"Your father rides well, Elthorne," said Sir Cheltnam. "Capital seat for so heavy a man." "Hasn't followed hounds thirty years for nothing," replied Alison. "I say," he shouted; "better take that lower down." For, reversing the baronet's process, Mr Elthorne directed his course straight for the fence, and was apparently about to take it at rather an awkward spot. "He can't hear you, man," said Sir Cheltnam; "but he knows what he is about. Ah, here is your sister. I say, keep that Beck along with you this morning: he monopolised her entirely the other day." Alison did not heed his words, but started forward with a cry, just as Neil and Beck also made a rush for the spot. Only a few minutes before, The Don had risen and cleared the fence with the greatest ease. This time, possibly from some bad management on the part of his rider, he rushed at it so clumsily that horse and man came down together with a crash; and as Neil, who was nearest, dashed forward, he could see that his father was beneath the horse, which was plunging violently in its attempts to rise, and fell back twice, crushing his rider, before he could regain his feet. CHAPTER FIVE. NEED OF A SURGEON. As Neil Elthorne reached the spot where his father had fallen, the horse dashed off at full gallop across the park, followed by one of the grooms, who saw in it something of far greater consequence than his master, who lay perfectly motionless upon the grass. "Any bones broken?" cried Sir Cheltnam. "Only a bit of a spill. Here, someone go for a doctor." No one heeded his words; but Alison and Beck watched Neil curiously as he was down on one knee making a hasty examination of the injured man. "Oh, papa, papa!" cried Isabel. "Neil, Neil, is he dead?" "Hush, my dear, be quiet." "Hadn't you better send for a doctor?" cried Sir Cheltnam. "Nasty thing for a horse to roll across a man." "Be good enough to be silent, sir," said Neil sharply. "Alison, make two of the men lift one of the light iron gates off its hinges. Isabel, my child, be a woman. Run to the house and make them bring down a mattress to lay upon the gate, and tell Aunt Anne to bring the brandy, some water, and a glass." "But, Neil, dear--" "Don't stop to question. I know nothing yet." "But hadn't you better send a groom at once for a doctor?" "Confound it all, sir!" cried Beck in a low voice, "can't you see that Mr Elthorne is in a skillful surgeon's hands?" Sir Cheltnam gave him an angry look, and turned his back, while Beck, in the matter of fact, cool fashion of a sailor in a time of emergency, bent down over Neil. "Can I help you?" he said quietly. "Eh? Thanks, no. I can do nothing till I get him to bed. Poor old dad!" he muttered to himself. "I little thought I was coming for this."