The doctor was mounted.
'Back, sir, back to our camp. The beach—drowned—Lotty is'——
Dr Wilson was off at the gallop. And such a gallop, for the good animal appeared to know that it was a case of death or life.
But Lotty—that was the last word he had heard—was a favourite with the doctor, as with every one who knew her. Oh, to think that she, in her beauty and youth, should be lying stark and wet and stiff upon the sands!
Neither whip nor spur needed Renegade, and a real shout went up from those on the beach as soon as the rider appeared.
He rushed into the crowd. It was only Mr Blake, and he felt relieved. But he was to do his duty, and had it been Biffins Lee himself, whom the surgeon neither respected nor loved, he would have done that duty faithfully and well.
'Back, men, back!' he cried.—'Biffins, keep your people away,' he added almost angrily, for he could see callousness in this gipsy's hang-dog face. 'We want air—air.—Mary, go at once and prepare the gentleman's bed. Heat blankets and boil water.—Lotty, my darling'—this was spoken most tenderly—'run and assist Mary.—Now, off with your warm coats, men; strip off the poor gentleman's things; roll him up and keep rubbing. I'll do the rest.'
In two minutes' time there was blood mantling in Antony's face and a gasping sigh. In a short time natural breathing recommenced, the pulse was beating, and slowly, though somewhat irregularly, the wheels of life were once more moving, and he was able to swallow.
Next morning, though hoarse and in a little pain, Antony was well enough to be up. He had been very bad during the night, however, and fat Mary had taken it in turns with the child Lotty to watch by his bedside all throughout the long, still hours.
Chops brought in his breakfast. Lotty, he told our hero, had gone to lie down, so he was a little anxious. But about twelve o'clock, lo! the little gipsy lass herself came tripping up the steps with a lapful of autumn wild-flowers. Then Antony thrust out both his great strong arms and pulled her right up and pressed her, flowers and all, to his heart.