CHAPTER XXIII
DOCTOR WILL TO THE FRONT
There was a little hesitation.
Then the figure in the bushes came rapidly toward them. It was AndyLasher, just as they had guessed. He looked dreadfully worried, asthough he found himself up against a problem that overtaxed hisabilities; for Andy was only a boy, though for a long time he had beenthe acknowledged bully of Centerville.
"Jerry, I'm glad to see you, sure I am," he said awkwardly as he cameup.
Jerry noticed, first of all, that Andy held out his hand, as if hewanted to shake, something he seldom did; and then, again, that he wastrembling all over.
"The fellow has had a bad shock of some kind," remarked Frank in a lowtone, as his eye took in these facts, so significant in themselves, andespecially when one remembered just why the sheriff was in thatvicinity.
"What's the matter, Andy?" asked Jerry soothingly.
"Ain't one o' you fellers in the doctor line?" demanded the otherhoarsely.
"Well, Will, here, knows a good deal about medicine and such things. Yousee his dad was an M.D. before he died, which means a medical doctor.But if you're sick better come over to our camp and let him fix upsomething for you," said Jerry.
"'Tain't me," replied Andy desperately, and looking quickly around himas if he feared listening ears might catch his words.
"Then who?"
"They's a feller near by who had a bad tumble. I'm afraid he's got abroken leg. If your friend could only see him, and do somethin' for him.He's groanin' with pain, leastways as much as he dares. Will you bringhim, Jerry?"
"Of course; but why not let the others go along, Andy? We might want tolift your--a--friend, you know, and four would be better than two.Besides, you can trust us not to say one word."
Andy started violently and stared at Jerry.
"Then--you know?" he ejaculated, in some confusion.
"Yes, all about it; and we feel sorry for you, too. Come! If he issuffering, something must be done, or he may die. Don't hesitate anylonger, but take us to where he is hiding. I'm sure my pard can dosomething to help him," said Jerry.
The other's indecision came to an end.
"I will, then, by gum! Come on!" he exclaimed between his set teeth.
Frank, looking around, thought that he had just the faintest glimpse ofsomething moving amid the neighboring bushes; but then it might havebeen a prowling chipmunk or an inquisitive raccoon.
He fell in line, and trailed after the others, wondering just how theaffair was going to end. Evidently, Andy's father, in wandering aboutthe rough region after dark, had slipped once too often on the rocks,and come to serious harm.
The boy led them past the ruins, and up the side of a steep ascent.Several times he stopped and looked sharply down and around, as thoughsuspicious of the strange stillness that had fallen upon all Nature.Even the birds seemed to have ceased their quarreling, and the crowsthat had been cawing in a dead tree near the lake front at the time ourboys landed, had suddenly taken their departure, as though bent onseeking new pastures.
The difficulties increased as they ascended further. Great masses ofrock seemed to be piled up all around them. It was as if giants hadbeen using the slope for a playground, and heaved these tremendousbodies of stone hither and thither in endless confusion.
"H'm!" thought Frank as he noted these things. "I don't wonder much thatour friend, Mr. Dodd, and his men, found trouble in discovering wherethe fugitive convict was secreted. A fellow could easily hide here, andlaugh at the efforts of a dozen men to find him."
He, too, had taken to glancing behind him as he went. Somehow, somethingseemed to tell him that their movements were being watched. Still, not athing did he see at any time to warrant this belief, and it would seemabsurd to have warned Andy when he had nothing more substantial uponwhich to found his theory.
Besides, Frank figured that if the escaped convict were really seriouslyhurt, he must give himself up. He would need the attention of a surgeonin order to save his life, even though such action meant a return to hisprison cell.
Andy had stopped now. They were just in front of a crevice in the rocksthat reminded Frank not a little of that in which they had hunted for asecond bear at the time he and Bluff shot the black invader of thecamp.
"I guess we've got to the end of the hunt," he whispered in the ear ofWill, who nodded assent.
After one last anxious look all around, as if he wanted to reassurehimself, Andy bent low and moved ahead.
"Come on, Jerry, and look out for your head," he said.
"Have a care, fellows, or you'll get a knock on your top that willhurt," was the way in which the worthy addressed passed the warningalong.
It was not dark in the crevice, for enough light seeped in from above toshow them how to step. Every one of the boys was strangely thrilled.They were about to be brought face to face with the escaped convict,who, they had good reason to believe, was also the person responsiblefor that ghostly figure which had alarmed such wayfarers as were in thehabit of passing across the mountains when going from Centerville overto Chester.
After several twistings and turnings they came to what looked like anenlargement of the crevice. In fact, the place could now be called acave, for it seemed to have a roof far above their heads.
A fire was smoldering in one corner, as though it might have been usedearlier in the day for getting breakfast, and by what light came fromthis source Frank could see something stirring over in another corner.
"Andy, is that you?" asked a voice, in which there seemed to be a sortof groan.
"Yes, it's me, daddy," returned their guide, shuffling forward.
"Have you got help?" asked the other weakly.
Frank instantly made up his mind then that the man had sent Andy out tobring assistance in his time of need. Perhaps he had given over all ideaof escape now. Perhaps he did not care, being overwhelmed withdisappointment. Andy had held back because he had been in one senseashamed to let the boys know that he had a parent who was a convict.
"The boys come with me. They was over lookin' at the ruins of thehouse," replied the other, bending down; and there seemed to be realsolicitude in his manner, something Frank noticed with a strange feelingat his heart.
"Only the boys! What good can they do me? I told you to find some ofthose men and bring them here. I've dodged and hidden all I mean to!"exclaimed the injured man firmly.
"But one of 'em is somethin' of a doctor; leastways, his daddy used tobe, an' Jerry he says he knows a heap about medicine. P'raps he kin dofor ye all right," went on Andy, hurriedly and soothingly.
Will now pushed forward with professional zeal. He was, in truth, veryfond of a chance to air his knowledge, and since he had been studyingwith the idea that at some time after he was through college he wouldtake up his father's profession, his knowledge of medicine was equal tothat of many full-fledged doctors.
"Let me look, and see how badly you are injured, sir," he said.
"I slipped on the rocks and had a bad tumble. You see I'm not as strongas some men, though much better than for a long time. I think I musthave lain there all of an hour before Andy found me and helped me inhere to lie down. But the pain and swelling continued to get worse, sothat I could not stand it; so I sent him out for help. I'm willing to goback now--more than willing."
So he talked as Will began to look at his leg. He found it pretty wellbruised, and swollen, too. The way in which he felt here and there wouldhave given confidence to a man in far less desperate need of help thanthis stricken giant.
"What is it--a broken bone?" asked the man anxiously, as he saw Willseem to consider, which he took to be a serious sign.
"I'm glad to say it isn't. The bruises are painful, and there is also asprain that you will feel for many months; but no break of the bone," hereplied.
"Talk to me about your ambulance surgeons! What could beat that?"gurgled the delighted Jerry.
"You are sure?" urged the man, looking brighter at the same time.
"Just as sure as I know my own name. But you need attention which youcan hardly get here. We ought to move you over to our camp, where I cangive you my personal care."
Will was evidently proud of having come upon his first patient. Itaroused the zeal that had of late been slumbering a little under the newimpetus of his later love for photography.
The man on the bed of hemlock boughs smiled rather grimly, Frankthought, as he said:
"You are very kind, my boy, and generous, in the bargain. I believe,myself, that I shall need more or less care for some time, but I'm aptto get it in another quarter than in your camp. There is a gentleman whois waiting to administer to my needs with the best doctors that theState supplies."
Frank saw him look meaningly past them, and turning, he was not verymuch surprised to see Mr. Dodd, the sheriff, standing quietly justinside the entrance to the cave.