Presently she heard the sound of oars, then a boat grounded, and a moment later the man came up the path, carefully carrying something in a basket which he presented to Mary.
"It is a bottle of ginger posset which Mrs.Burton has sent over for Mr.Selincourt.

She says you must give him a teacupful as soon as he wakes, and you ought to make him swallow it even if he objects, as there is quinine in it, which may ward off swamp fever," the man said, with the air of one repeating a lesson.
"Mrs.Burton is very kind," said Mary, as she took basket and bottle.

"But did you see Miss Radford, and why should there be danger of swamp fever for my father ?" "Miss Radford had got a party of Indians in the store that were taking all her time to manage," replied the man.

"Indeed, I had to chip in and help her a bit myself, for while she showed one lot scarlet flannel and coloured calicoes, the other lot were trying to help themselves to beans, tobacco, and that sort of thing.

But by the time I had punched the heads of three men, and slapped two squaws in the face, they seemed to sort of understand that good manners paid best, and acted according; then matters began to move quicker." Mary clasped her hands in an agony of impatience.