The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-20
CHAPTER XIV

They found the wounded man lying in the
front room upon a rudely extemporiZed
couch of Gear skins, he having sternly de-
cLned the effeminacy of his wife's bedroom.
In the possibility of fatal termination to
his wound, aud in obedience to a grim from =
tier tradition he had also refused to have his
boots removed in order that he might Idle
with them on" as became his ancestral Gus
tom. Johnny was therefore speedily made
comfortable in the McKinstTy bed while
DIR. Duchesne gave his whole attention to
his more serious patient.
The master glanced hurriedly around for
Mrs. McKinstry. She was not only absent
from o room, but there seemed to be no
suggestion of her presence in the house. To
his greater surprise tae hurried inquiry that
rose to his lips was checked by significant
warning from the attendant. He sat down
beside the now sleeping boy, and awaited
the doctors return with his mind wander
ing between the condition of the little suf
ferer and the singular revelation that had
momentarlly escaped his childish lips. If
Johnny had actually seen Seth FIRE at Nc
Kinstry, the latter mysterious w0und was
accounted for-but not Seth's motive. The
act was SO utterly incomprehensibe and in
consistent with Seth's avoYod hatred of
the master that the boy must have been
delirious.
He was reused by the entrance OF the
surgeon.
ITS not so bad as 1 thought" he said,
with reasuring nod. at was mighty
close shave between a shattered bone and a
severed artery, but we've got the ball, and
he'll pull through in week. By Jove!
though-the old fire-eater was more con
cerned about finding the ball than living or
ing! Go in there-he wants TO see you.
Don't let him talk too much. He's called in
a lot OF his friends for some reason or other
and there's a regular mass meeting in
there. Go in, and get rid of EN-. I'll look
after baby Fligee-lhough the little chap
will be all right again after another dress
ing"
The master cast hurried look of relief
at the surgeon, and re-entered the front
room. 1t was filled with men whom the
master instinctivey recognized as his former
adversaries. But they gave way before him
with a certain rude respect and half
abashed sympathy as McKinstry called him
TO his side. The wounded man grasped his
hand.
Lift me up bit, " he whispered.
TIE master assisted him with difficulty to
his elbow.
"Gentlemenm said McKinstry, with a
characteristic wave of his crippled hand to-
ward the Gro Sd as he laid the other on the
masters shoulder. I'VE heerd me talkin a
mint ago We heer me now. This yer young
man as we've slipped up on and meskalkl-
lated has told the truth-every time! Ye
ken tie TO him whenever and wherever We
want 10. Ye amt expected to feel ez feel,
in course, but the man ez goes back on him
ouo'lls with me. That's all-and thanks for
inquiring friends. VII git now, boys, and
leave him mint with me.
The men filed slowly out, few lingering
long enough to shake the masters hand
with grave earnestness, or half Smillng,
half abasEed EN- oarrassment. The master
received the profered reconciliation of these
men, who but "a few hours before would
have lvnched him with equal sincerity, with
cold bewilderment. As ths door closed on
the last of the party be turned TO Mckin-
stry. The wounded man had sunk down
again, but was regarding with drowsy salts
faction leaden bullet be was holding be-
tween bis finger and thumb.