CHAPTER FOUR.
WENT OFF TO SLEEP.
Chris was, as they say, "fast as a top," but he was the first to awakenin the morning, according to his regular custom, just when the orangesun was beginning to tinge the east, and jumping up and scrambling onhis clothes he stepped out into the cool dawn, with the intention ofhaving a look at the bony features which had haunted his dreams. Butjust as he reached the open doorway and was about to step cautiouslyinside, there was a faint rustling sound which made his heart seem tostand still with the chill of horror which ran through him, for from outof the darkness where the stranger had been laid a shadowy form rose upand came forward.
The feeling of dread was only momentary, though it was succeeded by astrange shrinking from coming face to face with the awe-inspiring objectof his solicitude. But the boy stood firm.
"There's nothing to be afraid of," he said to himself, and thenwonderingly--"You, father!"
"Yes, my boy; what is it?"
"I only came to see if the man was awake."
"Half," said the doctor. "He is slightly conscious at times. You areearly, my boy."
"Not so early as you are, father," said the boy, smiling. "How longhave you been here?"
"All through the night, my boy."
"Oh!"
"I was afraid to leave him--he is so weak. I have had to give him astimulant every hour to keep him alive. There, go now, and don't talk.I want him to sleep."
Chris stole away, and then stood thinking whether he should rouse up Nedto go to one of the pools higher up the nearly-dry river, and bale itout on the chance of getting a few fish after all.
But on second thoughts he let his comrade rest and went into the lean-toon the other side of the shanty, where he busied himself in lighting afire upon the stone and setting the kettle over it, after which he wentcautiously indoors, to return again with a tin canister, which uponbeing opened sent forth a fragrant odour.
A few minutes later he was busy over further preparations, but only tobe interrupted by the sound of some one at the door giving three or foursharp sniffs in rapid succession. Then--"Pig!" came from inside. "Oh,I say, what a shame! Might have woke a fellow up to have some too."
"'Tisn't for me," said Chris gruffly.
"Oh no! I suppose not. Who's it for, then?"
"The dad: he has been sitting up all night with that poor fellow. Ithought he'd like a cup of coffee."
"Good boy," said Ned. "I'll take _pig_ back."
A few minutes later the two boys were making their way through therapidly broadening morning, bearing a steaming mug of milkless coffeetowards the shed, but only to stop short on hearing a strangely harshvoice talking slowly and solemnly for a few moments, before stoppingsuddenly, to be followed by a few words from the doctor.
Then all was silent for some little time, before Chris whisperedsharply--
"Father!"
This brought the doctor to the entrance.
"Thanks," he said. "Very thoughtful of you, Chris. Go away now."
The boys hurried back to the lean-to and made up the fire, to sittalking till the other occupants of the shanty began to stir, and therough breakfast was prepared.
"Been sitting up with the poor fellow all night, Chris?" said MrBourne. "Oh, he should have wakened me, and I would have relieved himfor half the watch."
The doctor was still in the shed, but he joined the rest when breakfastwas ready, and answered the inquiries of his companions.
"A hopeless case, I am afraid," he said, "but I shall fight it out tothe last.--What? Is he sensible?" continued the doctor, in response toa question from Wilton. "At times, but for the most part he keepswandering about thirst and heat, and wanting to sleep. The poor fellowhas evidently suffered terribly."
After breakfast the doctor returned to the shed, while the others foundbusiness to do about the blighted plantations, but working in a dull,despondent fashion, for the recollection of their previous day'sconsultation about giving up was still strong in their minds.
"There, let it all go for the present," said Wilton, at last. "It's nouse to talk about future plans without Lee being here."
But the doctor was too busy with his patient to do more than join themat dinner, with no better report, for he felt that the man was graduallysinking. It was the same too at the evening meal, when the necessity ofsome one sharing the night watch came up for discussion, the doctorconsenting to Mr Bourne taking the first half of the night while hesnatched a few hours' sleep.
The arrangement was carried out, with Doctor Lee ready and alert to takehis position by the sufferer's bed at midnight, when Bourne announcedthat the patient had only moved once, to ask for water.
"I think he seems to be better. He is fast asleep now," said Bourne,after saying "Good-night!" and then he left the doctor to himself.
It was getting on towards morning when, making a faint rustling amongstthe Indian corn-husks, the doctor bent over and laid his cool hand uponhis patient's brow.
"Who's that?" came in a harsh voice.
"The doctor."
"Water."
This was supplied, and the sufferer lay very quiet for another hour, andthen, just as the first faint streaks of dawn appeared, the man askedwho was there in a stronger voice, and upon being told, said--
"Yes, that's right; come nearer. I want to speak to you."
The doctor bent over his patient, whose voice as he spoke gradually grewstronger and more emphatic, and he went on speaking eagerly till longafter sunrise, when he was silent for a few minutes, but only to begintalking uneasily again.
But there was silence in the long shed that morning when Chris took in amug of coffee and came softly out again under the impression that hisfather's patient was asleep; and when Wilton and Bourne came out theyheard this as the report of the stranger's state.
Breakfast time soon came, and the doctor joined them as before, ready toanswer the first question asked as to how his patient had passed thenight.
"For the most part talking."
"Then he is better?" cried Bourne.
"In a way--yes," replied the doctor solemnly, and every eye was fixedupon him now, as Wilton said sharply--
"You mean that he is worse?"
"No: better for him, poor fellow," said the doctor sadly. "Nothingwhatever could be done, and he was in horrible pain. It is all overnow."
"You don't mean to say--" began Wilton, and stopped short.
"Dead?" said Bourne, in a solemn whisper.
"Yes," said the doctor gravely. "The agony he was in passed away aboutdawn, leaving him calm, patient, and quite in his right senses, talkingto me long and earnestly for quite three hours, before he turned awayand with a low restful sigh went off to sleep--to wake no more."
"You say he talked to you a good deal," said Bourne; "did he sayanything about how he came to be in such a terrible state?"
"Yes, he related everything to me, clearly," replied the doctor gravely.
"Hah!" cried Wilton. "Poor fellow, he must have gone through a greatdeal. How did it all come to pass?"
"Give me time," said the doctor thoughtfully. "I should like to liedown and sleep for a few hours, for I have gone through a good dealsince you left us, Bourne. To-night we must lay him to rest.Afterwards I have a great deal that is very startling to tell you both--to tell you all, I should say, for the boys may hear."