d between her hands,
raising it, and Ryder continued his work rapidly. No further words were
spoken till the scalp wound was stitched, and Aurora, gazing into the
seemingly lifeless face of the patient, had a strange feeling of
insensibility, as if all her emotions were numbed for the time. There was
not a tremor in her fingers; she felt that under the influence that
possessed her she could have suffered any trial without a cry.

'Now hunt up anything that will do for bandages,' said the man.

She lowered Jim's head gently to the pillow again, and made haste to
obey, while Ryder examined the bullet-wound. He showed her how to tear
the material, and then bandaged the patient's head.

'I was assistant in a hospital for a time,' he said, in explanation of
his masterly work, but he did not say that it was a gaol hospital in
which he had gathered his experience.

Aurora watched the man's hands. They were extraordinary hands, long and
very narrow--wonderfully capable they seemed. They inspired her with
complete faith. He was feeling for the ball in Jim's shoulder. She helped
him to turn the young man upon his face, and the slim, dexterous fingers
probed the flesh above the shoulder-blades.

'Ah!' he said, with a sigh of relief; and taking his knife, he cut
boldly, and, behold--the bullet! It was like a feat of legerdemain. This
cut was washed with fluid from a small bottle on the table, smartly
stitched, and then, after the wound in front had been treated, the
shoulder was firmly bandaged, and Ryder seemed satisfied. He was none too
soon, for at that moment Mary Kyley darted in.

'Half a dozen troopers are coming along the hill,' she said.

'Bluff them!' said Ryder quickly. 'If they insist on searching, swear the
boy was hurt at a blast. Cover his shoulders. Show no surprise in any
alteration in my appearance. I am a customer.' 'He snatched his coat and
revolver, and sprang into the next tent.'

At that moment the sound of horses' hoofs was heard on the gravel, and a
voice cried 'Halt!' Mrs. Kyley's broad figure filled the doorway.

'How many of those blackguard rebels are you hiding in your tent, Mother
Kyley?' said the sergeant.

'Is that you, Sergeant Wallis? Was there ever so attentive an admirer?
You'd follow me to the world's end for the love you have of me. I've a
dozen rebels inside. Come and be introduced.'

A tall bearded digger with a loaf of bread under his arm had slouched
from the business tent, and