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"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。
