Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-03-30

rocking himself backward and forward,
and muttering or swearing in IA sort OF
grooming undertone. His back was
toward Royal, but at the sound of the
horses step he glanced sideways over his
shoulder. Then he slouched forward
again and Royal, from the elevation OF
the saddle. could see that he had one leg
drawn up and was feeling it slowly from
knee to ankle.
Good day, mate" Royal called, with
the ready freemasOnry of the frontier,
us anything the natter
Blessed if don't believe it's broke,
the miner made answer.
What's broken?
MY leg"
Royal was off his horse in an instant,
and went to the mans side.
How'd you manage that?
The miners face was pallid, under.
meath its tan and dinginess, and his eyes
showed that his pain was considerable;
but his mouth twisted into Il qulzzlcal
smile as he answered.:
Il guess | must ha' been pretty full
last night and missed the trail gwine
pened, anyhow. come to myself
while ago in the bottom O that internal
trap - indicating the hole - ''sorter
screwed round, an mighty uncomfOrta-
bic, an nary notion inside my skull how
got thar"
Royal dropped his rein and came to
the mans side. The horse moved off
step or two and snutfel the ground,
nosing the half dried grass dainty.
He'll stand" Royal said, noting the
mans expression Now let's have a
look at the leg. I'm a doctor"
He cut away the miners long boot and
ripped up the leg of his trousers. The
leg was broken in two places, and the
bones grated as Royal moved the limb
about: the bruised flesh was swollen and
much discolored.
Its bad job, amt it, dOctor" ques-
toned the man imparsOnally.
Yes. It's II good many hours since
the mischief was done, you see, and the
legs swollen. ltspretty painful, isn't it:'
The miner nodded.
Tain so bad as twas whenst | was
scramblin' out'n that hole, he observed.
Il had to let her swing-Wantin' my
hands for climbin'. That let the blood
down, an felt like I'd got bootful o
hell fire, an every time she struck agin
the rocks (an' she struck pretty often
seemed like the devil had the poker an
was chunkin her up
ROYAL had the leather leg laid straight
along the ground, and was busy cutting
the upper from the sole of the mans
boot He had lotions and bandages in
his pockets, having carried supply with
him to the camp.
"Gwine to set her, DOCTOR"
mo. haven't the proper appliances,
and there isn't stick in sight fit to
make splinter. I'm going to make a
cradle of this bootleg and bandage it up
bit, and see if | can't get you into town
to my Office. Do you think you can
ride?"
Il guess so. 'Twon't be no worse'n
settin' here an cussin' for comp'ny while
you ride into town an send arter me-"
He evidently considered that, Royal
having laid his hand to the case, he him
self was exempt from further concern
about arrangements.
Royal bound up the leg in such fashion
as to prevent further mischief, admin
istered a drug to allay the pain and help
ed his patient to mount. 1t was not &C
cOmplished without a groan or two and
a deepening of the gray pallor, but he
was plucky soul and used to rough ex-
periences, 50 he made the best of it with
fortitude that won on Royal Nor was
he deficient in gratitude or a sense of
courtesy, which he evinced by word or
two of thanks and regret for the trouble
he was giving.
eff I'd knowed how drunk | was I'd
ha' staid in camp" he remarked peni-
tently. 1.-THE boys had a birthday up
thar, or ruther kid from ole Virginny
had, an he's a green hand an lowed
we'd all got to drink luck to him. An
we done it, an then drunk luck to all
hands; so time we got aroun' the camp |
guess I'd more on board then | could
carry"
To Royal the conclusion admitted of
no doubt
"rd promised Mollie I'd come down
this week" the man went on, IAN twas
on my mind even whenst got drinkin'
with the fellows, an sort'r stuck by me,
for drunk as | was | started for home,
not wantin' to disapp'int her"
"Your sweetheart?'
"My wife"
Royal was walking beside the horse
with his hand on the rein.
"This will be bad job for her." he
observed gravely. "This sort of thing
comes harl on woman"
"We're IA good bit ahead, an own the