[Illustration of Sam and his Patient.] Thus far Sam was perfectly self-possessed. He went about his preparations with an air that imposed upon the patient. But the difficulty was to come. Things which look easy often are found difficult when attempted. When Sam began to wield the doctor's instruments he did so awkwardly. He lacked that delicacy of touch which can only be acquired by practice, and the result was tragical. The knife slipped, inflicting a deep gash, and causing a quick flow of blood. "Oh, murder, I'm kilt!" exclaimed the terrified patient, bounding to his feet, and rushing frantically round the room. "I'm bladin' to death." Sam was almost equally frightened. He stood, with the knife in his hand, panic-stricken. "I'll have you up for murder, I will!" shouted Mr. Dennis O'Brien, clutching the wounded member. "Oh, why did I ever come to a boy doctor? Oh, whirra, whirra!" "I didn't mean to do it," said Sam, frightened. "You'll be hanged for killin' me, bad 'cess to you. Go for a doctor, quick." Almost out of his wits Sam was about to obey, when as he opened the door he confronted his employer. Under ordinary circumstances he would have been sorry to have him come in so soon. Now he was glad. "What's the meaning of all this?" asked Dr. Graham, surveying with astonishment the Irishman prancing around the office, and Sam's scared face. "He's kilt me, doctor," said Dennis, groaning. "He? Who?" "The young doctor, shure." "Who's he?" "That's the one," said Mr. O'Brien, pointing to Sam. "He's cut my toe off, and I'm bladin' to death." "What does this mean, Sam?" said the doctor, sternly. "He was in a hurry," stammered Sam, "and I didn't want him to go away, so I thought I'd try to cure him, but the knife slipped, and--" "I'll attend to your case afterwards. Sit down, sir." "Will I die?" asked Dennis, lugubriously. "No danger, now. You might, if I hadn't come just as I did." Matters were soon remedied, and Dennis went away relieved, well satisfied because the doctor declined, under the circumstances, to receive any fee. "Now, Sam," said the doctor, after he had gone, "what do you mean by such work as this?" "I thought I could do it," said Sam, abashed. "I ought to turn you away for this." "It was only a mistake," said Sam. "It came near being a very serious mistake. What would you have done if I had not come just as I did?" "I don't know," said Sam. "Never touch my instruments again. If you do I shall discharge you at once; that is, after giving you a sound flogging." Sam felt that he had got off easily, and determined not to set up again as doctor on his own account. CHAPTER XXIII. SAM FALLS INTO BAD COMPANY.