"Oh, yes!" he said reminiscently. "I remember. I felt it slip in and tried to draw it back but it got away." After a moment's pause he added: "I am afraid it has played hob with the cylinder and concave. Have you taken a look, Ned?"
"You Lawrie!" cried Ned, smiling at the game fellow. "It's the man first here, you know. How are you feeling?"
"O.K., Ned, though by gum I seem to have taken the count."
Recovering he rose on his elbow and looked around curiously. The gang were gathered about him, a circle of solemn faces. Giving a little laugh he said naïvely:
"What's got your goat, pals?"
"Shure 'tis the lucky, quare divil ye are," said Murphy, "till be dead wan minute and assistin' at your own post mortin the nixt."
A hearty laugh passed round the circle relieving the tension. No more was said, but Lawrie understood the grip of Ned's strong hand.
"We must fix that cut, Lawrie," said he, looking helplessly about. "This dirt will never do."
The moment the girls realized the accident they had dismounted and assumed the official duties of Red Cross first aid. Mary McClure smiled at Ned's words. She had already arrived at a solution. Rising from her place beside Lawrie she spoke.
"Ned," said she curiously, "have you a knife?"