eling was based partly on pride
and partly on a new increase of physical strength. He took a
deep inhalation of the cold mountain air and held it long in his
lungs. Then he emitted it slowly. There was no pain, no feeling
of soreness, and it was the first time he could remember that it
had been so. A new thrill of pleasure, keener and more powerful
than any other, shook him for a moment. It was a belief, nay, a
certainty, or at least a conviction, that he was going to be
whole and sound. The mountains were doing their kindly healing.
He could have shouted aloud with pleasure, but instead he
restrained himself and went outside, softly shutting the door
behind him.

Autumn had gone and winter had come in a night. The trees were
stripped of every leaf and in their place was the sheathing of
ice. The brook roared past, swollen for the time to a little
river. The air, though very cold, was dry despite the heavy rain
of the night before. Albert shivered more than once, but it was
not the shiver of weakness. It did not bite to the very marrow
of him. Instead, when he exercised legs and arms vigorously,
warmth came back. He was not a crushed and shriveled thing.
Now he laughed aloud in sheer delight. He had subjected
himself to another test, and he had passed it in triumph.

He built up the fire, and when Dick awoke, the pleasant aroma of
cooking filled the room.

"Why, what's this, Al?" exclaimed the big youth, rubbing his
eyes.

"Oh, I've been up pretty near an hour," replied Albert airily.
"Saw that you were having a fine sleep, so I thought I wouldn't
disturb you."

Dick looked inquiringly at him. He thought he detected a new
note in his brother's voice, a note, too, that he liked.

"I see," he said; "and you've been at work sometime, Do you feel
fully equal to the task?"

Albert turned and faced his brother squarely.

"I've been thinking a lot, and feeling a lot more this morning,"
he replied. "I've been trying myself out, as they say, and if
I'm not well I'm traveling fast in that direction. Hereafter I
share the work as well as the rewards."

Albert spoke almost defiantly, but Dick liked his tone and manner
better than ever. He would not, on any account, have said
anything in opposition at this moment.

"All right, Al, old fellow. That's agreed," he said.

Chapter VII
An Animal Progression

The thin sheath of ice did not last long. On the second day the
sun came out and melt