"Digs’emup，don’the？"saidIkeoneSunday，whenthesecondflatofJimRoss’sstorewasfilledwithmenandwomenwho，thoughtheyhadlivedinthecountryforfromtwototwentyyears，werestillforthemostpartstrangerstoeachother。"Digs’emupliketheboysdigthebadgers。Gottocomeoutoftheirholeswhenhegitsafter’em。"
　　"Dat’sso，"saidPerault，whohadbecomeanardentfollowerofShock’s。"Dat’sso。Allsamelakoleboss。"
　　"Prospector，eh？"saidIke。
　　"Oui。Prospector，sureenough，bygar！"repliedPerault，withtheemphasisofamanwhohasstumbleduponagreatfind;andthenamecameatoncetoberecognisedassoeminentlysuitablethatfromthattimeforthitstuck，andallthemorethatbeforemanyweekstherewasnonetodisputethetitlewithhim。
　　AllthistimetheOldProspectorfrettedandwastedwithaninwardfeverthatbaffledthedoctor’sskill，andbutforthevisitsofhisfriendsandtheirconstantassurancesthatnextweekwouldseehimfit，theoldmanwouldhavesuccumbed。
　　"It’smyopinion，"saidIke，whowithTheKidhadmadeahabitofdroppinginforavisittothesickman，andthenwoulddisposethemselvesoutsideforasmoke，listeningthewhiletotheflowofsongandstorywherewithhisdaughterwouldbeguiletheoldmanfromhisweariness;"it’smyopinionthatitainteitherthatrheumatismnorthattherepewmonia，"——Ikehadonceglancedatthedoctor’slabelwhichdistinguishedthepneumoniamedicinefromthatprescribedforrheumatism，——"itainteithertherheumatismnorthattherepewmonia，"herepeated，"that’sa—killin’him。"
　　"Whatthendoyouthinkitis，Ike？"saidthedoctor，towhomIkehadbeenconfidingthisopinion。
　　"It’sfrettin’;frettin’afterthetrailandtheLostRiver。Forthirteenyearshe’schasedthatriver，andhe’lldiea—chasin’it。"
　　"Well，he’llcertainlydieifhestartsafteritinhispresentcondition。"
　　"Maybeso，doctor。Iwouldn’tinterdictanyopinionofyours。ButI
　　reckonhe’ddieamightysighteasier。"
　　"Well，Ike，myboy，"saidthedoctorinhisgentlevoice，"perhapsyouareright，perhapsyou’reright。Thesuggestionisworthconsidering。"
　　AndtheresultseemedtojustifyIke’sopinion，forfromthedaythatthedoctorfixedthetimefortheOldProspector’sdeparturethefeverabated，hisphilosophiccalmreturned，hebecamedailystrongeranddailymorecheerfulandcourageous，andthoughhewastroubledstillwithacoughhedepartedonebrightday，withPerault，inhighspirits。
　　"Ishallrememberyouall，"hecried，wavinghishandgailyinfarewell。"Doctor，Ishallbuildyouahospitalwhereyourskillwillhaveopportunityandscope。Mr。Macgregor，yourheartwillbedelightedwiththatchurch—manse—schoolbuildingofyours。"ThiswasShock’spetschemeforthepresent。"Toallofyousuitablerewards。
　　ThistimeIseesuccess。Farewell。"
　　AfterhehadturnedawayhereinedbackhisponyandaddressedShockagain。
　　"Mr。Macgregor，"hesaid，withalmostsolemnearnestness，"Igivemydaughterintoyourcharge。Iamsureyouwillwatchoverher。ShewillbecomfortablewithJosie，andshewillbesafeunderyourcare。"
　　Hisspiritofenthusiasticconfidencecaughtallthecrowdstandingby，sothattheygavehimaheartycheerinfarewell。
　　"Didnotsaywhathewouldgiveus，eh，Carroll？"saidCrawley，whowithCarrollstoodatthebackofthecrowd。
　　"Blankedoldfool！"growledCarroll。
　　"Andyethehasamarvellousinstinctformines，"saidCrawley，"andthistimehehasgotsomethingmorethanusualinhishead，I
　　believe。Hehasbeenparticularlysecretive。Icouldnotgetanythingoutofhim。Guesshemeanstoeuchreusoutofourshareofanythingbig，partner。"
　　"Cursehimforanowldthief！"saidCarroll。"I’llhaveitoutavhishide，soIwill，ifhetriesthat。"
　　"Then，Carroll，you’llhavetodoitwhenhisbigfriendisnotround。"
　　Carroll’sanswerwasaperfectfloodofprofanity，copiousenoughtoincludenotonlytheOldProspector，Shock，alltherelativeslivinganddead，butCrawley，whostoodlisteningwithasarcasticgrinonhisevilface。
　　"Well，well，"atlastsaidCrawleysoothingly，"yourtimewillcome。
　　And，partner，youmaydependonmewhenitcomes。Iowehimsomething，too，andIwouldratherpayitthangetamine。"
　　ThedaysthatfollowedtheOldProspector’sdeparturewerelonelyenoughforhisdaughter。Herfather’sillnesshadbroughttothemboththeinestimableboonofmutualacquaintanceandaffection。Itwasthegirl’sfirstexperienceofhavingnearheronetowhomshecouldfreelygivethelong—hoardedtreasuresofherlove;andnowthathewasgoneshecouldonlywonderhowshecouldhavelivedsolongwithouthim。Itwaswellforherthatshehadherschool，whichshetransferrednowtoherfather’shouse，forthoughShockoccupiedtheinnerroomhewasverylittleathome。
　　InadditiontotheschooltherewasPatsy，who，neververystrong，hadnotregainedevenhispunystrengthsincetheoperation。EveryfinedayMarionwouldtakethelittleladforagloriouscanterupthetrailthatranalongTheLake，butthedaywasnevercompletetoPatsyunlessitincludedavisittotheJumpingRock，andthereatale，andatleastonesong。IntheseridesStanton，asoftenashevisitedthevillage，wouldjoin，andthenitwastheSwallowthatthelittlecripplewouldride，holdinghisreinsincowboystylehighinonehand，andswayingwithcarelesssecurityinthesaddle，andallthemorebecauseofthestrongarmabouthim。
　　ThesewerehappydaystoPatsy，happytoyoungStanton，happierthansheknewtoMarion，andallthehappierbycontrasttothedark，saddaysthatfollowed。
　　AboutthreeweeksaftertheOldProspector’sdepartureahalf—breed，onacayusewetandleg—weary，appearedattheLoonLakeStoppingPlace，askingforthepreacher。
　　"BlankedifIknow！"growledCarroll。"Offonsomefoolhuntorother。"
　　"AskIkethere，"saidCrawley，whowassittingonthestoop。"Youbelongtohisflock，don’tyou，Ike？Elder，aintyou？"
　　"Hisflock？"echoedIke。"Wouldn’tmindifIdid。I’dbesureofmycompany，whichIcan’talwaysbealmostanywhereelse。Wantthepreacher，eh？"turningtothehalf—breed。
　　"Letterfromdeoldman。"
　　"Whatoldman？Letmeseeit，"saidCrawleyquickly。"Ah！’Rev。Mr。
　　Macgregor，oroneofhisfriends。’GuessthisisfromtheOldProspector，eh？"
　　Thehalf—breednodded。
　　"Whereishe？"
　　"Wayupinmountain，"hesaid，wavinghishandtowardthehills。
　　"Well，thepreacherisn’there。Itmustbeimportant，"continuedCrawley。"IsupposeImightaswellopenit，especiallyasitislikelyitwillbesomethingaboutoutfit。Eh，Carroll？"
　　HewasabouttoteartheletteropenwhenIkeinterposed。
　　"Holdup，there。Itstrikesmeyou’realittlerapidinyourconclusions。Let’shavealookattheletter。"
　　Crawleyveryunwillinglygaveitup。
　　"Oneofhisfriends，"readIke，withsomedifficulty，"Youcountyourselfinthere，doyou？"toCrawley。"You’dbemightyluckyifheagreedwithyouonthattherepoint。NowIjudgethisoughttogotothepreacheror，ifheaintround，totheyounglady。"
　　Sosaying，Ike，withoutanotherglanceatthedisappointedCrawley，strodeawaywiththelettertofindMarion。
　　Hefoundherbusyintheschool。Shereadtheletter，lookedatIkewithwhitefaceandwide—openeyes，readitasecondtime，andsaid，"HewantsMr。Macgregor，quick——andme。Heisill。Oh，Ike！"shecriedsuddenly，"heisill，andMr。Macgregorisaway。"
　　"Wheredidhego？"saidIkeshortly。
　　"IheardhimsaytoWillowCreek，totheMartins。Thedoctoriswithhim。"
　　"TheMartins，eh？Why，that’sonlyeightmiles，Ireckon。Well，gityourselfreadyandyourhorse。I’llbebackinanhourandahalf。"
　　Heturnedaway，butafterhehadgoneafewstepshestrodeback。
　　"Nouselookin’likethat，"hesaidalmostgruffly。"We’llgitawagonandbringhimhomeeasy。Awagon’seasierthanridin’，though’taintlikelyhe’sverybad。"
　　"Bad！"exclaimedMarion，withasob。"Oh，Ikeyoudon’tknowmyfather。Ifhewerenotbadhewouldnot——"Herehervoicefailedher。
　　"Don’tyouworry，miss。We’llbeonthetrailintwohours。Andlookhere，we’llwantbeddin’andlotsofthings，sohustle。"AndIkesetoffwithlongstrides。"Hustle’sthewordforher。Gottokeepherbusy，poorgirl！"hesaidtohimself。"Guesshe’sagoner。Youbetthatoldchapdon’tweakenfornobelly—ache。He’srightbad。"
　　TheonlywagonintheplacebelongedtoCarroll。"Wantyourwagonandoutfit，Carroll，"saidIkebriefly。"OldProspector’sprettybad。Gottogethimhome。"
　　Carrollgrowledarefusal。HehadneverrecoveredhiswantedgoodnaturesincehisencounterwithShock，andhisresentmentagainsttheoneman，seemedtopoisonhiswholenatureagainstall。
　　"What！"saidIke，amazedatCarroll’srefusal。Inthatcountrymeninneedofanythinghelpedthemselveswithoutreferencetotheowner。
　　"Why，sure，Carroll，"interposedCrawleyhastily。"You’llletIkehavethatwagon。Itellyouwhat，I’lldriveitforhim。Shutup，Carroll！"hesaidinanaside。"Whendoyoustart，Ike？Twohours？
　　I’llbethere。"
　　Inanhourandahalf，truetohisword，IkewasbackwithShockandthedoctor。Beforeanotherhalfhourhadgonepasttheywereallonthetrail，Marionridingherpony，Shockandthedoctorinthebuckboard，andCrawleydrivingthewagon，inwhich，besidesmattressandbedding，weresaddlesforusewhenthetrailshouldforbidwheels。
　　AfterlonghesitationIkedecidedthatheoughtnottojointheparty。
　　"ThatthereCrawley，"hearguedtohimself，"ainttobetrusted，especiallywhenhe’sgoin’roundlookin’likeablankhyena。ButI
　　guessI’llhavetolethimgoandgitbacktotheranch。"AndsowithanuneasyfeelingIkewatchedthemsetoff。
　　Half—waybacktotheranchhemethisboss。
　　"Hello，Ike，"salutedTheKidgaily。"You’reneedingapowder。Offyourfeed，eh？"
　　"Howdy，boss，"repliedthecowboygravely。
　　"I’mfeelin’properenough，butthere’sothersnotsofrisky。"
　　"What’sup，Ike？Yourgrandmotherpoorly？"
　　"Well，doyouknow，"saidIke，watchingTheKidkeenlywithhishalfshuteyes，"there’sbeenagreatmix—upatTheLakethere。Abreed，halfdeadwiththesaddle，camefromtheOldProspectoraskin’forthepreacher。Guesstheoldchap’saboutquittin’thetrail。"
　　TheKid’shandtightenedonthereins。
　　"Hithimthere，Ireckon，"gruntedIketohimself，buttheotherpaidnoattention。"So，"continuedIke，"they’veallgoneoff。"
　　"Who？"
　　"Whythehulltown，seemingly。There’sthepreacher，andthedoctor，andthatthereCrawley，withCarroll’swagonoutfit。Theylookedalittlelikeacircus，exceptthattherewantanywildanimals。
　　Unlessyou’dcountCrawleyforamonkey，whichwouldberatherhardonthemonkey，Iguess。"
　　Ikechuckled，ararechucklethatseemedtobeginalongwaybelowhisdiaphragmandworkslowlyuptohislips。
　　"Whatthedeuceareyoutalkingabout？"enquiredTheKid。"WhathasCrawleygottodowiththis？"
　　"Why，"saidIkeinasurprisedtone，"dunno，onlesshe’safriendoftheoldman’s。Theydohavealotofbusinesstogetherseemingly。Orperhapsascompanyforthegel。"
　　"Thegirl！Steadythere，Swallow，"tohismare，forSwallowhadgivenasuddenspring。"Whatgirl？"demandedTheKid。"Whydon’tyoutalksense？Youdidn’tsayanythingaboutagirl。"
　　"Why，didn’tImentionaboutthatgel？Well，I’mgettin’forgetful。
　　Why，whatgeldoyouthink？Theyaintgrowin’onrosebushesoroldwillowsroundhere，sofarasI’veseen。Now，howmanygelshaveyouobservedinyourpilgrimagesroundthattown？"
　　"Oh，blankyouforanidiot！"saidTheKidwrathfully。"Doyoumeanthatthe——MissMowbrayhasgoneoffwiththerest？"Inspiteofhissplendidself—control，asTheKidspokethenamearedflushonhisfacecouldbesuddenlyseenthroughthebrowntan。
　　Ikenoddedgravely。
　　"Yes，she’sgone。Butshe’llbeallright。Thepreacher’sthere。
　　He’llbebusywiththeoldman，ofcourse，buthe’llfindsometimeforher。Andthenthere’stheotherchap，youknow。He’sbeenmightykindto—day，mightykind，andconsiderable，too。Can’tsayasI’djustcottontohim，butwhenhelikeshe’singraciousin’ways，mightyingraciousin’ways。"
　　"Oh！"roaredTheKid。"Crawley"Thenhelookedathiscowboy’sface。
　　"Confoundyou，Ike！Soyouwerepullingmylegalittle，wereyou？
　　Nevermind，mydaywillcome。"
　　WiththisheturnedtheSwallowtowardtheLakeandsetoff。
　　"Good—bye，"calledoutIke。"Whereyougoing？"
　　"Oh，Isay，"criedTheKid，wheelingtheSwallow。
　　"Whattraildidtheytake？"
　　"YoumeanCrawley？"inquiredIke。
　　WithacurseTheKidboredownuponhim。
　　"Whichwaydidtheygo？"hedemanded。
　　"Okanagantrail，"saidIke，withaslowgrin。"Solong。"
　　"Good—bye，Ike。You’llseemewhenIcomeback。"
　　AndTheKidwavedhishand，andgavetheSwallowherhead。
　　Ikelookedafterhim，andallowedhimselfthevery，unusualindulgenceofaheartylaugh。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"ItriedtohelpCrawleyalittle，butsomehowitdidn’tseemtogoright。"
　　Atailchaseisalongchase，andsoTheKidfoundit，forthespeedandenduranceoftheSwallowwerebothfullytestedbeforetheadvancepartywereovertaken。
　　Ashecameinsightofthemhepulledhimselfupwiththequestion，"WhatamIdoinghere？Whatismybusinesswiththatparty？"Foramileorsoherodeslowly，keepingoutoftheirsight，tryingtofindsuchanswertothisquestionaswouldsatisfynotsomuchhimselfbutthosebeforehim，towhom，somehow，hefeltananswerwasdue。ThedifficultyofexplaininghispresencebecamesensiblygreaterashepicturedhimselfattemptingtomakeitcleartoCrawley。
　　"Itisnoneofhisbusiness，anyway，"atlengthhesaidimpatiently。
　　"Shedoesn’twanthimaround。Howdidheknow？"
　　Crawleywasamanofsomeparts。Hehadmoneyandability。Hewasascholar，andcouldtalkwellaboutrocksandplants。TheKidhadheardhimdiscoursetotheOldProspectorandMarionmanyadayonthesesubjects，andintelligently，too。
　　"Well，"hesaidatlength，"Imaybeofsomeuse，anyway。Surelyafellowhasarighttoofferhisservicestohisfriendsintrouble。"
　　Withthisexplanationonhislipshesaileddownuponthecompany。
　　Marionandthehalf—breedwereridingfarinfront，Crawleyfollowingascloselyashecouldwiththewagon。SomedistanceintherearwereShockandthedoctorinthebackboard。TheKidcouldhearCrawleypointingouttoMarioninaloudvoicethestrikingfeaturesofthebeautythatlayaroundtheminsuchawealthandvarietyofprofusion。ThewordsofIkecametohismind，"mightyingraciousin’。"
　　"Confoundhisimpudence！"hegrowled。"Iwonderifsheknowsthekindofsnakeheis？IbelieveI’lltellher，forherownsake。No，thatwon’tdo，either。Well，IguessImustwaitmychance。"
　　Putthechanceseemedslowincoming。
　　"ThoughtIwouldrideafteryouandoffer——seeifyou——ifIcouldbeofservice。"
　　"Andweareverygladtohaveyou，"saidShockheartily。
　　"Yes，wefoundyouusefulonoccasionbefore，anddoubtlessshallagain，"saidthedoctor，inatoneofpleasantsufferance。
　　TheKidreinedupbehindthebuckboard，waitingforanexcusetorideforward，butformilesfindinganone。
　　"Iwondernow，"saidShockatlength，"ifwehadnotbetterstopandhavetea，andthenridetilldarkbeforewecamp。IfMarionisnottiredthatwouldbethebetterway。"
　　"I’llrideupandask，"saidTheKideagerly，andbeforeanyothersuggestioncouldbemadehewasgone。
　　ThepropositionfoundacceptancewithMarionand，whatwasofmoreimportance，withthehalf—breedguide。
　　IfTheKidhadanydoubtofhisreceptionbythegirltheglad，gratefullookinhereyesashedrewnearwasenoughtoassurehimofherwelcome;andashetooktheguide’splacebyhersideshehastenedtosay，"Iamgladyoucame，Mr。Stanton。Itwasverykindofyoutocome。Itwasawfulridingalonemileaftermile。"
　　"Alone！"echoedTheKid。
　　"Well，ImeanyouknowhecannottalkmuchEnglishand——"
　　"Ofcourse，"promptlyrepliedTheKid，"IamawfullygladIcame，now。Wasn’tsurejusthowyoumighttakeit。Imean，Ididnotlikepushingmyselfin，youunderstand。"
　　"Oh，surelyonedoesnotneedtoexplainakindnesssuchasthis，"
　　saidthegirlsimply。"Yousee，thedoctorandMr。Macgregoraretogether，andwillbe，andtheothers——well，Ihardlyknowthem。"
　　Thetrailwoundinandout，withshortcurvesandsharpascents，amongthehills，whoseroundtopswereroughenedwiththerocksthatjuttedthroughtheturf，andweredeckedwithclumpsofpoplarandspruceandpine。Theworldseemedfullofbrightnesstotheboy。Hisheartoverflowedwithkindnesstoallmankind。Hefounditpossible，indeed，tothinkofCrawley，even，withabenignantcompassion。
　　FarupinthePasstheycamped，inalittlesheltereddellallthickwithjackpines，throughwhosewide—spreadingrootsranandchatteredalittlemountainbrook。Butfortheanxietythatlaylikeleaduponherheart，howdelightfultoMarionwouldhavebeenthis，herfirst，experienceofanightoutofdoors。AndwhenafterteaShock，sittingclosebythefire，readthateveningPsalm，breathingatrustandpeacethatnocircumstancesofillcouldbreak，thespicyairandthedeepblueskyoverhead，sownwithstarsthatraineddowntheirgentlebeamsthroughthesilentnight，madeforMarionaholyplacewhereGodseemednear，andwhereitwasgoodtoliedownandrest。"Iwillbothlaymedowninpeaceandsleep，forthou，Lord，onlymakestmedwellinsafety"
　　Andthatsenseofsecurity，ofbeingundertender，lovingcare，didnotforsakeherallthroughthelongwatchesofthenight，andthroughthewearymilesofthenextday’stravelthatbroughtthematlengthtotheOldProspector’scamp。
　　Astheynearedthecampthetrailemergedoutofthickbushesintoawidevalley，wheregreatpinesstood，withwidespacesbetween，andclearofallunderbrush。Thewholevalleywascarpetedthickwithpineneedles，andgleamedlikegoldintheyellowlightoftheeveningsun。Thelowerboughsunderwhichtheyrodeweredead，andhungwithlongstreamersofgreymossthatgavethetreestheappearanceofhoaryage。
　　Astheyenteredthevalleyinstinctivelytheyloweredtheirvoicesandspokeinreverenttones，asiftheyhadbeenusheredintoanassemblageofancientandsilentsages。Oneverysidethestatelypinesledawayinlongvistasthatsuggestedtheaislesofsomenoblecathedral。Therewasnosignoflifeanywhere，nomotionofleaforbough，nosoundtobreakthesolemnstillness。Theclatterofahoofoverastonebrokeontheearwithstartlingdiscordance。
　　Thewidereachesofyellowcarpetofpineneedles，goldenandwithblackbarsofshadow，thelongdrawnaislesoftallpines，bearingaloftlikestatelypillarsthehigh，archedroofofgreen，thelowerlimbsstickingoutfromthetrunksbonyandbarebutforthependantstreamersofgreymoss，allbathedinthediffusedradianceoftheyellowafternoonlight，suggestedsomeweirdandmightyfaneofapeoplelongdead，whosespirits，hauntingthesesolemnspaces，stillkeptovertheirtempleasilentandawfulwatch。
　　OutonthetrailtheymetPeraultinafrenzyofanxiousexcitement。
　　"TankdeBonDieu！"hecriedbrokenly，withhandsuplifted。"Comewit’me，queek！queek！"
　　"Perault，tellushowyourbossis。"Thedoctor’svoicewasquietandauthoritative。"Andtellushowlonghehasbeenill，andhowitcameon。Beveryparticular。Takeplentyoftime。"
　　Perault’sGallictemperamentrespondedtothedoctor’squiettoneandmanner。
　　"Oui。Bon，"hesaid，settlingdown。"Listentome。Wecomeniceandslowtodisplace，an’denwegoupdatgulchforlittleprospect。
　　Goodting，too。Goodminedere，sure。Butoldbosshecan’tstay。Hemustgo，go，go。Denwegoup’nodergulch，tree，fourdaymore，for’nodermine。Prettygood，too。Denonenightwecomin’backtocamp，oldbossfeelgood。Skeepalonglaksmallsheep。Bygar，he’sfeeltoogood！He’sfallincrik。Dat’snoting。No！Goodfire，plentyblanketmakedatallright。ButdatnightIheardeolebossgroan，andcry，andturnovereandovere。Lightdefire;givehimonebigdrinkwheesky。Nogood。He’sgobadalldatnight。Nex’dayhe’shetnoting。Nex’dayhe’sworserandworser。WatIcandoIcan’ttell。
　　DendeBonDieuhesendalongdathalf—breed。Deolebosshewriteletter，an’youcomeherequeek。"
　　"Thankyou，Perault。Averylucidexplanation，indeed。Now，weshallseethepatient;andyou，MissMarion，hadbetterremainherebythefireforafewmoments。"
　　ThedoctorpassedwithShockintotheOldProspector’stent。
　　"Mr。Macgregor，"criedtheoldman，stretchingoutbothhandseagerlytohim，"I’mgladyouhavecome。Ifearedyouwouldnotbeintime。Butnow，"sinkingbackuponhisbalsambed，"nowallwillbe——well。"
　　"Mr。Mowbray，"saidShock，"Ihavebroughtthedoctorwithme。Lethimexamineyounow，andthenweshallsoonhaveyouonyourfeetagain。"
　　TheoldgentlemansmiledupintoShock’sface，asmilequietandcontent。
　　"No，"hesaidbetweenshortbreaths，"Ihavetakenthelongtrail。
　　Myquestisover。Itisnotforme。"
　　"Letthedoctorhavealookatyou，"entreatedShock。
　　"Mostcertainly，"saidtheOldProspector，inhiswontedcalmvoice。
　　"Letthedoctorexamineme。Iamnotamantothrowawayanyhope，howeverslight。"
　　Asthedoctorproceededwithhisexaminationhisfacegrewmoreandmoregrave。Atlengthhesaid，"Itisidleformetotrytoconcealthetruthfromyou，Mr。Mowbray。Youareaverysickman。Theinflammationhasbecomegeneraloverbothlobesofthelung。Thewallsofthevesselsandthesurroundingtissueshavelosttheirvitality;thevesselsareextremelydilated，whileexudationandinfiltrationhaveproceededtoanalarmingextent。Theprocessofengorgementiscomplete。"
　　"Doyouconsiderhisconditiondangerous，doctor？"saidShock，breakinginuponthedoctor’stechnicaldescription。
　　"Inayoungpersonthedangerwouldnotbesogreat，but，Mr。
　　Mowbray，Ialwaystellthetruthtomypatients。InamanofyourageIthinkthehopeofrecoveryisveryslightindeed。"
　　"Thankyou，doctor"saidtheoldmancheerfully。"Iknewitlongago，butIamcontentthatmyquestshouldceaseatthispoint。Andnow，ifyouwillgivemeafewmomentsofcloseattention，"hesaid，turningtoShock，"andifyouwillseethattheprivacyofthistentisabsolutelysecure，thereislittlemorethatIshallrequireofyou。"
　　Thedoctorsteppedtothedoor。
　　"Doctor，"saidtheOldProspector，"Idonotwishyoutogo。ItismorethanIhoped，thatthereshouldbebesidemewhenIpassedoutofthislifetwomenthatIcantrust，suchasyourselfandMr。
　　Macgregor。Sitdownclosebesidemeandlisten。"
　　Hepulledoutfrombeneathhispillowanoil—skinparcel，whichheopened，discoveringasmallbagofbuckskintiedwithathong。
　　"Openit，"hesaidtoShock。"Takeoutthepaper。"Hisvoicebecamelowandeager，andhismannerbespokeintenseexcitement。
　　"Mydearfriend，"saidthedoctor，"thiswillbetoomuchforyou。
　　Youmustbecalm。"
　　"Givemesomethingtodrink，doctor，somethingtosteadymeabit，forImustconveytoyouthesecretofmylife’squest。"
　　Thedoctoradministeredastimulant，andthen，withlessexcitement，butwithnolesseagerness，theoldmanproceededwithhisstory。
　　"Here，"hesaid，pointingwithatremblingfingertoalineuponthepaperShockhadspreadbeforehim，"hereisthetrailthatleadstotheLostRiver。Atthispointwearenowcamped。Followthecourseofthisstreamtothispoint，halfaday’sjourney，notmore;turntowardtheeastandcrossoverthislowmountainridgeandyoucometoavalleythatwillstrikeyouasoneofpeculiarformation。Ithasnoapparentoutlet。Thatvalley，"saidtheOldProspector，loweringhisvoicetoawhisper，"isthevalleyoftheLostRiver。
　　Thisend，"keepinghistremblingfingeratacertainpointonthepaper，"hasbeenblockedupbyamountainslide。Theotherturnsveryabruptly，stilltotheeast。Threemountainpeaks，keptinperfectline，willleadyouacrossthisblockadetothesourceoftheLostRiver。"
　　"Mr。Mowbray，"saidShock，"Peraulttellsusyouonlymadeshortexcursionsfromthispointwherewearenow。"
　　"Listen，"saidtheoldman。"Imadethisdiscoverylastyear。Ihavebreathedittonoone。Myclaimisyetunstaked，buthere，"saidhe，takinganothersmallbuckskinbagfromhisbreast，"hereiswhatI
　　found。"
　　Hetriedinvainwithhistremblingfingerstoundotheknot。Shocktookthebagfromhimandopeneditup。
　　"Emptyitout，"saidtheoldman，hiseyesglitteringwithfeverandexcitement。
　　Shockpouredforthgolddustandnuggets。
　　"There，"hesighed。"Ifoundtheseatthatspot。Emptytheotherbag，"hesaidtoShock。"ThesearetheonesgivenmebytheIndiansomanyyearsago。Thesamegold，thesamerock，thesamenuggets。
　　ThereismyLostRiver。Ithoughttostakemyclaimthissummer。I
　　oughttohavestakeditlastyear，butaterriblestormdrovemeoutofthemountainsandIcouldnotcompletemywork。"
　　Theoldmanceasedhistale，andlaybackuponhiscouchwithclosedeyes，andbreathingquickly。ThedoctorandShockstoodlookingateachotherinamazementandperplexity。
　　"Ishequitehimself？"saidShock，inalowvoice。
　　Theoldmancaughtthequestionandopenedhiseyes。