“I guess I can do that job better,” interposed Simmons, who had let go of the car.  “Let me have the boy.”

Dick was borne up to the road in the deputy’s strong arms.

“Can you stand?” asked Simmons.

“Put me on my feet, sir, and let me see,” begged Dick.

He took a few steps, wincing, his face white.

“Dick, old fellow,” faltered Dave, “I’m afraid you’ve broken a leg.”

“No; or I couldn’t stand on my legs and walk,” Prescott replied.  “It hurts up here, where the side of the car rested.”

He placed one hand on his right hip.

“Then your hip is broken,” groaned Darry.

“I don’t believe that, either,” argued Dick.  “If my hip were broken I don’t believe I could move my leg or step.”

He took two or three steps, wincing painfully, to show what he could do.

“Nothing but a hip bruise, or I’m guessing wrong,” smiled the white-faced sufferer.

“In any case, you’re meat for a doctor,” put in Deputy Simmons, with rough sympathy.

“All right,” replied Dick.  “I’ll walk to the doctor’s office.  How many miles is it?”

“About fourteen,” replied Simmons.  “I’ll bring the doctor to you.  It’s only about six miles to Ross’ farm.  I’ll borrow his car.  Then I can make good time getting the doctor and bringing him here.  But you’d better sit down before I start.”

“Aren’t you going to do anything with the car in the creek?” inquired Prescott.

“What can we do?” demanded the deputy laconically.  “There isn’t muscle enough in this crowd to hoist the car up the bank.  Anyway, her engine is damaged beyond a doubt.  No, no, Prescott, you sit down, or lie down, and the rest of you had better wait here until I bring help.  I can be back in three hours at the latest.  Darrin, will you place one of the lamps at either end of where the bridge was?  That may save some farmer from driving in on top of the car.”

Dave complied willingly enough.  Then Simmons turned to Prescott.

“Now, you sit down, young man,” ordered the deputy.

“I’d rather not,” Dick replied.  “I haven’t anything worse than a bruise.  If I keep too quiet the injury will stiffen all the more.  I must move my hip a bit, or I may be in for a worse time.”

“That may be true,” nodded the deputy thoughtfully.  “Well, be good, all of you.  I’ll be back again, as soon as possible.”

With that he strode down into the creek, wading through and coming out at the farther side.  Then he was lost among the shadows.

Though it hurt to keep on his feet, Dick, after some minutes, found that he could move about a little more freely, despite the pain.

“That shows there are no bones broken,” he assured his distressed chums.

“Does it?” asked Darrin.  “Hang it, I wish I knew more about injuries of this sort.  Then I might be able to help you.”