Then a cold wind seemed to blow from the glacier above and killed all the
summer. A man whispered to me: "We found him at the bottom of the ravine
yonder. He'd fallen over, I suppose."
I felt his heart. "He is not dead, thank God!" I said.
"No, sir," said the other, "but he's all smashed." They brought him in
and laid him on his bed. I sent one of the party for the doctor at
Viking, and myself set to work, with what appliances I had, to deal with
the dreadful injuries. When the doctor came, together we made him into
the semblance of a man again. His face was but slightly injured, though
his head had received severe hurts. I think that I alone saw the marks on
his throat; and I hid them. I guessed the cause, but held my peace.
I had sent round at once to James Devlin (but asked him not to come till
morning), and also to Mrs. Falchion; but I begged her not to come at all.
I might have spared her that; for, as I afterwards knew, she had no
intention of coming. She had learned of the accident on her way to
Viking, and had turned back; but only to wait and know the worst or the
best.
About midnight I was left alone with Roscoe.
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