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diff --git a/16699-8.txt b/16699-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b842ce5 --- /dev/null +++ b/16699-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10221 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Glen of the High North, by H. A. Cody + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Glen of the High North + + +Author: H. A. Cody + + + +Release Date: September 15, 2005 [eBook #16699] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GLEN OF THE HIGH NORTH*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +GLEN OF THE HIGH NORTH + +by + +H. A. CODY + +Author of "The Frontiersman," "The Lost Patrol," +"The Chief of the Ranges," "The Touch of Abner," etc. + +McClelland and Stewart +Publishers : : : Toronto +George H. Doran Company + +1920 + + + + + + + +To + +ALL TRUE MEN AND WOMEN + +Of the Outer Trails of the Yukon, + +Where for Years the Author Lived and Travelled, + +This Book is Affectionately Dedicated. + + + + +CONTENTS + + I ONE FLEETING VISION + II WHEN THE FOG-BANK LIFTED + III A BIG BLAZIN' LAUGH + IV BEYOND THE GREAT WHITE PASS + V COMRADES OP THE TRAIL + VI A SHOT THAT TOLD + VII BOTTLES WILL DO + VIII LOVE VERSUS GOLD + IX THE OUTER TRAIL + X ADRIFT IN THE WILDERNESS + XI INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN + XII THE GIRL OF GLEN WEST + XIII WHEN THE STORM BURST + XIV ANOTHER PRISONER + XV JIM WESTON + XVI THE ORDEAL + XVII MAN TO MAN + XVIII THE PREPARED ROOM + XIX THE TURN OF EVENTS + XX A SHOT FROM THE GOLDEN CREST + XXI THE PLOTTERS + XXII THE CABIN IN THE HILLS + XXIII AT THE REVOLVER'S POINT + XXIV WHEN THE RIFLES CRACKED + XXV BY THE INLAND LAKE + XXVI THROUGH THE STORM + XXVII IN THE TOILS + XXVIII HELP FROM THE HILLS + XXIX THE OLD TRUE STORY + XXX THE UNMASKING + XXXI OUTWARD BOUND + + + + + "Something lost beyond the Ranges, + Lost; and calling to you. Go." + + KIPLING + + + + "She had grown, in her unstained seclusion, + bright and pure as a first opening lilac, + when it spreads its clear leaves to the + sweetest dawn of May." + + PERCIVAL + + + + +GLEN OF THE HIGH NORTH + + +CHAPTER I + +ONE FLEETING VISION + +It all happened in less than two minutes, and yet in that brief space +of time his entire outlook upon life was changed. He saw her across +the street standing upon the edge of the sidewalk facing the throng of +teams and motors that were surging by. She had evidently attempted to +cross, but had hurriedly retreated owing to the tremendous crush of +traffic. The gleam of the large electric light nearby brought into +clear relief a face of more than ordinary charm and beauty. But that +which appealed so strongly to the young man was the mingled expression +of surprise, fear and defiance depicted upon her countenance. It +strangely affected him, and he was on the point of springing forward to +offer his assistance when she suddenly disappeared, swallowed up in the +great tide of humanity. + +For a few minutes the young man stood perfectly still, gazing intently +upon the spot where the girl had been standing, hoping to see her +reappear. He could not account for the feeling that had swept upon him +at the sight of that face. It was but one of the thousands he daily +beheld, yet it alone stirred him to his inmost depths. A few minutes +before he had been walking along the street without any definite aim in +life, listless and almost cynical. But now a desire possessed him to +be up and doing, to follow after the fair vision which had so +unexpectedly appeared. Who could she be, and where was she going? +Should he ever see her again, and if he did would he have the slightest +chance of meeting and talking with her? + +These thoughts occupied his mind as he continued on his way. He walked +erect now, with shoulders thrown back, and with a more buoyant step +than he had taken in many a day. His blood tingled and his eyes glowed +with a new-found light. He felt much of the old thrill that had +animated him at the beginning of the Great War, and had sent him +overseas to take his part in the titanic struggle. An overmastering +urge had then swept upon him, compelling him to abandon all on behalf +of the mighty cause. It was his nature, and the leopard could no more +change its spots than could Tom Reynolds overcome the influence of a +gripping desire. Ever since childhood thought and action had always +been welded in the strong clear heat of an overwhelming purpose. It +had caused him considerable trouble, but at the same time it had +carried him through many a difficult undertaking that had daunted other +men. It was only the afterwards that affected him, the depression, +when the objective had been attained. So for months after the war +ended his life had seemed of no avail, and he found it impossible to +settle comfortably back into the grooves of civilian life in a +bustling, thriving city. Everything seemed tame and insignificant +after what he had experienced overseas. Time instead of lessening had +only increased this feeling, until Reynolds believed that he could no +longer endure the prosaic life of the city. Such was the state of his +mind when he beheld the face across the street, which in some +mysterious manner gave him a sudden impulse and a new outlook upon the +world. After a short quick walk, he turned into a side street and +stopped at length before a building from which extended a large +electric sign, bearing the words _Telegram_ and _Evening News_. He +entered, and at once made his way through several rooms until he +reached the editorial office at the back of the building. The door was +open, and seated at the desk was an elderly man, busily writing. He +looked up as Reynolds appeared, and a smile illumined his face. + +"You are back early, Tom. Found something special?" + +"Yes," Reynolds replied as he sat down upon the only vacant chair the +office contained. "But nothing for publication." + +The editor pushed back his papers, swung himself around in his chair +and faced the visitor. + +"What is it, Tom?" he asked. "You look more animated than I have seen +you for many a day. What has come over you? What is the special +something you have found?" + +"Myself." + +"Yourself!" + +"That's just it. I'm through with this job." + +The editor eyed the young man curiously yet sympathetically. He was to +him as a son, and he had done everything in his power to help him since +his return from the war. But he was well aware that Reynolds was not +happy, and that newspaper work was proving most uncongenial. + +"Where are you going, Tom, and what are you going to do?" he presently +asked. + +"I have not the slightest idea, sir. But I must get away from this +hum-drum existence. It is killing me by inches. I need adventure, +life in the open, where a man can breathe freely and do as he likes." + +"Haven't you done about as you like, Tom, since you came home? I +promised your father on his death-bed that I would look after you, and +I have tried to do so in every possible way. I sincerely hoped that +your present work would suit you better than in an office. You are +free to roam where you will, and whatever adventure has taken place in +this city during the past six months you were in the midst of it, and +wrote excellent reports, too." + +"I know that, sir, and I feel deeply indebted to you for what you have +done. But what does it all amount to? What interest do I take in +trouble along the docks, a fight between a couple of toughs in some +dark alley, or a fashionable wedding in one of the big churches? Bah! +I am sick of them all, and the sooner I get away the better." + +Reynolds produced a cigarette, lighted it and threw the match upon the +floor. From the corner of his eye he watched the editor as he toyed +thoughtfully with his pen. This man was nearer to him than anyone else +in the world, and he was afraid that he had annoyed him by his plain +outspoken words. + +"And you say you have nothing in view?" the editor at length enquired. + +"Nothing. Can you suggest anything? Something that will tax all my +energy of mind and body. That is what I want. I hope you do not +misunderstand me, sir. I do not wish to seem ungrateful for what you +have done." + +"I do understand you, Tom, and were I in your position, and of your +age, I might feel the same. But what about your painting? Have you +lost all interest in that? When you were in France you often wrote +what impressions you were getting, and how much you intended to do when +you came home." + +"I have done very little at that, and the sketches I made are still +uncompleted. Some day I may do something, but not now." + +"You certainly have lost all interest, Tom, in the things that once +gave you so much pleasure." + +"It is only too true, although I have honestly tried to return to the +old ways. But I must have a fling at something else to get this +restless feeling out of my system. What do you suggest! Perhaps it is +only a thrashing I need. That does children good sometimes." + +The editor smiled as he pulled out a drawer in his desk, and brought +forth a fair-sized scrapbook. He slowly turned the pages and stopped +at length where a large newspaper clipping had been carefully pasted. + +"I do not think you need a thrashing, Tom," he began. "But I believe I +can suggest something better than that. Here is an entry I made in +this book over fifteen years ago, and the story it contains appeals +strongly to me now. I read it at least once a year, and it has been +the cause of many a day-dream to me, and night-dream as well, for that +matter. Did you ever hear of the mysterious disappearance of Henry +Redmond, the wealthy merchant of this city? But I suppose not, as you +were young at the time." + +"No, I never heard of him," Reynolds acknowledged. "Was he killed?" + +"Oh, no. He merely disappeared, and left no trace at all. That was, +as I have just said, over fifteen years ago, and no word has been +received from him since." + +"What was the trouble? Financial difficulties?" + +"Not at all. He simply disappeared. It was due to his wife's death, +so I believe. They were greatly attached to each other, and when she +suddenly died Redmond was a broken-hearted man. I knew him well and it +was pathetic to watch him. He took no interest in his business, and +sold out as soon as possible. Then he vanished, and that was the last +we heard of him. He was an odd man in many ways, and although one of +the shrewdest men in business I ever knew, he was fond of the simple +life. He was a great reader, and at one time possessed a very fine +library. This article which I wish you to read tells the story of his +life, how he built up his business, and of his sudden disappearance." + +"How do you know he wasn't killed?" Reynolds asked. + +"Because of this," and the editor laid his forefinger upon a small +separate clipping at the bottom of the larger one. A short time after +Redmond disappeared, and when the excitement of all was intense, this +was received and published. Although it bore no name, yet we well know +that it was from Redmond, for it was just like something he would do. +This is what he wrote: + + +"'I go from the busy haunts of men, far from the bustle and worry of +business life. I may be found, but only he who is worthy will find me, +and whoever finds me, will, I trust, not lose his reward. From the +loopholes of retreat I shall watch the stress and fever of life, but +shall not mingle in the fray.'" + + +"Queer words, those," Reynolds remarked, when the editor had finished +reading. "What do you make of them?" + +"I hardly know, although I have considered them very carefully. I +believe they contain a hidden meaning, and that the finding will +consist of more than the mere discovery of his person. It must refer +to something else, some quality of heart or mind, that is, the real +personality behind the mere outward form." + +"A double quest, eh, for anyone who undertakes the venture?" + +"It seems so, Tom, and that makes it all the more difficult. But what +an undertaking! How I wish I were young again, and I should be off +to-morrow. I was a fool not to make the try fifteen years ago. I +would not now be chained to this desk, I feel certain of that." + +"And as you cannot go yourself, you want----?" Reynolds paused and +looked quizzically at the editor. + +"I want you to go in my stead," was the emphatic reply. "You are +young, strong, and anxious for adventure." + +"For what purpose, sir? Why do you wish me to undertake this +wild-goose chase? For such it seems to me." + +"I wish you to go for three reasons. First, for your own good; as an +outlet to your abundant energy, and to give you some object in life. +Next, to satisfy a curiosity that has been consuming me for years. I +am more than anxious to know what has become of Henry Redmond. And +finally, for the sake of my paper. If you should prove successful, +what a write-up it will make, for you will have a wonderful story to +tell. Doesn't the thing appeal to you? Why, it makes my blood tingle +at the thought of such an undertaking." + +"It does stir me a bit," Reynolds acknowledged. "But where am I to go? +Have you any idea where Redmond is? The world is big, remember, and +without any clue, the chase would be absolute folly." + +"I am well aware of all that. I have no idea where Redmond is, and +that makes the venture all the more interesting. If I could tell you +where he is, and you merely went and found him, bah! that would not be +worth the trouble. But the uncertainty of it all is what appeals to +me. The whole world is before you, and somewhere in the world I +believe Henry Redmond is living. Your task is to find him. Can you do +it?" + +For a few minutes Reynolds did not speak. He was interested, but the +undertaking seemed so utterly hopeless and ridiculous that he +hesitated. If he had the slightest clue as to the man's whereabouts it +would be different. + +"How old a man was Redmond when he disappeared?" he at length asked. + +"About fifty, I understand, although he appeared much older at times. +He was a fine looking man, over six feet in height, and a large head, +crowned with a wealth of hair streaked with gray, when last I saw him. +His commanding appearance attracted attention wherever he went, and +that should aid you somewhat in your search." + +"Had he any family?" Reynolds questioned. + +"One little girl only, for he married late in life. His friends +thought that he would remain a permanent bachelor, and they were +greatly surprised when he unexpectedly took to himself a wife much +younger than himself, and very beautiful. They lived most happily +together, and when his wife died Redmond was heartbroken." + +"Perhaps her death affected his mind," Reynolds suggested. + +"I have thought of that, and his sudden disappearance, as well as the +peculiar letter I read to you, lends color to the idea." + +"What became of the child?" + +"No one knows. He evidently took her with him, and that is another +reason why I believe no harm befell him as you suggested. The whole +affair is involved in the deepest mystery." + +"And did no one attempt to solve it?" Reynolds asked. "Was no effort +made to find the missing man?" + +"There was at the time, and the newspapers far and near made mention of +his disappearance. It was the talk of the city for several weeks, and +I understand that several men thought seriously of searching for him. +But the interest gradually waned, and he was forgotten except by a few, +of whom I am one." + +Reynolds rose to his feet and picked up his hat. + +"Suppose I think this over for a few days?" he suggested. "If I get +the fever I shall let you know. In the meantime I shall plug away at +my present job. I can't afford to be idle, for 'idleness is the +holiday of fools,' as someone has said." + +"That's fine, Tom," and the editor's face brightened with pleasure. +"And, remember, you shall be supplied with all the money you need, so +do not worry about that." + +"Thank you, but I have a little of my own that will last me for a +while. When I run through with it I may call upon you." + +"Very well, do as you like, Tom. But think it over and let me know of +your decision as soon as possible." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +WHEN THE FOG-BANK LIFTED + +The _Northern Light_ was lying at her wharf preparing for her long run +to the far Northern Pacific, through the numerous islands studding the +coastal waters of British Columbia, and the United States Territory of +Alaska. All day long she had been taking on board great quantities of +freight, and now on the eve of her departure passengers were arriving. +The latter were mostly men, for new gold diggings had been discovered +back in the hills bordering the Yukon River, and old-timers were +flocking northward, anticipating another Klondyke, and all that it +might mean. + +Tom Reynolds stood on the wharf noting the excitement that was taking +place around him. Apart from the article he would prepare for the next +day's issue of _The Telegram_; he was more than usually interested in +what he beheld. As he watched several bronzed and grizzly veterans of +many a long trail and wild stampede, a desire entered into his heart to +join them in their new adventure. He would thus find excitement enough +to satisfy his restless nature, and perhaps at the same time share in +the golden harvest. + +This longing, however, was held in check by the thought of the story he +had heard the evening before, and also by the hope of seeing again the +face he had beheld for a few fleeting seconds at the street crossing. +In fact, he had thought more of it than of the mysterious disappearance +of Henry Redmond. For the greater part of the night and all the next +day the girl had been in his mind. He tried to recall something more +about her, the color of her hair, how she was dressed, and whether she +was tall or short. But he could remember nothing except the face which +alone stood out clear and distinct. Several times during the day he +had been on the point of transferring his impressions to paper, but he +always deferred action, preferring to muse upon the beautiful vision he +had seen and to dream of meeting her again. She must still be in the +city, he reasoned, and should he go away now his chance of finding her +would be lost forever. That he would find her he had not the slightest +doubt, for among the crowds that passed daily along the streets he +would surely see her, and when he did--well, he was not certain what +would happen. Anyway, he would know more about her than at present. +He was standing watching an old man with a long gray beard and wavy +hair falling below a broad-brimmed slouch hat. He was evidently a +prospector, for he bore a good-sized pack across his right shoulder, +and was dressed as if for the trail, with a pair of coarse boots upon +his feet. His figure was commanding, almost patriarchal, and Reynolds +watched him with much interest as he walked stately and deliberately up +the gangway. + +As Reynolds turned from his observation of the old man, he gave a great +start, and his heart beat wildly, for there but a few feet from him was +the very girl he had seen at the street crossing. She had just +alighted from an hotel auto, and was pointing out her baggage to one of +the cabin boys when Reynolds noticed her. He leaned eagerly forward to +catch the sound of her voice, but the noise around him made this +impossible. But he had a chance to feast his eyes upon her face, and +to note her neat dark-brown travelling suit which fitted so perfectly +her well-built erect figure. She was of medium height, and carried +herself with complete assurance as one well accustomed to travel. She +was apparently alone, for no one accompanied her as she presently went +on board the steamer. + +Reynolds was all alert now, and his old-time enthusiasm returned. She +was going north, and why should not he go too? Once more thought and +action became welded, and finding that it would be three-quarters of an +hour before the steamer's departure, he hurried back to his boarding +house, gathered together his few belongings, including his artist's +outfit, thrust them into a grip, settled his board bill, and almost +raced to the _Telegram_ and _Evening News_ building, where he found the +editor who had just arrived for his nightly duties. + +"I am off at once," he announced. "How will that suit you?" + +"Good for you!" was the pleased reply. "Decided upon the Great Quest, +eh?" + +"Yes, all settled, and away in twenty minutes." + +"Where to?" + +"Up north, to the edge of nowhere. How will that do?" + +"Found a clue?" The editor was quite excited now. + +"All the clue I need," was the evasive reply. "I shall write as soon +as possible, telling of my wanderings. So, good-by; I must be away." + +"Have you enough money?" The editor was on his feet now, grasping the +young man's hand in a firm grip. + +"Yes, all that's necessary for the present. If I need more I shall let +you know." + +An hour later the _Northern Light_ was steaming steadily on her way. +Reynolds had been fortunate enough to obtain an upper berth, his +roommate being a young clerk destined for a branch bank in a northern +mining town. Reynolds strolled about the boat hoping to catch a +glimpse of her who was much in his mind, but all in vain. It rained +hard most of the next day, and the outside decks were uncomfortable. +It was toward evening that he saw her, walking slowly up and down the +hurricane deck abaft the funnel. She was with the captain, a fine +looking, middle-aged man, and they seemed to be on very friendly terms, +for the girl was smiling at something her companion was saying. + +Reynolds lighted a cigar and began to pace up and down on the opposite +side of the deck. Others were doing the same, so no one paid any heed +to his presence. A casual observer might have thought that the silent +young man took no interest in anything around him. But Reynolds missed +hardly a movement of the girl but a few feet away. He always kept a +short distance behind and was thus able to study her closely without +attracting attention. She wore a raincoat, of a soft light material, +and her head was bare. The wind played with her dark-brown hair, and +occasionally she lifted her hand and brushed back a wayward tress that +had drifted over her forehead. At times he caught a glimpse of her +face as she swung around at the end of the beat, and it was always a +happy, animated face he beheld. + +For about fifteen minutes this walk was continued, and Reynolds had +been unable to distinguish any of the conversation between the two. +But as they ended their promenade, and started to go below, they almost +brushed him in passing, and he heard the captain say, "Jack will be +home soon, and he will----" That was all Reynolds was able to +overhear, and yet it was sufficient to cause him to stop so abruptly +that he nearly collided with a man a few steps behind. Was all that +talk about Jack? he asked himself, and was that why the girl seemed so +happy in listening to her companion? Was Jack the captain's son, and +did he have the first claim upon the girl? Perhaps he was overseas, +and was expected home shortly. No doubt the girl had been visiting his +people. + +Such an idea had not occurred to Reynolds before, but as he thought it +all over that night as he sat silent in the smoking-room, it did indeed +seem most reasonable. Why should he think any more about the girl? he +mused. He had been a fool for allowing his heart to run away with his +head. How could he for one instant imagine that such a girl would be +left until now without many admiring suitors, with one successful over +all the others? And no doubt that one was Jack, whose name had fallen +from the captain's lips. + +Although Reynolds felt that the girl was not for him, yet he could not +banish her from his mind. She had aroused him from the paralysis of +indifference, for which he was most grateful. He would make a +desperate effort not to be again enmeshed in such a feeling. He would +throw himself ardently into the search for gold, and then turn his +attention to Henry Redmond, and strive to solve the mystery surrounding +the man. + +After breakfast the next morning he went out on deck, and found the +girl already there comfortably seated in a large steamer chair. She +had evidently been reading, but the book was now lying open upon her +lap, and her hands were clasped behind her head. Reynolds caught the +gleam of a jewel on one of her fingers, and he wondered if it was an +engagement ring she was wearing. Her eyes were looking dreamily out +across the water, away to a great fog-bank hanging and drifting over +the face of the deep. Reynolds, too, looked, and the sight held him +spellbound. The mass of fog slowly rose and rolled across the +newly-bathed sun. Then it began to dissolve, and dim forms of trees +and islands made their appearance, growing more distinct moment by +moment. The scene fascinated him. It was truly a fairy world upon +which he was looking. + +And as he looked, his eyes rested upon a dark speck just beneath the +overhanging fog. For a few minutes it made no impression upon his +wandering mind. But slowly he began to realize that the object was in +motion, and moving toward the steamer. Then he saw something dark +being waved as if to attract attention. He was all alert now, feeling +sure that someone was hailing the steamer. In a few minutes she would +be past, when it would be too late to be of any assistance. + +Turning almost instinctively toward the pilot-house, Reynolds' eyes +fell upon the captain, who was again talking to the girl. Only for an +instant did he hesitate, and then walking rapidly along the deck, he +reached the captain's side and touched him lightly upon the arm. + +"Excuse me, sir," he began, as the officer wheeled suddenly around. +"Someone seems to be signaling to you over there, just where that +fog-bank is lifting," and he pointed with his finger. + +The captain and the girl both turned, and their eyes scanned the watery +expanse. + +"Can you see anything, Glen?" the captain asked. "My eyes must be +failing me." + +"I do now," was the reply. "Over there to the left," and she motioned +with her hand. "I see it quite plainly. It is a boat of some kind +with people in it, and they are waving to us." + +"So it is!" the captain exclaimed. "Who can it be? However, we shall +soon find out." + +He hurried away, and soon a long raucous blast ripped the air. Then +the steamer swerved to the right and made for the small craft which was +now plainly visible. Many of the passengers were already crowding the +rail, all greatly interested in this new diversion. + +Reynolds stepped back and gave his place to another. He could watch +the approaching boat just as well here, and at the same time study to a +better advantage the girl who was standing close to the rail. He had +accomplished something, anyway, which was worth a great deal to him. +He had heard her speak and learned her name. He liked "Glen," and it +seemed to suit her. But Glen what? He longed to know that, too. Her +voice was soft and musical. It appealed to him. Yes, everything +seemed to be in harmony, he mused. Name, voice, dress, and manner, all +suited the girl admirably. It was a happy combination. + +From where he was standing he could watch her unobserved. He could see +the side of her face nearest to him, and he noted how flushed it was +with excitement. She was keenly interested in the approaching boat, +and her eyes followed it most intently. + +The steamer had already slowed down, and its movement now was scarcely +perceptible. Reynolds looked at the small approaching craft, and to +his surprise he saw that it was a large canoe, being paddled by four +stalwart Indians. There were several white men on board, although he +could not distinguish their faces. Who could they be, and where had +they come from? he wondered. A man standing nearby asked the same +question, though no one seemed to be able to give a satisfactory answer. + +By this time the canoe was so near the steamer that from his position +Reynolds could see nothing more owing to the men crowding the rail. He +glanced toward the girl just as she turned suddenly away from the side +of the steamer and walked rapidly across the deck. She seemed much +agitated, and the flush had fled her face, leaving it very white. All +this Reynolds briefly noted, and when she had disappeared through a +door leading into the observation room, he stood wrapped in thought, +wondering as to the cause of the remarkable change that had so suddenly +taken place. Was there some mystery connected with her life, and had +she recognized someone in the canoe she did not wish to meet? He +determined to learn what he could about the picked-up men, and to keep +his eyes and ears open for further developments. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A BIG BLAZIN' LAUGH + +"Fine sight that, sir." + +Reynolds turned sharply at these words, and saw the old man with the +long beard and flowing hair standing at his left. Although he himself +was almost six feet in height, he seemed small by the side of this +stranger, who was looking calmly out over the water toward the +fog-bank, which had now lifted and was slowly dissolving. + +"Ye don't see the likes of that often," he continued, "an' it ain't +everyone who kin read its meanin', either." + +"What do you see there?" Reynolds asked, more interested in hearing the +man's deliberate drawl than the meaning of the fog-bank. + +"Wall, it seems to me that a fog-bank hasn't a ghost of a chance fer +life when the sun hits it good an' hard." + +"That one hasn't, anyway," Reynolds replied, as he watched the cloud +gradually thinning and drifting away. + +"It's the same with all clouds, sir, an' it makes no difference whether +they're hangin' over the water or over one's life. They're bound to +disappear when the sun gits after 'em." + +"Do you think so?" + +"I sartinly do. Why, there isn't a cloud but'll gather up its skirts +an' run when a good big blazin' laugh gits after it. An' that's what +we want in this world to-day; more cheerfulness, more of the joy of +life." + +"Have you tried it?" + +"Y'bet I have, an' it's allus worked like a charm. I could tell ye of +many a squabble that's been settled by the means of a smilin' face an' +a good hearty laugh. There's nuthin' like it." + +"You're an optimist, I see," and Reynolds smiled for the first time in +many a day. He could not help it, for this stranger radiated a +stimulating influence of cheerfulness and goodwill. + +"I try to be, sir, an' when I see a fog-bank hoverin' over people like +that one did out yonder a little while ago, I consider it my duty to +act like the sun an' drive it away. Then, there's good feelin' all +around, 'specially among the ones who were under the cloud." + +"I imagine it is that way with those men who have just been picked up. +They must feel happy over the lifting of the fog at the right moment." + +"That's jist what I mean. It meant much to them." + +"Do you know who they are?" + +"Miners, no doubt, who wish to go north. They've been prospecting +mebbe, on some of the islands along the coast, an' started out to hail +a passin' steamer. They do it at times." + +"And the steamers always pick them up?" + +"Sure; they wouldn't go by without takin' 'em on board, no matter who +they are. It's the great Brotherhood of man, ye see, back of it all, +an' ye'll find that spirit stronger the farther north ye go. It's +different here from what it is in the big cities, an' the more ye +preach of that the better." + +"Preach! What do you mean?" Reynolds asked in amazement. + +"You be one of them missionary chaps, ain't ye?" + +Reynolds laughed. "What makes you think so?" + +"Dunno, 'cept yer solemncoly face, an' the way yer dressed. +Missionaries ginerally come north lookin' about as you do, to turn the +sinner from the error of his way, an' to convart the heathen Injun. +They're not overly pop'lar up thar." + +"Why not?" + +"Oh, they've too high an' mighty notions about the way men should live; +that's the trouble." + +"And so you think they should make themselves popular with the men, eh? +In what way?" + +"By bein' one of 'em, an' not bein' too hard on what they do." + +"Do you think that their great Master ever said that they would be +popular, and that they were to please all men?" Reynolds defensively +asked. + +"I dunno. Guess I can't recall anything He ever said about the +matter," and the old man scratched his head in perplexity. + +"Didn't He tell His first disciples that they would be hated of all men +for His name's sake when He sent them forth to do His work?" + +"I believe He did," was the reluctant assent. "But that was a long +time ago. Things are different now." + +"Only outwardly, remember. The heart is the same in all ages; you +can't change that. If it is evil and full of vileness, it is bound to +hate the good. Surely you know that." + +"Then you really are one of them missionary chaps?" and the old man +eyed Reynolds curiously. + +"No, I am not," was the emphatic reply. + +"But ye quote Scripter like a parson, though. I thought mebbe ye was." + +"Is it necessary to be a parson to know something about the Bible? +Isn't this a Christian land? Why shouldn't I know something about the +greatest Book in the world? My mother taught it to me when I was a +child, and I learned a great deal about it when I went to Sunday +school. I did not value it so much then, but when over in France, with +death on all sides, much of it came back to me, and I honestly confess +it was a great comfort." + +"An' so ye was over thar, young man? Wall, that's sartinly +interestin'. Fer how long?" + +"Nearly four years. I enlisted at the beginning of the war." + +"An' come through all right?" + +"Look," and Reynolds bared his left arm, showing a great scar. "I have +several more on my body, some worse than that." + +"Ye don't tell! My, I'm glad I've met ye. Got some medals, I s'pose." + +Reynolds made no reply, as he already felt ashamed of himself for +having told this much. It was not his nature to speak about himself, +especially to a stranger, and he was determined to say nothing about +the medals he had received for conspicuous bravery, and which he +carried in his breast pocket. + +"Do you smoke?" he suddenly asked. + +"Yes; an old hand at it. Good fer the nerves." + +"Well, suppose we go and have a smoke now. I am just in the mood for +one myself." + +Together they made their way to the smoking-room, which was situated +well aft. It was partly filled with men, smoking, chatting, and +playing cards. The air was dense with various brands of tobacco, +making it impossible to see clearly across the room. No one paid any +heed to the two as they entered, sat down in one corner of the room, +filled and lighted their pipes. Reynolds noted that his companion +became suddenly silent, and seemed to be deeply interested in four men +playing cards at a small table a short distance from where they were +sitting. + +"Do you play?" Reynolds asked, thinking that the old man might be fond +of cards. + +"No," was the brief and absent-minded reply. + +Reynolds said no more, but watched the four men. His attention was +chiefly centered upon one who was facing him, and who was doing most of +the talking. He was a young man, with a dark moustache and black curly +hair. He played with keen interest and in a lofty dominating manner. +Reynolds did not like his appearance, and the more he studied him the +stronger became his repugnance. It was not only the low brutal face +that compelled this feeling, but the coarse language that reeked from +his lips. This so disgusted Reynolds that he was about to leave the +room, when in an instant a commotion took place among the players. +They sprang to their feet, and a miniature babel ensued. + +"You're cheating." + +"I'm not." + +"You're a liar." + +These were some of the terms hurled forth in sharp rasping sentences, +and it seemed as if blood must surely be shed ere the confusion ended. +As the word "liar" rang out, a sudden silence followed, and at once +hands rested upon butts of revolvers concealed in four hip-pockets. +But before they were drawn a peculiar noise broke the stillness, which +caused Reynolds to start, for the sound came from the old prospector's +lips. + +"Me-o-o-o-ow. Me-o-o-o-ow. Bow-wow-wow. Bow-wow-wow." + +So unexpected was this interruption that all in the room stared in +amazement, and even the four angry men turned to see whence the sound +came. So perfect was the imitation, and so humorous the expression +upon the face of the old man, that the onlookers burst into a hearty +laugh, which caused the four inflamed players to shuffle uneasily, and +to look sheepishly at one another. Then their mouths expanded into a +grin, and the storm was over. + +The curly-haired man at once left his place and strode over to where +the prospector was sitting. + +"Frontier Samson!" he exclaimed, gripping him firmly by the hand. "Is +it really you?" + +"Sure, it's me, all right, Curly. Who else did ye think it was; me +ghost?" + +"Not when I heard that cat-call, an' the bow-wow." + +"Heard 'em before, eh? Guess this isn't the first scrape I've got ye +out of, is it?" + +"Should say not. But where in h---- did ye drop from, Sam? I didn't +know ye were on board." + +"Oh, I'm jist on a visit from the outside. An' it's mighty lucky that +I'm here, or else I don't know what 'ud have happened. Better leave +cards alone, Curly, if ye can't play without fightin'. They make +people act like a bunch of kids." + +"It was those d---- fools' fault, though, Sam." + +"Thar, now, don't make excuses an' blame others, Curly. That's jist +what kids allus do. An' cut out them unholy words. There might be a +parson around." + +Curly flung himself down upon a seat, and lighted a cigarette. He cast +a furtive glance at Reynolds, thinking that perhaps he might be the +"parson." + +"What have ye been doin', Curly?" the old man asked. "An' why was ye +driftin' out under that fog-bank? Ye nearly got left, let me tell ye +that." + +"I know we did, and I thought that d----, excuse me, Sam," he +apologized, as he again glanced toward Reynolds. "I mean, I thought +that the fog-bank would never lift. We've been doing some of the +islands for several months." + +"Strike anything?" + +"Nothing, an' nearly starved in the bargain. If it hadn't been fer an +Indian mission, we wouldn't be alive now." + +"Then missionaries are of some use after all, Curly. You was allus +hard on 'em, if I remember right." + +"Umph! They're all right when one's starving. If they'd only leave +the Gospel dope out, it wouldn't be so bad." + +"Got a dose of it, eh?" + +"Should say I did. Morning, noon an' night I had to go to church with +the Indians. I've had enough to last me the rest of me life. Say, +weren't we glad to get away!" + +"Goin' north agin? I thought ye was through, up thar?" + +"So did I. But we heard of the new strike at Big Draw, an' decided to +try our luck once more." + +"Think ye'll hit it this time?" + +"I hope so. But it isn't altogether the gold that's taking me back. +There's something more attractive." + +"So I imagined." + +"I thought you would understand." Curly's voice was eager now. +"She'll not escape me this time. Gad, she's a beaut! But as wild as a +hawk." + +"An' so ye think ye'll corner her, eh?" There was a peculiar note in +Samson's voice which Reynolds was quick to detect, but which Curly +missed. + +"Just you wait an' see," the latter reminded. "That old cuss thinks +he's got a regular Gibraltar behind those hills with his lousy Indians. +But I'll show him a thing or two." + +"Ye've never been thar, have ye?" Samson queried. + +"Never. But the bird comes out of her nest sometimes, ye know, an' +then----" + +"You'll be the hawk, is that it?" Samson asked as the other paused. + +"Oh, I'll be around," Curly laughed. "One doesn't run across the likes +of her every day, an' she's the gold I'm really after." + +"Wall, all I kin say is this," the prospector replied, as he rose +slowly to his feet, "that ye'd better be mighty keerful, young man. +That Giberalter, as ye call it, is guarded by a lion that ain't to be +fooled with. He's got claws that reach from sun-up to sun-down as +several smarter ones than you have found out to their sorrow. Leave +him alone, an' he'll bother nobody. But interfere with that lass of +his, an' the hull north won't be big enough to hide ye. That's my +warnin', an' if yer not a fool ye'll heed it." + +Reynolds had a good long sleep that afternoon. He had been much +disturbed the night before by several men in the next room, who shouted +and sang until early morning. During the evening he went out upon +deck, well forward, as he wished to be alone, and away from the men who +were drinking and gambling in other parts of the steamer. It was a +beautiful evening, with scarcely a ripple disturbing the surface of the +water. The air was mild, and when the sun went down, the moon rose big +and cheery above the dense dark forest away to the right. Reynolds +thought over the conversation he had heard between Frontier Samson and +the man known as "Curly." That the latter was a scoundrel he had not +the slightest doubt. His face alone would have betrayed him even if he +had not spoken a word. He was curious concerning the reference to +"Gibraltar," the "lion," and the "lass." + +As he thus sat and mused, listening to the zip-zip of the vessel as it +cut through the water, his mind naturally drifted off to her of the +street crossing incident. He wondered what had become of her. Why had +she left the railing in such a hurry, and what was the cause of the +sudden pallor that had come upon her face? Had Curly anything to do +with her agitation, and was it possible that she was the girl to whom +he referred? As this idea flashed into his mind, he sat bolt upright +in his chair. It did seem reasonable when he considered it. In fact, +it gave him a certain degree of pleasure as well. If his suspicions +were true, then the girl needed protection from that brute, and was it +not his duty to keep a sharp lookout, and if necessary to protect her +from all harm? + +And as he thought of this, the girl herself came upon deck, and walked +at once toward the bow close to the tall flag-staff, which pointed +upwards like a quivering slender needle. Reynolds could see her +plainly as she stood looking straight before her. A cloak was thrown +carelessly over her shoulders, and her head was bare. What a perfect +picture of gracefulness she presented to the admiring young man as he +watched her by the light of the full-orbed moon. How he longed to go +forward, speak to her, and listen to her voice. But, no, he did not +dare to do that. He must adore her at a distance and wonder what she +was thinking about. + +Presently an idea leaped into his mind that thrilled his entire being. +He was pushing out into the Great Unknown, with all its dangers and +uncertainties. But standing there before him was his guiding star, the +one girl in all the world who unconsciously had inspired and stirred +him to action. Was she really to be his guiding star? Anyway, the +sight of her standing before him seemed to be a favorable portent of +the future. + +For almost half an hour the girl stood silently at the bow, apparently +unconscious that anyone was near. Reynolds remained a long time after +she had gone. It was good to be there on such a night, with no one to +disturb him, alone with a fair vision before him, and a sweet peace in +his soul. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +BEYOND THE GREAT WHITE PASS + +"All aboard!" + +The train was on the point of pulling out from the little coast town of +Skagway on its run inland of one hundred and ten miles. There had been +much bustle and excitement ever since the steamer landed early that +morning. But now everything was in readiness, the signal had been +given, and the train began to move. + +Reynolds was comfortably seated and looking out of the open window, +when Frontier Samson came and sat down by his side. The old prospector +was much out of breath and panting heavily. + +"I nearly missed the train," he explained. "She was movin' when I +swung on board." + +"Sight-seeing, eh?" Reynolds queried. + +"That's about it, I guess. Watchin' a mix-up, an' gittin' Curly out of +a scrape. That's what delayed me." + +"What was the trouble?" + +"Oh, the same old story. Curly kin never mind his own bizness. He's +allus pokin' his nose into other people's affairs. He's too sassy." + +"Where is he now?" + +"In the smoker. I had to drag him along with me, an' that's what made +me late." + +"Why didn't you leave him behind?" + +"I should have done that. But it's the Brotherhood, ye see, that made +me do it. That feller ain't safe runnin' at large, an' somebody's got +to keep an eye on him, 'specially up here." + +"It seems to me that you have undertaken a big task," and Reynolds +smiled. + +"Indeed I have an' no one knows that better'n me. If I had my way, +he'd be shipped off to some Penitentiary. That's the right place for +the likes of him. An' he'll land thar some day, as sure as guns. But +in the meantime somebody's got to watch him." + +Reynolds made no reply. In fact, he hardly heard his companion's last +words, for his eyes were riveted upon the wonderful sights around him. +Above towered the peaks of the White Pass Range, grand and majestic. +Away to the left, and far above, could be seen the railway track, +twisting along the mountain side like a thin dark thread. It seemed +incredible that the train could make such a tremendous climb. + +"Do we go up there?" he asked in amazement. + +"Sure. We'll be thar in a short time, but it takes four engines, +though, to tug us up. Then ye'll see something that'll make ye wonder. +Guess thar's nuthin' like it in the hull world. We'll go up three +thousand feet, an' it'll be the nearest to heaven that some of the +chaps on this train'll ever be. Jist look at that, now!" + +Reynolds was indeed looking. Far down below a few cabins appeared like +little toy houses, while away beyond could be seen the blue cold waters +of the North Pacific. The air was becoming keen. But it was bracing +and stimulating. + +"Say, I'd like to paint that!" he mused half aloud. "It is grand, +stupendous, appalling! And what a work to build this road! How was it +ever done!" + +"It sartinly was, young man. It cost a mint of money, to say nuthin' +of the lives sacrificed. Thar was some mighty bad accidents on this +bit of road, though thar was some funny ones, too. I often have a good +laugh to meself whenever I think of one of the stories that was told." + +"What was it?" Reynolds asked. He was interested in everything now. + +"Wall, ye see, the company that built this road was considered mighty +mean, an' ground the men down to the last cent. One day a big blast +went off before its time, an' a feller was blown high into the air. +Everybody thought fer sure that thar wouldn't be a speck of him left. +But strange to say, in about fifteen minutes he came down pat on his +feet, an' but fer a few bruises an' a bad shakin' up he was as chipper +as ye please. He got another shock, though, at the end of the week +which nearly put him out of bizness." + +The old man paused, and a smile overspread his face as he gazed +thoughtfully out of the window. + +"Yes," he continued, "it sartinly was some shock, an' no mistake. When +he went to the office to be paid fer his week's work, he found that the +company had docked him two-bits fer the fifteen minutes he was absent +on that air-trip when the blast went off. Now, what d'ye think of +that?" + +"Close shaving, I should say," was the reply. "It's a good yarn, +though, and worth remembering. But, my, isn't that a wonderful sight!" +And Reynolds motioned to the great mountains away in the distance. "We +seem to be surrounded by them." + +"So we are, young man. Ye can't escape 'em in the north any more'n ye +kin git clear of the sky-scrapers in New York. But them over thar are +the work of the Almighty, an' a grand job He made of 'em. This hull +land reminds me of a big cathedral; the woods an' valleys are the +aisles, an' the mountains are the spires pointin' man to heaven. I +tell ye, it's a great place out alone on the hills to worship. Yer not +cramped thar, an' it doesn't matter what kind of clothes ye have on. +It's wonderful the sights ye see an' the things ye hear. Talk about +music! Why, ye have the finest in the world when nature's big organ +gits to work, 'specially at night. I've shivered from head to toe when +the wind was rippin' an' roarin' through the woods, down the valleys, +an' along the mountain passes. That's the music fer me!" + +"You seem to love this country," Reynolds remarked, as he noted the +intense admiration upon his companion's face. + +"I sartinly do, young man. It grips me jist as soon as I cross this +range. Thar's nuthin' like it to my way of thinkin', though it takes +ye years to find it out. Yet, it doesn't altogether satisfy the soul, +although it helps. Thar's something within a man that needs more'n the +mountains an' the wonderful things around him. But, thar, I must see +what Curly's doin'. He may be up to some more mischief." + +Although Reynolds was much interested in the scenery and in listening +to the philosophy of the old prospector, yet his mind turned +continually to Glen, for it was by that name he now thought of her. He +knew that she was on the train, for he had seen her as she stepped +aboard but a few minutes before it left the coast. She had passed +close to where he was standing, carrying a grip in her hand. He had +caught sight of the leather tag fastened to the handle of the grip, and +had strained his eyes in a futile effort to read the name written +thereon. He was determined in some manner to find out what that name +was, as he feared lest he should lose her altogether when the journey +by rail was ended. He must have something more definite than the one +word Glen. + +This opportunity was afforded him when he entered the principal hotel +of the little town of Whitehorse at the terminus of the railway. It +was just across the street from the station, and when he arrived at the +office she was there before him, and about to enter her name in the +hotel register. He stood by her side and watched her write. It was a +firm sun-browned hand that held the pen, and she wrote in a rapid +business-like way. "Glen Weston" were the only words Reynolds saw +there as he wrote his own name a minute later below hers. She had not +even mentioned where she was from--that space was left blank. He also +noticed that the hotel clerk seemed to know who she was, for he was +more affable to her than to anyone else. She asked him if her father +had yet arrived, and she appeared disappointed when he answered in the +negative. + +The name "Glen Weston" kept running through Reynolds' mind all that +evening. He liked it, and it suited her admirably, so he thought. But +who was she, and where was she going? That was what he wished to know. + +The town of Whitehorse was of considerable interest to Reynolds as he +strolled that evening through its various streets. It was a surprise +to him as well, for he had not expected to find such a settled +community. He had imagined that all such towns in the north were wild +and almost lawless places, abounding in desperate characters, ready to +shoot on the slightest provocation. But here all was order, and it was +little different from one of the many small conventional towns in +Eastern Canada. There were several up-to-date stores, a large post +office, bank, churches, and comfortable dwelling houses, though many of +the latter were built of logs. The Royal Northwest Mounted Police had +their large barracks at the rear of the town under the brow of a high +hill, where all day long the flag of the clustered crosses floated from +its tall white staff in the centre of the square. + +It was the time of year when the light of day reaches far into the +night, and deep darkness is unknown. The sun merely dips for a few +hours below the mountain Crests, and skims along the horizon, thus +illuminating the western sky, and holding back the heavy draperies of +night. The light on the far-off ranges and the glory of the distant +heavens fascinated Reynolds. He had beheld many beautiful sunsets, but +never such a one as this, and his entire soul was stirred within him. + +Leaving the level of the town, he climbed the hill, and there on the +edge of the steep bank he feasted his eyes upon the wonderful panorama +stretched out before him. Like a silver thread the river wound its +sinuous way between its steep banks, and faded from view amidst its +setting of dark firs and jack-pines; around rose the mountains, their +great sides either bathed in the glow of evening, or lying sombre and +grim, telling of crouching valleys and funnel-like draws from which the +light of day had retreated. And below lay the little town, silent save +for the occasional bark of a dog, or the shrill voices of children away +to the right. + +For some time Reynolds remained here. He was in no hurry to go +elsewhere, for the evening was mild and conducive to thought. There +was nothing to take him back to the hotel, and he preferred to be out +of doors. Just what he was to do next he had no clear idea. He knew +that somewhere out from this town was the new mining camp for which he +had started. But where it was and how to reach it he had not the +faintest knowledge. In truth, he had never been sufficiently +interested to make any inquiries, even from Frontier Samson. What had +become of the prospector, he wondered, as he had not seen him since his +arrival in town. And where was Glen? He had followed her this far, +and was he to lose her after all? She had aroused him to action, and +caused him to take this long and apparently foolish journey. But he +had not spoken a word to her, and so far as he knew she was totally +unaware of his existence. He smiled at the thought, and wondered what +his friend, the editor, would say if he knew of it. And what about his +search for the missing man, Henry Redmond? Instead of throwing himself +earnestly and actively into the quest he was frittering away his time, +following the will-o'-the-wisp of a fancy, and going daft over a mere +slip of a girl who moved serenely apart from his world of thought and +being. He called himself a fool and chided himself over and over +again. But for all that, he was unable to tear her out of his heart +and mind. She seemed to belong to him, and to no one else. + +"I believe that my experiences in France have affected my brain," he +muttered, as he at length rose to his feet. "I am sure I was not like +this before the war. But here I am now dazzled and mystified by a fair +face, a pair of sparkling eyes, and the charm of a name. This will +never do. I must shake off this fascination, or I shall be good for +nothing." + +He walked rapidly down the hill, and then along a trail that wound +through a thicket of small fir trees. This brought him in a few +minutes to one of the streets leading straight to the river. He walked +slower now, much interested in the quaint log houses, with here and +there a miner's or a prospector's tent. Presently he saw before him a +large building, with galvanized roof and sides. People were entering +the place, and drawing nearer, the sound of music fell upon his ears. +A band was playing, he could easily tell, and it was dancing music at +that. + +Reaching the building, Reynolds paused and listened. The music was +good, the best he had heard in a long time. Through an open door he +could see men playing billiards and pool. It was a lively and an +attractive scene, which caused him to enter and stand for a while near +the door watching the games. No one paid any attention to him, and +from what he observed there were others like himself, strangers, who +found the time hanging heavily on their hands, and had dropped into the +place for the sake of companionship. There were several large tables, +and these were all occupied by eager players. Nearby was a bar, where +drinks of various kinds were being served. The room was brilliantly +lighted by electricity, and the whole atmosphere of the place was most +congenial. + +At one end of the billiard room were two doors, and here a number of +people were standing watching the dancing that was going on in the main +part of the building. Reynolds presently joined them, and he was +greatly surprised at the size of the room, and the number of people +upon the floor. There was a gallery immediately overhead, and here the +band was placed. + +For a few minutes Reynolds stood and watched the dancers in a somewhat +indifferent manner. He learned from a man standing by his side that +this building belonged to a town club, and that such dances were not +uncommon, at which most of the people attended. + +At first Reynolds could not recognize anyone he knew, but as he +watched, he gave a great start, for there but a short distance away was +Glen, and her partner was none other than the rascal, Curly. He could +hardly believe his eyes, and he followed them most intently as they +moved about the room. He felt certain now that Glen was the girl +mentioned by Curly on the steamer in his conversation with Frontier +Samson. He had found her, and was it to her liking? he wondered. He +recalled her pale face and agitated manner as Curly boarded the vessel +along the coast. Was he the cause of her distress, or was it someone +else? It seemed then as if she wished to keep clear of the fellow, and +her seclusion during the remainder of the voyage lent color to this +idea. But here she was dancing with him, and apparently enjoying +herself. All this puzzled Reynolds as he stood there, unheeding +everything else save those special two. + +When the music ceased, Glen and Curly walked across the room and sat +down but a short distance from the door. Reynolds could see the girl's +face most plainly now, and he could tell at a glance that she was +unhappy. Curly, on the other hand, was very animated and did all of +the talking. He was speaking in a low voice and seemed very much in +earnest. Occasionally the girl shook her head, and looked uneasily +around as if fearful lest someone should overhear what was being said. +At length, however, as she glanced to her right, her face brightened, +and the light of joy leaped into her eyes. Reynolds also turned his +head, and he was surprised to see, standing not far away, a tall and +powerfully-built Indian. Where he had come from Reynolds had not the +least idea, but there he was, clad in a soft buckskin suit, motionless, +and heeding no one except the young girl sitting by Curly's side. His +placid face relaxed a little, however, as Glen moved swiftly to where +he was standing and spoke to him in a low voice. The Indian merely +nodded in reply, and without even glancing around upon the curious +watchers in the room, he at once followed the girl as she passed out of +the building through a side door which opened upon the street. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +COMRADES OF THE TRAIL + +There was no wild stampede to the Big Draw mining camp on Scupper +Creek, where gold had been discovered. There had been so many such +reports in the past which proved but flurries, that many of the +old-timers became sceptical, and waited for further developments. +There were some, however, who were always on the lookout for anything +new, and the hope of making a strike induced them to hasten away at the +least information of any discovery. These drifted forth in little +groups by the way of the river and mountain passes. Among such there +were always newcomers, men from the outside, as well as miners who had +left the country years before. + +It was with the latest arrivals that Reynolds made his way into Big +Draw. He was accustomed to life in the open, and his recent experience +of camp life in France served him in good stead now. He had just +himself to look after, and, accordingly, he did not need a large +outfit. He also learned that provisions could be procured at the +mining camp, where a store had been established. He, therefore, took +with him only what was absolutely necessary, such as a small tent, a +few cooking utensils, a good rifle, and sufficient food to last him for +several days. A steamer would carry him part of the way, while the +rest of the journey would be made overland on foot. + +After her departure from the dance that night, Reynolds saw nothing +more of Glen. He found that she had left the hotel, but where she had +gone he did not know. He inquired of the clerk, and was answered with +a curt "Don't know." He wondered who the Indian could be. There +seemed to be a mutual understanding between him and the girl, at any +rate, and they must have departed together. During the remainder of +his stay in town he had wandered about the streets, with the faint hope +that he might again see the girl, or learn something as to her +whereabouts. + +Frontier Samson had also disappeared, and no one seemed to know +anything about him. Reynolds did not mind asking about the old +prospector, as it was different from enquiring about Glen. In fact, +the girl had become so real to him and such a vital part of his very +existence that should he speak of her to others he might betray his +deep concern. + +During the voyage down river he thought much about her and tried to +imagine who she really was and what had become of her. The idea even +suggested itself that she might be that stolid Indian's wife. Strange +things often happened in the north, so he had read, and this might be +one of them. He banished the thought, however, as too ridiculous, and +beyond the bounds of probability. + +The voyage was an uneventful one to Reynolds, who kept much to himself +and did not join his companions at cards, which were played day and +night. At times there was considerable roughness, though no shooting. +Curly was there, and enjoying himself to his heart's content. He +played most of the time, losing and winning in turn. Reynolds often +sat and watched him as he played, wondering where the fellow had first +met Glen and what he knew about her. He had never spoken to the +rascal, and had no inclination to do so. But several times glancing up +from his cards Curly noticed Reynolds' eyes fixed intently upon him. +Although he had found out that the quiet, reserved man was not a +"parson," yet he knew that he had been with Frontier Samson, and he was +curious to know what the old prospector had told him about his career. +His record was so black that he naturally became suspicious until he at +length imagined that the young man with the steady unswerving eyes was +following him north with some special object in view. The idea annoyed +him, although he said nothing, but went on with his game. + +It took the little steamer some time to reach her destination, as she +had to buck a heavy current part of the way. When she at length tied +up at the landing where the trail over the mountain began, the +passengers scrambled quickly ashore, and started at once upon their +hard journey, carrying heavy loads upon their backs. With their long +trip of several thousand miles almost at an end, the excitement of the +quest increased, and eagerly and feverishly they pressed forward, each +anxious to be the first of the party to reach the mining camp. + +But Reynolds was in no hurry. He had not the same incentive as the +others, and so long as his supply of food lasted he was as contented on +the trail as anywhere else. His pack was heavy and the day promised to +be very warm. He preferred to be alone, away from the insipid chatter +and profanity of his companions. It would give him an opportunity to +think and to study the beauty of the landscape. + +Leaving the landing, he walked along the trail, which in a short time +began to ascend around the right side of the mountain. Here he stopped +and looked back. The river wound below, and the little steamer was +lying at the bank discharging her cargo. It was the last link between +him and the great outside world of civilization. In a few hours it +would be gone, and for an instant there came to him the longing to go +back and give up his foolish quest. He banished the temptation, +however, and plodded steadily on his way. He had never turned back +yet, and he was determined that this should not be the first time. He +had the unaccountable conviction that the lap of the future held +something in store for him, and that he would come into his own in due +time. + +The higher he climbed the more wonderful became the view. The trail +twisted around the mountain side, and from this vantage ground the +solitary traveller could look forth upon vast reaches of forest and +great wild meadows far below, with here and there placid lakes, +mirroring trees, mountain peaks, and billowy clouds. The voices of his +companions had long since died away, and he was alone with the brooding +silence all around, and his own thoughts for company. + +At noon he rested under the shade of an old storm-beaten tree, and ate +his meagre lunch. This finished, he lighted his pipe and stretched +himself full length upon the mossy ground. He was feeling more +contented than he had been in many a day. The air was invigorating, +and a desire came over him to be up and doing. His old indifference to +life seemed to slip away like a useless and impeding garment, leaving +him free for action. He even thought with pleasure of mingling again +in the activities of civilization, and winning for himself a worthy +reputation. He would make good in the north, and then go back and +surprise his friend, the editor, and all who knew him. + +So strong was this feeling that he sat suddenly up, wondering what had +come over him to cause the subtle change. "It must be the wild mystery +of this region," he mused. "It is stimulating and impelling. It may +be the spirit of the mountains, and the other grand things of nature. +They are carrying out the designs for which they were intended, and +perhaps they have silently rebuked me for being a traitor to the +highest that is in me. But I shall show them a thing or two, if I am +not much mistaken." + +Springing lightly to his feet, he continued his journey. His step was +more buoyant, his heart lighter, and the pack seemed less heavy than +when he left the river. + +He travelled all that afternoon, crossed the summit, and moved swiftly +down the opposite slope. It was easy walking now, and he hoped to +reach the valley and there spend the night. He believed that he should +find water among that heavy timber ahead of him, and thither he made +his way. Neither was he mistaken, for when his steps at length began +to lag he heard the ripple of water drifting up the trail. As he drew +nearer he smelled the smoke of a camp-fire, and the appetizing odor of +roasting meat. "Somebody must be camping there," he mused, "and I may +have company. I am sorry, but then it can't be helped." + +The brook was a small one, shallow, and Reynolds easily sprang across. +Gaining the opposite bank, he peered among the trees, and to his +surprise he saw Frontier Samson squatting upon the ground, roasting a +grouse over a fire he had previously lighted. The old prospector's +face brightened as the young man approached. + +"My, y've been a long time comin'," he accosted. "I thought mebbe ye'd +played out, tumbled down the side of the mountain, or a grizzly had +gobbled ye up. What in time kept ye so long?" + +"And where in the world did you come from?" Reynolds asked in reply, as +he unslung his pack and tossed it aside. "I never expected to meet you +here." + +"Ye didn't, eh? Wall, ye never want to be surprised at anything I do. +I'm here to-day an' somewhere else to-morrow. I'm allus on the move, +rovin' from place to place. It's me nature, I guess." + +"A rolling stone gathers no moss, so I've heard. Is that the way with +you?" Reynolds asked, with a twinkle to his eyes. + +"I may git no moss, young man, an' not become a fossil like some of the +fellers in big cities, but I git a heap of rubbin' with me rollin', an' +that keeps me brightened up." + +"But how did you get here ahead of me?" Reynolds questioned. "You were +not on the steamer, and I am certain you didn't walk." + +Samson drew the grouse from the fire, and examined it critically. +Finding it not done to his satisfaction, he thrust it back again. + +"Jist hand me that fryin'-pan, will ye?" and he motioned to his left. +"I want it handy when the bird's cooked. Ye didn't expect to find a +supper here to-night, young man, did ye?" and he looked quizzically at +Reynolds. + +"Indeed I didn't," was the emphatic reply. + +"Neither did ye imagine that it 'ud be a grouse's bones ye'd be +pickin'. Why, it's no tellin' where that bird was three days ago. It +may have been fifty miles or more away, fer all we know. But it's here +now, isn't it?" + +"It looks very much like it," and Reynolds laughed. + +"Wall, that's jist the way with many other things. It's allus the +unexpected that happens, an' thar are surprises on every trail, as +ye'll larn if ye haven't done so already. Meetin' me here is one of +'em, an' my movements are jist as unsartin an' mysterious as were them +of that bird which is now sizzlin' over this fire." + +"But with not such an unhappy ending, I hope," and again Reynolds +smiled. + +The prospector's eyes twinkled as he drew the bird from the fire, and +laid it carefully in the frying-pan. + +"Guess it's done all right this time," he remarked. "Now fer supper. +I'm most starved." + +Reynolds was hungry, and he did full justice to the meal. Samson had +some excellent sour-dough bread of which he was very proud. + +"Made it last night," he explained, "an' it turned out better'n usual. +Thought mebbe I'd have company before long." + +"Did you meet the others?" Reynolds asked. + +"Oh, yes, I met 'em," Samson chuckled. + +"Were they far ahead?" + +"Y' bet, an' chatterin' like a bunch of monkeys. Guess they're thar by +now." + +"Were they surprised to see you?" + +"H'm, they didn't see me. I was settin' under a tree well out of +sight. I didn't want to meet that crowd; they're not to my likin'. I +jist wished to see if Curly was along." + +"You seem to be keepin' a sharp eye on that fellow still," Reynolds +remarked. He was anxious to draw the prospector out. Perhaps he might +learn something about Curly's acquaintance with Glen. + +"Yes, I do keep me eyes peeled fer Curly," Samson drawled, as he +finished his supper and pulled out his pipe. "It's necessary, let me +tell ye that. He ain't safe nohow." + +"You have known him for some time, then?" + +"Long enough to be suspicious of the skunk." + +"He seems to be very friendly with you, though." + +"Oh, he's got sense enough not to buck up aginst me. An' besides, I've +yanked him out of many a nasty fix. Most likely he'd been planted long +before this if I hadn't been around at the right moment." + +"He's up here for more than gold, so I understand." + +"How did ye larn that, young man?" There was a sharp note in Samson's +voice. + +"Oh, I merely overheard your conversation with him in the smoking-room +of the _Northern Light_. That was all, but I drew my own conclusion." + +"An' what was that?" + +"Nothing very definite. I simply inferred that he is after a girl +somewhere here in the north, and that she is so guarded by a lion of a +father that Curly hasn't much of a chance." + +"An' so that's what ye surmised, is it?" the prospector queried. + +"Am I right?" + +"Guess yer not fer astray." + +"Have you seen the girl? Do you know her father?" + +"Have I seen the girl? Do I know her father?" the old man slowly +repeated. "Yes, I believe I've seen her, all right. But as fer +knowin' her father, wall, that's a different thing. Frontier Samson +doesn't pretend to know Jim Weston; he never did." + +"Weston, did you say?" Reynolds eagerly asked. + +"That's what I said, young man. The name seems to interest ye." + +"It does. When I registered at the hotel in Whitehorse, the name just +before mine was 'Glen Weston,' and the girl who wrote it came north on +the _Northern Light_. Do you suppose she is Jim Weston's daughter?" + +"She might be," was the somewhat slow reply. "As I told ye before, +it's ginerally the unexpected that happens. Anyway, ye can't tell much +by names these days." + +"But Curly knows her, for I saw them together at a dance the night I +arrived in town." + +"Ye did!" The prospector took his pipe from his mouth and stared hard +at Reynolds. "Are ye sure?" + +"Positive. Why, I was standing at the door watching the dance, when I +saw the two together upon the floor. Later they came over and sat down +quite close to me. Curly did most of the talking, and the girl seemed +quite uneasy. She left shortly after with a fine-looking Indian, who +had evidently come for her. I have not seen her since." + +"So Curly was dancin' with her," Samson mused. "Then she must be Jim +Weston's gal. I wonder what the old man'll say when he hears about it?" + +"How will he know?" + +"Oh, he'll find out, all right. There's nuthin' that misses him here +in the north." + +"What will he do to Curly?" + +"I wouldn't like to say at present. That remains to be seen." + +"Is this Jim Weston a desperate character?" + +"The ones who have tried to fool with him say he is, an' I guess they +ought to know. He's a holy terror when he gits goin', 'specially when +anyone's after that lass of his." + +"The men up here all know about her, I suppose?" + +"Should say so. They're about crazy over her. She's been the cause of +many a row, an' several shootin' rackets." + +"Does she favor anyone?" + +"Not as fer as I know. She's in a class all by her lonesome, an' well +able to take care of herself. She's not anxious fer lovers, so I +understand, at least, not the brand ye find up here. She's some lass, +all right, an' whoever succeeds in winnin' her'll be a mighty lucky +chap." + +"What does her father do? Is he a miner?" + +"It's jist hard to tell what Jim Weston does an' what he doesn't do. +No one seems to know fer sartin. He lives like a lord on Big Lake, way +over yonder," and Samson motioned to the east. "All the folks know +that he lives thar with his lass, guarded by a hull pack of Injuns. +But what he does an' what he doesn't do is a mighty problem." + +"His daughter travels, though, and alone at that, doesn't she?" +Reynolds queried. + +"Occasionally. Jim's givin' her an eddication, so I hear. She must be +comin' back now, as this is vacation time." + +"But what happened to her, do you suppose, after the dance that night?" +Reynolds asked. "She disappeared as if by magic, and I believe the big +Indian had something to do with it." + +"How d'ye know she disappeared?" was the sudden and somewhat +embarrassing question. + +Reynolds laughed, and his face flushed. He knew that he had betrayed +himself, and that the prospector noted his confusion. + +"Oh, I didn't notice her in town," he explained, "and I saw by the +register that she had left the hotel." + +"So you're interested in her, too, are ye, young man?" + +"I certainly am," was the candid confession. "From the moment that I +first saw her at a street crossing in Vancouver she has been hardly out +of my mind. I never saw any girl who affected me so much, and she is +the reason why I am here now." + +"Ye don't tell!" Samson tapped the ashes out of his pipe, and then +stretched himself full length upon the ground. "Make a clean breast of +it, young man," he encouraged. "I'm an old hardened chap meself, but I +do like to hear a real interestin' heart-story once in a while. I git +sick an' disgusted listenin' to brutes on two legs, callin' themselves +men when they talk about women. But when it comes to a clean young +feller, sich as I take you to be, tellin' of his heart-stroke, then +it's different, an' I'm allus pleased to listen." + +And make a clean breast of it Reynolds did. He was surprised at +himself for talking so freely as he told about his indifference to life +until he first saw Glen Weston. It was easy to talk there in the +silence of the great forest, with the shadows of evening closing around +and such a sympathetic listener nearby. He felt better when his story +was ended, for he had shared his heart feeling with one worthy of his +confidence, so he believed. + +Frontier Samson remained silent for a few minutes after the confession +had been concluded.. He looked straight before him off among the trees +as if he saw something there. Reynolds wondered what he was thinking +about, and whether he considered him a fool for becoming so infatuated +over a mere girl. + +"I must seem ridiculous to you," he at length remarked. "Would any man +in his senses act as I have?" + +"Ye might do worse," was the quiet reply. "I am sartinly interested in +what ye've jist told me, an' I thank ye fer yer confidence. Me own +heart was stirred once, an' the feelin' ain't altogether left me yit. +But ye've got a difficult problem ahead of ye, young man. Ye want that +lass, so I believe, but between you an' her stands Jim Weston." + +"And the girl, why don't you say?" + +"Sure, sure; she's to be considered. But a gal kin be won when she +takes a fancy to a man of your make-up. The trouble'll be with her +dad, an' don't fergit that. But thar, I guess we've talked enough +about this fer the present. I'm dead beat an' want some sleep. We +must be away early in the mornin', remember." + +"What! are you going my way?" Reynolds eagerly asked. + +"Sure; if ye'd like to have me along. I'm bound fer Big Draw meself." + +It was just what Reynolds desired. He liked the old prospector, and +now that he had confided to him his tale of love, he was drawn closer +than ever to this wandering veteran of the trails. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A SHOT THAT TOLD + +The life at Big Draw mining camp on Scupper Creek did not appeal to +Reynolds. He watched the men at work upon their various claims, and +noted how meagre was their success. They toiled like slaves, lured on +by the hope of a rich strike that never came. The principal place of +meeting was the roadhouse, where "Shorty" Bill held sway. He lodged +men, served meals, and conducted a bar. He was a good-hearted fellow, +rough and uncouth, but well liked by all, and a genial companion. It +was, therefore, but natural that at this place many of the men should +congregate at night, and at times during the day, for a brief respite +from their labors. It was here, too, that news would occasionally +drift in from the outside world, which would be discussed by the men as +they played cards, the only amusement for which they seemed to care. +When the mail arrived, as it did at irregular intervals, all work on +the creek was suspended, and the men flocked to the roadhouse to +receive their scanty dole of letters and papers. Shorty was the +custodian of the mail after its arrival, and he magnified his office. +With a quid of tobacco tucked away in his cheek, he would study each +address most carefully before calling forth the owner's name in a +stentorian voice. + +Although mining was not in his line, Reynolds realised that he must do +something. As he studied the life of the camp, and watched the men at +their work, he thought of his friend, the editor. What an article he +might write for _The Telegram_ that would make the editor's eyes dance +with joy. And he could do it, too, he felt certain, if he could only +get up sufficient energy. He could add a number of sketches drawn from +life, which would be of much value. He thought of all this as he +wandered aimlessly around, and as he lay at night in his little tent. + +Several days thus passed without anything being done. Frontier Samson +had again disappeared, and no one had any idea where he had gone. +Reynolds soon grew tired with having nothing to do, so he accordingly +turned his attention to the hills. Fresh meat was urgently needed for +the camp, as the miners would not spare the time to go after it +themselves. Wild sheep roamed the mountains, and Reynolds decided that +he could make more money by supplying the camp with meat than digging +for the uncertain gold. It would also satisfy his desire to get away +into the wilds, where he could explore to his heart's content the +mysteries of the foothills, the great valleys, and the vast expanses of +wild meadows. + +Reynolds at once put this plan into execution, and each morning he left +camp for a day in the hills. At night he returned, loaded down with a +mountain sheep he had bagged, and which he readily sold for several +ounces of gold. When not hunting, he would spend his time either +exploring some creek or lying on the hillside studying the scenery +around him, and imbibing impressions for the masterpieces he planned to +produce. + +But it was not always the beauties of nature which occupied his mind. +No matter where he went Glen was ever with him. In some mysterious +manner she seemed to be near, and he wondered if he should ever see her +again. He often looked away to the east, for there Frontier Samson had +told him she lived. How far off was the place? he asked himself, and +if he did find her what would her lion of a father do? He was tempted +to make the try, anyway, and find out for himself if Jim Weston was as +desperate a character as he had been painted. He could do no more than +kill him, and he did not fear death. Had he not often faced it on the +field of battle, and why should he shrink now? + +The more Reynolds thought about this, the more inclined he became to +make the effort. It would be another grand adventure to once again go +over the top. He might fail, but he would have the satisfaction of +making the attempt and showing Glen that he was not a coward. He had +been longing for some wild undertaking, and here was the opportunity +right at hand. It would be far more preferable than spending his time +around camp, or even hunting mountain sheep. + +He was thinking seriously of this one beautiful afternoon as he lay on +the side of a deep ravine beneath a big weather-beaten fir tree. +Below, a brook gurgled, now very small owing to the dryness of the +season, but at times swollen by floods into a raging torrent. Across +this ravine the mountain rose steep and rugged. Along its side a +narrow trail wound, worn smooth by the feet of Indians, mountain sheep, +and other denizens of the wild. Reynolds idly wondered whither the +trail led, and he was half tempted to start forth on an exploration +journey. But it was so comfortable there on the hillside that he gave +up the idea, so, lying full upon his back with his hands under his +head, he watched the tops of the far-off mountains, and the clouds +drifting across the great savannas of the blue. + +For some time he remained thus, thinking of Glen and recalling the last +time he had seen her. He was trying once more to solve the mystery of +her disappearance from Whitehorse, when a sudden noise across the +ravine arrested his attention. Casting his eyes in that direction, +great was his surprise to see a woman mounted on a magnificent horse +riding slowly down that crooked and dangerous trail. Then his heart +leaped within him as he recognized Glen. What was he to do? he +intuitively asked himself. Should he remain where he was, or hurry +down to the brook to meet her? But what right had he to go near her? +He had never spoken a word to her, and as she did not even know who he +was, she might resent his appearance. Would it not be better for him +to remain where he was, and worship at a distance? But was it +gentlemanly that he should stay there and watch her when she was +unaware of his presence? + +And all this time Glen was coming slowly down that winding trail. +Reynolds watched her almost spell-bound. She was a superb horsewoman, +and rode as one born to the saddle. How graceful was her figure, and +how perfectly the noble animal she was riding responded to the lightest +touch of the rein as he cautiously advanced. Reynolds could see the +girl most plainly now. She sat astride the saddle, with the reins in +her right hand, and a small riding-whip in the other. She wore +buckskin riding-breeches, a khaki-colored blouse, open at the throat, +and a soft felt hat of the same color. The sleeves of her blouse were +rolled up to her elbows, thus exposing her strong, supple arms. All +this Reynolds quickly noticed, and he believed that he had never before +beheld a more beautiful picture of true virile womanhood. + +The horse was jet-black, and although walking on such a perilous and +difficult trail, it was easy to tell at the first glance that it was a +splendid thoroughbred. The animal's carriage showed not only pride in +bearing such a beautiful rider, but a full sense of its responsibility +as well. Fine were its proportions, reminding Reynolds more of some +victor of the race-track than the rough and hardy cayuses of the north. + +And even as he looked and wondered from whence such a pair of creatures +had so unexpectedly come, the horse gave a terrified snort, threw up +its head, and recoiled back upon its haunches. The cause of this +fright was at once apparent, for around a huge boulder a large hear had +suddenly made its appearance. Reynolds saw at a glance that it was a +grizzly, the most formidable animal of the north, and the terror of the +trails. Although greatly startled at meeting the horse and its rider, +the bear had no idea of retreating. They were blocking his lordly +advance and it made him angry. Its coarse savage growl sawed the air +as it moved menacingly forward. + +All this Reynolds noted as he kneeled upon the ground, firmly clutching +his rifle with both hands. Beads of perspiration stood out upon his +forehead as he watched the scene across the deep gulch. The horse was +rearing wildly, and backing slowly up the trail. There was no room to +turn around, so with remarkable coolness and self-control the fair +rider was keeping him pressed close to the bank and face to face with +the on-coming grizzly. At any instant the horse might disregard the +guiding hand as well as the friendly words of encouragement, and in mad +terror attempt to swerve suddenly around, and thus hurl itself and +rider into the yawning abyss below. + +All this passed through Reynolds' mind with lightning rapidity, and he +realised that there was not a moment to lose. The bear was advancing +more rapidly now, and in a twinkling he might hurl his full weight of +eight hundred pounds of compact flesh, bone and muscle upon horse and +rider. But ere it could do this, Reynolds brought the rifle to his +shoulder, took a quick, steady aim, and fired. The bullet sped true +and pierced the bear's body just back of its powerful right shoulder. +The great brute stopped dead in its tracks. It swayed for an instant, +and then with a roar that drove the recoiling horse almost frantic with +terror, it leaped sideways and plunged down the precipice, carrying +with it a small avalanche of rocks, earth, and rattling stones. + +Reynolds watched the bear until it had plowed its way to the ravine +below, where it remained a confused and motionless heap. Then a smile +of satisfaction over-spread his face as he lowered his rifle and lifted +his eyes to the trail above. The girl had the horse under control now, +and was urging him slowly down the narrow way. But the animal's fear +was most apparent, for he was advancing very timidly, his whole body +quivering with excitement. The fair rider, however, seemed perfectly +at ease, and not the least disturbed at what had just happened. + +After she had passed the spot where the bear had first appeared, she +reined up the horse and looked across to where Reynolds was standing +watching her most intently. Waving her band in friendly salutation, +she called aloud: + +"Come on over." + +The young man obeyed with alacrity. He sped down the hill, leaped +across the narrow stream, and hurried up the trail. He was panting +heavily when he reached the girl's side, and the perspiration was +streaming down his face. She looked at him curiously, and her eyes +danced with merriment. + +"Do you always do that?" she questioned. + +"Do what?" Reynolds asked in reply. + +"Hustle like that at a woman's call?" + +"I never did so before, simply because I never had the chance. This is +a new experience to me." + +The girl looked at him steadily for a few seconds. Then she smiled and +held out her hand. + +"I wish to thank you for what you have done for me to-day," she naïvely +told him. "I am certain you saved my life. My, that was a great shot +you made!" + +Reynolds took her hand in his, and a thrill of joy swept through his +body. It was not a soft hand, but brown and firm as if accustomed to +toil. Her eyes met his and there was something in her look which +aroused the noblest within him. It was an expression of admiration, +almost hero-worship, and confidence. It said to him, "I know I can +trust you, for you are worthy. You are different from most men in this +region. Why are you up here?" + +"I am glad that I happened to be near," Reynolds replied. "I was +merely resting and enjoying the scenery when you and the bear appeared. +You must be more careful in the future, as I might not be around." + +The girl gave a merry laugh, and brushed back a wayward tress of hair +that had drifted temptingly over her right cheek. + +"I forgot to bring my gun," she explained, "and so the bear had me at +its mercy. It is always the way, isn't it? Something is sure to +happen when you are not prepared." + +"And do you always ride alone in such dangerous places?" Reynolds asked. + +"Oh, yes," and again the girl smiled. "Midnight and I know the trails +well, don't we, old boy?" and she affectionately patted the horse's +sleek neck. "But we came farther to-day than usual. But it was worth +it, though, just to see that shot you made. Won't daddy be interested +when I tell him about it." + +"It was nothing much," Reynolds replied, although the sudden flush +which mantled his face told Glen that he was pleased at her words of +praise. "I am used to shooting brutes. In fact, it was my special +work for several years." + +"Grizzlies?" the girl queried. + +"Worse than grizzlies, and far more ugly, crafty, and brutal." + +"My, I never heard of such creatures," and the girl's eyes grew big +with astonishment. + +"Oh, I guess you have," and Reynolds smiled. "They raise and train +them in Germany. I met them in France." + +"What! were you over there?" Glen's interest and admiration were +intense now. + +"Yes, almost from the beginning of the war. I was a sharpshooter, you +see, and so had excellent practice." + +"Oh!" It was all the girl said, but it thrilled the young man's very +soul, and when his eyes again met hers a sudden embarrassment came upon +him. + +"Do you live here?" he unexpectedly asked. + +This question aroused Glen, and she at once assumed the defensive. The +expression in her eyes changed, and she looked apprehensively around. + +"A long way from here," she replied. "I must be off at once." + +"Let me go with you, Miss Weston," Reynolds suggested. "You are +unarmed, and may meet another grizzly before you reach home." + +"How do you know who I am?" the girl asked. "You never saw me before, +did you?" + +"We travelled up the coast together on the _Northern Light_," Reynolds +explained. "I was the one who drew the captain's attention to that +canoe when the fog-bank lifted. You remember that, I suppose." + +"Indeed I do, and too well at that. I wish that the fog had not lifted +just then. Your eyes were too sharp that morning." + +"But the men in the canoe were not sorry, though. They seemed to be +mighty glad to be picked up." + +"It is too bad that the fog lifted when it did," and the girl gave a +deep sigh. + +"You know the men, then?" + +"Only one, but he is enough." + +"I saw you with him at the dance. I suppose he is the one you mean." + +"Where is he now?" There was a note of sternness in the girl's voice. + +"At Big Draw. Any message I can take to him?" + +The girl's face underwent a marvellous change. It was like the sweep +of a cloud over a sunny landscape. She touched Midnight with her whip, +and he sprang forward. Down the trail he clattered at a reckless gait, +and when he had reached the level below his rider swung him sharply +around. Then he bounded upward, and when near to where Reynolds was +standing, Glen pulled him up with a sudden jerk. + +"There is no message," she announced. "Why have you misjudged me? Are +all men alike? Thank you for what you did for me to-day. Good-by." + +She again lifted her whip and it was about to fall upon Midnight's +flank when Reynolds stepped forward and laid his right hand upon the +horse's bridle. + +"Forgive me," he pleaded. "I meant nothing. I was merely joking. +Perhaps I understand more than you realise. May I accompany you home? +It is not safe for you to travel alone, unarmed as you are, in a place +like this." + +"No, no, you must not come," the girl protested. "It is much safer for +me than it would be for you. Never cross the Golden Crest. I have +warned you, so remember." + +Again she touched her whip to Midnight, who leaped forward up the steep +trail, pleased to be away from the place where he had received such a +fright. Only once did the girl look back to wave a friendly hand to +Reynolds ere a sharp turn in the trail hid her from view. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +BOTTLES WILL DO + +For a few minutes Reynolds stood and looked up the trail after the girl +and horse had disappeared from view. He was strongly tempted to follow +to the heights above to see what lay beyond. He refrained, however, as +the afternoon was fast wearing away, and he had a heavy load to carry +back to camp. Retracing his steps to the brook, he walked up the +ravine until he came to the spot where the grizzly was lying, half +buried beneath the rocks and earth. + +"Too bad, old chap," he remarked, as he looked down upon the brute. +"But, then, it served you right. You attacked the innocent and +defenseless, little thinking that such swift vengeance was so near. +You were little different, however, from certain two-legged brutes who +tried the same game to their own sorrow. You did me a great favor +to-day, though, and it's too bad I had to shoot you. I would like to +take your skin and keep it as a souvenir of this day. Guess I'll have +to come back for it as I cannot carry it now. And, besides, I shall +need a shovel to dig you out of that heap." + +It was later than usual when Reynolds reached camp. The way was long +and the sheep he carried was heavy. But his step was light and his +heart happy. He had met Glen, had talked with her, looked into her +eyes, and felt the firm pressure of her hand. Fate was kind to him, he +reasoned, and it augured well for the future. + +He was tired and hungry when he reached his little tent on the bank of +the creek. A supper of broiled lamb, sour-dough bread, stewed dried +fruit, and tea greatly refreshed him. He then lighted his pipe, and +stretching himself out upon his blankets, meditated upon all that had +taken place during the afternoon. It was good to lie there and rest +with deep silence all around, the vision of Glen before him, and the +remembrance of her voice and the touch of her hand. He wondered how +and when he should see her again. He was determined that it must be +soon, and he smiled at the idea of a terrible father keeping him away +from her. What did he care for desperate men? Had he not faced them +over and over again as they lay entrenched behind blazing rifles and +deadly machine-guns? He had carried his life in his hand on numerous +occasions on behalf of King and country, and he was not afraid to do it +again for his own personal satisfaction. Just how he was to accomplish +his object he had no definite idea. It was enough for him as he lay +there to think of Glen's voice, the charm of her face, and the glory of +her kindling eyes. + +When he had finished his smoke he arose, and hoisting the sheep once +again upon his back he carried it down to the roadhouse, where he sold +it to Shorty, who had bargained with him the evening before for his +game of the day. It was much easier than toting it around to the +various tents and shacks, and selling it by the piece to the miners. +He made less, to be sure, but he was satisfied. In fact, he was +becoming tired of this business, and longed for something else, +especially since he had met Glen in the hills. + +Several men had arrived at Big Draw that day, and had brought a number +of letters. One was for Reynolds, from his old friend, the editor. It +was a fatherly letter, full of interest for his welfare, and the hope +that he would soon return and enter upon the quest to find the missing +Henry Redmond. + + +"I cannot get this notion out of my mind," he wrote in conclusion. "It +is with me night and day since I talked it over with you. I believe +you are the person best fitted for the undertaking. Give up your +present wild-goose chase, and come home." + + +Reynolds smiled as he thrust the letter into his pocket, The editor +called his trip north a "wild-goose chase." He little knew that it was +a chase of a different kind, and the bird was a fascinating girl. "I +guess I shall have to tell Harmon that the bird I'm after is not a wild +goose, but a new species, found solely up here, and with only one known +specimen in existence. But I must write to him, anyway, and tell him +something about my doings and the life at Big Draw." + +In an adjoining room men were playing cards. Reynolds entered and +stood watching them, especially Curly, who was deep in a game. He was +evidently losing heavily, and he was in a bad frame of mind. As +Reynolds stood and watched him, he began to wonder when the fellow had +first met Glen. Was it on the trail, or had Curly ventured beyond the +Golden Crest? It pleased him to know that the girl disliked the man, +and how she wished that the fog-bank had not lifted just when it did. +He longed to know what was in Curly's mind. Would he attempt to meet +the girl again? That he was capable of the basest villainy, he had not +the shadow of a doubt. Frontier Samson had told him as much, and the +old prospector apparently knew whereof he spoke. It was not safe for +Glen to travel alone among the hills, he mused. She was in danger of +meeting a worse brute than the raging grizzly she had encountered that +afternoon. + +As Reynolds thought of these things he kept his eyes fixed intently +upon Curly's face, not realising that he was staring so hard. But +Curly did, and glancing up several times from his cards, he met those +steady, inscrutable eyes. At first it annoyed him, making him nervous +and impatient. He wondered what the quiet, reserved fellow meant by +looking at him in such a manner. At length he became angry, and +noticing that the eyes never left his face, he leaped to his feet with +a savage oath, and moving over to where Reynolds was standing, demanded +of him an explanation. + +Brought suddenly to earth, Reynolds started, and asked what was the +trouble. + +"Trouble!" Curly roared. "You'll d---- soon find out if you don't mind +your own business." + +"Why, I have been doing nothing," and Reynolds looked his surprise. "I +was merely watching the game." + +"No, you weren't. You were watching me like a cat watches a mouse, and +I want to know what you mean." + +Reynolds laughed. + +"I didn't realise I was watching you," he explained. "My mind was +elsewhere. I was thinking of more important things. You seem to be +looking for trouble." + +"I am, and you're the trouble, d---- you. You've made me lose my game." + +"H'm, you needn't accuse me. It must be your own conscience. I am not +looking for a quarrel, even if you are. I shall leave at once if my +presence is so objectionable to you. I'm rather fond of my own +company." + +"Coward!" + +Reynolds had partly turned as this word smote him like a knife. He +wheeled in an instant and faced Curly. + +"Did you refer to me?" he asked. His eyes spoke danger, and the +muscles of his body were tense. But Curly did not heed the signs; he +had thrown caution to the winds. + +"I did," he replied. "And I repeat it, 'Coward!' for that is what----" + +Curly never finished the sentence, for a rigid fist caught him suddenly +under the right jaw, and sent him reeling backward upon a small table. +Recovering himself as speedily as possible, and wild with pain and +rage, he ripped forth a revolver from a hip-pocket. A dead silence +pervaded the room, like a calm before a storm. And during that silence +something unexpected happened. It was not the report of the revolver, +but the angry growl of a dog, the spitting of a cat, the bleat of a +sheep, and the crow of a cock. + +"Gr-r-r-r, ps-s-s-s, ba-a-a-a, cock-a-doodle-do-o-o." + +So incongruous did the peculiar sounds appear, that all stared in +amazement. Then when they beheld Frontier Samson standing near the +door, their faces broadened into knowing grins, followed by hearty +outbursts of laughter. + +The prospector walked at once over to where Curly was standing, and +laid his big right hand upon his shoulder. + +"What's all this about?" he asked. "In trouble agin, eh?" + +"I've been insulted by _that_?" and Curly motioned to Reynolds. + +"An' so yer goin' to shoot?" + +"I certainly am, so leave me alone." + +"An unarmed man?" + +"What in h---- do I care whether he's armed or unarmed?" + +"H'm, I guess ye'd care if he had a gun in his hands." + +"Let him do it, Samson." It was Reynolds speaking. "An unarmed man is +the only one he would try to shoot. He took mighty good care to keep +out of range of the German guns during the war." + +"You're a liar," Curly yelled, for the taunt stung him to the quick. + +"Then the lie is on your own bead," was the quiet reply. "You and +others have made the boast that you hid in the mountains and could not +be caught when men were so sorely needed at the Front. If it's a lie, +then you lied first, so don't blame me." + +Curly's only response was to raise his revolver and fire. But Samson's +hand struck the weapon in time to divert the aim, and no harm was done. + +"Thar, that's enough of sich nonsense." The old prospector's voice was +more than usually stern. "I'm not goin' to stand here an' see a man +shot down in cold blood by the likes of you, Curly. The chap ye want +to kill is worth ten of you any day. An' as fer shootin', why, ye +wouldn't have a peek in with him if he had a gun." + +"Give him one, then, and see how he can shoot," was the surly reply. + +"But give me that first," and Samson laid his hand upon Curly's +revolver. + +"What for?" + +"Never mind; I'll explain later, so jist let go. Thar, that's better," +he commented when Curly had reluctantly obeyed. "Now, look here, I've +got a suggestion to make. Let's settle this racket outside. It's no +use practisin' on human bodies which the Lord made fer something more +important. Whiskey bottles will do as well, an' the more ye smash of +them the better, to my way of thinkin'. So s'pose we stick several of +'em up an' let you two crack away at 'em. That's the best way to find +out who's the real marksman. Anyone got a rifle handy?" + +This suggestion was not at all to Curly's liking. He preferred to have +matters all his own way, and his opponent completely at his mercy. But +Frontier Samson, as well as all the miners present, decided otherwise, +and so Curly was forced to bow to the inevitable. + +The men entered enthusiastically into this shooting-test, and in a few +minutes three bottles were stuck upon a stump about fifty yards off. A +rifle was procured, which Samson at once handed to Curly. + +"Now, shoot, ye beggar," he ordered. "Here's the chance to show what +ye kin do." + +Curly's hand trembled as he took the weapon. The miners crowded around +and assailed him with various remarks. + +"Go to it, Curly," one encouraged. "Ye were always good at hitting the +bottle." + +"But not so far away," another bantered. "Curly likes it near, and +full, at that." + +Curly looked as if he would have liked to turn the rifle upon the men +instead of the bottles. He was angry, and an angry man is always at a +great disadvantage, especially where a steady nerve is needed. He +accordingly fired wild, and when, the third shot had been made, the +bottles remained untouched. + +During this performance Reynolds had been standing silently by, +apparently the least concerned of all. He felt annoyed at the trouble +which had occurred, and he was anxious that Curly should be taught a +salutary lesson. He picked up the rifle from the ground where his +opponent had flung it in his rage, and brought it to his shoulder. He +never felt calmer in his life as he took a quick and steady aim. +Thrice he pulled the trigger, and each time a bottle crashed to the +ground, while the excited miners cheered and shouted themselves hoarse. + +When he was through, Reynolds quietly handed the rifle to Frontier +Samson. Then he turned to Curly. + +"Are you satisfied now?" he asked, "or do you want some more shooting? +If so, I am ready." + +With an oath, Curly turned upon his heel, and was about to walk away, +when the old prospector laid a firm hand upon his shoulder. + +"Jist a minute, young man," he ordered. "I want to give ye a word of +advice, which ye kin take or leave as ye see fit. Ye've made a +miserable fool of yerself today, though it isn't the first time ye've +done it, not by a long chalk. If ye want to git along in this camp, +stow that nasty temper of yours, an' mind yer own bizness. This young +feller wasn't interferin' with you one bit. The devil was in ye, an' +ye had to spit it out on somebody. Ye better be more keerful in the +future, as I mightn't allus be around to check ye on yer rampage." + +"But he hit me," Curly growled. + +"Sure he did, an' wouldn't anyone with the least grain of spunk in him +do the same if he'd been called a coward fer nuthin'? This young chap +is no coward, let me tell ye that. He did more'n his bit over in +France when you was hidin' away in the hills. Oh, I know all about it, +an' whar ye was an' what ye was doin'. Why, this chap ye wanted to +shoot has more scars on his body an' more medals to his credit than you +have toes an' fingers. An' yit ye called him a coward! I guess the +men here know purty well by this time who is the coward an' who isn't. +Thar, that's all I have to say, so ye may go. I'm sick of the sight of +ye." + +Curly was angry, but so fierce and powerful did the old prospector look +that he did not dare to reply. He slunk away, leaving the miners +greatly amused at his defeat. But Frontier Samson was not amused, for +he knew Curly better than any of the men gathered there. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +LOVE VERSUS GOLD + +The next day Reynolds spent as usual out in the hills, though he did no +hunting. When not stretched out upon the ground, he was wandering +aimlessly around wherever his spirit listed. He had no more interest +in the mountain sheep, and he passed several fine flocks without firing +a shot. His thoughts were elsewhere, upon game of far greater +importance. He had spent a sleepless night, for Curly's action not +only annoyed but disgusted him. He did not wish to remain near such a +cur, and the sooner he left, the better it would be for both of them. +His only desire was to be left alone, and that seemed impossible so +long as he stayed at Big Draw. But where could he go, and what should +he do? Had he not met Glen Weston it would be an easy task to leave +the north at once. But since she was here, and just beyond the hills, +he could not bear the thought of going away without seeing her again. + +As he lay under a big tree, there suddenly came into his mind the old +fairy tale of "The Sleeping Beauty and the Enchanted Palace." He +smiled as he recalled it now, for was not he himself something like the +young knight who faced all manner of difficulties and won the prize? +But the knight of the fairy tale did not have to contend with a +desperate father and a tribe of Indians, as all the people connected +with the ancient story were asleep. This was a much more difficult +undertaking, and a greater adventure by far. It stirred his blood as +he thought of it, making him anxious to be away upon the quest. + +It was about the middle of the afternoon when he at length made his way +to the ravine where he had met Glen the previous day. There was just +the slightest chance that he might see her again, for something he had +detected in her eyes encouraged him in the belief that she looked upon +him with favor. But when he reached the place no sign of life could he +behold. He went to the spot where he had left the grizzly half buried +beneath the rocks and earth. To his surprise no sign of the bear was +to be seen. No doubt the Indians had been sent to recover the animal +for its skin and meat. Had Glen come with them? he wondered, to show +where the animal had fallen? Such an idea was feasible, and he chided +himself for not being there early in the day when he might have again +met her. + +Going to the tree on the bank where he had first beheld the girl on +horseback, he threw himself down upon the ground and kept his eyes +fixed upon the trail across the ravine. He still cherished the hope +that she might reappear, and this would be the best place to see her. +His earnest longings, however, were of no avail, for no sign of the +girl could he behold. Birds flitted here and there, while a great +eagle alighted upon a rocky pinnacle and eyed him curiously and +somewhat suspiciously. + +"If I only had your power of flight, my fine fellow," Reynolds mused, +"it would not take me long to go beyond the Golden Crest. I wonder why +human beings were made the most helpless of all creatures? We are +endowed with aspirations, yet how often they come to naught for lack of +power to achieve them. But I shall achieve mine. If I have not the +wings of an eagle, I have the mind of a man, as well as strength of +body. I shall go to her, no matter what obstacles intervene." He rose +from his reclining position and began to descend the bank. He had gone +but half way, when, happening to glance once more across the ravine, he +was surprised to see an Indian mounted upon a horse far up the trail. +Both horse and rider were motionless until Reynolds' eyes rested upon +them, when they vanished as if by magic. He gazed in amazement, +thinking that perhaps he had seen a vision. But look as he might, +nothing more could he see, and, much mystified, he continued on his way +back to Big Draw. + +Reynolds' mind was now fully made up. The day of meditation spent in +the hills had proven beneficial. He would at once undertake the +venture, and find out what lay beyond the Golden Crest. He would be +the knight of the fairy tale, and either win or die in the attempt to +win the Princess of his heart and mind. + +So much was Glen in Reynolds' thoughts that he could think of little +else. He visioned her mounted upon her horse, facing the grizzly. +What a picture she would make! Never before had he beheld such a +scene, and his fingers burned to sketch her as she now stood out clear +and distinct in his mind. + +Producing a pencil and a sheet of his scanty supply of paper, he was +soon at work before the door of his tent. The bottom of a biscuit box, +placed at the proper angle on the stump of a jack-pine, formed his +easel. Perched upon another box, he was soon busily engaged upon the +outline of what was to be his masterpiece. Forgotten was everything +else as he sat there, devoting all the energy of heart, mind, and hand +to the work before him. The miners might delve for gold; Curly and his +companions might gamble to their hearts' content; such things were +nothing to him. He had struck a vein of wealth, the true gold of love, +by the side of which all the treasures of earth were as dross. + +And as he worked, a shadow suddenly fell across the picture. Looking +quickly up, he was surprised to see Frontier Samson standing quietly by +his side, looking intently upon the sketch. + +"You startled me," and Reynolds gave a slight laugh, feeling for the +instant a sense of embarrassment. + +"Caught in the act, eh?" the prospector queried. + +"It seems so, doesn't it? I wasn't expecting company." + +"Oh, I don't mean you, young man. I was thinkin' of her," and Samson +pointed to the picture. "Where did ye ketch her?" + +"Out on the hills. Isn't she wonderful?" + +"Mebbe she is an' mebbe she isn't," was the cautious reply. + +"Have you any doubt about it?" Reynolds somewhat impatiently asked. + +"Wall, no, I s'pose not. I'll take yer word fer it." + +"But can't you see for yourself, man, what she is?" + +"H'm, d'ye expect me to see what you do in that picter?" + +"And why not?" + +"Simply 'cause I'm not as young as you are. Now that," and he pointed +to the sketch, "doesn't tell me much. I see some drawin's thar of a +gal on horseback, but they don't show me the gal herself. They don't +tell me anything about the sound of her voice, the look in her eyes, +nor the heavin' of her buzom. I can't see what her mind's like, nor +her heart, fer that matter. Them's the things ye can't draw, an' +them's the things by which I judge a gal." + +"But good gracious! if you saw her only once you would know what she's +like; the most wonderful creature in the whole world. Heaven and earth +must have combined in bestowing upon her their choicest graces." + +"When did ye see her like that?" and Samson again motioned to the +sketch. + +"Yesterday; out in the hills." + +"On horseback?" + +"Yes, and face to face with a grizzly." + +"A grizzly!" + +"It certainly was, and a monster, too. My! you should have seen the +way she handled her horse when the brute was coming toward her. Some +day I am going to sketch her as she looked when the horse was rearing +backward. This drawing merely shows her in repose when last I saw her." + +"An' what happened to the grizzly?" the old man queried. + +"Oh, a bullet hit him, that was all, and he took a header into the +ravine below." + +"It did! An' whar did the bullet come from? Jist dropped down by +accident at the right moment, I s'pose." + +Reynolds merely smiled at the prospector's words, and offered no +explanation. + +"Modest, eh?" and Samson chuckled. "No more trouble to knock over a +grizzly than it was to smash three whiskey bottles without winkin'. I +like yer coolness, young man. Now, some fellers 'ud have blatted it +all over camp in no time. An' that happened yesterday, so ye say?" + +"Yes; toward evening." + +"An' the gal was thar all alone?" + +"It seems so. I wanted to go home with her, but she would not let me." + +"She wouldn't! An' why not?" + +"She said it wasn't safe for me to go beyond the Golden Crest." + +"Did she give any reason?" + +"None at all, and that's what makes me curious." + +"About what?" + +"What lies beyond the Golden Crest. The spirit of adventure is on me, +and I intend to make the attempt to find out for myself about the +mystery surrounding that place." + +"Ye do! Didn't the gal say it wasn't safe?" + +"All the greater reason, then, why I should go. If that girl will not +come to me, I am going to her. Death is the worst that can happen to +me, and I would rather die than live without Glen Weston." + +"Ye've got it bad, haven't ye?" and Samson smiled. "But mebbe she's +got the fever, too, since yesterday, an' has been back to the ravine to +see if you was thar." + +"Perhaps she did, but I was too late. I was there this afternoon, and +saw no one except an Indian on horseback. The bear, too, was gone." + +"Ye saw an Injun, ye say? What was he doin'?" + +"Merely sitting upon his horse at the top of the trail. But he +vanished just as soon as I glimpsed him." + +"An' the bear was gone, too, did ye say?" + +"Yes; nothing left of it. I suppose the Indians came for it. Perhaps +Glen was with them, and so I missed another chance of seeing her." + +During this conversation Frontier Samson had been standing. But now he +sat down upon the ground, and remained for some time in deep thought. +He filled and lighted his pipe, and smoked in silence, while Reynolds +continued his work upon the sketch. + +"When d'ye expect to leave camp?" Samson at length asked. + +But Reynolds made no reply. He went on steadily with his work, while +the old man watched him with twinkling eyes. + +"Completely gone," he mused. "Deaf to the world. Can't hear nuthin'. +It's a sure sign." + +"What's that? Were you speaking?" Reynolds suddenly asked. + +"Speakin'! Sure. Why, me tongue's been goin' like a mill-clapper, +though ye never heard a word I said." + +"I was lost, I guess," and Reynolds smiled as he turned toward the +sketch. + +"So I imagined. But, then, I fergive ye, fer I was young once meself, +an' in love, too, so I know all the signs. I only wanted to know when +ye expect to hit the trail on yer great adventure?" + +"To-morrow," was the emphatic reply. "This place won't keep me an hour +longer than I can help. I am sick of it." + +"How d'ye expect to travel?" + +"On foot, of course; straight over the mountains." + +"D'ye realise the dangers?" + +"Dangers are nothing to me; I am used to them." + +"But s'pose I should tell ye it's impossible to git behind the Golden +Crest?" + +"Then, I like to do the impossible. There are plenty to do the +ordinary things. I want to do the extraordinary, the so-called +impossible. Did you ever hear the song that the Panama Canal diggers +used to sing to cheer them up?" + +"No; what is it?" + +"I only know four lines; they go this way: + + "'Got any rivers they say are uncrossable? + Got any mountains you can't tunnel through? + We specialize on the wholly impossible, + Doing the things that no man can do.' + +"I like those words, and they have heartened me more than once." + +"They're sartinly stirrin', an' I like the spirit of 'em," the +prospector replied. "But it seems to me that ye've got to use common +sense as well as spirit. Now reason tells me that ye need someone to +help ye in this undertakin' of yours, an' why shouldn't that someone be +me?" + +"You! Could you help me?" Reynolds eagerly asked. "Will you go with +me?" + +"I might on a sartin condition." + +"And what is that?" + +"Nuthin' much, 'cept you'll go with me." + +"And why shouldn't I?" + +"That's jist the pint about which I ain't sure. Though you've got the +feet of a man, yit from what I gather yer heart an' yer head have +eagle's wings, which'll make ye impatient to foller an old feller like +me, who ain't as spry as he once was, an' whose jints are somewhat +stiff." + +"Oh, you needn't worry about that," Reynolds laughingly told him. "I +hope I have a little sense left yet, although it's quite true what you +say about my heart and my head having eagle's wings. You lead on and +I'll follow like a dog." + +"Now, look here, young man, thar's something else I want to put to ye. +'Twixt two things, one sartin an' t'other unsartin, which will ye +choose?" + +"I do not understand. Explain what you mean." + +"Wall, ye see, it's this way: The findin' that gal on which ye've set +yer heart is a mighty unsartin proposition. But thar's another which +is as sure as the sun, an' about which all the men here in camp, an' +the hull world fer that matter, would go crazy over if they knew about +it." + +"What is it?' + +"It's gold; that's what it is, an' plenty of it, too." + +"Where?" Reynolds' eyes were big with excitement. + +"Oh, back in the hills. I discovered it over a year ago, an' nobody +knows of it but me." + +"Why didn't you report it?" + +"H'm, what would be the good of doin' that? Haven't I seen too many +gold strikes already, an' what have they amounted to? Look at this +camp, fer instance. The men have come here an' ruined this place. +They may git some gold, but what good will it do 'em? They'll gamble +it, or waste it in other ways. Oh, I know, fer I've seen it lots of +times." + +"Why, then, are you willing to reveal the secret of your mine to me?" +Reynolds asked. + +"Did I say I was willin'?" + +"That is what I inferred from your words." + +"I merely asked ye 'twixt which would ye choose: the findin' that gal, +which is an unsartin proposition, or gittin' the gold, which is as sure +as the sun. That's all I asked." + +"But if I choose the gold, then your secret will be known, and there +will be a wild stampede into the place. You don't want that to happen, +do you? It would be the same story of other camps, and perhaps worse." + +"No, I don't want it to happen, that's a fact. But, ye see, it's bound +to come sooner or later. Thar are so many men pokin' thar noses into +every hole an' corner, that they are sure to find my mine before long. +Now, I want someone to my likin' to be first on the ground, an' that +someone is you. Ye kin then make yer choice an' stake two claims as +discoverer. Tharfore, which will ye choose, that gal proposition or +the gold? It's up to you. Is it hard to decide?" + +"Not at all," was the reply. "I shall take the girl. One might run +across gold any time, but a girl like that one won't find again. And, +besides, what good would the gold be to me without her? I, therefore, +take the girl proposition." + +Samson looked at his companion in surprise, as if he had not heard +aright. Here was a phase of character beyond the bounds of his +experience. + +"An' ye don't want the gold?" he asked. + +"Certainly I want the gold, who wouldn't? But you told me I had to +choose it or the girl, didn't you?" + +"I surely did, though I never imagined ye'd throw down the gold. Now, +all the fellers I ever met up here would have taken the gold first." + +"Feeling sure of getting the girl later; is that it?" + +"That's about the gist of it. They'd tackle what's sartin first, but +you're willin' to try the unsartin." + +"I am, and when can we start?" + +"In the morning if it's all the same to you. We'll need some extry +grub, which we kin git from Shorty. We won't want much, as we'll find +plenty of meat along the way. We'll hit out before the camp's astir, +so nobody'll know what's become of us." + +"How long will it take us to cross the Golden Crest?" Reynolds asked. + +"That depends upon many things. We might do it in three or four days +by the way we're goin', or, again, it might take six months, an' mebbe +longer. In fact, we might never git thar at all." + +"I planned to do it in a couple of days," Reynolds declared. + +"I s'pose ye did. But things don't allus turn out as ye plan, +'specially if ye undertake to cross the Golden Crest. Ye see, things +happen thar quick as lightnin' sometimes, an' if yer lucky enough to +git off alive, the patchin'-up process might take a long time. See?" + +"I see," Reynolds replied, as he took the sketch from the improvised +easel, "I have a number of patches on my body already, so a few more +won't make much difference." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE OUTER TRAIL + +A profound silence lay over Big Draw mining camp as Frontier Samson and +Tom Reynolds slipped quietly away among the hills. The sun had not yet +lifted itself above the horizon, but the speediness of its coming was +heralded in the eastern sky, and the tallest mountain peaks had already +caught the first shafts of its virgin glory. The valleys were still +robed in semi-darkness, and the two wayfarers seemed like mere spectres +as they sped forward. + +"My, this is great!" Reynolds exclaimed as he at length stopped to +readjust his pack. "I believe I should live to be a hundred or over if +I could breathe air like this all the time. It's a fine tonic." + +"It sure is," Samson agreed, as he laid aside his rifle and pulled out +his pipe. "Not much like the smell of yer city streets, whar ye +swaller hundreds of disease germs every second." + +"Have you ever lived there?" Reynolds asked, curious to learn something +of the old man's history. + +"Long enough to know what they're like. I've poked me nose into a good +many cities, an' they're all the same, to my way of thinkin'. It's a +wonder to me why so many people live in sich places, crowded, together +like sheep, when thar's all this, an' millions of places like it, whar +ye kin breathe the air as the Lord made it, an' not fouled by the work +of human bein's." + +"You are very fond of this wild life, I see," Reynolds replied. "Have +you lived here many years?" + +The prospector threw aside his burnt match, gave his pack an extra +hitch, picked up his rifle and moved forward. + +"Guess we'd better git on," he said. "Thar's a little brook we want to +reach in time fer dinner. Ye don't find much water in these valleys." + +Reynolds moved along by his companion's side, wondering why he did not +answer his question. It was not until they were eating their dinner by +the side of the brook did Samson vouchsafe any information. + +"Ye asked me if I've been long in this country," he began. "My reply +may seem strange to you, but it's true. Judgin' by years, I've been +here a long time, but, accordin' to life, only a little while. I uster +reckon things by years, but I don't do that any longer." + +"No?" Reynolds looked quizzically at his companion. + +"I don't count time by years, young man, an' the sooner ye larn to do +the same the better it'll be fer ye. In the cities ye find clocks an' +watches everywhere, an' they all remind people that time is passin'. +Ye kin hardly walk along a street hut ye'll see funeral processions, +an' the doctors are busy with the sick. Big hospitals are crowded with +patients, an' accidents happen every minute of the day. These all tell +that life is brief an' unsartin. The feelin' gits in the blood an' on +the nerves that death is right near, an' as people think, so they are. +Age an' health are accordin' to the mind, an' don't ye ever fergit +that." + +Samson paused and looked around. + +"See them big mountains," and he pointed away to the left. "A man kin +never feel old with them on every side. They don't remind ye of the +passin' of time an' of dyin'. They're jist the same as they were +thousands of years ago. An' so it's purty much like that with other +things up here. I never feel old when I look around me on the +wonderful sights; I feel young. An' why shouldn't I? Thar's so much +to do, an' so many things to see an' larn that I haven't time to think +of dyin'. Life after all, as I said, ain't to be judged by years, but +by love of livin'." + +Samson seemed to be on his pet theme, and he continued his talk as he +and Reynolds again resumed their journey. Several times the latter +endeavored to find out something about the old man's past history, but +all in vain. The prospector gave him not the slightest information +concerning himself, but discoursed volubly about the difference between +the ways of the city and the wilderness. + +"Money ain't everything," he declared, "even though some seem to think +it is. It has its uses, I acknowledge, but it was never meant to +starve the soul, though that is jist what it too often does. I know of +men who sacrificed everything to the pilin' up of money, even love, +without which life ain't worth a straw." + +"Have you been able to find love here in the north?" Reynolds asked. + +"Thar are different kinds of love, young man," was the somewhat slow +and thoughtful reply. "The brand you mean, if I understand ye aright, +I've never experienced in this country, an' in fact, I never expect to +find it agin on this side of the grave. It's the pure love of a true +man fer a good woman, I mean. I believe you have it, an' yer to be +congratulated. It's the most wonderful thing in life. Even the love +of children, though it is great, kin never equal it. It's in a class +all by itself." + +"But suppose the love isn't mutual, what then?" Reynolds asked. + +"That'd be a pity, an' no mistake. Are ye referrin' to yer own case?" + +"I certainly am. I am positive that the only woman in the world I want +cares nothing for me. She does not even know my name, while I--oh, +well, you know how I feel toward her." + +"Jist keep up courage an' plod along, that's my advice. If she's meant +fer you, ye'll win her all right. I'm a great believer in the idea +that our own'll come to us some day, an' often in ways we least expect. +But, hello! what's that?" + +The trail on which they were now walking wound along the side of a deep +valley, through which flowed a small stream. Samson was looking across +toward the opposite bank, and as Reynolds turned his eyes in that +direction he saw an Indian on horseback as motionless as the trees +around him. He was facing the two travellers, and apparently he had +been watching them for some time. + +"Where do you suppose he has come from, and what does he want?" +Reynolds asked. + +His companion's only reply was to bring his rifle to his shoulder and +fire two shots in rapid succession across the valley toward the +horseman, neither of which took effect. The Indian quickly unslung his +rifle, fired one shot in return, and immediately vanished into the +forest. + +"Is that the best you can do?" Reynolds asked. "You should have let me +have a crack at him." + +"Me aim's unsartin to-day," was the reply. "I don't allus miss like +that." + +"But why did you shoot, anyway? The Indian was doing us no harm." + +"He was skulkin' around, though, an' I jist gave him a hint to move +along." + +"So you didn't intend to shoot him?" + +"Oh, no. It was merely a hint, as I told ye." + +"A queer hint, I should say," and Reynolds laughed. "Manners of the +wilderness, I suppose?" + +"Sure. We don't stand on ceremony up here. We're a bluff bunch, an' +if we don't like a feller's company we tell him so without beatin' +around the bush." + +"And did the Indian understand your meaning?" + +"Y'bet he did. He took my shots as sayin', 'Good day. How are the +missus an' the kids? Mebbe they need ye.' His shot in reply jist +said, 'Thank ye; mebbe they do.' That was all." + +Reynolds laughed at this quaint explanation, although he felt certain +that Samson was not telling him the truth. He said nothing about it, +however, and the prospector did not refer to it again. But Reynolds +had the feeling that his companion and the Indian understood each +other, and that the shots they had fired were signals, the meaning of +which was known only to themselves. Who was this Frontier Samson? he +mused. Was he in some manner in league with the Indians? Why had he +taken such an interest in him, a complete stranger, and a chechahco at +that? Why should he wish to reveal to him the secret of his gold +discovery? He could not for a moment think that Samson had any evil +purpose in mind, but as he thought it all over during the remainder of +the afternoon, he felt that there was something very peculiar and +mysterious about it all. + +This feeling was intensified that first night on the trail. They +camped by a little stream, where the trees stood thick, and larger than +on the uplands. They had shot a couple of grouse on their way, and +these Samson prepared for supper. + +"I'll jist cook both of 'em," he remarked, "an' what we don't eat +to-night will be fine warmed up to-morrow." + +"I should like to get a moose," Reynolds declared. "I haven't shot one +since I came north." + +"Don't do it, young man, unless ye kin git nuthin' else," Samson +advised. "A moose is a purty big animal, an' we could tote only a +little piece of its carcass. The rest we'd have to leave to spile. +I've allus made a practice of shootin' something that I kin clean up in +a few meals. Some critters, who call 'emselves men, shoot everything +in sight, an' leave it to spile. That is wasteful slaughter, an' not +true sport." + +Reynolds was glad to roll himself up in his blanket that night, for he +was tired after his day's tramp, with a heavy pack on his back. Samson +did likewise, and soon silence reigned in the deep forest, broken only +by the ripple of the brook a short distance away. It was a calm night, +mild, and with not a breath of wind astir. + +Some time during the night Reynolds awoke with a start. He sat up and +looked around. It was light enough for him to see that his companion +was gone, and he believed that it was his footsteps that had aroused +him. After waiting for some time and nothing happened, he once again +stretched himself out upon the ground. But he could not sleep. What +was the meaning of Samson's departure? he wondered. Had it anything to +do with the Indian they had seen that day across the ravine? The more +he thought of it, the more mystified he became. How long he thus lay +there with every sense alert, he did not know, though it seemed a long +time before the prospector at last returned. Reynolds pretended that +he was asleep, but his suspicions were now firmly confirmed when the +old man bent over him for a few seconds as if to make sure that he was +not awake. + +Reynolds did not refer to the incident the next day, and Samson made no +mention of it. The latter was in excellent spirits, and talked freely +as they moved on their way. That night they halted, and made ready +their camp by the side of a small lake. It was a peaceful and +beautiful spot. Not a ripple ruffled the surface of the water, and the +trees along the shore were mirrored in the clear depths. Reynolds was +delighted, and he expressed his admiration to his companion. + +"Isn't this great!" he exclaimed. "I have never seen anything to equal +it! It is a matchless gem, with a perfect setting." + +"Yes, it sartinly is wonderful," the prospector drawled. "An' I'm glad +ye like it. Guess thar should be ducks over yonder," and he motioned +to the upper end of the lake. "A good fat feller'd be nice fer dinner +to-morrow." + +Picking up his rifle, he disappeared among the trees, and in another +minute his light tread was unheard. Reynolds stood for some time +viewing the scene before him. He longed for his paints and brushes +that he might catch the impressions ere they faded. Unfortunately he +had left them behind, so he had to satisfy himself with feasting his +soul instead. + +At length he turned and walked back to their camping ground. He had +just reached the place when a magnificent moose trotted majestically by +but a short distance away. Forgotten was Samson's admonition about the +shooting of big game, so seizing his rifle, he slipped quickly and +quietly after the big animal. The latter had already passed out of +sight, but expecting to catch a glimpse of it at any instant, Reynolds +hastened forward. This led him down into a valley, and there he saw +the moose in a small open clearing to the left. Before he was near +enough to shoot, the animal once more vanished among the trees. The +fever of the chase was now upon him, and unheeding his bearings, he +pressed rapidly on, expecting every minute to come in sight of the +lordly creature. But he was doomed to disappointment, and most +reluctantly he was compelled to relinquish the pursuit. + +Reynolds had no definite idea how far he had travelled, nor the +direction he had taken. So intent had he been upon following the +moose, that he had lost all trace of his bearings, and he knew not the +way back to the camp. This was a most disquieting situation, and he +chided himself for his stupidity. Night was also upon him, and this +added to his perplexity. + +"What a mess I have made of it!" he growled. "In this labyrinth of +valleys, hills, trees, and wild meadows, how in the name of common +sense am I to find that speck of camping ground? It must lie over +there," and he looked away to his right. "The sun was before me when I +started, and by keeping due east I should come somewhere near the +place." + +For over an hour he plowed his way through the forest, up hill and +down, each moment expecting to see the lake for which he was searching. +His efforts, however, were all in vain, so wearied almost to the point +of exhaustion, and with clothes torn, hands and face bleeding, he was +forced to give up for the night. + +Sinking upon the ground, he tried to calm the agitated state of his +mind. From the first he had realised his serious predicament, and how +difficult it would be to extricate himself from that vast wilderness. + +"I can't go any farther to-night," he declared, "so I might as well +make the best of a bad affair. I have my rifle, and that's some +comfort. I needn't starve, anyway, even though I am lost." + +He felt for his cartridge belt, and immediately he gave a great start +of dismay. It was not there! Then he remembered that he had taken it +off when pitching camp that night by the shore of the lake. With +trembling hands he next examined the magazine of his rifle, and found +that but three cartridges were left, as he had fired two shots in the +hope of attracting Frontier Samson's attention. This was a serious +situation, and he realised that upon those three remaining cartridges +his life depended. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +ADRIFT IN THE WILDERNESS + +Nowhere, perhaps, except adrift in mid-ocean, is the sense of +loneliness more appalling than to be lost in a labyrinthine forest of +the mighty north. Even upon the ocean there is always the chance of +being picked up by a passing vessel. But lost in the wilderness! +hidden from view, what hope can the stoutest heart entertain of rescue? +Here a man is but a thing of naught, an insect creeping upon the +ground, a mere speck, the veritable plaything of chance. + +Reynolds, however, was well hardened to desperate situations. Often in +France he had been alone in "No Man's Land," with death close at hand. +He had never flinched then, and he was determined that he would not do +so now. + +"I told Harmon that I like adventure and desperate undertakings," he +mused. "I have certainly enough here to satisfy me for a while. But +it can't be helped, and so I must make the best of it. Rest is what I +need at present, and I am not going to worry about to-morrow. 'One +thing at a time' has been my motto, and I guess it's a good one." + +He awoke early the next morning, though the sun was up ahead of him. +He sprang to his feet and peered around. But nothing could he see, +except trees on every side. + +"I must get out of this," he muttered, "and strike for the high hills. +Perhaps there I may be able to get my proper bearings. I must find a +breakfast somewhere, but with my scanty supply of ammunition, it is +necessary to be careful." + +Picking up his rifle, he started forth, and for several hours moved +steadily onward. Through a break in the forest he had caught sight of +a high hill, and toward this he laboriously made his way. He had to +descend first into a deep valley, where a large wild meadow offered an +inviting feeding-ground for moose. But not a sign of life could he +see, and greatly disappointed he was forced to begin the hard climb up +the opposite side of the hill. + +About the middle of the afternoon he succeeded in shooting a rabbit, +which he at once skinned and broiled over a small fire. He was weak +from hunger and hard, anxious travelling, so this food gave him much +refreshment. He ate sparingly, nevertheless, knowing that he might not +be able to procure anything more for supper. With only two cartridges +left, his outlook was far from encouraging. + +When the summit of the hill was at length reached, he climbed a large +fir tree from which he was enabled to obtain an excellent view of the +surrounding country. Far off rose great snow-capped mountain peaks, +over which fleecy clouds were lazily drifting. A vast sea of forest +stretched on every side, broken here and there by placid, shimmering +lakes. But which was the one near the camp where Frontier Samson was +no doubt anxiously awaiting the wanderer's return? That was the +question which agitated Reynolds' mind. No sign of human life could he +behold, and he wondered in which direction Big Draw mining camp lay. +So completely had he lost his bearings that he had no idea which was +the right course to pursue. Anyway, it was necessary to keep on the +move, for to remain where he was meant certain death. If he must die, +he would die fighting, game to the very last. Surely beyond some of +those outstanding hills he could find a river, which would bear him out +of that wilderness maze. A high crest to the left looked promising, +and toward this he at once started. + +He slept that night in a valley by a little brook which gurgled down to +a lake beyond. The remains of the rabbit served him for supper, and +where was he to obtain his next meal? He had startled several grouse +during the day, and once he detected the plunging of a moose. But +nothing came within the range of his rifle except a few noisy +squirrels, but upon these he did not dare to waste his two remaining +cartridges. In his extremity he would have welcomed the sight of a +bear, and even a grizzly at that. He could then afford to exhaust his +ammunition, as the flesh of a bear would last him for many days. But +no bear had he met, although signs of them were at times abundant, +especially in the valleys. + +The next morning in a mood of desperation, he took a long shot at a +flying grouse and missed it. One cartridge now remained, and it was +absolutely necessary to reserve that for something large. Down the +valley lay a big wide meadow, and here he believed he might find a +moose feeding. It was worth trying, at any rate. Walking warily along +the edge of the forest, he was at length rewarded by seeing a fine +animal some distance off on the opposite side of the meadow. Reynolds +instantly stopped, and his hands trembled through the excitement of his +discovery. If he could get a little closer he felt sure that the moose +would be his. But just as he took a few steps forward, the animal +lifted its great head and sniffed the air. There was not a second to +lose, so bringing the rifle to his shoulder, he took a quick aim and +fired. With a startled snort, the moose reared, staggered, and then +with tremendous leaps bounded across the twenty or thirty yards of +intervening meadow and vanished in the forest. Reynolds could hear it +crashing its way among the trees as he hurried out into the open. The +sounds grew fainter and fainter, and finally ceased. The animal had +made good its escape, although evidently wounded. + +Reynolds' previous discouragement was nothing to what he experienced +now. He moved mechanically toward the spot where the moose had been +grazing. Why he did so he could not tell. He reached the border of +the forest, and flung himself down upon the grass. With his last +cartridge gone, what chance had he of life? He had been in many a dire +strait in the past, but nothing to equal this. He was face to face +with death, more surely and in a far more terrible form than he had +ever encountered in far off France. + +"This is certainly 'No Man's Land,'" he muttered. "I do not believe a +human being ever trod this region before and it is not likely that +anyone will come here during the next one hundred years. And to think +that I missed that shot when my life depended upon it! It must be my +nerves." + +A feeling of annoyance swept upon him, and picking up his rifle, he +hurled it among the trees. + +"Lie there," he ordered. "You are of no use to me now, and I have no +strength to tote you along." + +Then he laughed, and the hollow sound of his voice startled him. He +sprang to his feet and looked around. Why had he laughed? he asked +himself. Was he going out of his mind? He glanced at his hands and +shuddered, so bruised and bleeding were they. His clothes, too, were +in tatters, while his boots were so worn that portions of his feet were +visible. + +For a few minutes he stood rigidly still, as if in a dream. The +intense loneliness of the place was appalling. It was unnerving him, +and he was losing control of himself. Suddenly he started and ran as +if for life, back over the track he had recently traversed. He was no +longer the Tom Reynolds who had started forth from Big Draw, but a +denizen of the wilds. The desire for food possessed him. It made him +mad, a demon, ready to fall upon any creature that crossed his path. +He was crafty as well, and reaching the shelter of the forest, he +glided cautiously along the edge of the meadow, up toward the little +brook where he had slept the night before. No tiger creeping through +the jungle moved more stealthily than did he. Nothing escaped his +notice, and he eagerly watched for rabbit or squirrel that he might +pounce upon it. + +For some time he thus advanced, but nothing could he see. At length he +came to an opening in the trees, which exposed the brook plainly to +view. His eyes swept the stream, and as they did so they presently +rested upon a black object crouched upon a fallen tree projecting out +over the brook. He recognized it at once as a black bear, watching for +fish. It was lying flat on the log, with one big paw close to the +water waiting for its breakfast. + +Reynolds' first impulse was to rush forward and engage the brute in a +deadly conflict. But a natural caution restrained him, and he +accordingly waited to see what would happen. Neither did he have to +wait long, for in a twinkling the big paw struck, the water splashed, +and a shiny form hurtled through the air, and fell several yards away. +And after it sprang the bear, but his body had scarcely left the log +ere Reynolds was bounding toward him with such yells and whoops that +the forest resounded on all sides. Startled and surprised beyond +measure, the bear paused and looked back. Seeing, but not +understanding the strange creature rushing toward him with wildly +waving arms, and emitting such blood-curdling yells, it uttered a +hoarse growl of fear and rage and lumbered off for the shelter of the +forest as fast as its legs would carry it. + +Reynolds paid no more attention to the bear than if it had been a gnat, +but sprang greedily upon the fish, which was wriggling and beating +itself around upon the ground. It was a young king-salmon, and +although not large, Reynolds thought it the finest fish he had ever +beheld. It did not take him long to despatch his prize, and in a few +minutes a portion of it was sizzling over a small fire he had lighted. +Never had any food tasted so good, he imagined, and the strength thus +gained brought back his normal state of mind. He felt more like +himself, and ready for another effort to free himself from his +wilderness prison. He even smiled as he thought of the bear's fright +and its ignominious retreat. + +"Lost your breakfast, old boy, didn't you?" he called out. "You +weren't expecting company, were you? But I am grateful to you, and +wish you better luck next time." + +Taking with him the remainder of the fish, Reynolds once more continued +his journey. The high ridge was a long way off, and before it could be +reached it would be necessary to cross several smaller hills and a +number of valleys. But with strength renewed, he sped onward. + +All through the day the heat had been almost over-powering. It poured +its hot rays full upon him, and not a breath of wind stirred the trees. +He was about half way up the high hill when the weather suddenly +changed. The sky darkened, and the wind began to howl through the +forest. Great black clouds massed in vast battalions overhead, and in +less than half an hour the storm burst. + +Reynolds had paused on a rocky ledge as the tempest swept upon him. +Never before had he experienced such a storm. It seemed as if the very +windows of heaven had suddenly opened to deluge the earth. He looked +hurriedly around for shelter, and seeing an overhanging portion of +rock, he at once made his way thither, and crouched low for protection. +The rain, however, swirled in after him, forcing him to move farther +back. That he was able to do this surprised him, and feeling with his +hands, he discovered that there was a big open space to the rear, and +that he was at the entrance of a cave, how large he did not know. +Fortunately he was provided with a good supply of matches, so striking +one, he examined his new abode. The brief feeble light showed that the +cave was about a foot higher than his head, and much larger than he had +supposed. He had no inclination to explore it just then, for some dry +sticks lying at his feet arrested his attention. He was hungry after +his hard tramp, so a piece of salmon would be most acceptable. + +It did not take him long to light a small fire as near the mouth of the +cave as the rain would permit, and, prepare his meal. The fire felt +good, too, for the air was damp and chilly. + +"I might as well spend the night here," he mused, "for even if the +storm does let up, I would only get soaked from the drenched trees. +And, besides, I cannot see anything from the top of the hill until the +clouds roll away and the air clears." + +He ate the nicely browned piece of fish, and when he had finished he +leaned comfortably back, filled and lighted his pipe. This was the +first time he had thought of smoking since leaving Frontier Samson. He +wondered where the old prospector was, and whether he was hunting +frantically for his lost companion. His mind turned naturally to Glen. +He was farther from her now than ever, and should he see her again? +The thought of her had stimulated him during his recent terrible +experiences. Over and over again she seemed to be standing by his +side, urging him to go on, and renewing his fainting spirits. He +pictured her now as he had last seen her at the top of that steep +trail, mounted upon her horse. He recalled for the thousandth time her +clear musical voice, the bright flash of her eyes, and the deep flush +which had mantled her cheeks at the mention of Curly's name. + +"I must find her," he emphatically declared, as he stirred up the +dwindling fire, and added a couple of sticks. "I expected to be with +her before this, but here I am, lodged like a bear in this dismal hole." + +He glanced around the cave, and as he did so, he gave a sudden start. +Something in one side of the wall where the fire-light fell attracted +his attention. It made his heart beat fast, and brought him to his +feet in an instant. His hand reached up and touched it. Then he +quickly struck a match, and examined it more carefully. Yes, he was +right, and he had made no mistake. It was gold! + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN + +For a few seconds Reynolds stared upon his new discovery. Then he +examined the walls elsewhere, and no matter where he looked, he found +nuggets of gold protruding from the earth. His excitement now became +intense, and seizing a burning stick he began to explore the cave. +Everywhere it was the same. The earth beneath his feet was even filled +with nuggets, and, they gleamed upon him from overhead. He felt that +he must be dreaming, or else his terrible experiences of late had +turned his brain. Could it be possible that he had accidentally +stumbled upon a vein of the precious metal, rich beyond the wildest +bounds of imagination! He put his hand to his face, and even pinched +himself to make sure that he was awake. + +When the brand had flickered out, he walked back to the fire and sat +down. He tried to calm himself that he might think over his wonderful +discovery. The rain still pelted down outside, and the wind roared +among the trees. But Reynolds paid no attention to them now. He saw +nothing but gold, heaps of it, piled high before him, and himself the +richest man in the whole world. What would not the miners of Big Draw +give to know of this discovery! How they would flock to the place, +followed by thousands of others. What a change would ensue in a short +time. No longer would it be the desolate wilderness, but alive with +frantic human beings. + +But suppose he should never live to tell the tale? He was lost, far +from any habitation, and with only enough food for a most meagre +breakfast. No, he must not die. It was necessary for him to live, to +make his great discovery known; and to reap the rich harvest himself. +And Glen! Again he thought of her. He would be able to go to her a +rich man instead of almost a beggar. He smiled as he recalled what he +had said to Frontier Samson. The prospector had given him his choice +between gold and the girl, and he had chosen the latter. His love had +not changed in the least degree, but why should he not have the gold as +well as the girl? + +Reynolds sat for a long time that night absorbed in deep thought. He +slept upon the ground, and his dreams were a jumble of wild animals, +gold, and a beautiful girl. He awoke early and noted with satisfaction +that the storm had ceased, and the sky was clear. Having eaten the +last of the salmon, he left the cave and viewed his surroundings in +order to locate his bearings should he ever return to the place. He +believed that he was about half way up the highest hill in the +immediate vicinity, and that he could not fail to miss seeing it from a +distance. He noticed that the hill formed the apex of a triangular +formation, while two hills, one to the right and the other to left, +served as base corners. He was sure that he could remember such +guiding marks, and would be able to return to the cave without any +difficulty. + +It was with a feeling of reluctance that he at length left the cave and +again assayed the climb up the side of the hill, which became steeper +and more precipitous the farther he advanced. At times he was forced +to pull himself up by means of roots and small trees, so his progress +was accordingly slow. The sun was hot, and often he grew faint from +heat and fatigue. He watched for any sign of life, of rabbit, bird, or +squirrel. But the place seemed deserted, and even the plant life was +scant and scrubby. A fierce thirst came upon him, for no water had +passed his lips since the previous day. + +Thus hour after hour he toiled upward. He did not dare to return to +the brook below, for that would mean certain death. It had to be ever +on until the summit was reached, and what then? His courage almost +failed as he thought of what that barren peak might have in store for +him. He had been disappointed so often, surely Fate would not abandon +him now after he had made such a fierce fight for life. + +When but a hundred yards from his goal, he paused for a minute's +respite. He turned his bloodshot eyes to the sky. A great eagle was +soaring majestically athwart the blue. It seemed to mock him by its +easy flight. It angered him as he followed its every movement. Why +should a mere bird have such freedom of motion, while man was so +helpless? To the eagle, distance was nothing; it laughed the highest +mountain peak to scorn, and its food was wherever its fancy led. He +suddenly thought of the gold he had discovered. In the world of +civilization what a power it would mean. What could it not do toward +providing ease and reputation? And of what use was that treasure to +him now? It was of no more value than the stones beneath his feet, and +he would gladly have given it all for one good meal and a draught of +refreshing water. + +The eagle was still soaring overhead, free and buoyant. It was nearer +now, wheeling closer and closer to Reynolds as he clung like a snail to +the side of the hill. And he was made in the image of God! The +thought stung him. Why should such things be? Instantly there flashed +into his mind a picture he had often seen. It was the side of a steep +cliff, and there a shepherd was rescuing a sheep from its perilous +position. The man was clinging with His left hand to a crevice in the +rock, while with His right He was reaching far over to lift up the poor +animal, which was looking up pathetically into the shepherd's loving +face. He knew the meaning of that picture, and it came to him now with +a startling intensity. Why did he think of it? he asked himself. +Although his life was clean, yet Reynolds was not what might be called +a religious man. He was not in the habit of praying, and he seldom +went to church. But something about that picture appealed to him as he +crouched on that burning hillside. Was there One who would help him +out of his present difficulty? He believed there was, for he had been +so taught as a little child. He remembered the Master's words, "Ask, +and ye shall have." "Here, then, is a chance to test the truthfulness +of that saying," a voice whispered. + +"I shall not do it," Reynolds emphatically declared. "I have not +prayed for so long, that I'm not going to act the hypocrite now, and +cry for help when I'm in a tight corner. I daresay He would assist me, +but I am ashamed to ask Him. If I should only think of a friend when I +am in trouble I should consider myself a mean cur, and unfit to have +the friendship of anyone. And that's about how I stand with Him, so I +do not consider myself worthy of His help." + +Although Reynolds reasoned in this manner, yet that picture of The Good +Shepherd inspired him. He could not get it out of his mind as he lay +there watching the eagle soaring nearer and nearer. + +"I wonder what that bird is after?" he mused. "It is coming this way, +and it seems to be getting ready to alight. Perhaps it has a nest +somewhere on this hill." + +This thought aroused him. An eagle's nest! It was generally built on +some high rocky place, and why should there not be one here? And if +so, there might be eggs, and eggs would mean food for a starving man. + +Eagerly and anxiously he watched the bird now, hoping and longing that +it would alight close to where he was crouching. Neither was he +disappointed, for in a few minutes the eagle drove straight for the +hill, about fifty yards above, and landed upon a rocky ledge. Seizing +a stick lying near, with cat-like agility, Reynolds sprang forward, and +hurried to the spot where the bird had alighted. From what he had +heard and read about eagles he surmised that a struggle lay ahead of +him, so he clutched the stick firmly as he advanced. + +It took him but a few minutes to reach the place, and as he paused and +looked keenly around for the nest, an infuriated mass of great wings +and feathers hurled itself upon him. Taken by surprise, Reynolds +staggered back, and lifted his stick to ward off the attack. How he +saved himself from being torn to pieces by the talons and beak of that +angry bird he never could tell. It was a mystery to him that he was +able to defend himself at all. But do it he did, and used his stick in +such a skilful manner that he kept the creature from tearing at his +face. Fortunately he had a good footing, which enabled him to retreat +at each desperate onslaught, and to meet the bird with a furious blow +as it wheeled and circled close above his head. But he realised that +he could not endure the strain much longer, for he was weak through +lack of food and hard climbing. The energy of the eagle, on the other +hand, seemed just as keen as ever, and it might continue the fight for +hours. Reynolds grew desperate as he thought of this, and he was +determined that he should not leave his body there as food for his +opponent. + +He watched as the bird again circled and once more swept to the attack. +But he was ready, and as it swooped close enough he threw his entire +remaining strength into one great swinging blow. The stick struck the +eagle fair on the head with a resounding crash, and so great was the +force of the impact that the cudgel snapped like a pipestem, and the +broken end hurtled over the ledge. The eagle's fight was done. It +swerved from its course, and frantically tried to recover itself. But +all in vain. Far out over the hillside it swung, and then a helpless +and inert mass, it dropped down, and crashed into the tops of the firs +and jack-pines, which lifted their heads like pointed spears to receive +the victim. + +Reynolds watched until the bird had disappeared. Then he breathed a +deep sigh of relief, and examined his wounds. His hands were bleeding, +and such clothes as he had were literally torn into shreds. He was so +weak that he could hardly stand, and he sank down upon the ground. + +"How long will this keep up?" he panted. "What else lies before me? I +am a poor specimen of a human being now, and unfitted for another +encounter of any kind. This was my own fault, though. That poor devil +I just sent to its doom was merely acting in self-defence. But the +survival of the fittest is the law of the wilderness just as in the +ways of so-called civilization. That bird had what I needed; and that +settles it." + +This turned his mind upon the nest, which he suspected was somewhere +near. In another minute he had found it, a mass of sticks, in the +midst of which was a hollow lined with wild grass, and lying there were +three white eggs. Eagerly he seized one, and held it in his hand. Was +it fresh? he wondered, or was it ready to be hatched? + +Drawing forth his pocket-knife, he perforated each end of the egg, and +smelled the contents. It was fresh, having been recently laid. In +another instant it was at his parched lips, and never did he remember +having tasted anything half as refreshing. Then he looked longingly at +the other two. + +"No, I must not eat them now," he told himself. "I shall need them for +supper and breakfast. The Lord only knows when I shall get anything +more." + +The mention of the Lord brought back to him the picture of The Good +Shepherd rescuing the lost sheep. "Strange, very strange," he mused, +as he picked up the eggs and continued his climb. "Can it be possible +that the Lord had anything to do with that eagle coming here just when +I was about all in, and ready to drop from hunger and thirst? I am not +ashamed, anyway, to confess my gratitude, even though I disliked the +idea of praying." + +A few minutes later he stood on the top of the hill, a bleak, desolate +spot, rocky, and devoid of the least sign of vegetation. But this +mattered nothing to him now, for his eyes rested almost immediately +upon a silver gleam away to the left. It was water, and a river at +that! An exclamation of joy leaped from his lips, as from that lonely +peak he viewed the river of his salvation. Where it led, he did not +know, but surely along that stream he would find human beings, able and +willing to succor him. + +Forgotten now was his weariness, and a new hope possessed his soul. He +could not expect to reach the river that afternoon, for several valleys +and small hills intervened. But he could go part of the way and on the +morrow complete the journey. Carefully guarding his two precious eggs, +he hurried down the opposite side of the hill as fast as it was +possible, and night found him by the side of a small wood-enshrouded +lake. Here he stopped, drank of the cool refreshing water, and built a +small fire. Finding a smooth stone, he washed it clean, and heating it +thoroughly, he was enabled to fry one of the eggs upon the surface. In +the morning the other was treated in a similar manner, and thus +strengthened, but his hunger not appeased, he sped onward. + +This last lap of his journey to the river was a trying one. Reynolds +made it more difficult by his feverish impatience, and when about the +middle of the afternoon he heard the ripple of water, and caught the +first gleam through the trees of its sparkling surface, he was +completely exhausted, and had only sufficient strength to drag his +weary form to the river's bank. A refreshing drink of the ice-cold +water and a rest of a few minutes revived him. The stream was swift, +far swifter than he had anticipated. But this encouraged him, for if +once launched upon its surface it would bear him speedily out of that +desolate wilderness. + +A craft of some kind was necessary, so searching around, he found +several good-sized trees, stripped and bare, which had been brought +down stream by the spring floods, and left stranded upon the bank. +With considerable difficulty he managed to fashion these into a rude +raft, binding all together with strong, pliable willow withes. As a +boy he had often made rafts, and the knowledge acquired then served him +in good stead now. + +Finding a stout pole, he stepped upon the raft, and to his delight +found that it would easily bear his weight. Pushing it from the shore, +it was soon caught by the strong current and borne rapidly down stream. +The steering was an easy matter, so, sitting upon the raft, he gave +himself up to the luxury of this new mode of travel. It was such a +great relief from his fearful wandering through the woods and climbing +the hills, that but for his pangs of hunger he would have been quite +happy. + +All through, the night the raft swung on its way, the plaything of the +current which kept it clear of bars and rocks. Reynolds did not dare +to sleep, for he could not tell what lay ahead. It might be a +dangerous rapid, or at any minute he might come to some camp along the +shore, and it would be necessary to be wide awake and alert. + +But nothing happened, and morning found him still floating onward into +the great unknown. He was ravenously hungry, and once he ran the raft +ashore and gathered a number of willow twigs. These he gnawed as he +once more continued his voyage. This, however, was poor food for a +starving man, and he was well aware that unless he could obtain +something more substantial he must miserably perish. Game was +plentiful along the river, and several times he saw moose and bears, +while early that morning he ran close to a flock of wild ducks. But +their presence only mocked him now, weaponless as he was. + +This day was a most trying one, for about the middle of the forenoon it +began to rain, and Reynolds was wet to the skin as he sat huddled upon +the raft. Anxiously he peered forward, hoping that around every bend +something more cheering than the monotonous trees would meet his eyes. +But hour after hour it was just the same, and the rain continued +without any cessation. Would the river never end? he asked himself +over and over again. Whither was it bearing him, anyway? At times the +sinuous water appeared like a demon, carrying him on to destruction. +Its gurgle and ripple sounded in his ears like mocking laughter, and +the great brooding forest in its intense silence seemed in league with +the stream. Of what avail were all his mighty efforts? He had escaped +from the tangle of the forest, only to be lured to ruin by the river. + +The afternoon waned, and night drew near, and still the raft swept +onward. Reynolds felt that he could endure the strain but little +longer. He was chilled to the bone, and cramped from his huddled +position. He must land, and get some circulation in his body, +providing he had any strength left. + +He was about to run the raft ashore, when to his great delight it +suddenly shot forth from its forest prison into the open expanse of a +broad and silent lake. Reynolds staggered painfully to his feet and +looked around. He could only see a short distance, as a heavy mist lay +over the water. His eyes scanned the shore, but no sign of human +habitation could he behold. There was nothing except the same scene of +desolation which had been his companion for weary days. + +The raft was motionless now, some distance out upon the lake. Slowly +Reynolds forced it to the shore, and secured it in a little cove. + +"I might as well stay here for the night," he muttered. "It may be +clear to-morrow which will enable me to see farther. Oh, for something +to eat!" + +With much difficulty he started a fire, for the wood was wet, and then +warmed himself before the cheerful blaze. It was not raining so hard +now, for which he was thankful. He tried to dry his rags of clothes by +hanging them on sticks near the fire. His boots were off his feet, +with the uppers alone clinging to his ankles. Removing these, he +examined them. Then an idea flashed into his mind. He had heard of +men eating their boots in their extremity, and why should not he! It +was worth the try, at any rate. + +It took him but a second to whip out his knife and cut a piece from the +top of one of the boots. This he washed clean in the lake, and tasted +it. Only one on the extreme verge of starvation can in any manner +comprehend what even a portion of a boot means. There is some +nourishment there, as Reynolds soon found. Almost ravenously he chewed +that piece of leather, extracting from it whatever life-giving +substance it contained. When it had been converted to mere pulp, he +helped himself to another piece. He was in a most desperate situation, +but if he could sustain his strength for another night and day he +believed that his life would be spared. Surely along that lake he +would find human beings, whether Indians or whites he did not care, who +would give him food. + +He awoke early the next morning, and having partaken his breakfast of +another piece of boot, he pushed off his raft. There was only one way +for him to go, and that was with the breeze which was drawing down the +lake. The mist was now lifting, and although he strained his eyes, he +could see no sign of life. He had to pole the raft now, and in order +to do so he was forced to keep close to the shore where the water was +shallow. + +Thus all through the morning and far on into the afternoon he urged the +raft forward with all the strength at his command. There were so many +curves to the shore that following these lengthened the voyage. From +point to point he moved, each time to be disappointed as he looked +ahead and saw nothing but trees and water. + +The sun was hot, and the perspiration poured down his face. But with +the energy of despair he drove his pole again and again into the water. +As the afternoon waned, and night drew near, the limit of his endurance +was reached, and he knew that he could do no more. He had struggled +for life, but to no purpose. Rest was all that he cared for now. His +head began to swim, and he sank exhausted upon the raft. And there he +lay, face downward, while the raft drifted at its own sweet will. +Presently a breeze sprang up and cooled the air. But it did not affect +Reynolds in the least. He had fought to the last grain of strength, +and when that left him he was beyond all sense of time, place, and +feeling. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE GIRL OF GLEN WEST + +When Glen Weston reached the top of the hill that afternoon of her +encounter with the grizzly, she reined in Midnight and swung him +sharply around. She was confident that she could not be seen from the +valley below, as a large projecting rock hid her from view. She was in +no hurry to leave the place, and several times she was tempted to +dismount, peer around the rock to see if her rescuer were still at the +bottom of the trail. She refrained from doing so, however, lest he +might see her, and thus be induced to follow her. + +Glen was not a girl to be easily affected, but she had to acknowledge +to herself that the gallant stranger interested her in an unusual +manner. He was not like the men she was in the habit of meeting. He +was different and so courteous. And he was good looking, too, she +mused. He had also been at the Front! That appealed to her, and +aroused her curiosity. What had he done over there? she wondered. Had +he performed special deeds of daring, and carried off any medals? + +For some time she remained there facing the west. The sun was riding +over the distant mountain peaks, and the whole landscape was bathed in +resplendent glory. Midnight was standing close to the rocky ledge, +with ears pointed forward and his large eyes turned to the left. His +body was still quivering, and every nerve was keenly alert. +Occasionally his right fore-hoof struck the rock, indicating his +impatience to be away. The slightest sound startled him, for he could +not easily forget his encounter with the bear. + +"Steady, laddie," Glen soothed, when he became more restless than +usual. "I know you are anxious to be off, but I like this place. I +wonder where we would be now but for that wonderful shot. Most likely +we would be lying down there in the ravine instead of the grizzly." + +For about fifteen minutes longer she remained in this position, +silently looking out toward the great mountains beyond. Had Reynolds +but seen her then, how the artist soul within him would have rejoiced. +With a remarkable grace and ease she sat there, as one well accustomed +to the saddle. Her left hand held the reins, and her right the +riding-whip. Her soft felt hat, caught up at one side, partly shaded +her face. A deep flush mantled her cheeks, due not to the reflection +of the sun alone, but to buoyant health, and the excitement through +which she had just passed. + +Almost wistfully she at length wheeled her horse and headed him away +from the summit. Midnight needed no urging, and the light of +satisfaction gleamed in his eyes as he sped swiftly and nimbly along +the narrow trail. No guiding hand directed him, and the reins lay +loose upon his glossy neck, for his mistress' mind was elsewhere. At +times he was compelled to slow down to a walk where the rocks were +thick, or the trail steep and dangerous. But whenever possible, such +as on the wild meadows, he laid back his ears and sped like the wind. +This always aroused Glen and brought her back to earth. She enjoyed +such races, and when they were over, she would pat Midnight on the neck +and utter affectionate words of praise. Horse and rider understood +each other, which feeling had been developed through years of +companionship on many a hard trail. + +For over an hour they thus moved steadily onward, and at length there +loomed before them the high frowning ridge of the Golden Crest. At +first it seemed to form an impassable barrier to their advance. But as +they continued, an opening suddenly appeared, flanked on either side by +huge projecting rocks. It was Nature's great doorway in one of the +mighty partitions of the house not made with hands. Through this +Midnight speedily loped and ere long swept out upon a wild meadow which +extended to the left farther than the eye could see, and over a mile in +width. Horses were feeding here, and at once Midnight lifted up his +voice in a friendly neigh of salutation, which was immediately answered +by several horses in the distance. In fact, he was on the point of +slowing down and swerving from the trail, but a light flick of the whip +reminded him that his mistress had other business on hand which had to +be attended to first, so again throwing back his ears, he dashed onward. + +The wild meadow crossed, they reached a wooded region where the trail +ascended and wound up a steep hill. Midnight took this with a bound, +and in a few minutes he was at the top, panting heavily from his +vigorous exercise. Here Glen reined him in, and sat silently looking +straight before her. And truly it was a magnificent scene which was +thus so suddenly presented to her view. Below stretched a dense +forest, lying sombre beneath the shades of evening. Away in the +distance rose the mighty mountains, sentinel-like and austere, while +between, flashing like a jewel in its dark stern setting, was a large +body of water. Not a ripple ruffled its surface, and nothing could +Glen discern there, although her eyes scanned it most intently. + +A word to Midnight, and down the incline they moved, and in a short +time emerged from the forest, when a large open clearing burst into +view. To a stranger the sight would have been startling, for a short +distance away was a neat village, close to the water's edge. But to +Glen it was not at all out of the ordinary. She had been accustomed to +it from childhood, and to her it was home. + +The village consisted of well built log houses, at the doors of which +children were playing, and dogs lying around. The former smiled as the +girl rode by. She did not stop as was her wont, to talk to them, but +at once made her way to a building larger than the others. This was a +store, in front of which a number of Indians were gathered. + +As Glen rode up and stopped, a tall, powerfully built native came forth +and laid his hand upon the horse's bridle. It was the same Indian +Reynolds had seen that night at the dance in Whitehorse. He was +evidently accustomed to waiting upon Glen, and needed no instructions. +But on this occasion the girl did not dismount. She merely leaned over +and whispered a few words to her attendant, who simply nodded, and let +his hand drop from the bridle. Then as Glen continued on her way, he +walked by her side through the street, up along the water-front. + +In a few minutes they passed from the village and entered a grove of +trees which extended down to the shore of the lake. In the midst of +this was a clearing, and situated here was a log building of generous +proportions, well made, and altogether different from the rest in the +settlement. It was a two-story building, facing the water, with large +windows, and a spacious verandah sweeping around the front and both +sides. Wherever it was possible, paint had been liberally applied, and +the white on the sashes, the green on the corner-boards, and the red on +the roof gave it a striking appearance. It might well have been the +home of some millionaire, who had thus sought seclusion in the +wilderness, adding to his domicile a few touches of the world of +civilization. + +The grounds were well kept, showing that much attention had been +bestowed upon them. Flowers bloomed in profusion, and off to the left +a vegetable garden showed what the north could produce. A gravelly +walk led to the water, and here at a small wharf floated a motor-boat, +graceful in appearance, and capable of carrying passengers and freight. +Several Indian men were standing on the wharf, while others, including +women and children, were paddling in canoes but a short distance away. +It was a scene of peace and seclusion, a regular fairy-land nestling +there in the wilds. Even the storms of winter could not affect the +place, for besides the sheltering trees which surrounded it on all +sides, the frowning ridge of the Golden Crest formed a mighty barrier +to the rear. + +But Glen noticed none of these things, for something else occupied her +mind this evening. She had remained silent since leaving the store, +but now that the house was in sight, she halted Midnight at the edge of +the woods and looked at her Indian companion. + +"Is daddy home yet?" she asked, speaking in the rhythmical native +language with which she was so familiar. + +"Not home," was the brief reply. + +"He said that he might come to-day, didn't he?" + +The Indian, merely nodded. + +"He has been gone for nearly a week now," Glen continued, "and I wonder +what can be keeping him. Do you think he will come to-night?" + +"Sconda doesn't know. Big white chief alone knows." + +Glen laughed and stroked Midnight's neck with an impatient hand. + +"I guess you are right, Sconda. Daddy alone knows what he is going to +do, for he never tells me, at any rate. But as he is not here I must +take matters into my own hands. You know Deep Gulch beyond the Golden +Crest?" and she motioned to the left. + +Again the Indian nodded. + +"Well, then, there is a dead bear in the Gulch, Sconda, and I want you +to take men and bring it in, see?" + +A new light now shone in the native's eyes, and he looked enquiringly +into the girl's face. + +"Bear?" he asked. "In Deep Gulch?" + +"Yes, and a grizzly at that; a monster. Oh, it was terrible!" and Glen +shivered as the recollection of the brute's fierce charge swept upon +her. + +"Bear dead, eh?" Sconda queried. + +"Yes, dead, and lying in the ravine, half covered with earth and rocks. +Go down Crooked Trail to the bottom, then up the gulch, and you will +find it." + +"Who shoot grizzly?" the Indian asked. + +"A white man. And, oh, Sconda, you should have seen what a shot he +made! It was wonderful! I am sure you never did anything like it." + +"Greater than Sconda made at Saku, when he shot grizzly, and saved +Injun, eh?" + +"Greater? Listen, Sconda. That white man shot the grizzly from the +other side of Deep Gulch. He was way up on the hill, and he hit the +bear in the heart." + +The Indian's eyes showed his astonishment as he studied the girl's face +as if to make sure that she was telling the truth. + +"It is true, Sconda. I was there and saw him do it." + +"What was bear doing?" + +"Coming at me for all it was worth, and Midnight was almost frantic +with fright. If it hadn't been for that white man we would be down +there now where that grizzly is lying." + +"And you want Sconda to fetch bear to camp, eh?" + +"I do. Take as many men as you need and go in the morning. Tell the +women to be ready to prepare the meat. And, Sconda, I want you to look +after the dressing of the skin. Get Klota to do it. Tell her it is +for me, and she will understand. That is all, I guess." + +Glen dismounted, and handed the reins to the Indian. + +"Midnight is hungry, Sconda. Look after him yourself, and see that he +gets a good bite of grass. And, Sconda," she added, as if an +afterthought, "you will be sure to go with the men in the morning?" + +"Ah, ah, Sconda will go." + +"That's good. And I want you to do something for me. Keep a sharp +watch to see if that white man comes again to Deep Gulch. You will, +won't you?" + +"Sconda will watch." + +"But don't let him think you are watching, remember. You stay behind +when the others have brought the bear home. But don't let the white +man see you." + +Into Sconda's eyes flashed an expression of understanding. He knew now +what the girl meant. What would he not do for her? the white girl he +had known since she was but a child, and whose word to him was law, not +of force but of affection. + +"Now, don't forget, Sconda," Glen warned. "Stay there, if necessary, +until night, and watch him carefully from the top of Crooked Trail. +And don't tell anybody, not even Klota. Her eyes and ears are sharp, +and she might suspect something. This is the greatest secret I have +ever had. You have never failed me yet, Sconda, and I know that I can +trust you now." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +WHEN THE STORM BURST + +Glen West Lodge, the name of this fine building on the shore of that +inland lake, was a comfortable and cozy abode. The rooms were not +large, but their furnishings and decorations showed the artistic taste +of the owner. The pictures adorning the walls had evidently been +chosen with careful discrimination, most of them representing nature +scenes, with a few well known paintings of the world of civilization. +Each room contained a fire-place, and over the mantel of the +livingroom, which opened off the hallway, was Watt's symbolical figure +of "Hope." Glen had often seen her father standing before this, +studying it most intently. Once he had told her its meaning. "You see +that woman sitting on the top of the world," he had said. "The strings +of her harp are all broken but one, and upon that she is making the +best music she can. It teaches us, Glen, never to despair, but with +the one string of limited power to do our best." + +In one corner of this room was a piano, and the piece of modern music +above the key-board showed that someone had been recently playing. A +lamp of neat design hung from the wainscoted ceiling, while another +with a soft shade stood upon a centre-table. The chairs in the room +were comfortable, the largest being placed near the big southern +window, close to which was a case well filled with books. The floor +was covered with a rich carpet, of a quiet pattern, while before the +fire-place was stretched a great bearskin rug. It was a room to +delight the heart, especially on a night when a storm was raging over +the land. + +It was through this that Glen passed after entering the house. She +went at once into the dining-room, adjoining, where she found the table +all set for supper, and a white-haired woman standing before the +side-board, arranging knives and forks in a drawer. She turned as Glen +entered, and a bright smile of welcome illumined her face. + +"You are late, dear," she reminded. "Supper has been ready for some +time." + +"I am sorry, Nannie," the girl apologized. "But I went farther to-day +than I intended. There is no word from daddy, I suppose?" + +"None at all, dearie. But, hurry and change your clothes, as your +father may arrive at any minute. He will be angry if he knows that you +have been far beyond the Golden Crest, for he has warned you to be +careful. It is not safe for a girl to be riding alone since the miners +have come into this region." + +Glen smiled gaily at the woman's fears, and hastened away to her own +room. In about a quarter of an hour she returned, but in that brief +space of time a marvellous transformation had taken place. In a soft +white dress, open at the throat, her beauty was enhanced ten-fold. Her +luxuriant wavy hair had been hurriedly brushed back, and her cheeks +bore the deep flush of health and youth. The woman at the head of the +table looked at her with undisguised admiration as she passed her a +piece of nicely browned fried salmon which an Indian servant girl had +brought in from the kitchen. + +"It is too bad that your father isn't here to see you, Glen," she +remarked. "I never saw you look prettier. If we were outside, I might +suspect that the color in your cheeks is not due to health and exercise +alone." + +"I am afraid you are flattering me, Nannie," Glen laughingly replied. +"You will make me vain, if you are not careful." + +"I am not in the habit of flattering without good reason, as you well +know, dear. But I have been thinking lately what a great pity it is +that you should be wasting your young life in a place like this." + +"Losing my sweetness on the desert air; is that it, Nannie? But what +about you?" + +"Oh, I do not signify," and again the sad expression came into the +woman's eyes. "I might as well be here as anywhere else. But with you +it is different. You need companions of your own age, and a more +agreeable life than this place can provide." + +"I certainly do," was the emphatic assent. "I never realised it until +my return from the Seminary. What is the use of all my education if I +am to spend the rest of my days here, with not a girl friend, and not +a----" + +Glen floundered and paused, while her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. + +"I understand, dear, so do not try to explain. It is only natural that +you should wish to be admired. I was the same when I was your age. +But you cannot expect to find admirers up here, that is, the right +kind, and especially the one above all others." + +Glen looked keenly into her companion's eyes, as if to divine her +meaning. But she saw nothing there which might lead her to suspect +that the secret of her heart was known. + +"Do you think that daddy will ever consent to leave this place?" she +asked. "I have not spoken to him about it, for I was quite satisfied +with this life until recently." + +"I have mentioned it to him," was the reply. "Ever since you were a +child I have been urging him to leave the north, for your sake, if for +nothing else. He always said that he expected to do so some day, but +here we are the same as ever, and I see no signs of his going." + +"I wonder what in the world daddy ever came here for, anyway?" + +"Why, for trading purposes, of course. He has done wonderfully well, +and understands the Indians better than any white man in this country. +You know they will do anything for him, because he is so fair and just +in all his dealings." + +"Yes, I know that, Nannie. But daddy never goes outside, and he will +not allow white men to come here. You know as well as I do that he +turns the Indians upon every white stranger who comes across the Golden +Crest or by water. Daddy never mentioned it to me, but both Sconda and +Klota have told me how the miners fear this place, and think that daddy +is a terrible monster. When I asked them what became of the white men +who ventured here, they wouldn't tell me, but looked at each other in a +queer way. There is something mysterious about it all, and it has +puzzled me ever since I was able to understand anything." + +"There, dearie, never mind worrying your brain about it now," her +companion soothed. "You are too young to have wrinkles in your smooth +skin. Play that nice piece you were singing before you left to-day. I +never heard it before, and it did me so much good. The piano has been +idle all winter, so it must make up for lost time now." + +Glen told Nannie nothing about her experiences that afternoon. She was +afraid that this woman, gifted with more than ordinary insight, might +read her heart. It made her feel somewhat guilty, nevertheless, for +Nannie was the only mother she had ever known, and she lay awake a long +time that night thinking it all over, and wondering whether she should +tell her secret to the one woman in the world in whom she should +confide. She had studied herself more carefully than usual in her +large mirror before retiring, and what she beheld there was far from +displeasing. She knew that she was beautiful, and her heart told her +that her brave rescuer had looked upon her with admiration. Should she +ever see him again? she asked herself, or had he already forgotten her? + +Glen awoke early the next morning, and after breakfast she went down to +the store. Here she learned that Sconda and a dozen men had gone to +Deep Gulch after the grizzly. Formerly, women would have done most of +the heavy work, but the ruler of Glen West had changed all that. The +men did not take kindly to this at first, but Jim Weston had been firm. + +"If you do not like this order of things, you can go elsewhere," he +told them. "Women are not going to do men's work here. You bring the +game into camp, and then let your wives attend to it." + +Thus the custom of the men bringing in the bear or moose became +established, and no one left, for the objectors knew that they were far +better off at Glen West than they had ever been in their lives, and +that it was to their advantage to obey their Big White Chief, as they +called Weston. + +Glen waited impatiently for the men's return, and the hours dragged +slowly by until their arrival about the middle of the afternoon. They +had skinned the bear, and cutting up the carcass, they had strapped the +pieces upon their horses. They rode gaily into camp, and most of the +inhabitants of the place were gathered around the store to acclaim +their arrival. All had heard of the wonderful shot across Deep Gulch, +and they were naturally curious to see the monster which had dared to +face the Big Chief's daughter. There was the certainty, too, of fresh +meat, which added much to the interest. + +Sconda, however was not with the returned men, and Glen was greatly +disappointed. Her rescuer, then, had not come back to the gulch, so he +evidently had no more thought for her. She had imagined that he would +be anxious to obtain the grizzly's fine skin as a souvenir of his +meeting with her. At first she was tempted to ride forth toward +Crooked Trail and await Sconda's return, but changing her mind, she +launched her light canoe, and was soon skimming out over the water of +the big lake. She generally took an Indian girl, or Sconda with her. +But now she wished to be alone, that she might think as she drifted or +paddled. + +For over an hour she remained on the water, and when she returned, +Sconda was waiting for her on the shore. Her face brightened as she +saw him, and she at once questioned him about her rescuer. + +"Did you see him?" she asked. + +"Ah, ah. Sconda see white man." + +"And did he see you?" + +"Ah, ah." + +"Oh! Did he stay long at Deep Gulch?" + +A shake of the head was the native's only response. + +"Did he seem surprised when he found that the grizzly was gone?" Glen +asked. "Did he look up Crooked Trail as if expecting to see someone +there?" + +"White man act queer," the Indian explained. "He stay on big hill +watching trail. He saw Sconda once." + +"What did he do?" + +"Nothing," and the Indian's eyes twinkled. "Sconda leave quick." + +"And you didn't see him again?" + +"Sconda come to Glen West. White man go to Big Draw, maybe." + +Although Glen was not altogether satisfied at what Sconda told her, yet +it was some comfort to know that her rescuer had returned to Deep +Gulch, and stayed there for a while watching the trail as if expecting +to see someone. And was that someone herself? she wondered. She had +the feeling that it was, and the thought pleased her. + +Glen now found the life at Glen West more irksome than ever. She +missed her companions of the Seminary and the excitement of the city. +She did not even have her father, for several days had now passed since +his expected return. She had no idea what was keeping him, and she +naturally became very anxious. Several times she discussed his delay +with Nannie. + +"Did you ever know daddy to stay away as long as this?" she asked one +evening as they sat at supper. + +"I have known him to be away much longer," was the reply. "Once he was +gone for a whole month. He is prospecting for gold, you know, and goes +far off at times." + +"But he has never discovered anything, has he?" + +"Nothing of great value as yet, although he is always expecting to do +so some day. You need not worry about him, dearie, for he is well able +to take care of himself, and I understand that an Indian always keeps +in touch with him. He has a comfortable cabin out in the hills where +he sleeps at night." + +"Well, I wish to goodness he would come home," and Glen gave a deep +sigh. "He might think of me, and how much I need him. If he doesn't +come soon, I shall pack up and go outside again. I believe a trip to +Whitehorse would do me good, for I am tired of staying here with +nothing to do." + +"Your father would not like it," her companion reminded. "He would be +very angry if he came home and found that you had left Glen West. Why +not take a spin on the lake this evening? You once were very fond of +the boat." + +"I suppose I might as well go," and again Glen sighed as she rose from +the table and looked out of the window. "Sconda is on the wharf now, +and that will save my going after him. Won't you come, too, Nannie? A +spin will do you good." + +"Not this evening," was the reply. "Your father may come at any +minute, and it would not do for both of us to be away from the house." + +Sconda's eyes brightened as Glen came down to the wharf and asked him +to take her out upon the water. _The Frontiersman_, the name of the +motor-boat, was the pride of Sconda's heart. When he had been +appointed captain of the craft, his highest ambition was reached. +This, together with the fact that he was the special guardian of the +Big Chief's daughter, gave him a high standing in the camp. No one +knew the waters of the north better than did he, and Jim Weston's mind +was always easy when Glen was with him. + +In a few minutes _The Frontiersman_ was cutting through the water out +into the open. Sconda was at the wheel, with Glen by his side, while +Taku, an Indian with special mechanical gifts, looked after the engine. + +"Which way?" Sconda at length asked, after they had run out of the +sheltered creek into the main body of water. + +"Up-stream," Glen replied. "Daddy came down the Tasan once on a raft, +and he had a hard time getting home. He may be coming that way now, so +we may be able to pick him up." + +Sconda at once gave the wheel a sharp turn to the left, and the boat +swinging obediently to its master's will, rushed rapidly forward. A +stiff breeze was now blowing dead ahead, and this Glen thoroughly +enjoyed. It suited her nature, especially this evening, and she longed +for a tempest to sweep upon them. Adventure and excitement she dearly +enjoyed, and she had often bewailed the fact that she was a woman and +not a man. + +"Women are supposed to be demure quiet creatures," she had more than +once declared. "They are not supposed to run any risks, but must stay +safely in the house. That may satisfy some, but it does not suit me." + +Her father and Nannie had always smiled at these outbursts of +impatience, thinking that as she grew older her mind would change, and +she would see things in a different light. But Glen did not change, +and the longing for adventure was as strong in her heart now as ever. +The sweep of the wind this evening not only tossed her hair but +thrilled her very being, and for the first time since her return home +she felt how good it was to live in such a place. + +For about half an hour they sped onward, with the wind steadily +increasing. + +"Big blow soon," Sconda casually remarked, as he glanced at the heavy +clouds massing over the mountains. Then he gave a start, and peered +keenly forward. His eyes had caught sight of something unusual. + +"What's that?" he asked, pointing to the left. + +Glen's eyes followed his outstretched arm, and presently she was +enabled to detect a dark object upon the water. + +"It's only a stick, isn't it, Sconda?" + +"No; it's a raft," was the reply. "There's something on it." + +"Oh; maybe it's daddy!" Glen exclaimed, now thoroughly aroused. "Make +the boat go faster. He will be swamped by these waves!" + +The boat, however, was running at full speed, and in short time they +were able to view the object more clearly. It was certainly a raft, +and the form upon it looked like a human being. Glen almost stopped +breathing as they drew nearer. Could it be her father? she asked +herself. Who else would be out there on the lake? + +As the boat slowed down and ran close to the raft, Sconda called aloud +to the figure huddled upon the logs. But there was no reply. The wind +was tossing the rags which once were clothes, and the waves were +speedily breaking the rude craft asunder. There was no time to lose, +so in another minute Sconda had the boat close alongside, and with the +aid of Taku the helpless man was lifted from his perilous position. + +When Glen saw that the rescued man was not her father, she breathed +more freely. But the first glimpse of his face, bearded though it was, +reminded her of someone she had seen before. Then the light of +recognition leaped into her eyes, and with a cry of surprise she +dropped upon her knees by the side of the prostrate man as he lay upon +the deck. + +Almost instantly the impending storm burst with terrible fury over that +inland body of water. The raft went to pieces like matchwood, and +Sconda had all that he could do to manage the boat. With the +assistance of Taku, the unconscious man was carried inside, and as Glen +watched by his side, unable to do anything for his relief, the tempest +raged without. It was one of those terrific storms which at times +sweep down so suddenly from deep mountain draws, and lash the lake in +wildest fury. _The Frontiersman_ reeled and plunged as she struggled +through the hurricane, and the waves dashed continuously over the deck, +threatening to smash the glass in the cabin where Glen was keeping +watch. That large lake, so peaceful at morn, was now a raging monster. +Many an unwary voyager had been caught in such a storm, and in bygone +days the natives always used their stoutest charms in their efforts to +propitiate the demon of the mountains. + +Sconda's hands firmly grasped the wheel, and his alert eyes studied +every wave as he guided the boat on her plunging course. He realised +how much was at stake, for was not his master's daughter on board, and +he responsible for her safety? Could he have run straight before the +gale, it would not have been so difficult. But the creek was over +there to the right, hence it was necessary to run in a diagonal manner +which caused the boat to ship a great deal of water. But keep this +steadfast course he did, and after a desperate struggle, _The +Frontiersman_ poked her nose into the opening of the creek, and was +soon gliding calmly over the smooth water within. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +ANOTHER PRISONER + +It was morning when Reynolds opened his eyes and looked around. He +believed that he had been dreaming, and a horrible dream it was. In a +few minutes his senses returned, and he vividly recalled the terrible +experiences through which he had recently passed. But where was he? +What had happened to him? Why was he not yet upon the raft, drifting +with the wind and tide? He glanced about the room and saw that it was +a cozy place, with the sunlight streaming in through an open window on +the right. He attempted to rise, but fell back wearily upon the bed. +Then he called, and the sound of his own voice startled him, so +strangely hollow and unreal did it seem. + +A light footstep near the door caused him to look in that direction. +An Indian woman was coming toward him, a big motherly-looking person, +with a smile upon her face. + +"Where am I?" Reynolds asked. "And how did I get here?" + +The woman made no reply, but still smiling with apparent satisfaction, +she turned and left the room. She was back again in a few minutes, +this time carrying in her hand a bowl of steaming broth. + +"Eat," she ordered, offering him a spoon. "No talk." + +But Reynolds did not take the spoon. He was too famished for that. +Seizing the bowl with hands that trembled from weakness and excitement, +he drained it to the last drop. + +"More, more," he cried. "I'm starving." + +Again the woman smiled as she took the bowl. + +"No more now," she told him. "Sleep." + +"But where am I?" Reynolds demanded. "I must know." + +"Bimeby. Sleep now," was all the satisfaction he obtained, as the +woman left the room and closed the door. + +For several minutes Reynolds lay there uncertain, what to do. But the +bed was comfortable, and he was so tired. It was good to rest, and not +worry about anything. He was in friendly hands, and that was +sufficient for the present. + +When he again awoke, he felt much refreshed, and longed to get up. He +attempted to do so, but in an instant the same Indian woman was by his +side. + +"No get up," she ordered, handing him another bowl of broth she had +brought with her. + +Reynolds drank this more leisurely, the woman watching him closely all +the time. + +"Thank you," he said, when he had finished. "I feel better now. But +please tell me where I am, and how I came----" + +The words died upon his lips, for in the doorway Glen had suddenly +appeared. She looked at him, and with a bright smile upon her face, +came to his side. So surprised was Reynolds that he was unable to +utter a word. He merely stared, so great was his astonishment. + +"I hope I have not startled you," the girl began. "You look +frightened." + +"But where have you come from?" Reynolds asked, not yet sure that he +was in his right mind. + +"From the other room, of course," and again Glen smiled. "You need not +look at me that way for I am no ghost. I do not feel like one, anyway." + +Reynolds gave a sigh of relief, and a thrill of joy swept over him. It +was almost too good to be true. He had found the girl at last! + +"Are you feeling better now?" Glen asked. + +Reynolds put his hand to his face, and glanced at the rags upon his +body. + +"I am not sure," he doubtfully replied. "But perhaps I shall when this +beard is removed and I get some decent clothes. I must be a fearful +looking object." + +"I have seen you look better. But, then, you need not worry, Klota +will attend to you presently." + +"And you know who I am?" Reynolds eagerly asked. + +"Certainly. You are my brave rescuer. You saved me from the grizzly +on Crooked Trail, didn't you?" + +"I know I did, but I am surprised that you recognize me in my present +condition." + +"Oh, I knew you as soon as you were taken off the raft." + +"You did! And so it was you who saved me?" + +"I had something to do with it, though not all. But won't you tell me +what happened to you? Why were you adrift on the lake?" + +"I can not tell you now," Reynolds replied. "I want to forget the +terrible experiences through which I have just passed. I hope you do +not mind." + +"No, certainly not. I am only curious, that's all. When you get well +you can tell me everything. I shall leave you now, for you must be +tired." + +"Don't go yet," Reynolds pleaded. "It is so nice to have you here, and +talking does not tire me. Do you mind telling me where I am?" + +"Why, at Glen West, of course. Where did you think you are?" + +"Glen West," Reynolds repeated. "I cannot recall that name. Is it far +from Big Draw?" + +"Too far for anyone but you," and the girl smiled. "You are beyond the +Golden Crest, remember, and you have heard what that means." + +"I am! Why, I thought one could only get here by crossing the range." + +"But you came by water; that is the only other way. And it is lucky +for you that you did," she added after a slight pause. + +"You mean that my life would be in danger had I come over Golden Crest?" + +"Most likely." + +"And am I safe now?" + +The sunny expression vanished from Glen's eyes, and her face became +serious. She gazed out of the window, as if watching several Indian +children at play. To Reynolds she had never seemed more beautiful, and +he could hardly believe it possible that she was standing there but a +few feet away. She turned her face suddenly to his, and the look of +admiration in his eyes brought a deep flush to her cheeks. + +"Pardon me for not answering your question at once," she began. "I am +afraid you are not safe, as you are on forbidden ground, though the +fact that you were brought here in a helpless condition may make a +difference. But, then, one can never tell what daddy will think about +it." + +"Does your father know I am here?" + +"Not yet. He has been away in the hills for some time, and we are +expecting him home at any minute." + +"What do you suppose he will do with me? I fear he will find my bones +poor picking after what I have gone through." + +"Oh, daddy is not such a cannibal as all that," Glen laughingly +replied. "But he is very jealous of this place, as others have found +out to their sorrow. I cannot understand him at times, although he is +very good to me." + +"Have you lived here long?" + +"Ever since I was a child. But I am tired of it now, and want to live +outside. I was satisfied until I attended the Seminary and saw +something of the world beyond the Golden Crest. What is the use of +having an education if one must always live in a place like this?" + +"I agree with you," Reynolds emphatically declared. "You should induce +your father to go outside." + +"You do not know daddy, or you would not speak about inducing him. +But, there, I must go. I have been talking too much, and you are +tired." + +Reynolds lay there thinking about Glen long after she had gone. He had +found her at last, and she was just as sweet and beautiful as the day +he had rescued her on Crooked Trail. Yes, he had found her, but was he +not as far from gaining her as ever? he asked himself. He thought +about her father, and wondered what he would do when he returned home. +Perhaps he would pack him at once across the Golden Crest, if he did no +worse. But what could be worse than to be driven from her who had +become so dear to him, and for whose sake he had ventured and suffered +so much? + +The next morning he felt almost like his former self, and when Klota +brought him his breakfast, he informed her that he was going to get up. +The woman smiled, left the room, and returned when Reynolds had +finished the meal, and viewed with satisfaction the empty dishes. + +"Did you cook my breakfast?" Reynolds asked. + +"Ah, ah," was the reply. "Good, eh?" + +"Good! It's the best I've had in a long time. I feel like a new man +this morning, and must get up. I wish I had a shave, a bath, and some +decent clothes. Look at these," and he pointed to his rags. + +"Come," the woman simply ordered. "Me fix you, all right." + +Reynolds at once got up, and followed her into the kitchen. He was +greatly surprised at the neatness of the place, as he had no idea that +an Indian woman could be such a good housekeeper. Klota noted his look +of wonder, and smiled. + +"Injun all sam' white woman, eh?" she queried. + +"Why, yes. You do all this?" + +"Ah, ah. All sam' beeg house." + +She then opened a door to the left, and pointed within. + +"See. All sam' white woman. All sam' Missie Glen. Savvey?" + +Reynolds certainly did understand, and with an exclamation of surprise +and delight, he entered the little room, where he found a bath-tub +partly filled with water, clean towels, a suit of clothes, and a +shaving-outfit. + +"Where did all these things come from?" he asked. + +"Sconda fix 'em all sam' beeg house. Savvey?" + +"And are these clothes for me?" + +"Ah, ah. Missie Glen send 'em." + +Reynolds asked no more questions just then. He was more than satisfied +at the kindness he was receiving. He believed it was due to Glen, and +that she had instructed the Indians to do all in their power for his +comfort. This filled his heart with gladness, for it told him that the +girl was interested in his welfare, and that she looked upon him with +kindly eyes. He was beginning to understand, too, something of Jim +Weston's influence among the Indians. He had taught them the value of +cleanliness, at any rate, and if all the natives in the place were like +Klota and her husband, it must be an ideal settlement. + +An hour later Reynolds came forth looking like a new man, and greatly +refreshed after his bath. Klota's eyes beamed their approval as he +stood before her. + +"Do I look better now?" he asked. + +"Good," was the reply. "All sam' white man. No Injun now." + +Reynolds laughed as he went out of the house. The woman amused him, +although he was most grateful for her kindness. It was a beautiful +morning, and not a ripple ruffled the surface of the lake. The village +was astir with life, the voices of children and the barking of dogs +resounding on every side. No one interfered with him as he walked +slowly along the street, but he could easily tell that he was being +watched by many curious eyes. He had the feeling, too, that he was a +prisoner, and while he could roam about at will, to escape would be +impossible. The strong burly Indians he saw seemed to have nothing to +do, but he knew that this was their idle season, and that during the +winter they would be off to their hunting-grounds. + +Reynolds was much interested in the store which he presently reached. +A couple of Indians were in charge, who nodded to him as he entered, +but apparently paid no further attention to him after their formal +salutation. The building was well filled with all kinds of goods, and +resembled a large up-to-date store in some large country town such as +he had often seen. The sight of pipes and tobacco made him realise +that he had not smoked for days, and having his money with him, he soon +made his purchase. He stayed for a while at the store, smoking, and +watching the customers as they came and went. It was all of +considerable interest to him, and he beheld in this trading-place +another tangible evidence of Jim Weston's influence. + +He spent the rest of the morning wandering about the village, and it +was noon by the time he returned to the house, which for the present he +called home. Here he found Sconda near the back door carefully +examining a large bearskin. He turned as the young man approached, and +without the least sign of surprise, motioned to the skin. + +"See um?" he asked. "Beeg skin, eh?" + +"It certainly is," was the reply. "A grizzly?" + +"Ah, ha. You shoot um, eh?" + +"Why, that's not the one I shot on Crooked Trail, is it?" Reynolds +asked in astonishment. + +"Ah, ah. All sam' bear. Skin dry bimeby." + +"What are you going to do with it? Will you let me have it?" + +Sconda shook his head as he again felt the skin. + +"Missie Glen get skin bimeby." + +"Is it for her?" + +"Ah, ah. She want skin. She send Injuns to Deep Gulch. She tell +Sconda make good skin. Bimeby Missie Glen put skin in room, all sam' +dis," and Sconda stooped and spread his hands over the ground. + +Reynolds understood, and his heart bounded with joy. So Glen was going +to keep the skin as a souvenir of her rescue on Crooked Trail. Then +she must care something for him after all, more than he had expected. +The thought made him happier than he had been for days, and he was +grateful to Sconda for what he had told him. + +That afternoon Glen came again to see him. She was greatly pleased at +the change in his appearance, and suggested that they should go for a +spin upon the creek. + +"I want to show you what a beautiful place Glen West really is," she +told him. "We can take Sconda's canoe, which is at the shore." + +Reynolds was delighted, and eagerly he agreed to the proposition. Glen +seated herself in the middle of the canoe, and the deft manner in which +she handled the paddle showed that she was well accustomed to the +water. Reynolds paddled aft, and headed the light craft up the creek. + +"I am anxious for you to see what a wonderful piece of water this arm +of the lake is," Glen remarked. "I have never seen anything like it in +the north, and we are all very proud of it. Oh, if more people could +only see it!" + +She sighed as she drove the paddle into the water. Reynolds was more +intent upon watching the graceful poise of her body as it swayed to the +rhythmic stroke of the paddle than he was in viewing the scenery. He +could hardly believe it true that she was seated there before him, and +that he was privileged to watch her to his heart's content. He was +very happy, and to him Glen West was the most delightful place in the +world. + +At length they came in front of the big house, and when Reynolds saw +it, and also _The Frontiersman_ lying at her wharf, his interest was +intense. He ceased paddling, and stared in amazement. + +"Am I dreaming, or have I taken leave of my senses?" he asked. + +Glen laughed, as she rested on her paddle, and turned partly around. + +"That is where I live," she explained. "And that is our boat. You +were brought in on it the day we picked you up on the lake." + +Reynolds made no immediate reply, but drove his paddle suddenly into +the water. He knew that this girl had been largely instrumental in +saving his life, and he was learning more and more what an important +part she was playing in his life, and how one by one the links were +being formed to bind them closer together. + +Reynolds believed that he had seen the most wonderful sights in the +north, but he had to confess that the grandest of all had been reserved +for him that afternoon. As they moved on their way, the creek +narrowed, and passing through an opening with high frowning rocks on +both sides, they ran into a body of water of unruffled calmness, with +steep banks, wooded to the shores. On the left rose the high ridge of +the Golden Crest, as it shouldered in close to the stream, while on the +right towered another crest, grand and austere. Their pinnacles were +reflected in the lake, which was one of nature's jewels of surpassing +brilliance, set by unseen hands on the fair bosom of the virgin north. + +Many were the things the happy young couple talked about that +afternoon. They did not paddle all the time, but often were content to +let the canoe drift or lie still along the shore. Glen described the +life at the Seminary and at Glen West, while Reynolds told of his +terrible experiences in the hills and his voyage on the raft down the +river. + +"I am afraid that Frontier Samson is still hunting for me," he said. +"He is a fine old man, so kind and humorous. Have you ever met him, +Miss Weston?" + +"Not to my knowledge," was the reply, "although I have heard a great +deal about him." + +"He has never been here, I suppose?" + +"Oh, no. Daddy never permits any white man to come, not even that old +prospector." + +"But I am here," Reynolds reminded. + +"I know you are. But you came in a different way, you see. I believe +you are the first white man who ever stayed this length of time here." + +"I would like to stay here forever," Reynolds fervently declared. "I +have never been so happy in my life as I have been since I came to this +place. I wonder what your father will do when he comes home." + +"I wish I knew," and Glen sighed. "Anyway, it's no use to worry about +that now. Let us enjoy ourselves while we can." + +It was supper time when they at length reached Sconda's shore, where +they pulled the canoe out of the water. They then walked up to the +house, talking and laughing like two children. They had just reached +the street, when a strange noise to their left arrested their +attention. Looking in that direction, they saw a number of Indian men +and children surrounding a man, who was evidently a prisoner. As they +drew nearer, Reynolds saw that it was a white man, and that his hands +were tied behind his back. + +"Another prisoner, I believe," he remarked. "I shall have company." + +Then he gave a sudden start, and took a quick step forward as if to +obtain a better view. + +"Why, it's Curly!" he exclaimed. "What in the world is he doing here!" + +But Glen made no reply. Her eyes were fixed upon the prisoner, and her +face was very white, as she turned slightly, as if about to flee into +the house. In another minute Curly was near, and a most wretched +figure he presented. His clothes were torn and his face dirty and +bleeding. He had apparently received severe treatment at the hands of +his captors. He walked with a shambling and unsteady gait, with his +eyes fixed upon the ground. But as he came to where Glen and Reynolds +were standing, he suddenly lifted his head, and seeing the two, he +stopped dead in his tracks. For an instant he stared as if he had not +seen aright. Then his face became contorted with a mingled expression +of surprise and hatred. He strained at his bonds in a desperate effort +to free himself, but he was immediately checked by his Indian +guardians, who caught him by the arms, and hustled him along. He +struggled violently for a few seconds, pouring forth at the same time a +stream of blood-curdling oaths, abuse and vile words, which caused Glen +to put her hands to her ears, and flee hurriedly into the house, while +Reynolds slowly followed. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +JIM WESTON + +Glen's mind was greatly agitated as she made her way slowly homeward. +Curly's presence was the cause of this, as she feared that her father +would be so angry with the villain that it would make it hard for +Reynolds. He might imagine that the two were in league with each +other, as they were both from Big Draw. She despised Curly, knowing +what a vile loathsome creature he was, and she had a very fair idea why +he had ventured across the Golden Crest. Had he not avowed his +affection for her at the dance, and had told her that he would run any +risk to meet her again? How glad she had been that night when Sconda +came for her, and she could free herself from her unwelcome and +insistent suitor. And Curly was now a prisoner at Glen West! She +shuddered as she recalled the look on his face when he saw her and +Reynolds together. And his language! She could not get the terrible +words out of her mind. The meaning of some she did not know, never +having heard them before, but she fully realised that they must be very +bad, or else Curly would not have used them in his rage. And should he +now escape, there was no telling what his revengeful spirit might lead +him to do, either to herself, or to him who was now beginning to mean +so much to her. + +Thinking thus, she reached the house, and as soon as she entered she +knew that her father was at home, for the door of his private room was +open. He was seated at his desk when he turned and saw her. Springing +to his feet, he caught her in his arms, kissed her on both cheeks, and +then holding her at the full length of his powerful arms, he looked +eagerly and lovingly upon her now flushed and excited face. + +"Why, you are getting better looking every day," he declared. "Just +like your dear mother at her age. My, my, how the time has gone! and +it seems but yesterday that I first met her. But, there, there, I must +not give way to such feelings on this my first night home. Come, sit +by my side and tell me all about yourself, and how things are going at +Glen West." + +For the first time in her young life Glen was sorry that her father had +come home. She was really more than sorry, for a nameless fear +possessed her heart, which restrained her usual free and happy manner. +Her father's keen intuition noted this, and that her words seemed +forced. Her enthusiasm over his arrival was not so hearty and natural +as formerly, and he wondered why. + +"What is the matter, dear?" he asked after Glen had somewhat haltingly +told him about her music and certain household affairs. "You do not +seem like yourself. Has anything out of the ordinary happened at Glen +West since I have been away?" + +"Yes, lots of things, daddy," was the reply. "One of the most +important is your absence from home for such a length of time. You +should be ashamed of yourself." + +Weston laughed, although he felt quite sure that she was evading the +real issue. + +"I am sorry, dear, and I make my humble confession now. But what else +of importance has been taking place?" + +"I was nearly eaten up by a bear on Crooked Trail, and it was a grizzly +at that." + +Glen was surprised that her father did not seem more concerned, and she +told him so. + +"You take it very coolly, daddy. Just think, you might have come home +and not found me here." + +"I am very thankful that you escaped, dear, but did I not forbid your +going so far alone beyond the Golden Crest? I hope your experience has +taught you a lesson. How were you saved from the grizzly?" + +"Oh, a hunter shot it just in the nick of time," Glen explained as +indifferently as possible, although she knew that her cheeks were +aflame. "And, oh, daddy, you should have seen the shot he made; it was +wonderful!" + +"Where was the hunter from, Glen?" + +"From Big Draw mining camp, so I understand." + +"Were you talking to him?" + +"Yes, just for a few minutes." + +"And have you seen him since?" + +Glen's eyes dropped and the flush left her cheeks. Her father noted +this, and he laid his right hand suddenly upon her arm. + +"Speak, Glen, and tell me at once whether you have seen him since." + +Something in her father's voice startled the girl, and she looked up +quickly into his face. + +"Tell me," he again demanded. "What is the matter? Have you seen that +man lately?" + +"Yes, I have." + +"Where?" + +"Here." + +"At Glen West? He has been here, and you have seen him? Are you sure?" + +"I am certain. I was with him this afternoon in the canoe. But, +daddy, what is the matter? Oh, don't get angry. I didn't do anything +wrong." + +Jim Weston had risen to his feet, and was looking down upon his +daughter. He was a powerfully-built man, of more than ordinary height. +The northern winter was in his thick hair and heavy moustache, while +his steady light-blue eyes and firm, well-built chin betokened a strong +will power of unyielding determination. Glen had often expressed her +unbounded admiration for her father, and believed him to be the most +handsome man in the world. But now he seemed like an avenging god, +about to visit upon her the force of his wrath. For the first time in +her life she cowered before him, and hid her face in her hands. + +"And you say that your rescuer is here?" Weston at length asked. "When +did he come, and where is he staying?" + +"We saved him from a raft out on the lake just before that fearful +storm," Glen faintly replied. "He was almost dead, and in a minute +more he would have been drowned. Oh, it was terrible! He is now at +Sconda's." + +"Another miner's trick, I suppose, to get here," Weston growled. "It +has been tried before, but with scanty success. This must be one more +fool who was trying the same game." + +"He is not a fool," Glen stoutly protested, lifting her eyes defiantly +to her father's face. "Mr. Reynolds is a gentleman. He is different +from the rest of the miners." + +"What was he doing out on the lake?" her father asked. + +"He got lost in the hills, and nearly died. He drifted down the Tasan +River on a raft which he built. He was almost starved to death." + +"And what was he doing in the hills?" + +"Prospecting, so he told me. He was with Frontier Samson, and, going +after a moose, lost his way." + +"H'm," Weston grunted. "A trumped-up yarn, no doubt. Don't you think +it looks rather suspicious?" + +"It might if it were someone else. But he is different, and I believe +he told me the truth." + +"Well, we shall soon find out, Glen. If he begins any of his lies or +fancy tales to me, he will learn his mistake. I am not going to have +any young man wandering about this region, let me tell you that. It +has been tried too often already, so we might as well make a special +example of him in order to warn others. It's the 'Ordeal' for him, all +right." + +At these words Glen sprang to her feet and confronted her father. Her +eyes were blazing with intense emotion, and Jim Weston stared at her in +amazement. A feeling of pride welled up within him at her appearance +and courage. + +"You shall not lay hands on him," Glen passionately declared. "He is +an innocent man, and it would be unjust to hurt him." + +"Glen, Glen, what is the meaning of this?" her father demanded. "You +seem to be greatly interested in this fellow. I am surprised at you." + +"I am interested, daddy. Nay, I am more than interested, for I love +him with my whole heart, so there. Don't you dare to touch him." + +The strain of this interview was telling upon Glen. As soon as this +confession had left her lips, she was wild with regret. Why had she +done this? she asked herself, as she stood with big staring eyes +watching her father. What would he say? What would he not do to her? +Her body trembled, a weakness swept upon her, and sinking down into her +chair, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed as if her heart +would break. + +If Jim Weston was astonished before, he was dumbfounded now at what his +daughter had told him. His heart went out in a great rush of pity to +his only child and he longed to take her in his arms and comfort her. +But he felt that he must be firm and not give way to any feeling of +emotion at a time like this. Instead, he laid his hand somewhat +heavily upon her shoulder. + +"Does this fellow, Reynolds, know of your love?" he asked. + +"No, no; he has not the least idea of it," was the low reply. + +"And he has not avowed his love to you? Are you sure?" + +"I am certain. He has never given the least sign that he cares for me +more than if I were an ordinary acquaintance. But he is a gentleman +both in word and action." + +For a few minutes Jim Weston stood lost in thought. It seemed to Glen +as if he would never speak. The silence of the room was so intense +that she was sure her fast-beating heart could be distinctly heard. + +"I must have time to think this over, Glen," her father at length +informed her. "You may go now and get ready for supper. Nannie has +been kept waiting too long already." + +Never before had Glen heard her father speak to her in such a cold, +peremptory manner. Slowly she rose to her feet and walked across the +room. Her head was aching, and she was glad to get away, anywhere in +order that she might be alone, and from her father's stern, accusing +eyes. + +She had almost reached the door, when Sconda stood suddenly before her. +She paused, while the Indian entered and walked at once toward his +master. + +"Well, Sconda, what is it?" the latter demanded, annoyed at the +native's intrusion at this critical moment. "Anything wrong?" + +Weston spoke in the Indian language, with which he was most familiar. + +"Big White Chief," Sconda began, "the Golden Crest has been crossed. +Another white man is here." + +"I know it," was the curt reply. "He came by water this time, so I +understand." + +"Not by water, Big White Chief, but through the pass, over Crooked +Trail." + +"He did! Why, Glen, you told me he came by way of the lake. Have you +been deceiving me, girl?" + +"Indeed I have not," was the emphatic and somewhat angry denial. "I am +surprised that you think I would deceive you, daddy. Sconda refers to +someone else. It is Curly who came by the pass, and not Mr. Reynolds." + +"Curly! Curly here, did you say?" Weston almost shouted the words, and +so fierce did he look that the Indian retreated a step. + +"Ah, ah, Curly here," Sconda replied. + +"When did he come?" + +"To-day. He was caught as he came through the pass. He shot, but +missed." + +"Where is he now?" + +"At Taku's." + +Weston placed his hand to his forehead in perplexity. + +"This is certainly a great home-coming," he muttered. "Trouble +everywhere, with white men entering the place by lake and pass. Look, +Sconda, bring Curly here in one hour. See?" + +The Indian merely nodded. + +"And get ready for the Ordeal at once. Savvey?" + +"Ah, ah, Sconda savvey," was the reply, and with that he left the house. + +Glen went, too, without another word to her father, and hurried to her +own room. It was a cozy place, fitted up with every comfort, and she +loved it dearly. But now it seemed to her like a prison. She longed +to throw herself upon the bed and give vent to her feelings in a flood +of tears. But she knew that her father would be expecting her +downstairs, so it was necessary to make haste. + +When at last she entered the dining-room, Weston was already there, +talking with Nannie. The latter noticed Glen's pale face, but made no +comment. With her naturally keen intuition, she divined the cause of +the trouble and discreetly said nothing. + +During the meal Weston seemed like an altogether different man, and +talked and laughed in the most animated manner. He told a number of +his experiences in the hills, several of which were of a humorous +nature. Glen tried to be interested, although she found it difficult +to follow what her father was saying. He puzzled her more than ever. +Why was he so stern and cruel at times, and again so bright and merry? +He did not seem the least angry now at her, neither was he apparently +concerned about the two prisoners at Glen West. + +When supper was ended, Weston pushed back his chair and lighted a cigar. + +"My, that tastes good," he commented. "It's the first I've had in a +long time. Now for some music, Glen." + +Music! Glen started and looked at her father, as if she had not heard +aright. What did he mean? Was he going to add further torture to her +racked brain by asking her to play and sing? She had hardly spoken a +word during the meal, and had barely tasted her food. This Weston +noted, and he well understood the reason. How much will she safely +stand? he asked himself. He was about to repeat his suggestion, when +Sconda arrived, and with him came Curly, guarded by two stalwart +Indians. Glen breathed a sigh of relief at this timely interruption, +and leaving the table, she fled at once to the seclusion of her own +room. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE ORDEAL + +"What are you doing here?" + +Curly was a sorry looking specimen of humanity as he stood before his +stern questioner, the ruler of Glen West. His clothes were torn, and +his face dirty and unshaven. His eyes glowed with a sullen light of +hatred, mingled with a nameless fear as he glanced furtively around the +room. + +"What are you doing here?" Weston repeated. "Why don't you answer? +Are you deaf?" + +"I was prospectin'," was the surly reply. + +"Where?" + +"In the hills, north of Crooked Trail." + +"And why did you come through the pass?" + +"Me pardner an' I got lost; that's why." + +"Who was your partner?" + +"Slim Fales, from Big Draw." + +"Where is he now?" + +"Search me. He escaped, while I got pinched." + +"Did you expect to find gold near the Golden Crest?" + +"We thought it worth the try." + +"You know better now, don't you?" + +Curly made no reply, but kept his eyes fixed upon the floor. + +"It seems to me that you were prospecting for something more valuable +than gold, weren't you?" Weston queried. + +"What do you mean?" and Curly lifted his head. + +"You were prospecting for a woman, and that woman happens to be my +daughter. Deny it, if you dare." + +"I do deny it," Curly stoutly protested. "Your daughter is nothing to +me." + +Jim Weston's right hand toyed with a paper-weight on his desk, and his +eyes gleamed with anger. + +"You lie, Curly, and you know it," he charged. "You have had your foul +eyes upon my daughter ever since you first saw her. You have declared +over and over again that one day she would be yours." + +Curly's face grew livid, and he tried to speak. But Weston lifted his +hand. + +"Wait until I am through," he thundered. "Have you not used my +daughter's name very often while gambling? And did you not bet a short +time ago at Big Draw that you would cross the Golden Crest and lure my +daughter to a fate worse than death? You know it is true, and yet you +have the impudence to stand here and deny it." + +Curly's eyes were again fixed upon the floor, and he made no reply to +this accusation. His terror of this man was becoming great. How did +he know so much? he asked himself. + +"Now, what should be done to a thing like you?" Weston continued. +"Your record is well known, not only here but all along the coast. No +innocent woman or girl is safe when you are around, and you are a +menace to any community. You leave the marks of your filthy trail +wherever you go. And you are not alone in your villainous deeds, for +there are others just like you, who defy the laws of God and man. So +far you have escaped, but now you shall pay for your vile and cowardly +acts. It would be a sin to allow a creature like you to remain at +large. It is far better to settle with you immediately and thus make +you incapable of doing more harm in the future. You took it upon +yourself to enter Glen West to ruin my daughter, and you must abide by +the result." + +Curly fully understood the meaning of these words, and his face +blanched with terror. He lifted his eyes and tried to speak. But +intelligible words failed to come, for he was almost paralyzed with +fear. + +"Death is too good a punishment for you," Weston resumed. "But as that +is about the only thing which will strike terror into the hearts of +human devils, of which you are the chief, it must be done. It may +teach others to keep clear of Glen West after this." + +With a howl Curly dropped upon his knees. His teeth chattered, and his +body trembled violently. He stretched out his hands in a beseeching +manner. + +"For God's sake, don't kill me!" he yelled. "Let me go, an' I swear +I'll never come near this place again." + +"H'm, you are too late with your prayers, Curly. It's nothing less +than the Ordeal for you now, so stop your yelps. If you don't of your +own accord, we shall be forced to do something to make you." + +He then turned to Sconda and gave a brief order in the Indian tongue. +The next instant Curly was hurried out of the house, and down the trail +leading to the village. + +Weston sat for a while in his room after the others had gone. The grim +expression had now left his face, and his eyes twinkled, while a smile +lurked about the corners of his mouth. Anyone watching would have +pronounced him the most hardened villain in existence. How could a man +smile who had just sentenced a fellow creature to death? This man's +heart must be hard and cold as an iceberg. But Weston's thoughts were +evidently not unpleasant, and when he at length picked up his hat and +left the house he was in an excellent frame of mind. Could Glen have +seen him then she would have wondered more than ever. + +The light of day had not yet faded from the land, although the high +ridge of the Golden Crest placed the village in deep shadows. The sky +was heavy with big clouds, presaging a storm. The wind was steadily +increasing, and Weston knew that the rain would shortly be upon them. + +He continued on his way down through the village, past the store and +the last house in the place until he came to the edge of a thicket of +firs and jack-pines. Here he paused and listened intently, but no +sound could he hear. Advancing fifty yards more, he left the main +thoroughfare and entered upon a narrow trail leading down toward the +lake. The trees were thicker here, and the ground suddenly sloped to a +valley a short distance ahead. Weston needed no light to guide him, +and he walked with the assurance of one well acquainted with his +surroundings. + +In a few minutes a light gleamed through the trees, and a smile of +satisfaction overspread Weston's face. He knew that the natives were +obeying orders and doing their part. Beyond was a small clearing, and +coming to the edge of this, he again paused and watched unseen all that +was taking place. + +It was a most gruesome spot, this Valley of the Ordeal, and Curly was +by no means the first who had been conducted hither. But no one had +ever come in a more cringing manner than did this latest victim. Some +had shown the craven spirit, and had begged for mercy, while others had +fought and cursed their captors. But Curly was different. Whatever +spark of manhood he possessed deserted him the moment he left the big +house on the hill. He sank upon the ground, and his guards had to drag +him along by main force. + +He wept and moaned all the way through the village until the valley was +reached. Then what he beheld struck him dumb with terror, and for a +while he sat crouched upon the ground, staring wild-eyed upon the +Indians as they began their preparations for the Ordeal. + +There were about two dozen natives present, and they knew their work +thoroughly, due, no doubt, to considerable experience in the past. +Near the edge of the thicket, on the opposite side of the clearing from +where Weston was standing, was the blackened stump of a big fir tree. +To this Curly was dragged, and several of the men were forced to hold +him up while he was being securely bound with his back to the trunk. +About his feet dry wood was then placed, and half way up his body. +When this had been accomplished, the Indians formed themselves in a +circle about the unhappy man, and began to chant a slow weird dirge in +the native tongue. + +Between them and the tree of punishment a small fire was burning, and +the light from this clearly exposed the face of the bound man. His +eyes were dilated with terror, his weak lower jaw had dropped, and his +mouth was wide open. So overcome was he, that he had no strength left +to stand, so his entire weight rested upon his bonds. Never was there +a more pitiable object of abject terror and cowardice. But the Indians +did not seem in the least affected by their captive's misery. With +stern, impassive faces they went on with their chanting, which steadily +increased in weirdness as they continued. + +At length they ceased, and at once Sconda seized a burning brand from +the fire and approached the prisoner. Then wild shrieks rent the air +as Curly frantically struggled to free himself. He might as well have +addressed his words to the trees which surrounded him, as to those grim +natives of the north. + +Sconda had already stooped, as if to touch the brand to the inflammable +material about the victim's feet, when Weston stepped within the ring, +and ordered him to wait. Sconda immediately straightened himself up +and stepped back. + +"Save me! Save me!" Curly yelled. "Don't let these devils burn me! +For God's sake, save me! Oh, oh!" + +For a few seconds Weston stood with folded arms looking upon the +helpless man. Then his lips curled in a sarcastic smile. + +"You've got only yourself to blame for this," he began. "Did you not +bet that you would defy all the power of Glen West, and lure my +daughter to her ruin? You can't deny it." + +"No, no, I don't deny it. I was a fool, a madman. But save me, oh, +save me! Don't let them burn me!" + +"Do you think you are worth saving, Curly Inkles? You are a +plague-spot in any community. You have brought untold misery upon many +innocent ones, and why should you be allowed to do so to others?" + +"I will never do any harm again," Curly whined. "I swear by all that +is holy that I will change my life." + +"Bah, I wouldn't give the snap of a finger for all the oaths you make, +Curly. You don't know the meaning of an oath. Your soul is so seared +and blackened that one might as well try to change that stump to which +you are bound into a living one as to transform you into a good +citizen. No, it is better for you to be off the earth than on it." + +"But it's murder!" Curly yelled. "Would you murder a helpless man? +You will hang for it, and all these devils here." + +"How do you dare to speak about murdering a helpless man?" Weston +asked. "What happened to Bill Ducett, at Black Ravine?" + +At these words Curly's eyes fairly started from their sockets, and the +perspiration poured down his face in great beads. + +"W-what d'ye know about that?" he gasped. "W-who are you, anyway?" + +"Oh, never mind who I am, or how much I know. It is sufficient for the +present to say that I have all the knowledge necessary to stretch your +neck. You have now run the length of your wild career, and it shows +you that it is impossible to escape justice here or anywhere else. +But, there, I've wasted too much time talking to you, so get ready." + +"Oh, oh, don't burn me!" Curly shrieked, as Weston turned and spoke to +Sconda. + +"Burn you? No!" was the contemptuous reply. "I wouldn't foul this +place by burning a thing like you; it wouldn't be fair to others who +have been brought here. They all were men with some sparks of +manliness and spirit left in their bodies. But you, bah!" + +He motioned to Sconda, who at once cut the bonds, and Curly fell +forward at Weston's feet. + +"Get up," the latter ordered, "and never let me catch you again on this +side of the Golden Crest. The Indians will deal with you now. After +that, they will dump you beyond the pass, and the sooner you hit the +trail for Big Draw the better it will be for you. Thank your stars, +Curly Inkles, that you have escaped this time." + +There was much suppressed excitement in Glen West that night, for many +had heard the shrieks of terror from the Valley of the Ordeal. But no +one dared to question the four and twenty men who later that evening +crowded into the store where they received a liberal supply of tobacco +ordered by their Big White Chief. They were men who could be trusted, +and they well knew how to keep a secret. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +MAN TO MAN + +Reynolds learned from Klota of Weston's return home, and he was anxious +to meet the man who ruled Glen West, and was so greatly feared by the +miners throughout the country. He could not believe that the father of +such a girl as Glen could be the monster he had been depicted. He +wished to see and learn for himself what the man was really like, and +he hoped that he would be sent for at once to give an account of +himself. Nothing, however, happened that evening, and he saw no more +of Glen. + +He was seated near the house when Curly was dragged by on his way to +the Valley of the Ordeal. Although the shadows of evening were heavy, +Reynolds realised who the victim was, and that he was being taken away +for punishment, of what nature he could not tell. Going into the +house, he questioned Klota, but received no satisfaction. The woman +merely shook her head, and refused to give any information. This both +puzzled and worried him. There was some mystery connected with this +affair, and he made up his mind to find out what it was. + +Hurrying down the street and past the store, he was almost to the edge +of the thicket, when several natives barred his way, and sternly +ordered him to go back. There was nothing he could do, so he was +reluctantly obliged to obey. He returned to the store, and standing +outside listened intently in an effort to learn whatever he could. +Neither did he have long to wait, for presently up from the gloomy +thicket rose the blood-curdling yells of someone in distress, and he +knew that it must be Curly undergoing the Ordeal, whatever that might +be. A cold chill swept over him, accompanied by a fierce anger. Was +this village the abode of murderers, with Jim Weston as their leader? +he asked himself. Were they murdering Curly down there, and had other +men been treated in a similar manner? And would he himself be the next +victim? + +He had heard enough, and as there was nothing he could do, he went back +to the house, where he passed a sleepless night. He could not get +those cries of distress out of his mind, and he wondered whether he +should not try to escape under cover of night. He banished this idea, +however, as useless. He thought, too, of Glen. Would she allow the +Indians to put him to death? He recalled what she had said about her +father; how little she understood him, and that she had no idea what he +might do. + +Early the next morning he was standing by the side of the lake, when he +saw _The Frontiersman_ cutting through the water, headed downstream. A +lone figure was standing well aft, and he at once recognized it as +Glen. She waved her hand to him as the boat sped by, and he could see +her standing there until a bend in the shore hid her from view. Going +back to the house he learned from Klota that the master of Glen West +had gone down to the Yukon River for his mail. It was always left at +the trading-post by the steamers on their way down river. It generally +took a whole day to make the trip there and back. This information +caused Reynolds considerable disappointment, as he would not be able to +meet Weston or his daughter that day. + +The sun was just disappearing beyond the mountain peaks when _The +Frontiersman_ returned, and ran up the creek to her wharf. Reynolds, +watching, hoped to see Glen upon the deck. But he looked for her in +vain, and he wondered what had become of her. Was it possible that her +father had sent her outside? he asked himself. + +Sconda did not come home for supper, but about an hour later he +appeared with two other Indians, and informed Reynolds that the Big +White Chief wished to see him. Reynolds now knew that the critical +moment had arrived, so without the least hesitation he accompanied his +guards, who conducted him at once to the big house on the hill. + +Jim Weston was seated at his desk as the prisoner was ushered in. The +first glance at the man told Reynolds that he was a person who would +stand no nonsense or quibbling. Boldness must be met with boldness, +and nothing but candour and truthfulness would serve him now. He +looked about the room. Shelves well filled with books showed that +their owner was a reader and a student. The walls were adorned with +trophies of the chase, such as fine antlers of moose, caribou, and +great horns of mountain sheep, while several large and valuable bear +and wolf-skin rugs were stretched out upon the floor. + +"What are you doing here, young man?" + +These words deliberately uttered brought Reynolds back from his +contemplation of the room. + +"Do you really want to know?" he asked, looking Weston full in the eyes. + +"Certainly. What did I ask you for, then?" + +"Well, I am here because I was brought in on your boat." + +"I know that," wag the impatient reply. "But what were you doing in +this region?" + +"I was looking for your daughter, sir. That's what I was doing." + +Jim Weston's eyes grew suddenly big with amazement at this candid +confession. Had the prisoner made any other reply he would have known +at once what to say. But to see him standing so calmly there, looking +him straight in the eyes, disconcerted him for a minute. + +"Looking for my daughter, were you?" he at length found voice to ask. + +"That's just it. But she found me instead." + +"Are you not afraid to make such a confession, young man?" + +"Afraid! Of what?" + +"Of what might happen to you." + +Reynolds shrugged his shoulders, and smiled. + +"Why should I be afraid? I have done nothing wrong. You are the one, +sir, to blame." + +"I!" Weston exclaimed in astonishment. + +"Yes, you, for possessing such a captivating daughter. Why, she won my +heart the first time I saw her. She is the most charming girl I ever +met, and it was love at first sight with me." + +"Look here," and Weston shifted uneasily in his chair. "Are you in +earnest, or are you making fun of me? Do you realise what you are +saying? Have you the least idea what my daughter means to me? Why, +she is more to me than life, and all my interests are bound up in her." + +"I can well understand it, sir. And let me tell you that you are not +the only one. She is also to me more than life, and all my interests +as well as yours are bound up in her." + +"You certainly have a great deal of impudence to speak in such a manner +about my daughter," Weston retorted. "You surely must have heard what +a risk it would be to venture into Glen West. Others have come here in +the past, and I suppose you have some idea how they fared." + +"I am not worried about what happened to them, sir. From what I know, +I believe they deserved all that came to them. But my case is +different. I love your daughter, and merely came to see her. If she +does not return my love, that is all there is about it. I shall go +away and trouble her no more." + +"And so you were willing to run such a risk with the vague uncertainty +of winning my daughter? Did you stop to count the cost?" + +"I did. But it has been said by one, who is considered an authority, +that + + "'He is not worthy of the honey-comb + 'That shuns the hive because the bees have stings.'" + +"Who said that?" Weston asked. + +"No less a person than Master Shakespeare himself. He is a safe guide +to all young lovers." + +"I like those words," and Weston glanced toward his books. "I have +read much in Shakespeare, but cannot remember that saying. I admire +your spirit, too, and it is a great pity that you have not used it in +some other cause. Were you alone in this fool-chase of yours?" + +"Not at all. For a while I had the company of a fine old man, Frontier +Samson by name. No doubt you have heard of him." + +"Indeed, I have, and a bigger rascal never lived." + +"Rascal! do you say?" + +"Yes, and a mean one at that. He is a deceiver, and should be driven +out of the country. He has given me more trouble than any man I ever +met." + +"Then the fault must be yours, sir, and I am sorry for you. That old +prospector has been to me a true friend ever since I met him on the +Northern Light. I fear he is much worried over my disappearance, and +no doubt he thinks that I am lying dead somewhere in the wilderness." + +"H'm, don't you worry about him. Most likely he is pleased to be rid +of you." + +"I cannot believe that of him," Reynolds stoutly defended. "Anyway, he +would not treat a man as a prisoner and a criminal such as you do. He +is a true friend, so I believe, and one of Nature's gentlemen." + +"A queer gentleman," and Weston smiled for the first time during the +interview. "I am surprised that you consider him as one." + +"I wish I could consider all I have met in the same light. Such men +are altogether too rare. He is the only perfect gentleman, to my way +of thinking, I have encountered since coming north." + +"Do you not consider me one?" + +"Not from what I have so far observed." + +"How dare you say that?" + +"I have always been in the habit of fitting my words to whom I am +talking. To a gentleman I talk as a gentleman, and to a brute as a +brute." + +"And a brute you consider me. Is that it?" + +"Not altogether. I could not imagine a brute of a man having such a +daughter as you are blest with. There must be something good about +you, but just what it is, I have not yet discovered. But, there, I +have said enough. I want to know why you brought me here. I am not a +child nor a fool, neither am I a criminal, and I do not wish to be +treated as if I were one of them." + +"You had better be careful how you speak," Weston warned. "You are in +my hands, remember, and I can do what I like with you." + +"Can you? But who gave you authority over the lives of others? Did +you not assume it yourself? And to aid you in your work of terrorizing +people, you have gathered around you a band of Indians, who obey your +slightest command." + +"Talk all you like," and again Weston smiled. "Your boldness and +impudence are refreshing after the craven spirits which have appeared +before me in the past. But you will change your tone when you face the +Ordeal." + +"Act like Curly did last night? Is that what you mean?" + +"What! did you hear him?" + +"How could anyone help hearing him? I thought he would uproot the +trees with his yells. What were you doing to him? Sticking pins in +him?" + +"You seem to treat the Ordeal as a joke," and Weston looked keenly at +the young man. + +"And why shouldn't I? In fact, I consider you and your tom-foolery as +the biggest joke I ever heard." + +"But it was no joke to Curly." + +"Apparently not, judging by the noise he made. What did you do with +him?" + +"What did I do with him! Just wait until you see the blackened tree to +which he was bound, and then you won't ask such a question." + +"I can readily understand how Curly would blacken anything he touched, +even a tree. But you didn't burn him. Such a diabolical thing is not +in your makeup." + +"What did I do with him, then?" + +"Scared him almost out of his wits, and then let him go." + +"How did you learn that?" Weston demanded. "Have the Indians been +telling you anything?" + +"I don't have to depend upon the natives for common sense. I have a +little left yet, thank God, and reason tells me that Curly is now +beyond the Golden Crest, cursing and vowing vengeance upon you and your +associates." + +"And no one told you all this?" Weston inquired. "Are you sure?" + +"Certain. No one told me a word. You have your Indians well trained." + +Weston gave a deep sigh of relief, and remained silent for a few +minutes. What he was thinking about Reynolds had not the faintest +idea. Nevertheless, he watched him closely, expecting any instant to +be ordered away for the Ordeal. He believed that his boldness and +straightforward manner had made some impression upon the ruler of Glen +West, but how much he could not tell. + +And as he stood waiting, a sound from the room across the hallway +arrested his attention. It was music, sweet and full of pathos. +Reynolds at once knew that it must be Glen. It could be no other, and +he was determined to see her once more ere her father should drive him +from the place. + +Turning suddenly, he started to leave the room, but his guards sprang +forward and caught him by the arms. Savagely he threw them aside, for +nothing but death, could stop him now. The Indians were about to leap +upon him again, when a sharp command in the native tongue from Weston +caused them to desist. In another second Reynolds was out of the room, +and hurrying toward her for whom he had ventured so much. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE PREPARED ROOM + +The trip down to the big river was not altogether to Glen's liking. +She preferred to stay at home, as she hoped to be able to spend part of +the day with Reynolds, But her father had insisted upon her +accompanying him, for he well knew why she wished to remain behind. + +"It will do you good," he told her. "You need a change." + +"I certainly do," was the emphatic reply. "I wish you would leave this +place, daddy. I am tired living up here, where there are no people of +my own age with whom I can associate." + +Weston looked at his daughter in surprise. + +"You used to be happy here, Glen. What has come over you?" + +"I am older now, daddy, and see things in a different light. What is +the good of my education if I am to spend the rest of my days in a +place like this? The north is all right in a way, but for a girl such +as I am the life is too narrow. It is a splendid region for a person +who wishes to lead the quiet life, but I am not ready for that at +present." + +Weston made no reply to his daughter's words, but remained silent for +some time as he stood with Sconda in the wheel-house. A worried +expression appeared in his eyes, and his brow often knit in perplexity. +He was keenly searching his own heart and mind such as he had not done +in years. It was the first time that Glen had spoken to him so +candidly about leaving the north, and he realised that she meant what +she said. + +There was a large bag of mail waiting for them, at the trading-post, +and among the letters Glen found several from a number of her girl +friends of the Seminary. As she read these on her way back upstream, +she became more discontented than ever. They all told of the good +times the girls were having in their various homes during their +holidays, of parties, auto rides, and the numerous incidents which mean +so much to the young. Glen laid each letter aside with a sigh. It was +the life for which she longed, and what could she write in return? +There was only one event which deeply interested her, and of that she +could not speak. + +She was tired when she reached home, and after supper went at once to +her own room. She took with her a number of books, magazines, and +newspapers, and although the latter were several weeks old, she eagerly +read the doings of the outside world, especially items of news about +persons she knew. She was lying upon a comfortable couch as she read, +near the window fronting the lake. The light from the shaded lamp on +the little table at her head threw its soft beams upon the printed +page, and brought into clear relief the outlines of her somewhat tired +face. It was a face suddenly developed from girlhood into womanhood, +as the bud blossoms into the beautiful flower. Glen's heart cried out +for companionship, and the bright sunshine of happy young lives +surrounding her. + +Throughout the day her thoughts had been much upon him who had recently +come into her life. The sight of him standing upon the shore that +morning had thrilled her, and she longed to give him a word of +encouragement. So lying there this evening, with her paper at length +thrown aside, she wondered what he was doing, and how he was enduring +his captivity. Surely her father would not submit him to the Ordeal +after what she had told him about her love. She tried to think of +something that she could do, but the more she thought the more helpless +she seemed to be. + +At last she arose and went downstairs. She heard voices in her +father's room, but who was with him she could not tell, as the door was +almost closed. Going at once to the piano, she struck the few notes +which brought Reynolds to her side. His unexpected presence startled +her, and by the time she was on her feet, he had her hand in his and +his strong arms around her. Not a word was said for a few seconds as +he held her close. A great happiness such as she had never known +before swept upon her. He loved her! That was the one idea which +surged through her wildly-beating heart. Time was obliterated, fears +and doubts vanished, and with him whom she loved holding her in his +arms, it seemed as if heaven had suddenly opened. Her face was +upturned to his, and in an instant Reynolds bent and imprinted a +fervent kiss upon her slightly parted lips. + +With a start Glen glanced toward the door, and gently untwined her +lover's arms. Her face, flushed before, was scarlet now. Never before +had the lips of man except her father's touched her own, and the +rapture of the sensation was quickly succeeded by a strong maidenly +reserve. What should she do? she asked herself. How could she atone +for her indiscretion? She turned instinctively to the piano. + +"Play. Sing," Reynolds ordered in a low voice, charged with deep +emotion. + +"What shall I play?" Glen faintly asked as she mechanically turned over +several sheets of music. + +"Anything; it doesn't matter, so long as you play. There, that, 'The +Long, Long Trail'; I like it." + +Touching her fingers lightly to the keys, Glen played as well as the +agitated state of her mind would permit. And as she played, Reynolds +sang, such as he had never sung before. Presently Glen joined him, and +thus together they sang the song through. + +Across the hall Weston sat alone and listened. The stern expression +had disappeared from his face, and his head was bowed in his hands. + +"It has been a long, long trail to me," he murmured, "but the end seems +in sight." + +The music of another song now fell upon his ears. Again they were +singing, and he noted how perfectly their voices blended. Ere long the +music was interrupted by laughter, the cause of which Weston could not +tell, but he was fully aware that the young couple were happy together, +and apparently had forgotten all about him. At one time this would +have annoyed him, but it affected him now in a far different manner, at +which he was surprised. + +Glen and Reynolds, however, had not forgotten the silent man in the +other room, and at times they glanced anxiously toward the door. They +both felt that their happiness would soon end, and then would come the +cruel separation. But as the evening wore on and nothing occurred to +mar their pleasure, they wondered, and spoke of it in a low whisper to +each other. They sang several more songs, but most of the time they +preferred to talk in the language which lovers alone know, a language +more expressive in the glance, the flush of the cheeks, and the +accelerated heartbeats, than all the fine words of the masters of +literature. Time to them was a thing of naught, for they were standing +on the confines of that timeless kingdom, described on earth as heaven. + +The entrance of Nannie at length broke the spell, and brought them +speedily back to earth. They knew that she was the bearer of some +message from the master of the house, and what would that message be? +But the woman, merely smiled as she came toward them, and informed +Reynolds that it was getting late, and that his room was ready. + +"Do you mean that I am to spend the night here?" he asked in surprise. + +"It is the master's wish," was the reply. "He gave the order, and your +room is ready. I will show you the way." + +Reynolds glanced at Glen, and the light of joy that was beaming in her +eyes told him all that was necessary. + +"You are the first visitor to spend the night here," she said. "May +your dreams be pleasant, for they are sure to come true. + + "'Dreams to-night which come to you + Will prove at length to be really true.'" + +"May they be pleasant ones, then," Reynolds laughingly replied, as he +reluctantly bade the girl a formal good-night, and followed Nannie out +of the room. + +The latter led him at once upstairs, and showed him into a room on the +west side of the house. Reynolds was astonished at the manner in which +it was furnished. He looked about with undisguised wonder and +admiration. + +"Why, this is a room for a prince!" he exclaimed. "I never slept in +such a luxurious place in my life. Your master must have notable +visitors at times." Then he recalled Glen's words. "But am I really +the first visitor who ever stayed here all night?" + +"You must be the favored one for whom this room has been waiting," the +woman quietly replied. "You must be the prince." + +"And this room has never been occupied before?" + +"Never. When I came here years ago, the master told me that this room +was not to be used, but must always be in readiness, for some day it +would be unexpectedly needed. I never understood his meaning until +to-night. But, there, I must not talk any more. Good-night, sir, and +may sweet dreams be yours." + +Reynolds found it difficult to get to sleep, although the bed was soft +and comfortable, and he was tired after the excitement of the day and +evening. At times he felt that he must be dreaming, for it did not +seem possible that he had again met Glen, held her close, kissed her, +and she had not objected. His heart was filled with happiness, and +when at last he did fall asleep, his dreams were of her. But mingled +with his visions was Curly, who appeared dark and sinister, threatening +not only himself, but her who was so dear to him. He saw the villain +in the act of harming her, while he himself was powerless to assist +her. He was bound, and no matter how he struggled, he was unable to +free himself. + +He awoke with a start, and looked around. It was only a dream, and he +gave a sigh of relief. He then remembered what Glen had said to him +the night before, and he smiled. He was not the least bit +superstitious, and had no belief in such notions. Let Curly or anyone +else attempt to lay hands on the girl he loved, and it would not be +well for him. He knew that the expelled rascal was capable of any +degree of villainy, but that he would venture again near Glen West was +most unlikely. + +It was daylight now, so hurriedly dressing, Reynolds hastened +downstairs. Glen was waiting for him in the dining-room, and a bright +smile of welcome illumined her face as he entered. They were alone, +and Reynolds longed to enfold her in his arms, and tell her all that +was in his heart. He refrained, however, remembering how his +impetuosity had carried him too far the previous evening. But it was +different then, as he expected it would, be the last time he might see +her, and he needed the one sweet kiss of remembrance. Now she was with +him, and he felt sure of her love. + +Weston and Nannie did not make their appearance, and as Glen sat at the +head of the table and poured the coffee, she explained that they +already had their breakfast. + +"They are earlier than we are," Reynolds replied. "I had no idea it +was so late." + +"Didn't you sleep well?" Glen asked. + +"Never slept better, that is, after I got to sleep. The wonderful +events of last night kept me awake for a while." + +Glen blushed and her eyes dropped. She did not tell how she, too, had +lain awake much longer than anyone else in the house, nor that her +pillow was moist with tears of happiness. + +"I hope your dreams were pleasant," she at length remarked, "You know +the old saying." + +Reynolds' mind seemed suddenly centred upon the piece of meat be was +cutting, and he did not at once reply. This Glen noticed, and an +expression of anxiety appeared in her eyes. + +"Do you wish me to tell you?" Reynolds asked, lifting his eyes to hers. + +"If you don't mind. But I am afraid your dreams were bad." + +"Not altogether; merely light and shade. The light was my dream of +you, while the shade was of Curly." + +"You dreamed of him!" Glen paused in her eating, while her face turned +pale. + +"There, now, I am sorry I mentioned it, Miss Weston. I knew it would +worry you. But perhaps it is just as well for you to know." + +"Indeed it is, especially when it concerns that man. Oh, he is not a +man, but a brute. Please tell me about your dream." + +In a few words Reynolds told her all, and when he had ended she sat for +some time lost in thought. Her right arm rested upon the table, and +her sunbrowned, shapely fingers lightly pressed her chin and cheek. +She was looking out of the window which fronted the lake, as if she saw +something there. The young man, watching, thought he never saw her +look more beautiful. Presently a tremor shook her body. Then she gave +a little nervous laugh, and resumed her breakfast. + +"I am afraid I am not altogether myself this morning," she apologized. +"But how can I help feeling nervous so long as Curly is anywhere in +this country?" + +Reynolds was about to reply when Nannie entered and told him that the +master of the house wished to see him. With a quick glance at Glen, +and asking to be excused, he left the room, expecting that the storm +which had been so mercifully delayed was now about to break. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE TURN OF EVENTS + +The master of Glen West was sitting at his desk as Reynolds entered. +He was smoking, and at the same time reading a newspaper in which he +was deeply interested. The latter he at once laid aside, and motioned +his visitor to a chair. He then picked up a box of cigars lying near. + +"Do you smoke?" he asked. "If so, you will enjoy these. They are a +special brand." + +"Thanks," Reynolds replied, as he lifted one from the box, and +proceeded at once to light it. This reception was so different from +what he had expected that he hardly knew what to think. Anyway, the +first move was favorable, and that was a good token. + +"You left me very abruptly last night," Weston charged, looking keenly +at the young man. + +"I certainly did," and Reynolds smiled. "But sometimes there is a +virtue in abruptness, especially----" + +"Especially what?" Weston queried, as Reynolds hesitated. "Go on." + +"When a situation becomes tense and awkward." + +"And you think it was so last night?" + +"I am sure of it." + +"What is your reason?" + +"My own common sense." + +Weston was silent for a few seconds, and puffed steadily at his cigar. +Reynolds watching him out of the corner of his eye, wondered what was +passing through his mind. + +"Have the Indians been telling you anything?" Weston presently asked. + +"About what?" + +"Curly, and what happened to him?" + +"Nothing. Didn't I tell you so last night?" + +"I know you did, but I can hardly believe it. Are you sure?" + +"I am positive. They were as silent and mysterious as the Sphinx. You +deserve great credit, sir, for the way you have them trained." + +This seemed to relieve Weston, and he even smiled. + +"I was afraid they had been telling you something, but I am thankful to +know that they can be trusted. But, see here, someone must have told +you. Was it Glen or Nannie?" + +"Oh, no; they are not to blame." + +"Well, then, how in the world did you find out?" + +"And so I was right?" Reynolds asked. + +Weston removed the cigar from his mouth, and looked curiously at his +visitor. + +"Were you not sure?" he queried. + +"Not at all," and Reynolds laughed. "I was not sure last night, though +I am now." + +A sudden cloud overspread Weston's face, which, passed away, however, +almost instantly. + +"I wish I had known this sooner, young man. You would not have got off +so easily, let me tell you that. I was positive that you understood +everything. But tell me, what led you to suspect the truth about +Curly?" + +"That you had not burned him alive?" + +"Yes." + +Reynolds deliberately removed the band from his cigar, and laid it +carefully in the ash-tray. He was enjoying Weston's perplexity, which +he believed was a new experience for this autocrat of Glen West. What +a story he would have to tell his old friend Harmon. The editor would +surely forgive him for going on what he called "a wild-goose chase," +instead of searching for the missing Henry Redmond. What a write-up +all this would make for his paper. + +"Did you hear what I said?" Weston's voice was somewhat impatient. + +"I beg your pardon," Reynolds apologized. "My mind was wool-gathering. +You asked what led me to suspect the truth about Curly, did you not?" + +"I did." + +"Well, apart from yourself, and what I saw in you, there were four +things which influenced my judgment. I only thought of one until I met +you last night." + +"And what are they?" Weston was keenly interested. + +"First of all, I could not imagine that a man would burn a fellow-being +alive who kept that near him," and Reynolds motioned to a book lying +upon the desk. + +Weston turned, and his face brightened. + +"Oh, you mean the Bible. So that was one of your reasons, eh? But do +you not know that the deepest-dyed villain often keeps the Bible close +at hand? Such a man is generally fearful as well as superstitious, and +so considers the Bible as a charm to ward off evil. It has been said, +you remember, that the devil himself can quote Scripture for his own +purpose. I venture to say that his satanic majesty knows the Bible +better than many professing Christians. It is necessary for him to do +so in order to answer the arguments it sets forth. Perhaps that is the +way with me. Anyway, we shall dismiss that evidence as faulty. What +next?" + +"Your daughter, sir. I cannot believe that any man is a downright +villain who is fortunate enough to have such a daughter." + +"I see, I see," and Weston stroked his heavy moustache. "Did you not +say something of a similar nature last night? But are you aware that a +man may have a noble daughter, and still be a villain? Facts of +history bear out what I say, unless I am greatly mistaken." + +"That may have been true in some cases, sir," Reynolds replied. +"However, I am not concerned about the past, but the present only. No +matter what you may say to the contrary, you will not convince me. And +besides, there is something else which hinges upon this reason." + +"And what is that?" + +"You are very fond of your daughter, are you not?" + +"Certainly. She is all I have in the world, and she is dearer to me +than life itself." + +"Just so," and Reynolds smiled. "And for her sake, at least, you would +not dare to burn any man alive." + +"Wouldn't dare! Why not?" + +"Simply because you would be hunted down as a murderer, and hung. Why, +the Mounted Police would have had you in their clutches long before +this." + +"They would, eh? What do I care about law? Am I not a law unto +myself?" + +"In a way you are, so long as you do not commit any crime. But even +though you might not care about yourself, you would not dare to do +anything wrong for your daughter's sake. She means so much to you, +that you would not dare to commit any desperate act for fear of +disgracing her. Is not that so?" + +Weston made no reply, but sat looking intently into Reynolds' face. + +"There is another reason," the latter continued, "to which I feel +certain you can make no objection, and it is _that_." + +He pointed as he spoke to a framed picture hanging above the desk. It +was the face of a woman of remarkable beauty, and closely resembling +Glen, although somewhat older. + +Weston, too, looked, and as he did so his face underwent a marvellous +transformation. He tried to control himself, but in vain. Rising +suddenly to his feet, he paced rapidly up and down the room. Once he +stopped and fixed his eyes upon the picture. At length he turned +toward his visitor. + +"It is true. It is true," he declared, almost fiercely. "To your +other reasons I could make some defence, but not to this. I would not +dare to do anything wrong for my dear dead wife's sake. Her memory is +most precious. Young man, you have hit me hard." + +He paused and looked again at the picture. Then he sank down upon his +chair, and buried his face in his hands. + +Reynolds rose and was about to leave the room, when Weston lifted his +head. + +"Don't go yet," he ordered, endeavoring to control himself. "I am +somewhat unnerved this morning. There is something more I wish to say +to you. It is years since I have talked to anyone as I have to you. +Sit down and tell me what you are going to do." + +"That remains with you, sir," Reynolds replied, as he resumed his seat. + +"With me! It remains with me! I do not understand." + +"Am I not your prisoner, sir? It is not what I am going to do, but +what you are going to do to me." + +"Ah, yes, quite true," and Weston was silent for a few seconds. "But +suppose you are given your freedom, what then?" he asked. + +"I should go at once in search of my old friend, Frontier Samson," was +the decided reply. "He must be greatly concerned about my +disappearance, and no doubt he is still seeking for me out in the +hills." + +"And should you find him----?" + +"We would at once visit the gold mine I discovered when I was lost." + +"What! did you discover gold? Where?" + +"On that last ridge before I reached the river," Reynolds explained. +"I took shelter in a cave from a furious storm, and there found more +gold than I ever expected to see in my whole life. The walls of the +cave are full of it, and it seems to be of the best quality." + +"Do you think you can find the place again?" Weston asked. + +"I believe so," and Reynolds briefly described the situation. + +"I know it! I know it!" Weston exclaimed. "It is the highest peak on +that ridge between here and the Tasan. The side this way is very steep +and rocky, is it not?" + +"Yes, and the summit is bare. It was there I had a desperate fight +with an eagle, killed it, and carried off its eggs, which saved my +life. From the high point I caught the first glimpse of the river." + +"And suppose you find the gold, what then?" Weston asked. + +"Oh, I shall take my share of it, of course." + +"And after that?" + +"I am not altogether sure. But there is one thing I should do before +undertaking anything else. In fact, I am almost pledged to it. Harmon +will never forgive me if I don't." + +"Harmon, did you say?" Weston questioned. "I once knew a man by that +name." + +"It is Harmon, editor and principal owner of the _Vancouver Telegram_ +and _Evening News_. He has been a father to me, and is greatly +interested in my welfare. He has a hobby which I call 'a wild-goose +scheme,' and he thinks that I am the only one who can carry it out. He +is not the Harmon you knew, I suppose?" + +Weston did not at once reply, but sat staring straight before him as if +he saw something strange in the wall. His bronzed face had a peculiar +pallid color, and his eyes expressed wonder and incredulity. He was +forced to keep his hands clasped before him, so great was his emotion. +Reynolds watched him curiously, but said nothing. + +"And what is Harmon's hobby?" Weston at length found voice to enquire. + +"Oh, a pet scheme for the finding of a man who disappeared years ago." + +"And the man's name?" Weston was once more calm. + +"Henry Redmond, so he told me. He was a prominent business man, but +after the death of his wife he mysteriously vanished, and left no trace +of his whereabouts." + +"Strange, was it not?" Weston queried, as he furtively eyed the young +man. "Perhaps he is dead." + +"That is what I suggested to Harmon, but he would not entertain the +idea at all." + +"Did he give any reason for his belief that the man is alive?" + +"He showed me a clipping taken from a paper years ago. These are the +words which I committed to memory: + +"'I go from the busy haunts of men, far from the worry and bustle of +business life. I may be found, but only he who is worthy will find me, +and whoever finds me, will, I trust, not lose his reward. From the +loop-holes of retreat I shall watch the stress and fever of life, but +shall not mingle in the fray.'" + +"Was there any name signed to that?" Weston asked, when Reynolds had +finished. + +"I understand there was none." + +"Why, then, does your friend Harmon imagine that it refers to Redmond?" + +"Because it appeared immediately after the man's disappearance, and +Harmon told me it was just like Redmond to do such a thing." + +"It is all mere conjecture, then?" + +"It is." + +"And upon the strength of that your friend, would have you undertake +the wild-goose adventure, as you term it. What are his reasons?" + +"He wishes me to find an outlet for my restless spirit; to satisfy his +own curiosity; and finally, to have a series of special articles for +his paper." + +"What! Does Harmon want you to write a full account of your adventure, +and all about the missing man should you find him?" + +"It seems so, though I guess he will have to wait a long time. I must +first of all find Frontier Samson, and get that gold. Then, perhaps, +something else may interfere with Harmon's plans." + +"Yes, yes, you must find the old prospector and get the gold," Weston +agreed. "But you will need assistance. I know the region as well as +any man, and I have a comfortable cabin in the hills. Allow me to go +with you to direct your search." + +Reynolds' eyes opened wide with amazement, and he stared at Weston as +if he had not heard aright. Could it be possible that this man, the +stern ruler of Glen West, and Glen's father, was really offering to +assist him? Weston divined his thoughts, and smiled. + +"I know you are astonished," he told him. "But, you see, I am not yet +beyond the lure of gold, and should we find that mine, there might be +something in it for me. We might go partners, eh?" + +"That would be great," Reynolds replied with enthusiasm. "But we must +not leave the old prospector out." + +"Oh, no, that would never do. We shall see that he gets his share, +providing we find him. I am really anxious to be off at once," and +Weston rose as he spoke. + +"When shall we start?" Reynolds asked. + +"In a couple of days, if that will suit you. It will not take long to +make the necessary arrangements for the trip, and we shall take two +Indians to look after our welfare." + +Weston was almost like a boy in his excitement, and Reynolds could +hardly believe him to be the same man he had faced the night before. + +"You may go and tell Glen about our proposed trip," Weston said. "She +must be wondering what we are talking so long about." + +"And will she go too?" Reynolds eagerly asked. + +"Certainly. It would not do to leave her behind. She would be very +angry if we did. And, besides, she must have a share in that mine. +Ho, ho, there will be four of us on the ground-floor, all right, and +the rest can have what we leave, providing there is any. Hurry away, +now, and tell Glen to get ready. It generally takes a woman two or +three days to prepare for a journey." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A SHOT FROM THE GOLDEN CREST + +Glen was greatly agitated when her father summoned Reynolds into his +presence. She felt that the critical moment had arrived, and she +dreaded what might follow. Although she loved her father, yet at times +she feared him. Suppose he should send Reynolds away at once, and +forbid his return to Glen West? He had treated others in a harsh +manner, and why should he act differently now? Her only ray of hope +lay in the thought that he had allowed the young man to stay at the +house over night, and had permitted him to sleep in the room which had +never before been occupied. + +She sat for some time after Reynolds had left, with her elbows upon the +table, and her hands propping her chin. Her appetite had suddenly left +her, and her coffee remained untasted. The morning sun flooding the +room, fell upon her hair and face, and had her lover seen her then, he +would have admired her more than ever. She was in a most thoughtful +mood, and at the same time she listened intently for any sound of +strife that might come from her father's study. + +At length she arose, picked up her broad-rimmed straw-hat, and went out +of doors. It was a hot morning with not a breath of wind astir. The +water was like a mirror, and the high hills were reflected in its clear +depths. It called to her now, and appealed to her as of yore, and +urged her to seek comfort upon its placid bosom. + +Walking swiftly down to the wharf, she launched her light canoe, one +which had been brought in from the outside for her own special use. +Sconda was standing near _The Frontiersman_, and he offered to +accompany her. But Glen smilingly told him that she wished to be alone +this morning, and that perhaps Klota needed him more than she did. The +Indian was quite surprised at her refusal, and somewhat piqued as well. +It was the first time she had ever spoken to him in such a manner, and +he stood silently watching the girl as she settled herself in the +canoe, and dipped her paddle into the water. Then he wended his way +slowly homeward, wondering what had come over his young imperious +mistress. + +But Glen was not thinking about Sconda, and she had no idea that she +had in any way annoyed the faithful native. She paddled straight +across the creek until she reached the opposite side. Here she ran the +canoe ashore, and watched most intently the big house in the distance. + +She remained here for some time anxiously observing all that was taking +place around the house, expecting at any moment to see Reynolds come +forth. And when he did come, would he at once go down to the village, +to be conducted beyond the pass? Perhaps her father might send for the +guard, who would lead him forth as a prisoner. At this thought a +tremor shook her body, and she nervously drove the paddle into the +water, and sent the canoe reeling from the shore. Only in action now +could she endure the strain of waiting. + +She had just reached the middle of the creek, when, glancing toward the +house, her heart gave a great leap, for there coming down to the wharf +was the very one of whom she was thinking. He was walking rapidly and +at the same time waving his hand to her. Instantly she headed the +canoe for the shore, and when its graceful bow touched lightly against +the wharf, he was standing there waiting to receive her. The smile +upon his face and light of joy in his eyes told her that all was well, +and so great was her happiness that for a moment she had no word to +say. Her cheeks were flushed with the invigorating exercise, and the +eyes which were turned to her lover's were moist with tears, and +gleamed like sparkling diamonds. Reynolds, too, was speechless for a +few seconds. A feeling of almost sacred awe swept upon him as he +looked upon that fair pure face. Although his life was clean and above +reproach, yet he felt most unworthy when in the presence of such a +beautiful, unsullied being. It never had affected him so intensely as +on this bright morning on the shore of that inland water. What right +had he to presume to love such a girl? he asked himself. + +For several seconds neither spoke. It was that mysterious silence +which sometimes comes when heart responds to heart, and where love is +true and deep. Then they both laughed and the spell was broken. Just +why they laughed they could not tell, although they felt very happy. + +"Come for a spin," Glen suggested. "I want to hear all. You paddle," +she ordered, as she turned herself about in the canoe. "I have already +had my morning's exercise." + +"And so have I," Reynolds laughingly replied, as he seated himself +astern and sent the canoe from the wharf. + +"But of a different nature, though?" and Glen looked quizzically into +his face. + +"Quite different. I exercised my lungs, and your father did the same." + +"Not in anger, I hope." + +"Oh, no. We had a great heart to heart talk, and got on splendidly. +We parted like two lambs, and are the best of friends." + +"You are!" The girl's lips merely breathed the words, but they told of +her great relief. + +"Yes, it is true. And more than that, we have already planned for a +trip together in the hills, and you are to go with us, that is, if you +wish to go." + +At these words, Glen's face underwent a marvellous change. + +"Don't go," she pleaded. "Stay where you are." + +"Why, what is the matter?" and Reynolds looked his surprise as he +paused in a stroke. + +"Have you forgotten your dream last night? It was bad, and first +dreams in a new place are sure to come true." + +Reynolds laughed, as he again dipped the paddle into the water. + +"Surely you are not superstitious, Miss Weston. Why should one be +alarmed at dreams? They are nothing." + +"That may be true," and Glen trailed her hand in the water. "But an +uneasy feeling has taken possession of me which I cannot banish. I was +brought up among Indians, you know, and they are naturally +superstitious." + +"And they have filled your mind with nonsense, I suppose." + +"I am afraid so," and the girl gave a deep sigh. + +They were some distance up the creek now, and the canoe was gliding +almost noiselessly through the water. Glen asked Reynolds about his +conversation with her father, and he told her all that had taken place. +She listened with the keenest interest. Her face was aglow with +animation, and her eyes shone with the light of astonishment. + +"I can hardly believe it," she exclaimed when Reynolds had finished. +"Anyway, I am so thankful that daddy did not get angry, I hope he will +not change his mind. He is so gentle and good at times, and again he +is so stern and harsh. Oh! what is that?" she cried, as something +struck the water with a zip near the canoe. + +Reynolds had ceased paddling, and was staring back at a spot where the +water had been ruffled, but not by the motion of the canoe. Then he +glanced shoreward, and his eyes keenly searched the high ridge of the +Golden Crest. + +"It must have been a fish leaping for a fly," he somewhat absently +suggested. + +"But I heard the report of a rifle," Glen declared. "It came from up +there," and she motioned to the right. + +"Perhaps someone is hunting, and a stray bullet may have come this way." + +"It may be so, but let us go home." Glen's face was pale, and her eyes +bore an anxious expression. + +Reynolds at once swung the canoe around, and paddled with long steady +strokes toward the village. He knew that Glen was somewhat unnerved, +and he upbraided himself for telling her about his dream. Why are some +people so foolish as to believe in such things? he asked himself. + +"Suppose we go over to Sconda's," Glen suggested. "I want to see +Klota. She is doing some work for me." + +"I understand," Reynolds replied. "You wish to find out how that +bearskin is getting along." + +Glen glanced quickly at him, smiled, and slightly blushed. + +"You saw it, then? You recognized it?" + +"Sconda showed it to me. It is a beauty." + +"Do you want it?" + +"Oh, no. I have no place to keep such a thing. It pleases me to know +that you are anxious to have it as a----" + +"As a souvenir of my deliverance," the girl assisted, as Reynolds +hesitated. + +"And of our first meeting," he added. + +Glen did not reply, but looked thoughtfully out over the water toward +the shore. She was glad that Reynolds believed she wished to go to +Sconda's merely to see about the skin. But in truth, there was +something far more important, and it was this which now disturbed her +mind. She did not wish to exhibit her anxiety, so the idea of viewing +the bearskin was as good a pretext as any other. + +They found Klota at the back of the house busily engaged upon the skin, +which was stretched over a log. She paused in her work and smiled as +the two approached. Glen spoke to her in Indian, and asked her how she +was getting along. Seeing Sconda across the street talking with an +Indian, Reynolds went at once to him to discuss the proposed trip into +the hills. This suited Glen, as she wanted to be alone for a time with +Klota. + +"Is Sconda going with us on our trip?" she asked. + +"Ah, ah. Sconda is going," was the reply. Then an anxious expression +appeared in the old woman's eyes as she turned them upon her fair +visitor. "Don't you go," she warned. "Stay home." + +"Why, Klota?" Glen asked as calmly as possible, although her +fast-beating heart told of her agitation. + +"Something might happen out there," and the Indian woman motioned to +her left. + +"What has Klota seen? Has she heard anything?" + +"Klota has seen and heard. Don't go." + +"What have you seen and heard?" Glen urged. + +"Bad, ugh! Bad dream. Bad white man." + +"Curly?" Glen's face was very white. + +"Ah, ah, Curly. Bad, all same black bear. Don't go." + +Klota resumed her work upon the skin, and although Glen questioned her +further, she only shook her head, and refused to talk. What had this +woman heard? Glen asked herself, or was it only a dream? She knew how +much stress the Indians laid upon dreams, and how she herself had been +so strongly influenced since childhood by weird stories she had heard +from the natives. + +She was unusually silent and thoughtful as she and Reynolds walked +slowly up the street toward the big house. She longed to tell her +companion what Klota had said, but she hesitated about doing so. Would +he not consider her weak and foolish? She knew that her father would +only laugh at her if she told him. She did not wish to make herself +ridiculous in their eyes, and yet she could not get her lover's dream +nor Klota's warning out of her mind. She thought of them that +afternoon as she made preparations for the journey. Her father had +told her that they were to start early the next morning, and if she +wished to go she must be ready. She did want to go, for she enjoyed +the life in the hills. Nevertheless, she often found herself standing +at the window looking out over the lake. Why should she go if there +was any risk? she asked herself. She knew that Curly was capable of +almost any degree of villainy, but was he not far away at Big Draw? It +was hardly likely that he would again venture near the Golden Crest. +But if he did, would she not have her father and Reynolds to protect +her? + +Hitherto she had only thought of harm to herself. But there suddenly +came into her mind the fear that something might happen to another, and +she flushed as she thought who that other would be. Had she not seen +Curly's face, and heard some of his terrible words the day of his +arrest as he was being taken up the street? It would, therefore, be +upon Reynolds that he would endeavor to give vent to his rage. Just +how he would do this, she could not tell, but it would be necessary for +her to be ever on guard. + +A feeling of responsibility now took possession of her such as she had +never known before. She felt that the life of her lover was in her +keeping, and perhaps her father's as well. She knew that they would +not listen to any warning from her, and so she might as well keep +silent. The dream and Klota's words might amount to nothing, yet it +was well to be ready for any emergency. + +Opening a drawer in her dresser, she brought forth a revolver, and held +it thoughtfully in her hand for a few minutes. As a rule she carried +it with her on all her trips beyond the Golden Crest, and she had been +well trained in the use of the weapon since she was a mere girl. She +was a good shot, and was very proud of her accomplishment. + +"A girl should always be able to take care of herself," her father had +told her over and over again. + +"In a country such as this one never knows what might happen, and it is +well to be prepared." + +That evening as she sat at the piano and played while Reynolds sang, +she forgot for a time her anxiety. His presence dispelled all gloomy +fears, and the sound of his voice thrilled her very being. They were +both happy, and all-sufficient to each other. + +Across the hall in his own room, Jim Weston sat alone, ensconced in a +big comfortable chair. He was re-reading one of his favorite books, +"Essays of Nature and Culture." He was engrossed in the chapter, "The +Great Revelation," and as he read, the music across the way beat upon +his brain, and entered into his soul. "Every bit of life is a bit of +revelation; it brings us face to face with the great mystery and the +great secret." . . . He paused, and listened absently to the music. +"All revelation of life has the spell, therefore, of discovery." . . . +The words of the song the young people were now singing again arrested +his attention. He liked "Thora"; it was a song of the north, and Glen +had often sung it to him. "There is the thrill, the wonder, the joy of +seeing another link in the invisible chain which binds us to the past +and unites us to the future." The words of the essay startled him. He +laid aside the book, and rested his head upon his hand. "Another link +in the invisible chain which binds us to the past." He thought of her +who had made his life so pleasant. He glanced above his desk, and a +mistiness came into his eyes. Memory now was the only link which bound +him to the past, to those sweet days of long ago. + +And as he sat there, the singing still continued. He only half +comprehended the meaning of the words, for he was living in another +world. But presently he started, clutched the arms of his chair, and +bent intently forward. + + "'Tis a tale that is truer and older + Than any the sagas tell; + I loved you in life too little, + I love you in death too well!" + +In the adjoining room the happy young couple went on with their +singing, and when the song was finished, they stopped, said something +in a low voice, and then laughed joyously. But the ruler of Glen West +paced restlessly up and down his study. He heard no more singing that +night, for he had softly closed the door. Long after the rest had +retired, and the house was wrapped in silence, he continued his pacing, +only stopping now and then to gaze longingly at the picture above his +desk. Since his return from the hills Jim Weston had learned a new +lesson, but before it could be applied, it was necessary for him to +undergo the severest mental and spiritual struggle he had ever known. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE PLOTTERS + +After Curly had been dumped unceremoniously beyond the Golden Crest, +and sternly ordered never to return, he had sped hurriedly forward. He +was careless whither his steps led, so long as he was away from Glen +West and that frowning mountain ridge. Fear still possessed his soul, +and he believed that he had escaped death as if by a miracle. He was +so frightened that he did not realise how tired and hungry he was until +he had done a considerable distance, stumbling at every step, and at +times falling prone upon the ground. His bruises he hardly felt until +he had almost reached the foot of the long slope down which he was +speeding. Then a great weakness came upon him, and his body trembled. +Then he knew that he was very hungry and a long way from Big Draw. +What should he do? How could he drag his tired body any farther +through the night, with no trail to guide him? In fact, he did not +know where he was. Then the terrible truth flashed upon his mind that +he was lost. This brought him to his senses, and his terror vanished. +In its stead, a burning rage swept upon him, filled his heart, and made +him once more a brute thirsting for revenge. Before his distorted +vision rose the mocking face of Jim Weston, and a deep growling curse +spued from his lips. Then he saw Glen standing with Reynolds by the +side of the street, and turning swiftly around he faced the Golden +Crest, and lifting his dirty bleeding right hand, he shook his clenched +fist, and hurled forth a stream of terrible imprecations. But every +word sent forth came back with a startling clearness from the +mysterious depths of the brooding forest. Nature could not contain +such language within her unsullied bosom, but returned it immediately +to the vile source from whence it came. + +When Curly's rage had somewhat spent itself, he began to meditate upon +swift and dire revenge. But first of all he needed food, and +assistance from someone as base as himself. Big Draw could supply him +with the former, but he had no idea where he could find the latter. He +thought of Slim Fales, his recent companion. Him, however, he soon +dismissed from his mind as unsuitable. Slim had not suffered as he +had, and would not enter heartily into any proposal he might make. +And, besides, Slim had fled and left him to his fate. No, he must find +someone as desperate as himself upon whom he could thoroughly depend. + +This feeling of revenge gave Curly new strength. He must reach Big +Draw, obtain food, and make whatever plans would be necessary. Once +more he headed for the valley, lying dark and sullen below. By +following this, he expected to reach the big creek on which the mining +camp was situated. + +Arriving ere long at the bottom of the hill, he moved as fast as +possible down the creek. There was no trail to guide him, and it was +with much difficulty that he made his way through the forest, which was +here thick and scrubby. So painful did this at last become, that he +was forced to follow the little brook which flowed down the valley. +This, too, was rough, and at times he was compelled to walk in the +water. But there were no trees to bother him, so he accordingly made +better progress. + +He had thus gone some distance when, rounding a bend in the creek, he +was surprised to see directly before him the light of a camp fire. +Hope at first leaped into his heart. Then he became cautious, for he +could not tell whether it was the stopping place of friend or foe. +Carefully now he advanced, and when near enough to recognize the face +of a man sitting before the blaze, he emitted a whoop, and rushed +forward. + +At this startling sound from the grimness of the forest, the lone +camper started, seized his rifle, and leaped to his feet. + +"Who are you?" he demanded. "Stop, or I'll shoot." + +"It's only me," Curly hastened to reply, as he stepped forth, into the +circle of light. "Ye wouldn't shoot a friend, would ye, Dan?" + +The latter lowered his rifle, and stared with undisguised surprise upon +his visitor. + +"Well, fer the love of heaven!" he exclaimed, scanning closely the +wretched creature who had so unexpectedly appeared. "Where did you +drop from? and what has happened?" + +"Give me something to eat," Curly gasped, "an' then I'll tell ye. I'm +almost dead." + +Laying aside his rifle, the other opened a bag nearby and produced +several hard-tack biscuits. Like a ravenous beast Curly seized and +devoured them. + +"More, more," he begged. + +"I'm short myself," Dan informed him, as he again thrust his hand into +the bag. "There, take them," and he tossed over two more biscuits. + +When Curly had eaten the last crumb, he searched into a hole in his +jacket and brought forth an old blackened pipe. + +"Got any tobacco, Dan? Mine's all gone." + +Without a word the latter passed him part of a plug. + +"A match," was the next request. + +"What d'ye think I am?" was the curt reply; "a store? Get a light fer +yourself," and Dan motioned to the fire. "I can't spare any matches." + +Curly did as he was ordered, lighted his pipe with a small burning +stick, and then stretched himself out before the fire. He was a sorry +looking spectacle, and Dan watched him curiously. + +"What's the matter, Curly?" he asked. "Where have you been?" + +"Where d'ye think I've been?" was the surly reply. "Where do I look as +if I'd been? To a Garden Party?" + +"Well, no, judging by your appearance. Haven't been mauled by a +grizzly, have you?" + +"No, worse than a grizzly. I've been in the hands of devils, that's +where I've been. And his Satanic majesty was there, too." + +"H'm, it's rather early, isn't it, Curly?" and Dan grinned. + +"Early! What d'ye mean?" + +"Nothing, except that ye didn't expect to meet the devil an' his bunch +until ye cashed in, did ye?" + +"Oh, I see. But we'll be pardners, then, Dan, never fear. But if the +devil an' his gang are any worse than the ones at Glen West, then the +outlook isn't very bright for either of us." + +"So you've been in Jim Weston's hands, eh?" Dan queried, while his eyes +closed to a narrow squint. + +"Should say I have, an' just barely escaped. It was terrible!" +Curly's hands trembled, and into his eyes came a look of fear as he +glanced apprehensively around. "Ye don't suppose they've followed me, +do you?" + +"Don't be a fool," Dan chided. "D'ye want me to tell ye something?" + +"Sure. Go ahead." + +"Jim Weston and his Indian gang were only bluffing." + +"Bluffing!" + +"That's what I said. Look here, Curly, they did the same thing to me, +and scared me nearly to death when I was prowling around Glen West. I +thought fer certain that I had escaped just by the skin of me teeth. +But since I've talked with several others who were treated in the same +way, I know that the whole thing is a bluff, an' nothin' more." + +Curly's eyes were big with amazement, and slowly he comprehended the +meaning of it all. + +"An' ye think they wouldn't burn a man alive?" he gasped. + +"No. Take my word fer it, they have never done such a thing yet, an' +never will. Jim Weston wants to keep all white men away from Glen +West, an' so he puts up that bluff. It's on account of his daughter. +He knows that more than you an' me have their eyes on her. That's what +took you there, wasn't it?" + +"Sure. D'ye think it'd be anything else than a woman that would put me +into such a scrape?" + +"An' didn't get her after all. That's too bad." + +"But I will get her," Curly declared with an oath. "That slick +gentleman sucker isn't going to have her." + +"Who d'ye mean?" + +"Oh, you know, don't ye? It's that guy who knocked off the bottles. +He's at Glen West now, an' very chummy with Jim Weston's daughter." + +"How in h---- did he get there?" + +"Search me. But he's there, all right, an' from all appearance he's +going to stay, for a while at least, until I show me hand." + +"What can you do? It seems to me that you've had enough of that place +already." + +"So I have, but not of the girl. My, she's worth riskin' one's neck +for. But, say, Dan, what are you doing out here?" + +"Prospectin', of course. What else would I be doin'?" + +"Strike anything?" + +"Not yet, though I've good prospects in sight, 'specially since you've +arrived." + +Seeing the look of surprise in Curly's eyes, Dan laughed. + +"Yes," he continued, "I'm prospectin' in the same way that you are. +I'm after Jim Weston's gal." + +"You are!" Curly's face brightened. "How long have you been at it?" + +"Oh, fer about a week. Ye see, I got into the same scrape that you +did, an' was pitched this side of Golden Crest, with strict orders to +head fer Big Draw at once." + +"An' did ye?" + +"Sure. I did as I was told. But I returned, built a shack in the +hills, an' have been prowlin' around ever since waitin' me chance. Jim +Weston's daughter sometimes rides alone on this side of the Crest, but +so far I've missed meetin' her. But I'll get her one of these days, +an' then her devil of a father will know that Dan Hivers has some of +the Old Nick in him as well as he has. It's a mighty poor game, to my +way of thinkin', at which two can't play." + +"Yes, and more than two," Curly eagerly replied. "You're just the man +I need. Let's work together, Dan, an' we'll be company fer each other. +Have you any grub?" + +"Lots of it in me shack. I brought a good supply from Big Draw, an' +fresh meat is plentiful in the hills. I've an extra rifle, too, if ye +need it." + +"What's your plan?" Curly asked. "You know this region better'n I do." + +Dan did not at once reply, but sat looking thoughtfully into the fire. + +"An' ye say that guy's got the cinch on the gal?" he at length queried. + +"Seems so. He was with her when I was led past, an' they seemed mighty +happy together." + +"Is that so? An' I suppose he'll be with her wherever she goes." + +"Most likely. But we can fix him, can't we?" + +"We'll have to find some way, but the question is, how?" + +"The gun-route might be the best," and Curly motioned significantly +toward the rifle. "Accidents sometimes happen, ye know." + +"But what about the old man? He might make trouble." + +"Then, settle him, too. He goes alone into the hills, doesn't he?" + +"Why, yes. I never thought of that. He's got a cabin over yonder. I +know where it is. He often spends days alone there, with not a soul +around, prospectin', so I understand." + +"Something might happen there, too, eh?" and Curly grinned. "Then the +girl will be ours." + +"But what about the Police?" Dan warned. "They'd be on our trail like +greased-lightning." + +"But it will be an accident like the other, won't it?" + +"But suppose the accidents don't happen?" + +"The devil do I care. Let me get the girl, an' I'll look out fer +myself after that. I've been in such scrapes before, an' I guess you +have, too, Dan." + +For some time the two villains sat that night before the fire, and +discussed in detail their nefarious plans. They were men in whose +bosoms no feeling of pity or sympathy dwelt. To them a pure noble girl +was merely an object of their vile passions. Others had been +victimized by these brutes, and they had now sunk so low that they were +willing to sacrifice innocent lives in order to gratify their base +desires. + +Next morning found the two plotters moving steadily on their way up +toward the Golden Crest where it curved in to the lake. They kept away +as far as possible from the pass for fear of watchful Indians. But +farther north where the land was more rugged, they would be safe. From +this vantage ground they could look down upon the village and observe +much that was taking place there. Curly was feeling the effects of his +experiences the previous day and was surly and ugly. Dan had fed him +and supplied him with a buck-skin jacket which made him more +presentable. But Curly's temper was bad, and he vented his spleen upon +Reynolds and Jim Weston in no mild language. + +The high ridge of the Golden Crest was not reached until about the +middle of the morning, and here from a concealed position the two men +looked down upon Glen West lying snugly by the water's side. They +could see the big house quite plainly, and they eagerly watched Glen as +she paddled alone upon the creek. She was beyond their reach, however, +so they were helpless. But when the girl was at length joined by +Reynolds, and the canoe was headed upstream, Curly's eyes glowed with +the fire of hatred and jealousy, while his hands gripped hard the rifle +he was holding. He was lying flat upon the ground, peering over the +edge of a big boulder with Dan close by his side. As the canoe came +nearer, Curly thrust his rifle impetuously forward and fired. With a +curse, Dan reached out and laid a firm hand upon the weapon. + +"What in h---- d'ye mean?" he demanded. "Ye've spoiled everything." + +"I wanted to get that cur down there," was the snarling reply. "I +missed him that time, but I'll get him yet." + +"No, ye don't," Dan declared, as Curly tried to free the rifle from his +companion's grasp. "If ye shoot again, we'll have a pack of Indians +after us. There, look now!" and he pointed to the canoe which was +heading down the creek. "That's what you've done. You've scared our +game and sent them back to give the alarm. Most likely they intended +to land somewhere up the creek, an' do some private spoonin'. We could +have crept down, knocked out the guy, an' carried off the gal. But +now--bah! ye've spoiled the whole show!" + +Curly made no reply, but lay there watching the canoe until it had +reached Sconda's landing. His heart was bitter with rage as he +recalled his expulsion from Glen West, while his opponent was in full +possession of the girl he was seeking. Several times during the +morning he voiced his sentiments to his companion. + +"Just wait, Curly," Dan comforted. "Our turn will come, never fear, +providin' ye don't lose yer head as ye did this mornin'. I know +something about lovers. They generally like to get off somewhere by +themselves to do their spoonin'. They'll be wanderin' up along that +trail between here an' the water some time this afternoon, an' that'll +be our chance." + +But this time Dan was mistaken. The young lovers did not come up the +trail, neither did they see them again during the remainder of the day, +although they stayed there until the sun had gone down. They +accordingly went back to Dan's cabin a sulky and ugly pair. Lustful, +and filled with the spirit of revenge, they became all the more +determined and desperate the more they were baffled in their plans. + +Early the next morning they again took up their position on the high +crest. They did not have long to wait now, for in less than an hour +they beheld something upon the trail below them which gladdened their +devilish hearts. At once they vanished from the summit, and like +panthers stole cautiously through the forest, and cautiously began to +stalk their unconscious prey. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE CABIN IN THE HILLS + +Glen's fears and forebodings of the previous night passed away as she +rode Midnight along the trail on that beautiful summer morning. For a +time a feeling of security filled her heart. Was she not well guarded +by her father, her lover, and two reliable Indians, Sconda and Natsu! +Why should she fear? Curly was evidently at Big Draw, and so +discouraged over his reception at Glen West that he would hardly +venture near the place again. It was a bright happy face that she +turned to Reynolds as he rode by her side wherever the trail permitted +their horses to ride abreast. They rejoiced in each other's company, +and words were unnecessary, for love has a silent language all its own. + +Jim Weston rode ahead, while the two Indians brought up in the rear. +The horses which the natives rode bore a few extra provisions for +several days' outing, such as tea, coffee, sugar, flour, and a supply +of canned goods. + +Glen rode Midnight gracefully. She was dressed the same as on the day +Reynolds first saw her on Crooked Trail. She was perfectly at home in +the saddle, and what to Reynolds was difficult riding to her was a +pleasure. At times she smiled at his awkwardness as he tried to +maintain his position where the trail was unusually rough and steep. + +"You are better with the rifle, are you not?" Glen bantered. + +"I certainly am," was the reply. "I have had very little experience on +horse back. I wish I could ride like you, for you are so much at ease." + +"I should be," and again the girl smiled. "I cannot remember the time +when I did not know how to ride. But, then, you have not seen me at my +best. Sconda has, though, and he knows that I can hold my own with the +most expert rider. Oh, it's great when you're going like the wind, +clearing rocks and fallen trees with tremendous bounds. Midnight +understands, don't you, old boy?" and she affectionately patted the +horse's glossy neck. + +Reynolds watched the girl with deep admiration. He felt that her words +were no mere idle boast, and he longed to see an exhibition of her +skilful riding. + +At noon they stopped by the side of a little stream which flowed out +from under the Golden Crest, and ate their luncheon. + +"We shall have a great dinner to-night," Weston informed them. "We +must do honor to such an occasion as this." + +"And if we can find Frontier Samson, all the merrier," Reynolds replied. + +"Sure, sure, we must find the old man," Weston agreed. "But, then, +it's unnecessary to worry about him. He's all right, never fear, +though no doubt he is somewhat anxious about his runaway partner." + +The ruler of Glen West was in excellent spirits. Glen had never seen +him so animated, and at luncheon he joked and laughed in the most +buoyant manner. During the afternoon he pointed out to his companions +numerous outstanding features of nature's wonderful handiwork. At +times he would look back, and draw their attention to a peculiar rock +formation, a small lake lying cool and placid amidst the hills, or to +some beautiful northern flowers by the side of the trail. Thus the +afternoon passed quickly and pleasantly, and evening found them before +the little cabin in the hills. + +It was a beautiful spot where Weston had erected his forest habitation. +The cabin nestled on the shore of a very fine lake. At the back stood +the trees, which came almost to the door. The building was composed +entirely of logs, and contained a small kitchen, two bed-rooms, and a +living-room. A stone fire-place had been built at one end of the +latter, while the walls were adorned with trophies of the chase. Books +of various kinds filled several shelves, and magazines and newspapers +were piled upon a side-table. It was a most cozy abode, and Weston was +greatly pleased at the interest Glen and Reynolds took in everything. + +"My, I should like to spend a few weeks here," Reynolds remarked, as he +examined the books. "What a grand time one could have reading and +meditating. You have a fine collection, sir," and he turned to Weston, +who was standing near. + +"I bring only the masters here," was the reply. "One cannot afford to +pack useless truck over the trail. In a place such as this the mind is +naturally reflective, and one craves for things that are old and firmly +established." + +"But what about those?" and Reynolds pointed to the magazines and +newspapers. + +"Oh, they have their place, too," and Weston smiled. "Even in the +wilderness a man should not lose touch with the busy world outside. I +consider that the study of the past and present should go together. By +keeping abreast of the times one can form some idea how the world is +progressing, and by reading the masters of other days one can interpret +all the better the problems of the present." + +While Weston and Reynolds discussed the books, Glen was busily engaged +setting the table for supper. Natsu had taken the horses down to the +wild meadow some distance away, and Sconda was in the kitchen. The +latter was an excellent cook, and prided himself upon his ability to +provide a most delicious repast, whether of moose meat or fried salmon. +It was the latter he was preparing this evening, the fish having been +brought from Glen West. Several loaves of fresh white bread, made the +night before, had been provided by Nannie, as well as some choice cake +and preserves. + +In a little less than an hour supper was ready, and Glen took her place +at the head of the table. Cloth for the table there was none, but the +rough boards were spotlessly clean. The dishes were coarse, and all +the dainty accessories of a modern household were wanting. But +Reynolds never enjoyed a meal as he did that one in the little cabin by +the mirroring lake. To him it was the girl who supplied all that was +lacking. She performed her humble duties as hostess with the same +grace as if presiding at a fashionable repast in the heart of +civilization. He noted the happy expression in her eyes, and the rich +color which mantled her cheeks whenever she met his ardent gaze. + +Glen was happier than she had ever been in her life, and while her +father and Reynolds talked, she paid little attention to what they were +saying. She was thinking of the great change which had come over her +father during the last few days. He had made no reference to her +confession of love for the young man, for which she was most thankful. +She believed that he liked Reynolds, and found in him a companion after +his own heart. Her cares had been suddenly lifted, for in the presence +of the two men she loved her fears and forebodings were forgotten. + +After supper they sat for a while in front of the cabin. The men +smoked and chatted. It was a perfect night, and not at all dark, for a +young moon was riding over the hills. Not a ripple ruffled the surface +of the lake, and the great forest lay silent and mysterious around. +Weston told several stories of his experiences in the wilderness, +especially of his encounter with a grizzly. + +"I am very proud of the final shot which brought the brute down," he +said in conclusion. "I wish you both could have seen it." + +"I do not believe it was any finer than the one which brought my +grizzly down," Glen challenged. "You should have seen that, daddy. It +was wonderful!" + +"Where did you learn to shoot so well?" Weston asked, turning to +Reynolds. + +"Over in France. I was a sharpshooter for a while." + +"Well, that is interesting," and Weston blew a cloud of smoke into the +air, while his eyes wandered off across the lake. "Had some lively +experiences, I suppose?" + +"Yes, at times. But, then, no more than others. All did their share, +and did it the best they could." + +"Did you get anything; that is, were you wounded?" + +"I have a number of scars; that's all," was the modest reply. + +"And were you decorated? Did you receive a medal?" Glen eagerly +enquired. She had often wished to ask that question, but had hitherto +hesitated. She had fondly dreamed that her lover was a hero of more +than ordinary metal, and had carried off special honors. But he was so +reserved about what he had done that never until the present moment had +she found courage to voice the question. + +Reynolds did not at once reply. It was not his nature to make a +display of his accomplishments. He thought of the two medals securely +fastened in his pocket. They were the only treasures he had brought +with him. All else he had left behind. But he could not part with the +medals which meant so much to him. He had not brought them for +exhibition, but for encouragement in times of depression and trouble. +In his terrible wanderings in the wilderness he had thought of them, +and had been inspired. But why should he not show them now? he asked +himself. It would please Glen, he was sure, and the medals would tell +her father that he was no coward. + +"I have something which you might like to see," he at length replied, +touching his breast with his hand. "But perhaps we had better go +inside, as it is getting dark out here." + +"When once within the cabin, Reynolds brought forth his two medals and +laid them upon the table. Eagerly Glen picked up one, and examined it +by the light of the shaded lamp. + +"'For Distinguished Conduct on the Field,'" she read. "Oh, isn't it +great! I knew that you had done something wonderful," and she turned +her sparkling eyes to her lover's face. "What is the other one for, +daddy?" she asked, for her father was examining it intently. + +"This is 'For Bravery on the Field,'" Weston read. "Allow me to +congratulate you, young man," and he grasped Reynolds by the hand. "I +am so thankful now that I did not submit such a man as you to the +Ordeal." + +Reynolds smiled, although, he was considerably confused. + +"You reserved it for this moment, I suppose," he replied. "This is +somewhat of an ordeal to me." + +"Then, let me increase your agony," and Glen's eyes twinkled as she, +too, held out her hand. + +Reynolds took her firm, brown hand in his, and held it tight. He found +it difficult to control himself. How he longed to stoop, clasp her in +his arms, and take his toll from those smiling lips. That would have +been the best congratulation of all. He merely bowed, however, and +remained silent. His heart was beating rapidly, and his bronzed face +was flushed. + +"Suppose you tell us some of your experiences at the Front," Weston +suggested, divining the cause of the young man's confusion. "It has +not been my fortune to meet anyone who has come through what you have, +and I am sure Glen will enjoy it as well as myself." + +Although somewhat loath to tell of his adventures, Reynolds could not +very well refuse such a request, so, seating himself, he simply related +the story of his service under arms. He said as little as possible +about his own part in the fray, and touched but lightly upon the scenes +wherein he had won his special decorations. Weston, sitting by his +side, listened as a man in a dream. At times a deep sigh escaped his +lips, for he himself had ardently longed to enlist, but had been +rejected owing to his age. + +Not a word of the tale did Glen miss. With her arms upon the table, +and her hands supporting her cheeks, she kept her eyes fixed earnestly +upon her lover's face. Her bashfulness had departed, and she only saw +in the young man across the table her ideal type of a hero. She had no +realization of the beautiful picture she presented, with the light +falling softly upon her hair and animated, face. But Reynolds knew, +and as his eyes met hers, he became slightly confused, and hesitated in +his story. What a reward, he told himself, for all that he had +endured. He had been happy when the decorations were pinned upon his +breast. But that reward was nothing, and the medals mere baubles +compared to the joy he was experiencing now. If the love of such a +woman had been his during the long, weary campaign, what might he not +have accomplished? How he would have been inspired to do and to dare, +and in addition to those medals there might have been the coveted +Victoria Cross. + +"Oh, I wish I were a man!" Glen fervently declared when Reynolds had +finished his tale. "How I would like to have been 'over there.' You +needn't smile, daddy," she continued. "I know you consider me foolish, +but I mean every word I say." + +"I understand, dear," was the quiet reply. "I know just how you feel, +for it is only natural. However, I am glad that you are not a man, for +you are of greater comfort to me because you are a girl. But, there, I +think we have talked enough for to-night. You both must be tired after +to-day's journey, and we have a hard trip ahead of us to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AT THE REVOLVER'S POINT + +Glen awoke early the next morning, tired and depressed. She had slept +but little during the night, for her old fears had returned as she +recalled the dream and Klota's warning. Her excitement over Reynolds' +story assisted, too, in driving sleep from her eyes, and she pictured +him on the field of battle, with shells dropping on every side. He was +the one who stood out in clear relief above all others. To her he was +the hero in every scene, and she saw all looking to him for inspiration +and guidance. The glamor of love and hero-worship enwrapped her a +willing victim in its enchanting embrace. + +Reynolds was quick to notice the tired expression in Glen's eyes and +the lack of color in her cheeks as she came forth from her room and +took her place at the table. + +"What's wrong, dear?" her father anxiously enquired. "Didn't you sleep +well?" + +"I didn't sleep at all, daddy. Perhaps it was yesterday's excitement +which kept me awake." + +"Then, you must not go with us to-day, Glen. You stay here, and Sconda +can remain with you. That will delight the old fellow, for he has been +trying to invent some excuse for not going. In fact, he doesn't want +me to go, either, and suggested that we all should return at once to +Glen West." + +"Why, what was his reason?" and Glen looked her surprise. + +"Reason! Did you ever know an Indian to have a reason for anything? +He acts from instinct or superstition, and the latter is what ails +Sconda now. Klota has been telling him some bosh about a presentiment +she had, that something terrible is going to happen to us out here in +the hills." + +"And does Sconda believe it, too?" Glen asked, controlling her feelings +with a great effort. + +"Certainly he believes it. I laughed at him, and told him that he +should have more sense than to pay any attention to such things." + +"But suppose he should be right?" Glen queried. "The natives, you +know, see things at times which are not revealed to us." + +"They see too many things, and that's the great trouble with them," +Weston replied. "If they would dream less and do more it would be far +better for all concerned. I never had any faith in their fantastic +presentiments, and I am too old to change my views now. But Sconda +might as well stay with you to-day, for I do not wish to leave you +alone, and I am not anxious to have the old rascal with me with his +head filled with such nonsense." + +Glen made no further reply to her father. She was well aware how +useless it would be to try to reason with him, and if she told him +about the dream and her fears he would laugh at her, and consider her +childish and foolish. + +When breakfast was over, the men began to prepare for their day's trip. +This did not take them long, and soon they were all ready for their +departure. They decided to leave the horses behind, as there was no +trail, and their course would take them over several hills where riding +would be impossible. They took only their rifles, while Natsu packed +the scanty supply of food necessary for the day. + +"We expect to be back by sundown," Weston informed Glen. "But should +we be delayed, do not worry as we shall be all right. We may be longer +than we imagine in reaching the place, and if we discover the gold, we +may take leave of our senses for a time and forget everything else. +But Sconda will look after you, and there is plenty of reading matter +to keep you out of mischief." + +As Weston stooped and kissed his daughter, he noted that she clung to +him more tenderly than formerly, and that her body trembled slightly. +Thinking that this was due to her lack of sleep, he did not give it any +attention, but telling her to take a nap through the day, he picked up +his rifle and strode off into the forest. + +Reynolds was more deeply concerned about Glen's wearied look than her +father, and after they had gone a short distance he spoke of it. + +"She is tired, that's all," was the reply. "A good sleep will make her +all right again." + +"Perhaps she is worried about what Sconda said." + +"She may be, but she will soon get over that. It is a great mistake to +humor people in such nonsense. I have often talked to Glen, but I +cannot help feeling that the native beliefs have made a considerable +impression upon her mind. She has been with them so much that I +suppose it is only natural." + +Reynolds said no more, but all through the day Glen's tired face and +anxious eyes were ever before him. How he longed to go back and stay +with her. The lure of gold had now lost its fascination for him, and +he could only think of the girl in the little cabin by the mirroring +lake. + +Glen stood at the window and watched the men as they swung on their +way, until the forest hid them from view. She could see them for some +distance while they followed the shore before striking across a wild +meadow at the upper end of the lake. She remained there for several +minutes after they had disappeared. She felt very tired, lonely and +unhappy. She thought of her father's words, and they hurt her. She +knew that he loved her, but for all that she was fully convinced that +he did not understand her. She longed then, as she had often longed in +the past, for her mother, in whom she could confide the deep, sacred +emotions of her heart. Her eyes became misty, and tears stole slowly +down her cheeks. + +A step in the room startled her, and looking somewhat guiltily around, +she saw Sconda advancing toward her. The Indian was excited more than +usual, at which Glen wondered, for she had never seen him so agitated +before. + +"See, see!" and he pointed out of the window up toward the wild meadow. + +"What is it?" Glen asked, brushing away her tears in an effort to see +more clearly. + +"White man! Running, all same wolf. Ugh!" + +Glen looked, and saw a man speeding across the meadow right on the +trail of her father and Reynolds. Instantly she grasped its meaning, +and with a cry of fear she turned to the Indian. + +"Is it Curly?" she gasped. "Do you think he means any harm?" + +"Curly follow Big White Chief," was the reply. "Curly track white man. +Bimeby Curly shoot." + +"Oh! do you think so?" Glen clasped her hands before her, while her +eyes grew big with apprehension. "What can we do? I know. You go +after that man, and stop him. Never mind me, for I am all right. +Look," and she thrust her hand into the bosom of her riding-dress and +brought forth her revolver. "I can shoot and take care of myself. Go +at once and save daddy and Mr. Reynolds." + +Sconda needed no second bidding, for he was anxious to be away. His +fears had vanished at the presence of the skulking enemy, and no matter +how he might tremble at the thought of unseen ghostly foes, he was +never known to flinch before the face of a living earthly being. Glen +knew that he was the finest trailsman in the north, and she felt more +satisfied as she watched him, rifle in hand, disappear amid the trees. + +For some time she stood at the window, straining her eyes to see Sconda +reappear and cross the wild meadow. But she watched in vain, for the +native had taken another route, which, though rougher, was less exposed +to view. + +Glen was about to turn away from the window, when, happening to glance +to her left, she saw someone coming from the lake toward the house. +She recognized him immediately. It was Curly! At first she imagined +that she must be dreaming, for was not Curly away on the trail of her +father and Reynolds? What did it all mean? Sconda must have been +mistaken, for there was the villain walking cautiously from the shore. +Intuitively Glen placed her hand to her heart, as if to stop its wild +beating, while she tried to think of some way of escape. What should +she do? Where could she go? she frantically asked herself. But she +must not remain there, for she was well aware of the purpose of Curly's +visit. He had planned a plot with the assistance of someone as vile as +himself, and had caught her in his trap. But he should not take her in +the house, and she knew it would be useless to fasten the door against +him. She would meet him in the open, and if it came to the worst she +knew what she could do. Her hand touched her heaving bosom where the +revolver was resting, and it somewhat calmed her fears, and inspired +her with courage. + +Swiftly crossing the room, she reached the open door and stepped +outside just when Curly was but a few yards away. He stopped, +surprised at the girl's unexpected appearance. He noted her agitation, +and his lips parted in a grin, such as a wolf might assume when about +to pounce upon an innocent lamb. It was this grin which dispelled +Glen's fear and aroused in her breast an intense anger. As she looked +upon the dirty and unkempt creature before her, and thought of the mean +advantage he was taking of a woman, the paleness left her face and her +cheeks crimsoned with indignation. Why should she become a victim to +such a vile thing? + +Glen was perfectly composed now, and looked Curly steadily in the eyes. +She had no intention of parleying with the villain, and the sooner he +realised her mettle the better it would be. + +"What do you want?" she demanded. "My father is not here, if you wish +to see him." + +"It's you I want to see," Curly replied with a grin. + +"What do you want to see me for?" Glen's words were so cold, firm and +business-like that Curly was somewhat taken aback. + +"Oh, I just thought I would drop around an' see ye, that's all," he +prevaricated. + +"Well, you might have saved yourself the trouble, for I don't want to +see you." + +"Ye don't, eh?" Curly snarled, for the girl's words stung him. "I +don't care whether ye do or not. It's not what you want, but what I +want." + +"What do you mean by those words?" + +"I guess ye ought to know. Didn't I tell ye at the dance that I love +ye?" + +"Love me!" and Glen's eyes flashed. "Do you know the meaning of the +word love? I suppose you told the same to many girls you have ruined." + +"I never loved anyone as I love you," the villain whined. + +"I suppose I should be flattered, but I am not. I don't want what you +call your love, or anything to do with you." + +"D'ye mean that yer goin' to throw me over?" + +"Throw you over! I don't understand you." + +"Yes, throw me over fer that slick guy you're so chummy with. I +suppose he's been tellin' ye what a bad man I am, an' so turned ye +against me." + +"What right have you to say that? You were never anything to me except +just what you are, a creature capable of almost any deed of villainy. +I only met you two or three times in my life, and why should you +presume to think that you had won my affection?" + +"Well, if ye think I'm bad to the core, I will soon show you that I am. +It's no use, I see, to beat about the bush any longer. If I can't get +you one way I will another, an' I'll have you ahead of that d---- guy +who has won your heart. You're here alone with me, remember, an' +that's all I want." + +Curly had thrown aside all pretense now, and his face bore an ugly +expression as he stepped quickly forward. But it was only a step or +two he took, for he stopped short with a surprised jerk when he beheld +the menacing point of a revolver directed straight at his head. The +hand that held the weapon was firm, and the blaze in Glen's eyes was +sufficient warning. This was more than he had expected, and he knew +not what to do. + +"Keep back," the girl ordered. + +"Surely ye wouldn't shoot, Miss?" the brute whimpered. + +"Take another step forward and you'll soon find out." The voice was +stern and business-like. + +"But I won't harm ye." + +"No, indeed you won't. I'll see to that." + +"I was only foolin'," the wretch lied. "I didn't mean anything." + +"Well, I'm not fooling, and I mean what I say. You thought in your +base heart that I would be an easy victim, didn't you? But you now +know that Glen Weston has some of her father's spirit. She can shoot, +too, and if you doubt it, just try any more of your nonsense." + +Curly was in a trap, and when he found that this slip of a girl was +more than his match he started to give vent to his rage in vile, +insolent language. + +"Stop that," Glen sternly ordered. "It is bad enough to have you here +without having to listen to such language. Stop; I say," she again +commanded, as Curly was about to continue. "Yes, I mean it, so you +needn't doubt my word. And you might as well put your hands together. +Hurry up; I give you two seconds. You are not to be trusted." + +Slowly Curly obeyed, and stood before the girl, his hands clasped, and +completely subdued. A smile of victory flitted across Glen's face, +though her eyes and mouth were expressive of the deepest scorn. + +"You didn't expect this, did you?" she bantered. + +"Expect what?" + +"To be standing so meekly before a woman. You imagined that she would +be doing that to you." + +"You're not a woman," Curly growled; "you're a she-devil." + +"Oh, so you've changed your opinion of me," and Glen laughed. "I am +very glad of that, for you won't be crazy about me any more." + +"Crazy! Your face an' figure would drive any man crazy." + +"Dear me, do I look as horrible as all that? It's a wonder you are not +a raving lunatic." + +"I will if you keep me here much longer. Let me go an' I'll never +trouble you again. That slick guy can have you fer all I care. I +don't want anything to do with a woman who holds ye up at the point of +a gun." + +"No, I am sure you don't, Curly. You prefer to prey upon women who are +helpless, and who cannot lift a hand in self-defense. But I am +different, as you have found out to your cost." + +"Let me go, will ye?" the wretch pleaded. "I've had enough of this." + +"Oh, have you, eh? Well, that's interesting. But, look here, I am not +through with you yet. You came here without any invitation, though in +a way I am glad that you did come, and I intend to keep you here for a +while." + +"H'm, ye must like my company after all," Curly sneered. "You're a +queer one." + +"Yes, I like your company at present better than your absence," Glen +confessed. "I know just where you are, and that you can do no mischief +while you are under my charge. If I should let you go now it would be +an injustice to others. You must settle this affair with my father, +and you know what that will mean." + +"I'm not worryin' about yer dad, or anyone else," Curly replied. +"He'll have all he can attend to without botherin' about me. Most +likely he's in a hotter place now than ever he struck on earth." + +Into Glen's eyes leaped an expression of wild fear, as the meaning of +Curly's words dawned upon her. + +"Ye understand?" Curly sneered. "Two can play at this game, remember, +an' mebbe more'n two." + +"Was that your partner who followed my father?" + +"Sure. It was Dan, an' he means business." + +"What business?" + +"Oh, Dan'll tell ye when he comes back." + +"Do you mean that he intends to shoot my father and Mr. Reynolds?" + +"Mr. Reynolds!" Curly mockingly repeated. "Yes, Mr. Reynolds, too." + +Glen's outstretched arm was tired, but these words renewed her +strength, and her fingers clutched more firmly the butt of the +revolver. Curly was fully aware that the girl was becoming wrought up +to a high pitch of excitement, and he regretted that he had told her +anything about Dan. What might not this girl do? he asked himself. In +fact he was very near death just then, for Glen in her agitation was +unconsciously pressing the trigger slightly with her forefinger. But +Curly knew, and his face blanched. + +"Fer God's sake, be careful what yer doin'!" he screamed. "That gun'll +go off, if ye don't look out!" + +"Perhaps it might be well if it did," was the reply. "I am strongly +tempted to shoot you where you stand. But I guess I will wait until +Sconda comes back. And then, remember, if my father and Mr. Reynolds +are dead, you die, and at my hands at that. You can remain just where +you are, and I shall guard you, even if I have to wait here all day." + +"But I can't stand here," Curly whined. "Let me sit down." + +"No, you must stay just where you are, and keep your hands clasped. I +shall sit down, though," and Glen seated herself upon the doorstep. + +Curly started to remonstrate, but was sternly checked. + +"I do not wish to hear anything more," Glen emphatically told him. +"You can keep your thoughts and your words to yourself. And do not +annoy me, or I might lose control of myself and do something rash." + +Seeing that the girl was thoroughly in earnest, Curly said no more, but +stood there with his eyes fixed straight forward. The only time Glen +spoke was whenever she detected his look wavering in the slightest +degree. Then she called him sharply to attention, and warned him to be +mindful of what he was doing. + +Thus slowly and wearily the morning wore away. With nerves strung to +the highest tension, Glen guarded her prisoner, at the same time +listening anxiously for the sound of Sconda's returning footsteps. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +WHEN THE RIFLES CRACKED + +Ever since leaving for the hills Reynolds had the strong feeling that +the ruler of Glen West was studying him very closely. In various +subtle ways he could tell that he was being tested, and so this morning +as they moved forward he seemed like one undergoing a peculiar +examination. That his war record had made a deep impression upon +Weston he was well aware. But the man did not yet seem satisfied. He +evidently wished to probe to the very soul of the one who had captured +his daughter's heart. + +After Weston had expressed himself concerning Indian superstition, +little was said until they had crossed the wild meadow and partly +encircled the opposite side of the lake. From here their course would +take them directly overland toward the high hill with the cave of gold. + +They were about to leave the shore, when Reynolds suddenly paused and +looked excitedly around. Then his eyes fell upon the remains of a +campfire, and nearby, fastened to a stick in the ground, he saw a piece +of paper. This he quickly seized and read the brief message it +contained. He at once turned to Weston, who had been silently watching +his every movement. + +"It's from Frontier Samson," Reynolds explained. "The old man is +greatly worried over my disappearance, and has been searching for me +several days. He must have known about your cabin, sir, for he +mentions it here, and advises me to go there at once should I return. +It is strange that he didn't mention it to me." + +"He thought it hardly worth while, I suppose," Weston replied. "You +were not bound that way." + +"But we must have been, though," Reynolds insisted. "How else could we +have reached Glen West but by the trail over which we travelled +yesterday? Surely he must have known that." + +"It is difficult at times to fathom an old prospector's mind," Weston +replied, as he threw his rifle over his shoulder and continued on his +way. "So you two were bound for Glen West, were you?" he queried, +after they had gone a short distance. + +"We certainly were, until I spoiled everything by getting lost." + +"You must not be too sure about that, young man. It is hard to tell +what might have happened to you had you reached Glen West by the trail. +You must have been aware of the risk you were running." + +"Oh, the risk is nothing when a great ideal lies ahead. I for one +would rather die following a noble vision than lie grovelling among the +broken shards of life. It was that which led so many to sacrifice +their all in the Great War. Lack of vision means repression, and often +ruin; vision, expression." + +"In what way? Go on, I am much interested." + +"In what way?" Reynolds repeated, as he stopped and looked far away +upon some towering mountain peaks which just then were visible through +an opening among the trees. "Take the steam-engine for example. +Repress the power, and what do you get? Destruction. But give that +power expression, and how beneficial it becomes. So it is with man. +There is a mighty power within him. Repress that power, keep it back, +and you get nothing. But let that power be released, and it expresses +itself in thousands of ways for the benefit of mankind." + +"But what has that to do with vision?" Weston asked. + +"A great deal. It is the vision, the lure of something beyond, which +calls forth that power and compels it to undertake great things. All +the wonderful achievements of the past are due to men of vision. They +saw what others could not see, and in the face of opposition and +discouragement they went steadily forward." + +"And what did you expect to accomplish when you started for Glen West?" + +At these words Reynolds gave a slight start, and glanced curiously at +his companion. + +"I hoped to win the fairest and noblest flower of womanhood that it has +ever been my lot to know except one, and that was my mother." + +"Other men have said the same thing, young man," and Weston smiled. +"They, like yourself, followed attractive faces, pleasing forms, and +luring voices, and when it was too late they found out their mistake. +You know the legend of the Sirens, I suppose?" + +"That has been true, sir, in many cases. But mine is different. Some +women have many outward attractions, but no souls. The first time I +beheld your daughter I detected something in her that I never saw +before in any woman, and that is saying a great deal. Since I have +known her better, I have found that I was right, and that she is worthy +of a man's noblest vision. A woman such as she is would elevate a man +who has the least spark of nobleness." + +"You are right, young man, you are certainly right," Weston +acknowledged, and his voice was somewhat husky. "You are more than +fortunate in having such a vision. But what will it lead to?" + +"That remains to be seen," Reynolds slowly replied. "Anyway, the +vision I have been following has made a new man of me already. Before +I saw your daughter on the street one night, I had no aim in life. I +was ready to drift anywhere and into anything. But the sight of her +brought me up standing, and gave me a new impulse. Even though my +vision should never be attained, I am better and stronger, for what the +poet says is true, that 'The striving makes the man.'" + +They were crossing a wild meadow now, and before them loomed the high +hill up which Reynolds had so wearily climbed in his great battle for +life. He could hardly believe that they were so near the place, and he +expressed his astonishment to his companion. + +"We have come in a straight course," Weston explained, "and that makes +the difference. When you were lost, you wandered around for a long +time until you happened by chance upon yonder hill. It is a wonder to +me that you ever found your way out of this region." + +"So it is to me," Reynolds replied. "And to think that I was so +foolish as to chase that moose after what Frontier Samson told me. I +see now that the old man was right. I wonder where he can be. Perhaps +he has gone back to Big Draw. I must go there, too, as soon as we +return, for I feel sure that Samson is worrying about me." + +"If we find that mine, you will have to hurtle to Big Draw to record +our claims," Weston reminded. "One of the Indians can go with you to +show the way." + +"I suppose the miners will make a wild stampede into this place as soon +as they hear of the discovery." + +"Most likely. But there have been so many 'wild-cat' claims recorded +of late that they may merely consider this another, and pay little +attention to it. However, do not say much about it, and they may take +no notice. We can get our haul first, and then they may come as fast +as they like." + +After they had crossed the wild meadow it was necessary to travel +several hundred yards up the little stream at which Reynolds had slaked +his thirst. The meadow ere long ended, and the high, frowning sides of +the two opposing hills shouldered toward each other, thus forming a +deep draw about fifty yards in width. + +"It was up there where the eagle fell," Reynolds explained, as he stood +looking up the ravine. "Poor creature, it was hard when it was merely +doing its duty. But it saved my life, though, and perhaps that was +something." + +"It is always the way," Weston made answer. "Little is accomplished in +this world without sacrifice, and often the innocent are the sufferers. +And I reckon we shall not get that gold without sacrificing something. +I see that Natsu is not altogether pleased at the prospect of climbing +this hill. But it cannot be helped, so we might as well begin at once." + +It took them some time to ascend, and often they were forced to draw +themselves up by means of rocks and small trees. Occasionally they +rested, for combined with the steep climb the sun was pouring its fiery +beams full upon their heads. + +"I do not believe the miners will find this place in a hurry," Reynolds +panted, as he sat upon a ledge of rock where he had with difficulty +dragged himself. "When I first climbed up here I worked my way along +the side of the hill, which was somewhat easier. Short cuts don't +always pay." + +"That must have been the reason why you didn't take one to Glen West," +Weston replied, as he, too, rested upon the rock. + +"It's a definite proof, sir, of what I just said, that short cuts don't +always pay. I was cursing myself for getting lost in the wilderness, +when all the time it was the only way whereby I could reach Glen West +in safety. Had I gone any other route, by a short cut, for instance, +you would have pitched me at once beyond the Golden Crest." + +Weston made no reply, and once more they continued their climb. Up and +up they slowly made their tortuous way, and at length Reynolds, who was +leading, gave a shout as his eyes fell upon the desired cave. With a +bound he sprang forward, reached the place and was standing before the +opening when his companions arrived. + +"There it is!" he cried, stooping and pointing into the cave. "And, +look, there are the remains of my fire which the rain nearly put out." + +Weston was greatly excited now, and drawing a candle from his pocket, +he lighted it, and together the three made their way into the mine. +They had not proceeded far when the richness of the cave became most +apparent, and Weston stared in amazement at the wealth he beheld on +every side. + +"Why, it's a regular King Solomon's mine!" he exclaimed. "It has never +been worked, and being so far up the side of the hill it has been +missed by the prospectors who have scoured this region. The place is +full of gold! Just look at that!" and he held out a handful of earth +he had taken from the right hand wall. "Our fortunes are made." + +"Suppose we get something to eat," Reynolds suggested. "I am almost +starved. We can examine our treasure afterwards." + +It did not take Natsu long to prepare their simple repast at the mouth +of the cave, as their luncheon consisted merely of sandwiches and cake. +But there was plenty, and they thoroughly enjoyed the meal. When it +was finished Weston and Reynolds leaned back against a big rock, filled +and lighted their pipes. + +"My! this is comfort," Reynolds remarked. "It is not much like the +first time I visited this place. I little expected to be here so soon +again." + +"And it won't be the last time, either," Weston replied, as he puffed +thoughtfully at his pipe. "The amount of gold in this cave astonishes +me." + +"You thought it was all a cock-and-bull story I was telling you, I +suppose?" + +"I really did," was the candid confession. "I believed that the +fearful experiences through which you passed had affected your brain +for a time, and that you imagined you had discovered a rich mine." + +Reynolds laughed as he looked down the steep cliff. + +"How are we to get the gold out of this place?" he asked. "It will be +difficult to take it by the way we have just come." + +"Oh, that will be no trouble, as we can easily get it to the Tasan, and +from there take it down on _The Frontiersman_. I have been some +distance up the river and know that it can be navigated. We can----" + +Weston never finished his sentence, for the sharp crack of a rifle +suddenly split the air, and a bullet, passing through the top of +Reynolds' hat, spattered on the rock close to his head. Instantly +another shot rang out, farther down the creek, followed immediately by +a wild, piercing shriek of pain. Then all was still. + +Greatly surprised and mystified, the men leaped to their feet, and +stood staring across at the opposite hill from whence the sounds had +come. But nothing could they see except the great silent wall of rock +and earth. Each man grasped his rifle in readiness for any emergency, +not knowing what to expect next. + +"Who can it be?" Weston asked. "What is the meaning of that second +shot, and the scream of pain? There's something wrong over there, +that's quite evident." + +"Suppose we cross over and investigate," Reynolds suggested. "It may +have been a stray shot which went through my hat. But, hello! who's +that?" + +"Where?" Weston asked. + +"Don't you see him?" and Reynolds pointed to his left. "Look, he is +moving along the top of the hill toward where we heard the first shot." + +The form of a man could be seen, gliding swiftly and cautiously +forward, carrying a rifle. Only brief glimpses could be obtained of +him as he emerged now and then from behind rocks and clumps of stunted +trees, so it was impossible to make out whether he was a white man or +an Indian. At length he vanished entirely for several minutes, while +the curious and anxious watchers waited for him to reappear. + +It seemed to them much longer than it really was before they saw him +again, and this time he was standing upon a huge rock motioning with +his arms. + +"Why, it's Sconda!" Weston exclaimed in amazement. "What does he +want?" he asked, turning to Natsu, who all the time had remained +perfectly silent. + +"'Come quick,' Sconda say," was the reply. + +"Ask him what is the matter," Weston ordered. + +This Natsu at once did, but all the answer he received was the request +to hurry. + +"What ails the fellow, anyway?" Weston growled. "Why can't he tell us +what's wrong? Anyway, we might as well go and find out for ourselves, +for there is something mysterious about this whole affair. Confound it +all! I want to make a further examination of this mine and see how far +it extends. This is certainly provoking." + +It did not take them long to reach the bed of the creek, although they +received a number of bruises and scratches in the swift descent. But +the climb up the opposite hill was a difficult undertaking, and by the +time they reached the top they were almost exhausted. Here they rested +a few minutes, and then hurried as fast as possible toward the spot +from where Sconda had signalled his message. The latter they did not +again see until they had scrambled over a series of jagged rocks, and +plowed their way through a tangle of scrubby bushes and trees. At last +they suddenly beheld him bending over something lying upon a rock, +which as they drew nearer they found to be the form of a man. + +Weston now was in the lead, and at the first glance he recognized the +prostrate man. + +"It's the villain Dan!" he exclaimed. "What in time is he doing here? +Is he dead?" he asked, turning to Sconda. + +"Dan no dead," was the reply. "Dan all same sleep." + +"Unconscious, eh?" Weston queried as he stooped and felt the man's +pulse. "He's alive, all right, but bleeding. Did you shoot him, +Sconda?" + +"Ah, ah, Sconda shoot." + +"Why did you shoot him?" + +"Dan shoot first. Dan shoot at Big White Chief," and Sconda pointed to +the cave across the ravine. + +Weston looked at Reynolds as the light of comprehension dawned upon his +mind. + +"It seems to me that there is something in Indian presentiment, after +all," he confessed. "How did you know that Dan was going to shoot me?" +he asked Sconda. + +The latter, however, made no reply. He merely shook his head and +glanced furtively and anxiously around. This Weston noticed, and it +aroused his curiosity. + +"What's the matter, Sconda? You seem to be nervous. Do you expect +more shooting?" + +"Sconda no savvey. More bad white man. Ugh!" + +"Well, then, let us get away from this place as soon as possible." + +"What about Dan?" Reynolds asked. "We can't leave him here." + +"That's true," and Weston turned toward the wounded man. "He deserves +to stay, though, for his base treachery. But we cannot do that, so +must tote him back to the cabin. It will be a hard task, and the +villain isn't worth it. But, come to think of it, we must not let him +die until we hear his story. There may be others in this plot, and we +must find out who they are. Come, Sconda, give us a hand. Surely four +of us can carry him." + +An exclamation from Natsu caused the white men to look quickly around, +and as they did so they saw Sconda some distance away, bounding like a +deer from rock to rock. At first Weston stared in amazement. Then he +called and ordered him to come back. For the first time in his life +Sconda paid no heed to his master's command, but sped rapidly forward, +and in a few minutes was entirely hidden from view. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +BY THE INLAND LAKE + +It seemed to Glen as if the morning would never wear away as she sat +and guarded her prisoner. The severe strain was showing its effect +upon her face, which was unusually pale. Her eyes never once left the +man before her, and the revolver, as it rested lightly upon her lap, +was pointed straight toward him, ready for immediate action. She would +not allow Curly to speak, and whenever he made the attempt she sternly +checked him and menacingly raised her weapon of authority. Her brain +was very active, and her thoughts were by no means happy ones. Suppose +her father and lover should be shot ere Sconda could do anything, what +would be the outcome? she asked herself. She was well aware that +Sconda and Natsu would be more than a match for Dan, but he might +escape and get back to the cabin first. Her face became stern as she +thought of this, and she made up her mind what she would do. She could +deal with Curly all right, and settle his account. She would then have +only Dan to face. Anyway, she was determined that she would never fall +into the hands of those two villains so long as her revolver held true +and while the last cartridge remained. + +And thus she retained her post through the slow morning hours. The sun +rode high in the heavens and beat upon her throbbing head. Birds +flitted and sang around her, and squirrels chattered and scolded among +the trees. Would Sconda never return? she wondered. What could be +keeping him! At times she felt that she could endure the strain no +longer, but when she realised how much was at stake she always nerved +herself by a mighty effort. + +Curly watched Glen's every movement, and seeing how weary she was +becoming trusted to catch her off guard, spring forward, strike the +revolver from her hand, and seize her in his arms before she could +shoot. This was his only hope, but whenever he was on the point of +making the desperate attempt, the stern word of command and the +slightly lifted weapon caused him quickly to desist. Glen seemed to +divine his purpose, and always checked him in time. + +So desperate did Curly at length become that he decided to throw all +caution to the wind. He was very anxious over Dan's tardiness in +returning, and feared lest his scheme had failed. He knew full well +that if Jim Weston should suddenly appear and find him in such an +embarrassing situation it would go hard with him. It would be death, +anyway, without any chance of defending himself. He knew how furious +Weston would be at the attempt made not only upon his own life but upon +his daughter's honor. The perspiration poured in great beads down his +face as he thought of this. Glen saw his agitation, and attributed it +to the heat of the sun and weariness. She little knew what was passing +through the villain's mind. And, in fact, she never learned, for at +this critical moment Sconda bounded from the forest and stood by her +side. A cry of joy escaped Glen's lips as she beheld her deliverer and +knew that she was saved. + +In a twinkling Sconda grasped the situation, and with a terrible roar +of rage be brought his rifle to his shoulder and would have shot Curly +where he stood, had not Glen leaped to her feet and laid her hand +firmly upon the smooth barrel. + +"Don't shoot!" Curly yelled, wild with terror, ere Glen could say a +word. "Fer God's sake, let me go!" + +But the enraged Indian was not easily diverted from his purpose, and it +was only with much difficulty that Glen was able to make him listen to +reason. + +"Curly bad," he argued. "Curly all same black bear. Ugh!" + +"I know that, Sconda," Glen agreed. "But I want you to mind me now, +and let him go. Search him, and take his gun." + +Very reluctantly Sconda obeyed, and in a few seconds he was holding in +his hand Curly's revolver and a big, sharp, dangerous knife. + +"There, I feel safer now," and Glen breathed a deep sigh of relief. +"Take him away, Sconda," she ordered. "I want to get him out of my +sight." + +As Sconda seized the wretch roughly by the arm, and was about to hurry +him away, Curly emitted a cry of fear, and turned toward Glen. + +"He'll kill me!" he yelled. "I can see it in his eyes. He'll get me +down among the trees an' shoot me! Don't let him take me! Save me! +Fer God's sake, save me!" + +"You need not be afraid of Sconda," Glen replied, while her eyes +flashed with contempt. "He is a true man, and respects me and my +orders. He will not harm you, so you need not fear him. But there are +others you might well fear should they Hear of what you have done +to-day. That is all I have to say. Take him away, Sconda." + +Glen went at once into the cabin, and the coolness of the place was a +great relief to the intense heat outside. She watched from the window +as Sconda conducted Curly down along the shore of the lake until they +disappeared from view. + +In about a quarter of an hour Sconda returned. Glen met him at the +door, and enquired anxiously about her father and Reynolds. She spoke +in the Indian language, and this always pleased Sconda. His face +brightened, and as he looked at the animated face before him his lips +parted in a smile. + +"The white men are safe," he told her. "They will come into camp by +and by." + +"And where is Dan?" Glen enquired. "Did you see him?" + +"Ah, ah. Dan tried to shoot the white men, but Sconda was too quick. +Dan now all same sleep." + +"Not dead, is he?" + +"No, no; all same sleep." + +"Unconscious, eh?" + +"Ah, ah." + +"And so you came to tell me that daddy and Mr. Reynolds are safe?" + +"Sconda ran away. Big White Chief wanted Sconda to help carry Dan into +camp. But Sconda run away fast." + +"Why?" + +"Sconda think maybe Curly here. Sconda was right, eh?" + +"Oh, I understand," Glen replied. Her eyes were shining with gratitude +as she turned them upon the face of her valiant protector. "You +thought I might be in danger. You knew that Dan and Curly had plotted +together, and that when Curly was not out there he must be here trying +to harm me. How can I thank you, Sconda, for what you have done for me +to-day? I do not know what would have happened had you not come just +when you did." + +"Missie Glen hold up Curly, all same man, eh?" and Sconda smiled. + +"Indeed I did. But I could not have stood it much longer, I was afraid +that I would have to shoot him." + +"Why did Missie Glen not let Sconda shoot Curly?" + +"Because it would be murder, that's why. If you had shot Curly, the +Mounted Police would take you away, and most likely hang you. Just +think of that." + +"But Curly bad, ugh!" + +"I know that, Sconda. But it wouldn't make any difference. You would +be considered a murderer, and I don't want to lose you yet. And, +remember, Sconda, don't you dare to tell anyone that Curly was here." + +"Sconda no tell! Why?" + +"Because if daddy hears of it, he will be so angry that he will kill +Curly. You must not tell anyone, so daddy and Mr. Reynolds will know +nothing about it. You will promise, won't you, Sconda?" + +With considerable reluctance Sconda agreed to keep the secret. He knew +that it was not the wisest thing to do, for he was fully convinced that +Curly should be punished. But he would do anything rather than +displease his young mistress, for whom he had such an unbounded +admiration. + +"Missie Glen hungry, eh?" he unexpectedly asked. + +"I really don't know," Glen laughingly replied. "I have not had time +to think about it. Are you?" + +"Ah, ah; Sconda hungry." + +"Well, then, you can get dinner ready, and perhaps I shall be able to +eat something, too." + +Sconda at once set to work, and in a remarkably short time he had a +simple meal prepared. He served Glen first, and waited upon her until +she had finished. + +"How long will it take the men to come back?" Glen asked as she rose +from the table. + +"Till sundown, maybe," was the reply. "Dan is heavy and hard to carry." + +"Well, then, I am going to lie down for a while, Sconda. I did not +sleep any last night, and the excitement of to-day has made me very +tired. You will keep watch around the cabin, will you not?" + +"Ah, ah, Sconda will watch. Sconda will shoot Curly if he comes back." + +"Oh, I guess Curly will not come here again, especially when he knows +that I have such a noble protector." + +Sconda was pleased at these words of praise, and after he had eaten his +dinner he sat and smoked contentedly before the door of the cabin. He +was happier than he had been in many a day. He had saved the white +men, knocked out Dan, rescued his master's daughter, and headed Curly +for Big Draw. His only regret was that he had not been allowed to +shoot Curly, and thus rid the earth of another villain. + +Glen was completely wearied out, and a few minutes after her head +touched the pillow she was fast asleep. She slept soundly for several +hours, and when she awoke the shadows of night were stealing in through +the little window. The sound of voices in the adjoining room informed +her that her father and Reynolds had returned. She also heard the +rattle of dishes and knew that Sconda was preparing supper. Hastily +arranging her hair, and with a final glance in the small mirror, she +softly opened the door. Weston and Reynolds were already seated at the +table, while the lighted lamp told Glen that it was later than she had +imagined. + +"Hello!" Weston accosted, as he turned and beheld his daughter. "You +are a sound sleeper. Been sleeping all day, I suppose!" + +Reynolds had risen to his feet the instant Glen appeared, and he waited +until she had taken her place at the table ere he resumed his seat. He +was pleased to see her looking so bright and animated. The color had +returned to her cheeks, and the expression of fear had vanished from +her eyes. + +"Where is the wounded man, daddy?" Glen at once asked. + +"In the bunk out there," and Weston motioned to the kitchen. "He +doesn't deserve all the trouble we've had to-day. My, he was a heavy +load! And to think that Sconda should have run away and left us. I +wonder what came over the rascal?" + +"Is Dan seriously wounded, do you think?" Glen enquired, evading her +father's reference to Sconda. + +"No, just a scratch, which made him unconscious for a time. He'll be +all right in a few days, I am sorry to say. Such a treacherous +creature is better dead than alive." + +"What will you do with him, daddy?" + +"Keep him here for a while and patch him up. I must find out why he +tried to shoot us, and if there are others in the plot, I know the +villain is very revengeful, and that may have been his sole purpose for +following us to-day. How did Sconda know about him, Glen?" + +"He saw him hurrying along this side of the lake shortly after you had +disappeared beyond the wild meadow. I thought it best for Sconda to +go." + +"And mighty fortunate you did. Why, the villain would have shot us all +if Sconda hadn't been on hand." + +"Do you intend to stay here a while, daddy?" + +"Long enough to look after my patient. But you must go home, and Natsu +will go with you. Reynolds has to hurry down to Big Draw to record our +claims." + +"And so you found the gold?" Glen eagerly asked. + +"I should say we did. Why, that cave is full of it. We shall be as +rich as Croesus in a short time." + +"Oh, I am so glad," and the girl gave a sigh of relief. "When we get +the gold why cannot we leave this country, daddy, and go outside? I +want to travel and see the world, and enjoy life. There, now, I know +you will either scold or laugh at me. But I mean every word I say." + +"I shall do neither, dear," was the quiet reply, "so you need not fear. +I have known for some time that you wish to leave this country, and I +have given it very serious consideration. But you must wait a while, +that is, for a few days at least. It all depends upon something about +which I do not care to speak now, as I must have more time to think it +over." + +Weston rose suddenly from the table and went into the kitchen. Glen +and Reynolds looked at each other without a word. They were both +surprised at Weston's words and the abrupt manner in which he left +them. Moved by the same impulse, they, too, rose from the table and +went out of doors. It was a beautiful evening, and the sky beyond the +mountain peaks was aglow with the lingering light of departing day. +The lake lay like a mirror, its borders black with the shadows of the +near-by trees. + +At the kitchen window Weston stood wrapped in thought. Forgotten was +the man lying in the bunk, for his mind was upon the two slowly wending +their way to the lake. The room seemed to stifle him, so he went to +the door and stood there, silent and alone. He was fighting the +hardest battle of his life, much harder, in fact, than the one he had +fought in his study the night he had first interviewed Reynolds. He +knew that he was at the parting of the ways. That Glen had given her +heart to the young stranger he was certain, and he believed that she +would never be happy apart from him. They would leave the northland, +and should he remain? That was the question which was now agitating +his mind. How could he live alone without Glen's inspiring presence? +There was no one to take her place, and he was getting well along in +years. He thought of her who had meant so much to him in the sweet +days of old. What agony had wrung his soul when she was taken from +him, and how his whole life had been changed. A slight groan escaped +the lips of the unhappy man, and mechanically he reached out his hands +into the night. At once there flashed into his mind the words Glen and +Reynolds had sung together at Glen West: + + "'Tis a tale that is truer and older + Than any the sagas tell. + I loved you in life too little-- + I love you in death too well." + +The sound of happy laughter from the shore fell upon his ears. He +started and looked down toward the shore. He could dimly see the two +standing near the water close to each other, and intuitively he knew +its meaning. They had forgotten him and everything else. They were +sufficient to each other, and all cares for the time had vanished. +Weston knew that the old, old tale was being repeated by the shore of +that inland lake, and that two young hearts were responding to the +sweet, luring charm of that divine influence, which banishes all grief +and care, and transfigures life with the halo of romance. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THROUGH THE STORM + +Next morning Reynolds started with Sconda for Big Draw. As he mounted +his horse in front of the cabin, Glen stood nearby, and he thought that +he had never seen her look so pretty. If any man had ever been tempted +to express all that was in his mind he had been the previous evening as +they stood by the shore of the lake. He believed that Glen loved him, +and he up-braided himself for not speaking and telling her of the deep +feeling of his heart. But he would return, and then he would not let +such another opportunity pass. + +Glen stroked the horse's proudly-arching neck as he champed impatiently +at his bit. + +"Take care of your master, Pedro," she ordered, "and bring him safely +back to Glen West." + +"Then you wish me to return, eh?" Reynolds queried. + +"Why shouldn't you?" and the girl blushed. "You have to arrange about +that gold, you know." + +"So I have. I am glad you reminded me." They both laughed, and +Reynolds looked longingly into Glen's eyes. "You must promise, though, +that the Indians will not drive me beyond the pass, and that your +father will not subject me to the Ordeal." + +"I think I can answer for them," was the low reply. "You are one of us +now, and that makes a great difference. But here comes daddy; he will +scold me for delaying you." + +"I wish I did not have to go," Reynolds declared. "I would much rather +go with you to Glen West. But I shall hurry back." + +"And be careful of yourself at Big Draw," the girl warned. "Curly is +there, and he hasn't any love for you." + +"Oh, I guess I shall be able to match that villain, so do not worry. +Good-by; I must be off, for Sconda is getting impatient." + +Reynolds rode rapidly down the trail, turning once to wave his hand to +Glen, who was watching him before the cabin door. He was very happy, +for he believed that he had won the heart of the purest, sweetest, and +most beautiful girl in the whole world. He sang snatches of songs as +he rode along, and at times laughed aloud in boyish glee, much to +Sconda's astonishment. Life was bright and rosy to him on this fine +summer morning, and the future looked most promising. He could hardly +believe that he was the same person who had entered the country but a +few weeks before, and who had travelled over that same trail with +Frontier Samson. He was hoping to find the old prospector at Big Draw; +who would be anxious to hear of his adventures. + +About an hour later Glen bade her father good-by. She was all ready to +start for home. + +"Don't stay here long, daddy," she pleaded. "Come as soon as you can, +for I shall be lonely without you." + +"And will you really miss me?" Weston asked. + +"Certainly I shall miss you. Life is not worth living when you are not +at home." + +"Not even when Reynolds is present?" + +Glen blushed furiously, and her father smiled, a sad smile, which Glen +was quick to notice. Throwing her arms impulsively about his neck, she +kissed his bronzed cheek. + +"I love you dearly, daddy," she murmured. "But because I love him does +not lessen my love for you." + +"I know it, dear, I know it," and Weston's voice was husky as he held +his daughter close. "I am glad to know that you are happy, and I have +every reason to believe that Reynolds is worthy of your love. Your +confidence means very much to me. But, there, now, you had better be +off. Natsu will look well after you. I was forced to send Sconda with +Reynolds, as Natsu is not to be trusted at Big Draw. There are some +unscrupulous fellows at the mining camp who might fill him with bad +whiskey, and when he is half drunk he is liable to talk too much." + +Glen enjoyed the ride over the long crooked trail, and her spirits, +which had been somewhat depressed at the parting from her father and +Reynolds, revived. There was nothing which thrilled and stimulated her +so much as riding on Midnight through the great wilderness. Her lithe, +supple body swayed in a rhythmical motion as the horse sped on his way. +Riding was one of the few attractions which made the northland +tolerable, and she wondered what she would do outside to replace it. + +"I shall take you with me, old boy," she confided, as she +affectionately patted Midnight's neck. "It would not do to leave you +behind. My, what a great time we shall have upon the level roads!" + +Then she fell to thinking about the joy of visiting different lands, +and seeing strange sights. But she always associated her travels with +Reynolds. She pictured him by her side as they went from place to +place, eager and delighted at everything they beheld. It was certainly +a pleasant dreamland in which she was living on this beautiful morning. +Not a shadow dimmed her vision. All was rosy and fair, and like +another speeding on his way to Big Draw, she was surrounded by the halo +of romance. + +It was supper time when Glen at length reached home, where she at once +handed Midnight over to Natsu, and entered the house. Nannie was +greatly surprised to see her back so soon, accompanied only by the +Indian. But a little later, as they sat down to supper, Glen related +the tale of experiences in the hills, omitting only her adventure with +Curly. + +"And just think, Nannie!" she enthusiastically exclaimed in conclusion, +"daddy is seriously thinking about leaving the north and going outside. +Isn't it great?" + +"Is he, indeed?" and the elderly woman looked her surprise. + +"Oh, yes. When I spoke to him about it he said that he wished to think +it over, and might let me know in a few days. Oh, I hope that he will +decide to go, don't you?" + +Nannie made no reply for a few minutes, but went on with her supper. + +"And what will become of me?" she at length asked. + +"Why, you must go with us, of course. You will not mind going, will +you?" + +"Not now," was the quiet reply. "I have been quite happy here because +I had you to think about and love. But you will be leaving soon, I +feel sure, and how could I endure this place without you? You have +little idea how much I missed you when you were away at school." + +"Why do you think I shall be leaving soon?" Glen asked. + +"I am not altogether blind, dear," and Nannie smiled. "You know the +story of the Sleeping Beauty. Only the man who was bold enough could +win her, and when he did venture into the enchanted place, a marvellous +change ensued. So it has happened here." + +"But I am not a sleeping beauty, Nannie," and Glen blushed, for she +well understood the meaning of her companion's words. + +"A very active beauty, I should say," and the woman looked with +admiration upon the fair face before her. "But the principle is the +same. The Prince has come, he has won your heart, and a great change +has been wrought in this place, which has affected even your father. +Now, isn't that true?" + +Glen rose suddenly to her feet, and threw her arms lovingly about +Nannie's neck. There were tears in her eyes, but they were tears of +joy. + +"You dear, dear old Nannie!" she cried. "How in the world did you +learn the secret of my heart?" + +"How could I help it?" was the laughing reply. "Your face alone would +have betrayed the secret, even if I had not guessed it. And the Prince +really loves you, Glen. But, there, I suppose he has told you all +this." + +"Indeed he has not. He never said a word to me," was the emphatic +denial. "I don't believe he ever thought of doing so." + +Nannie merely smiled at the girl's charming candour and unaffected +simplicity. It pleased her to know that Glen was not ashamed of her +love, and it was good to watch her bubbling over with the happiness of +her new-found joy. + +Glen spent much of the next morning upon the water in her canoe. She +visited the places where she and Reynolds had gone that first day they +had been together. She lived over again that happy time, marred only +by the shot from the Golden Crest. She had almost forgotten it now, +and her former anxiety had nearly vanished. She had a slight feeling +of fear as to what Curly might attempt to do to Reynolds at Big Draw, +but when she thought of her lover's strength she smiled confidently to +herself. + +About the middle of the afternoon she decided to go down to see Klota. +Telling Nannie that she would not be long, she donned her hat, and had +just stepped out upon the verandah when she saw Sconda riding furiously +toward the house. His horse was white with foam and panting heavily. +For an instant Glen's heart almost stopped beating, as she was certain +that the Indian bore some bad news. He had gone with Reynolds, and +what would bring him back so soon and in such a manner unless something +was seriously wrong? All this flashed through her mind as she hurried +down the steps just as Sconda drew rein in front of the house. + +"What is the matter, Sconda?" she demanded. "Tell me, quick." + +"White stranger in trouble," was the brief reply. + +"Where?" Glen asked, while her face turned pale. + +"At white man's camp. Curly catch him. Curly make big trouble." + +"Are you sure? Did Mr. Reynolds send you here for help?" + +"White stranger did not send Sconda. Titsla tell Sconda at foot of +Crooked Trail." + +"Oh, I see," Glen mused. "Titsla was at Big Draw with meat for the +miners, and he found out that Curly was planning to harm Mr. Reynolds, +eh?" + +"Ah, ah, Titsla come quick. Titsla tell Sconda." + +"And you rode fast to tell me?" + +"Sconda come like the wind. Look," and he motioned to his weary horse. + +Glen was thoroughly aroused now. She was no longer the happy, +free-from-care girl who had emerged from the house a few minutes +before, but a woman stirred to a high pitch of anger, the same as when +she faced Curly in front of the cabin by the lake. Her father's spirit +possessed her now, and when Glen Weston's eyes flashed as they did when +she was aware of her lover's danger, those best acquainted with her +knew that she was capable of almost any deed of heroism. Of a gentle, +loving disposition, and true as steel to those who were true to her, +there was hidden within her something of the primitive life of the +wild, which, when stirred resembled the rushing tempests of her +familiar mountains. + +Turning to Sconda she gave a few terse orders, and when the Indian had +received them, he wheeled his horse and headed him for the village. +Glen at once hurried back into the house, went to her own room, and in +a short time reappeared, clad in her riding-suit. She met Nannie at +the foot of the stairs, and briefly explained the object of her mission. + +"But surely you are not going to Big Draw!" the woman exclaimed in +dismay. "What will your father say?" + +"Yes, I am going," was the decided reply. "What would daddy say if I +shirked my duty?" + +"But you are not going alone!" + +"No. I have given Sconda orders to get twenty of the best men in the +village to accompany me. We shall go by way of Crooked Trail, and +should reach Big Draw by night. God grant we may be in time!" + +"But it isn't safe, Glen," Nannie urged. "I can trust you with the +Indians, all right, but suppose something should happen to you down +there?" + +"Don't you worry, dear," the girl soothed, as she gave the woman a +parting kiss. "I am quite capable of taking care of myself." + +"But where will you sleep to-night, or get anything to eat?" The +question showed Nannie's thoughtful, motherly concern. + +"Oh, I haven't thought about such things. Anyway, I do not care +whether I eat or sleep. Most likely the Indians will take some food +with them, and they will share with me. There, now, I must be off. +So, good-by, Nannie, dear, and do not worry about me." + +"You must take your riding-cloak, though," Nannie insisted. "It may be +cold to-night, and should it rain you will feel the good of it. There, +that's better," she added, as she placed the garment over the girl's +shoulders. "I am afraid that your father will blame me for letting you +go." + +Glen smiled at the woman's fears as she again kissed her, and picking +up her riding-gloves, she hurried out of the house and down to the +village. Here she found the twenty men awaiting her arrival, and +Sconda holding Midnight. She smiled as she saw them, and her heart +warmed as never before to these faithful natives. They were proud, +too, of their young mistress, and were ready and willing to follow her +anywhere, and to obey her slightest wish. They were anxious, as well, +for a tilt with the miners at Big Draw, for whom they had no great love. + +In a few minutes Glen, mounted upon Midnight, was leading her little +band out of Glen West on their ride over Crooked Trail. The entire +population of the place was on hand to watch their departure, for word +had speedily spread about the trouble at Big Draw. Men, women and +children were clustered about the store, who gazed with the keenest +interest as the column of relief pulled out of the village. Glen's +eyes kindled with pride and animation as she turned and waved them a +cheery good-by. Then she touched Midnight lightly with her whip, at +which the noble animal leaped forward, up the trail, through the woods, +across the wild meadow, and into the pass. The Indians found it +difficult to keep pace with their young mistress, for Midnight was the +fleetest horse that ever trod a northern trail. + +As they advanced, however, it was necessary to travel slower, for the +way was steep and rough, and it was only with considerable care that +the horses could pick their steps. Glen became impatient at this +delay, for the sun was swinging low beyond the far-off mountain peaks, +and she realised that if night overtook them in the hills it would +greatly retard their progress, and perhaps make them too late in +reaching Big Draw. + +As they were moving slowly down Crooked Trail, the sky suddenly became +overcast, and then black. Great, threatening clouds were massed +together far up in the hills, and the wind began to draw down the +ravine. It steadily increased in strength, and in a short time a gale +was upon them. Then followed the rain, which struck them just as they +reached the valley. It was one of those sudden mountain storms, the +dread of the most hardened trails-man, and the utter consternation of +the chechahco. Fortunately the wind was in the backs of the +travellers, and the trail was smoother now. Never for a moment did +Glen hesitate, and Midnight responded splendidly to the occasion, +inspiring with courage the horses following. The roar of the wind was +terrific, and the trees bowed like reeds beneath its onslaught. Never +had Glen experienced such a storm on the trail, and most thankful was +she for the riding-cloak which Nannie had placed upon her shoulders. +Her hat had been torn from her head, and her hair was tossed in the +wildest confusion about her face and half blinded her. It was +certainly a strange and weird sight as that slight girl led her +determined band down that valley right through the heart of the storm. + +It was difficult now to see far ahead, and Glen had to trust entirely +to Midnight. Not once did the faithful animal stumble or exhibit the +least sign of hesitation. He seemed to realise that much was at stake, +and that everything depended upon his efforts. With ears pointed +straight forward, and with head lowered, as if to guard his steps, he +surged onward, every nerve keenly alert, and his entire body quivering +with excitement. + +For about an hour the storm beat upon them in all its fury, and +notwithstanding the riding-cloak, Glen became thoroughly soaked. But +she never once thought of herself, for her mind was ever upon Reynolds. +Would they be in time to help him? she asked herself over and over +again. She wondered what was the nature of the plot Curly had +concocted, and whether all the miners were involved. Any danger to +herself never once entered her mind, for she was so sure of the loyalty +of her dusky followers. To reach the man she loved was the one great +object which upheld her as she rode through that howling tempest. + +At length they came to a place where the draw swerved sharply to the +left. Here the trail left the valley and circled up a small hill +behind the mining camp. The storm, following the draw as if it were a +funnel, rushed roaring on its way, while the riders gaining the higher +ground were somewhat beyond its reach, and, turning, saw it sweeping +below like a torrent in full spate. + +With a great sigh of relief, Glen paused for a moment on the summit, +viewed the magnificent sight, and waited for her followers as they +struggled, one by one, from the grasp of the mighty monster of the +mountains. Then she spoke to Midnight and moved onward. + +It was quite dark now, and the opposite slope which they soon began to +descend was wrapped in the shadows of the hills. But Sconda knew every +step of the way, and for the first time since leaving Glen West he took +the lead and guided the band. Not a word was spoken as they defiled +down that steep, narrow trail, and to anyone watching, they would have +appeared like spectres coming from the unseen world. + +Glen was nerved now to the highest pitch of excitement, for she felt +that the critical moment, whatever it might be, was not far off. +Anxiously and eagerly she peered forward, and just as they had almost +reached the foot of the trail, a bright light suddenly pierced the +darkness. Instantly every rider drew rein, and the horses stopped +almost as one. All eyes were fixed, upon a blazing fire ahead, around +which they could see a number of men moving. Then Glen gave a slight +cry of dismay, touched Midnight sharply with her whip, and bounded +forward, straight for that burning pile. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +IN THE TOILS + +Curly reached Big Draw only a couple of hours ahead of Reynolds and +Sconda. He had travelled fast, impelled by a burning rage, eager to +impart to others as vile as himself the story he had concocted in his +venomous mind. He was seated in the roadhouse, surrounded by his +favorite gang, as Reynolds and his guide rode into camp. He reminded +his hearers how the former had gone with Frontier Samson in quest of +gold, and that the old prospector had mysteriously disappeared. He +informed them that he had met Reynolds at Glen West with Jim Weston's +daughter, and that they had both sneered at him. + +"I was walking along the street," the liar continued, "when I saw the +two standing together, an' very chummy. When Reynolds saw me he tried +to hurry away into an Indian's shack. But I stopped him, an' asked him +what he had done with Frontier Samson. This made him mad, an' he told +me it was none of my business, an' if I didn't leave Glen West at once +he'd set the Indians upon me." + +"What did you do?" one of the listeners eagerly asked, as Curly paused +and lighted a cigarette. + +"Oh, I just laughed an' told him that I didn't care a rip for him or +the Indians, an' that I would leave when I got ready. Then he an' the +girl made fun of me, told me I was a queer looking guy, an' if I was +anxious about the old prospector I had better go an' hunt for him +myself. I left them at that, an' strolled about the place for a while. +But that night didn't the Indians come upon me. They took me down into +the woods, tied me to a tree, an' were all ready to burn me alive. +Say, it was hell fer a while, an' I thought sure I was a goner. But +just as a big devil stooped to light the dry wood at my feet, Jim +Weston arrived, beat them off, an' set me free. An' all the time I was +tied to that tree, didn't Reynolds stand by an' make fun of me. He +said he would shut my mouth once an' for all about Frontier Samson. +When I told him I was certain he had killed the old man, he flew into a +rage an' cursed like a pirate. That's what he did, the cuss. Hand me +over a drink, Tom; I'm thirsty." + +While Curly and his gang were talking and drinking, across the street +Reynolds was recording three double claims, for Jim Weston, Glen +Weston, and himself, as discoverers. He produced a specimen of the +gold which he carried in his pocket, and explained the exact position +where the claims were situated. This work completed, he went at once +to the roadhouse, and asked for his mail. He saw Curly and his +companions, but paid no heed to them. He was more interested in the +letters awaiting him, for there were two, and from his friend the +editor, at that. + +"You've been a long time away," Shorty remarked, as he looked curiously +at the young man. + +"Yes, I suppose I have," was the absent-minded reply, for Reynolds was +looking at his letters. + +"Strike anything?" + +"I believe so. But, say, is Frontier Samson here? Have you seen him +lately?" + +"W-why, no," Shorty stammered. He had overheard Curly's remarks, so +this unexpected question somewhat embarrassed him. "He went with you, +didn't he?" + +"He certainly did, but I got lost out in the hills, and haven't seen +the old man since. I hope nothing has happened to him." + +Not a word of this escaped the men at the table, and when Reynolds had +left the building they stared at one another for a few seconds. + +"Did ye hear what he said about the gold?" Curly eagerly asked. "I +believe he's struck it rich, an' most likely he has put Samson out of +the way." + +"But he asked about him, though," one of the men replied. + +"Oh, that was just a ruse, an' nothing more. He wanted to find out if +we suspect anything. I say, Shorty, bring us something," he ordered. +"This is my treat." + +When the liquor had been brought, the men drank and talked in low +voices. What they said Shorty could not hear, although he strained his +ears in an effort to catch the drift of the conversation. After a +while other men entered the room, and these were soon acquainted with +Reynolds' return, the gold he had discovered, and the mysterious +disappearance of Frontier Samson. A few agreed with Curly that it was +strange that the old prospector had not been seen for some time, and +that his partner had returned alone. Where was the discovery made? +they wanted to know. + +"Near the Tasan," a man replied. "I've just been to the Recording +Office, and found that three double claims have been entered there in +the names of Jim Weston, Glen Weston, and Thomas Reynolds. But I don't +put any stock in that. Why, I've cruised all over that region, and so +have others. There's not enough gold there to fill the eye-tooth of a +mouse. I've been on too many fool stampedes of late, and I'm sick of +them. What does that chechahco know about gold?" + +"But Jim Weston is in with him," Curly reminded. "What d'ye make of +that?" + +"H'm, Jim Weston knows more about robbing Indians than he does about +mining. He wouldn't know the real stuff from 'fool's gold.' No doubt +that's what they've found." + +The talk now became general and continued for some time. Several +thought it worth while to go and see what the new discovery was like, +but others scoffed at the idea. They also discussed the disappearance +of Frontier Samson, and even hinted that perhaps his partner knew more +than he was willing to tell. Curly suggested that he should be brought +before them and questioned. This met with considerable favor, although +no one seemed inclined to take upon himself such a responsibility. It +was late when the men at length left the store, and took themselves off +to their various cabins. Curly and his band went together, and for the +rest of the night they communed and plotted in a lonely shack some +distance up the creek. + +With no idea that he was the centre of such interest, Reynolds slept +soundly in his own little tent, for he was tired after his experiences +in the hills. It was late when he awoke in the morning, and after he +had eaten his frugal breakfast, he went over to the roadhouse for a +supply of tobacco. Shorty was the only one present, for most of the +miners were busy up the creek. Curly and his companions were still +asleep after their night's vigil, and evidently would not show +themselves for several hours. Shorty tried to learn from Reynolds +something about the gold he had discovered, and also asked about +Frontier Samson. But so little information did he gain, that he was +much annoyed and became suspicious as well. + +Reynolds went back to his tent, filled and lighted his pipe, and +brought forth the two letters he had received, and read them again. +They interested him, for they contained scraps of news of the outside +world. But they were mostly filled with the editor's expressions of +regret that Reynolds was wasting his time in the north, when he might +be off on the great quest which was so near his heart. + + +"I hope you will return soon," he wrote, "and begin the search for +Henry Redmond. Only yesterday I received what I consider a clue as to +his whereabouts. I met a man who has been overseas, and telling him +about Redmond, he informed me that he believed he knew where he was. +He said that while in Switzerland he came across an old man and his +daughter. The girl was about eighteen or nineteen years of age, and +that corresponds with the age of the child Redmond took with him, for +she was only three or four at the time of his disappearance. He said +that the man had plenty of money, lived in a house beautifully +furnished, and possessed a good library. But he was most reticent +about himself, although he acknowledged that he was acquainted with +Canada, and had lived here for some time. So you see, I have reason +for believing that the man is Henry Redmond, and that you should go at +once and hunt him out. Even after you meet him, your task will still +bristle with difficulties, for he is evidently hard to approach." + + +Reynolds smiled as he read these words. He knew how anxious the editor +was for him to return that he might start at once upon the search. But +he had no idea of going to Switzerland, or anywhere else for that +matter, while the northland held such attractions. He decided to write +and tell his old friend to be patient a while longer, and then perhaps +he would receive the greatest surprise of his life. He tried to +picture the look upon the editor's face should he unexpectedly walk +into his office with Glen by his side. He believed that he would be +greatly pleased, for could any man in his right mind resist the girl's +charms? He knew that Harmon would be somewhat annoyed, for a woman +would ruin his hope of ever finding the missing Henry Redmond. + +Reynolds spent part of the afternoon writing a long letter to the +editor. He had much to tell him about the country, his experiences in +the wilderness, and the mysterious ruler of Glen West. But of Glen he +said little, nothing, in fact, that would in any way arouse Harmon's +suspicion of the writer's deep interest in the girl. + +When the letter was finished he took it over to the roadhouse to mail, +and then spent the rest of the afternoon upon the creek in an effort to +learn, if possible, something about Frontier Samson. But although he +questioned all the miners he saw, not one could enlighten him in the +least degree. He thought that several looked at him curiously when he +asked about the old prospector, and he wondered what they meant. + +He spent some time far up the creek, and ate the lunch he had brought +with him in a quiet place near the stream which flowed down the valley, +and provided the necessary water for the sluice-boxes where the +precious gold was washed out. He enjoyed the seclusion, as it gave him +an opportunity to think over what the editor had written, and also +about Glen. He intended to leave early the next morning for Glen West +by way of Crooked Trail, and he knew that Glen would be waiting and +eager to greet him. Her face stood out clear and distinct in his mind, +and he recalled the words she had spoken, and her charming manner. His +heart beat fast as he thought of her, and he believed that she loved +him. He chided himself for not pouring out his heart to her that +evening as they stood by the side of the inland lake. The expression +in her eyes and the tone of her voice were those of a woman whose heart +must be filled with love, so he reasoned. Yes, he would speak to her +just as soon as he reached Glen West. The way would be short, for she +was his guiding star, and he would speed swiftly to the one he loved. + +It was dusk when he at length rose to his feet and started down the +creek. He did not hurry as he had the whole evening before him, and +there was no one awaiting his coming. But there would be someone +tomorrow, and his heart thrilled, and his eyes shone with animation as +he thought of the girl beyond the Golden Crest. + +Part way down Big Draw valley, and on the left side, was a sharp break +in the bank, where a small creek met the larger one. This in ages past +had evidently been a river, whose bed was now dry. It was up this +creek that the trail led out into the hills, the one that Reynolds had +always taken when he went forth on his hunting expeditions. The +entrance to this draw was now wrapped in semi-darkness, for the high +tree-clad banks shouldered toward each other, thus shutting out the dim +light of departing day. + +Reynolds reached this place, and with a glance up the trail which he +would take in the morning, he had almost reached the opposite side, +when, without a word of warning, a light was flashed into his eyes, and +in an instant he was swept from his feet, hurled to the ground, and his +arms securely bound. He had no chance to defend himself, for +everything happened so quickly. There seemed to be quite a crowd of +men holding him fast, some sitting upon his body, while others held his +hands and feet. Although He strained and struggled desperately to free +himself, his efforts were of no avail, and he soon realised that he +might as well reserve his strength for whatever lay ahead. + +"Now get on yer feet, an' be d---- quick about it, too." It was +Curly's voice, and Reynolds knew that the villain was at the bottom of +this affair. + +He made no reply, however, but at once struggled to a standing position +and looked around. There appeared to be more than a dozen men, and by +the dim light he recognized several. They had been drinking, he could +easily tell, and were in a quarrelsome mood, and wrangled with one +another as to what they should do with their captive. One was for +stringing him up to a tree; another was for shooting him; while a third +suggested that they should pitch him head first down one of the +mining-shafts. But Curly would not listen to these propositions, and +gave orders that the prisoner should be taken up the creek in the +direction of Crooked Trail. + +"It's safer there," he told them, "an' we don't want our fun spoiled by +the Police." + +"There's none in camp to-night," one explained. "They're all off on +the trail." + +"An' lucky fer us," Curly replied. "Anyway, let's hustle an' get out +of this." + +Reynolds was immediately seized and hurried up the creek. He tried to +think and plan some way of escape. He realised that the situation was +serious, for with Curly, devilish and full of revenge, and at the head +of a band of half-drunken men as reckless as himself, there was no +knowing what he might do. But he was determined to be game, and await +further developments as calmly as possible. + +As they moved forward he partly learned from the men's conversation why +they had waylaid him. He found out that Curly had been filling his +companions' minds with gross lies, and now inflamed with impure whiskey +they were willing tools in the hands of their revengeful leader. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +HELP FROM THE HILLS + +After they had stumbled on for about fifteen minutes Curly called a +halt, and ordered the men to build a fire. + +"This is as good a place as any," he told them. "No one will bother us +here to-night, an' that's all we care." + +Cursing and grumbling in a maudlin manner, several of the men gathered +a number of sticks, and soon a fire was started. As the flames shot up +Reynolds could see plainly the faces of his captors, and as he watched +them his prospects did not seem very bright. They were men as reckless +as Curly himself, and being half drunk they had lost all sense of +responsibility. They did exactly what their leader commanded, +notwithstanding their incessant complaints. This was exactly what +Curly wanted. He had supplied them with liquor, but had taken little +himself. + +When the fire had been lighted, Reynolds was securely tied to a tree +standing near. The rope which bound him was drawn tight and caused him +considerable pain, although he exhibited no outward sign. But his +heart was hot within him, especially when he looked upon Curly's +sneering and jubilant face. If he could only be free for a few minutes +he would attack the entire bunch, and revel in the fight. But to be +bound and helpless was most galling. + +"How d'ye like it?" Curly asked, coming up close to Reynolds. "Having +a good time, eh? This is our picnic to-night." + +"So I see," and the captive's lips curled in a sarcastic smile. "But +just let me free for about five minutes, and then you'll see whose +picnic it is." + +"Not on yer life. We've got ye sure now, an' intend to keep ye that +way until we're through with ye. What would yer little girlie say if +she could see ye now?" + +"To whom do you refer?" + +"Oh, I guess you know, all right," and Curly grinned. "She's pretty, +isn't she? But she has no use for me. She prefers a white-livered +sucker like you." + +"Who was the big white-livered sucker during the war?" Reynolds +retorted. "I didn't hide away in the hills like you did, Curly. You +are a coward, and you know it." + +"Who killed his pardner, though?" Curly snarled, for the prisoner's +words stung him to the quick. + +"What do you mean?" Reynolds asked in surprise. + +"Where is Frontier Samson? What happened to the old man?" + +Reynolds' eyes grew big with amazement as the meaning of Curly's words +dawned upon his mind. So these men believed that he had killed the +prospector! His face turned pale at the thought. What could he say in +self-defense? Curly noted his embarrassment as well as the change of +countenance, and he was greatly elated. + +"Ye can't deny it," he charged. "Look, boys," he shouted. "See the +white streak about his gills." + +"Where ish Samson?" a blear-eyed man demanded, thrusting his +whiskey-reeking mouth up close to Reynolds' face. "Where ish my old +friend?" + +Reynolds made no reply, although it was with difficulty that he +restrained himself. To try to explain to such men would be useless, he +was well aware. Others now surrounded him, who asked, not only about +Samson, but about Jim Weston's daughter. They made the night hideous +with their oaths and vile questions, until they seemed to Reynolds more +like imps of the infernal regions let loose than human beings. He saw +that they were becoming more and more reckless as they talked, shouted, +and quarrelled with one another, and he expected at any minute to see +them turn upon him and inflict some bodily injury, and, perhaps, tear +him to pieces. + +All this pleased Curly immensely, as he stood a little aside and +watched his followers. His eyes seldom left the captive's face, but he +looked in vain for any show of weakness on Reynolds' part. This was +not altogether to his liking. He wished to see his victim show signs +of fear, to cry aloud and plead for mercy. He had done so himself, and +he longed to find it in Reynolds that he might taunt him with weakness +and cowardice. + +When he had waited in vain for fully half an hour, he ordered the men +to pile dry wood about the prisoner's feet. They readily obeyed, and +all took part, anticipating some rare sport. + +"We'll take that sneer off yer face," Curly remarked, as he stepped up +close to Reynolds. "We'll make ye yell." + +"The same as you did at Glen West, I suppose?" Reynolds retorted. +"Your lungs must have been sore after such yelps. Who showed the white +liver then?" + +Curly spat contemptuously at the captive, and motioned the men to bring +a burning stick from the fire. Several at once hastened to obey, +tumbling over one another in their eagerness. One, more active than +the rest, extricated himself, seized a flaming torch, and rushed toward +the prisoner. He had almost reached him, and Reynolds felt that the +moment of doom had arrived. But just at this critical instant a +peculiar noise fell upon his ears, and he listened intently. Then his +heart bounded with hope, for it was the sound of galloping horses. His +captors heard it, too, and the man carrying the torch hesitated and +then stopped. It was an ominous sound to them, and their hearts smote +them with a great fear. But they had little time for thought, for at +once nine hundred pounds of quivering horse flesh, bone, and sinewy +muscle leaped out of the darkness into their midst, and reared wildly +when suddenly checked by a pair of strong, tense arms. With head +tossed high, and champing madly at his bits, Midnight reeled back +almost upon his haunches in such a manner that an inexperienced rider +would have been unhorsed in an instant. But Glen was not in the least +perturbed by the rearing steed, and maintained her seat with an easy +composure. In truth, she never thought about herself, but only of him +whose life was in danger. + +"Cowards!" she cried. "Unloose that man!" and she pointed to Reynolds. + +But no one moved to obey her imperious command. The men stared as if +she were an apparition, so sudden and unexpected was her arrival. And +in fact, she did seem like a leader of the legendary Valkyries, with +her flashing eyes and wind-swept hair, mounted upon that prancing horse +as black as night itself. It was little wonder that the men trembled +as they watched her, while several crossed themselves as if to ward off +some malign influence. + +Curly, who had staggered back aghast at this sudden intrusion, was the +first to recover. He glanced apprehensively around, as if meditating +flight. But Glen's keen eyes detected his design, and she sternly +ordered him to remain where he was. Then she turned and spoke a few +words to her followers in the Indian tongue. At once a rapid movement +took place, as the natives formed themselves in a circle around the +white men and thus barred every avenue of escape. This brought the +miners somewhat to their senses, and seeing that their unwelcome +visitors were not ghosts, their hands slipped to their hip-pockets. +But a mighty roar from Sconda paralyzed their hands, causing them to +drop by their sides as the baffled men stared sullenly upon almost a +score of rifles pointing straight at their hearts. + +It seemed to Reynolds as if he must be beholding a vision, so wonderful +did it all appear. He gazed upon Glen with intense admiration. He +could hardly believe it possible that such a sweet, confiding girl +could be so changed into an imperious leader in such a short time. +Could she be the same who had bade him such a tender farewell by the +shore of the lake in the hills? She looked more beautiful than ever +now, but it was the beauty of wild abandon in the glory of a noble +cause, which for the time had transformed this tender maiden into a +woman of unselfish daring. She held him spellbound as she sat so +superbly upon her now quiet horse. Forgotten were his bonds as he +watched her, and his one thought was of her. How had she heard of his +trouble? and how had she managed to arrive just at the critical moment? +He longed to hear the story from her own lips. A passionate desire +swept upon him to enfold her in his arms, to tell her how proud he was +of what she had done, and to press his lips to hers. And she was the +girl who had been so grossly insulted by his villainous captors! The +thought stung him, and he turned sharply toward the cringing Curly. +The brute was standing there, sullen and defiant. Reynolds knew that +he would soon be free, and then he would deal with the cur. He heard +Glen speak and saw Sconda dismount and disarm the miners. Last of all +he came to Curly, and when the Indian reached for his revolver, the +serpent spat at him and cursed wildly. With a marvelous restraint, +Sconda merely took the weapon from the enraged man's pocket, and then +walking over to Reynolds, swiftly cut the cords which bound him to the +tree and freed his hands. + +Finding himself unbound, Reynolds cast one glance toward Glen, and saw +her looking at him with a peculiar expression in her eyes. He seemed +to read there a challenge, which could have but one meaning. He turned +to Curly, and beholding that sneer of contempt still upon his face, he +sprang forward and confronted the villain. + +"I am free now," he cried, "and am able to answer your insult to the +purest woman upon earth. It is man to man, and we shall settle it +right here." + +But Curly was in no mood for a fight; that was not his nature. He was +a coward at heart, though the failure of his plot made him so angry +that he was daringly reckless. With a curse he started to turn away, +but Reynolds caught him by the shoulders and swung him roughly around. + +"No, you don't get off so easily," he told him. "One of us must get a +drubbing here to-night, and if you can give it to me, come on." + +"Take that, then," and Curly drew off and hit him a savage blow on the +face. + +It was all that Reynolds needed, and springing forward, he felled his +antagonist to the ground with a single blow. And there Curly lay, and +made no attempt to rise. He had enough, and he knew in his heart that +he was no match for the man standing over him. + +"Get up," Reynolds ordered. "I'm not through with you yet." + +But Curly did not move. He lay there as if dead. Reynolds did not +know what to do, for he was unwilling to inflict further punishment +upon the creature while he was down. + +"Curly." It was Glen's voice, and it had an ominous note. "Get up at +once, and explain the meaning of this night's affair. Why this insult +to Mr. Reynolds?" + +To this command, however, Curly paid no heed, but remained as he had +fallen. Glen's eyes flashed with a dangerous light as she tapped +impatiently with her riding-whip upon the pommel of her saddle. + +"Get up," she again ordered, "or I shall hand you over to the Indians. +They will not be so considerate of you as we are." + +As Curly still made no effort to rise, Glen uttered just two Indian +words to Sconda. The latter immediately turned and roared a command to +his followers. At once half a dozen natives sprang eagerly forward, +but before they could lay hands upon him Curly was on his feet, +trembling violently. He leaped aside from the natives, his face +ghastly pale. + +"Keep them off!" he yelled. "Don't let the devils touch me!" + +"I thought that would bring you somewhat to your senses," and a smile +of contempt hovered about the corners of Glen's mouth as she spoke. +"But I mean what I say, you can be assured of that. Tell me, now, what +is the meaning of all this? Why did you bring Mr. Reynolds here, and +what were you going to do to him?" + +"He murdered his pardner," was the low reply. + +Glen gave a violent start at this accusation, and looked keenly at +Curly. Her hands trembled, and it seemed to her as if her heart had +stopped beating. + +"Who was his partner?" she at length found voice to ask. + +"Frontier Samson, of course. He was a friend of ours, and we were +about to avenge his death, when you interfered." + +"But how did you learn that Frontier Samson is dead?" Glen inquired. + +"Because no one has seen him since he left camp with this guy," and he +motioned to Reynolds who was standing nearby. "Samson hasn't shown up +at Big Draw, an' his pardner doesn't care to explain what happened to +him." + +For a few seconds there was a dead silence, save for the crackling of +the fire, and the restless movements of the horses. Then from out of +the darkness came a roar of laughter, and while all turned and stared +in astonishment, Frontier Samson himself bounded into their midst and +confronted Curly. + +"Do I look like a dead man?" he demanded. "D'ye think I've been +murdered by me pardner?" + +Curly's only reply was a fearful stare as if he had seen a ghost. He +tried to speak, but words would not come. + +"Frightened, are ye?" and the prospector took a step closer to the +unhappy villain. "But ye'll be more frightened before I git through +with ye, let me tell ye that. What's the meanin' of sich actions? Out +with it." + +"I t-thought y-you were dead," Curly stammered. + +"An' so ye was takin' the matter of justice into yer own dirty hands, +eh?" + +"Somebody had to do it." + +"H'm," Samson grunted as he glanced around upon the miners. "Queer +justice, I call it. Why didn't ye let the Police look after the +affair, if ye thought me pardner had murdered me? No, ye can't answer +that," he continued, for Curly made no defence. "It's yer own bad +heart, that's what made ye do it. Yer jealous; that's what's wrong. +An' as fer justice, you'll git plenty of it soon, an' more'n ye'll care +fer. An' you talk about a man murderin' his pardner, an' givin' him +justice! Who murdered Bill Ducett, at Black Ravine, tell me that?" + +Curly's eyes, which were big with fear, now fairly burst from their +sockets as the old prospector laid this startling charge. His knees +trembled, and it seemed as if he must fall to the ground, so great was +his terror. + +"H-how d'ye know about Bill?" he gasped. + +"Never mind how I know," Samson replied. Then he turned toward Glen. +"Excuse me, Miss," and he lifted his old weather-beaten hat, "I'm real +sorry that you have to witness sich a scene as this. But it can't be +helped, fer thar stands the worst criminal that ever came into this +region. An' to think of him talkin' about murder an' justice, when he +himself murdered his own pardner!" + +"It's a lie!" Curly denied with an oath. "What d'ye mean by making +such a charge?" + +"It's no lie, Curly," and the prospector looked sternly into the cur's +bloodshot eyes. "I've got all the proof that's necessary to stretch +yer neck. But it'll keep until the right ones git hold of ye. In the +meantime, we might as well go down to Shorty's an' git something to +eat. I'm as hungry as a two-year-old bear. We'll take these fellers +along," and he motioned to the miners. "Jist let yer Injuns look after +'em, Miss. An' ye'd better see that Curly is tied tight so's he can't +git away. We don't want to run any risk with him." + +It took but a few minutes to carry out this latter suggestion, and then +all headed for the mining creek. The miners were marshalled by the +Indians, with Samson walking watchfully by Curly's side, while Reynolds +kept close to Glen. No one spoke, and it was a strange procession +which wound its way down the creek, and at length halted in front of +the roadhouse. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE OLD TRUE STORY + +There was great indignation at Shorty's when the miners heard of the +villainous attempt upon Reynolds' life. At first they would hardly +believe it, but as they listened to Frontier Samson, whose words were +confirmed by Glen, and Reynolds, they knew that it must be true. Then +when they learned that Curly was guilty of the murder of his partner, +Bill Ducett, they became thoroughly aroused. + +These miners were the finest men at Big Draw. They worked hard and +minded their own business. They were not given to much talk, due, no +doubt, to long years in the wilderness. Neither were they carried away +by any sudden impulse on the spur of the moment. They never had +anything in common with Curly and his gang, although they had often +listened to their vapid boastings. So now when they learned of the +despicable affair up the narrow creek, they did not take matters into +their own hands, and visit upon the miscreants swift and dire +punishment. They decided, after a brief consultation with Frontier +Samson, to keep close guard upon Curly and hand him over to the Mounted +Police, who were expected back the next day. His companions would be +allowed their freedom until needed. + +"Such actions must be stopped," one big weather-beaten veteran of many +trails declared. "Curly and his bunch, as well as all others of such +breed, must learn first as last that the Police are here to give +British justice, and a fair trial to every man, no matter who he is. +It's not for any of us to deal with such brutes as Curly and his gang." + +"I agree with you, Tom," another replied. "But it's a pity we didn't +hear sooner about what was taking place up the draw. We'd a been there +in no time. I can't understand how that Indian Titsla learned the +news. He was here yesterday selling meat, but he never mentioned a +word to us." + +"I imagine he thought the hull bunch of yez was in the plot," Samson +replied, "an' so he hit the trail fer Glen West as fast as he could. +That's the way with them Injuns." Then he turned suddenly and walked +over to Shorty. "Say, old man," he began, "rustle up some grub fer +them Injuns outside, will ye? I'd like to give 'em a good feed before +they leave. An' hand out something to the rest of us while yer at it. +I'm most starved, an' I guess the rest are, too. I'll foot the bill." + +In less than an hour Shorty had the Indians fed, and when Samson had +provided each with a large plug of tobacco, they all left in the best +of spirits for Glen West. + +Reynolds' entire solicitude was for Glen. He thought not of himself, +and paid little heed to the miners as they discussed Curly and his +companions. His only concern was for her who was sitting in the one +arm-chair the room contained with such a weary look in her eyes. The +stern expression had vanished from her face, and she was the real Glen +again. She did not care to talk, although she listened intently to +everything that was said. But after the miners had left, and she sat +down to the supper Shorty had prepared, she became more animated. + +"Oh, I am so glad that we are alone at last!" and she breathed a deep +sigh of relief. "It seems as if I have had a fearful dream." + +"You'll be all right, Miss, as soon as ye git a good night's sleep," +Samson replied. "Yer a bit used up at present." + +"I suppose so. But where shall I sleep?" + +"Here, of course. Shorty's goin' to give ye his best room, an' not a +soul will disturb ye until mornin'. Then ye must be up bright an' +early. Yer dad wants ye at his cabin." + +"Is anything wrong?" Glen anxiously asked. + +"Nuthin', Miss. But yer dad wants ye as soon as ye kin git thar." + +"How does he know I'm here?" and Glen looked her surprise. + +"How does he know?" Samson slowly repeated. "Wall, that's fer you to +find out. I jist come from thar to-day, so I know that he wants ye. +What's the use of askin' how Jim Weston finds things out? Why, he +seems to know what a man miles off is thinkin' about. Ye'd almost +imagine that he has a wireless outfit fixed up in his head." + +Glen and Reynolds laughed, and even the old man smiled. He seemed to +like to see them both happy, and when supper was over he told several +humorous stories in his quaint, droll fashion. For a time Glen forgot +her exciting experiences of the afternoon, and Samson did not once +allude to them. At length he arose and laid his hand upon Reynolds' +shoulder. + +"Come, young man, it's time fer us to be goin' if the lassie is to git +any sleep," he reminded. "I know you'd like to sit here all night an' +watch. But she'll be as safe as in her own little nest at home. We'll +be around early in the mornin', remember, Miss." + +Glen held out her hand as she bade each good night. Reynolds held her +hand for a few seconds and looked lovingly into her tired eyes. How he +longed to put his arms around her to comfort her and tell her how brave +and noble she was. But no, he would not do that now, as she might +resent it. Instead, he merely bent his head, and lifting her hand +touched it lightly with his lips, and hurried out of the building. +Alone in the little room that night, ere she laid herself down upon the +rough cot, Glen pressed her hand to her lips and kissed the spot where +her lover's lips had rested. Tired though she was, a sweet peace stole +into her heart. Forgotten was Curly, and she thought only of him she +had rescued, and of whose love she felt assured. + +Frontier Samson made no allusion to Reynolds' presence at Big Draw. He +never even asked what had befallen him when he was lost out in the +hills. This did not seem strange to Reynolds for a while, as his mind +was much filled with the stirring events of the night. But when lying +wrapped up in his blankets in his tent he thought it all over, and the +silence of the prospector did seem strange. Then he remembered that +Samson had been at the cabin in the hills, and no doubt Weston had told +him the whole story. + +No reference was made to the matter the next day until they were well +advanced on the trail. Glen was like her former self once more after +her refreshing sleep, and the color had again returned to her cheeks, +She was full of spirit and animation, and laughed gaily at Samson's +quaint remarks as he rode by her side wherever the trail permitted. + +Reynolds, too, was happy, and Glen's buoyant cheerfulness affected him +like magic. To listen to her voice and merry laughter made him +perfectly contented. Life was very pleasant to him this morning, with +the dark clouds all rolled away. + +Suddenly a moose appeared on the trail ahead, which gazed for an +instant upon the riders, and then bounded off into the woods. + +"Like to chase it, eh?" Samson queried, as he looked quizzically at +Reynolds. + +"Not this time," was the laughing reply. "I have learned a lesson." + +"In the school of experience, I guess. It's the only school in which +some people'll ever learn anything." + +"Chiefly babies and fools, so I've heard," Reynolds replied. "I was +certainly a fool, all right, for not obeying orders and leaving a moose +alone unless one is in need of meat. But, then, things turned out all +right after all. If I had not got lost, I would not have reached Glen +West as I did." + +"An' not have found the gold, either." + +"Why, did you hear about the discovery?" Reynolds eagerly asked. + +"Sure. I heard all about it, an' how ye staked a claim fer yer old +pardner, Frontier Samson. It was sartinly kind of ye to think of me." + +"But I didn't stake any claim for you," Reynolds confessed, while his +face crimsoned. + +"Ye didn't, eh? An' we was pardners, too! Wall, that's queer." + +"Oh, I am sorry," the young man acknowledged. "But I staked two +claims, so you shall have one of them. How will that do?" + +"No, thank ye. I've got enough to do me, I guess, to the end of me +tether. An', besides, mebbe you'll need a hull gold mine to keep +a-goin' by the looks of things. Women need a lot these days." His +eyes twinkled as he turned them upon Glen's face, and noted that she +was blushing, for she understood the meaning of his words. "But, then, +it'll all depend upon the woman," he continued, "Now, some wouldn't be +satisfied with a dozen gold mines, while others would be perfectly +contented with a little log shack, so long as the place was built of +love. I guess that'd be the way with you, Miss, from what I've seen of +ye. But, hello! who's this? Why, it's the rascal Dan, I do believe! +He seems to be in a hurry." + +And Dan certainly was in a hurry. He was not at all inclined to talk, +but anxious to get along as fast as possible. + +"What's yer rush?" Samson asked. + +"I want to get to Big Draw before night," was the curt reply. + +"Where's daddy?" Glen questioned. + +"Blamed if I know. He cleared out shortly after you did, and left me +to die out there. I haven't seen him since." + +Dan's arm was in a sling, and the haggard expression upon his face +showed that he had suffered a great deal both mentally and bodily. The +three watched him as he hurried on his way, until a bend in the trail +hid him from view. + +"An' to think of that critter bein' free!" Samson exclaimed. "Why, he +should be linked up with Curly, an' git the same dose. Thar's +something comin' to him, an' he'll git it in time, mark my word." + +"What do you suppose has become of daddy?" Glen enquired, as they +resumed their journey. "Did you hear what Dan said?" + +"Oh, yer dad's all right, Miss," Samson assured her. "He knows how to +take care of himself. Mebbe he's off to that mine. He's sartinly much +interested in it." + +"But where did you see Mr. Weston?" Reynolds unexpectedly asked. + +"Whar did I see him?" and Samson ran the fingers of his right hand +through his hair in an abstracted manner. "Wall, let me see. It was +somewhar out in the hills. I've been in so many places that it's hard +fer me to tell one from t'other. I do git terribly mixed up these +days." + +No further reference was made to the matter during the rest of the day, +although Reynolds was not at all satisfied with the prospector's lame +explanation. He wondered why the old man should have such a sudden +lapse of memory as to what had so recently happened. There was some +reason for it, he felt quite sure. + +It was evening when they at length reached the little cabin in the +wilderness. Sconda had ridden on ahead, and had an appetizing supper +ready by the time the others arrived. + +"I wonder where daddy can be," Glen remarked as they sat down to the +table. "I was hoping that he might be here to receive us." + +"Oh, he's all right, an' will be back soon," Samson replied. "He'll be +here this evenin' fer sure." + +The sun had just disappeared beyond the far off mountain peaks as Glen +and Reynolds walked down to the shore of the lake. Not a ripple +disturbed the water, and the sombre trees along the shore were mirrored +in the clear depths. It was a scene of restful peace and quietness. + +"Isn't it beautiful here to-night!" Glen exclaimed, while she gave a +sigh of contentment. "I have no fear now of any danger lurking within +those dark shadows, such as I had the last time we were here." + +"And were you fearful then?" Reynolds asked. + +"Indeed I was, for I thought Curly might be lurking around. He was +here that day, and I do not mind confessing it now." She then briefly +told of Curly's visit, and how she had guarded him until Sconda arrived. + +They were walking along the shore now, about one hundred yards from the +cabin. Reynolds was amazed at the story, and when Glen finished he +suddenly stopped. + +"Oh, I wish I had known of this sooner," he declared, while his hands +clenched hard. "Why didn't you tell me before?" + +"I was afraid," Glen confessed in a low voice. + +"Afraid! Of what?" + +"Of what you might do to Curly." + +For an instant Reynolds stared at the girl. Could it be possible that +she was concerned about the villain's welfare? + +"And you thought I might kill him?" he asked. + +"Yes; that was it." + +"But he deserves to be killed after doing such a contemptible thing. +Why, it is as bad as the Huns would do, and you know what we did to +them." + +"But that was war," Glen reminded. "If you shot an enemy over there, +you were not considered a murderer, and condemned to death, were you?" + +"No, certainly not," Reynolds emphatically replied, as the meaning of +the girl's words dawned upon his mind. "And so you kept silent for my +sake?" he asked. "Were you afraid that I might do something desperate +to Curly, and become a murderer?" + +"Yes, I was," and Glen lifted her shining eyes to his. + +"And you really care that much for me?" + +"Why shouldn't I? Wouldn't anyone think of a friend, and his welfare?" + +Only for an instant did Reynolds hesitate, while his heart beat wildly +with hope. Then he caught the girl's hands in his, and looked +longingly into her eyes. + +"Glen, Glen!" he passionately cried, using her Christian name for the +first time, "is it possible that you love me? I wanted to tell you of +my love but I was afraid." + +"Why, you did tell me," Glen whispered, making no effort to free her +hands. + +"I did! When?" + +"Don't you remember that night at Glen West when we first sang +together?" + +"But I didn't say a word to you about my love." + +"No, but you showed it in your face and manner. You know what you did." + +"I kissed you; that was it." + +Releasing her hands, he drew the girl close to him, and imprinted a +fervent kiss upon her burning lips. + +"Glen, Glen!" he murmured. "You are mine at last. I know you love me, +and are now my very own. Tell me that you love me." + +In reply, Glen threw her arms around his neck, while tears of joy stole +down her cheeks. + +"I love you. I love you," she whispered. "Oh, I am so happy! You +will never leave me, will you?" + +For some time they stood there, lost to the world around them. It was +the old true story being repeated by that wilderness lake. It was love +made perfect by the union of two young hearts, the flowing together of +two souls, the sudden bursting into bloom of the seed of affection, +which had been steadily developing for weeks past. + +And as they stood there, whispering of things revealed only to true +ardent lovers, and their faces aglow with the light of a great and a +new-found joy, the atmosphere suddenly changed. Great clouds had +massed on the mountains, and the wind was whipping down the valley, +ruffling the surface of the lake. The air grew cold, and Glen +shivered. Then it was that they first realised the change that had +taken place, and they both laughed. But Glen's face grew instantly +sober. + +"What will daddy say?" she breathed. "We must tell him as soon as he +comes home." + +"How does he generally punish a thief?" Reynolds smilingly asked as +they walked slowly back to the cabin. "I have stolen the greatest +treasure he possesses, the heart of his only child." + +"That remains to be seen," was the laughing reply. "He may punish you, +though, by inflicting upon you for life that which you have stolen. +Won't that be punishment enough?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE UNMASKING + +Frontier Samson was sitting before an open fire as Glen and Reynolds +entered. The flames were licking around the big sticks, lighting up +the room, and playing fantastic tricks upon the walls and ceiling. +They fell, too, upon the prospector's face, and had not the young +couple been so full of their own happiness they would have noticed the +sad, far-away look in the old man's eyes. He was huddled in his chair, +but straightened himself suddenly up at the first sound of approaching +footsteps. By the time the young people were at his side, he was the +same genial companion as of old. + +"Having pleasant dreams?" Glen asked, as she took a seat by his side, +while Reynolds sat opposite. + +"Evenin' dreams, Miss," Samson thoughtfully replied, as he looked into +the girl's bright, animated face, and intuitively divined the meaning +of her happiness. "They're different from day-dreams, ye know, +'specially when yer settin' before a fire like this. Things come to ye +then which ye imagined ye had forgotten long ago." + +"You must have had some wonderful experiences in this land," Reynolds +remarked. "And what scenes you have witnessed, especially in winter. +If only you were an artist or a poet, what masterpieces you could +produce." + +Samson reached for his pipe, filled and lighted it in thoughtful +silence. Glen and Reynolds gazed into the fire, fascinated by the +leaping, curling flames. Their hearts were so filled with joy that +they could think of little but their own overflowing happiness. + +"Yes," Samson at length began, "I have seen some wonderful sights, an' +no mistake. I ain't no artist nor poet as fer as puttin' things on +paper or canvas is consarned. But it's all here," and he tapped his +breast with the fingers of his right hand. "When I hear the great +mountains a-roarin' at night when the wind is abroad, an' at times +listen to the breezes purrin' down their sides, I tell ye I'm a poet +then. An' at night, 'specially in winter, when the moon is full an' +ridin' aloft above the highest peaks, an' the hull land is lit up with +a wonderful glory, then I'm an artist. I s'pose them things are all +right in their way," and the old man gave a deep sigh, as he looked +wistfully into the fire. "But they don't altogether satisfy the soul. +One needs the touch of human nature, the bond of fellowship, an' the +warm fire of love to make life really worth livin'. Now, I could tell +ye about a man--but thar, you two don't want to hear a yarn from me +to-night. You've got other things to think about." + +"Indeed we do," Glen declared. "I'm just in a mood for a story. It +will help to pass the time until daddy returns. I wonder what in the +world is keeping him." + +"Oh, he'll be here shortly, so don't worry," Samson told her. "He'll +come so suddenly, mebbe, that ye'll be surprised. I find that it's +ginerally the unexpected that happens in this world. An' so ye want to +hear me little yarn, eh?" + +"Certainly we do," and Glen settled herself comfortably in her chair. + +"Well, I warn ye at the outset that it's about some of the deepest +things of life; of love an' sich like. But it's true as the Gospel." + +"That should make it all the more interesting," Reynolds replied. "We +are both young, remember, and are fond of such things." + +"Sure, sure, I'm well aware of that," and the prospector's eyes +twinkled. "Now, this story of mine goes back quite a number of years. +It is about a man who was carryin' on a very prosperous bizness in a +sartin city, the name of which I shall not mention jist now. He had +everything that his heart could desire, sich as money, friends, a good +home, a wife who was one in a million, an' a little child who made that +home full of joy. Then suddenly a great change took place. His wife +died, an' the man was left dazed an' helpless. He no longer took any +interest in his bizness, an' his one object was to git away from +people, far off into the wilderness that he might be alone with his +sorrow. The day at last came when he was missed in the city, an' his +friends an' acquaintances did not know what had become of him. But +thar was one thing that made them think he was not dead, an' that was +something which appeared in one of the papers. I remember the exact +words: + +"'I go from the busy haunts of men, far from the worry an' bustle of +bizness life. I may be found, but only he who is worthy will find me, +an' whoever finds me, will, I trust, not lose his reward. From the +loopholes of retreat I shall watch the stress an' fever of life, but +shall not mingle in the fray." + +Before Samson had ended, Reynolds was on his feet, standing excitedly +before him. + +"That man is Henry Redmond!" he exclaimed. "Did you know him? Have +you any idea where he is?" + +"Set down, young man, set down," the prospector ordered. "Don't git +excited. Yes, I'm speakin' of Henry Redmond. No doubt ye've heard of +him." + +"Indeed I have, and if you know where he is, tell me quick." + +Samson's eyes twinkled with amusement as he waved Reynolds back to his +chair. + +"Jist be patient until I git through with me yarn, will ye? I'm mighty +glad that yer so interested in the story. Yes, the man was Henry +Redmond, an', as I told ye, he suddenly lit out to parts unknown. But +I know what happened to him. He did leave the busy haunts of men, an' +went far off into the wilderness, takin' with him his little child. He +lived alone fer a time in a cabin that he built. He thought that he +could be happy with nature, an' find comfort fer his great heart-ache +in the loneliness of the wild. But he soon found out his mistake. He +needed human companionship more'n he could git from his little child. +After a while he jined himself to a band of Injuns, became their +leader, an' ruled 'em with a strong hand. Fer a time this gave him +some comfort, an' he believed that sich a life was all that he could +desire. He had his books, an' when he wished he could talk with the +natives, whose lingo he soon larned." + +Samson paused and gazed for a few minutes steadfastly into the fire. +Reynolds had listened to every word and he could not tolerate the least +delay. A startling thought had come suddenly into his mind which +stirred him to a high pitch of excitement. + +"Go on," he ordered. "Finish your story." + +Samson aroused from his reverie, and looked keenly into the young man's +eager eyes. + +"Whar was I?" he asked. "Oh, yes, I remember. It was jist whar +Redmond had settled down among the Injuns. Me mind was wanderin' a +bit, due, no doubt, to old age. Well, Redmond tried to find peace an' +contentment in the little village. From the loopholes of retreat he +did watch the ways of civilization, an' the more he watched, the more +dissatisfied he became. He longed fer the companionship of people of +his own kind, fer between him an' the Injuns thar was too wide a gap. +He needed the company of white people, an' that he did not have. He +did not care to visit the outside world fer fear of bein' recognized. +Then something happened which made a great change." + +"What was it?" Glen eagerly asked, for she, too, was intensely +interested. + +"It was the discovery of gold in the very region whar Redmond thought +he was secure from all contact with civilized life. The miners flocked +into the place, pokin' their noses into every hole an' corner, until +Redmond found it necessary to keep them at arm's length an' at the same +time strike terror into their hearts, that he might protect his Injuns +from their evil influence." + +"Why, that's just like daddy," Glen remarked. "He won't allow the +miners to come to Glen West." + +"Sure, sure. Any man would have done the same as Redmond did. Thar +was nuthin' else fer him to do. But after the miners came, he had a +great longin' to meet 'em, an' talk to 'em in a friendly way. At first +he didn't know how to manage this without bein' found out. But by a +lucky chance he came across an old Injun, who had once been a great +medicine-man, an' was a mighty good hand at makin' disguises. So he +fixed up Redmond in sich a way that no one could tell but what he was a +real old sourdough prospector who had spent most of his life lookin' +fer gold." + +A half suppressed exclamation from Reynolds caused Samson to turn +quickly in his direction. + +"Hey, anything wrong?" he asked. "Ye seem to be somewhat excited. +Nuthin' serious, I hope?" + +"Yes, there is," was the emphatic reply. "But go on. Never mind me." + +"I s'pose I might as well git along with me yarn," the old man +continued. "Yes, Redmond got all fixed up as a prospector, an' then he +visited the minin' camps fer miles around. No one suspected who he +was, an' so he used to come an' go in a most mysterious manner, to +their way of thinkin'." + +"What did he call himself?" Reynolds asked. + +"I'll come to that later, young man," and Samson slyly tipped him a +warning wink. "We'll jist call him Redmond fer the present. He +sartinly did have a great time of it, an' no one was the wiser. An' he +uster travel to the outside, too, an' everybody put him down as an old +prospector hardly worth considering Say, it was great fun fer Redmond." + +"But where was his child all this time?" Reynolds questioned. + +"Oh, she jist stayed at home with a housekeeper Redmond got, an' grew +up to be a fine slip of a gal. Then when she was old enough, her dad +decided to send her outside to school. But when she came home fer the +holidays she was somewhat unsettled, an' didn't want to stay in the +north. She longed fer society, fine dresses, an' sich things. This +worried her dad a great deal. But one day she happened to come across +a chap who took her fancy, an' that made all the difference in the +world. He saved her from a grizzly on Crooked----" + +Samson never finished the sentence, for with a startled cry, Glen was +on her feet, her body trembling with emotion, and her eyes wide with +wonder. + +"Are you Henry Redmond?" she demanded. "Are you my father?" + +For an instant only did the old man look at the girl, then with a +swift, deft movement he swept the long beard from his face, and the +white hair from his head. + +"Daddy!" It was all that Glen could say. She trembled, and would have +fallen had not her father caught her in his arms, and held her close to +his breast. For a time no one spoke, and Glen's sobs were the only +sound heard. + +"There, there, dear, don't feel so badly," her father at length told +her. "Come, let me brush away your tears. One would think that I had +committed some terrible deed." + +"But I can't help it, daddy," the girl replied. "This is all so +sudden, and such a great surprise. But I feel better now, so we can +talk it all over. There are so many questions I want to ask." + +The storm had now passed, and once more they resumed their seats. +Glen, however, kept her eyes fixed intently upon her father's face. + +"And to think that you have deceived me all these years," she +upbraided. "Don't you feel thoroughly ashamed of yourself?" + +"I suppose I should," was the laughing confession. "But I have had so +much innocent fun out of it that my conscience doesn't trouble me in +the least." + +"And it was you all the time who travelled on the same steamer as I +did," Glen mused. "I thought it strange that you should be going up or +down the coast whenever I did." + +"Yes, I was keeping a good watch over you. I must confess that you +behaved yourself very well." + +"Was it not difficult to play your part as a prospector?" Reynolds +asked. + +"Not after I got used to it, though at first it was a little awkward. +But I threw myself so gladly and heartily into the character I had +assumed that I really believed for the time that I was Frontier Samson. +I might explain that he was a prospector I knew years ago, and was one +of the finest men I ever met. So you see, it was quite easy for me to +imitate him." + +"How did you happen to lay claim to me, sir, on the _Northern Light_?" + +"Oh, that is easily explained. I was always on the lookout for young +men different from the ordinary miners who come to this country, and so +spotted you at once. I surmised from the first that you were not on +your way up here for gold alone, and so I was anxious to learn the +story of your life." + +"And did you?" + +"Don't you think I did?" and a humorous expression shone in Redmond's +eyes. "Didn't I listen to your words and study you as you were never +studied before, unless it was by your mother? But when I found that +you were in love with a girl beyond the Golden Crest I became doubly +interested, and determined to prove your soul and find out your worth. +The final test was made that night you faced me in my study at Glen +West. Had you faltered then or shown the white streak, you would have +been dumped beyond the pass." + +The speaker paused and gazed thoughtfully into the fire. There was an +expression of sadness in his eyes, and his face was somewhat strained +and drawn. Both Glen and Reynolds noted this as they watched him in +silence. At length he turned sharply to Reynolds, and spoke in a rapid +and agitated manner. + +"Young man," he began, "you have found me. I had given up all hope of +anyone doing so. I was not easily found, as I wrote in that note I +left behind. You have found more than my mere body--you have found my +soul, my real self, and that was what I meant. And you have found +something else, which is more important in your eyes--you have found +your reward--the treasure of all treasures to me. Take her; she is +yours, and may God bless you both." + +Outside, the wind howled through the trees and over the lake. It beat +upon the cabin and drove the rain lashingly against the small +window-panes. But within the cabin all was peace and happiness. The +flames from the burning sticks illumined the faces of the men and the +girl as they sat and talked far on into the night. Many were the +questions asked and answers given. They opened their hearts to one +another, and as they talked and planned, all the disagreeable events of +the past were forgotten, and the future looked rosy and bright. It was +especially so to the young lovers as they sat close to each other, hand +in hand, heart responding to heart, each thrilled with a love, deep, +pure and tender--a love which transformed the commonplace into a realm +of enchantment, beauty, and peace. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +OUTWARD BOUND + +It was Saturday night and Andrew Harmon, editor of the _Telegram_ and +_Evening News_, was sitting in an easy chair in his bachelor quarters. +It was a cozy room, and the pictures on the walls and the well-filled +book-shelves revealed the artistic and literary taste of the owner. +The large shaded electric lamp on the table cast its soft light upon +Harmon's face as he sat there with his right hand supporting his firm, +clean-shaven chin. It had been a trying week, and he was very weary. +He was thankful that it was Saturday night, as he would be able to rest +the next day, and think over a special editorial he was planning to +write. + +Harmon was really a lonely man. Of a reserved and retiring +disposition, he had no desire for publicity. As editor of one of the +leading papers in the city, he could express his views and remain +unknown to most of the readers. His editorials were always written +with great care and thought, and they were eagerly read by friends and +opponents alike. Such work had always given him considerable pleasure +as he felt that he was doing his part in moulding the thought of the +community along true and strong lines. But to-night it all seemed of +little avail. He had labored, but what had been the result? The only +one upon whom he had lavished his affection had disappointed him, and +was almost a stranger to him now. Mechanically he picked up a telegram +from the table and read it again. + + +"Am leaving to-night on the _Princess May_. + + "TOM." + + +That was all. It was dated three days ago, from Skagway, Alaska. +Harmon held the telegram in his hand for some time, although he was not +looking at the words. He was thinking of the sender of that message, +wondering what was bringing him home. What would he do with him when +he arrived? he asked himself. He tried to think of something that +would satisfy Reynolds' restless spirit; that would give an outlet to +his abounding energy. He had fondly hoped that Tom would throw himself +into newspaper work, and thus make the _Telegram_ and _Evening News_ a +greater force than ever. New blood was needed on the staff, he was +well aware, and Reynolds was just the man for the work. He sighed as +he thought of the futility of his dreams, and how impossible it was to +make the young see with the eyes of age and experience. + +For some time Harmon sat there, lost in deep thought. At length he +arose and prepared himself for dinner. He was about to leave the room, +when a knock sounded upon the door, and in another instant Tom Reynolds +stood before him. Eagerly Harmon rushed forward, seized him by the +hand, and bade him a hearty welcome. + +"Tom, Tom!" he cried. "I am delighted to see you. I had no idea the +boat had arrived. Come, sit down and tell me all about yourself." + +"Just a minute," Reynolds laughingly replied. "Have you had dinner +yet? No? Well, that's fortunate, as I want you to come and dine with +me at the 'Pacific.'" + +"At the Pacific!" Harmon looked his surprise and disappointment. "Why +did you go there? I was expecting you here. And, besides, isn't it +rather expensive?" + +"It was at one time," and again Reynolds smiled. "But I have struck it +rich, so I want you to come and have a blow-out with me to-night. You +will come, won't you? I shall feel badly if you don't. The car is +waiting." + +Harmon could not very well refuse, although he much preferred to remain +where he was, and hear the young man's story in the quietness of his +own room. He was surprised at Reynolds' animated face and happy +manner. How he had changed since he had seen him last. He could +hardly believe it possible that this was the young man who but a short +time before had been so listless and indifferent to life. + +Little was said as the car sped onward through the city, until it at +length drew up before the big hotel. With the air of one who had the +full right of way, Reynolds at once conducted Harmon to a door on the +first floor, which he opened and entered. It was one of a suite of +rooms, Harmon could tell at the first glance. It was luxuriously +furnished, and to live here for even a short time would be most costly. + +He had little time, however, to think of such things, for a curtain was +suddenly drawn aside, and Redmond and his daughter appeared. Although +years had somewhat changed the former, yet Harmon recognized him at +once. He stood as if rooted to the floor, so great was his surprise. +What happened next he was never able to tell with any degree of +certainty. He knew that Redmond seized him by the hand, and presented +to him his daughter. He felt that he made a fool of himself, for his +eyes grew very misty and his words became confused as he tried to +express himself. He saw Reynolds smiling at him good-naturedly as he +stared first at Redmond and then at his daughter. He longed to get +away to the quietness of his own room that he might think it all over. +But there was no chance for that. He was entrapped by these friendly +plotters, and here he was forced to stay. + +"Do you remember the words I wrote?" Redmond asked. "I think you will +recall them. I said, 'I go from the busy haunts of men, far from the +bustle and worry of business life. I may be found, but only he who is +worthy will find me, and he who finds me, will, I trust, not lose his +reward.' That is part of my message, you remember." + +Harmon merely nodded in reply. + +"Very well, then," Redmond continued. "I have been found, and he who +found me stands there," and he motioned to Reynolds. + +"So I surmised," Harmon replied. "And gold, I suppose, is the reward?" + +"No, no," Reynolds protested. "Here is my reward," and he stepped over +to Glen's side. "Where are your senses, sir?" + +"Sure, sure, what was I thinking about?" and Harmon placed his hand to +his head in perplexity. "I seem to be all upset to-night. But, my, +my, what a reward! Why didn't I undertake this quest? for then the +reward might have been mine." + +Redmond and Reynolds smiled, but Glen immediately stepped forward, and +putting her arms about the neck of the embarrassed man, kissed him upon +the cheek. + +"There, you have your reward, sir," she announced. "And if you are +willing you may have me as a daughter. How will that do?" + +Harmon was now more confused than ever. Not since the last time his +mother kissed him had a woman's lips ever touched his face. And this +girl had really kissed him, Andrew Harmon, the staid and sober editor +of the _Telegram_ and _Evening News_! What would his associates think +and say if ever they heard of it? He thought of all this as he stood +there abashed with the girl's twinkling eyes fixed upon him. + +"But perhaps you do not consider me a reward, sir." It was Glen +speaking, so with an effort Harmon rallied his tumultuous senses. He +must rise to the occasion, and say something. He mopped his perspiring +brow with his handkerchief, and looked helplessly around. + +"Reward!" he gasped. "Not consider you a reward! Oh, Lord! what have +I done to merit such happiness? You as my daughter! You the fairest +of the fair, the flower of womanhood, you, you----" + +"Come, come, sir," Reynolds laughingly chided, as Harmon floundered for +words. "You will make me jealous if you are not careful. But suppose +we have something to eat, as I, for one, am hungry. Dinner is already +served, and waiting for us. This is a part of our surprise; a private +dinner, with plates set for four." + +"It is certainly wonderful what money will do," was Harmon's comment as +he took his seat at the table at Glen's right hand. "Little did I +expect such surprises to-night." + +"Isn't it delightful!" the girl replied. "I have heard so much about +you lately, and what a great man you really are, that I felt quite +nervous at the thought of meeting you. But I am not one bit afraid of +you now." + +Redmond and Reynolds laughed, and even Harmon smiled. The editor was +happy and contented, and life seemed very pleasant just then. He was +satisfied to listen in silence while Reynolds related the story of his +experiences in the north, and his great triumph in winning the only +daughter of the dreaded ruler of Glen West. + +"It all seems to me like a fairy-tale," Harmon, remarked, when Reynolds +had finished. "To think that in so short a time you have undergone +such wonderful adventures, discovered my old friend, and won this fair +maiden. And the gold; what of it? You will begin mining at once, of +course." + +"We intended to do so," Redmond replied. "But on our way here we were +fortunate enough to sell our interests to one of the largest mining +concerns in the United States for a most gratifying sum. You see, +there was great excitement in that region when it was learned that gold +had been discovered. Miners literally flocked into the place, and the +wilderness has been suddenly converted into a busy mining camp. We +were offered large sums for our claims, but refused all until we +reached Whitehorse. There we were met by the agent of the great +Hibberdash Mining Company, and so tempting and liberal was his offer, +that we sold out our entire interests. We are perfectly satisfied, as +we shall now be free from all mining worries." + +"This is really wonderful!" Harmon exclaimed. "What a write-up that +will make for my paper. You must let me have the entire story, +Redmond. And you will write it, won't you?" + +"Business as usual, I see," and Redmond smiled. "When time permits, I +shall do what I can. I expect to be very busy for the next two weeks, +and after that I must go north again." + +"Go north again!" Harmon repeated. "Why, I thought you were through +with the north forever." + +"Oh, no, not at all. I have work to do there yet. It is necessary for +me to be present at the trial of that villain, Curly, and that will +take some time. Then I wish to visit Glen West, and attend to some +matters there. Sconda and his wife will look well after our house, for +we plan to go there every summer for a holiday. And we shall take you, +too, for I know you would enjoy the scenery." + +"That would be a great treat to me," Harmon replied. "But you will +have time to write that article before you leave, will you not?" + +The others laughed, so anxious was the editor for the welfare of his +paper. + +"I am afraid I shall not have time now," Redmond told him. "There is +much to be done in the two weeks before the great event." + +"The great event! I do not understand." + +"Look," and Redmond drew his attention to Glen's blushing face. "Now +do you understand?" + +"Oh, I see," and Harmon smiled. "A wedding; is that it?" + +"It seems so from all appearance, and that means a great deal of work +for us all." + +"And you will live here?" Harmon eagerly asked, turning to Glen. + +"We hope to, Mr. Harmon, providing you care to have your daughter so +near. If not, we can stay in China or Japan, and you will not be +troubled with me." + +"Stay in China or Japan! What do you mean?" + +"We intend to go there on our wedding trip," Reynolds explained. "We +have planned a tour around the world. We expect to see great sights, +such as the fine art galleries of the old countries. Then when we come +home, I shall continue my painting which I have neglected too long +already." + +"Lord bless us!" and Harmon held up his hands in amazement. "This is +all wonderful, and my poor old head is confused and dizzy. Going +abroad! Coming home to carry on your painting! My, what will money +not do! So my paper must go to the wall when I am gone, all because of +your art. Dear me!" + +"Do not feel so badly about it, sir," Reynolds soothed. "Your son and +daughter will help you out, and perhaps carry on when you are gone. +But you are good for years yet, so do not worry. We shall do our best +to cheer you up." + +"And you will live here in the city?" Harmon questioned. + +"Certainly," Glen replied. "We are going to look for the nicest and +coziest place, with a garden and flowers. Nannie will be in charge +until we return, and keep us straight afterwards. I could not get +along very well without her. And it will be your home, too, Mr. +Harmon, whenever you wish to come. I am sure that you and daddy will +have wonderful evenings together talking over old times. Oh, won't it +be great!" Glen's eyes sparkled, and her face beamed with animation. + +Harmon believed that he had never met a more charming girl. As he sat +in his own room late that night, and thought over the strange events of +the evening, a picture of Glen's face was ever before his mind. It +banished his care and weariness, and as he recalled the kiss she had +given him, a smile illumined his face, and for a time Andrew Harmon was +young again. Once more the fire of youth was kindled within him, and a +vision of one fair face he had known years ago stood out clear and +distinct, a face he had always cherished in his heart, the only real +passion for a noble woman he had ever known. . . . + +Two weeks later Glen and Reynolds stood upon the bow of the _Empress of +China_ as she headed out to sea. It was early evening, and the glow of +the departing sun shed its soft and rosy-tinted light upon the rippling +water. They had been quietly married that afternoon in one of the city +churches, and Redmond and Harmon had accompanied them to the steamer. +They did not need a clamoring crowd to bid them farewell, as they were +all-sufficient to each other. So as they stood there in the deepening +twilight, they faced the eastern sky, all glorious with the light of +the vanished sun. + +"How beautiful!" Reynolds murmured, for his soul was stirred at the +sight, and his heart overflowing with love and happiness. "It lies +right before us, does it not, sweetheart? Perhaps it is a token of the +joy that lies ahead." + +"Only in a way," and Glen gave a sigh of contentment, as her hand stole +gently into his. "That light will shortly fade, and it will be dark +over there. But to us the light leading us on must never fade, for the +future must be always bright with the glory of a love that never dies." + +"You are right, darling," and Reynolds pressed her hand more firmly, +and drew her closer. "No matter what happens the light of love shall +always surround us and glorify the future. Oh, what happiness is ours! +How much life holds in store for us!" + +Glen's only reply was the lifting of her happy face to his and nestling +closer to his side. And there they silently stood, lost to all around +them, facing with the zest of youth and love the mighty Pacific, and at +the same time the far greater and more mysterious ocean of life, with +all its joys and sorrows, its seasons of tempests, and its days of calm +and sunshine. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GLEN OF THE HIGH NORTH*** + + +******* This file should be named 16699-8.txt or 16699-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/6/9/16699 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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