Then turning to the gaping men, she said: 

“Raise him gently, and lay him in the barouche.  Stop a moment!—­I will get in first and arrange the cushions for him.”

And with that she tenderly laid the boy’s head back upon the ground, and entered the carriage, and with her own hands took all the cushions from the tops of the seats, and arranged them so as to make a level bed for the hurt boy.  Then she placed herself in the back seat, and, as they lifted him into the carriage, she took his head and shoulders and supported them upon her lap.

But Ishmael had fainted from the pain of being moved.  And oh! what a mangled form he seemed, as she held him in her arms upon her bosom, while his broken limbs lay out upon the pile of cushions.

“One of you two now take the horses by the head, and lead them slowly, by the river road, towards Tanglewood House.  It is the longest road, but the smoothest,” said Miss Merlin.

Two of the men started to obey this order, saying that it might take more than one to manage the horses if they should grow restive again.

“That is very true; besides, you can relieve each other in leading the horses.  And now one of the others must run directly to the house of the Overseer Gray, and tell him what has happened, and direct him to ride off immediately to Shelton and fetch Dr. Jarvis to Tanglewood.”

All three of the remaining men started off zealously upon this errand.  Meanwhile Sam, the craven coachman, came up with a crestfallen air to the side of the carriage, whimpering: 

“Miss Claudia, I hope nobody was dangerous hurt?”

“Nobody dangerously hurt?  Ishmael Worth is killed for aught I know!  Keep out of my way, you cowardly villain!” exclaimed Claudia angrily, for you know the heiress was no angel.

“’Deed and ’deed, Miss Claudia, I didn’t know what I was a-doing of no more than the dead when I jumped out’n the b’rouche!  ’Clare to my Marster in heben I didn’t!” whined Sam.

“Perhaps not; but keep out of my way!” repeated Claudia, with her eyes kindling. .

“But please, miss, mayn’t I drive you home now?”

“What? after nearly breaking my neck, which was saved only at the cost of this poor boy’s life, perhaps?”

“Please, Miss Claudia, I’ll be careful another time—­”

“Careful of your own life!”

“Please, miss, let me drive you home this once.”

“Not to save your soul!”

“But what’ll ole Marse say?” cried Sam, in utter dismay.

“That is your affair.  I advise you to keep out of his way also!  Begone from my sight!  Go on, men!” finally ordered Miss Merlin.

Sam, more ashamed of himself than ever, slunk away.

And the fishermen started to lead the horses and carriage towards
Tanglewood.

Meanwhile the messengers dispatched by Claudia hurried on towards Reuben Gray’s cottage.  But before they got in sight of the house they came full upon Reuben, who was mounted on his white cob, and riding as if for a wager.