neglectin' the duty 't
lies to hand helps a fellow to do the one 't is further off. It's all
right, Dolly. You speed the good word and watch out for Jim. He'll be
coming--sure. Good-by--good-by."

Meanwhile Peter had placed the lunch baskets on the ground, leaving them
for Jim and the child.

Not until they had passed out of sight and were well on the downward
trail did Dorothy remember her absent mates and to ask how Silent Pete
had chanced to find her. He scarcely paused to reply; for though he
spoke no word, except to answer her questions, he was fairly quivering
with excitement. It isn't every day one stumbles on a silver mine, even
in Colorado!

"Oh! I saw where you'd passed by the trompled brush. I knew the calico's
tread. I saw 't you was off the line an' I blazed that so's the rest'd
see and not get scared. We shan't see no more o' them till nightfall,
only you an' me--we must get home. Don't waste breath talkin'--_just
travel_."

Travel they did and, their own dispatches sent from San Leon, another
came flashing back--crossed each other on the way, so to speak.

"Reach the ranch to-morrow. D. F."

Well, this story is about told. Such a wonderful home-coming that was!
Messengers had been quickly sent to the sheep herder's hut to act as
substitutes for Jim in his "duty" and to bring him and Jose "home,"
where he found himself welcomed as a hero--he who had thought himself
despised.

Thus was discovered the famous "Bygum Mine," so named for the first
words uttered by Silent Pete, when Jim showed him the site. Those who
remember the energy of "Dan Ford, Railroad Boss" will understand how
promptly matters were set in motion for the opening of "Bygum;" and
those who know his generosity will guess how he made each young guest a
sharer, to some degree, in this fresh prosperity. All except Jim Barlow:
for that too independent youth promptly refused any further benefit
from his great discovery than a simple "Thank you." How that refusal
affected the lad's pursuit of "knowledge" will be told in another story
of "Dorothy's House Boat," upon which, a few weeks later, he had to
"work his passage."

But now, with Lady Gray's dear presence among them and the master's hand
at the helm, there was nothing but happiness for all at San Leon: until,
all suddenly it seemed, the three months of their stay had passed and
the parting came. If there was sadness in their hearts that morning,
when they mounted the buckboards for