"Put him on the couch," said Mrs. Thornton, as the injured one was carried into the living room. "Then we'll bathe his head. I guess you'd better telephone for the doctor, anyhow, Richfield. We may need him."
"I will if the wires aren't down," replied the ranchman; "but I hardly expect that they stood that blow." They had not, as was proved when he tried to get Central, for his ranch, as well as that of several of his neighbors, was connected with the town by a telephone.
"One of the men will have to ride in," he said, as he hung up the useless receiver. "Archie, I guess you'd better go. Tell the Doc. to come right out if he can. I don't want to be mean, or inhospitable, but I don't want this fellow at my place any longer than I can help. I don't like his kind, especially after what he's tried to do to me, and the sooner he can be moved the better I'll like it. So go get the medicine man, Archie. And tell Matt to see what he can do toward rigging a temporary roof on the shed. Now that we've had one cyclone there oughtn't to be any more right away."
"Anything we can do?" asked Frank, anxious to help.
"No, I guess not, except you boys might stay around here, and if Shackmiller comes to, sort of be on the watch. He may get delirious. I've got to see to things outside."
By this time Mrs. Thornton, who was a good nurse, had bathed the injured man's head and bound it up. He was breathing heavily, and was still unconscious. Then, as household matters needed her attention, she went out, leaving the three boys in charge.
"Well, say, things are certainly happening with a rush," remarked Frank, as he looked at the figure on the couch.
"They generally do, once they start with us," commented Andy. "It's been this way ever since I can remember."
"Then I'm glad you came out here," spoke Billy. "Not that I want cyclones, and the appearance of our enemies, to happen every day of the week, but I like some excitement. I'm glad I tied up to you fellows."
"Hush! He's coming to!" suddenly exclaimed Frank, as he saw the man's eyes open.