ant it. The Doc, here, can dope 'em all
they need, but he hasn't spent half his days driving for gold with an
outfit of scallawags same as you have. Hold this camp to the limit,
boy, and when the work's through I don't guess your share in things'll
be the least. I'm going to bank on you as I've never banked before.
And I don't worry a thing."

It was a tribute as generous as it was diplomatic, and its effect was
instantaneous.

"It goes, chief," exclaimed the engineer, with the nearest approach to
real enthusiasm he ever permitted himself. "The limit! An' they'll
need a big bank roll of fight to call my hand."

Half an hour later Peigan Charley was surprised into wakefulness under
the southern embankment, where he had fallen asleep over his pipe. His
boss was standing over him, gazing down at him with steady, gray,
unsmiling eyes. The scout was sitting up in a moment. He was not yet
certain what the visitation portended.

"Had a good sleep, Peigan?" Kars demanded,

"Him sleep plenty, boss."

"Good."

Kars turned and glanced out over the great volume of water passing down
the river in a ponderous tide. Peigan Charley waited in mute,
unquestioning fashion for what was to come.

Presently Kars turned back to his trusted henchman. He began to talk
rapidly. And as he talked the scout thrust his pipe away into a pocket
in his ragged coat, which had once formed part of his boss's wardrobe.
He stood up. Nor did he interrupt. The keen light in his big black
eyes alone betrayed any emotion. There was no doubt as to the nature
of that emotion. For the sparkle in them grew, and robbed them of the
last shadow of their native lack of expression.

Following upon his boss's words came the Indian's brief but cordial
expression of appreciation. Then came a few minutes of sharp question,
and eager reply. And, at last, came Kars' final injunctions.

"Well, you'll get right up to the cook-house and eat your belly full.
Get fixed that way good. Maybe you'll need it. Then start right in,
when it's dark, and don't pass word to a soul, or I'll rawhide you.
Get this good. If the neches get wise to you the game's played, and
we've lost."

The Indian's reply came on the instant, and it was full to the brim of
that contempt which the mention of his race never failed to arouse.

"Damn fool neche not know," he said icily.

Kars watched him set out for the cook-house. Then he moved over to the
hospital where Bill