"I was thrown last night, and my ankle's broke."
She jumped off Brownie and was down among the ferns in a moment.
"My poor Alec! Oh, how sorry I am! I'll help you on the horse, an' Max will set the bone."
She raised him up and managed to put him on Brownie; then led the horse down hill to the mine.
Max set the bone and put the leg in splints, then drove the patient to the homestead, Annie following on Brownie. Alec was lifted out by David and Max. He was placed in a spare room at the back of the house.
CHAPTER VI
Mr. and Mrs. Coonie came up in their buggy, and were joined by Lanky Tim. He proposed that he should marry Annie at once. The nearest clergyman lived at Benalla.
"We give our consent," said Mrs. Coonie.