thoroughly surprised that so much interest in his affairs
should be manifested by strangers, and it pleased him that he was to
have assistance in this search for medical knowledge.

He followed this new friend readily, and in a few moments was standing
before the doctor, listening to Mr. Mason's highly colored version of
the journey.

When he would have corrected the gentleman as to some of the points
which had been exaggerated, he was kindly bade to "hold his tongue."

"I've heard all your yarn, my boy, an' can imagine a good many things
you didn't tell. There's precious few of us in this section of the
country that was ever overtook, while on foot, by the dancin' giants,
an' lived to tell the story."

"I wouldn't be alive if it hadn't been for Mr. Parsons an' Mr.
Robinson."

"What they did don't cut any figger. It's what you went through with
that I'm talkin' about, an' the doctor is bound to hear the whole
story before he gives up what he knows."

Not until Mr. Mason had concluded the recital after his own fashion
did he give the professional gentleman an opportunity to impart the
information which Dick had worked so hard to obtain; and then the
physician, after telling him in a general way how the patient should
be treated, wrote out in detail instructions for Mrs. Stevens to follow.

Then from his store of drugs, pills, and nauseous potions he selected
such as might be needed in the case, writing on each package full
directions, at the expense of at least an hour's time; and when he had
finished, Dick believed that his father would suffer for nothing in
the way of medicine.

"There, lad," Dr. Manter said as he concluded his labors, and tied in
the smallest possible compass the articles he had set out, "I allow
your mother should be able to do all that is necessary; and unless the
bone is so shattered that the leg must be amputated, it is possible
you will get along as well without a physician as with one."

"Do you mean there's a chance my poor old man might have to let his
leg be cut off?"

"If you have described the wound correctly, I should say there was
every danger. I have written, however, to your mother, so that she may
be able to decide if anything of the kind is probable, and then you
may be obliged to make another journey up here. At all events, if your
father's life should be in danger, you may depend upon it I will come
to the camp; although I am free to admit that a ride across Smoke
Cree