“Yes, father,” cried the boy; and he cantered off, obtained the bandage and sack, and was back in less than an hour, to find that Leather had, under the doctor’s directions, cut some pieces of wood from a tree, and with these for splints the doctor cleverly bandaged the broken leg.
“There, Nic,” he said, “I should not do that in a regular way, but this is a very valuable sheep, brought out to me by one of the last ships. Now one of you cut a good stout pole, say twelve feet long.”
Brookes looked at Leather, who caught up the axe and ran off.
While he was gone the doctor opened a part of the bottom of the sack, and cut four slits in the side; and this being done, Nic looked on in surprise while the sack was drawn over the struggling sheep’s head, its head pulled out of the bottom, and the legs put through the four slits.
“Now gather the sack together so that the poor brute cannot struggle out, Brookes,” said the doctor; and this was easily effected, as the animal was upon its side.
Then the doctor made holes and laced up the mouth of the sack securely, all but a few inches; and by this time Leather was back with a stout, neatly trimmed pole.
“Do you see what I mean?” said the doctor.
“Yes, sir,” replied the convict, and he slipped the pole through the sack above the sheep’s back, leaving about four feet out at each end.
“Now, Brookes, take the other end,” said the doctor; “lift together, and get the pole on your shoulders, both of you.”
“What, and carry that lame sheep home?” said Brookes.