rapper had submitted a new phase of
the most interesting question to him. But Deerfoot was shrewd.

"Let my brother finish his story."

"Oh, the job came out all right. Dick was sulky and ugly for a few
days, though I made him stick to his prayers every morning and night.
But bye and bye, when the whiskey got out of him, he begun to improve.
One day he laughed, but was so scared by it that he didn't speak till
night. Soon after that he told me he felt a good deal better, which the
same I replied was because he was getting over the long drunk he had
been on for a dozen years.

"Wal, Dick continued to improve. His spirits rose, his appetite was
stronger, he could stand more work, and I noticed that in praying he
yelled louder than ever. All these was good signs and showed that I had
managed the bus'ness right, so I won't ask your opinion on my style,
Deerfoot.

"Then Dick told me of the job that French Pete and him had put up on
me. I could afford to laugh, but Dick was that mad that he was eager to
get back to St. Louis, so that he could go down to Pete's place and
smash things as I done. But I talked him out of that, and he promised
me he wouldn't undertake the bus'ness till I could jine him. You know
there's a sweetness about such work that I 'spose made me selfish. I
warn't willing he should have all the enj'yment to himself.

"I've showed my faith in Dick by sending him home with the peltries.
You see it isn't like a chap trying to make a man of himself when the
temptation is at his elbow. Dick had to go without for months, and that
give him enough time to become master of himself. All that I'm afeard
of is that he'll get impatient when he catches sight of French Pete's
place and forget his promise to me."

CHAPTER XXVII.

"GOOD-BYE."

The remainder of the homeward journey was without special incident. It
was several days before Victor Shelton fully recovered from the
pounding caused by his fall into the torrent. The loss of his rifle was
keenly felt, but he did not fret, for it would have been ungrateful
after his marvelous escape.

Jack Halloway's spirits were irrepressible, and his good nature was
like so much sunshine. The only fault to be found with him was his
inclination to burst into song, without waiting for urging on the part
of his friends. He was gifted with a tremendous voice, but
unfortunately he had no more idea of a tune than a grizzly bear. But no
one could criticize the fellow, w