"That would be a tolerably backhanded arrangement!" said the doctor.--"Young man, will you bring these horses into town for me--after I get them on their legs--to Judge Harrison's, or anywhere?--I must take care of this lady and see her safe." "Yes--I'll bring 'em into town," said Sam, "but Miss Faith's to be seen to first--if they don't get on their legs all night! _That_'ll be a work of time, I take it. Miss Faith--could you walk just a little way?--there's a house there, and maybe a wagon." "You don't understand me," said the doctor. "I asked if you would do me the favour to bring my horses into town. _I_ will take care of the lady." Sam considered a minute--not the doctor but things. "Miss Faith," he said, "I can run faster than you can walk, beyond all calculation. If you'll keep warm here, I'll run till I find a wagon--for if you don't ride and tell the story some one else will,--and then there's two people will be worse hurt than you are. You'd get home quickest so." Faith was about to speak but the doctor prevented her. "Then you refuse to take care of my horses?" he said. "I told you I would take care of the lady." "Bother the horses!" said Sam impatiently,--"who's to think about horses with Miss Faith here frightened to death? I'm ready to drive 'em all over creation, when I get ready, Dr. Harrison!" Faith in her turn interposed. "I would rather walk than wait, Dr. Harrison. If Sam knows some house near by, I would rather walk so far with him than wait for him to go and come again. We could send some one to help you then. Sam, you'll help Dr. Harrison get the horses up." So much Sam was willing to do, and the doctor with such grace as he might, accepted; that is, with no grace at all. The horses with some trouble and difficulty were raised to their feet, and found whole. The carriage was broken too much to be even drawn into town. Faith then set out with her escort. "How far is your house, Sam?" But Sam shook his head at that--the nearest one of any sort was a poor sort of a place, where they sometimes had a wagon standing and sometimes didn't. "But we can try, Miss Faith," he said in conclusion. Sam's arm was a strong one, and certainly if he could have induced his companion to lean her whole weight on it his satisfaction would have increased in proportion; as it was he gave her good help. And thus they had walked on, in the fading afternoon light, more than what to Faith was "just a little way," when the first house came in sight.