id Gardner, in the
road," replied the messenger. "He's got his foot up on the dash board
like it was sore, ain't he?"

Grumblingly Dr. Allen Barnes passed on up the road to the wagon where
two passengers awaited his coming.

"Are you the man that wants me?" he asked, looking up at Sim Gage.

"Why, yep," said Sim Gage, his face puckered up into his usual frown of
perplexity. "I reckon so, Doc. I got my leg hurt."

"Well, come on over to the hospital."

"Hospital? I can't go to no hospital. I can't afford it, Doc."

"Well, I can't cut your leg off right out here in the street, can I,
man? I'm offering you the hospital free--the Company takes care of
those things. Not that I've got any business taking care of you, but I
will."

"Why, this ain't nothing," said Sim Gage, pointing a finger towards his
swollen knee, "just a leetle kick of a bronc, that's all. I got to be
getting right back, Doc--I ain't got much time."

"It don't take much time to cut off a leg," said Dr. Barnes. "Do it in
three minutes." His face, professionally grim, showed no token of a
smile.

"Well, I left my folks all alone up there," began Sim.

"You did, eh? Well, they'll be there when you get back, won't they?"

"I dunno, Doc----"

"Well, I don't know anything about it, if you don't. But tell me,
how's the fishing up in there? Any grayling?"

"All you want," said Sim Gage. "Come along up any time, and I'll take
you out. But no, I guess maybe----"

Dr. Barnes looked at him curiously, and Wid Gardner went on to explain
for his neighbor.

"You see, Doc, Sim, he's just newly married," said he, "or else he's
going to be right soon. Sim, he's kind of bashful about having you
around."

"Thanks! But come--I haven't any time. Come into the office, and
we'll have a look at the leg."

Wid drove after the stalking figure, which presently drew up in front
of the little office. In a few moments they had Sim Gage, the injured
member bared, sitting up in a white chair in a very white and clean
miniature hospital which Dr. Barnes had installed.

"This wound hasn't been cleaned properly," commented the doctor at
once. "What did you put on it?"

"Why, whiskey. I didn't have nothing else."

"Try water the next time," said Dr. Barnes with sarcasm. "We'll have
to paint it up with iodine now. Lockjaw, blood poison and amputation
is the very least that will happen to you if you don't look out."

"Amputation?" Sim turned wit