"Dasmightysmartgirl，"saidPerault，scratchinghisheadashesetoffafterherasfastashisjadedponycouldfollow。"Can’tmakfoolonher。"
　　HalfwaytothevillagestoodtheoldProspector’shouse，almosthiddeninabluffofpoplarandspruce。AlittlefurtheronwasPerault’sshack。Atherfather’sdoorthegirlwaited。
　　"Perault，"shesaidquietly，"Ileftthekeyatyourhouse。WillyougetitformewhileItakePatsyhome？"
　　"Bon，"saidPeraulteagerly。"Igetheeman’makfire。"
　　"Thankyou，Perault，"sherepliedkindly。"I’llberightback。"
　　ButittooksometimetogetPatsypersuadedtoallowhertodepart，andbythetimeshehadreturnedshefoundPeraulthadthefirelitandJosie，hisbright—eyed，pretty，littlewife，busyairingthebed—clothesandflittingaboutseekingopportunitiestoshowhersympathy。
　　"Mapauvreenfant！"sheexclaimed，runningtoMarionassheenteredandputtingherarmsabouther。
　　"Josie，"warnedPeraultgruffly，"shutupyou。Yougoformakfoolofyousef。"
　　ButJosiepaidnoattentiontoherhusbandandcontinuedpettingthegirl。
　　"Josie，"criedMarion，fixinghereyesupontheFrenchwoman’skindlyface，"tellme，ismyfatherbadlyhurt？Peraultwouldnottellmethetruth。"
　　"Non，mapetite，dathur’snotsover’bad，butdecolewater——dasbadtingforfader，sure。"
　　Thecloudofgloomonthegirl’sfacedeepened。Sheturnedawaytowardthedoorandsaying，"I’llgoandgetsomecrocuses，"shemountedherponyandrodeofftowardtheJumpingRock。
　　Withinhalfanhourthegirlcamegallopingback。
　　"Josie，"shecriedexcitedly，springingoffherpony，"they’recoming。Isawthemupthetrail。"
　　Shetossedherflowersonthetableandhurriedtoarrangetheminbasins，cups，oldtincans，andallavailablevessels，tillthewholehouseseemedtoberunningoverwiththosefirstandmostexquisiteprairiespring—flowers。Andformanyfollowingdaysthespring—flowersfilledthehousewiththeirownhopeandcheer，whenhopeandcheerwerebothsorely，needed。
　　IX
　　TIMCARROLL
　　TherestoodatthedoorPerault，Josie，andMarion，waitingforShockandtheOldProspectortodriveup。Thecontrastbetweenthetwomeninthebuckboardwasstriking。Theone，ayoungmanwithmuscularframe，astrong，freshfaceinnocentofworldlywisdomandmarkedbythefranknessofanunspoiledfaithinmenandthings;theother，anoldman，tall，slight，withafacewornandweary，delicately，featuredandkindlyenough，butwithamaskofinscrutablereservetingedwiththatdistrustofmenandthingsthatcomesofabitterexperienceoftheworld’sfalsities。ForfiftyyearsWalterMowbrayhadlookedoutofthepiercingblackeyesthatgleamedlikecoalsoffirethroughhispallidfaceuponaworldthathadcontinuouslyalluredandmockedhim。Thepiercingeyeswerethoseofanenthusiast，nottosayfanatic。Thefireinthemstillburneddeepandbright。Theindomitablespirit，refusingtoacceptdefeat，stilllivedandhopedwithapersistenceatonceextraordinaryandpathetic。
　　Agleamoflightshotacrosshispaleimpassivefaceashiseyesfelluponhisdaughterwho，inthepresenceofastranger，shrankbackbehindJosie。Hebeckonedhertohim。
　　"Come，mydaughter，"hesaidinaclear，musicalvoice。
　　Thensheforgothershynessandthrewherselfathim。
　　"Oh，father！"shecriedinalow，smotheredvoice，herwholeframeshakingassheclungtohim。
　　Forasingleinstanttheoldmanheldhertohim，hispalefaceoncemoreilluminedbythatmomentarygleam，thenlooseningherarmsfromhisneck，hesaidincalmtones，inwhichmingledsurprise，raillery，almostrebuke，"Why，mychild，thisisindeedanextraordinarywelcomehome。"
　　Atthetonethegirlshrankback，andwithmarvellousself—controlregainedherordinaryquietmanner。
　　"Youarehurt，father，"shesaidsoquietlythatherfatherglancedwithquicksurpriseather。Hehardlyknewasyetthisdaughterofhis，whohadcometohimonlytwomonthsago，andwhomforfifteenyearshehadnotseen。
　　"Ameretouch，"heansweredcarelessly。"Abrokencollar—bone，inconvenient，butneitherpainfulnordangerous，andanadditionaltouchofrheumatism，which，thoughextremelyannoying，willproveonlytemporary。Afterafewdaysofyournursingweshallbeabletoresumeourmarch，eh，Perault？"
　　"Oui！bon！datso，"saidPerault，grinninghiseageracquiescence。
　　"Deolebosshestopfornoting。"
　　"Butnowweshallgetwithallspeedbetweentheblankets，mygirl。
　　Hotblankets，Josie，eh？"
　　"Oui，certainment，toutsuite！"criedJosie，dartingintothehouse。
　　Theoldmanbegancarefullytoraisehimselfofftheseatofthebuckboard。
　　"Ha！"catchinghisbreath。"Rathersharp，that，Mr。Macgregor。Oh！I
　　forgot。Pardonme，"hecontinued，withfine，old—timecourtesy。
　　"Permitmetointroduceyoutomydaughter。Marion，thisisMr。
　　Macgregor，butforwhosetimelyandheroicassistanceImightevennowbetumblingaboutatthefitfulfancyoftheBlackDog。Webothhavecausetobegratefultohim。"
　　Withasurprisedcrythegirlwho，duringherfather’swords，hadbeenlookingathimwithawhitefaceandstaringeyes，sprangtowardsShock，whowasstandingatthepony’shead，seizedhishandbetweenhers，kisseditpassionately，flungitaway，andreturnedhurriedlytoherfather’sside。
　　"Itwasnothingatall，"saidShock，whenhehadrecoveredfromhisconfusion。"Anyonewouldhavedoneit，andbesides——"
　　"Notmanymenwouldhavehadthestrengthtodoit，"interruptedtheOldProspector，"andfewmenthenervetotry。Wewillnotforgetit，sir，Itrust。"
　　"Besides，"continuedShock，addressingthegirl，"Iowesomethingtoyourfather，forIwashelplesslylostwhenhefoundme。"
　　WithawaveofhishandtheoldmanbrushedasideShock’sstatementasofnoimportance。
　　"Weshallhopeforopportunitytoshowourgratitude，Mr。
　　Macgregor，"hesaid，hisclearvoicetakingadeepertonethanusual。"Now，"hecontinuedbriskly，"letusproceedwiththissomewhatseriousbusinessofgettingintoblankets。Justliftmyfeetround，mydaughter。Ah！Thelongridehasstiffenedthejoints。
　　Oh！Onemoment，mydear。"Theoldman’sfacewaswetandghastlypale，andhisbreathcameinquickgasps。"Adifficultoperation，Mr。Macgregor，"hesaidapologetically，"butweshallaccomplishitintime。Wait，mydear，IfancyIshalldobetterwithoutyourassistance。Atleast，Ishallberelievedofuncertaintyastoresponsibilityformypains。Animportantconsideration，Mr。
　　Macgregor。Uncertaintyaddsmuchtothesumofhumansuffering。Now，ifIcanswingmylegsabout。Ah—h—h！Mosthumiliatingexperience，Mr。Macgregor，thearrivingatthelimitofone’sstrength。Butonenotuncommoninlife，andfinallyinevitable，"continuedtheoldphilosopher，onlytheghastlyhueofhismask—likefacegivingtokenoftheagonyhewasenduring。
　　ThenShockcametohim。
　　"Letmecarryyou，"hesaid。"Itwillgiveyoulesspain，Iamsure。"
　　"Well，itcanhardlygivemore。"
　　"Putyourarmsaboutmyneck。There。Nowdon’ttrytohelpyourself。"
　　"Mostsoundadvice。Isurrender，"saidtheoldman，hisphilosophictoneinstrikingcontrasttohisghastlyface。"Butonemostdifficulttoaccept。"
　　Gently，easily，asifhehadbeenachild，Shockliftedhimfromthebuckboard，carriedhimintothehouseandlaidhimuponhisbed。Theoldmanwasfaintwithhispain。
　　"Thankyou，sir——thatwasdistinctlyeasier。Youare——amightyman。
　　Perault！Ithink——I——"
　　Hisvoicefadedawayintosilenceandhisheadfellback。Thegirlsprangforwardwithacryoffear，butShockwasbeforeher。
　　"Thebrandy，Perault！Quick！"hesaid。"Don’tfear，MissMowbray，hewillsoonbeallright。"
　　ThegirlglancedintoShock’sfaceandatoncegrewcalmagain。
　　Soon，underthestimulusofthebrandy，theoldmanrevived。
　　"Ah！"hesaid，drawingalongbreathandlookingwithafaintapologeticsmileattheanxiousfacesabout，"pardonmyalarmingyou。Iamgettingold。Thelongdriveandthesomewhatseverepainweakenedme，Ifear。"
　　"Indeed，youhavenoneedtoapologise。ItismorethanIcouldhavestood，"saidShockingenuineadmiration。
　　"Thankyou，"saidtheoldman。"Nowweshallgetintoblankets。I
　　havethegreatestfaithinblankets，sir;thegreatestfaith。Ihaverolledmyselfinwetblanketsinmid—winterwhensufferingfromaseverecold，andhavecomeforthperfectlyrecovered。YouremembertheElkValley，Perault？"
　　"Oui，forsure。Isaydattamolebossblam—fool。Heescough！cough！
　　ver’bad。Nex’mornin’，bygar！he’sallright。"
　　"Andwillbeagainsoon，Perault，myboy，bythehelpofthesesameblankets，"saidtheoldmanconfidently。"Buthowtonegotiatethebusinessisthequestionnow。"
　　"Letmetry，sir。Ihavehadsomelittleexperienceinhelpingmenwithbrokenbonesandthelike，"saidShock。
　　"You’reatleastentitledtoconfidence，Mr。Macgregor，"repliedtheOldProspector。"Faithisthereflectionofexperience。Iresignmyselfintoyourhands。"
　　Inhalfanhour，withPerault’sassistance，Shockhadtheoldmanbetweenheatedblankets，exhaustedwithpain，butrestingcomfortably。
　　"Mr。Macgregor，"saidtheoldman，takingShockbythehand，"Ihavefoundthatlifesoonerorlaterbringsopportunitytodischargeeveryobligation。SuchanopportunityIshalleagerlyawait。"
　　"Ihavedonenomorethananymanshould，"repliedShocksimply。
　　"AndIamonlygladtohavehadthechance。"
　　"Chance！"echoedtheOldProspector。"Ihavefoundthatwemakeourchances，sir。Butnowyouwillrequirelodging。IregretIcannotofferyouhospitality。Perault，godowntotheStoppingPlace，presentmycomplimentstoCarrollandaskhimtogiveMr。Macgregorthebestaccommodationhehas。Thebestisnonetoogood。And，Perault，weshallneedanotherponyandanewoutfit。Inafewdayswemustbeonthemoveagain。SeeCarrollaboutthesethingsandreport。Meantime，Mr。Macgregor，youwillremainwithustotea。"
　　"Carroll！"exclaimedPeraultinatoneofdisgust。"Datmannogood’tall。Igetyouoneponycheap。DatCarrollhe’sonebeegtief。"
　　ThelittleFrenchman’seyesglitteredwithhate。
　　"Perault，"repliedtheOldProspectorquietly，"IquiteunderstandyouhaveyourownquarrelwithCarroll，butthesearemyaffairs。
　　Carrollwillnotcheatme。"
　　"Ah！Bah！"spatPeraultinaviciousundertoneofdisgust。"Deolebossheblam—fool。Henotseenoting。"AndPeraultdeparted，grumblingandswearing，tomakehisdealwithCarroll。
　　TimothyCarrollwasamanaltogetherremarkable，eveninthatcountryofremarkablemen。Ofhispasthistorylittlewasknown。AtonetimeaHudsonBaytrader，thenafreighter。Atpresenthe"ran"
　　theLoonLakeStoppingPlaceandaliverystable，tookcontractsinfreight，andconductedageneraltradingbusinessinhorses，cattle—
　　—anything，inshort，thatcouldbeboughtandsoldinthatcountry。
　　Amanofpowerfulphysiqueandgreatshrewdness，heeasilydominatedthecommunityofLoonLake。Hewasacuriousmixtureofincongruouscharacteristics。Atthesametimemanyapoorfellowhadfoundinhimafriendinsicknessor"inhardluck，"andbyhiswifeandfamilyhewasadored。HistendernessforlittlelamePatsywasthemarvelofallwhoknewtheterribleTimCarroll。Hehadafurioustemper，andinwrathwastrulyterrifying，whileinmattersoftradehewascool，cunning，andunscrupulous。Fewmenhadeverdaredtofacehisrage，andfewhadeverworstedhimina"deal。"NowonderPerault，whohadexperiencedboththefuryofhisrageandtheunscrupulousnessofhistradingmethods，approachedhimwithreluctance。But，thoughPeraulthadsufferedatthehandsofthebigIrishman，thechiefcauseofhishatredwasnotpersonal。Heknew，whatmanyothersinthecommunitysuspected，thatforyearsCarrollhadsystematicallyrobbedandhadcontributedlargelytotheruinofhis"oldboss。"WalterMowbraywashauntedbyoneenslavingvice。Hewasbytemperamentandbyhabitagambler。Itwasthisvicethathadbeenhisruin。Inthemadnessofhispassionhehadriskedandlost，onefatalnightintheoldland，thefundsofthefinancialinstitutionofwhichhewasthetrustedandhonouredhead。Intheagonyofhisshamehehadfledfromhishome，leavinginhergravehisbroken—heartedwife，andabandoningtothecareofhismaidensisterhislittlegirlofayearold，andhadsought，inthefeverishsearchforgold，relieffromhauntingmemory，redemptionforhimself，andprovisionforhischild。Inhisprospectingexperimentssuccesshadattendedhim。Hedevelopedinamarvellousdegreetheprospector’sinstinct，forinstinctitappearedtobe;
　　andmanyoftheimportantprospects，andsomeofthemostvaluableminesinSouthernBritishColumbia，hadbeendiscoveredbyhim。
　　ItwasatthispointthatCarrolltookahand。ActingincollusionwiththeexpertagentfortheBritishAmericanGoldandSilverMiningCompany，hehadboughtforhundredsofdollarsandsoldforthousandstheOldProspector’sclaims。Notthattheoldmanhadlostthatfinancialabilityorthatknowledgeofhumannaturethathadgivenhimhishighplaceinformerdays，buthewaspossessedofadreamofwealthsovastthatordinaryfortunesshrankintoinsignificanceincomparison。HehadfallenunderthespellofanIndiantaleofalostriveroffabulouswealthingoldthatdisturbedallhissenseofvalue。InoneofhisprospectingtourshehadcomeuponanoldIndianhunter，tornbyagrizzlyanddying。ForweekshenursedtheoldIndianinhiscampwithtenderbutunavailingcare。Ingratitude，thedyingmanhadtoldofthelostriverthatflowedoverrocksandsandssownwithgold。InhisyoungdaystheIndianhadseentheriverandhadgatheredits"yellowsandandstones";inlateryears，however，whenhehadcometoknowsomethingofthevalueofthis"yellowsandandstones"hehadsoughttheriver，butinvain。Amountainpeakinonevastslidehadfilledupthevalley，divertedthecourseoftheriver，andchangedthewholefaceofthecountry。FormanysummerstheIndianhadsoughtwiththeunfalteringpatienceofhisracethebedofthelostriver，andatlength，thatverysummer，hehaddiscoveredit。Deepdowninasidecanyoninthebedofatricklingbrookhehadfound"yellowsandandstones"similartothoseofthelostriverofhisyouth。AsthedyingIndianpouredoutfromhisbuckskinbagtheglitteringsandandrustybitsofrock，thereenteredintotheOldProspectortheterriblegold—lustthatforthirteenyearsburnedasafeverinhisbonesandluredhimonthroughperilsandprivations，overmountainsandalongcanyons，makinghiminsensibletostormsandfrostsandburningsuns，andthatevennow，oldmanashewas，wornandbroken，stillburnedwithunquenchableflame。
　　Underthespellofthatdreamofwealthhefounditeasytopayhis"debtsofhonour"toCarrollwithminingclaims，which，howevervaluableinthemselves，weretohimpaltryincomparisonwiththewealthoftheLostRiver，towhicheveryyearbroughthimnearer，andwhichonedayhewassurehewouldpossess。ThatCarrollandhisconfederaterobbedhimheknewwellenough，butfindingCarrollusefultohim，bothinthewayofoutfittinghisannualexpeditionsandinprovidingmeansforthegratifyingofhislife—longgamblingpassion，bywhichthedeadlymonotonyofthelongwinterdaysandnightswasrelieved，hetoleratedwhilehescornedhimandhisvillainy。
　　NotsoPerault，whosedevotiontohis"oleboss"wasequalledonlybyhishateofthosewhorobbedwhiletheyderidedhim，andhesethimselftothetaskofthwartingtheirnefariousschemes。ForthisPeraulthadincurredthesavagewrathofCarroll，andmorethanoncehadsuferedbodilyinjuryathishands。
　　TheStoppingPlacewasfilledwithmenfromtheranges，freightersfromthetrail，andthenondescriptdriftwoodthatthewavesofcivilisationcastupuponthosefar—awayshoresofhumansociety。
　　WithallofthemPeraultwasafavourite。Carrollwasoutwhenheentered。Onallsideshewasgreetedwithexclamationsofsurprise，pleasure，andcuriosity，forallknewthathehadsetoutuponanother"annualfoolhunt，"astheProspector’syearlyexpeditionwascalled。"Hello，Rainy，what’shappened？""Gotyergolddust？"
　　"Goin’toretire，Rainy？""TheOldProspectorstruckhisriveryit？"
　　greetedhimoneveryside。
　　"Oui，bygar！Hestruckheem，forsure，"grinnedPerault。
　　"What？TheLostRiver？""What？Hismine？"chorusedthecrowd，awakenedtomorethanordinaryinterest。
　　"Non，notLos’River，butlos’man，blanknear。"AndPeraultwentontodescribe，withdramaticfervourandappropriategesticulation，thesceneattheBlackDog，bringingoutintostrongreliefhisownhelplessnessandstupidity，andthecooldaringofthestrangerwhohadsnatchedhis"oleboss"outofthejawsoftheBlackDog。
　　"ByJove！"exclaimedarancherwhenthenarrativewasfinished，"notbad，that。Whowasthechap，Rainy？"
　　"Do’nome。Tinkhe’sonewhatyoucallpries’。YourProtestan’
　　pries’。"
　　"What，apreacher？"criedtherancher。"Nothe。They’renotmadethatway。"
　　"Idon’tknowaboutthat，Sinclair，"saidanotherrancher。"There’sFatherMike，youknow。"
　　"That’sso，"saidSinclair。"Buttherearehardlytwoofthatkindonthesamerange。"
　　"FadderMike！"sniffedPeraultcontemptuously。"DatbeegfellerheesrollFadderMikeupinonebeegbunchan’stickheeminheespocket。
　　Datfellerhe’snot’fraidnoting。Beegblam—fool，jus’lakoleboss，forsure。"
　　"Iguesshemustbegoodstuff，Rainy，ifyouputhiminthatclass。"
　　"Dat’sheesplace，"averredRainywithemphasis。"Jus’lakoleboss。"
　　AtthispointCarrollcamein。
　　"Hello，Perault！"hesaid。"Whattheblank，blankareyedoin’
　　here？"
　　Peraultspatdeliberatelyintotheash—pan，tippedbackhischairwithoutlookingatthebigIrishman，andansweredcoolly。
　　"Me？Afteronepackponyan’someoutfitfordeoleboss。"
　　"Ponyan’outfit，isit？"shoutedCarroll。"Whattheblank，blankd’yemane？What’avyedonewidthatpackponyavmoine，an’where’syerblankouldfoolavaboss？"
　　Carrollwasworkinghimselfupintoafinerage。
　　"Deboss，he’sinbed，"repliedPeraultcoolly。"Depony，he’sindeBlackDogReever，guess。"
　　"TheBlackDog？Whattheblank，blankd’yemane，anyway？Whydon’tyeanswer？Blankyef’racursedcrapeauofaFrenchman？Isthatponyofmoinedrowned？"
　　"Mebbe，"saidPerault，shrugginghisshoulders，"unlessheleevunderdewaterlakonemush—rat。"
　　"Blankyerimpudence，"roaredCarroll，"tobesittin’therelaughin’
　　inmefaceatthelossavmeproperty。It’snobetterthanapackofthievesyeare。"
　　"Tieves！"answeredPerault，inquickanger。"Dere’sonebeeg，black，hairytiefnotfar’waydat’sgotheesmoneyfordatponytwo——threetamovere。"
　　Chokingwithrage，Carrolltookonesteptowardhim，kickedhischaircleanfromunderhim，anddepositedtheFrenchmanontheflooramidashoutoflaughterfromthecrowd。InblazingwrathPeraultwasonhisfeetwithabound，and，swinginghischairaroundhishead，hurleditfullinthefaceofhisenemy。CarrollcaughtitonhisarmandcamerushingattheFrenchman。
　　"Youonebeegblacktief，"shriekedPerault，drawingaknifeandstrikingsavagelyatthebigIrishman。AshedeliveredhisblowCarrollcaughthimbythewrist，wrenchedtheknifefromhisgrasp，seizinghimbythethroatproceededtochokehim。Thecrowdstoodlookingon，hesitatingtointerfere。Afightwasunderstoodinthatcountrytobethebusinessofnomansavethoseimmediatelyconcerned。Besidesthis，Carrollwasdreadedforhisgreatstrengthandhisfurioustemper，andnomancaredtoimperilhislifebyattackinghim。
　　"Blankyercursedsoul！"criedCarrollthroughhisclenchedteeth。
　　"It’sthisOi’vebeenwaintin’f’rmanyaday，an’nowbythepowersOi’llbetakin’thelifeofyez，soOiwill。"
　　Histhreatwouldundoubtedlyhavebeencarriedout，forPeraultwasbentfarback，hisfacewasblack，andhistongueprotrudedfromhiswideopensmouth。ButatthismomentthedooropenedandShockquietlysteppedin。Forasingleinstanthestoodgazinginamazementuponthestrangescene，thensteppingquicklybehindCarroll，whosebackwastowardthedoor，hecaughthiswrist。
　　"Youarekillingtheman，"hesaidquietly。
　　"Oiamthatsame！"hissedCarroll，hiseyesbloodshotwiththelightofmurderinthem。"An’byallthepowersofhellOi’llbehavin’
　　yerheart’sbloodifyedon’tkapeaff。"
　　"Indeed，then，he’stoosmallamanforyou，andastomyself，wecanseeaboutthatlater，"saidShockquietly。
　　Heclosedhisfingersonthewristheheld。ThehandgrippingPerault’sthroatopenedquickly，allowingtheFrenchmantofalltothefloor。Swingingroundwithahoarsecry，thebigIrishmanaimedaterrificblowatShock’shead。ButShock，catchingtheblowonhisarm，drewCarrollsharplytowardhim，atthesametimegivingaquickdownwardtwisttothewristheheld，atrickoftheJapanesewrestlersthe’Varsitymenhadbeenwonttopractise。Therewasaslightcrack，ahowlofpain，andCarrollsankwrithingonthefloor，withShock’sgripstillonhiswrist。
　　"Letmeup，"heroared。
　　"Willyouletthelittlemanalone？"askedShockquietly。
　　"Letmeup，blankye！It’syerheart’sbloodwillpayforthis。"
　　"Willyouleavethelittlemanalone？"askedShockinarelentlesslyeventone。
　　"Yis，yis，"groanedCarroll。"Mewrist’sbruk，soitis。ButOi’llbeaftherdoin’f’ryez，yeblank，blank——"
　　Carroll’sprofanityflowedinacopiousstream。
　　"Astothat，"saidShock，quietlysteppingbackfromhim，"wecandiscussthatlater;butitisashameforamanlikeyoutobechokingalittlechaplikethat。"
　　TheoldfootballscrimmagesmilewasonShock’sfaceashestoodwaitingforCarrolltorise。Thewholeincidenthadoccurredsounexpectedlyandsosuddenlythatthecrowdaboutstoodamazed，quiteunabletorealisejustwhathadhappened。
　　AfteratimethebigIrishmanslowlyrose，holdinghiswoundedwristandgrindingoutcurses。ThensuddenlyseizingwithhisuninjuredhandthechairwhichPeraulthadthrownathim，heraiseditaloftandwithawildyellbroughtitdownuponShock’shead。Withhisyellmingledashrillcry。ItwaslittlePatsy。Hehadstoleninbehindhisfather，andwitheyesgrowingwiderandwiderhadstoodlisteningtohisfather’sgroansandcurses。
　　GraduallythemeaningofthescenedawneduponlittlePatsy’smind。
　　Hisfatherhadbeenhurt，andtherestoodthemanwhohadhurthim。
　　Inafurythelittleladhurtledacrosstheroom，andjustashisfatherdeliveredhisterrificblowhethrewhimself，withcrutchuplifted，attheastonishedShockandrightinthewayofthedescendingchair。
　　Insteadofstartingbacktoavoidtheblow，ashemighteasilyhavedone，Shockwithoutamoment’shesitationsprangtowardsthechild，takingthefullweightoftheblowupon’hisarmandhead，butwithoutentirelysavingPatsy。Togethertheyfell，Shockbleedingprofuselyfromadeepcutonthehead。
　　Twomensprangtohisaid，whileCarrollstoodstupidlygazingdownuponthewhitefaceofthelittleboy。
　　"Nevermindme，"saidShock，recoveringconsciousnessquickly，"looktothechild。Ishehurt？"
　　"He’sdead，Iguess，"saidSinclair。
　　"It’salie！"criedCarroll，inahoarsevoice。"It’sablanklie，I
　　tellyou！"
　　Hisfacewaswhiteandhisterribleeyes，solatelysuffusedwiththelightofmurder，werefilledwithstartledterror。Hedroppedbesidehischildandliftedhiminhisarms，cryingsoftly，"Patsy，boyAw，nowPatsy，darlin’。Spaketome，Patsy"
　　Butthelonglasheslayquietlyuponthewhitecheeks，andthelittleformremainedlimpandstill。Carrollliftedanamazedandterror—strickenfacetothecompany。
　　"WhathaveIdone？Surehe’snotdead！"hesaidinanawedwhisper。
　　"No，no，"saidShock，wipingthebloodoutofhiseyesandleaningoverthelittlewhiteface。"Water，Perault，andbrandy，"hecried。
　　"Quick！"
　　Themenwhohadstoodaghastatthetragicendingofwhathadbeensimplyarowofmorethanordinaryinterestnowhastenedtogivehelp。Waterandbrandywereimmediatelyathand。Ignoringhisownwound，Shockbathedthefaceandhandsoftheunconsciouschild，buttherewasnosignoflife。
　　"Guesshe’sgoneout，rightenough，"saidacowboy。
　　"Liar！Liar！Blankyourcursedsoulforaliar！"criedCarroll，inatoneofagony。
　　"Man，man！"saidShock，inastern，solemnvoice，"wouldyouprovoketheAlmightytoangerwithyouroaths？YououghtrathertobeseechHismercyforyourownsoul。WhyshouldHegiveyourchildtothecareofsuchamanasyou？Givemethelad。"
　　WithoutawordofremonstranceCarrollallowedShocktoliftthelifelesschildandcarryhimintotheopenair，where，layinghimontheground，hebegantovigorouslychafehishandsandfeet。Aftersomeminutesofbathingandrubbingtheeyelidsbegantoflutterandthebreathtocomeingentlesighs。