looks of things. Women need a lot these days." His
eyes twinkled as he turned them upon Glen's face, and noted that she
was blushing, for she understood the meaning of his words. "But, then,
it'll all depend upon the woman," he continued, "Now, some wouldn't be
satisfied with a dozen gold mines, while others would be perfectly
contented with a little log shack, so long as the place was built of
love. I guess that'd be the way with you, Miss, from what I've seen of
ye. But, hello! who's this? Why, it's the rascal Dan, I do believe!
He seems to be in a hurry."

And Dan certainly was in a hurry. He was not at all inclined to talk,
but anxious to get along as fast as possible.

"What's yer rush?" Samson asked.

"I want to get to Big Draw before night," was the curt reply.

"Where's daddy?" Glen questioned.

"Blamed if I know. He cleared out shortly after you did, and left me
to die out there. I haven't seen him since."

Dan's arm was in a sling, and the haggard expression upon his face
showed that he had suffered a great deal both mentally and bodily. The
three watched him as he hurried on his way, until a bend in the trail
hid him from view.

"An' to think of that critter bein' free!" Samson exclaimed. "Why, he
should be linked up with Curly, an' git the same dose. Thar's
something comin' to him, an' he'll git it in time, mark my word."

"What do you suppose has become of daddy?" Glen enquired, as they
resumed their journey. "Did you hear what Dan said?"

"Oh, yer dad's all right, Miss," Samson assured her. "He knows how to
take care of himself. Mebbe he's off to that mine. He's sartinly much
interested in it."

"But where did you see Mr. Weston?" Reynolds unexpectedly asked.

"Whar did I see him?" and Samson ran the fingers of his right hand
through his hair in an abstracted manner. "Wall, let me see. It was
somewhar out in the hills. I've been in so many places that it's hard
fer me to tell one from t'other. I do git terribly mixed up these
days."

No further reference was made to the matter during the rest of the day,
although Reynolds was not at all satisfied with the prospector's lame
explanation. He wondered why the old man should have such a sudden
lapse of memory as to what had so recently happened. There was some
reason for it, he felt quite sure.

It was evening when they at length reached the little cabin in the
wilderness. Sconda had ridden on ahead, and had an appetizing