Oftheconvicts,thedangerswhichmenacedGraniteHouse,theruinswithwhichtheplateauwascovered,thecoloniststhoughtnolonger.Herbert’scriticalstateoutweighedallotherconsiderations.Wouldtheremovalprovefataltohimbycausingsomeinternalinjury?Thereportercouldnotaffirmit,butheandhiscompanionsalmostdespairedoftheresult.Thecartwasbroughttothebendoftheriver.Theresomebranches,disposedasaliner,receivedthemattressonwhichlaytheunconsciousHerbert.Tenminutesafter,CyrusHarding,Spilett,andPencroftwereatthefootofthecliff,leavingNebtotakethecartontotheplateauofProspectHeights.Theliftwasputinmotion,andHerbertwassoonstretchedonhisbedinGraniteHouse.

           Whatcareswerelavishedonhimtobringhimbacktolife!Hesmiledforamomentonfindinghimselfinhisroom,butcouldscarcelyevenmurmurafewwords,sogreatwashisweakness.GideonSpilettexaminedhiswounds.Hefearedtofindthemreopened,havingbeenimperfectlyhealed.Therewasnothingofthesort.Fromwhence,then,camethisprostration?whywasHerbertsomuchworse?Theladthenfellintoakindoffeverishsleep,andthereporterandPencroftremainednearthebed.Duringthistime,HardingtoldNeballthathadhappenedatthecorral,andNebrecountedtohismastertheeventsofwhichtheplateauhadjustbeenthetheater.

           Itwasonlyduringtheprecedingnightthattheconvictshadappearedontheedgeoftheforest,attheapproachestoCreekGlycerine.