“Can you get the ropes under him, Pearl, and tie ’em in a kind of cradle?” called Mrs. Nitschkan.

“Of course,” she answered, “if you and Jose will tell me how.”

Then, under their direction, she managed to bind the ropes securely about Seagreave, moaning and weeping herself at the pain she evidently caused him, although he did not so far recover consciousness as to realize what was happening to him.  When she had finished, she caught another swinging end of rope which they threw her and climbed up the cliff.  She took a moment or two to get her breath, and then slowly and with all the care possible under the circumstances, they drew Seagreave up.

“Dios!” cried Jose, panting, “it is well that you two are so strong, because we have yet to get him to the cabin.  Fortunately I, also, have great strength.”

After some discussion it was finally decided that Pearl was to hasten on ahead and build up the fires and heat water, while Mrs. Nitschkan and Jose carried Harry up the hill.

It was for them a slow and difficult progress, but the cabin was finally reached and the gypsy and Jose laid him on his bed, undressed him and examined his injuries.

Presently Mrs. Nitschkan came into the outer room, where Pearl cowered beside the fire, her hands over her face.  She caught imploringly at the other woman’s skirt.  “Oh, Nitschkan, what is it?  Will he live?  Tell me, tell me, quick.”

“Things might be better and they might be worse, but,” with rough good will, “you ain’t no call to wear mourning yet.  His back ain’t hurt serious, but his left leg and his right arm are both broken and he’s an awful lot cut and bruised, especially about the back and the head.  I can set a leg myself, as good as most, and many a one have I done, but those that I’ve set ’em for don’t always seem to have as good use of their limbs after as before.  So if you want him as good as new again, you’d better have a doctor.”

“Yes,” agreed Jose, who had come into the room.  “They are bad breaks.  I, too, can set a leg or an arm, but, as you say, Nitschkan, those for whom I have done it have usually been ungrateful enough not to use them right.”

Pearl staggered to her feet.  “I will go,” she said, “if you two will only stay here and look after him, while I am gone.  Oh dear Jose, promise me that you will not leave Nitschkan alone.  You can hide here in the cabin when you see me coming with the doctor.”

Jose’s fingers touched the little black bag in his pocket.  “Saints and devils!” he cried, expanding his chest, “only a dog would refuse you.  Of course I will stay.”

CHAPTER XVI

For the first few weeks after Harry’s accident Pearl’s consciousness of the external events in the world beyond the confines of the four walls of the cabin seemed obliterated.  She could never remember afterward whether the rain fell or the days were flooded with sunshine.  All of her energies and interests were absorbed in one issue—­his recovery.  Fortunately, his injuries proved more painful than dangerous, and were necessarily slow in the mending; but the nursing was arduous, and Pearl might have found it difficult indeed had it not been for the assistance of the two mountain women and Jose.