The Prospector

ith muscular frame, a strong, fresh face innocent of worldly wisdom and marked by the frankness of an unspoiled faith in men and things; the other, an old man, tall, slight, with a face worn a

hat had continuously allured and mocked him. The piercing eyes were those of an enthusiast, not to say fanatic. The fire in them still burned d

is eyes fell upon his daughter who, in the presence of a

," he said in a cl

er shyness and th

w, smothered voice, her whole f

entary gleam, then loosening her arms from his neck, he said in calm tones, in which mingled su

and with marvellous self-control r

uick surprise at her. He hardly knew as yet this daughter of his, who had

or dangerous, and an additional touch of rheumatism, which, though extremely annoying, will prove

grinning his eager acquiescence.

speed between the blankets, my

t suite!" cried Josie,

ly to raise himself off t

courtesy. "Permit me to introduce you to my daughter. Marion, this is Mr. Macgregor, but for whose timely and heroic assi

face and staring eyes, sprang towards Shock, who was standing at the pony's head, seized his hand

n he had recovered from his confusion. "

" interrupted the Old Prospector, "and few men the

girl, "I owe something to your father, fo

ld man brushed aside Shock's

face was wet and ghastly pale, and his breath came in quick gasps. "A difficult operation, Mr. Macgregor," he said apologetically, "but we shall accomplish it in time. Wait, my dear, I fancy I shall do better without your assistance. At least, I shall be relieved of uncertainty as to responsibility for my pains. An important consideration, Mr. Macgregor

ock cam

said. "It will give you

can hardly

neck. There. Now don't

, his philosophic tone in striking contrast to his

him from the buckboard, carried him into the house and l

tinctly easier. You are-a mi

head fell back. The girl sprang forward wi

e said. "Don't fear, Miss Mowbr

once grew calm again. Soon, under the st

c smile at the anxious faces about, "pardon my alarming you. I am getti

se. It is more than I could have sto

kets, sir; the greatest faith. I have rolled myself in wet blankets in mid-winter when suffering

blam-fool. Hees cough! cough! ver' bad.

f these same blankets," said the old man confidently. "

tle experience in helping men with br

or," replied the Old Prospector. "Faith is the refle

hock had the old man between heated blankets,

have found that life sooner or later brings opportunity to disch

ould," replied Shock simply. "And I

o the Stopping Place, present my compliments to Carroll and ask him to give Mr. Macgregor the best accommodation he has. The best is none too good. And, Perault, we shall need

sgust. "Dat man no good 'tall. I get you one

hman's eyes glit

te understand you have your own quarrel with Carroll,

De ole boss he blam-fool. He not see noting." And Perault de

im Carroll. He had a furious temper, and in wrath was truly terrifying, while in matters of trade he was cool, cunning, and unscrupulous. Few men had ever dared to face his rage, and few had ever worsted him in a "deal." No wonder Perault, who had experienced both the fury of his rage and the unscrupulousness of his trading methods, approached him with reluctance. But, though Perault had suffered at the hands of the big Irishman, the chief cause of his hatred was not personal. He knew, what many others in the community suspected, that for years Carroll had systematically robbed and had contributed largely to the ruin of his "old boss." Walter Mowbray was haunted by one enslaving vice. He was by temperament and by habit a gambler. It was this vice that had been h

an hunter, torn by a grizzly and dying. For weeks he nursed the old Indian in his camp with tender but unavailing care. In gratitude, the dying man had told of the lost river that flowed over rocks and sands sown with gold. In his young days the Indian had seen the river and had gathered its "yellow sand and stones"; in later years, however, when he had come to know something of the value of this "yellow sand and stones" he had sought the river, but in vain. A mountain peak in one vast slide had filled up the valley, diverted the course of the river, and changed the whole face of the country. For many summers the Indian had sought with the unfaltering patience of his ra

to which every year brought him nearer, and which one day he was sure he would possess. That Carroll and his confederate robbed him he knew well enough, but finding Carroll useful to him, both in the way of outfitting his

e they derided him, and he set himself to the task of thwarting their nefarious schemes. For this Perau

f them Perault was a favourite. Carroll was out when he entered. On all sides he was greeted with exclamations of surprise, pleasure, and curiosity, for all knew that he had set out upon another "annual fool

ruck heem, for sure

mine?" chorused the crowd, awaken

propriate gesticulation, the scene at the Black Dog, bringing out into strong relief his own helplessness and

the narrative was finished, "not b

e what you call pries'.

the rancher. "Not he. Th

lair," said another rancher. "

"But there are hardly two of

l Fadder Mike up in one beeg bunch an' stick heem in hees pocket. Dat fe

d stuff, Rainy, if you

rred Rainy with emphasi

int Carrol

id. "What the blank, bl

n, tipped back his chair without looking

pony an' some outf

ank, blank d'ye mane? What 'av ye done wid that pack po

ing himself up i

Perault coolly. "De pony, he's

yway? Why don't ye answer? Blank ye f'r a cursed cr

his shoulders, "unless he leev

n' there laughin' in me face at the loss av me prop

's one beeg, black, hairy tief not far 'way dat's

he floor amid a shout of laughter from the crowd. In blazing wrath Perault was on his feet with a bound, and, swinging his c

e from his grasp, seizing him by the throat proceeded to choke him. The crowd stood looking on, hesitating to interfere. A fight was understood in that country to be the business

teeth. "It's this Oi've been waintin' f'r many a day, an' no

from his wide opens mouth. But at this moment the door opened and Shock quietly stepped in. For a single instant he stood gazing

ng the man," h

the light of murder in them. "An' by all the powers of he

or you, and as to myself, we can see

aimed a terrific blow at Shock's head. But Shock, catching the blow on his arm, drew Carroll sharply toward him, at the same time giving a quick downward twist to the wrist he held, a trick

up," h

ittle man alone?" a

It's yer heart's blo

man alone?" asked Shock i

st's bruk, so it is. But Oi'll be af

nity flowed in

im, "we can discuss that later; but it is a shame for

roll to rise. The whole incident had occurred so unexpectedly and so suddenly th

ir which Perault had thrown at him, he raised it aloft and with a wild yell brought it down upon Shock's head. With his yell mingled a shrill cry.

an who had hurt him. In a fury the little lad hurtled across the room, and just as his father delivered his terrifi

sitation sprang towards the child, taking the full weight of the blow upon' his arm and head, but wit

rroll stood stupidly gazing down up

covering consciousness quickly,

I guess," sa

l, in a hoarse voice. "It'

er, were filled with startled terror. He dropped beside his child and lifted him in

and the little form remained limp and still. Carroll li

e he's not dead!" he s

is eyes and leaning over the little white face.

nary interest now hastened to give help. Water and brandy were immediately at hand. Ignoring his

out, right enough

sed soul for a liar!" cried

to anger with your oaths? You ought rather to beseech His mercy for your own soul.

e open air, where, laying him on the ground, he began to vigorously chafe his hands and feet. After s

Shock. "There now, laddie.

id little Patsy faintly, op

rom behind the crowd where he had been standing dazed and stup

and strode off into the house, the white face of the child resting on his father's shoulde

" said one of the men.

cowboy. "Never a `thank you' for git

my heart," smiting himself on the breast, "but my heart-dat's your own now, by gar!" He wrung Shock's hand in both of his and turned quickly away. But before

time, then the cowboy said with unusual emph