Bluff Crag | Page 7

up which the tide carried us.
[Illustration: FETCHING THE BOAT.]

"The hut where Dick's grandfather lived was a very poor one, built
mostly of turf, and thatched with rough bent or sea-grass. The
chimney-can was made with an old barrel, which stood the blast and
served better than an ordinary one would have done at such a stormy
part of the coast. One or two fishing-boats lay at the rough pier or jetty
old Dick had constructed, the men belonging to which were earnestly
engaged preparing their nets for going to sea that evening; while a
number of boys were busy sailing miniature boats in a small pool left
by the last tide. No sooner, however, did they hear the shouts of their
companions in our boat, than they left their sport, and hurried down to
lend a hand in pulling in the boat to a place of security.
"'Has grandfather come back from the town, Jack?' cried Dick to a
rough-looking boy, the tallest of them all, and who had carried his
model boat in his arms, instead of leaving it as the others had done
theirs.
"'No, he ha'n't,' replied Jack; 'and, what's more, it's likely he won't be
for some time either; for I hears Tom Brown saying to Tim that my
father would be late to-night, and I knows your grandfather is to keep
him company.'
"'Then what's to be done now, miss?' said Dick. 'I had been thinking
grandfather, who knows all about sores, seeing as he was boatswain's
mate aboard a man-o'-war, might have been able to put young master's
leg to rights.'
"'Oh no, Dick, that would never do,' said Vea; 'we must get him ashore
and laid in your grandfather's bed, and somebody had better run up to
tell aunt of the accident, and get her to send for the doctor at once.'
[Illustration: WILD DICK'S HOME.]
"While Natilie prepared the bed in the old fisherman's hut, Patrick was
being carried by the men who had been summoned from the boats. The
poor boy was still in a fainting state, and it was not till after he had
been laid on the bed that he opened his eyes and showed signs of
consciousness. 'Oh, where am I?' he uttered; but even this exertion was

too much for him, and he became insensible once more.
"'It's a bad break, this,' said one of the men to his fellow; 'I shouldn't
wonder, now, if he had to lose his leg altogether!'
"'Oh, please don't speak of it,' said Vea, her face becoming ghastly pale.
'Do look out again, Lily dear, and see if Alfred is coming with the
doctor.'
"Yes; there he was at last, running at a break-neck speed down the
steep and rocky bank to the beach, while the doctor was distinctly seen
high overhead on the regular path, coming very quickly too. Indeed,
though he had taken the longest road, and did not seem to hasten like
Alfred, he was only a few minutes behind him, and showed no signs of
heat and over-exertion.
"'Heyday, this is a pretty business,' said Dr. Blyth cheerily. 'What's this
you've been about, Miss Vea? breaking your brother's leg, eh?' All this
time he had been unrolling a case of formidable-looking instruments,
taking off his coat, and getting fresh water brought, and bandages
prepared with the help of Natilie. When these were ready, he turned to
look at his patient, and bidding every one leave the hut but the two
fishermen and Natilie, he shut the door against them himself, and
secured it firmly.
"'Oh, please, doctor, let me stay,' Vea had said pitifully. 'I'm sure
Patrick would like me to stay.'
"'I'm sure of that too,' said the doctor kindly; 'but you shall have plenty
of nursing by-and-by: don't be afraid, I mean to engage you as my chief
assistant. Meanwhile, my dear, trust me for knowing what is best for
you and for your brother, and take yourself off to the beach there.
Come, Miss Lily,' he continued, turning to me, 'you take your friend
down to the beach, and keep her there till I call you. Remember, you
are not to leave the rock there till I call you, Miss Vea.'
"'Oh dear, dear, it does seem hard,' said Vea, when we were seated
under the rook, 'to leave Patrick in the hands of strangers. And yet, Dr.

Blyth is such a good, kind man, I'm sure he won't give him unnecessary
pain.'
"'Would you like me to read a story to you, dear Vea?' I inquired,
opening a book I had brought out with me. 'It might help to pass the
time away.'
[Illustration: DOWN ON THE BEACH.]
"'Thank you, Lily,' said Vea; 'but I feel as if I couldn't listen to anything;
and