went for Brooke, chasing him around the pasture. Prue chased
Jehoshaphat, the mules chased Prue, the harem mares bit and kicked at
everybody, Brooke galloped delirious in all directions, and I laughed
until I could hardly hold down the rocks.

"Of course, if Brooke hadn't been a mere mistake on earth, he would have
herded gently to the nearest corral, and cut the two outfits apart. But
Brooke proceeded to lose his temper, pulled his gun, jumped his wretched
sorrel behind a tree, and let drive. He missed the stallion. He shot
Prue through the heart.

"There was nothing after that to keep the sixty Star mules together.
Some went up the canyon, some down, a few even swam the Fraser, but the
heft of them climbed the big cliffs and vanished into the forest.

"I reckon Pete and his _arrieros_ could collect those mules and break
them to loving a new _madrina_. But with Brooke as cargador, the great
Star Pack-train's numbered with the past, and Mathson's partnership is
scarce worth arguing.

"I was sorry to see the fine mules lost, and in my grief I kicked Brooke
about one-third of a mile on his way home afoot."

CHAPTER VI

THE BLACK NIGHT

_Kate's Narrative_

"I, Boulton Wemyss Taylor, Commander R. N., retired, being of sound mind
in a dying body, do hereby make my last will and testament:

"And do appoint the lady known as Madame Scotson my sole executress and
trustee of all property which I may die possessed of;

"To pay my just debts, and to administer the remainder on behalf of my
grandson, James Taylor,

"Until at his coming of age he shall receive the whole estate, if there
is any;

"Save only that I bequeath to Madame Scotson my sword and the Victoria
Cross;

"And with regard to burial, it is my will that no money whatever shall
be spent, but that my body, wrapped in the flag by right of her
majesty's commission, shall be consigned to the earth by my neighbors;
that no friend of mine shall be allowed to stand uncovered catching
cold, or to wear unseemly black clothing at the service of the
resurrection, or to toll bells which should be pealed when the soul
passes to God, or to make pretense or parade of grief for one who is
glad to go."

The months of nursing were ended. No longer should Nurse Panton and I be
afraid when our patient was good, or rejoice when fractious whims and
difficult absurdities marked those rallies in which he fought off death.
At the last, after many hours of silence, h