Settling Day
fancied in every moan of the wind he heard a cry of pain. His face was set and his eyes were tearless, but his heart throbbed painfully, and each pulsation seemed to increase his dread of what
ted the world, so he said, and thought he meant, it; but there was one connecting link with the past that softened his heart, and that was the little chap who lay fighting for life while he rode at a mad pace to fetch aid so necessary to save him; and the mare, with that unerring instinc
, and a stagnant water-hole or
efore he reached Swamp Creek, the ne
faltering, her courage still high, her spirit undaunted. Her nostrils were extended and fiery red, a few
gh spent in another hour. He was not a cruel man, and he had great affection f
k for you old girl; but don't think me cruel. You must save his life-my little chap's life. He's
ound, and, noble beast that she wa
nd and even Jim Dennis, who k
'Good old Bess! She's nev
ears, and a monotonous, wai
to live for. That small life breathed hope into him, and if i
perhaps be the proper word. It was the dim outline of Swamp Creek, a
had been a ship's surgeon for many years, and if he was somewhat addicted
medico of repute he managed to establish himself at Swamp
strict, Dr Tom, was simply idolised by the inhabitants, and this ado
fuse to undertake any journey, no matter how far, or
means unskilful, and he had an iron nerve whic
lt every confidence in his being able to pull the litt
rtant question: Would
he township, and the doctor, whose house stoo
entire satisfaction, although the patient had alluded to him as a 'blundering old
the Creek had almost a language of its own. The atmosphere probably had s
mare and her rider,
country like a madman in this heat. He's on a "jag," I guess. Well, he
h a jerk, and, springing out of the saddle,
's sake man hurry! We haven't a moment to lose. You must save him.
exclaimed Dr Tom. 'Wh
ry up! Get out your buggy and horses. Never mind if you dri
inside, and, in a very short space of time, the buggy, wi
here, she's dead
out of the township, people looked after it and thought it mus
calm, or you'll be ill
little chap may be dead
l through; they'll beat a man hollow. Many's the child I
n Jim Dennis's eyes, but it
e. There's a curse upon me, and no
rt he believed that Jim Dennis was more sinned against than sinning. He had heard strange stories of this lonely man, and he had more than once ha
d beaten him. Nothing gave Dr Tom more satisfaction than to rescue a patient from danger.
he backs of his horses. 'It will ruin my pair, but I
he best pair I
of my patients. Cross words is the most
intly. He knew Dr To
and bumped up and down in a manne
y a track, made by the mail coach, which
prised that they turned out en masse to look at the unfamiliar operation. Dr Tom, who said he disliked publicity, had not since repeated the operation. The harness had several suspicions of bits of rope about it, and the h
n. Don't let the little chap see you with a
al
the hal
e's a go
said th
e could
and Dr Tom applied
uggy and they came to a stop; the
umped out and urged the animal to rise. The tired horse struggl
r Tom; 'but he'll l
he distance, and again the lash came down on the
buggy pulled up, and Dr Tom, springing out with more activ
st afraid to
s dead he felt he cou
stood outside waiti
well-nigh as insupportable.
's alive. I'll pull him throug
nnis, whose prayers had