ut a couple o' months back. When Senor and I found him, he had
an attack o' mountain fever, but I brought him to my tent and nursed
him round. He's right enough now, and I thought maybe, when you hear
his story, you'd help him on a bit.'

'What's your name, my boy?' asked the gentleman.

'Jack Wilson, please, sir,' answered the boy promptly.

'Well, Jack, you must tell me all about yourself when I come back. I'm
going to look at the sheep with Pedro now, and I'll have a talk
by-and-by.'

So saying, Mr. Stuart went away towards the corral, leaving Jack in
great excitement. He liked the look of this fine young Englishman, who
smiled so pleasantly at him, and he felt hopeful he would help him.
While the men inspected the sheep, Jack made himself useful by carrying
all the small things out of the waggon into Pedro's hut, where the
provisions were stored. He had to leave the large sacks of flour, as
they were too heavy for him to lift by himself.

[Illustration: 'JACK MADE HIMSELF USEFUL.']

When the men returned and Mr. Stuart saw how busy Jack had been, he
said, 'Well done, my boy! I like to see a lad make himself of use of
his own free will. It shows he likes to work, without being told. And
now I want to know how you came to take up your abode with my
sheep-herder?'

Encouraged by the kind interest Mr. Stuart showed in him, Jack told his
story in a simple way, from the time he first started out from
Longview, to where he had been so opportunely found by Pedro and Senor.

Mr. Stuart was greatly surprised, as he listened and learned how far
the boy had already travelled.

'Do you really mean to tell me,' he asked, 'that you started out alone,
with strangers, to try and reach your parents living at a place nearly
three hundred miles away? I'm astonished that you have got as far as
this. Indeed, I can hardly believe it;' and he looked searchingly at
Jack.

'It's the truth, sir, all the same,' said the boy quietly, but there
was a hurt expression on his open face which convinced the Englishman
more than anything else of his honesty.

'Well,' he said kindly, 'I shall trust you, anyhow. At first it seemed
impossible to me that a little lad, not ten years old, would dare to
venture on along, perilous journey alone; but your straightforward
answers have satisfied me, and I will gladly give you all the
assistance I can. I'll take you back with me to my ranch; but I'm
afraid you must give up the idea of cr