“Our cabin is in ruins, because of the storm, and Mr. Bodley is badly hurt,” answered Joe, and related some of the particulars.
“This is certainly too bad, my boy,” said the physician. “I'll come at once and do what I can for him.”
He ran for a case of instruments and also for some medicines, and then followed Joe back to the boat.
“You act as if you were tired,” said the doctor, after he had watched Joe at the oars for several minutes.
“I am tired, sir—I've been rowing a good deal to-day. But I guess I can make it.”
“Let me row,” said the physician, and took the oars. He was a fine oarsman, and the trip was made in half the time it would have taken Joe to cover the distance.
At the dock there was a lantern, used by Joe and the hermit when they went fishing at night. This was lit, and the two hurried up the trail to the wreck of the cabin.
Hiram Bodley was resting where Joe had left him. He was breathing with difficulty and did not at first recognize the doctor.
“Take it off!” he murmured. “Take it off! It is—is crushing th—the life out of—of me!”
“Mr. Bodley—Hiram, don't you know me?” asked Doctor Gardner, kindly.