dly bend of the
road hid the "outlaws." The train was almost at a standstill--and
Sammy Durgan jumped. Not on the river side--on the other side. Sammy
Durgan's destination was somewhere deep in the wooded growth that
clothed the towering mountain before him.

There is an official record for cross-country mileage registered in the
name of some one whose name is not Sammy Durgan--but it is not
accurate. Sammy Durgan holds it. And it was far up on the mountain
side that he finally crossed the tape and collapsed, breathless and
gasping, on a tree stump. He sat there for quite a while, jabbing at
his streaming face with the sleeve of his jumper; and there was trouble
in Sammy Durgan's eyes, and plaint in his voice when at last he spoke.

"Twenty-five dollars reward," said Sammy Durgan wistfully. "And 'twas
as good as in my pocket, and now 'tis gone. 'Tis hard luck, cruel hard
luck. It is that!"

Sammy Durgan's eyes roved around the woods about him and grew
thoughtful.

"I was minded at the time," said Sammy Durgan, "that 'twas not the
right kind of an emergency, and when he hears of it Regan will be
displeased. And now what'll I do? 'Twill do no good to return to the
section shanty, for they'll be telegraphing Donovan to fire Sammy
Durgan. That's me--fire Sammy Durgan. 'Tis trouble dogs me and cruel
hard luck--and all I'm asking for is a steady job and a chance."

Sammy Durgan relapsed into mournful silence and contemplation for a
spell--and then his face began to clear. Sammy Durgan's optimism was
like the bobbing cork.

"'Tis another streak of cruel hard luck, of bitter, cruel hard luck
I've had this day, but am I down and out for the likes of that?"
inquired Sammy Durgan defiantly of himself.

"I am not!" replied Sammy Durgan buoyantly to Sammy Durgan. "'Tis not
the first time I've been fired, and did I not read that there's
MacMurtrey begging for men up at The Gap? And him being a new man and
unknown to me, 'tis a job sure. 'Tis only my name might stand in the
way, for 'tis likely 'twill be mentioned in his hearing on account of
the bit of trouble down yonder. But 'tis the job I care for and not
the name. I'll be working for MacMurtrey to-morrow morning--I will
that! And what's more," added Sammy Durgan, beginning to blink fast,
"I'll show 'em yet, Maria, and Regan, and the rest of 'em. Once in
every man's life he gets his chance. Mine ain't come yet. I thought
it had to-day, but I was wro