Settling Day

fancied in every moan of the wind he heard a cry of pain. His face was set and his eyes were tearless, but his heart throbbed painfully, and each pulsation seemed to increase his dread of what

ted the world, so he said, and thought he meant, it; but there was one connecting link with the past that softened his heart, and that was the little chap who lay fighting for life while he rode at a mad pace to fetch aid so necessary to save him; and the mare, with that unerring instinc

, and a stagnant water-hole or

efore he reached Swamp Creek, the ne

faltering, her courage still high, her spirit undaunted. Her nostrils were extended and fiery red, a few

gh spent in another hour. He was not a cruel man, and he had great affection f

k for you old girl; but don't think me cruel. You must save his life-my little chap's life. He's

ound, and, noble beast that she wa

nd and even Jim Dennis, who k

'Good old Bess! She's nev

ears, and a monotonous, wai

to live for. That small life breathed hope into him, and if i

perhaps be the proper word. It was the dim outline of Swamp Creek, a

had been a ship's surgeon for many years, and if he was somewhat addicted

medico of repute he managed to establish himself at Swamp

strict, Dr Tom, was simply idolised by the inhabitants, and this ado

fuse to undertake any journey, no matter how far, or

means unskilful, and he had an iron nerve whic

lt every confidence in his being able to pull the litt

rtant question: Would

he township, and the doctor, whose house stoo

entire satisfaction, although the patient had alluded to him as a 'blundering old

the Creek had almost a language of its own. The atmosphere probably had s

mare and her rider,

country like a madman in this heat. He's on a "jag," I guess. Well, he

h a jerk, and, springing out of the saddle,

's sake man hurry! We haven't a moment to lose. You must save him.

exclaimed Dr Tom. 'Wh

ry up! Get out your buggy and horses. Never mind if you dri

inside, and, in a very short space of time, the buggy, wi

here, she's dead

out of the township, people looked after it and thought it mus

calm, or you'll be ill

little chap may be dead

l through; they'll beat a man hollow. Many's the child I

n Jim Dennis's eyes, but it

e. There's a curse upon me, and no

rt he believed that Jim Dennis was more sinned against than sinning. He had heard strange stories of this lonely man, and he had more than once ha

d beaten him. Nothing gave Dr Tom more satisfaction than to rescue a patient from danger.

he backs of his horses. 'It will ruin my pair, but I

he best pair I

of my patients. Cross words is the most

intly. He knew Dr To

and bumped up and down in a manne

y a track, made by the mail coach, which

prised that they turned out en masse to look at the unfamiliar operation. Dr Tom, who said he disliked publicity, had not since repeated the operation. The harness had several suspicions of bits of rope about it, and the h

n. Don't let the little chap see you with a

al

the hal

e's a go

said th

e could

and Dr Tom applied

uggy and they came to a stop; the

umped out and urged the animal to rise. The tired horse struggl

r Tom; 'but he'll l

he distance, and again the lash came down on the

buggy pulled up, and Dr Tom, springing out with more activ

st afraid to

s dead he felt he cou

stood outside waiti

well-nigh as insupportable.

's alive. I'll pull him throug

nnis, whose prayers had