“The deacon has told me of his colonization scheme,” replied the doctor, smiling. “But I am afraid he will never see it carried out.”
“You are right, there. We are not going to let them stay in town any longer than it takes to get them out.”
“I do not believe you understand me, ’squire. The deacon took a sudden cold in the rain yesterday and is sick in bed threatened with pneumonia.”
As this was a bit of startling news to the spectators, one and all showed considerable concern.
“No business to have been fooling around with sich critters in the rain. He’d been all right if he’d gone right home,” declared the unfeeling ’squire.
“I can’t say about that, but he is a very sick man. There, I guess you will come out in good shape,” said the physician to Rob, as he placed a plaster over the cut the latter had received on his head.
“Thank you, sir. I come down to the town to see Deacon Cornhill,” said Rob. “I do not know what I shall do if he is sick.”
“He certainly cannot do anything for you now. Still, if you want to go up to his house you can ride with me. I am going right back as soon as I can go to the post office.”
Rob thanked the physician, who seemed like an honest man, and concluded to accept his offer. Chick and Ruddy he advised to go back to Break o’ Day. The crowd continued to scowl upon them, but the fact that Dr. Menter had spoken in their behalf kept any one, even ’Squire Hardy, from uttering any further threats against them at that time.
On the way to the home of Deacon Cornhill the doctor questioned Rob closely in regard to his situation, when our hero frankly explained the matter from the time he had met Mr. Cornhill in New York.