and focussed on Porphyry Point, a
massive buttress overhanging the farther valley. For long seconds
Geordie steadied the binocular against the staff and peered silently
through. At last he said: "Some riders and two or three livery-rigs are
coming, but I see no men afoot." Then, turning over his shoulder to
Cawker, standing in the midst of his friends and fellow-managers, and
looking eagerly aloft, he called: "Better have dinner now, if it's
ready. It will take 'em an hour to get here."

"Who is that young fellow, anyhow?" asked Townsend, of the Vanguard
Mine, and the ears of a score of men awaited the answer.

"That young feller," said Cawker, in low tone, and impressively, "was a
stranger to every one here, except old Nolan and Shiner, just
twenty-four hours ago. Now there ain't one of 'em but swears by him. I
don't know him from Adam, and Nolan won't tell, but, gentlemen--that
young feller's a dandy!"

And this of a youth in grimy cap, flannels, and overalls, with a pair
of smouched soldier gauntlets hiding the white of his hands, and a
coating of coal-dust and smudge hiding all but the clear, healthy white
of his eyes!

But an hour later came at least partial enlightenment. Picking their
way, afoot and a few in saddle, welcomed by shouts from the lately
besieged, and escorted by a deputation sent forward to meet them, there
began to arrive certain citizens well known to the neighborhood by name
and reputation.

There was the sheriff of Yampah, with a small squad of deputies. There
was the mayor of Argenta, a director in the mines, and with him,
puffing prodigiously and slowly up the ramp from the wagon-road, two
brother directors away out from Denver. There were certain prominent
citizens of Argenta and Hatch's Cove. There were certain railway men,
with men and tools at their back and no time to waste. There were two
men in civilian dress whom many a man of Silver Run knew for soldiers
at once, for as such had they known them before--Captain Lee and
Quartermaster McCrea of the old --th Cavalry--and there had been a
remarkable meeting and hand-shaking between them and Nolan, and a
whispered confabulation, at the end of which the two dove into the
office building where Shiner still lay, comforted by better news of his
boy, by good surgical aid, and by a skilful and competent nurse who,
for more than one reason, preferred to keep out of sight for the time
being. There had been a face-to-face meeting between serge