"Hadn't you better lie quietly for a bit longer?" he asked quickly. "You've been rather badly shaken up."
"Is Robert--all right?" asked the other, briefly, as he dropped back to the ground again.
"Practically. He's cut about the head, but we've bandaged him up, and I think he'll be all right until we can get him to a doctor."
The man's puzzled gaze wandered to the little group of scouts standing well to one side and then returned to Mr. Curtis's face. "I don't understand how you came to be on the spot so promptly," he murmured. "Who--"
"My name is Curtis," explained the scoutmaster, as the other paused. "I'm taking a party of scouts from Hillsgrove down to camp on Great Bay. Our truck wasn't a hundred feet away when you skidded."
"Scouts!" he repeated. "Boy Scouts?" Again his glance swept the circle, taking in this time the prone figure of the chauffeur, whose head, swathed in workmanlike bandages, rested against a thin roll of blanket. "I understand," he went on briefly. "I am very greatly indebted to you, Mr. Curtis. May I trouble you?"
He extended his hand, and this time the scoutmaster did not hesitate to help him up. Together the two assisted the girl to her feet, and Mr. Curtis reached for a blanket, placing it carefully around her shoulders.
"Thank you," she murmured shyly. She had recovered from her fright, and seemed none the worse for the accident. "Dad, if we could only get a car or something to take us home," she said pluckily.
"Our truck isn't exactly comfortable," suggested Mr. Curtis, "but I fancy it would be the quickest way."
"Decidedly!" agreed the man. "The nearest house is two miles off, and my own place isn't more than double that. But wouldn't it be inconveniencing you?"
"Not a bit! We have plenty of time; and anyway, your man ought to have a doctor's attention as soon as possible. The boys can wait here till the truck comes back."
Without further delay he motioned Ward and Crancher to help the chauffeur and led the way to the truck. Full of interest and curiosity, the others watched them take their places, saw the engine started, and remained staring after the lumbering vehicle until it had passed out of sight around the curve. Then began an eager discussion of the whole affair, until finally some one suggested building a fire and drying out their wet clothes. The latter process was still going on when the truck returned, after nearly an hour's absence, and Mr. Curtis leaped out. As he came up to the group he was smiling.