“Perhaps you have not heard who this fellow is, doctor,” said the ’squire, determined to follow up his side of the question. “He belongs to a herd of cattle the demented Deacon Cornhill brought into our midst yesterday from the slums of New York.” “The deacon has told me of his colonization scheme,” replied the doctor, smiling. “But I am afraid he will never see it carried out.” “You are right, there. We are not going to let them stay in town any longer than it takes to get them out.” “I do not believe you understand me, ’squire. The deacon took a sudden cold in the rain yesterday and is sick in bed threatened with pneumonia.” As this was a bit of startling news to the spectators, one and all showed considerable concern. “No business to have been fooling around with sich critters in the rain. He’d been all right if he’d gone right home,” declared the unfeeling ’squire. “I can’t say about that, but he is a very sick man. There, I guess you will come out in good shape,” said the physician to Rob, as he placed a plaster over the cut the latter had received on his head. “Thank you, sir. I come down to the town to see Deacon Cornhill,” said Rob. “I do not know what I shall do if he is sick.” “He certainly cannot do anything for you now. Still, if you want to go up to his house you can ride with me. I am going right back as soon as I can go to the post office.” Rob thanked the physician, who seemed like an honest man, and concluded to accept his offer. Chick and Ruddy he advised to go back to Break o’ Day. The crowd continued to scowl upon them, but the fact that Dr. Menter had spoken in their behalf kept any one, even ’Squire Hardy, from uttering any further threats against them at that time. On the way to the home of Deacon Cornhill the doctor questioned Rob closely in regard to his situation, when our hero frankly explained the matter from the time he had met Mr. Cornhill in New York. “I am afraid you can’t do much,” said Dr. Menter, frankly, as Rob concluded. “You do not seem to have anything to work with. Besides, I should judge that you must all have a very slight idea of getting a living in the country. You say you want to cultivate the land at Break o’ Day. What do you know about taking care of crops?” Rob had to confess that he and his associates knew nothing. In fact, he realized more than he had ever before the peculiar helplessness of himself and companions. “The best thing you can do is to go back to the city,” said the doctor. “We haven’t the money to do it,” acknowledged Rob. “All together, we cannot raise a dime.” The doctor whistled. “How do you think you are going to live here? Had the deacon promised you any money?” “No, sir; but he thought we could get work. We are willing to try our best.”