\"Dasmightysmartgirl，\"saidPerault，scratchinghisheadashesetoffafterherasfastashisjadedponycouldfollow。\"Can’tmakfoolonher。\"
HalfwaytothevillagestoodtheoldProspector’shouse，almosthiddeninabluffofpoplarandspruce。AlittlefurtheronwasPerault’sshack。Atherfather’sdoorthegirlwaited。
\"Perault，\"shesaidquietly，\"Ileftthekeyatyourhouse。WillyougetitformewhileItakePatsyhome？\"
\"Bon，\"saidPeraulteagerly。\"Igetheeman’makfire。\"
\"Thankyou，Perault，\"sherepliedkindly。\"I’llberightback。\"
ButittooksometimetogetPatsypersuadedtoallowhertodepart，andbythetimeshehadreturnedshefoundPeraulthadthefirelitandJosie，hisbright—eyed，pretty，littlewife，busyairingthebed—clothesandflittingaboutseekingopportunitiestoshowhersympathy。
\"Mapauvreenfant！\"sheexclaimed，runningtoMarionassheenteredandputtingherarmsabouther。
\"Josie，\"warnedPeraultgruffly，\"shutupyou。Yougoformakfoolofyousef。\"
ButJosiepaidnoattentiontoherhusbandandcontinuedpettingthegirl。
\"Josie，\"criedMarion，fixinghereyesupontheFrenchwoman’skindlyface，\"tellme，ismyfatherbadlyhurt？Peraultwouldnottellmethetruth。\"
\"Non，mapetite，dathur’snotsover’bad，butdecolewater——dasbadtingforfader，sure。\"
Thecloudofgloomonthegirl’sfacedeepened。Sheturnedawaytowardthedoorandsaying，\"I’llgoandgetsomecrocuses，\"shemountedherponyandrodeofftowardtheJumpingRock。
Withinhalfanhourthegirlcamegallopingback。
\"Josie，\"shecriedexcitedly，springingoffherpony，\"they’recoming。Isawthemupthetrail。\"
Shetossedherflowersonthetableandhurriedtoarrangetheminbasins，cups，oldtincans，andallavailablevessels，tillthewholehouseseemedtoberunningoverwiththosefirstandmostexquisiteprairiespring—flowers。Andformanyfollowingdaysthespring—flowersfilledthehousewiththeirownhopeandcheer，whenhopeandcheerwerebothsorely，needed。
IX
TIMCARROLL
TherestoodatthedoorPerault，Josie，andMarion，waitingforShockandtheOldProspectortodriveup。Thecontrastbetweenthetwomeninthebuckboardwasstriking。Theone，ayoungmanwithmuscularframe，astrong，freshfaceinnocentofworldlywisdomandmarkedbythefranknessofanunspoiledfaithinmenandthings;theother，anoldman，tall，slight，withafacewornandweary，delicately，featuredandkindlyenough，butwithamaskofinscrutablereservetingedwiththatdistrustofmenandthingsthatcomesofabitterexperienceoftheworld’sfalsities。ForfiftyyearsWalterMowbrayhadlookedoutofthepiercingblackeyesthatgleamedlikecoalsoffirethroughhispallidfaceuponaworldthathadcontinuouslyalluredandmockedhim。Thepiercingeyeswerethoseofanenthusiast，nottosayfanatic。Thefireinthemstillburneddeepandbright。Theindomitablespirit，refusingtoacceptdefeat，stilllivedandhopedwithapersistenceatonceextraordinaryandpathetic。
Agleamoflightshotacrosshispaleimpassivefaceashiseyesfelluponhisdaughterwho，inthepresenceofastranger，shrankbackbehindJosie。Hebeckonedhertohim。
\"Come，mydaughter，\"hesaidinaclear，musicalvoice。
Thensheforgothershynessandthrewherselfathim。
\"Oh，father！\"shecriedinalow，smotheredvoice，herwholeframeshakingassheclungtohim。
Forasingleinstanttheoldmanheldhertohim，hispalefaceoncemoreilluminedbythatmomentarygleam，thenlooseningherarmsfromhisneck，hesaidincalmtones，inwhichmingledsurprise，raillery，almostrebuke，\"Why，mychild，thisisindeedanextraordinarywelcomehome。\"
Atthetonethegirlshrankback，andwithmarvellousself—controlregainedherordinaryquietmanner。
\"Youarehurt，father，\"shesaidsoquietlythatherfatherglancedwithquicksurpriseather。Hehardlyknewasyetthisdaughterofhis，whohadcometohimonlytwomonthsago，andwhomforfifteenyearshehadnotseen。
\"Ameretouch，\"heansweredcarelessly。\"Abrokencollar—bone，inconvenient，butneitherpainfulnordangerous，andanadditionaltouchofrheumatism，which，thoughextremelyannoying，willproveonlytemporary。Afterafewdaysofyournursingweshallbeabletoresumeourmarch，eh，Perault？\"
\"Oui！bon！datso，\"saidPerault，grinninghiseageracquiescence。
\"Deolebosshestopfornoting。\"
\"Butnowweshallgetwithallspeedbetweentheblankets，mygirl。
Hotblankets，Josie，eh？\"
\"Oui，certainment，toutsuite！\"criedJosie，dartingintothehouse。
Theoldmanbegancarefullytoraisehimselfofftheseatofthebuckboard。
\"Ha！\"catchinghisbreath。\"Rathersharp，that，Mr。Macgregor。Oh！I
forgot。Pardonme，\"hecontinued，withfine，old—timecourtesy。
\"Permitmetointroduceyoutomydaughter。Marion，thisisMr。
Macgregor，butforwhosetimelyandheroicassistanceImightevennowbetumblingaboutatthefitfulfancyoftheBlackDog。Webothhavecausetobegratefultohim。\"
Withasurprisedcrythegirlwho，duringherfather’swords，hadbeenlookingathimwithawhitefaceandstaringeyes，sprangtowardsShock，whowasstandingatthepony’shead，seizedhishandbetweenhers，kisseditpassionately，flungitaway，andreturnedhurriedlytoherfather’sside。
\"Itwasnothingatall，\"saidShock，whenhehadrecoveredfromhisconfusion。\"Anyonewouldhavedoneit，andbesides——\"
\"Notmanymenwouldhavehadthestrengthtodoit，\"interruptedtheOldProspector，\"andfewmenthenervetotry。Wewillnotforgetit，sir，Itrust。\"
\"Besides，\"continuedShock，addressingthegirl，\"Iowesomethingtoyourfather，forIwashelplesslylostwhenhefoundme。\"
WithawaveofhishandtheoldmanbrushedasideShock’sstatementasofnoimportance。
\"Weshallhopeforopportunitytoshowourgratitude，Mr。
Macgregor，\"hesaid，hisclearvoicetakingadeepertonethanusual。\"Now，\"hecontinuedbriskly，\"letusproceedwiththissomewhatseriousbusinessofgettingintoblankets。Justliftmyfeetround，mydaughter。Ah！Thelongridehasstiffenedthejoints。
Oh！Onemoment，mydear。\"Theoldman’sfacewaswetandghastlypale，andhisbreathcameinquickgasps。\"Adifficultoperation，Mr。Macgregor，\"hesaidapologetically，\"butweshallaccomplishitintime。Wait，mydear，IfancyIshalldobetterwithoutyourassistance。Atleast，Ishallberelievedofuncertaintyastoresponsibilityformypains。Animportantconsideration，Mr。
Macgregor。Uncertaintyaddsmuchtothesumofhumansuffering。Now，ifIcanswingmylegsabout。Ah—h—h！Mosthumiliatingexperience，Mr。Macgregor，thearrivingatthelimitofone’sstrength。Butonenotuncommoninlife，andfinallyinevitable，\"continuedtheoldphilosopher，onlytheghastlyhueofhismask—likefacegivingtokenoftheagonyhewasenduring。
ThenShockcametohim。
\"Letmecarryyou，\"hesaid。\"Itwillgiveyoulesspain，Iamsure。\"
\"Well，itcanhardlygivemore。\"
\"Putyourarmsaboutmyneck。There。Nowdon’ttrytohelpyourself。\"
\"Mostsoundadvice。Isurrender，\"saidtheoldman，hisphilosophictoneinstrikingcontrasttohisghastlyface。\"Butonemostdifficulttoaccept。\"
Gently，easily，asifhehadbeenachild，Shockliftedhimfromthebuckboard，carriedhimintothehouseandlaidhimuponhisbed。Theoldmanwasfaintwithhispain。
\"Thankyou，sir——thatwasdistinctlyeasier。Youare——amightyman。
Perault！Ithink——I——\"
Hisvoicefadedawayintosilenceandhisheadfellback。Thegirlsprangforwardwithacryoffear，butShockwasbeforeher。
\"Thebrandy，Perault！Quick！\"hesaid。\"Don’tfear，MissMowbray，hewillsoonbeallright。\"
ThegirlglancedintoShock’sfaceandatoncegrewcalmagain。
Soon，underthestimulusofthebrandy，theoldmanrevived。
\"Ah！\"hesaid，drawingalongbreathandlookingwithafaintapologeticsmileattheanxiousfacesabout，\"pardonmyalarmingyou。Iamgettingold。Thelongdriveandthesomewhatseverepainweakenedme，Ifear。\"
\"Indeed，youhavenoneedtoapologise。ItismorethanIcouldhavestood，\"saidShockingenuineadmiration。
\"Thankyou，\"saidtheoldman。\"Nowweshallgetintoblankets。I
havethegreatestfaithinblankets，sir;thegreatestfaith。Ihaverolledmyselfinwetblanketsinmid—winterwhensufferingfromaseverecold，andhavecomeforthperfectlyrecovered。YouremembertheElkValley，Perault？\"
\"Oui，forsure。Isaydattamolebossblam—fool。Heescough！cough！
ver’bad。Nex’mornin’，bygar！he’sallright。\"
\"Andwillbeagainsoon，Perault，myboy，bythehelpofthesesameblankets，\"saidtheoldmanconfidently。\"Buthowtonegotiatethebusinessisthequestionnow。\"
\"Letmetry，sir。Ihavehadsomelittleexperienceinhelpingmenwithbrokenbonesandthelike，\"saidShock。
\"You’reatleastentitledtoconfidence，Mr。Macgregor，\"repliedtheOldProspector。\"Faithisthereflectionofexperience。Iresignmyselfintoyourhands。\"
Inhalfanhour，withPerault’sassistance，Shockhadtheoldmanbetweenheatedblankets，exhaustedwithpain，butrestingcomfortably。
\"Mr。Macgregor，\"saidtheoldman，takingShockbythehand，\"Ihavefoundthatlifesoonerorlaterbringsopportunitytodischargeeveryobligation。SuchanopportunityIshalleagerlyawait。\"
\"Ihavedonenomorethananymanshould，\"repliedShocksimply。
\"AndIamonlygladtohavehadthechance。\"
\"Chance！\"echoedtheOldProspector。\"Ihavefoundthatwemakeourchances，sir。Butnowyouwillrequirelodging。IregretIcannotofferyouhospitality。Perault，godowntotheStoppingPlace，presentmycomplimentstoCarrollandaskhimtogiveMr。Macgregorthebestaccommodationhehas。Thebestisnonetoogood。And，Perault，weshallneedanotherponyandanewoutfit。Inafewdayswemustbeonthemoveagain。SeeCarrollaboutthesethingsandreport。Meantime，Mr。Macgregor，youwillremainwithustotea。\"
\"Carroll！\"exclaimedPeraultinatoneofdisgust。\"Datmannogood’tall。Igetyouoneponycheap。DatCarrollhe’sonebeegtief。\"
ThelittleFrenchman’seyesglitteredwithhate。
\"Perault，\"repliedtheOldProspectorquietly，\"IquiteunderstandyouhaveyourownquarrelwithCarroll，butthesearemyaffairs。
Carrollwillnotcheatme。\"
\"Ah！Bah！\"spatPeraultinaviciousundertoneofdisgust。\"Deolebossheblam—fool。Henotseenoting。\"AndPeraultdeparted，grumblingandswearing，tomakehisdealwithCarroll。
TimothyCarrollwasamanaltogetherremarkable，eveninthatcountryofremarkablemen。Ofhispasthistorylittlewasknown。AtonetimeaHudsonBaytrader，thenafreighter。Atpresenthe\"ran\"
theLoonLakeStoppingPlaceandaliverystable，tookcontractsinfreight，andconductedageneraltradingbusinessinhorses，cattle—
—anything，inshort，thatcouldbeboughtandsoldinthatcountry。
Amanofpowerfulphysiqueandgreatshrewdness，heeasilydominatedthecommunityofLoonLake。Hewasacuriousmixtureofincongruouscharacteristics。Atthesametimemanyapoorfellowhadfoundinhimafriendinsicknessor\"inhardluck，\"andbyhiswifeandfamilyhewasadored。HistendernessforlittlelamePatsywasthemarvelofallwhoknewtheterribleTimCarroll。Hehadafurioustemper，andinwrathwastrulyterrifying，whileinmattersoftradehewascool，cunning，andunscrupulous。Fewmenhadeverdaredtofacehisrage，andfewhadeverworstedhimina\"deal。\"NowonderPerault，whohadexperiencedboththefuryofhisrageandtheunscrupulousnessofhistradingmethods，approachedhimwithreluctance。But，thoughPeraulthadsufferedatthehandsofthebigIrishman，thechiefcauseofhishatredwasnotpersonal。Heknew，whatmanyothersinthecommunitysuspected，thatforyearsCarrollhadsystematicallyrobbedandhadcontributedlargelytotheruinofhis\"oldboss。\"WalterMowbraywashauntedbyoneenslavingvice。Hewasbytemperamentandbyhabitagambler。Itwasthisvicethathadbeenhisruin。Inthemadnessofhispassionhehadriskedandlost，onefatalnightintheoldland，thefundsofthefinancialinstitutionofwhichhewasthetrustedandhonouredhead。Intheagonyofhisshamehehadfledfromhishome，leavinginhergravehisbroken—heartedwife，andabandoningtothecareofhismaidensisterhislittlegirlofayearold，andhadsought，inthefeverishsearchforgold，relieffromhauntingmemory，redemptionforhimself，andprovisionforhischild。Inhisprospectingexperimentssuccesshadattendedhim。Hedevelopedinamarvellousdegreetheprospector’sinstinct，forinstinctitappearedtobe;
andmanyoftheimportantprospects，andsomeofthemostvaluableminesinSouthernBritishColumbia，hadbeendiscoveredbyhim。
ItwasatthispointthatCarrolltookahand。ActingincollusionwiththeexpertagentfortheBritishAmericanGoldandSilverMiningCompany，hehadboughtforhundredsofdollarsandsoldforthousandstheOldProspector’sclaims。Notthattheoldmanhadlostthatfinancialabilityorthatknowledgeofhumannaturethathadgivenhimhishighplaceinformerdays，buthewaspossessedofadreamofwealthsovastthatordinaryfortunesshrankintoinsignificanceincomparison。HehadfallenunderthespellofanIndiantaleofalostriveroffabulouswealthingoldthatdisturbedallhissenseofvalue。InoneofhisprospectingtourshehadcomeuponanoldIndianhunter，tornbyagrizzlyanddying。ForweekshenursedtheoldIndianinhiscampwithtenderbutunavailingcare。Ingratitude，thedyingmanhadtoldofthelostriverthatflowedoverrocksandsandssownwithgold。InhisyoungdaystheIndianhadseentheriverandhadgatheredits\"yellowsandandstones\";inlateryears，however，whenhehadcometoknowsomethingofthevalueofthis\"yellowsandandstones\"hehadsoughttheriver，butinvain。Amountainpeakinonevastslidehadfilledupthevalley，divertedthecourseoftheriver，andchangedthewholefaceofthecountry。FormanysummerstheIndianhadsoughtwiththeunfalteringpatienceofhisracethebedofthelostriver，andatlength，thatverysummer，hehaddiscoveredit。Deepdowninasidecanyoninthebedofatricklingbrookhehadfound\"yellowsandandstones\"similartothoseofthelostriverofhisyouth。AsthedyingIndianpouredoutfromhisbuckskinbagtheglitteringsandandrustybitsofrock，thereenteredintotheOldProspectortheterriblegold—lustthatforthirteenyearsburnedasafeverinhisbonesandluredhimonthroughperilsandprivations，overmountainsandalongcanyons，makinghiminsensibletostormsandfrostsandburningsuns，andthatevennow，oldmanashewas，wornandbroken，stillburnedwithunquenchableflame。
Underthespellofthatdreamofwealthhefounditeasytopayhis\"debtsofhonour\"toCarrollwithminingclaims，which，howevervaluableinthemselves，weretohimpaltryincomparisonwiththewealthoftheLostRiver，towhicheveryyearbroughthimnearer，andwhichonedayhewassurehewouldpossess。ThatCarrollandhisconfederaterobbedhimheknewwellenough，butfindingCarrollusefultohim，bothinthewayofoutfittinghisannualexpeditionsandinprovidingmeansforthegratifyingofhislife—longgamblingpassion，bywhichthedeadlymonotonyofthelongwinterdaysandnightswasrelieved，hetoleratedwhilehescornedhimandhisvillainy。
NotsoPerault，whosedevotiontohis\"oleboss\"wasequalledonlybyhishateofthosewhorobbedwhiletheyderidedhim，andhesethimselftothetaskofthwartingtheirnefariousschemes。ForthisPeraulthadincurredthesavagewrathofCarroll，andmorethanoncehadsuferedbodilyinjuryathishands。
TheStoppingPlacewasfilledwithmenfromtheranges，freightersfromthetrail，andthenondescriptdriftwoodthatthewavesofcivilisationcastupuponthosefar—awayshoresofhumansociety。
WithallofthemPeraultwasafavourite。Carrollwasoutwhenheentered。Onallsideshewasgreetedwithexclamationsofsurprise，pleasure，andcuriosity，forallknewthathehadsetoutuponanother\"annualfoolhunt，\"astheProspector’syearlyexpeditionwascalled。\"Hello，Rainy，what’shappened？\"\"Gotyergolddust？\"
\"Goin’toretire，Rainy？\"\"TheOldProspectorstruckhisriveryit？\"
greetedhimoneveryside。
\"Oui，bygar！Hestruckheem，forsure，\"grinnedPerault。
\"What？TheLostRiver？\"\"What？Hismine？\"chorusedthecrowd，awakenedtomorethanordinaryinterest。
\"Non，notLos’River，butlos’man，blanknear。\"AndPeraultwentontodescribe，withdramaticfervourandappropriategesticulation，thesceneattheBlackDog，bringingoutintostrongreliefhisownhelplessnessandstupidity，andthecooldaringofthestrangerwhohadsnatchedhis\"oleboss\"outofthejawsoftheBlackDog。
\"ByJove！\"exclaimedarancherwhenthenarrativewasfinished，\"notbad，that。Whowasthechap，Rainy？\"
\"Do’nome。Tinkhe’sonewhatyoucallpries’。YourProtestan’
pries’。\"
\"What，apreacher？\"criedtherancher。\"Nothe。They’renotmadethatway。\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，Sinclair，\"saidanotherrancher。\"There’sFatherMike，youknow。\"
\"That’sso，\"saidSinclair。\"Buttherearehardlytwoofthatkindonthesamerange。\"
\"FadderMike！\"sniffedPeraultcontemptuously。\"DatbeegfellerheesrollFadderMikeupinonebeegbunchan’stickheeminheespocket。
Datfellerhe’snot’fraidnoting。Beegblam—fool，jus’lakoleboss，forsure。\"
\"Iguesshemustbegoodstuff，Rainy，ifyouputhiminthatclass。\"
\"Dat’sheesplace，\"averredRainywithemphasis。\"Jus’lakoleboss。\"
AtthispointCarrollcamein。
\"Hello，Perault！\"hesaid。\"Whattheblank，blankareyedoin’
here？\"
Peraultspatdeliberatelyintotheash—pan，tippedbackhischairwithoutlookingatthebigIrishman，andansweredcoolly。
\"Me？Afteronepackponyan’someoutfitfordeoleboss。\"
\"Ponyan’outfit，isit？\"shoutedCarroll。\"Whattheblank，blankd’yemane？What’avyedonewidthatpackponyavmoine，an’where’syerblankouldfoolavaboss？\"
Carrollwasworkinghimselfupintoafinerage。
\"Deboss，he’sinbed，\"repliedPeraultcoolly。\"Depony，he’sindeBlackDogReever，guess。\"
\"TheBlackDog？Whattheblank，blankd’yemane，anyway？Whydon’tyeanswer？Blankyef’racursedcrapeauofaFrenchman？Isthatponyofmoinedrowned？\"
\"Mebbe，\"saidPerault，shrugginghisshoulders，\"unlessheleevunderdewaterlakonemush—rat。\"
\"Blankyerimpudence，\"roaredCarroll，\"tobesittin’therelaughin’
inmefaceatthelossavmeproperty。It’snobetterthanapackofthievesyeare。\"
\"Tieves！\"answeredPerault，inquickanger。\"Dere’sonebeeg，black，hairytiefnotfar’waydat’sgotheesmoneyfordatponytwo——threetamovere。\"
Chokingwithrage，Carrolltookonesteptowardhim，kickedhischaircleanfromunderhim，anddepositedtheFrenchmanontheflooramidashoutoflaughterfromthecrowd。InblazingwrathPeraultwasonhisfeetwithabound，and，swinginghischairaroundhishead，hurleditfullinthefaceofhisenemy。CarrollcaughtitonhisarmandcamerushingattheFrenchman。
\"Youonebeegblacktief，\"shriekedPerault，drawingaknifeandstrikingsavagelyatthebigIrishman。AshedeliveredhisblowCarrollcaughthimbythewrist，wrenchedtheknifefromhisgrasp，seizinghimbythethroatproceededtochokehim。Thecrowdstoodlookingon，hesitatingtointerfere。Afightwasunderstoodinthatcountrytobethebusinessofnomansavethoseimmediatelyconcerned。Besidesthis，Carrollwasdreadedforhisgreatstrengthandhisfurioustemper，andnomancaredtoimperilhislifebyattackinghim。
\"Blankyercursedsoul！\"criedCarrollthroughhisclenchedteeth。
\"It’sthisOi’vebeenwaintin’f’rmanyaday，an’nowbythepowersOi’llbetakin’thelifeofyez，soOiwill。\"
Histhreatwouldundoubtedlyhavebeencarriedout，forPeraultwasbentfarback，hisfacewasblack，andhistongueprotrudedfromhiswideopensmouth。ButatthismomentthedooropenedandShockquietlysteppedin。Forasingleinstanthestoodgazinginamazementuponthestrangescene，thensteppingquicklybehindCarroll，whosebackwastowardthedoor，hecaughthiswrist。
\"Youarekillingtheman，\"hesaidquietly。
\"Oiamthatsame！\"hissedCarroll，hiseyesbloodshotwiththelightofmurderinthem。\"An’byallthepowersofhellOi’llbehavin’
yerheart’sbloodifyedon’tkapeaff。\"
\"Indeed，then，he’stoosmallamanforyou，andastomyself，wecanseeaboutthatlater，\"saidShockquietly。
Heclosedhisfingersonthewristheheld。ThehandgrippingPerault’sthroatopenedquickly，allowingtheFrenchmantofalltothefloor。Swingingroundwithahoarsecry，thebigIrishmanaimedaterrificblowatShock’shead。ButShock，catchingtheblowonhisarm，drewCarrollsharplytowardhim，atthesametimegivingaquickdownwardtwisttothewristheheld，atrickoftheJapanesewrestlersthe’Varsitymenhadbeenwonttopractise。Therewasaslightcrack，ahowlofpain，andCarrollsankwrithingonthefloor，withShock’sgripstillonhiswrist。
\"Letmeup，\"heroared。
\"Willyouletthelittlemanalone？\"askedShockquietly。
\"Letmeup，blankye！It’syerheart’sbloodwillpayforthis。\"
\"Willyouleavethelittlemanalone？\"askedShockinarelentlesslyeventone。
\"Yis，yis，\"groanedCarroll。\"Mewrist’sbruk，soitis。ButOi’llbeaftherdoin’f’ryez，yeblank，blank——\"
Carroll’sprofanityflowedinacopiousstream。
\"Astothat，\"saidShock，quietlysteppingbackfromhim，\"wecandiscussthatlater;butitisashameforamanlikeyoutobechokingalittlechaplikethat。\"
TheoldfootballscrimmagesmilewasonShock’sfaceashestoodwaitingforCarrolltorise。Thewholeincidenthadoccurredsounexpectedlyandsosuddenlythatthecrowdaboutstoodamazed，quiteunabletorealisejustwhathadhappened。
AfteratimethebigIrishmanslowlyrose，holdinghiswoundedwristandgrindingoutcurses。ThensuddenlyseizingwithhisuninjuredhandthechairwhichPeraulthadthrownathim，heraiseditaloftandwithawildyellbroughtitdownuponShock’shead。Withhisyellmingledashrillcry。ItwaslittlePatsy。Hehadstoleninbehindhisfather，andwitheyesgrowingwiderandwiderhadstoodlisteningtohisfather’sgroansandcurses。
GraduallythemeaningofthescenedawneduponlittlePatsy’smind。
Hisfatherhadbeenhurt，andtherestoodthemanwhohadhurthim。
Inafurythelittleladhurtledacrosstheroom，andjustashisfatherdeliveredhisterrificblowhethrewhimself，withcrutchuplifted，attheastonishedShockandrightinthewayofthedescendingchair。
Insteadofstartingbacktoavoidtheblow，ashemighteasilyhavedone，Shockwithoutamoment’shesitationsprangtowardsthechild，takingthefullweightoftheblowupon’hisarmandhead，butwithoutentirelysavingPatsy。Togethertheyfell，Shockbleedingprofuselyfromadeepcutonthehead。
Twomensprangtohisaid，whileCarrollstoodstupidlygazingdownuponthewhitefaceofthelittleboy。
\"Nevermindme，\"saidShock，recoveringconsciousnessquickly，\"looktothechild。Ishehurt？\"
\"He’sdead，Iguess，\"saidSinclair。
\"It’salie！\"criedCarroll，inahoarsevoice。\"It’sablanklie，I
tellyou！\"
Hisfacewaswhiteandhisterribleeyes，solatelysuffusedwiththelightofmurder，werefilledwithstartledterror。Hedroppedbesidehischildandliftedhiminhisarms，cryingsoftly，\"Patsy，boyAw，nowPatsy，darlin’。Spaketome，Patsy\"
Butthelonglasheslayquietlyuponthewhitecheeks，andthelittleformremainedlimpandstill。Carrollliftedanamazedandterror—strickenfacetothecompany。
\"WhathaveIdone？Surehe’snotdead！\"hesaidinanawedwhisper。
\"No，no，\"saidShock，wipingthebloodoutofhiseyesandleaningoverthelittlewhiteface。\"Water，Perault，andbrandy，\"hecried。
\"Quick！\"
Themenwhohadstoodaghastatthetragicendingofwhathadbeensimplyarowofmorethanordinaryinterestnowhastenedtogivehelp。Waterandbrandywereimmediatelyathand。Ignoringhisownwound，Shockbathedthefaceandhandsoftheunconsciouschild，buttherewasnosignoflife。
\"Guesshe’sgoneout，rightenough，\"saidacowboy。
\"Liar！Liar！Blankyourcursedsoulforaliar！\"criedCarroll，inatoneofagony。
\"Man，man！\"saidShock，inastern，solemnvoice，\"wouldyouprovoketheAlmightytoangerwithyouroaths？YououghtrathertobeseechHismercyforyourownsoul。WhyshouldHegiveyourchildtothecareofsuchamanasyou？Givemethelad。\"
WithoutawordofremonstranceCarrollallowedShocktoliftthelifelesschildandcarryhimintotheopenair，where，layinghimontheground，hebegantovigorouslychafehishandsandfeet。Aftersomeminutesofbathingandrubbingtheeyelidsbegantoflutterandthebreathtocomeingentlesighs。