Avoiding the blow which the boy aimed
at him, he leaped upon him, and flung his arms round his neck. The
sudden shock overthrew him, and with a crash both boys came to the
ground together.
Ned at once loosened his hold, and springing to his feet again,
awaited the rising of his opponent. The latter made a movement to
get up, and then fell back with a cry.
"Thou hast beaten me," he said. "Oi think moi leg be broke."
Ned saw now that as the lad had fallen his leg had been twisted
under him, and that he was unable to extricate it. In a moment he
was kneeling before the prostrate lad.
"Oh! I am sorry," he exclaimed; "but you know I didn't mean to do
it. Here, Tompkins, don't sit there like a fool, but come and help
me move him and get his leg straight."
Although the boys did this as gently as they could, a groan showed
how great was the agony.
"Where is it?" Ned asked.
"Aboove the knee somewhere," the lad said, and Ned put his hand
gently to the spot, and to his horror could feel something like
the end of a bone.
"Oh! dear, what is to be done? Here, Tompkins, either you or I must
go on to the town for help."
"It's getting dark already," Tompkins said; "the sun has set some
time. How on earth is one to find the way?"
"Well, if you like I will go," Ned said, "and you stop here with
him,"
The lad, who had been lying with closed eyes and a face of ghastly
pallor, now looked up.
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