Mr Raydon took another turn or two up and down the room.
“Mrs Dean,” he said, “I can do nothing more for your patient. No doctor could; time is the only thing. I’ll come back as soon as I can. Meantime my sister will come to you, and you can have either of my men’s wives to assist you in nursing. They are Indians, but well trained in that way. Do your best.”
“Mother always does,” growled Esau.
Mr Raydon gave him a sharp look, but Esau did not flinch.
“Look here, you two,” said Mr Raydon, after a pause. “I am going to send two more of my men away, for the fellows in that gang are not going to beat me. The law-and-order party must and shall prevail. This will weaken my little garrison, so you two will have to mount rifles, and take the places of two of my absent men.”
“Yes, sir,” I said, eagerly. “I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you. Now, Esau Dean, what do you say?”
“Course I shall do as he does. I’m ready.”
“No, no, Esau, my boy. Your feet, your feet,” cried Mrs Dean.
“Do be quiet, mother. There you go with the spoon again. Fellow don’t shoot off a rifle with his foot.”