ard, where the
mountains might yet afford an ambush as Van was returning home.

Far away in the mountains, at the "Laughing Water" claim, while the sun
was setting on a scene of labors, all but concluded for the day, the
group of surveyors, with Lawrence in charge, appeared along the
southern ridge.

Gettysburg, Napoleon, and Dave were still in the water by the sluices.
They were grimed, soiled with perspiration, wearied by the long, hard
day of toil. Shovel in hand old Gettysburg discovered the men with an
instrument who trekked along the outside edge of the claim. Chain-man,
rod-man, and Lawrence with his shining theodolite, set on its three
slender legs, they were silhouetted sharply against the evening sky.
Their movements and their presence here were beyond the partners'
comprehension. It was Gettysburg who climbed up the slope, and
anchored himself in their path.

"What you doin'?" he said to the rod-man presently, when that tired
individual approached and continued on his way.

"What does it look like--playing checkers?" said the man. "Can't the
Government do nuthin'--run no county line ner nuthin' without everybody
sittin' up to notice?"

No less than fifty men they had met that day had questioned what the
Government was doing. The "county line" suggestion had been the only
hint vouchsafed--and that had sufficed to allay the keenest suspicion.

"That all?" said Gettysburg, and, watching as he went, he slowly
returned to his partners. His explanation was ample. The surveyors
proceeded on.

Meantime, in absolute ignorance of all that was happening on his
property, Van continued towards Starlight unmolested. An hour after
sundown he rode to the camp, inquired his way to the rough-board shack,
where Kent was lying ill, and was met at the door by a stranger, whom
Glen had employed as cook and "general nurse."

Bostwick was there. He remained unseen. His instructions were
imperative--and the "nurse" had no choice but to obey.

"Of course, Kent's here," he admitted, in response to Van's first
question. "He can't see no one, neither--no matter who it is."

"I've brought a letter from his sister," Van explained. "He's got to
have it, and have it now. If he wishes to send any answer back, I'm
here to take it."

The "nurse" looked him over.

"The orders from the doctor is no visitors!" he said. "And that goes.
If you want to leave the letter, why you kin."

Van produced the letter.

"If the