"Some one must have shot him." Tom had taken up the pole and was just about to force the boat along when this announcement seemed to paralyse him, and he stood there thinking of what had taken place before.
"Why, Dick," he whispered, "isn't it very horrible ?" "Don't talk," cried his companion, entering the boat; "let's get home." The pole plashed in the water, which rippled against the bows, and once more they glided over the surface, just as the injured man uttered a low groan.
"We sha'n't be very long," said Dick, kneeling down and carefully feeling whether the kerchiefs he had bound round the leg were fulfilling their purpose.

"Are you in much pain ?" "Pain!" groaned the man.

"Hah! Give me some water." There was no vessel of any kind in the punt, and Dick had to scoop up some water in the hollow of his hand, and pour it between the injured man's lips, with the result that he became sufficiently refreshed to sit up a little and begin muttering.
Dick now took the pole, and it was Tom's turn to try and administer a little comfort in the shape of words as to the time that would elapse before they could reach the Toft; but the only result was to produce an angry snarl from their patient.
"How does he seem ?" Dick asked, as Tom went to his relief.
"Better not ask him." "Why not ?" "Perhaps he'll bite you.

He nearly did me.

I say, how much farther is it ?" "Take another quarter of an hour.