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Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
6
TRAINING, LEARNING, AND
DEVELOPMENT
POWERPOINT® SLIDES
Human Resource Management, Fourth Canadian Edition includes a complete set of Microsoft PowerPoint®
files for each chapter. In the lecture outline that follows, a thumbnail illustration of each slide for this chapter is
placed beside the corresponding lecture material. The slide number helps you to see your location in the slide
show sequence and to skip slides that you don’t want to show to the class. (To jump ahead or back to a
particular slide, just type the slide number and hit the Enter or Return key.)
HRM 4e IM 6-1
Part 3 Managing Talent
®
LECTURE OUTLINE (with PowerPoint slides)
Chapter
6 TRAINING, LEARNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
Training,
Learning, &
Development
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education Ltd.
LO1: Discuss how to link training, learning, and development to organizational
needs and strategy.
1
Learning Objectives (1 of LO8: Identify the steps in the career management process and how managers are
2) dealing with development-related challenges.
Slide 2
Learning Objectives (2 of 2)
CH 6 < 3 >
LEARNING AT FACEBOOK
Describe methods for employee orientation
and diversity management
Discuss the approaches organizations use
for employee development
Facebook thinks of employee training, learning, and development as more
than a matter of acquiring competencies
Explain how managers and peers develop
employees through mentoring and
coaching
Identify the steps in the career
•
Learning Objectives (2 of Facebook’s approach e.g. open so everyone can participate
2)
Slide 3
• Challenging jobs are at the heart of learning at Facebook so they are
CH 6 < 4 >
supported with online materials and discussion-oriented group experiences
Learning at Facebook
“This journey is 1%
• Facebook’s own social media tools are one of its online learning resources
as well as coaching circles in which participants meet regularly to work on
finished”
Challenging jobs are at
the heart of learning at
Facebook
Facebook’s own social
media tools are one of its
online learning resources
Coaching circles
issues. Orientation is the most formal learning at Facebook
Most formal learning is
INTRODUCTION
orientation
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
•
Introduction
Learning
An activity or process of gaining knowledge
by studying, practising, being taught, or
experiencing something
Training
An organization’s planned efforts to help employees acquire job-related
Employee development
The combination of formal education, job
experiences, relationships, and assessment •
of personality and abilities to help
employees prepare for the future of their
careers
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviours with the goal of applying these
on the job
Introduction
• Ranges from formal classes to one-on-one mentoring and it may take
Slide 5
place on-the-job or at remote locations
• No matter what its form, training can benefit the organization when it is
linked to organizational needs and when it motivates employees
HRM 4e IM 6-2
Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
Employee Development
• The combination of formal education, job experiences, relationships, and
assessment of personality and competencies to help employees prepare
for the future of their careers
• HRM establishes a process for employee development that prepares
employees to help the organization meet its goals
TLD Linked to Strategy teams—an ability that requires formal training. Workforce diversity and
Slide 6 globalization of business requires additional abilities
• Some organizations are developing their employer brand and reputation as
a talent developer—gain competitive advantage by emphasizing training,
career, and developmental opportunities
• The International Institute for Management Development reports that
Canada has slipped by various measures of importance placed on
workforce training—Canada is ranked 28th (out of 59 countries ranked), well
behind China (18th place), as well as Japan, Switzerland, and Denmark that
have remained among the top four countries in the rankings
HRM 4e IM 6-3
Part 3 Managing Talent
Usual first step
Determine appropriateness
The process of evaluating the organization, individual employees, and
employees’ tasks to determine what kinds of training, if any, are necessary
of training by evaluating
characteristics of the
organization
Considers organization’s
strategy, resources, and
management support
more
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
Conditions that may prompt an organization to conduct a needs assessment:
• Management observes that some employees lack basic skills or are
What is Needs
Assessment? performing below expectations
Organization analysis • Decisions to produce new products, apply new technology, or design new
Slide 8 jobs—these changes tend to require new skills
• Outside forces such as customer requests or legal requirements
Outcome of the needs assessment:
• Set of decisions about how to address the issues that prompted the needs
assessment. These decisions do not necessarily include a training program
as some issues should be resolved through other methods e.g. rewards
1. Organization Analysis
• Usually the needs assessment begins with the organization analysis
• Process for determining the appropriateness of training by evaluating
characteristics of the organization
• Looks at training needs in light of the organization’s strategy (e.g. growing,
shrinking, expanding, focusing), resources available for training, and
management’s support for training activities
2. Person Analysis
CH 6 < 9 > LO2
Needs Assessment -- Are these employees ready i.e. willing and able to learn?
(cont’d) - Person analysis -- Managers need to identify all the variables that can influence performance
Slide 9 e.g. ability, skills, mindset, motivation, performance feedback, etc.
CH 6 < 10 > LO2
Safety considerations
Performance
standards
person analysis
-- The HR professional looks at the conditions in which tasks are performed
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
Needs Assessment e.g. the equipment and environment of the job, time constraints (e.g.
(cont’d) - Task analysis
deadlines), safety considerations, and performance standards
Slide 10
HRM 4e IM 6-4
Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
•
How to Plan & Design
Effective
1.
training objectives have 3
components:
What employee is expected to do; quality or
• Effective training objectives have three components:
-- Statement of what the employee is expected to do, the quality or level of
level of performance; and conditions to apply
2. Performance standards that are measurable
3. The resources needed to carry out the desired
performance or outcome
Avoid
In-house
illegal discrimination
or contracted out?
Request for proposal (RFP)
performance that is acceptable, and the conditions under which the
employee is to apply what he or she learned e.g. physical conditions
HRM 4e IM 6-5
Part 3 Managing Talent
1. Classroom Instruction
• Trainees work independently
Audiovisual • Uses videos, podcasts—deliver on a
training variety of devices
more
What Training Methods? -- Computer application that provides access to skills training, information,
(cont’d) and expert advice as needed i.e. an electronic information source
Slide 14 • Includes hyperlinks to other training sites and content, control by the trainee,
and ability for learners to collaborate
4. On-the-Job Training (OJT)
• Training methods in which a person with job experience and skill guides
trainees in practising job skills at the workplace
• Apprenticeship—Work-study training method that teaches job skills
through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom training
• Internship—On-the-job learning sponsored by an educational institution as
a component of an academic program
• Co-operative education—Plan of higher education that incorporates paid
work experience as an integral part of academic studies
5. Simulations
• A training method that represents a real-life situation, with learners making
decisions resulting in outcomes that mirror what would happen on the job
• Enable trainees to see the impact of their decisions in an artificial, risk-free
environment
• Virtual reality—A computer-based technology that provides an interactive,
three-dimensional learning experience
CH 6 < 15 > LO3
6. Business Games and Case Studies
What Training Methods? (cont’d)
Business games • Develop management skills
• Helps develop employees’ management skills; gives trainees practise in
weighing and acting on uncertain outcomes; and requires participants to
& case studies • Practise with uncertain outcomes
• Requires coming together to discuss
more .
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
HRM 4e IM 6-6
Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
7. Behaviour Modelling
• Effective way to teach interpersonal skills
• Participants observe other people demonstrating the desired behaviour
followed by opportunities to practise themselves
• Practise through role-playing and receive feedback about performance
• Focus on interpersonal skills e.g. coaching or communication
8. Experiential Programs
• Experiential programs—Training programs in which participants learn
concepts and apply them by simulating behaviours involved and analyzing
the activity, connecting it with real-life situations
• Adventure learning—A teamwork and leadership training program based
on the use of challenging, structured outdoor activities
-- Companies face risks e.g. injuries, claims of sexual harassment, etc.
because programs are usually physically demanding and often require
participants to touch each other
9. Team Training
Cross-training—Team training in which team members understand and
CH 6 < 16 > LO3
•
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
.
Principles of Learning
Communicates learning objectives clearly
Present information in memorable ways
Emphasize key points, use visuals
• Communicate learning objectives clearly
• Present information in distinctive and memorable ways
Helps trainees link content to their jobs
Use familiar concepts, terms, and examples
Physical and emotional elements should
mirror the work environment
Chance to demonstrate and practise
Appropriate reading level – readability -- Break information into chunks that people can remember—no more than
4 to 5 items at a time
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Learning
-- Present information with visual images
Slide 17
• Help trainees link the content to their jobs
-- Present material using familiar concepts, terms, and examples
-- The context for training i.e. both physical and emotional elements should
mirror the work environment
-- Actively involve the trainees including demonstration and practise
-- Provide effective feedback focusing on specific behaviours
• Appropriate reading level
-- Readability—the difficulty level of written materials—may require re-
writing training materials to simplify e.g. add illustrations, replace abstract
words with simple, concrete words
HRM 4e IM 6-7
Part 3 Managing Talent
On-the-job use of knowledge, skills, and
behaviours learned in training
Conditions must be in place e.g. social support
learned in training. Requires that employees actually learn the content of the
training program and that the necessary conditions are in place for
Evaluate training outcomes
Learner satisfaction (reactions)
Learners can recall information (learning)
Learners can demonstrate skills (behaviour
and self-management
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
Evaluation Methods
• Training outcomes i.e. evaluate what (if anything) has changed as a result
Slide 19
of training i.e. learner satisfaction with the training program (reaction); recall
of information (learning), changes in behaviour (behaviour), improvements
in individual, group, or company performance (business results), and
calculation to determine if the monetary benefits of the training program
outweigh the costs (cost-benefit analysis)
CH 6 < 20 >
APPLICATIONS OF TRAINING
LO5
Applications of Training
Orientation (onboarding) of new employees
HRM 4e IM 6-8
Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
4 Approaches to
Development
development programs to meet specific needs of an organization
Slide 22 2. Assessment
• Collecting information and providing feedback to employees about their
behaviour, communication style or skills—technical skills are not enough
• MBTI—psychological test that identifies individuals’ preferences
• Assessment centres—engage multiple evaluators to evaluate performance
e.g. leaderless group discussions, interviews, in-baskets, and role plays
• Benchmarks—a measurement tool that gathers ratings of a manager’s use
of skills associated with success in managing
• 360-degree feedback—performance measurement by the employee’s
supervisor, peers, direct reports and customers
3. Job Experiences
• The combination of relationships, problems, demands, tasks, and other
features of an employee’s job
• Most employee development occurs through job experiences
• Various job assignments can provide for employee development:
o Job enlargement—adding challenges or new responsibilities to
employees’ current jobs e.g. completing a special project
o Job rotation—moving employees through a series of job assignments
in one or more functional areas
o Transfers—assignment of an employee to a position in a different part
of the company, usually in a lateral move
o Downward move—assignment of an employee to a position with less
responsibility and authority
o Promotion—assignment to a position with greater challenges
o Externship—employee development through a full-time temporary
position with another organization
o Sabbatical—a leave of absence from an organization to renew or
develop skills
HRM 4e IM 6-9
Part 3 Managing Talent
4. Interpersonal Relationships
CH 6 < 23 > LO7
Interpersonal Relationships
Mentor
Experienced, productive senior employee
who helps develop a less experienced
Employees can develop skills and increase their knowledge by interacting
with a more experienced member of the organization
employee (a protégé or mentee)
Reverse mentoring
Coach
Mentoring
A peer or manager who works with an
employee to provide a source of motivation,
help him or her develop skills, and provide
reinforcement and feedback
•
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
HRM 4e IM 6-10
Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
CH 6 < 25 >
Development-Related Challenges
LO8
DEVELOPMENT-RELATED CHALLENGES
The
Glass Ceiling
Only 20.8% of board seats at Canada’s Stock
Index companies are held by women
A well-designed system for employee development can help organizations
“Labyrinth” may be a better metaphor
Dysfunctional
managers
Behaviours that make an otherwise
face these challenges:
competent manager ineffective or “toxic”
e.g.insensitivity to others, arrogance, poor
conflict management skills, unable to adapt to
change 1. Glass ceiling
Steen/Noe et al., © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education
HRM 4e IM 6-11
Part 3 Managing Talent
means for assessing what was learned. Finally, suggest how the presentation could
have been improved. What could make it more effective as part of an employer’s
training program?
HRM 4e IM 6-12
Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
1. “Melinda!” bellowed Toran to the company’s HR 2. How should an organization assess readiness for
specialist, “I’ve got a problem, and you’ve got to solve it. learning? In Question 1, how do Toran’s comments
I can’t get people in this plant to work together as a suggest readiness (or lack of readiness) for learning?
team. As if I don’t have enough trouble with our
Readiness for training is a combination of employee
competitors and our past-due accounts, now I have to
characteristics and positive work environment that permit
put up with running a zoo. You’re responsible for seeing
training. The responses to this question that are
that the staff gets along. I want a training proposal on
provided by the students should indicate that the
my desk by Monday.” Assume you are Melinda.
underlying cause of the problems must be discovered
before a viable solution can be created.
a. Is training the solution to this problem? How
can you determine the need for training?
b. Summarize how you would conduct a needs 3. Many organizations turn to e-learning as a less
assessment. expensive alternative to classroom training. What are
some other advantages of substituting e-learning for
a) Training consists of an organization’s planned efforts classroom training? What are some disadvantages?
to help employees learn job-related knowledge, skills,
abilities, and behaviours i.e. competencies with the goal Advantages of e-learning include: the ability to deliver
of applying these on the job. Training can benefit the training to trainees anywhere in the world at any time,
organization when it is linked to organizational needs cost saving and efficiency in training administration, the
and when it motivates employees. The growing reliance use of self-directed, self-paced instruction, the ability to
on teamwork creates a demand for the ability to solve monitor trainees’ performance, and controllable access
problems in teams, an ability that often requires formal to training. Disadvantages include: relies on the self-
training. With training so essential in organizations, it is direction and self-motivation of the individual being
important to provide training that is effective. trained and lacks the face-to-face contact with the
trainer.
In order to assist the organization with goal achievement,
HR professionals approach training through instructional 4. Consider your current job or one you have held recently.
design. This is a process of systematically developing
training to meet specified needs. Instructional design a. How was orientation (onboarding) handled?
b. What types of training did you receive for the
should begin with a needs assessment, the process of
job?
evaluating the organization, individual employee, and
c. How did orientation (onboarding) and training
employee’s tasks to determine what kinds of training, if
affect your performance on the job? Your
any, are necessary. A variety of conditions may prompt commitment to the organization?
an organization to conduct a needs assessment. The d. Would it be appropriate to provide employee
outcome of the needs assessment is a set of decisions orientation (onboarding) purely online? Why or
about how to address the issues that prompted the why not?
needs assessment. These decisions do not necessarily e. Is there anything the organization could have
include a training program, because some issues should done to make the orientation (onboarding)
be resolved through other methods than training. and/or training processes more effective?
HRM 4e IM 6-13
Part 3 Managing Talent
5. Why do organizations provide diversity training? What 8. Many people feel that mentoring relationships should
kinds of goals are most suitable for such training? occur naturally, in situations where senior managers
feel inclined to play that role. What are some
Diversity training is designed to change employee advantages of setting up a formal mentoring program,
attitudes about diversity and/or develop skills needed to rather than letting senior mangers decide how and
work with a diverse workforce. This type of training is whom to help?
needed both to ensure compliance with Human Rights
and Employment Equity legislation as well as to ensure Advantages of establishing formal mentoring programs
alignment with market forces. Diversity training should include: access to mentors for all employees,
emphasize learning behaviours and skills, not blaming regardless of gender or race and the participants know
employees. Goals of diversity training should include a what to expect and what is expected of them.
change in behaviours and attitudes toward the diverse
individuals within the workplace. Evidence regarding 9. How is a coach different than a mentor? What are some
these programs suggests that diversity training is most advantages of using someone outside the organization
effective when it is tied to business objectives, has as a coach? Some disadvantages?
management support, emphasizes behaviours and
skills, and is well structured with a way to measure A coach is a peer or manager who works with an
success. employee to motivate the employee, help him or her
develop skills, and provide reinforcement and feedback.
6. What are the four broad categories of development A mentor is an experienced, productive senior
methods? Why might it be beneficial to combine all of employee who helps develop a less experienced
these methods into a formal development program? employee.
The four broad categories of development methods are: Advantages of using someone from outside the
formal education, assessment, job experiences, and organization as a coach would include: the advent of
interpersonal relationships. All of these methods can new ideas and perspectives and offering new methods
influence and impact the development of employees. for completing assignments. Some disadvantages of
Utilizing all of the methods in a formal development using someone from outside the organization as a
program would be indicative of providing employees coach would include: organizational culture and values
with the best development possible. would not be known to this person and work habits may
not be acceptable to the organization.
7. Recommend a development method for each of the
following situations, and explain why you chose that 10. Why should organizations be interested in helping
method. employees plan their careers? What benefits can
companies gain? What are the risks?
a. An employee recently promoted to the job of
plant supervisor has been unsuccessful in Organizations should be interested in helping
sustaining employee performance quality employees plan their careers to let the employee know
standards. how much they are valued and exactly what the
b. A sales manager annoys salespeople by organization has to offer them after they have
directing every detail of their work. progressed in their field.
c. An employee has excellent leadership skills
but lacks knowledge of the financial side of This question could be used as a brainstorming
business.
exercise in which students try to think of as many
d. An organization is planning to organize its
benefits as they can. Some benefits would include
production workers into teams for the first time.
improved employee morale if employees feel that the
company cares about their careers, better career
The responses provided will reflect the opinions of each
planning for the company, a better fit with the company
individual student. Each response provided should be
and the employees, and so on.
adequately supported and rationalized with text
material.
HRM 4e IM 6-14
Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
11. What metaphors were used to the describe the barriers 12. Why might an organization benefit from giving employee
that women and other employment equity group development opportunities to a dysfunctional manager,
members still face to advance into senior executive rather than simply dismissing the manager? Do these
positions? Can you think of any other relevant reasons apply to nonmanagement employees as well?
metaphors? Which metaphor do you feel is most
relevant? Why? For dysfunctional managers who have the potential to
contribute to the organization, the organization may offer
The metaphors mentioned were “the glass ceiling” i.e. development targeted at correcting the areas of
circumstances resembling an invisible barrier that keep dysfunction. The organization stands to gain a devoted
most women and other members of the employment and dedicated employee versus a terminated one.
equity target groups from attaining the top jobs in These same reasons would also apply to
organizations and “labyrinth” i.e. a complex journey with nonmanagement employees as well.
many twists and turns and puzzles to solve along the
way to the top jobs.
HRM 4e IM 6-15
Part 3 Managing Talent
Case Summary:
Answers to Questions:
1. Which of the training and development methods
described in this chapter are included in Southlake
Regional Health Centre’s approach to developing recent
grads?
Specific methods used by Southlake Regional Health
Centre and/or discussed in the case include:
• Paid internships or project-specific jobs for new
grads e.g. projects at a basic level or projects that
have a theoretical foundation
• On-the-job experience e.g. cooperative education
(“co-op”)
• Mentorship and coaching—allows for information
sharing and practical exposure
2. Are there any other training and development methods
that would be effective for recent grads considering
careers in HR?
The responses provided will vary, but should engage
students to share their experiences and expectations.
HRM 4e IM 6-16
Chapter 6 Training, Learning, and Development
HRM 4e IM 6-17
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“We are,” retorted Tavia, adding with a chuckle: “But as soon as I
cease to be crazy I shall want to die!”
“The Major would understand though,” said Dorothy, still as
though talking to herself. “He would know that I couldn’t stand back
and just wait when Joe was in danger.”
“You bet he would, honey,” said Tavia reassuringly. “You could
count on the Major to understand every time.”
“Do you think we are following the right trail?” Dorothy asked,
some time later.
They had reached a level spot and paused to rest their ponies, and
were looking back the way they had come.
“I don’t know,” returned Tavia, with a thoughtful shake of her
head. “All we can do is to follow the trail as far as it goes, Doro, and
hope for the best. Hark! What’s that?”
CHAPTER XXV
THE STORM
There came to the girls’ ears the grumbling of thunder, faint at first
but growing louder as it flung itself against the lofty mountains. A
flash of lightning illumined the semi-dusk of the woods.
The ponies pricked up their ears nervously and danced a little,
threatening to unseat their riders. But the girls spoke to them gently
and soothingly and in a moment had them under control again.
“I suppose we ought to go back,” said Dorothy. “You know what
storms are up here. And the ponies don’t like the thunder.”
“So it seems,” said Tavia dryly, adding, as she turned her pony so
that its nose was pointing toward the trail again: “You may go back, if
you like, Dorothy Dale, but I am going on. You are not afraid of a
little storm, are you?”
“Only this doesn’t promise to be a little one,” replied Dorothy
shortly. “But come on. If we keep the ponies on the trail——”
“All may yet be well,” finished Tavia. “Whew—that was a bad one!”
she added, as a terrific crash of thunder flung itself against the
mountainside and retreated, grumbling ominously.
The ponies attempted to stand on their hind legs again but the
girls only urged them on the faster.
The storm was waxing fast and furious now. The wind tore down
upon them in titanic gusts, catching at their breath, whipping twigs
and branches across their faces, fairly blinding them.
Another terrific crash of thunder came, a vicious streak of
lightning, and then the rain!
It did not come slowly in gentle little drops, but burst upon them
in full fury, soaked them to the skin in its first onslaught, enveloped
them in a solid sheet of water.
They struggled on, urging their reluctant ponies up the rocky trail
—up and up, while the trail grew ever steeper, the ground more
thickly strewn with rocks and tree stumps, more impassable.
It seemed to the girls that they were like flies, clinging to the walls
of a precipice.
A hideous crash of thunder, more terrific than any that had
preceded it, broke shatteringly above them and seemed to cause the
very ground beneath their feet to tremble.
Dorothy’s pony, scrambling over a huge boulder in the trail,
slipped, stumbled, caught itself, and then, in fright, reared suddenly
backward.
Caught unawares, Dorothy shot from her saddle like a bullet from
a gun and rolled down the steep incline directly beneath the feet of
Tavia’s prancing pony.
The whole thing was so sudden, so horrible, that Tavia could only
gasp in sickening fear.
But it was the gallant beast she rode that saved the life of her
chum, helpless beneath the death-dealing hoofs.
The pony reared, balanced with his forefeet in the air for a moment
while Dorothy’s life hung in the balance. Then, with a terrific effort
and almost human intelligence, he flung himself backward and to
one side.
Even then his forefeet came to earth gently, tentatively, making
sure that they touched only earth and stone. Then he stood quite still,
shivering.
Dorothy lay beneath his body, her arm flung out, her face turned
upward to the sky. She was as still as death and a sinister red spot
grew upon her forehead—grew and widened while two tiny rivulets of
blood ran down her cheek.
For a moment Tavia stared down at her chum as though paralyzed.
She dared not move for fear her action might excite the shivering
pony and cause him to move only the fraction of an inch.
“But I must get down,” she told herself dully, as though in a
terrible dream. “Any minute the pony may move. Anyway—oh,
Dorothy! Dorothy!”
Slowly and with infinite care she let herself down from the saddle
on the opposite side from her chum, speaking gently to the pony,
patting his neck, urging him to stand quietly.
But the gallant little beast needed no urging. He knew as well as
Tavia that a human life depended on his ability to remain absolutely
still.
Except for the nervous quivering of his muscles he stood like a
horse carved out of rock as Tavia lifted her chum from her perilous
position and laid her gently on the grass beside the trail.
The thunder was more frequent, more deafening in its increasing
nearness. The rain continued to pour down in a great torrential
flood.
Tavia’s hair had come down and was clinging soddenly to her face
and neck. She had to push it back before she could look at Dorothy,
shake her, wildly call her by name, beg her sobbingly to open her
eyes and look at her.
The blood was still coming from the cut in Dorothy’s forehead, but
aside from that vivid blotch of color, her face was deadly pale.
Tavia sought for and found a clean handkerchief in the pocket of
her riding coat. With this she sought to staunch the wound. The
handkerchief became red and sodden and still the wound bled freely,
sickeningly.
Tavia stumbled to her feet and, with a hand before her eyes to
ward off the twigs and branches that lashed at her face, fought her
way back along the trail toward a spot where they had passed a
mountain brook.
She knelt beside the stream, saturated the handkerchief with the
almost ice-cold water, and returned to Dorothy. Several times she
made the trip, until she was bruised and torn and panting.
Finally she had her reward. The blood ceased to flow and, washing
away the last traces of it, Tavia was able to inspect the wound more
closely.
To her surprise and intense relief she found that, instead of being
on her forehead, the cut began farther up, on the scalp, just reaching
past the line of the hair.
That then, was the reason it had bled so profusely. A scalp wound
is in appearance usually worse than in reality, sending out wild
signals of distress when there is really very little to be distressed
about.
Dorothy had evidently in falling struck upon a pointed stone,
gashing the scalp jaggedly and in such a way that it seemed an ugly
wound.
“Might have killed her,” muttered Tavia. “If she would only open
her eyes! Perhaps some water—” But the irony of that suggestion
curved her lips in a wry smile. Foolish to talk of water when nature
was supplying it in bucketfuls, free of charge!
At that moment Dorothy stirred, lifted her hand in an aimless
gesture and made as though to rise.
Tavia put a hand beneath her chum’s head, lifting her a little.
“Take it easy, Doro honey,” she advised gently. “You have had a
pretty hard knock, and it may take a little while for you to remember
what happened. Oh, keep still, will you!” she cried to the elements in
senseless fury as a crash of thunder shook the earth, drowning out
her last words. “Don’t you know it isn’t polite to interrupt a person
while she’s talking? Doro darling,” as Dorothy once more made an
effort to rise, “how are you feeling?”
“All right—I guess,” said Dorothy unsteadily. “I seem a little—
dizzy.”
Tavia tried to laugh and made a rather dismal failure of it.
“I should think you might,” she said. “After a fall like that!”
“What happened?” asked Dorothy, sitting up, her hand feeling
instinctively for the painful cut in her head. “I fainted, didn’t I?”
“You surely did, Doro, my love!” responded Tavia, once more
herself now that Dorothy was out of danger. “You fainted good and
plenty, and I don’t mind telling you you gave me the scare of my life.”
“Sorry—but I guess we had better get away from here,” said
Dorothy, still faintly, looking uneasily about her. She clapped her
hands to her ears nervously as another thunder clap broke above
their heads. “Help me, Tavia, please—I feel a little—weak.”
She tried to stumble to her feet, but sank down again with a cry of
alarm.
“Not so fast!” Tavia scolded her. “You lost quite a good deal of
blood, my dear, if you did but know it, and naturally you feel pretty
faint.”
“Blood!” echoed Dorothy alarmed. “I had no idea——”
“Only a scalp wound,” Tavia said quickly. “But it bled like sixty.
Now, let’s try it again. That’s the idea. Feel better?”
Dorothy stood, swaying a little on her feet, Tavia’s supporting arm
about her shoulders.
“I guess I don’t remember just what happened, but I guess I must
owe my life to you, Tavia.”
“No, you don’t,” denied Tavia quickly, adding, as she pointed to the
pony standing quietly enough now where she had left it. “There’s the
fellow you ought to thank!”
CHAPTER XXVI
A GENTLEMAN
The two girls waited to make sure there was no one else in the cave
besides Joe, listened until the sounds made by his captor crashing
through the underbrush had died away.
Then Dorothy ran to him, sank to her knees beside him, laughed
and cried over him as she lifted his head and held it tight against her.
“Joe, Joe! why did you run away? We’ve been nearly crazy, dear!
No, no, don’t cry, Joe darling! It’s all right. Your Dorothy is here.
Nothing, nothing will ever hurt you again.”
Her arms tightened about him fiercely and the boy sobbed, great,
tearing sobs that he was ashamed of but could not control.
The storm lasted only a minute, and then he said gruffly, big-boy
fashion, to hide his weakness:
“I—you oughtn’t to come near me, Dot. I—I’ve done an awful thing
and got myself into a heap of trouble!”
“Never mind about that now, dear,” cried Dorothy, suddenly
recalled to the peril of their situation. “We’ve got to get you away
before that dreadful man comes back.”
“He went off to fetch the others,” said Joe, growing suddenly eager
and hopeful now that rescue seemed near. “They are going to do
something awful to me because I wouldn’t——”
“Yes, yes, Joe, I know. But now be quiet,” cried Dorothy, as she
propped him up against the wall and began to work feverishly at the
knots of the heavy cord that bound his feet and hands. “Some one
might hear you and—oh, we must get away from here before they
come back!”