The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-12-10


q depression in the roadway where
the recent rains had flooded the wa
gon track. AS the ground slowly
drained deep ruts had formed, ruts
that dried and hardened.
Into one of these front wheel
sank. The driver made a quick turn,
the car swerved and went into the
ditch.
The ground was soft and the ma
chine came to sudden stop. Three
human forms were flung from the
seats and fell sprawling on the slop-
ping turf.
For moment or two there was
silence. 1t was broken by twitter-
ing bird on branch above the
stranded car. The breeze softly
stirred the leaves.
Then boy came down the road
way. He stopped short and stared
at the wreckage. Then he plunged
down the incline
A moment later he whistled shrilly
once, twice, thrice. He ran back
to the roadway. He whistIed again.
Around the bend girl came run
ming, bareheaded, her curls flying.
What is it, Arlie?" she cried.
The boy pointed down.
''Three men hurt, sis" he gasped.
They looked like they're dead
She leaped down the bank and
dropped to her knees beside the first
man.
"Tom," the man moaned. Tom .
The girl arose and ran to the sec
ond man.
"Arlie," she called over her shout
der, "get pail of water-and the
walnut box in the parlor cupboard
and sheet from the press in the hall.
Quick!"
The boy disappeared around the
bend, and the girl darted to the third
man.
In moment the boy was back.
They're all alive, Arlie," said the
girl. This one is hurt the worst, /
think. Bring the water. Now raise
his head. Don't be afraid"
The girl worked swiftly. The
bruised and bleeding forehead was
bathed, a strip of plaster from the
walnut box was affixed and bandage
torn from the sheet deftly bound the
wound. The water revived the man.
rs that you, Jim?" he thickly NUT
tered.
Quiet" said the girl. Put his
head down, Arlie. Now this one"
AS they approached the second man
a weak voice hailed them.
"Hullo," he said. What's going
on?"
The third man was sitting up star
Ing at them.
Hush" said the girl warningly.
She was on her knees beside the
second man, pushing back his thick
gray hair and staring into his half
closed eyes.
What's the matter with Jim?"
said the third man stupidity.
The girl dashed little water into
the second mans face. His eyelids
fiuttered. He gave little gasp.
''Let me up" he muttered. Where
are the boys? Is somebody hurt?"
He tried to raise himself, but the
girl quietly but firmly put him back.
Lie still for little longer" she
said. "Give him drink, Arlie, but
don't let him get up.
She crossed to the third man. He
was blinking as he stared up at her.
Angel of mercy" he murmured,
"fiitting about meath the greenwood
tree. Where's Robin Hood, sweet
LADY,"
The girl stood before him studying
him with her keen black eyes.
Come" she said, ''let me see you
stand up"
Anything to oblige," the man re-
piled. The girl gave him her hand
and he tried to arise.
Wow" he cried, and he dropped
back. Something gone wrong with
that right ankle"
The girl was down in moment
studying the hurt.
ITS sprain," she said. "You
twisted 1t when you fell. I'll put it
in hot water when we get to the
house."
The mans head was rapidly clear
ing. He stared about him. His face
paled.
Are they much hurt?" he gasped.
II think not" the girl hurriedly
answered. THE man there has hurt
his head. The other man seems to
be suffering from the shock"
Have you sent for help?"
"The nearest help is five miles
away"
A groan from the man with the
bandaged head drew her away.
How are the others?" the man