Ralph Clavering

rather worse than better. Lilly knew that she could not lift him, though she longed to be able to carry him even as far as the green bank by the road-side. She was in despair, and could not refrain from bursting into tears. At last a thin dark man, with long elf-locks, accompanied by two boys as wild-looking as he was, and still more ragged, came running up.

"Ah! my pretty lady, don't take on; your brother has still life in him," he exclaimed when he saw Ralph. "Here, you Seth, lift up the young master's legs; and Tim, you be off after his pony. Be quick, like lightning, in a hurry."

Without more ado he raised Ralph from the ground, and bore him in his arms towards the tent. Lilly followed, leading Apple-blossom. They soon reached the gipsy tents. In one of them was a heap of straw. Ralph was placed on it. Lilly saw that the sooner medical aid could be procured the better. Still she did not like to leave him in charge of such doubtful characters as the gipsies.

"You will take care of him,