at ailed Lizzie and Sue, those being the names of the two sick
children. They were able to make but little out of her description of
the children's condition.

The sick ones were babbling when Grace and Miss Briggs entered the room.
Elfreda sniffed the air.

"I smell fever. Open the windows, Mrs. Thompson. You must have air in
this room."

Julie, her face wearing a frightened look, sat regarding the children,
both of whom were delirious. A look of relief flashed into her eyes as
Grace and Miss Briggs entered and Elfreda stepped directly to the bed on
which both children lay. She felt the pulse of each, looked into their
mouths, and listened to their breathing.

[Illustration: "High Fever?" Murmured Grace.]

"High fever?" murmured Grace questioningly.

"Yes. Very high. I wish I had a clinical thermometer. Make her throw
those windows open as far as they will go, and, if that doesn't give
enough air, open the door."

The entire family lived, ate and slept in the one room of the cabin, and
the air, normally bad enough, was infinitely worse now.

"How long have they been this way, Mrs. Thompson?" questioned Elfreda.

"They was took that-away t'-night. They ain't been right smart fer some
little time."

Miss Briggs and Grace consulted aside. At the conclusion of their
consultation, carried on in low tones, Elfreda turned to the mountain
woman.

"These children must have a doctor without delay, Mrs. Thompson. Where
is the nearest doctor to be found?"

The woman said the nearest one was at Holcomb Court House.

"We passed through there on our way here, did we not?" asked Elfreda.

"Yes," replied Grace. "It must be twenty miles or so from here. Have you
any one that you can send there for the doctor?"

Mrs. Thompson shook her head.

"Mah man's gone awa' an' won't be back till t'-morrow. Ain't no one else
that Ah knows 'bout."

"Do you think it would be safe to wait until morning, Elfreda?" asked
Grace.

"No. The little one's heart is not acting right. We must have treatment
for her as soon as possible."

"Very well. I will hurry back to camp. Hippy must go after the doctor,
though I really hate to ask him. What do you think is the matter with
them?" nodding toward the bed.

"Frankly, I don't know. I do know that they are very sick children."

"Poor Hippy," murmured Grace, a faint smile on her face, as she hurried
from the mountain cabin and started at a run towards the Overland
Riders' camp.