e and must have hit him agen
a tree. The colt kem home with the saddle under his belly, and I run the
tracks back till I found him. Will you go out, Miss?"

"Yes," said Ellen, "I will go. And you hurry on now, and get the Doctor.
Tell the Doctor I've gone out there." Like an arrow from the bow the
young fellow sent his big thoroughbred horse across the paddocks, making
a bee line over fences and everything for Tarrong, while Ellen Harriott
hurried in to pack up a few things.

"Can I help you at all?" said Carew, following her into the house. I'd
like to be some use, don't you know; but in this country I seem to be so
dashed useless.

"You will be a lot of use if you will come out with me. I shall want
someone to drive the trap out, and I may want help with the patient. You
are big and strong.

"Yes, and it's about the first time my strength has even been of any use
to anybody. I will go and get the trap ready while you dress."

Hurriedly they packed food and blankets into the light buggy, and set
off. Miss Harriott knew the tracks well, and the buggy fairly flew along
till they came up the flat to Red Mick's. As they drew near the hut a
noise of talking and crying came through the open door.

"What's up now?" said Carew. "Crowd of people there."

"No"--Ellen Harriott listened for a second. "No," she said, "he is
delirious. That is the old woman crying. Hurry up, Mr. Carew--take the
horse out of the buggy and put him in the stable, and then come in as
quickly as you can. I may want help."

Leaving Carew to unharness the horse, she went inside. In the inner
roomy on a bunk, lay Red Mick. Eye, nose, forehead, and mouth were all
one unrecognisable lump, while fragments of bark and splinters still
stuck to the skin. In the corner sat the old mother, crying feebly.
Disregarding the old woman, Ellen made a swift examination of Mick's
injuries, but as soon as he felt her touch on his face he sprang to his
feet and struck at her.

Just as he did so, Carew rushed in and threw his arms round the madman.
In that grip even Red Mick had no power to move.

"Just hold him quiet," said Ellen, "till I have a look"--and she rapidly
ran her fingers over the wound. "Very bad. I think there must be a bit
of the skull pressing on the brain. We can't do much till the Doctor
comes. I think he will be quiet now. Will you make a fire and boil some
water, so that I can clean and dress the wound That will ease him a
little. And get the