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