"Yes, my dear. That poor wretch out there is going fast. He recovered consciousness about two hours ago. The constable was sitting up with him. He asked for water, and then lay for some time, quite quiet.
"Then he said, 'Am I dreaming, or was it Reuben Whitney I fought with?'
"'Yes, it was Captain Reuben Whitney, our inspector,' the constable replied.
"For a time he lay quiet again, and then said: 'I want to see him.'
"The constable told him he was asleep, and couldn't be woke.
"'Is he badly wounded?' the man asked. 'I know I hit him.'
"'Not very badly, I hope,' the constable answered.
"'When he wakes ask him to come to me,' the man said. 'I know I am dying, but I want to see him first. If he can't come, let somebody else come.'
"The constable came in and roused the doctor, who went out and saw him, and said he might live three or four hours yet.
"Soon afterwards, just as the sun rose, Jim came out, to say that his master was awake. Mr. Ruskin went in to him and examined his wound, and probed the course of the bullet. It had lodged down just at the bottom of the shoulder bone. I am glad to say he was able to get it out. When he had done, he told his patient what the bush ranger had said; and Captain Whitney insisted upon going out to him."