are not going to harm you, even though you refuse to
sign this report. You cannot bring him to life again, thank God, and
all you can do is to put more trouble on the heads of men who have
already, through red devils like this, had more trouble than they can
well stand and keep sane. Will you sign the report?’

“I said I would, and I did.”
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