For an instant he stood so, then with a violent movement
he pushed back the crowding men, and lifting the sheriff, dragged him
toward the open window.
"Give him air," he ordered, "and go for the doctor, and for cold water!" He
laid Partin flat and dragged open his collar. "He's not dead--see there; I
struck him on the temple; under the ear would have killed him, but not
this, not this! Give me that water, and plenty of it, and move back. He's
not dead, no; and I didn't mean to kill him; but he has worked against me
all night, and I didn't think a white man would do it."
"He's comin' round, Mr. Morris," said Doty, who knelt on the other side of
the sheriff; "an' he didn't bear no malice against you--don't fret; but
it's a good thing I jerked that axe outer yo' hand! See, he's ketchin' his
breath; it's all right," as Partin opened his eyes slowly and looked about
him.
A sound like a sigh came from the crowd, then a voice said, "Here comes
Judge More."
Morris was still holding his wet handkerchief on the sheriff's head when
the old judge came in.
"My dear boy!" he said, laying his hand on John Morris's shoulder.
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