ess had detained the father several months. Before this,
however, he had hired Jack Rasco to go to Creede with him and assist in
locating the new claim.

As Mortimer Arbuckle failed to come West, Jack Rasco returned to the
companionship of Pawnee Brown, for, as already stated, he considered
himself the great boomer's right-hand man.

At last Mortimer Arbuckle had come on with Dick, to find Rasco had given
his word to Pawnee Brown to stick with the boomers until the desired
entrance into Oklahoma was effected.

"Yer will hev ter wait, Mr. Arbuckle," Jack had said. "I'm sorry, but I
hev given my word ter Pawnee an' I wouldn't break it fer a cool million,
thet's me."

"Let us go with the boomers!" Dick had returned enthusiastically. "It
will be lots of fun, father, and it will give you a chance to get back
your health before you tie yourself down to those silver mine schemes."

And rather against his wishes Mortimer Arbuckle had consented. Dick saw
his father was in no mental condition to locate claims, form a new
mining company, and do other labor of this sort, and trusted that the
days to be spent with the boomers would make him much stronger in both
body and mind.

"Do you think the robber thought of the deeds when he robbed you?" went
on Dick, after a pause.

"I--I--don't know, Dick. It runs in my mind he spoke of the deeds, but I
can't remember for certain."

"He took your money?"

"Every cent." Mortimer Arbuckle gave a groan. "We are now out here
penniless, my son."

"No we are not, father. I asked Pawnee Brown for the loan of ten dollars
and he gave me twenty, and said I could have more if I needed it."

"A good man--as generous as he is brave," murmured Mortimer Arbuckle.
"Would the world had more of such fellows."

"Pawnee Brown and Jack Rasco are the best fellows in the world!"
answered the youth. "But, come, let me carry you to yonder house, where
you can get dry and also get something to eat."

He assisted his parent to his feet, then lifted the man to his back and
started off. A backwoodsman saw him coming, and ran to meet him. Soon
Mortimer Arbuckle was in the house and lying tucked in on a warm couch.

A relapse followed, coming almost immediately after father and son had
exchanged stories and detail. In alarm Dick sent off the backwoodsman
for a doctor. The medical man was half an hour in coming. After a
thorough examination he looked grave.

"The man must be kept absolutely quiet," he sa