Constable Doonan had seldom seen Dr Tom so much in earnest, and he was almost sorry he had mentioned Jim Dennis in connection with the gang, for he knew that he had roused the worthy man.
'Shall I go with you to-morrow, doctor?' he asked.
'No. You would do harm, not good. A constable at Barker's Creek is like a red rag to a bull. They would rush you, Fred, my lad—rush you.'
CHAPTER X
A FRIGHTENED SCOUNDREL
Barker's Creek was several miles from Swamp Creek, and next morning Dr Tom's black boy, aged about forty, and looking ten years older, hitched the ill-groomed horses to the worse-kept buggy.
It was indeed a remarkable turnout, and so the doctor thought as he examined the 'joins' of the harness to see if it would hold out.
The black boy contemplated the whole thing with ludicrous pride, evidently under the impression he had done his duty by both horses and buggy.
The doctor stowed his bag under the seat, together with a suspicious-looking flask, and clambered into the buggy. His weight caused it to heave over in an alarming manner, and when the start took place Dr Tom appeared to be in danger of being hurled from his seat.
He drove slowly, and it was well on towards noon when he arrived at Barker's Creek, and looked around him with an air of disgust.