that death is right near, an' as people think, so they are.
Age an' health are accordin' to the mind, an' don't ye ever fergit
that."

Samson paused and looked around.

"See them big mountains," and he pointed away to the left. "A man kin
never feel old with them on every side. They don't remind ye of the
passin' of time an' of dyin'. They're jist the same as they were
thousands of years ago. An' so it's purty much like that with other
things up here. I never feel old when I look around me on the
wonderful sights; I feel young. An' why shouldn't I? Thar's so much
to do, an' so many things to see an' larn that I haven't time to think
of dyin'. Life after all, as I said, ain't to be judged by years, but
by love of livin'."

Samson seemed to be on his pet theme, and he continued his talk as he
and Reynolds again resumed their journey. Several times the latter
endeavored to find out something about the old man's past history, but
all in vain. The prospector gave him not the slightest information
concerning himself, but discoursed volubly about the difference between
the ways of the city and the wilderness.

"Money ain't everything," he declared, "even though some seem to think
it is. It has its uses, I acknowledge, but it was never meant to
starve the soul, though that is jist what it too often does. I know of
men who sacrificed everything to the pilin' up of money, even love,
without which life ain't worth a straw."

"Have you been able to find love here in the north?" Reynolds asked.

"Thar are different kinds of love, young man," was the somewhat slow
and thoughtful reply. "The brand you mean, if I understand ye aright,
I've never experienced in this country, an' in fact, I never expect to
find it agin on this side of the grave. It's the pure love of a true
man fer a good woman, I mean. I believe you have it, an' yer to be
congratulated. It's the most wonderful thing in life. Even the love
of children, though it is great, kin never equal it. It's in a class
all by itself."

"But suppose the love isn't mutual, what then?" Reynolds asked.

"That'd be a pity, an' no mistake. Are ye referrin' to yer own case?"

"I certainly am. I am positive that the only woman in the world I want
cares nothing for me. She does not even know my name, while I--oh,
well, you know how I feel toward her."

"Jist keep up courage an' plod along, that's my advice. If she's meant
fer you, ye'll win her all right. I