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Rh and very near, I know, but my horse was like a lamb. I put such confidence in Rattler and in Tom."

"Tom has got a bad sprained ancle, or he would have brought his own bad news, sir," said Copeland.

"And the girl—the poor girl, is she hurt?" said Mr. Hammond. "She may be bruised, but nothing serious, sir; but, poor thing, she takes on terribly about her father, and she has no mother either, they tell me, and not a friend or acquaintance in the colony."

"We must see to her," said Mr. Hammond; "I'll ride across directly. Be good enough to tell Smith to saddle Harkaway for me as fast as possible, Copeland; let us not lose a moment."

"No, my dear; let Smith put the horse into the dog-cart; I am going with you," said Mrs. Hammond; "I'll not keep you back a minute, but I must go."

"Well," said Mr. Hammond to himself, as his wife left the room to prepare for the journey, "women are good creatures, though unreasonable sometimes. There is my wife, so cross and suspicious about my having anything to do with this man or his little girl, without knowing much about him; and now, when she hears he