Obviously his duty was to go back and offer his help such as it was. If they were fighting, it would not be worth much, unless he could persuade a Mexican or two to stand still while he stabbed them with a lancet. With a sigh, Li turned Cochise in the direction of Casa Grande and applied an encouraging dig of the heel. Cochise, however, saw things differently. He had started for Athens. Athens was home and a good place at that. He saw no reason for going back just to please an ignoramus who didn't know how to ride and who would probably change his mind again before they had gone a mile. Consequently, when Li kicked, Cochise threw his head in the air and made crab-like motions with his legs. Li pulled and Cochise reared. Li, mindful of past instructions, loosed the reins and Cochise whirled. Li leaned over and patted the horse's neck and Cochise bucked. It was a nice exhibition of obstinacy on the part of both man and beast, and no one there but the moon to witness it. The buck, however, did the business. A bump and a rattle reminded Li Yow of his precious medical chest--absolutely unreplaceable--and with a frightened: "Whoa, thou son of evil, thou animal of ill omen!" he gave in; and Cochise, secure in his victory, settled down to a trot again. "Ah, well, a sensible man spends no time in weeping over the inevitable," meditated Li. "What is to be, will be. The young man with the injured leg is the gainer by thy obstinacy, oh, vile beast!" At daybreak a tired man and a stiff horse arrived at Athens. Mrs. Van Zandt saw them because she was up attending to Adams who was suffering. She hailed the Chinaman from her doorway, bathrobed and boudoir capped as she was. "Is that you, Marc Scott?" she called anxiously, as she recognized Cochise. "No, lady," replied Li, in his professional manner. "This not Mr. Scott, this Li Yow from Casa Grande. I come see sick boy," and he rolled off the horse. "Well, that's good, he needs you! Leave the horse and come in." Li complied and Cochise, released, started wearily for the corral. "See here," Mrs. Van Zandt led the way to the bedroom, "I guess you're pretty well used up, ain't you? I'm going to get you something to eat in a minute. Did you have a hard ride?" She had got a light and looked at him curiously. Li Yow did look very much used up. "I hurry a great lot," he said, simply. "I want go back but the horse he want come on." "What did you want to go back for?" "Fire. I see big fire at Casa Grande," replied the Chinaman, gravely. "I much afraid the bandits burn the house." Mrs. Van Zandt pulled him suddenly from the bedroom door. "Good land, man, don't let the boy hear you! He's half out of his head now. What do you mean? Has Casa Grande been raided?" Li nodded. "By Pachuca?"