As summer came on he was able to do a little more, herd them
with Growler's help, and gradually to undertake what required no
exertion of strength or speed, and there he stopped short--all the
sunny months of summer could do no more for him than make him fit to
do such work as an old man of seventy might manage.
He was persuaded, much against his will, to ride the white horse into
Bristol at a foot-pace to consult once more the barber surgeon. That
worthy, who was unusually sagacious for his time and had had
experience in the wars, told him that his recovery was a marvel, but
that with the bullet where it was lodged, he could scarcely hope to
enjoy much more health or comfort than at present. It could not be
reached, but it might shift, when either it would prove fatal or
become less troublesome; and as a friend and honest man, he
counselled the poor youth not to waste his money nor torture himself
by having recourse to remedies or doctors who could do no real good.
Stead thanked the barber, paid his crown, and slowly made his way to
Mrs.
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