"Whistnow，laddie！Therenow。ItisstheLord。"
　　Hervoicegrewsteadyandgrave。"ItisstheLord，andHegaveyoutomeforthesefewhappyyears，and，Shock，man，youwillbeheedingme。"
　　Shockturnedhisfacetowardheragainandlaidhisfaceclosetohercheek。
　　"Remember，IgaveyoutoHimselfinconvenantthatday，andthatcovenantyouwillkeepnowand——afterwards，andImustbekeepingittoo。"
　　"Yes，mother，"saidShockbrokenly，whileheheldhertight。"Butitisonlyfortwoyears，andthenIwillbecominghome，oryoutome，andbeforethat，perhaps。"
　　"Yes，yes，laddie，itmaybe——itmaybe，"saidhismothersoothingly，"butwhetherorno，wewillnotbetakingbackwiththeonehandwhatwegivewiththeother。Ihadmindedtogiveyouwithouttears，but——butoh，lad，youareall——all——all——Ihave。
　　Thereisnoonelefttome。"
　　Therewasalongsilencebetweenthem。Undercoverofdarknesstheylettheirtearsfreelymingle。InallhislifeShockhadneverseenhismothersob，andnowhewasheart——strickenwithgriefandterror。
　　"Whistnow，mother，youmustnotcrylikethat。SurelyGodwillbegoodtous，andbeforelongIwillgetalittleplaceforyouyonder。Whyshouldyounotcometome？Therearemissionaries’wivesoutthere，"hesaid。
　　"No，lad，"hismotherrepliedquietly，"Iwillnotbedeceivingmyself，noryou。AndyetitmaybetheLord’swill。Butgoawaynowandlieyoudown。Youwillneedtosleepabit，to—morrowwillbeaharddaytoyou。"
　　Fortwentyyearsandmoreshehadthoughtfirstofherboy，andnow，eveninthemidstofherowngreatsorrow，shethoughtmostlyofhimandhisgrief。
　　"Letmestayhere，mother，"whisperedShock。Andsoineachother’sarmstheylay，andfromsheerexhaustionbothsoonfellasleep。
　　Themorning’ssunwasshiningthroughthechinkbythecurtainwhenMrs。Macgregorawoke。Gentlysheslippedoutofthebedandbeforedressinglightedthekitchenfire，putonthekettlefortheteaandthepotfortheporridge。Thenshedressedherselfandsteppingaboutontiptoepreparedbreakfast，peeringinnowandthenathersleepingson。
　　Itwaswithafacecalmandstrong，andevenbright，thatshewentinatlasttowakenhim。
　　"Now，mother，"exclaimedShock，springingoffthebed，"thisisreallytoobad，andImeanttogiveyouyourbreakfastinbedto—
　　day。"
　　"Ay，it’smyselfknewthatmuch，"shecriedwithalittlelaughofdelight。
　　"Oh，butyou’rehardtomanage，"saidShockseverely，"butwaituntilIgetyououtyonderinmyownhouse。"
　　"Ay，lad，"answeredhismotherbrightly，"itwillbeyourturnthen。"
　　Theyweredetermined，thesetwo，tolookonlyatthebrightsideto—
　　day。Nosunshouldshineupontheirtears。Thepartingwouldbesoreenoughwithallthehelpthathopecouldbring。AndsothemorningpassedinlastpreparationsforShock’sgoing，andthelastcounselsandpromises，andinplanningforthenewhomethatwastobemadeintheshadowoftheRockiesinthefarWest。
　　"Andthetimewillsoonpass，mother，"saidShockcheerfully，"anditwillbegoodforyoutohaveBrownwithyou。Hewillneedyourcare，youknow，"hehastenedtoadd，knowingwellthatnotforherownsakecouldshehavebeenpersuadedtoreceiveevenBrownintoherlittlehome。
　　"Ay，IwilldoforhimwhatIcan，"shereplied，"andindeed，"sheaddedwarmly，"he’sakindlad，poorfellow。"
　　"Andtheyoungladieswillbelookinginonyounowandthen，sotheysaid，"andShockbentlowoverhistrunkworkingwiththeropingofit。
　　"Yes，indeed，"repliedhismotherheartily，"neveryoufear。"
　　Andsowithunitedanddeterminedpurposetheykeptatarm’slengththeheart’ssorrowtheyknewwouldfalluponeachwhenalone。
　　Togototheendsoftheearthintheseglobe—trottingdaysisattendedwithlittleanxiety，muchlessheart—break，butinthosedayswhenCanadawascutoffattheLakes，thelandbeyondwasawilderness，untravelledforthemostpartbutbytheIndianortrapper，andconsideredafitdwellingplaceonlyfortheHudsonBayofficerkepttherebyhisloyaltyto"theCompany，"orthehalf—
　　breedrunnertowhomitwasnativeland，orthemoreadventurousland—hungrysettler，ortherecklessgold—feveredminer。Onlyundersomegreatpassiondidmenleavehomeandthosedearerthanlife，andcastingasidedreamsofsocial，commercial，orothergreatness，devotethemselvestolifeonthatrudefrontier。ButsuchapassionhadseizeduponShock，andinithismothershared。Togetherthesetwosimplesouls，whowereallinalltoeachother，madetheirofferingforthegreatcause，bringingeachtheirallwithoutstint，withoutmeasure，withoutgrudging，thoughnotwithoutheart—break，andgainingthatfullexquisitejoy，tosomanyunknown，oflove’scompletesacrifice。
　　Tononebutthemselves，however，wasthegreatnessofthesacrificeapparent。ForwhenthecarriagearrivedwithMrs。Fairbanksandherdaughterstherewasnosignoftearsorheart—breakinthequietfacesthatwelcomedthem。AndMrs。Fairbanks，whohadcomepreparedtoofferoverflowingsympathytotheoldlady"deserted"byher"fanatical"son，wassomewhattakenabackbythequietdignityandperfectcontrolthatdistinguishedthelady’svoiceandmanner。
　　Afterthefirsteffusivekiss，whichMrs。FairbankshurriedtobestowandwhichMrs。Macgregorsufferedwithcalmsurprise，itbecamedifficulttogoonwiththeprogrammeoftearfulconsolationwhichhadbeenprepared。Thereseemedhardlyaplaceforsympathy，muchlessfortearfulconsolation，inthiswell—orderedhome，andwiththeseself—sufficientfolk。
　　"Wethoughtwewouldliketocomeoverand——and——help，perhapsdriveyoutothestationtoseeyoursonoff，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，whowasreadjustinghersceneryandchangingherrolewithallspeed。
　　"Thatwaskind，indeed，"saidMrs。Macgregor，"butHamishwillbewalking，Idoubt，andIwilljustbewaitingathome。"
　　Shehadtheinstinctofthewoundedtohideinsomeshelteredandfamiliarhaunt。
　　"Ishallbegladtoremainwithyou，Mrs。Macgregor，ifIcanbeofanyservice，"repeatedMrs。Fairbanks。
　　"Itwillnotbenecessary;everythingisdone，andthereisnothingneeded。"
　　Thevoicewasmorethanquiet，asifitcamefromaheartwhosepassionhadbeenspent。
　　"Itisverykind，indeed，andwearegrateful，"saidShock，feelingthathismother’smannermightbemisunderstood。
　　"Yess，yess，"saidtheoldladyhastily，"itissverygoodofyouandoftheyoungladies，"turningtolookatHelenwithkindlyeyes。
　　"Youwillnotbethinkingmeungrateful，"sheaddedwithasuspicionoftearsinhervoice。"IhavebeenspoiledbyHamishyonder，"
　　turningherfacetowardherson。
　　"Whistnow，mother，"saidHamishtoherinalowtone，inwhichdepreciationandwarningweremingled。Heknewhowhardthenexthourwouldbeforhimselfandforhismother，andheknew，too，thattheycouldnotindulgethemselvesintheluxuryofutteredgriefandlove。Atthismoment，tothereliefofall，Brownenteredwithanexaggeratedairofcarelessness。
　　"Here’samanforyour’settler’seffect，’"hecriedcheerily。
　　"Luckydog，ainthe，"hecried，turningtoHelen，"anddon’tIwishIwasinhisplace。Thinkofthetimeshewillhaveridingovertheclaimswiththosejollycowboys，nottospeakoftheclaimshewillbestaking，andthegoldhewillbewashingoutofthoseparishstreamsofhis。Don’tIwishIweregoing！Iam，too，whenIcanpersuadethoseoldiron—liveredprofessorstoletmethrough。
　　However，nextyearI’mtopass。Mrs。Macgregoristoseetothat。"
　　"Indeed，Ihopeso，"criedBetty，"anhour’sstudyatleast，beforebreakfastandnogallivantingatnight。Iwillhelpyou，Mrs。
　　Macgregor。Wewillgethimthroughthistime。"
　　"Ay，IdoubtIwillnotbemuchthebetterofyourhelp，"repliedMrs。Macgregor，withashrewdkindlysmile。
　　"Therenow，takethat，"saidBrowntoBetty，addingruefullytoShock，"YouseewhatI’minfor。"
　　"You’llsurvive，"saidShock。
　　Thenheroseandliftedhiscoatfromthepegbehindthedoor。AtthesameinstantHelenrosehurriedlyandwithpalingfacesaidtohermother:"Letusgonow。"
　　"Well，Mrs。Macgregor，ifwecannotserveyouwewillbegoing，"
　　saidMrs。Fairbanks;"butwewouldbegladtodriveMr。Macgregortothestation。"
　　Shewasanxioustojustifyhervisittoherselfandherfriends。
　　"That’safirst—rateidea，"criedBrown，"thatis，ifyoucangivemealift，too。"
　　"Ofcourse，"criedBetty。
　　"Thankyou，Ishallbeveryglad，"saidShock，seeingitwouldpleaseMrs。Fairbanks。
　　"Comealong，then，"saidBetty。"Isupposewehavenottoomuchtime。"
　　"Good—bye，forthepresent，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，offeringherhandtotheoldlady，whowasstandingerect，whitebutcalm，facingthehourwhosebitternessshehadalreadytasted。
　　"Good—bye，"saidBettysoftly，kissingthewhitecheek，andtryingtohurryhermothertowardsthedoor。
　　Atthis，Helen，whohadbeenstandingwithfacegrowingwhiterandwhiter，wenttoMrs。Macgregorandputherarmsaroundherandkissedhergood—bye。Whenshewasnearingthedoorshecamehurriedlyback。"Oh，letmestaywithyou。Icannotbeartogo，"shewhispered。
　　Theoldladyturnedandscrutinisedsteadilytheyoungfaceturnedsopleadinglytowardher。Slowlyunderthatsteadygazetheredcreptupintothewhitecheek，likethefirstdawningofday，tillthewholefaceandneckwereinahotflameofcolour。Yetthegrey，lustrouseyesneverwavered，but，unshrinking，answeredtheoldlady’ssearchinglook。AtthatrevealingwaveofcolourShock’smothermadeasiftopushthegirlawayfromher，but，withaquickchangeofmood，shetookherinherarmsinstead。
　　"Ay，poorlassie，youtoo！Yes，yes，youmaystaywithmenow。"
　　ThemotherlytouchandtoneandtheknowledgethathersecrethadbeenreadweremorethanHelencouldbear。SheclungtoMrs。
　　Macgregor，sobbingpassionatesobs。
　　AtthisextraordinaryoutburstMrs。FairbankscamebackintotheroomandstoodwithShockandtheothersgazinginutteramazementuponthisscene。
　　"Whistnow，lassie，whistnow，"Mrs。Macgregorwassaying，"neveryoufear，he’llcomebackagain。"
　　"Whatonearthisthisnonsense，Helen？"Mrs。Fairbanks’voicewashaughtyandsuspicious。"Whatdoesthismean？"
　　"Itmeans，"saidMrs。Macgregorwithquietdignity，"whatneitheryounorIcanhelporharm。"
　　"Helen，speaktome。"
　　AtthesterncommandHelenliftedherface，stillhotwithblushes，andstoodlookingstraightintohermother’seyes。Hermotherturnedfromherimpatiently。
　　"Doyouknowwhatthismeans？"shesaidtoShock。
　　"What？Idon’tunderstand，"repliedShock，gazinghelplesslyatthehaughty，angryfaceturnedtowardhim。
　　"Haveyoudaredtospeaktomydaughter？"
　　"Oh，mamma，"criedHelen，inanagonyofmortification，"howcanyou？"
　　"Youmaywellbeashamed，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，whohadquitelostcontrolofherself，"throwingyourselfattheheadofamansofarbeneathyou，withnoprospects，andwhodoesnotevenwantyou。"
　　"Sofarbeneath，didyousay？"criedMrs。Macgregorquickly。"Woman，saynomore。Youshameyourself，letaloneyourchild。Whist，"——
　　checkingtheother’sspeech——"thebloodintheveinsofHectorMacgregoryonder"（pointingtotheportraitoftheHighlandsoldieronthewall）"wasasproudasthatinanyLowlandtraderofyou。"
　　"Whatsortofconduct，then，isthis？"answeredMrs。Fairbanksangrily。"Haveyouencouragedyourson？"
　　"Hush，mother，"saidShock，suddenlyawakeningtoanunderstandingofwhatwashappening，"letmespeak。"
　　Thesternvoicecompelledsilence。Shockwasanewmantothemall。
　　Hewasthinkingquicklynowforhismother，forhimself，butmostofallforthegirlheloved，whostoodwithfaceturnedawayandeyescastdowninintolerablehumiliation。
　　"Mrs。Fairbanks，"saidShock，speakingslowlyandwithquietdignity，"ifIhavenotspokenoflovetoyourdaughter，itisnotbecauseIhavenotlovedherwellandforlong，butbecauseIcouldnotfeelmyselfworthyofher。Hush，mother;Iamnotworthyofher，norshallIeverbe，notbyreasonofanydifferenceinblood，——forthereisnodifference，——butbecauseofwhatsheisherself，sofaraboveme。Ihaveneverspokenwithmylipsoflove，andyetformanyandmanyadayIhavefearedthatmyeyes，andallelsethatcouldspeak，musthavetoldherIlovedher。Andifitshouldbe——forI
　　willnotpretendtomisunderstandyou——ifitshouldbethatitispossiblesheshouldeverloveme，thentherehascometomeajoygreaterthanIcouldhavehoped，andwhatevermay，comeofit，thisdayisthehappiestofmylife。"
　　AsShockbegantospeak，Helenliftedherface，andasshelistenedherlookofgriefandshamefled，andinhereyesalightofjoybegantodawn，thengrewtillitseemedtooverflowinwavesacrossherbeautifulface。AndasShockcontinuedhiscalm，manlywordspridemingledinherjoy，andherheadlifteditselfwithagraceanddignitythatmatchedthatoftheoldladystandingbyherside。
　　Mrs。FairbanksstoodfairlyspeechlessatShock’swordsandatthelookofjoyandprideshesawuponherdaughter’sface。
　　"Thisisabsurd！"shecriedatlength。"It’spreposterous，anditmustendnowandforever。Iforbidabsolutelyanythinginthewayof——ofengagementorunderstanding。Iwillnothavemydaughtertieherselftoamanwithsuchprospects。"
　　"Wait，mother，"saidShock，puttinghishandouttowardtheoldlady，whowasabouttospeak。"Mrs。Fairbanks，"hecontinuedquietly，"farbeitfrommetotakeadvantageofyourdaughterinanyway，andIsaytoyouherethatsheisasfreenowaswhenshecameintothisroom。Ishallnotaskhertobindherselftome，butIwillbefalsetomyself，andfalsetoher，ifIdonotsaythatI
　　loveherasdearlyasmaneverlovedwoman，andcomewhatmay，I
　　shalllovehertillIdie。"
　　TheringinShock’svoiceashespokethelastwordsthrilledeveryoneintheroom。
　　"Ay，ladthatyouwill，"saidhismotherproudly。
　　"Oh，ainthegreat，"whisperedBrowntoBetty，whoinherexcitementhaddrawnclosetohim。Bettyrespondedwithalook，butcouldnottrustherselftospeak。
　　Themomentwaspregnantwithpossibilities。
　　AsShockfinishedspeaking，Helen，withanindescribableminglingofshygraceandcalmstrength，cameandstoodbyhisside。ForthefirsttimeShocklostcontrolofhimself。Heflushedhotly，thengrewpale，thenwithaslightlydefiantlookinhisface，heputhisarmlightlyabouther。
　　"Timeforthattrain，"saidBrown，whohadslippedtotheouterdoor。"Thatis，"hecontinuedinhisbriskestmanner，"ifyou’regoing。"
　　WithaquickgaspHelenturnedtowardsShock。Hetightenedhisarmaboutthegirl，andputtinghishanduponhershoulder，turnedherfacetowardhimandlookeddownintoherface。
　　"Good—bye，"hesaidgently。"Rememberyouarefree，freeaseveryouwere。Ihavenoclaimuponyou，butdon’tforgetthatIwillalwaysloveyou。Iwillneverforgetyou。"
　　"Good—bye，Shock，"sherepliedinalow，sweettone，liftingherfacetohim。"Iwillnotforget。YouknowIwillnotforget。"
　　Sheslippedherarmaroundhisneck，andwhilehisgreatframetrembledwithemotionsheheldhimfast。
　　"I’llnotforget，"shesaidagain，thelightinhergreatgreyeyesquenchedinaquickrushoftears。"Youknow，Shock，Iwillnotforget。"Herlipsquiveredpiteously。
　　ThenShockcastrestrainttothewinds。"No，"hecriedaloud，"youwillnotforget，thankGod，youwillnotforget，andyouaremine！"
　　Hedrewherclosetohim，heldheramomentortwo，lookingintohereyes，andasshelaylimpandclinginginhisarmshekissedheronthebrow，andthenonthelips，andgavehertohismother。
　　"Here，mother，"hesaid，"takeher，begoodtoher，loveherformysake。"
　　Heputhisarmsaroundhismother，kissedhertwice，andwasgone。
　　"He’llnevergetthattrain，"criedBetty。
　　"Takethecarriage，"saidMrs。Fairbanksshortly，"andfollowhim。"
　　"Comealong！hurry！"saidBetty，catchingBrown’sarm。
　　"Thestation，John！"
　　"Oh，Isay，"gaspedBrown，seizingBetty’shandandcrushingitecstatically，"mayIembraceyou？It’seitheryouorJohnthere。"
　　"Dobequiet。ItseemstomewehavehadasmuchofthatsortofthingasIcanstand。Wasn’titawful？"
　　"Awful？Awfullyjolly！"gaspedBrown，hugginghimself。"Haven’thadathrillapproachingthatsincetheMcGillmatch，andeventhatwasonlyapaleadumbrationofwhatI’vejustbeenthrough。"
　　"I’msureIdon’tknowwhattothink。It’ssodreadfullystartling。"
　　"Startling！"criedBrown。"Comenow，MissBetty，youdon’tmeantosayyouhaven’tseenthisgrowingforthepastsixmonths！"
　　"No，trulyIhaven’t。"
　　"Well，that’sonlybecauseyouhavebeensooccupiedwithyourownaffairs。"
　　"Nonsense，"criedBettyindignantly，withasuddenflameofcolourinhercheeks。"You’requiterude。"
　　"Idon’tcareforanythingnow，"criedBrownrecklessly。"Myprayers，tears，andalms—givinghaven’tbeenwithoutavail。TheterrorsandagoniesI’veenduredthislastfewdayslestthatoldblockheadshouldtakehimselfoffwithoutsayingordoinganything，nomanwilleverknow。Andhewouldhavegoneoff，too，haditnotbeenforthatluckyflukeofyourmother’s。DoyoumindifIyell？"
　　"Hush！Here，letmyhandgo，it’squiteuseless，"saidBetty，lookingatthatmemberwhichBrownhadjustrelinquished。
　　"John，"gravelyenquiredBrown，"areyouusingbothyourhands？"
　　"Ibegpardon，sir，"enquiredtheastonishedcoachman，halfturninground。
　　"Here，dostopyournonsense，"criedBettyinashockedvoice。
　　"Oh，allright，John，thiswilldo，"saidBrown，seizingBetty’shandagain，asJohngavehisattentiontothehorses。
　　"Isay，pullupbesideMr。Macgregorthere，willyou？Here，Shock，getin。You’llmissyourtrain。Here，youoldbloke，comealong，don’tgapelikeasickduck。Getinhere。Youhavegottogetthattrainnow。"
　　"Mr。Brown，"saidBettyinaseverewhisper，"mind，don’tsayawordtohimaboutthisbusiness。Ican’tstandit。"
　　"Certainlynot，"saidBrown，inamatteroffacttone。"There’snothingtobesaid。"
　　Buttherewasonelastwordtobesaid，andthatwasBetty’s。
　　"Good—bye，Shock，"shewhisperedtohim，ashesteppeduponhistrain。"Ithink——Iknow——I’mveryglad。"
　　PoorShockcouldonlygraspherhandinmutefarewell。Itwasjustdawninguponhimthathehadsomefurtherofferingtobringtomakehissacrificecomplete。
　　VI
　　ONTHETRAIL
　　"That’sthetrail。LoonLakeliesyonder。"
　　Shock’sConvener，whohadchargeforhisChurchofthisdistrict，stoodbythebuck—boardwheelpointingsouthwest。Hewasamanaboutmiddlelife，rathershortbutwellsetup，withastrong，honestface，tannedandbearded，redeemedabundantlyfromcommonnessbytheeye，deepblueandfearless，thatspokeofthegeniusinthesoul。
　　Itwasakindlyfacewithal，andwithhumourlurkingabouttheeyesandmouth。DuringthedayandnightspentwithhimShockhadcometofeelthatinthismantherewasanchorageforanywhomightfeelthemselvesadrift，andsomehowthegreatWest，withitslongleaguesofemptyprairiethroughwhichhehadpassed，travellingbytheslowprogressofconstructiontrains，wouldnowseemalittlelessemptybecauseofthisman。BetweenthenewfieldtowardwhichthistrailledandthehomeandfolkinthefarEasttherewouldalwaysbethismanwhowouldknowhim，andwouldsometimesbethinkingofhim。ThethoughtheartenedShockmorethanalittle。
　　"That’sthetrail，"repeatedtheConvener;"followthat;itwillleadyoutoyourhome。"
　　"Home！"thoughtShockwithatugathisheartandaqueerlittlesmileonhisface。
　　"Yes，aman’shomeiswherehisheartis，andhisheartiswherehisworklies。"
　　Shockglancedquicklyattheman’stannedface。Didhesuspect，Shockwondered，thehomesicknessandthelonginginhisheart？
　　Lastnight，astheyhadsattogetherinlatetalk，hehaddrawnfromShockwithcunningskill（thosewhoknewhimwouldrecognisethetrick）thepictureofhisnewmissionary’shome，andhadinterpretedarightthethrillinthevoicethattoldoftheoldladyleftbehind。Butnow，asShockglancedathisConvener’sface，therewasnothingtoindicateanyhiddenmeaninginhiswords。Thespeaker’seyeswerefardownthetrailthatwoundlikeawaveringwhiteribbonovertheyellow—greenbillowsofprairiethatreachedtothehorizonbeforeanduptothegreatmountainsontheright。
　　"TwentymileswillbringyoutoSpruceCreekstopping—place;twentymilesmoreandyouareatBigRiver——notsoverybigeither。Youwillseetherealittleschoolandbesideit，ontheleft，alittlehouse——youmightcallitashack，butwemakethemostofthingsouthere。That’sMr。McIntyre’smanse，andproudofittheyallare，I
　　cantellyou。Youwillstaywithhimovernight——afinefellowyouwillfindhim，aNovaScotian，verysilent;andbetterthanhimselfisthelittlebravewomanhehasforawife;areallysuperiorwoman。Isometimeswonder——butnevermind，forpeopledoubtlesswonderatourwives:onecannevergetatthebottomofthemysteryofwhysomewomendoit。Theywillseeyouonyourway。Uptothistimehewasthelastmanwehadinthatdirection。Nowyouareouroutpost——adistinctionIenvyyou。"
　　TheConvener’sblueeyewasalightwithenthusiasm。Thecallofthenewlandwaseverringinginhisheart，andthesoundofthestrifeatthefrontinhisear。
　　UnconsciouslyShockdrewinalongbreath，thehomesicknessandheart—longinggavebackbeforethespiritofhighcourageandenterprisewhichbreathedthroughthewordsofthelittlemanbesidehim，whosefamewasinalltheWesternChurch。
　　"Upthesevalleyssomewhere，"continuedtheConvener，wavinghishandstowardsthesouthernsky—line，"arethemen——theranchersandcowboysItoldyouoflastnight。Somegoodmen，andsomeofthemdevils——mengoodbynature，devilsbycircumstance，poorfellows。
　　Theywon’twantyou，perhaps，buttheyneedyoubadly。AndtheChurchwantsthem，and"——afteralittlepause——"Godwantsthem。"
　　TheConvenerpaused，stilllookingatthedistantflowinghills。
　　ThenheturnedtoShockandsaidsolemnly，"Welooktoyoutogetthem。"
　　Shockgasped。"Tome！togetthem！"
　　"Yes，that’swhatweexpect。Why！doyouremembertheoldchapI
　　toldyouabout——thatoldprospectorwholivesatLoonLake？——youwillcomeacrosshim，unlesshehasgonetothemountains。Forthirteenyearsthatmanhashuntedthegulchesformines。Thereareyourmines，"wavinghishandagain，"andyouareourprospector。Digthemup。Good—bye。Godblessyou。Reporttomeinsixmonths。"
　　TheConvenerlookedathisfingersafterShockhadleft，spreadingthemapart。"Well，whatthatchapgripshe’llholduntilhewantstoletitgo，"hesaidtohimself，wrinklinghisfaceintoacurioussmile。
　　Nowandthenashewalkedalongthetrailheturnedandlookedafterthebuckboardheadingtowardthesouthernhorizon，butneveroncedidhismissionarylookback。
　　"Ithinkhewilldo。Hemadeamessofmyservicelastnight，butI
　　supposehewasrattled，andthennoonecouldbemoredisgustedthanhe，whichisnotabadsign。Hisheart’sallright，andhewillwork，buthe’sslow。He’sundoubtedlyslow。Thosefellowswillgivehimatime，Ifear，"andagaintheConvenersmiledtohimself。Ashecametothebrowofthehill，wherethetraildippedintotheriverbottominwhichthelittletownlaythatconstitutedthenucleusofhisparish，hepausedand，oncemoreturning，lookedafterthediminishingbuckboard。"Hewon’tlookback，eh！Allright，myman。I
　　likeyoubetterforit。Itmusthavebeenahardpulltoleavethatdearoldladybehind。Hemightbringherout。Therearejustthetwoofthem。Well，wewillsee。It’sprettycloseshaving。"
　　Hewasthinkingofthethreatenedcutinthealreadymeagresalariesofhismissionaries，renderednecessarybythedisproportionbetweenthegrowthofthefundsandtheexpansionofthework。
　　"It’sashame，too，"hesaid，turningandlookingoncemoreafterShockincasethereshouldbeafinalsignaloffarewell，whichhewouldbesorrytomiss。
　　"They’reevidentlyeverythingtoeachother。"ButitwasanoldproblemwiththeConvener，whosesolutionlaynotwithhim，butwiththechurchthatsenthimouttodothiswork。
　　MeantimeShock’seyeswereuponthetrail，andhisheartwasringingwiththatlastwordofhisConvener。"Weexpectyoutogetthem。Youareourprospector，digthemup。"Ashethoughtoftheworkthatlaybeforehim，andofallhewasexpectedtoachieve，hisheartsank。