The loss of blood, the sudden reaction after the long excitement, and the exhaustion of his ride have completely overcome him; and my opinion is that he is sound asleep.
"Jim, do you lead your master's horse, while the constable takes the other; and then you two had better ride on, and help Mrs.
Donald get things ready.

Get a bed up at once, for Captain Whitney; and get some clean straw in the outhouse, with one of the rugs over it, for the other." So saying, he touched the horse with the whip, and the cart moved slowly on, with Mrs.Barker riding beside it.

She would have gone on ahead, to have assisted in the preparations; but she expected, momentarily, to see Kate faint, and thought it better to remain with her, in case her assistance should be required.
The journey occupied some time, for Mr.Barker picked the way carefully, so as not to jolt the cart.

Mrs.Barker endeavoured to keep Kate's attention fixed, by asking her questions as to what she had heard about the expedition, wondering when it would return, and whether any of the settlers were hurt.

When they got within half a mile of home, she said: "I think, dear, you are looking a little better now.