Richard was soon satisfied he could do nothing for him.
Presently the woman came running back, followed at a more leisurely pace by Goody Rees, whose countenance was grave, and, even to the twitch about her mouth, inscrutable.

She walked up to where the man lay, looked at him for a moment or two as if considering his case, then sat down on the ground beside him, and requested Richard to move him so that his head should lie on her lap.

This done, she laid hold of it, with a hand on each ear, and pulled at his neck, at the same time turning his head in the right direction.

There came a snap, and the neck was straight.
She then began to stroke it with gentle yet firm hand.

In a few moments he began to breathe.