The woodman approached the bed-side, and, observing the faint breathing which gently heaved her chest, he seemed comforted.
"Whar's the wound?" asked he, in a melancholy tone.
"In her side," replied Emily; "the bullet seems to have penetrated the region below the heart."
"Poor gal! I'm feered it's all up with her. She has been a good woman to me."
"I am afraid my visit to your house will prove a sad day to you, even if she recovers," said Emily, in a sad tone.
"No, stranger, no! Suke would have died any day to save a neighbor from misery;" and the woodman's eyes filled with tears at the remembrance of his humble companion's virtues.
"But let us hope for the best. Is there a physician in the vicinity?"
"Ay, stranger, there is one that sometimes helps the poor folks about here."
"Then, Hatchie, you can go for him."
"Stop a little! The doctor is an oncommon strange man, and lives on an island down the bend."