"When the little villains started around the mountain I follered, as the boy an' me had agreed on; but after a two-hour's tramp I fell into a hole, an' reckon my leg is broke."
"I don't see any hole," Joe said, as he looked about him.
"It happened a long bit back. I didn't want to break up the game by lettin' Fred know what was wrong, an' so tried to crawl toward the vein, thinkin' if folks were sent out to look for the money they'd find me; but this is as far as I could get. It would 'a been a case of starvin' if you hadn't come along."
"If you're hungry I can fix that part of it all right," and Joe produced the package of provisions. "Have a good time with this while I take a look at the leg."
Only the most superficial examination was necessary. The broken bones could be plainly felt, and the limb was so swollen that it seemed essential, that the boot and trousers should be cut from it.
"I don't see my way clear in this job," Joe exclaimed, as he removed the garments. "It ain't safe to leave you here alone, an' yet help must be had to carry you to Farley's."
"Now that I've got a mouthful I can lay here a few hours longer. Go on, I'll keep till you get back."
"If there was some water near by I could tie you up more comfortable like."
"Never mind that, but leave at once, so to be the sooner here."
Joe hesitated no longer, but set off across the mountain at a speed which brought him to Farley's in less than half an hour.