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Frank Among The Rancheros by [pseud.] Harry Castlemon
page 53 of 172 (30%)
he killed the hound which he imagined had devoured his child, but which
had, in reality, defended him from the attacks of a wolf. He had scolded
Marmion for his failure to hold the robber after he had thrown him down,
and had been more than half inclined to give him a good beating; while
the animal had, all the while, been doing his best, and, in spite of his
wounds and bonds, had kept up the fight until Pierre mounted his horse
and fled from the ranch.

The boy's first care, after he had removed the rope, was to bandage the
wounds as well as he could, and to lead the dog to a comfortable bed on
the porch, where he left him to await the arrival of the doctor; for
Frank resolved that, as Marmion had received his injuries during the
performance of his duty, he should have the very best of care.

Frank never closed his eyes that night. He passed the hours in pacing up
and down the porch watching for the Ranchero, who made his appearance
shortly after daylight, accompanied by the doctor. Mr. Winters's wound,
although very painful, was not a dangerous one, and after it had been
dressed by the skillful hands of the surgeon, he felt well enough to
enter into conversation with those around him.

"Now," said Frank, who had been impatiently awaiting an opportunity to
talk to his uncle, "I'd like to know what brought you back here last
night?"

"I came after the twelve thousand dollars," replied Mr. Winters. "When I
arrived in the city, I learned that Mr. Brown had left there early in
the morning to pay us a visit, taking with him the money he owed me. I
wanted to use it immediately, and as I did not know what might happen if
it should become known that there was so much money in the house, and
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