She walked on beside him, silent and submissive, interposing no objection to his plan. They found the tent very well equipped; he started to leave her there to her repose. She stood in the door with her hat in her hand, her hair in disorder, dust over her dress and shoes. "Could you send word to Smith by the stage this morning and ask him to bring my things--tent and everything--down here?" she asked. "Then you're not planning to go back there?" he asked, his heart jumping with hope. She shook her head, smiling wanly. "I can't bear the thought of it," said she. CHAPTER XX A SUDDEN CLOUD Dr. Slavens went back to his camp, concluding on the way that it would be wise to have a complete understanding with Governor Boyle in regard to taking further charge of his son's case. If, after three days allowed for infection to manifest itself, the wound remained healthy and clean, there would be little need of a doctor in constant attendance. Young Boyle would be able to express his preference in the matter then, and Slavens did not want to act as physician to him against his will. Governor Boyle was walking up and down like a sentry before the tent when Dr. Slavens came up. "He's asleep," said the father. "He seems to be pitifully weak for a man suffering from a fresh wound; he dropped off as if he had fainted." "When you consider that a bullet of that caliber, with the powder back of it that this one had, strikes somewhere around a ton," said the doctor, "it ceases to be a wonder that he is weak." "It's Heaven's mercy that spared him!" declared the Governor, his voice troubled with emotion. Slavens wondered at the deep affection which this man of so hard a repute could show for his son, and at the tie of tenderness which plainly bound them. But precedent is not wanting, as the doctor reflected, to establish the contention that some of the world's greatest oppressors have been good fathers, kind husbands, and tender guardians of the home. "Yes; Shanklin shot twice," said Slavens. "It was his second one that hit, after he had been mortally hurt himself." "It was the hand of Providence that turned his aim!" said the Governor. "The old one-eyed villain had the reputation of being the best shot in the Northwest. He provoked my son to draw on him, or tried to at least--for I can't believe that Jerry drew first--with the intention of putting him out of the way." "What do you propose to do about bringing another surgeon here?" asked Dr. Slavens. "Why, I hadn't given it any serious thought," answered Governor Boyle, looking at him quickly. "It would please me better to have you do so." "But I have entire confidence in your ability to handle the case, sir. Your conduct in the matter has been admirable, and I see no reason why you should not continue to attend my son until--the end, one way or the other."