“I’m much obliged to you,” said Jerry. “But I must cross that stream. A lady back there,” pointing in the direction he had come, “is dying. I’m after the doctor.”
“That’s bad,” said the man. “But I don’t see how you’re going to do it.”
“Is the missing span of the bridge too wide for me to jump across?” asked Jerry, a sudden idea coming into his head.
“It’s fifteen feet,” replied the man. “That’s too much for you I reckon. And if you didn’t make it you’d be killed, for the current is very swift, and the creek is full of rocks.”
“Can’t we get planks and bridge the gap?” asked the boy in desperation. “Something must be done.”
“I’m on my way to get men to mend the break now,” the man said. “But it will take some time.”
“Isn’t there another bridge near here?”
“Not one within five miles either way,” was the answer. “I’m very sorry, my boy. Is the sick woman any relation of yours?”
“No, her husband stopped me as I was riding past the house with my two chums, and begged us to hurry after a doctor.”