`` Here come the wood-sleds just in time . I 'll cut away and tell one of them to hurry up . '' And , freeing himself from his sisters , Gus went off at a great pace , proving that the long legs carried a sensible head as well as a kind heart . As the first sled approached , an air of relief pervaded the agitated party , for it was driven by Mr. Grant , a big , benevolent-looking farmer , who surveyed the scene with the sympathetic interest of a man and a father . `` Had a little accident , have you ? Well , that 's a pretty likely place for a spill . Tried it once myself and broke the bridge of my nose , '' he said , tapping that massive feature with a laugh which showed that fifty years of farming had not taken all the boy out of him . `` Now then , let 's see about this little chore , and lively , too , for it 's late , and these parties ought to be housed , '' he added , throwing down his whip , pushing back his cap , and nodding at the wounded with a reassuring smile . `` Jill first , please , sir , '' said Ed , the gentle squire of dames , spreading his overcoat on the sled as eagerly as ever Raleigh laid down his velvet cloak for a queen to walk upon . `` All right . Just lay easy , my dear , and I wo n't hurt you a mite if I can help it . '' Careful as Mr. Grant was , Jill could have screamed with pain as he lifted her ; but she set her lips and bore it with the courage of a little Indian ; for all the lads were looking on , and Jill was proud to show that a girl could bear as much as a boy . She hid her face in the coat as soon as she was settled , to hide the tears that would come , and by the time Jack was placed beside her , she had quite a little cistern of salt water stored up in Ed 's coat-pocket . Then the mournful procession set forth , Mr. Grant driving the oxen , the girls clustering about the interesting invalids on the sled , while the boys came behind like a guard of honor , leaving the hill deserted by all but Joe , who had returned to hover about the fatal fence , and poor `` Thunderbolt , '' split asunder , lying on the bank to mark the spot where the great catastrophe occurred . Chapter II . Two Penitents Jack and Jill never cared to say much about the night which followed the first coasting party of the season , for it was the saddest and the hardest their short lives had ever known . Jack suffered most in body ; for the setting of the broken leg was such a painful job , that it wrung several sharp cries from him , and made Frank , who helped , quite weak and white with sympathy , when it was over . The wounded head ached dreadfully , and the poor boy felt as if bruised all over , for he had the worst of the fall . Dr. Whiting spoke cheerfully of the case , and made so light of broken legs , that Jack innocently asked if he should not be up in a week or so . `` Well , no ; it usually takes twenty-one days for bones to knit , and young ones make quick work of it , '' answered the doctor , with a last scientific tuck to the various bandages , which made Jack feel like a hapless chicken trussed for the spit .
`` Twenty-one XXXXX !
Gus Indian Jill Thunderbolt accident days right week wood-sleds years