CHAPTER XV
A TRIP TO BALD EAGLE ROCK
Molly gave one glance and screamed. Then flung herself to her knees andburied her face in Helena's lap, who pityingly drew her light skirt overthe child's head. Nobody else moved nor spoke. All felt their last hourhad come.
"An Indian raid!"
This was their thought and then of their helplessness. This company wasonly the forerunner of more!
"Massacre! Oh! to die like this!"
Even the lads' faces blanched, but resolution flashed from theirobservant eyes, and these beheld a strange spectacle.
The superbly mounted Indians, in their gaudiest attire, bead-deckedshirts and fringed leggings, their supple feet clad in embroideredmoccasins, outshone even the most magnificent of "Wild West" shows; andwithout a spoken word each understood the desire of their Chief. Theyrode to the semi-circle of concrete before the main entrance to thegreat house and ranged themselves around it, the Chief in front, alone,and as the last hoof fell into position where the rider wished, theybecame as rigid as a company of warriors carved in stone.
"What will they do next!" was the wonder in all the observers' minds,as they gazed in fascination at this curious sight.
What they would do next seemed long in coming. Though it was but a fewmoments it seemed like ages while the redskins waited, stolid, immovablebefore the doorway of the mansion. But, at last, the spell was broken.
Across from the Barracks, around the corner, through the cloisteredwalk, came Captain Lemuel, whistling. He was in good spirits; ready tojoin his "Squad" beside the fountain and have an evening's "gabble" withthe youngsters. They had been abnormally good that day. Wholly obedientto his restrictions in the length of their rides, eager to improve intheir shooting--which was so far removed from "sharp"; and in everyrespect so "decent" that he puzzled his brain to find the best story totell them of old days in Colorado and of his own prowess therein.
But, as he passed the corner, his whistling ceased. The story was told!And a far better one than any his memory could furnish.
The young watchers caught their breath. Poor Captain Lem! Rushing thusto his own undoing! But still they had to gaze and gaze--they could notturn their eyes away; and gazing they beheld a stranger thing than anywhich had gone before.
That was the jolly Captain clapping his hands as if in glee, bowingbefore the silent Chief, almost prostrating himself, in fact. Afterwarda brief clasping of hands between the two and the Captain beginning along harangue in a strange tongue, interrupted now and then by gruntsand gutturals from the attentive Indians. Then giving the Chief hisfinest military salute, the Captain "right faced" and silently marchedaway. The Indians as silently followed him, the Chief first, and theothers in single file, till they all disappeared toward the Barracks,and the youngsters were left gasping in amazement.
A sigh of relief rose from them in unison and, hearing it, Molly liftedher face. She only had seen nothing of the pantomime, or such it seemedwhich had been enacted, though she had heard through her terror thewhistling of the Captain and its abrupt ceasing.
"Is--is--he--dead?" she whispered.
"He's the liveliest dead man I ever saw. Come on, boys! That's the sightof our lives! Who's afraid?" cried Herbert, springing up and eager.
But his sister clutched his arm. "No, no, Bert! You mustn't! Youshan't!"
"I shall and will! So should you--all! Whoever they are they'refriendly. Else old Lem wouldn't have seemed so pleased and led 'em offwith his best 'hep, hep, hep,' that way. I'll bet they're Utes, goodneighbors of the white ranchers, but they're genuine Indians all thesame and I'm going to see them. My! But I did feel mighty weak in theknees for a minute! I thought it was all up with yours truly. Come on, Isay!"
He really wished to follow but, evidently, he also wished to have hiscourage bolstered by the presence of his mates.
Oddly enough it was Monty who first joined Herbert. He was still halfafraid, yet also wild with curiosity. His was the least war-like spiritthere, but he couldn't withstand this knowledge at first hand of real,live Indians.
One after another they all followed. In any case they would be saferamong the ranchmen than here in this lonelier spot, and Lemuel's mannerhad been quite different from fear.
As they slowly passed around the house, whose corner hid the Barracksfront view, they were wholly reassured. The lawn was wide and a gooddistance was still between them and the red-skinned visitors, but theycould see all that was going on. The Indians had all dismounted, a lotof the cowboys had come forward to meet them, and the fine horses theyrode were being led off to a still more distant and disused corral.Here the animals were turned loose, their blankets and trappingsremoved, and the ranchmen themselves at once setting to work to rub thefine creatures down and to supply them with ample fodder for the night.A big trough in the corral, through which running water was alwayspiped furnished them with drink; and the entrance being secured, theattendants went back to the Barracks' porch, that extended from oneend to the other of the long, low building.
Upon the porch floor the blankets were spread and the Utes squatted onthem, greatly pleased at their reception. Pipes were lighted and smoked,Captain Lem and several others joining in what looked to be a ceremonyof welcome. A few of the ranchmen hurried to the Barracks' kitchen andprepared supper for the visitors, and after this was eaten by thestrange guests, sitting where they were under the porch roof, thediscarded pipes were again resumed and some sort of palaver followed.
In this talk Silent Peter took the leading part. He was escorted byCaptain Lem to the side of the Chief, none other than White Feather, andplaced upon another blanket, handed a fresh pipe, and left to do thehonors of the occasion. Meantime Captain Lem sent a messenger across tothe watching youngsters, that they should come quietly to his own roomat the Barracks and observe matters from that nearer point.
"But--is it safe? What does it all mean?" demanded Leslie of the man.
"Safe as can be. Why, that's White Feather, Chief of a band of Utes andone of the best friends your father has. Fact. He's awful disappointed,too, to find the Boss away. Came on a visit of ceremony, with the finestbucks in his band, to get acquainted and do a little horse-trading.That's all. Silent Pete can talk Injun and has travelled not a littlewith this crowd, afore he settled at San Leon. Huh! Did you think theywas from the Plains?"
"What's the difference? An Indian is an Indian, isn't he? Not to betrusted, any of them. I don't think my father would like to have theboys treat those fellows as they're doing. You men ought to armyourselves and drive them off the ranch."
The young ranchman regarded Leslie with a look of amused contempt, thenretorted:
"Well, you may be a rich man's son but what you don't know about yourown country'd fill books! All the rest afraid, too? 'Cause if you are,you'd better get out o' sight. Captain Lem has asked White Feather tolet him bring you over to meet him an' the old feller's said yes. Hesaid it as if he hated to but was willin' for Lem's sake to do you thehonor. Great Scott! Why, you young idiot, White Feather's a great Chief,a king among his people, feels he ranks with our President, or the Czarof all the Russias! Well,--well, I'm beat. I thought 't they had schoolsback east where you tenderfeet come from. I supposed you'd learned thatthere's more 'n one kind of Indian in this big country. Why, sir, thedifference 'twixt the Arapahoes, or the Cheyennes, and them peaceableUtes yonder--humph! Well, are you comin' or not?"
Leslie had resented the talkative ranchman's comments on his ownignorance but had the grace to conceal it. He had even jested a littleat his own expense and said that he must "read up on Indians." Then heled off his party toward the Barracks and, arrived there, found CaptainLem vastly relieved. It was greatly to Mr. Ford's advantage to be oncordial terms with all his neighbors, in that isolated region, and theloyal Captain realized this. Both he and Silent Pete had to regret thefact that, at present and in their employer's absence, they could notventure on the trading; but at the old hunter's suggestion they hadassumed the responsibility o
f giving White Feather the finest horse instock. This was a magnificent black stallion which had never been brokento harness and with a temper that threatened ill to any man whoundertook the task.
The youngsters came up and filed before White Feather, standing now, andgravely accepting their timidly proffered hands, as the name of each wasmentioned. His own response was a friendly grunt but he was evidentlybored by the affair and passed the girls over with the slightest notice.His eye lingered a bit longer upon the lads and it seemed that he wasmeasuring their heights with his eye. But he let them go, almost as soonas he had the girls, and as Molly exclaimed when they had retreated toCaptain Lem's room:
"I never felt I was such a litty-bitty-no-account creature in all mylife! I wouldn't be an Indian squaw for anything! But wasn't he justgrand--and hideous?"
Then Captain signalled to them that they would better return to thehouse. The Chief evidently considered the presence of females anintrusion and that of such slender, white-faced lads but little better.Upon Leslie, as son of the ranch owner, he bestowed several grave staresbut no more speech than on the others.
So from the unlighted music-room they watched for a time in silence;till everything grew quiet at the Barracks, all lights out, and thestrange guests asleep on their blankets upon the porch. Then they, too,went to bed, greatly stirred by the fact of such uncommon acquaintancesso close at hand, and with entirely new ideas of Colorado red men.
By daylight the visitors had gone, so silently that nobody in the houseitself had heard their departure. With them, too, had gone Rob Roy, theblack stallion; and, what seemed valueless to the givers some oldgarments of the ranchmen. From one a coat, another a sombrero, ablanket, shoes, underwear, and from Silent Pete himself a completehunter's outfit.
All his comrades were surprised at this, for he kept the buckskin suitas a souvenir of earlier days, when he was as free to roam the forestsas any Indian of them all and the blood still ran hot and wild in hisveins. He was an old man now. He pondered much on the past and he spokelittle to any man. But he talked with the Chief in that warrior's owntongue and in tones not to be overheard by any others. When that bit oftalk was over he had brought out the precious suit, neatly folded andbound about with a marvellous lariat--also another dear possession--andhad placed them in White Feather's hands.
Then he relapsed into his usual quiet and the life at San Leon resumedits usual routine. The visit of the Indians became as a dream, but newsof the early return of the absent hosts sent new life and ambition intothe minds of all their young guests.
Drills no longer were irksome. Were they not to show Mr. Ford how wellthey could carry themselves? As for rifle practice, there was suchprolonged and continual popping of guns that Dr. Jones lamented hisdisturbed quiet and Nurse Melton had often to seek the most remotequarters to escape the startling sounds.
Riding, also, was kept up with great zest. It had proved true that themore one learned of his horse, the better he loved it, the greater thesilent understanding between it and himself. They now had races of allsorts and daily. Hurdles had given place to great hedges and ditches,which most of the animals distinguished themselves in leaping. Monty wasstill the hindmost in everything, yet showed his pluck in sticking tohis saddle at all risks, and sometimes with startling success.
So well, indeed, had they learned horsemanship that on a certainglorious morning before sunrise, the seven youngsters were already insaddle, alert for the long-coveted ride to Bald Eagle Rock, under theguidance of Captain Lem himself, with Silent Pete and another ranchmanto carry the luncheon upon two soberer steeds. It was to be an all-day'souting and a goodly little company which would enjoy it. As soon aspossible after arrival in New York Mrs. Ford had procured and sent backto San Leon, readymade habits and riding clothes for her girls and boys,not forgetting to include one for absent Jim, which Dorothy hadcarefully placed along with his other belongings in his own room; sothat now arrayed in these gifts they all looked fine and fit.
"We might be going for a ride in the Park instead of a climb throughwoods and over rocks! I do hope we won't tear our clothes!" said carefulHelena; while Molly returned with native carelessness:
"Well, I think a ride to the top of the Rockies is worth at least onehabit!"
"I shan't spoil mine, not 'nless I get tumbled off Blanca, someway.I've got dozens of safety-pins and I shall pin my skirt--I meandrawers--whatever they call these 'divided' things--so tight they can'tget torn. I never had a habit before. Course not. I never even had ahorse," said Alfaretta.
"Well, without the horse you wouldn't have needed the habit, dearie.But I do like this riding astride, as Lady Gray thought best we shoulddo on hard trips. And aren't we happy? Only--only--if poor Jim washere!" answered Dorothy, with a little cry of delight that endedrather drearily.
But now they were off! And no further thought of anything or anybodyexcept the pleasure of the moment rose in any mind.
Captain Lem had not over-rated the difficulties of that trip. Thebeginning was fairly easy, the road or trail wide enough for two to rideside by side, and one had leisure to admire the surroundings. But whenthey came to that same turn of the roads, beyond the river, and took theroute which unhappy James had followed in his delirium, they could nolonger travel in pairs.
And now was proved the good judgment of Captain Lem in training them toa familiar knowledge of their horses and in their close friendship.
"Guide 'em--point out the way you want 'em to go--then trustthe creatur's to do the best for them and you!" advised the oldsharpshooter, halting at the top of the first steep climb, to breathehis own horse and let the stragglers come up. "More 'n that you can'tmaybe all follow just the same track. Blanca there, is goin' to pickher way, cautious an' careful as a gal in a nice new white frock, likethem the Little One wears. She ain't goin' to tear her white dress,Alfaretty, so don't you get scared if she falls a good ways behind therest. She's a sociable beast, is Blanca, and she'll get to the top allright, give her time. But Dolly's calico'll nigh bust herself to befirst. More 'n that she's the keenest nose for a shortcut of any horsein the batch. She's little and she's light, and she'll trust herself inplaces 't no bigger creatur' would tackle. All right, everybody? Girthstight? Stirrups to suit? Then--trust your horses' wits and--let her go!"
It had been planned to have lunch on the Rock itself, and to be back atSan Leon in time for a late supper. An early breakfast had been taken,of course, but not with the usual heartiness, for they were all tooexcited to eat. Bald Eagle Rock was the highest point in that region andit would be a fine thing to remember if they held out to reach itssummit.
Meanwhile the road thither lay through a deep forest; down and alongravines; steep climbs of slippery rocks; and over masses of ferns andunderbrush. After Captain Lem's halt and harangue they all becamesilent. They had all they could do to keep in their saddles, and, ashe had prophesied, the animals they rode chose each a slightlydiverging route.
However, they frequently called out to one another, their gay halloosand yodels echoing along the mountain side, to the glad assurance ofthemselves and the affright of the forest wildings. But the lads who hadhoped to sight some big game, preferably a live grizzly and had broughttheir guns with them, were disappointed in that. Nothing fiercer than acoyote crossed their path. It was as if the forest had anticipated theirinvasion and put itself on guard.
Dorothy obeyed Captain Lem's advice implicitly. She did not try to guideZaraza but let the pretty creature follow her own will, so long as thatwill pointed straight upward. This gave the girl time to study theflowers and ferns along the way and sometimes she slipped from hersaddle to gather and closely inspect them. She did not herself call outbut contented herself with listening to the shouts of the others, and,for some reason, her thoughts were more upon the missing Jim than theyhad been of late.
"Oh! how that boy would like this ride! How he'd pull out his littlehammer and peg away at these wonderful rocks! What specimens he'dcollect! and how his sharp eyes would see every little
bird and beastthat moves through this wilderness! Oh! I hope, I hope, he is stillalive and safe. If I could only see him!"
Suddenly, the forest seemed strangely still. Zaraza stopped to breatheand Dorothy listened keenly for the halloo of her mates. Hearing noneshe ventured on a little shout herself which, low as it was, awoke athousand deafening echoes all about her. Or so it seemed. With a thrillof horror, she remembered how Molly had once been lost in a far awayNova Scotian wood, and the girl's description of her terror. She wishedshe hadn't thought of that tale now. But, of course, this was quitedifferent. They were many in this company, ten all told, and somebodymust be very near. It would all come right. She mustn't be a goose andget frightened just because, for a moment, she heard nobody. Yet, Alfy'swords rang in her head:
"Seems if there was nothing happens but somebody gets lost up here atSan Leon!" and Molly's absurd appeal: "Tie me tight!"
After a moment when Zaraza seemed rested she urged the docile creatureforward, and now the "calico" had certainly discovered a smooth and easyway. That was good. It must be a well-traveled road, though it was stillbut a "trail" to her eyes. Probably this was the final stretch of thetrip, and in a moment she would come face to face with the giganticRock.
Instead, the way grew smoother all the time and now quite level. Alittle way farther she could see a wide plain, or mesa, with sheepgrazing. How odd! that anybody should feed sheep upon a mountain thatlooked all rock and forest, seen from below. The sun was hot. It must benoon. She hoped she wouldn't be late for that famous lunch they hadtalked about so much.
Zaraza trotted around a last clump of trees, as if she knew her task wasended, and her own feeding time at hand.
Then Dorothy brought her up with a sharp, silent tug upon the reins.Yonder in that open space was a small hut, or cabin; and sitting on theground before it was an Indian, with a little Indian child beside him.Evidently, they also were having a mid-day meal, for she saw the childlift a tin dipper to his lips and drink.
Zaraza whinnied. She was thirsty and scented water, and at that soundthe man sprang up and turned around. For one astonished moment he gazedat that girlish apparition and Dorothy at him. Then with a cry ofecstasy she sprang to the ground and sped toward him.
"Jim! O Jim!"
"Why--Dorothy!"
CHAPTER XVI
PROSPERITY AND PARTING
They were both so excited that at first they couldn't talk, but couldonly stare at each other in speechless delight. Jim was trembling, forhe was still weak from his long illness, and he steadied himself byattentions to Zaraza and by bidding Jose in Spanish to bring thestranger a drink.
Dorothy dropped down upon the stones where they had been sitting andwatched the child.
He did not now dip water from the tank at the cabin door but from anearby spring, which Jim had found and cleared of rubbish. The springhad always been there; but it had been easier for lazy Alaric, theherder, to fill the barrel now and then--or let the rain do it forhim--and use from that till the supply failed. He did not yet understandhow the stagnant water had had anything to do with his own fever, thathad followed on Jim's partial recovery.
Children are quick witted. Jose came running back with the dipper, afterhaving carefully rinsed and filled it at the spring, as Jim had taughthim. His eyes were bright and there was a winning smile on his chubbyface, now clean. He recognized Dorothy as the girl to whom he had givenhis pet lamb and promptly demanded:
"_El cordero? Donde?_"
Dorothy stared at him, then put her hands on each side his chubby faceand kissed him. The child screamed with delight and repeated hisquestion. At which the girl also laughed and turned to Jim, asking:
"What does he say? What does he want?"
"I reckon he wants his lamb. He's asking you where it is," answered thelad, gladly using this chance to air his own new knowledge.
That broke the spell of not knowing how to begin and their loosenedtongues wagged fast enough after that. Dorothy forgot all about her lostcompany and seizing a piece of the coarse bread her old friend had beeneating devoured it as if it had been a great delicacy.
Jim laughed, glad to see her so hungry and so eager, and obeyed hercommand:
"Now begin just as we used to do at home at Deerhurst. 'I went fromhere' and don't you miss a single thing until you come to 'and here Iam.' I'll help you start. You went from San Leon the very night you gotthere. Now why?"
"I shall never know why, girlie. I was crazy with fever, I guess. Ihadn't been real well before I came west and that was one reason Dr.Sterling made me come. He thought the change would cure me. It didn't. Imust have got out the window but I don't really know, only I halfremember that. Then the next thing I did know I was in Alaric's cabinyonder with him and little Jose here. I was pretty sick. I couldn'twrite but I was wild to tell you where I was and not to worry nor thinkme terrible mean. I didn't want to act that way, you know, even though Idid find myself in the wrong box with those other rich boys----"
"No such thing, Jim Barlow! That was all your own self-consciousness.They're the nicest boys in the world and the friendliest. And it seemsyou can remember some things--bad ones--even if not how you ran away andgot away up here to this peak. Jim, I'm ashamed of you. I certainly am!"
But the way in which she reached out and clasped his hand in both ofhers disarmed the words of all offence. Jim threw back his head andlaughed as he hadn't done in many a day. It was just glorious to bescolded again by his old comrade! It was so homelike that he felt "morehimself" than any softer speech would have made him.
"Well, go on! Do go on!"
"Alaric isn't half bad. I reckon I'd have died but for him. An oldIndian chief, of the Utes, White Feather Alaric called him--hisbrother-in-law----"
"Oh! I'm well acquainted with him. Don't stop to tell that part, butjust do go on."
Jim stared and retorted:
"Oh! you are, eh? But I've got to tell about him 'cause it was he whofound me and brought me here. Picked me up on the road somewhere. I'vehad a suspicion--just a suspicion, don't you know?--that Alaric wasn'tany too glad to see me. It's a mighty little house and he's a mightylazy man. But he had to do it. He's afraid of White Feather, though Itell you, Dolly Doodles, he's a splendid Indian. If all red men werelike him----"
"I don't care at all about Indians. Go on."
"Alaric dressed my arm with leaves and stuff and fed me the best hecould, but after I'd got that basket sent to you with the lamb and thestones--Did you get it? Did you understand?"
"Yes, I understood--part. I knew that only Jim Barlow could make such acurious D as was on the stone and the basket. I supposed you were alivesomewhere and I tried to think you were all right. By the way, thelambkin is thriving and we've named it after you--Netty!"
"What? Why Netty, if you please?"
Dorothy laughed and explained. She was ready now to laugh at anythingand so was he: she made him finish his story, which he promptly did.
After he had sent the basket-message he had grown worse. He wasdelirious and did not know what went on about him. He thought it wasthe bad water from the old tank that increased his fever, and was sureit was that which had made the sheep herder himself fall ill. So beforehis strength came back he had to turn nurse himself and attend uponAlaric. He had now recovered enough to go away to his employer's ranchfor a few days. Meanwhile Jim was keeping the sheep for his host withlittle Jose for company.
Dorothy listened, asking questions now and then, and finally inquired:
"Is this Alaric an Indian?"
"No. A Mexican, a Greaser. He married an Indian princess, the sister ofWhite Feather."
"How came you by that Indian rig? costume, I mean."
Jim laughed. "White Feather again. At first I hadn't anything to wearbut a ragged pair of trousers which Alaric lent me, though he hated to,and a blanket for a coat. But a few days ago White Feather and hisbraves came this way again. He brought quite a collection of old dudsand gave 'em to Alaric. That paid him for what he'd lent me,
I guess.And some of White Feather's folks have always given little Jose hisIndian fixings, too. Else--Well, he wouldn't have had much to wear.Ain't he cute?"
"Indeed, he is. Looks exactly like a tiny White Feather himself. Thedear!" answered Dorothy, helping herself to another piece of bread andbreaking it in bits to feed the child, who smiled and swallowed in greatglee. "But your suit? You haven't told about that yet."
"Isn't it fine? I begin to feel like a red man myself, wearing it. WhiteFeather gave this to me with his own hands. It looks as if it had beenworn a long time but it's a mighty comfortable rig, especially after afellow's had--nothing at all."
Then Dorothy talked, her words fairly tumbling over each other in herhaste to tell all that had happened at San Leon while he was gone. Sheended with the question:
"Will you go back with me now, Jim? or with all of us, when we findthem! My heart! How glad, how glad they'll be!"
Jim shook his head.
"I can't, Dolly, not yet. I've got to stay till Alaric comes. Nobodyknows when that'll be, he's so lazy; and so sure now that I'll do hiswork for him. Besides--I've got something on my mind. Even if--evenif--Well, I shan't go back to San Leon till I take a peace offering withme. I think--anyway I hope--I've--No matter. Where are the others, doyou think? How did you get so far away from 'em, alone?"
"I don't know. But I wish--I wish they'd come. Ah! Hark!"
Dorothy stood up and listened. They could hear a horse movingsomewhere, the dull thud of hoofs on soft ground, and a whinny ofrecognition to Zaraza feeding near. A moment later Silent Pete came intosight, and in another moment had dismounted beside them.
He hadn't a word to say but stared at Jim with what would seem reproachexcept for a kindly gleam in his blue eyes. Up and down the lad's tallform the old man's eyes roved many times and then he gave one of hisrare laughs.
"Fits good, hey?"
"First class! Did you ever wear an Indian costume?" asked Jim.
"Huh! I've wore that one more years 'n you're old," said the ex-hunter,and sitting down helped himself to the bread.
Perhaps the man had never talked so freely as he did now. Of hunting, ofsavage fights, and of mining--of anything and everything connected withColorado's past as he had known it. Because he had never had suchinterested listeners. Jim's eyes shone, and when the subject touched onmining, he got up and went into the shack, coming back a moment laterwith some bits of stones lying on his palm. He held these out to SilentPete who accepted them with sudden interest. Until he finally exclaimed:
"Glory! Where?"
Jim walked a little distance from that point of the mesa and the othersfollowed him wondering. Then digging away some earth from the smallhillock where he had paused, pointed downward.
Silent Pete gazed without speaking for a full moment. Then he stoopedand gathered a few fragments of insignificant stone, while Dorothywatched him wondering. Presently the hunter looked up--his facetransformed--the brilliancy of youth restored to his faded eyes.
"Silver! by gum! And--and--_all the land this side that shack belongs toSan Leon_! Of all the dum luck--Let's go home! Let's go home!"
He couldn't move fast enough. The youngsters followed him at an equalpace so excited that they scarcely knew what they were doing. Jim hadfound silver! Jim had discovered a mine! This meant untold wealth totheir beloved host!
There was no thought in their minds of a possible mistake. It could notbe. It was all as clear as daylight to Dorothy, whose reverent heartalways traced "leadings" in that chain of events which we call life.
Jim had been "led" to all and through all that had happened. If hehadn't wandered here--no use thinking about that. He _had_ wandered, he_had_ found the silver, it _had_ been ordered, even the pain andsuffering and grief. Oh! to get back to where they could send the goodnews flying to the absent owner of San Leon!
"Let's go home!" cried the girl, running to the Zaraza's side and tryingto saddle her.
But Jim would not let her do that, though he did not seek to hinder herfrom going, and when she had sprung to her seat upon the filly's back,he held out his hand, saying:
"I'll come soon's I can, Dolly Doodles! This is a big day for me!"
"Why--why--aren't you coming too? You can ride part of the way and Ipart."
"No, girlie. I promised Alaric I'd take care of Jose and the sheep. I'vegot to--duty, you know."
"Oh! Duty! I hate duty! Oh! Jim, you ought to be the one, the very oneto carry the good news straight to 'Boss Dan!' It should be you to sendthis glorious message!"
But Jim shook his stubborn head.
"I'd like to--shucks! But I ain't never seen how neglectin' the duty 'tlies to hand helps a fellow to do the one 't is further off. It's allright, Dolly. You speed the good word and watch out for Jim. He'll becoming--sure. Good-by--good-by."
Meanwhile Peter had placed the lunch baskets on the ground, leaving themfor Jim and the child.
Not until they had passed out of sight and were well on the downwardtrail did Dorothy remember her absent mates and to ask how Silent Petehad chanced to find her. He scarcely paused to reply; for though hespoke no word, except to answer her questions, he was fairly quiveringwith excitement. It isn't every day one stumbles on a silver mine, evenin Colorado!
"Oh! I saw where you'd passed by the trompled brush. I knew the calico'stread. I saw 't you was off the line an' I blazed that so's the rest'dsee and not get scared. We shan't see no more o' them till nightfall,only you an' me--we must get home. Don't waste breath talkin'--_justtravel_."
Travel they did and, their own dispatches sent from San Leon, anothercame flashing back--crossed each other on the way, so to speak.
"Reach the ranch to-morrow. D. F."
Well, this story is about told. Such a wonderful home-coming that was!Messengers had been quickly sent to the sheep herder's hut to act assubstitutes for Jim in his "duty" and to bring him and Jose "home,"where he found himself welcomed as a hero--he who had thought himselfdespised.
Thus was discovered the famous "Bygum Mine," so named for the firstwords uttered by Silent Pete, when Jim showed him the site. Those whoremember the energy of "Dan Ford, Railroad Boss" will understand howpromptly matters were set in motion for the opening of "Bygum;" andthose who know his generosity will guess how he made each young guest asharer, to some degree, in this fresh prosperity. All except Jim Barlow:for that too independent youth promptly refused any further benefitfrom his great discovery than a simple "Thank you." How that refusalaffected the lad's pursuit of "knowledge" will be told in another storyof "Dorothy's House Boat," upon which, a few weeks later, he had to"work his passage."
But now, with Lady Gray's dear presence among them and the master's handat the helm, there was nothing but happiness for all at San Leon: until,all suddenly it seemed, the three months of their stay had passed andthe parting came. If there was sadness in their hearts that morning,when they mounted the buckboards for their journey back to Denver, therewas also anticipation and delight; for, to quote the words of theirgenial host:
"The world is but a little place. We have met and loved each other--weshall meet and love again."
THE END
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:
Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; otherwise,every effort has been made to remain true to the author' words andintent.
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