Someone was trying to crawl away as the big gate swung towards him. It was Mr. Hoffman. I could see him well, and just managed to pull his legs clear as it swung to. He didn't recognize me.
"You hurt, sir?" I asked him.
"Shot through the chest; get me into a corner. Is Sally safe?"
Miller was nowhere to be seen, and I couldn't make any of the Huan Min's bluejackets understand. They were too excited.
"Try and get hold of me; get hold of my coat."
He grabbed at my left side; I gave a yell with the pain of it. "Not that side; the other, sir," and he got his fingers into the slit of my other pocket and drew himself on his knees, spitting blood out of his mouth and coughing.
Supporting himself like that, and with the other hand on the ground, he managed to crawl back to the house and then rolled on his back.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm Ford of the Vigilant."
"Thank God you are safe! I'm dying. Bring Sally to me;" and he coughed again.