l begin it with a dose of picra, and the first page of the
Westminster catechism; and if that don't put him in good shape for the
doctor and Ephraim, in the morning, my name ain't Sally Benton, nor
never was. The doctor, he's rode home for his instruments and such,
and hopes to get the bullet out in the course of time. But it's my
opinion, and his, too, I reckon, 'cause he didn't deny it when I put
the question plain, it's our opinion that Antonio Bernal will never
walk another step in his life. But he'll live. He'll live everlastin'.
Them old Californy folks always do. He'll simply be paralyzed from his
waist down."

Despite their antipathy to him, a thrill of pity ran through every one
who heard her; and to most of those stalwart men it seemed that this
was a punishment they could not have endured. Death would have been
far preferable to them.

So it befell that the late manager's fate was in the hands of his
enemies, so to speak; and while Mrs. Benton and "Forty-niner" would
faithfully perform their duty toward him, they elected to do it along
lines of their own.

CHAPTER XXI.

CONCLUSION

Events crowded one another at Sobrante.

Under the compulsion of his brother's will, so soon as that brother
was able to think of anything beyond his own suffering, Ferd led a
party of the ranchmen, with Ninian Sharp at their head, to the canyon
cave and the pit where the little captain had been imprisoned. They
shuddered as they beheld it; yet could but rejoice that Old Century
had sought her there, and had, so opportunely, revealed its precious
secret. They also took good care to blaze their path as they went, for
it was most intricate and bewildering. They had the curiosity to test
the powers of the wonderful staff, which John had carefully fitted
with a new top, and were amazed at its curious behavior, as it
zigzagged over the floor of the almost unsupported. Whatever the
metal, or compound of metals, on the point, it was certainly attracted
by, and indicated the presence of, copper in the earth beneath.

Returning to the house after this trip of exploration, Marty was
promptly mounted upon the "ghost horse" Nero, and sent to Marion with
telegrams for Ninian's expert friends in Los Angeles, and to bring
back the mail. The unhappy animal had been treated to a liberal bath
of gasoline and soap suds, and had come out of it a sort of mongrel;
but with the phosphorus gone from about his eyes and face, and with a
re