By the time she came back, he had opened his eyes, and his hand was
on Growler's head.
"Are they gone?" he asked faintly.
"Yes, and Peter after them. Oh! Stead, you are badly hurt."
"They have not got it?"
"Oh no, no, you saved it."
"Thank God. Is Ben safe?"
"Yes, after them with Peter. I sent him out while you were talking
to call Peter."
"Good--" and his eyes closed again. "Good Growler, poor Growl--" he
added, fondling the big head, as the dog moaned. "See to him, Pat."
"I must see to you first. Oh! Stead, is it very bad?"
"I'll try to get in, if you'll help me."
He raised himself, but this effort brought a rush of blood to the
lips, which greatly terrified Patience. To her great relief,
however, Nanny Pierce having satisfied herself that all was quiet
round the hut, here called out to ask where Patience was. She was
profuse in "Lack-a-daisy!" "Dear heart!" and "Poor soul!" and was
quite sure Stead was as good as a dead man; but she had strong arms,
and so had Patience, and when they had done what they could to stanch
the wound in his side, which however, was not bleeding much
externally, they carried him in between them to Patience's bed which
had been Emlyn's, and therefore was the least uncomfortable.
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