When he had staggered to within five hundred feet of the camp he was utterly exhausted, and fell insensible on the grass, where he remained inert and motionless for a quarter of an hour. Luckily, as he roused himself, he found a small rivulet flowing at his feet. In this he bathed his hands and face, and felt better.
But he could walk no farther; that he knew was impossible. He, however, suspected they were looking for him, and if they heard him would come to his assistance. His voice was powerless to reach them. There remained his rifle. Still seated on the ground, he loaded and fired three times in succession.
He had not long to wait before he saw his brother and nephews running towards him.
He was too weak to enter upon any explanations, but one nephew taking up the deer and the other their uncle, they at once made for the camp, where Mrs. Dickson and Diana anxiously awaited them.
When they saw the hunter they believed him dead.
Joshua had a great deal of difficulty in persuading them that he had only fainted, and was in no danger.
The Americans, especially the hunters and trappers, have great experience in wounds and bruises.
The sick man was at once carried to a covered waggon, placed upon a mattress, and stripped.
"Heavens!" cried Joshua, as he examined the numerous black bruises, "Poor Samuel has indeed had a bad fall. I wonder he was not killed outright."
"Fortunate nothing is broken," said the eldest son.