'I have never known him do so in a serious case,' answered Nix. 'He has even attended Abe Dalton and pulled him through a severe illness. If he attended Dalton surely he will come to you.'
'I tell you it is useless,' persisted Shaw. 'There are matters you know nothing of that will prevent his coming.'
Rodney Shaw, however, knew it would not be long before someone else came, the man he dreaded most to see—Jim Dennis. He wished the shot he had aimed at him had taken effect, then he would have been well rid of him.
He knew when Jim Dennis heard the truth nothing would keep him from Cudgegong. If it had not been for his wound he would have been well on his way to Sydney, and might have escaped. He made an effort to rise, but fell back exhausted. He felt it would be better to risk everything rather than face this angry, wronged man. He called Nix and said,—
'If Jim Dennis calls tell him I am too ill to see him.'
'I will,' was the reply; but Nix thought to himself, 'If Jim Dennis wishes to see you no one can stop him after what you have done.' He meant the abduction of Sal; he did not know of Rodney Shaw's greater sin.
When Jim Dennis arrived at Cudgegong he got off his horse and strode into the house.
Benjamin Nix barred the way, and asked,—
'Do you wish to see Mr Shaw? If so, he is too ill; it would be dangerous to disturb him.'
Jim Dennis laughed.