“Oh, Master ’Opley, sir,” groaned the unfortunate man, “is it very bad?”
“Wait and hear what the doctor says, when he comes. I didn’t do it, did I?”
“No, sir; I was taking the gun to pieces, and she— Oh!”
“Bear up, man, bear up.”
“I’ll—I’ll never go poaching any more,” groaned Magglin, and his head fell back.
“Never with two arms, my lad,” said the keeper. “Poor fellow! my fezzans do tempt ’em. He’s fainted. Could you take the lantern, sir, and find your way to my cottage?”
“Yes,” I said eagerly; “what shall I do?”
“Open the corner cupboard, sir, and you’ll find a small flask on the top shelf—flask with a cup on it. Bring it, please. It’s brandy: drop’ll bring him round.”
I went off directly, saying a word to Lomax as I went, and returning pretty quickly with the spirit, which had the effect of reviving the sufferer.
Then we waited, till at the end of half an hour we heard voices, then saw lights, and the General, with Polly, the butler, two gardeners, and the groom, came up, the coachman having driven off to fetch the doctor; and the wounded man was carefully raised, placed on a rug, and carried off by four men, Hopley and the General following with the other prisoner, who could walk, while Lomax and we two boys went slowly back toward the school, talking about the exciting scene.