Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/214

188 not finish, but fell unconscious at the feet of Jan.

He tried to raise her, but in his own weakened condition found it impossible, and concluded that the best thing to do was to go back at once for the doctor. Pieter de Witt, exhausted but indefatigable still in the cause  of his friends, hurried back with him at once. Together they succeeded in raising her and getting her back to bed, but they failed utterly in restoring her to consciousness. Dr. de Witt shook his head many times over the black prospect.

“This shock has caused a sudden relapse—and no wonder!” he said. “I sadly fear that the end is not now far away. Thou wilt have to be her attendant now, Jan. For the  sake of the children do thy best, and I will  help thee!”

“There is one more possibility that we have not tried,” said Jan. “We did not go  to the burgomaster’s. Can it be possible that another message came while I was