Page:While the Billy Boils, 1913.djvu/91

 staff in general, 'is a better dog than I'm a man―or you too, it seems―and a better Christian. He's been a better mate to me than I ever was to any man―or any man to me. He's watched over me; kep' me from getting robbed many a time; fought for me; saved my life and took drunken kicks and curses for thanks―and forgave me. He's been a true, straight, honest, and faithful mate to me and I ain't going to desert him now. I ain't going to kick him out in the road with a broken leg. I―Oh, my God! my back!'

He groaned and lurched forward, but they caught him, slipped off the swag, and laid him on a bed.

Half an hour later the shearer was comfortably fixed up. 'Where's my dog?' he asked, when he came to himself.

'Oh, the dog's all right,' said the nurse, rather impatiently. 'Don't bother. The doctor's setting his leg out in the yard.'