The Medicine Man was
immediately called to the side of the sufferer, who, dressed in his
hideous costume, began at once his strange incantations.

Those in the lodge watched almost breathlessly his wild contortions,
anxious to catch any word which might fall from his lips.

"An evil spirit is in the camp," he muttered at length. "It has cast
its spell over the chief's son, and he will die. Other children will
die, too, unless the spirit is driven out."

A long pause followed this startling announcement, and the listeners
bent eagerly forward to catch the name of the one who was causing the
trouble.

They were forced to wait for some time, however, before the crafty
rogue was ready to satisfy their curiosity. Then "pale-face stranger"
fell upon their ears, causing them to look quickly at one another.

The conjurer thrilled with joy as he noticed the effect of his words,
and saw the Indians quietly leave the lodge to spread the news to those
without. The old spell had still its influence, and he gave a low
chuckle of delight.

Knowing nothing of what was taking place at the Quelchie camp, Keith
returned with Shrahegan after two days' absence. It was only natural
that he should feel much elated over the success of his visit. He had
been more than human if his heart had not beat fast when he looked upon
the gold gleaming from the bed rock, exposed to view, along the steep
banks of the creek. Here were virgin riches untold, which for ages had
been awaiting the coming of the miners.

He glanced around upon the splendid scenery; the long, deep gulches;
the banks lined with trees, among which the squirrels scolded, and the
early birds warbled. He thought how peaceful it all seemed, with the
little brook babbling and sparkling below him.

Then there came to his mind the change which would take place when this
vast wealth became generally known; the mad rush of gold seekers; the
mushroom mining town, with all its greed and wickedness.

Before leaving the place he staked his claim, and broke off several
fine pieces of gold as specimens. For the first time the prospector's
fever possessed him, and all the way back to the village he could think
of little but his great discovery. This, however, was suddenly
dispelled when he entered the camp and beheld the storm which was about
to fall upon his head.

"The Indians are much excited," said Shrahegan, who soon found out all
about the matter. "I hardly know what t